The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

MAKEPEACE 199 scaffold,’ and this was in the same sense as what the young Earl of Lascelles had himself thought half an hour previously. But all in an instant it flashed to Ethel’s mind that if she could only gain a reprieve, if in the desperation of her cir- cumstances she could only secure twenty-four hours’ delay, something might turn up, some plan might be hit upon to release herself from the terrible persecutions of this wretch, or at all events she should have time to flee away for ever from the metropolis, or even from England itself. ‘““T understand you, Makepeace,” she said, in a low, deep voice, ‘‘ but all this has come so suddenly upon me, I am so ill, so very ill, that if you would have mercy, if you would only give me a few hours to reflect — Yes, I am sure you will. You know that a woman, unless utterly depraved, cannot abandon herself to a man all in an instant — ”’ “She really takes it somewhat better than I thought,’’ said Makepeace to himself, “and perhaps it would be as well — ”’ “Oh, I see that you will grant my prayer,” she exclaimed, clasping her hands entreatingly, “ yes, you will grant my prayer. Not another word need pass between us, neither this evening nor during the day to-morrow. But to-morrow night, between eleven and twelve o’clock, when the house is all quiet — And now leave me,” she abruptly added. Makepeace was somewhat inclined to insist upon the achievement of his hoped-for conquest at the early period he had originally named, but he was in his heart naturally a coward, his craven spirit was not altogether superseded by the hardihood of his villainy, and he had already gone as far as at the present time he dared go. He felt that his triumph was ensured for tue appointment just given by the countess, and after a few moments’ hesitation, he nodded significantly and issued from the room. “Good heavens!” thought the miserable countess to herself, as she heard the door close behind him, ‘“‘ is it come to this? ’’ and she wrung her hands in despair. CORNICLOO© <S (CO