The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 49: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

O2 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘ But who could possibly have told you such a thing? ”’ ‘demanded the earl, with mingled astonishment and indig- nation. | | ~ Now I am not going to get you into a quarrel with any one,’ replied [iditha, in the softest tone and the most caressing manner. “ Besides, it was an elderly lady whom I overheard mentioning the circumstance to another an- tiquated gossip, and it was not intended for my ears. So you must ask me nothing more upon the subject. Suffice it to say that the imputation was a calumny.” ‘ But if I had found Leveson at home and had remained to pass the evening with him,” said Lord Curzon, “ you would have believed the tale and fancied that I was really at the Haymarket with a bad woman? ”’ ‘The affair would certainly have looked suspicious,” observed Editha; “ but it only proves that we should never be hasty in judging from appearances.”’ ‘True,’ exclaimed the earl, struck by the observation. Then, after a few minutes’ pause, during which he drank a glass of wine, he said, ‘“‘ It is a pity that huSbands and Wives ever keep any secrets from each other; the habit breeds distrust, and distrust embitters their existence.” ‘Are you going to turn over a new leaf? ’’ inquired the countess, laughing gaily. ‘‘ Your whole manner, conduct, and language to-day induce me to think so.”’ “ But if I have my secrets from you, Editha,’’ said the earl, attentively watching her ;countenance as he spoke, ‘“ have you none which you keep from me? ”’ ‘“ None, that may properly be called secrets,” she replied, apparently with the utmost sincerity; and therefore the reader will perceive that she was as thorough a proficient in the arts of hypocrisy as we have already described her. ‘Tam elad of it, my love,’”’ exclaimed the earl, completely staggered by the candour of her response and the ingenuous- ness of her looks; and again he reflected upon her observa- tion relative to the imprudence of judging rashly by ap- pearances. Gomichbooks (E(0)