The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

ANOTHER PHASE OF DEPRAVITY 85 Not a word was now spoken between them; nor did Emma dare even to risk a furtive glance at his countenance, for fear he should observe that she thus regarded him. But there was in the depths of her soul the intuitive conviction that his looks were full of the expression of outraged feeling; and depraved as she was in heart, she nevertheless deplored her folly in risking so consummate a humiliation. She was also racked by the torture of unappeasable desires; for although her conduct toward Jocelyn had commenced in artifice and duplicity, it had nevertheless acquired a certain amount of sincerity from the inspiration of her licentious passions. Thus the ardour of her language was not altogether feigned; but it was created by the heart’s own incendiarism of feelings, and not by the purer flame of love. In silence did they regain the hotel; and the moment they entered the passage leading to the sitting-room, Jocelyn stopped short. ‘“ Miss Owen,” he said, ‘‘ I shall not betray to a living soul the particulars of the interview which has taken place between us. I will not add to your humiliation by publish- ing your shame. If your absence has been observed, I leave you to give what explanations you choose. But I must decline the honour of henceforth joining your party at table or elsewhere. If your sisters and yourself have any communication to make relative to the important subject which I need only thus allude to, it can be done in writing. But if I hear nothing from you in the course of this day, I shall to-morrow morning continue my journey — but alone — toward Italy; and her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales will be duly prepared to receive the spies whom her unprincipled husband has appointed to attend upon her.”’ Having thus spoken, Jocelyn Loftus bowed coldly and turned away; and Emma, who had listened with flushing cheeks, downcast eyes, and trembling form, hastened up to her own chamber to give vent to her agitated feelings in a flood of tears. On thus leaving the young lady, Jocelyn issued from the passage and passed into the courtyard of the hotel, for the purpose of seeking the coffee-room where he intended to take his breakfast. But he was accosted by an elderly, sour- looking Frenchman, plainly though by no means shabbily CoOnniclooolkxs (CO)