The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 247: what you’re looking at

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

220 REYNOLDS’ WORKS private,’ said Makepeace, gradually recovering somewhat of his presence of mind, if not a certain hardihood, with the consciousness that though he were a reptile soon to be tram- pled to death under the heel of human justice, he had still the sting in his head and his envenomed tongue could inflict no insignificant wound. For an instant Adolphus was irresolute how to act, but only for an instant. A second thought showed him that no matter what the consequences might be, however fatal to the honour of Ethel, and however damnatory of his own reputation, inasmuch as he passed before the world as the son of the late earl, and consequently as the son- in-law of her with whom he might now perhaps be ac- cused of having intrigued, yet notwithstanding all these considerations, he knew, we say, that he dared not appear to have any secrets with a murderer, much less to be thought capable of making terms with such a wretch. ‘JT will grant you no private audience,” he said, in resolute accents. ‘Your lordship can step aside with me into one corner,”’ answered Makepeace, whose keen eye had caught that tem- porary indecision on the young nobleman’s part. ‘‘ We can whisper together, or these men can withdraw into the dressing-room for a few minutes — ”’ ‘‘ And leave his lordship alone with you?” ejaculated several voices, accompanied by looks of horror and abhor- rence. ‘‘ No, no, you would kill him as you did his poor old father.”’ ‘‘ His lordship knows,’’ said Makepeace, white as a sheet at the hideous taunt, ‘‘ whether it be more conducive to his interest to listen to me in private or to compel me to speak out.”’ This invitation for a secret audience, so unmistakably given, accompanied too with a sort of threat, more than ever compelled Adolphus to take a resolute stand, despite all con- sequences, and he said firmly, ‘‘ I remain here to keep guard over you, but not to listen to aught that you may have to communicate. Wretched man, would you not do better to show contrition, to think only of your own awful predica- ment — ”’ ‘“ Enough of this!’ interrupted Makepeace, with increas- ing hardihood. “I see that it is all over with me, and I ) ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0)