The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 263: what you’re looking at

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

236 REYNOLDS’ WORKS with you! I cannot do it. To resign a proud title, an im- mense domain— No, no, I cannot!” ‘“Coward!”’ ejaculated the indignant lady, “‘ you cared not to sacrifice me to your passion, but you recoil from the consequences. Did I not exert all my energies to remain virtuous? And was it not your incessant importunity, your frenzied entreaty, yes, even your threat of sui- cide which dragged me down into the abyss? And now yourefuse to proclaim the word which is to mitigate the dark aspect of our iniquity! Why, insensate that you are, you would in reality be a greater gainer than I, for how will the matter stand if you act as you ought to do? You are not the son of the late Earl of Lascelles; not one drop of his blood flows in your veins, and therefore no more discredit will at- tach to you for having intrigued with the Countess of Las- celles than ever does attach itself to a man who indulges in an affair of gallantry. You will not be spurned by the world, you may still lift your head high. But how different will it be with me! For though relieved from the darkest stain of the stigma, yet enough of its hue will rest upon me to stamp me as a fallen woman. Now, then, sir, what is your decision? ”’ There was so much determination in the words, looks, and manner of the Countess of Lascelles that Adolphus was smitten with a renewed consternation, and his dismayed looks were riveted upon the countess. At length, as a sudden idea struck him, he sprang up from his seat, exclaiming, ‘Let us defy the world, Ethel. Let us set its opinion at nought. Let us dwell together, let us give back to each other all that love which we formerly cherished.”’ “Never!”’ she ejaculated, and her eyes flashed sudden fire. ‘‘ Never, Adolphus, never! The past has been fraught with guilt enough for us both — or at least for me: the future shall be stainless — it is impossible I could sin again.” ‘ But marriage, Ethel — ”’ ‘“‘ Marriage? ”’ she shrieked forth. ‘‘ What, while the world believes that you were indeed the son of my late hus- band? Oh,” she added, with the blighting, withering laugh of utter scorn, ‘‘ to what wretched expedients is your fevered imagination reducing you? ”’ | ‘Ethel, you may say and do what you like,” exclaimed the young earl, ‘‘ but you cannot force me — ’”’ CORNICLIOO KS (E(0)