The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

THE OATHS 201 “It is I,” responded Ethel, ‘‘ and it is of vital conse- quence that we should have a few words together.” There was a dead silence of several moments on the other side of the door, as if Adolphus were deliberating with him- self whether he should open it or not; then suddenly Ethel heard a key turn in the lock, the door opened. She passed into the antechamber, and found the young earl still com- pletely dressed, for no more than herself was he as yet able to court repose in bed. ‘“ Ethel, what means this? ’”’ he asked, having closed the door after she had entered, and then he surveyed her atten- tively for several instants. ‘‘ Surely it is not a revival of love,” he added, bitterly, ‘‘ which has brought you hither? ”’ “A truce to levity!’”’ said the countess. ‘ Things have come to such a pass that they are driving me to distraction. We will not again enter upon accusation and recrimina- tion — ”’ ‘“Ah, then you are come to confess?”’ ejaculated the young earl, “‘ and I thank God that it is so.” “ Dare you take the name of God thus in vain?” asked Ethel, with a voice and look of solemn ‘reproach. ‘“O Adolphus — ” ‘“ Yes,’ interrupted the earl, ‘‘I dare appeal to my Maker to attest my vow of innocence in respect to that crime.” “Oh, hear me, Almighty God!” said the countess, slowly sinking upon her knees, and raising her hands upward with an air of most solemn adjuration, — “‘ hear me while I proclaim my innocence of that dreadful deed, and let thy thunderbolt — ”’ “ Hthel, Ethel! for Heaven’s sake,’’ exclaimed Adolphus, in horror-stricken dismay, “invoke not a chastisement which may perhaps be only too surely hurled down upon your head.” “Silence! interrupt me not!’’ responded the countess. “ But listen while I call Heaven’s thunderbolt to smite me dead at your feet if I am giving utterance to a falsehood.” ‘““What does this mean, what can it mean?” exclaimed the young earl, in an almost stupefied astonishment. ‘‘ There is an air of sincerity about you — sincerity, too, in your words — ” ‘Yes, sincerity,’ added the countess with the same solemn CORMMICOO© <S (CO)