The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 87: what you’re looking at

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64 REYNOLDS’ WORKS for hinting that your words touch upon topics not altogether agreeable to my sister.’ ‘ Poor boy — poor girl! I would not willingly or wilfully distress either of you,” said the old gentleman, in a tremu- lous voice that showed he was much moved. “ Elizabeth, believe what I say, | would not wantonly cause you pain. You have assured me that as a woman you can look without a blush upon your past life, therefore why not speak of your husband? If he be dead, and you deplore his loss, I can sympathize with you, but if he be alive and separated from you, it can scarcely be from any fault of your own, if your life has been pure and chaste? And that it has been so, I feel convinced, for there is something in your look which corroborates your solemn affirmation.” “Oh, yes, Mr. Gunthorpe, most sacredly can I repeat that assurance,’ exclaimed Lady Bess. Then, as her voice suddenly sank into a lower and graver tone, she said, ‘‘ My life has had its faults, but that which woman generally commits first has never tainted my name,” and she averted her blushing countenance as she spoke. ‘“‘ My sister has been married, Mr. Gunthorpe,”’ whispered Francis Paton, “‘ but she has never lived with her husband for a single day, no, nor for an hour, nor a minute. She is the same as if the marriage ceremony had never been per- formed at all.” “This is most remarkable,” said the old gentleman, gazing in profoundest surprise upon that handsome creature, of superb shape, who stood with half-averted countenance at a little distance from where he was seated. “ But your husband, Elizabeth,” he continued, ‘‘ pray do not hesitate to speak to me upon this head. What was he? Where is he? ”’ ‘There is such an earnestness in your words, Mr. Gun- thorpe,”’ replied the lady, now bending her magnificent eyes upon him again, “ that I cannot help answering your questions. The man whom I married bore not the name of Chandos.”’ ‘Then, after a few moments’ hesitation, she said, ‘“T would tell you what his real name is, but that I should perhaps be doing an injury to a young lady of whom I have heard some good things, and nothing bad.” ‘‘ Whatever necessity there may be for secrecy and con- | fidence, Elizabeth,” observed Mr. Gunthorpe, solemnly, GOmMmicbooks (E(0)