The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

160 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘OQ God!” groaned Lady Ernestina, in a paroxysm of ineffable anguish, and she covered her face with her hands to shut out that dreadful being from her view. The Marquis of Leveson gave vent to an ejaculation of mingled rage and disgust. As for Venetia, whose veil was thickly folded over her countenance, though for a moment a shudder passed over her form on thus beholding the public executioner, yet at the next instant all sense of loathing was absorbed in that of triumph. “Here is the witness,’ exclaimed the baronet, ‘‘ who can prove whether or not Lady Ernestina Dysart was the means of sealing the doom of her own husband.’’ ‘““O God! O God!” groaned the unhappy woman, writhing under the contortions of the heart’s transcending anguish. “Sir Douglas Huntingdon,” said the Marquis of Leveson, suddenly walking straight up to the baronet, clutching him by the arm, and speaking in a low, hollow tone, “ put an end to this dreadful scene and I will accept any terms you choose to dictate. But, for God’s sake, spare my niece.”’ ‘Not to me must you appeal, my lord, not to me,” returned Huntingdon, “‘ but to Lady Sackville, whom you have menaced, outraged, humiliated — ” ‘Ah! hers is the triumph now!” rejoined the marquis, bitterly. Then, accosting her abruptly as she sat still closely veiled upon the sofa, he said, “‘ Will your ladyship say one kind word to Huntingdon on our behalf, for the sake of my niece and myself, or shall I fall down upon my knees at your feet — ”’ ‘No, no, this is sufficient,’ hastily observed Venetia. ‘Sir Douglas will negotiate with you.” “Good!” ejaculated the marquis. Then, with a low bow to Venetia, he drew the baronet aside, saying, ‘‘ What are your conditions? Name them.” “You know them, already,’’ rejoined the baronet. “ In- violable secrecy in those matters which have come to your knowledge relative to Lady Sackville, a cessation of all overtures, persecutions, and proposals to her in future.” ‘But you ere now spoke of guarantees for the fulfilment oi this treaty on my part? ”’ said Lord Leveson, inquiringly. “Those guarantees, are they not furnished by the cir- cumstances which have just transpired?’’ demanded the baronet. ‘‘ The treaty consists of silence, secrecy, and CoOnnicloooks (E(0)