The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 335: what you’re looking at

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

318 THE COURT OF LONDON after all the love I once bestowed on him, that villain is at length in my power, and he shall die.”’ Having given utterance to these words with a terrible emphasis, Editha remained silent for two or three minutes, during which interval Lady Prescott also held her peace, being absorbed in her own reflections. ‘“ Does it not seem,’’ at length continued the Countess of Curzon, “ as if some superior power were guiding us on both alike to the consummation of that vengeance which we had so much longed to wreak, but the accomplishment of which until this last half-hour seemed so distant, even if it were ever possible at all? But as I have already told you, some secret and unaccountable presentiment urged me, when flying from disgrace in England and seeking refuge on the Continent, to visit Geneva. It was not so much on account of the tranquullity of this little republic that I came hither, but impelled by that feeling to which I have just alluded — ” “ But,’ interrupted Lady Prescott, “in recounting your history to me yesterday, did you not mention that during the long absence of your husband from home you received two letters, one bearing the postmark of Milan, and the other of Geneva? ”’ ‘““ Yes, it was so,’ answered Lady Curzon, “ and perhaps this circumstance was floating uppermost in my mind, though unconsciously at the time, when I resolved upon coming to Geneva. But far, very far was I from anticipating that I should meet my husband here. Equally little did I expect to encounter this hated Malpas, against whom all my rage 1s now concentrated. When we came forth to walk this evening and bent our steps toward the jetty — ”’ ‘You would not believe, when from a distance I recog- nized your husband approaching,’”’. interrupted Lady Pres- cott. ‘‘ But I knew him at once, knew him by his gait, his walk so noble, so dignified, so commanding, and yet so elegant.’’ “Heavens! can you thus praise him whom you have doomed to death? ”’ cried Editha, almost savagely. “True, I was wrong to call up any memory that might possibly serve to weaken me in my purpose. And yet it ) ’ was not through a transitory failing in my resolve,” con-. tinued Lady Prescott, ‘‘ for that 1s stern, inexorable, but 1t was the train of thought unwittingly flowing on and giving EORMICLIOO KS (E(0)