The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

234 REYNOLDS’ WORKS fixed eyes, dilated nostrils, lips apart, head bent forward, and bosom upheaved, that Indora sat in the attitude of one who awaits a sound which she expects to hear but which she is afraid may escape her. ‘‘ Princess,’ continued Redcliffe, ‘‘ allusion has been made more than once during our interview to those few words which I let drop from my lips when I knelt at your feet by the side of the marble fountain. To what precise extent the revelation contained in those words might have reached, I have no accurate remembrance; my thoughts were full of wildness at the time, my brain was distracted; the scene itself, when looked back upon, appears to be enveloped in a sort of misty dreaminess. However, that I did make some avowal, that I did let fall something in that unguarded moment, I recollect full well. I have now a request to make —”’ | “You need not give utterance to it,’’ responded the princess; ‘‘ I can read your thoughts. You desire that the seal of secrecy shall remain upon my lips. Good heavens, Clement! do you think that I would betray a syllable that was calculated to do you an injury? ”’ ‘“‘ And after that assurance,’’ exclaimed Redcliffe, ‘‘ I dare not —I must not prove altogether ungrateful. Listen to me, Indora. You comprehend sufficient from those words which I let fall— and the necessity of keeping which in- violably secret you seem fully to understand — that my presence in England is connected with a matter of vital importance to myself. Yes, I have a specific object to accomplish, and to that must all my thoughts and all my energies be devoted. It may be achieved quickly, or it may take years to be worked out, — Heaven alone can tell. But that same Heaven can by its own inscrutable ways further my objects and conduct them to. a speedy and a successful issue. Until that issue be accomplished, I am not master of my own actions — I am not even able to dispose of myself. But this is what I have to say, Indora, that if when my pur- pose is achieved, and if circumstances should leave me a free agent, then will I be mindful of this devoted love of yours, and then you shall not vainly implore at my feet.” ‘“‘ Oh, is this possible? ’’ exclaimed the delighted princess, and sinking upon her knees, she took Redcliffe’s hand, press- ing it in fervour to her lips. Gomicbooks (E(0)