The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

252 REYNOLDS’ WORKS that I yearn to fold those dear ones in my arms, that this solitude has suddenly become hateful to me, that I long to fly hence and seek the spot where dwell the objects of my love. Tell me, Paton, tell me, when you came hither this morning had you any fixed plan to propose? Any project to suggest? ”’ “My dear Alexandrina,” he ae ‘can you not perceive at a glance how much depended upon yourself? You bid me talk to youof the future. The first word I must say is a question that I have to put,— a question that may seem precipitate, but on the response to which does so much of our future plans depend? ”’ ‘Paton, I understand you,’ replied Lady Everton. “Tf you still think me worthy of bearing your name, you know not the happiness and joy with which I shall receive it.”’ The marquis carried her hand to his lips, exclaiming, “This is the assurance that I alone required to make me happy. And now, my dear Alexandrina, there are two dis- tinct alternatives which I have to submit to your considera- tion. I allude to the course to be adopted in respect to our two dear children, Elizabeth and Frank. Adolphus is with them, but he knows not that they are his half-brother and sister. Is he to remain in ignorance of this secret? Or is he to be made acquainted with it? Those are the alter- natives.” ‘Oh, my decision is given at once,”’ replied Lady Everton. ‘‘ Adolphus must know all, and God grant that he may not blush for his mother. When I become your wife, how can I possibly treat as comparative strangers, as visitors, or as cuests, our dear Elizabeth and Frank? No, no; it were impossible. Let the world think what it will; our children must be acknowledged. I beseech and implore that you will grant me this. Whatever shame there may be to bear, it falls not on the man, it falls on the woman; it will not touch you, it will all become mine; and cheerfully, cheer- fully shall I endure it rather than have to disavow those children who have been disavowed too long. I see things in a very different light from that in which I beheld them some years back. Tell me, then, that you will not be ashamed to own as your wife one whom the finger of scandal and scorn may perchance be pointed at when all the past becomes known.” ECORMICLIOO KS Eco