The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 189: what you’re looking at

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

162 REYNOLDS’ WORKS which she lingered in his chamber. “ This is most inde- cent — most indecorous. If you have a woman’s shame or pride — ” “Oh, now you revile and taunt me likewise — wretched, wretched woman that I am,” and weeping and sobbing as if her heart would break, she threw herself with every appear- ance of frantic distress upon the nearest chair. “T entreat — I conjure that you will tranquillize yourself,”’ sald Christian, bewildered whether to give her credit for the most genuine sincerity, or to behold in her conduct the con- firmation of his former suspicion. ‘‘ These sounds of afflic- tion will be heard, and what will be thought — ” “Oh, speak not unkindly to me,’ murmured the wily woman, and, as if quite unconscious of her actions, she still further disarranged her dress, so that all the voluptuous con- tours of her bust were completely exposed. “Madam,” said Christian, indignantly, ‘leave me this moment, or I myself will seek another chamber, and to- morrow morning will proclaim wherefore I did so.” ‘Cruel, cruel!’? murmured Mrs. Oxenden, ‘‘ and I who love you madly, —I who have been smitten with an irresist- ible passion, I who, notwithstanding your coldness, have a heart that burns with fervour for you — ”’ For a moment Christian Ashton was so completely stupe- fied by these words that he was transfixed to the spot and rendered speechless. The next instant Mrs. Oxenden’s arms were wound about his neck, she strained him to her bosom, she pressed her lips to his cheek, and then another instant, and with an effort the violence of which when exer- cised toward a female could only be justified by the peculiarity of the circumstances, our young hero disengaged himself from her embrace, Mrs. Oxenden — who was not to be so easily subdued, and who was really inspired with passion on account of the youth’s personal beauty, as well as influenced by policy in her endeavour to gain over Sir Edgar Beverley’s intimate friend — despaired not of success. Her arts and wiles were to be redoubled in order to secure her triumph. Such was her thought, and falling upon her knees, she stretched forth her arms toward Christian, ex- claiming, ‘‘ Cruel youth! Why thus spurn a woman who is dying for you? Am [I repulsive? On the contrary, am I not beautiful? ”’ ECORNIClOOKS (E(0)