The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

THE DECISION 229 journal which contained something that regarded myself. Yes, Indora, it was after reading that journal that I threw myself at your feet, and besought you to give that consent which your royal father had already vouchsafed, but which you had refused to second.” “I know it but too well,’’ answered the princess, who had shrunk back in mournful dismay from the strange look which Redcliffe’s countenance had transiently expressed, ‘“ and I repeat, it was a crime on my part, —a foul treachery, whereof I have since deeply and sincerely repented. But why all these reiterations? Why taunt me thus with what I have done? Heaven knows — and I speak of that heaven into the holy mysteries of which you yourself initiated me by the inculcation of the Christian creed, — Heaven knows, I say, that I erred through love, that I was guilty through my mad fondness for you. Oh, use not my conduct of that time as a pretext and as an excuse for proclaiming a decision which is to consign me to despair. There is no other mis- deed with which you can reproach me, Clement Redcliffe. I was in my girlhood when first you knew me, for long years had you your eye ever upon me, and you know whether my life has been stainless and immaculate or not? ” ‘“Indora,’’ answered Redcliffe, now evidently much moved, “not for a single instant can I hesitate to do justice to your numerous virtues. I admitted, when we were to- gether eight days back, that I had received much good as well as much evil at the hands of your father and yourself. The riches which I possess were conferred upon me by your sire, but I felt that I had earned them, or else not a single one of the priceless gems and the costly gifts which had been showered upon me should I have borne away with me when I at length succeeded in effecting my escape. Never- theless, though I earned all that wealth by long years of devoted application to the tasks prescribed me by your father, I am not the less grateful to the source whence those riches emanated. All this I do not deny; on the contrary, I wish you to understand the precise feelings of my heart, for this is an occasion of no ordinary importance, inasmuch as I see, alas! that the happiness of a fellow creature is deeply involved.” “ You pity me?’ said Indora, and hope flashed in her fine dark eyes. ¢om (@) DOOKS (E(0)