The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 329: what you’re looking at

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

296 THE COURT OF LONDON to penetrate; for be it observed that it was in consequence of her voice being thus subdued by the folds of this veil that the earl had ere now (previously to the scene on the staircase) listened to it so long without perceiving that it was not the voice of his countess. ‘Yes, you must let me see that note,”’ said the earl, taking her hands and pressing them in his own. ‘ There can now be no secrets between us: we have gone too far to retract. The occurrences of this night have suddenly estab- lished between us the intimacy which half a dozen years could scarcely have created under other circumstances. Were this not the case, think you that I would have revealed to your ears the fact that my wife is an intrigante, an accom- plished intrigante, an intrigante the strength of whose pas- sions is only equalled by her artifice in ministering to them. To confess myself a cuckold, to avow my knowledge of my own dishonour, to admit that | am duped and deceived, without being able to obtain a single proof against my abandoned wife, — all this is painful and humiliating enough for me. Need you, then, on your part, hesitate to show me that letter? ”’ ‘‘ Ah! when it contains avowals and protestations made in your name,” said the lady whose voice was still low and tremulous, ‘‘ which you will perhaps refuse to confirm and sanction? ”’ ‘“‘ If the letter tells you that you are beautiful and assures you that your charms are great,’”’ cried Curzon, ‘‘ the forger of that letter has only said for me what I am fully prepared to say in my own behalf. Yes, you are handsome, gloriously handsome; and I love you, I love you.” Thus speaking, the earl— having assured himself by means of a rapid glance swept around the conservatory that no observer was nigh — caught Lady Prescott in his arms, tore away the veil from her face, and glued his lips to hers. All the sensual passions of the widow flamed up in a moment, and abandoning herself to the full tide of ecstasy which thrilled through her frame, she vibrated in his arms, supple and elastic as a wanton bayadere craving other joys more replete with frenetic pleasure than even the foretasting raptures of this kiss. Then, as the earl, profiting by the occasion to indulge in amorous dalliance, gently invaded with his hand the treasures of the amorous widow’s glowing Gomicbooks (ee) m