The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

176 THE COURT OF LONDON do I fall upon my knees in your presence, Pauline,” he cried, in an impassioned tone, ‘‘ and never shall I rise until I have confessed my errors, my misdeeds, and received your full pardon.”’ “No, Gabriel, you shall make no confession to me,” ex- claimed the generous-hearted Pauline. ‘‘ Rise, I will not listen to one word of self-crimination from your lips. I have been harsh, precipitate, unkind toward you in one respect, and you have forgiven me. Shall I be less considerate on your behalf? Besides, I can already divine the truth in reference to the vindictive young woman who achieved so much mischief and who personated the Gipsy at the mas- querade. She was doubtless one who had good cause to deplore a broken pledge on your part, and it will now be our duty to seek her, console and propitiate her, and ensure her a competency, if she be poor, for the remainder of her days.” , ‘Ah! you know not of whom you are speaking, Pauline,”’ exclaimed Florimel. ‘“‘ Do you remember the dreadful murder that was committed in Lambeth some two or three months back? Well, that same Caroline Walters — the murderess — is the young woman whom you would console and propitiate, and she was arrested last evening.” “Oh, the unhappy girl! ”’ cried Pauline, clasping her hands and shuddering visibly. ‘“‘ And that infamous woman — the milliner of Pall Mall— was also taken into custody, I have heard, charged with crimes that are almost in- credible — ”’ ‘“ But which appear, notwithstanding, to be conclusively brought home to her,” added Florimel. ‘“ Let us not, how- ever, devote a word or a thought to any one or anything, unless connected with our own affairs, for these must now be the all-engrossing topic. Yes, Pauline,’’ continued the young nobleman, still remaining upon his knees before her, and speaking in a voice of the deepest contrition, ‘‘ I be- trayed that young girl — that Caroline Walters — and hence the fearful revenge which she has sought to wreak upon me, by alienating your affections from me for ever. It is true that she became my victim before I was even acquainted with you; but can you — will you — bestow your hand on one who has erred so deeply as I? ”’ ‘The candour of the confession, Gabriel, permits me not CORNIELIOOLKKS (E()