The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 190: what you’re looking at

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

THE YOUNG BARONET 163 ‘Will you leave me? ”’ demanded Christian, vehemently, for he was determined that the scene should end that instant. ‘““No, no — I will not, and you cannot be so cruel — ”’ Our young hero waited to hear no more, but driven almost to his wit’s end, he snatched one of the wax lights from the mantelpiece and hurried from the room. Mrs. Oxenden — whose own sensuous temperament, vicious dis- position, and long career of immorality had hitherto rendered her incredulous in respect to the existence of virtue in others, and who believed that at least every man was “ in his heart a rake” (thus reversing as to sex Pope’s memorable asser- tion) — was astounded at Christian’s abrupt disappearance, and it was now her turn to remain stupefied and transfixed on the spot. CORAICLOO© SS (CO)