The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 296: what you’re looking at

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

THE EARL’S LAST ACT OF REPARATION 265 monplace observations to which they gave utterance with an effort, and the cold meaningless nature of which only ren- dered their embarrassment the more cruel, — their per- plexity the more painful. ‘“‘ Hleanor,” said the earl, after a long pause the chill silence of which became intolerable, ‘‘ there must be an end to all this.” ‘““ My lord!” ejaculated the countess, with a start, as if she did not comprehend her husband’s meaning; and the hur- ried glance which she threw upon him was instantaneously averted. “Yes, all this must have an end somehow or another,” cried the earl, in a voice of decision. ‘“ It is impossible that we can lead such a terrible existence much longer.”’ ‘“ A terrible existence, my lord? ”’ said the countess, with a sort of cold astonishment. “ Oh, do not affect inability to comprehend me, Eleanor! ”’ exclaimed the unhappy nobleman; “ your heart tells you but too well what I mean. Look you, Eleanor, we are accursed in each other’s eyes,” he continued, in a low, deep, hollow tone; “ and until this moment we have not dared confess in words those feelings which nevertheless speak out in all our looks and all our actions. Crime, Eleanor, has opened a tremendous gulf between us, and we are not fitted to dwell together any longer.”’ ‘“‘ But if we separate,” said the countess, hanging down her head and speaking in a tone that was scarcely audible, for she no longer affected not to comprehend her husband’s meaning, “if we separate, what will the world say? What scandal will be created? What ee may be engen- dered? ”’ “True! ’”’? murmured the earl. ‘‘ And therefore it is ap- parent that we must not separate, eh?’ he said, inquiringly. ‘‘ No, we must not separate,’’ responded the countess. “Nor can we continue to live together thus,’ added the earl. ‘“ No, we cannot live together thus,’’ she rejoined. And a long pause ensued, during which they walked slowly toward the house, not once glancing at each other, no, not even furtively. 1) “°Tis a heavenly day — a abate day,’ suddenly ex- claimed the earl, as if all in a moment inspired by a joyous- GoOmiilGaooks (C(O)