The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 357: what you’re looking at

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

324 THE COURT OF LONDON Emmerson’s penmanship well enough. But let us see how much we have here. One — two — three — four —”’ and he went on counting the bank-notes, each for one hundred pounds, until at length he exclaimed, “ Five thousand oulneas,on my soul! Well, this is a lucky windfall.” ‘But you cannot, you will not, you dare not self-appro- priate it,’’ exclaimed the countess, once more springing to her feet. ‘“‘ Do you not see,’”’ she exclaimed, in a hysterical tone, “‘ that it is intended for a special purpose? ”’ ‘But supposing that I, as your husband, consider that your funds would be misapplied,” exclaimed the earl, ‘‘ un- less they went to pay my debts, have I not a right to exercise my judgment in the matter? ” ‘Let there be open war between us, if you will,” ex- claimed Editha, well-nigh driven to madness, ‘“‘ but give me that money, for it is not mine, it is merely entrusted to me — 7.7 ‘This is absurd! ”’ exclaimed the earl. ‘‘ The money is sent to you, this note proves it, and once more I say that what is yours 1s mine.’ The countess again sank back upon the sofa with reeling brain and bursting heart, while her husband, hastily securing the bank-notes about his person, was hurrying from the room, when he accidentally dropped Emmerson’s unsigned letter. His hand was upon the door ere he perceived it, and at the same instant, swift as the eagle swoops upon its prey, did Gertrude bound forward and seize upon that letter. Then thrusting it into her bosom, she seemed to concentrate all the lustre of her fine dark eyes in order to fling one burning, scorching glance of hatred and of indignation upon the earl. For a moment he seemed inclined to tear the document from her, but, suddenly changing his mind, he said, “‘ After all, you are welcome to the letter, since I retain the bank- notes. Without a signature, and ambiguous in its wording as it is, it is valueless as a piece of evidence.’”’ Then turning a look of sardonic triumph upon his wife, he said, “ Your ladyship exposed me last night, but I think you will agree that you are paying rather dear for it to-day. Were I not satisfied with the vengeance which accident has thus enabled me to wreak, I should at once take and turn this insolent lady’s-maid of yours out of the house. As it is, with five Gomicbooks (E(@)