The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 345: what you’re looking at

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

328 THE COURT OF LONDON unseal those sweet lips of yours. It is usually said that kisses seal woman’s lips; but I must now see if they will not have a contrary effect.”’ | : Thus speaking, Curzon threw his arms around his com- panion and endeavoured to tear away her veil. But all in a moment she started a pace backward, threw up the veil of her own accord, and exclaimed, ‘‘ Behold me! ”’ “What! is it possible?” cried the earl, staggering back in utter amazement, as by the pure moonlight he discovered the features of Lady Prescott. ; “Yes, tis I, the plaything whom you tossed aside,”’ she instantaneously responded, in a hoarse voice. Then, even as the last words were still issuing from her lips, she raised her arm, something gleamed in her hand. The next moment there was a flash, accompanied by a report, and quickly followed by the ejaculation of “‘O God!” - uttered in sudden agony. Then there was a splash as of a heavy body talling mto the lake, and all was still on this side of the pier. But on the other side the report of the pistol was echoed, not by a mere reverberation, but by a like sound emanating from a similar weapon, anid there, too, was a momentary cry of death, followed by a heavy splash in the lake, a gurgling sound, and the next instant all was still likewise on that side of #hie pier. A few moments afterward Lady Prescott and the Countess of Curzon met each other at the commencement of the jetty, as each was hurrying away from the spot where murder had been accomplished. “You have done it?” said the one to the dre: in the low, hoarse voice of crime. ‘“ Yes,’’ was the answer, delivered in the same tone, and then shew both hurried on toward the city without speaking another word, without even daring to exchange another look, for theirs was now the companionship of crime, a hideous and a horrible companionship, which deadens all friendship, stifles all sympathies, raising up in their place gloomy suspicion, dark mistrust, and therefore mutual aversion. Half an hour afterward, when the mist had completely settled upon the lake and was veiling all the circumjacent scenery, three figures approached the jetty, and having satis- CONNIE NOOO KS (E(0) m