The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 321: what you’re looking at

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

288 THE COURT OF LONDON low, tremulous whisper, “‘ you are overwhelming me with compliments and flatteries.”’ | ‘“ Flatteries!’’ repeated Curzon, totally unable to dis- tinguish in the voice of his companion any peculiarity of accent to show that it was not the voice of Editha. ‘‘ In the first place, I never flatter, and, in the second place, even if I did it would be impossible to adopt such a course with you. Because no language could be too exaggerated to express the power of your charms, those charms which have made me your slave.”’ ‘“ But surely, surely,’ murmured the lady, ‘“‘ you cannot have conceived for me a passion so fervid, so intense —”’ ‘“ Tell, me dearest, dearest lady,’’ whispered Curzon, as he slowly led his veiled companion amidst the maze of the masked throng, ‘‘ tell me whether it be the first time that any one has ventured to address you in this language since you were first wooed by him who gained possession of your hand? ” “Oh, would you believe me, my lord,’’ answered the lady, in the soft, tremulous tone which beauty adopts when bash- fully confessing the homage that it receives, ‘‘ would you believe me, my lord, if I were to declare that such language has never been addressed to me before? ”’ “No, dearest lady,’? answered Curzon, ‘“‘I assuredly should doubt your sincerity, because, lovely as you are, brilliant and fascinating as you are, it would be impossible that you could have escaped the thousand adulations, the myriad flatteries, yes, and the innumerable proofs of devo- tion and love which constitute the triumph of all the stars that shine in the galaxy of beauty. But, oh, think me not too venturous, dear lady, if I ask whether any of those adula- tions have made an impression on your heart, whether, in a word, you have ever had a lover besides your husband? ”’ ‘““T never loved but two persons,’’ said the veiled one, murmuringly. ‘“‘ My husband was one — ”’ ‘‘ And the other? ”’ said Curzon, inquiringly, and speaking with the bated breath of an assumed suspense, for of course he was personating Lord Sackville toward one whom he believed to be Editha. : “That other? ’’ responded the lady. Then, after a few moments’ hesitation, she whispered, ‘‘ That other — is your- self.” Gomicbooks (E(0)