The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

250 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘And now, Ethel, you must suppose that the eve before the bridal morn had arrived, and the happy swain was re- turning at an earlier hour than usual from a visit to his intended, so that he might have leisure to complete his prep- arations for the morrow. It was about nine o’clock on a charming moonlit evening that he was thus passing through the valley on his way back to the cottage where he dwelt with his parents, when a female figure came gliding toward him. It was the deceived and betrayed girl. She at once assured the young man that she came not to reproach him, but to crave a last boon. He was remorse-stricken and afflicted, and he swore to grant it. She said that as their vows had been pledged in the sight of Heaven, and as they had never released each other from those vows, it was only meet and proper that they should do so now, as solemnly as they had plighted them. The poor girl added that the phantasy had seized upon her for this ceremony to take place in its mournfulness where their troth had been pledged in its happiness; and the swain, believing that her intellect was affected, and full of remorseful compassion, assented to whatever she might propose. ‘They proceeded together toward the bridge, — walking in silence side by side, and without touching each other’s hands. A young shepherd of their acquaintance, who was close by at the time, — though he himself was unseen, being concealed behind a clump of trees, — heard and beheld all that passed. Inspired by curiosity, he followed them, still unperceived, — which could scarcely have been a difficult task, for they were doubtless absorbed entirely in their own thoughts. They reached the bridge, they entered upon it, and the shepherd posted himself behind a tree, where, in the clear moonlight, he purposed to watch all that took place. They reached the middle of the bridge. At that moment a cloud obscured the moon. The shepherd heard the young maiden’s voice saying plaintively, ‘ Forgive me, my well beloved!’ then there was an awful cry, quickly followed by a loud splash in the waters beneath, and all was over. The two bodies were found on the following day about three miles distant, the arms of the girl still tightly clasped around the neck of her faithless but adored swain, yes, as tightly clasped as they must have been when she threw herself with him from the bridge.” ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0)