The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

242 REYNOLDS’ WORKS tinued, — and this was the first time that she had used that caressing term of endearment for some weeks past, — ‘‘again must I assure you that when last night I rejected your proposals with so much emphatic sternness, I was not the mistress of myself. The intelligence of that frightful. exposure had smitten me so cruel a blow, had come upon me with such suddenness — ”’ ‘“‘ Speak no more of it, dear Ethel,” interrupted the young earl. ‘‘ Have we not agreed to throw a veil over the past, to forgive each other, to be lovers again— Ay, and did I not suggest,’ added Adolphus, softly, ‘‘ that we might be husband and wife if you chose? ”’ ‘‘T have made up my mind,”’ answered Ethel, ‘‘ to consent to anything that you think fit — on one condition.” ‘““Name, name it!’’ exclaimed Adolphus, hastily, for he was smitten with the apprehension that it would be some- thing that he might not be able to grant, and reopen the arena for discussion and altercation. “It is a very simple thing, my Adolphus,” responded the countess, with increasing softness of tone and winning tender- ness of look. ‘‘ It is merely that you will bear me hence, this very day, at once, — hence, from a place which has so many horrible and saddening associations, hence from the . great metropolis where dwell all those whom I may never look in the face again.”’ “Ts that all?”’ cried the young earl, infinitely relieved. “Why, dearest Ethel, it is the very thing which I myself should have proposed, for I am sick of scenes whereunto are attached such sad and awful memories.” “Then it shall be as I say, dear Adolphus,’’ murmured the countess, again voluntarily abandoning to him her hand, ‘‘ and I thank you — oh, I thank you for this ready acquiescence with my request. But when shall we de part? ”’ “This very day, as you have said,’”’ replied Adolphus. “ Whither would you choose to go? To Bloomfield? — or on the Continent? ”’ The countess appeared to reflect for a few moments, and then she said, ‘“ Let it be to Bloomfield. Delightful is the scenery in that district; the mansion itself 1s secluded, there are beautiful walks through avenues and lanes em- bowered with verdure at this season of the year, the air is ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0)