The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 348: what you’re looking at

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

EARL OF MONTGOMERY’S VISITORS 317 “T do not,” cried Montgomery, his impatience amounting to a positive excruciation. ‘‘ But I would give worlds to learn that secret, and if you be acquainted with it, Ga- briel —’”’ “ Softly, one moment,” said the young nobleman. “ Is it possible that, intoxicated by her wiles and infatuated by her seductiveness, you made any communications which ought not to have been revealed to an enemy —’’ ‘“ Ah! an enemy,” repeated Montgomery, with a terrible sinking at the heart. ‘‘ Do you mean me to understand, Gabriel, that the Unknown is — ”’ And he whispered a name in Florimel’s ear. “It is she!” replied the young nobleman. ‘“ But as a point of honour you will retain this secret — Good heavens! what ails you? ”’ exclaimed Florimel, as he beheld his friend sink down, ghastly pale and trembling all over, upon an ottoman. “ Nothing — nothing,” said Montgomery, the words seeming to come gaspingly from the agitated recesses of his heart; ‘“‘ a sudden indisposition — ” ‘No, my dear friend,” interrupted Florimel, energetically, “it was no sudden indisposition. But it was a fright —a shock — Ah! if you in any way placed yourself in that woman’s power, you will bitterly, bitterly rue your folly, your madness; for assuredly nothing short of utter madness could it have been.”’ “Tt was, Gabriel, it was,”’ said the earl, in a stifling tone. “‘ But I know something relative to herself, — a crime which places her in my power — ”’ ‘“ Beware how you war against that woman,” exclaimed Florimel, with a voice and manner of solemn warning. “ I have reason to know that she is a consummate adept in intrigue, — a veritable diplomatist in all the worst arts of duplicity, deceit, and guile. Full nearly did she enmesh me irrecoverably in her snares; and now that I look back upon the past, I shudder when I think of the narrow escape that I have experienced. She is a snake that fascinates its victim, a serpent gifted with a dreadful power of charming and en- rapturing those around whom she intends to wind her coils. Oh, Eugene! if I told you all, — but I cannot now, I have not either the heart or the leisure — ”’ “Would to God I had some proof that she is indeed the Eomichbooks (E()