The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 278: what you’re looking at

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

BLOOMFIELD 251 ‘“ And that is the Maid’s Legend?” said Ethel. ‘It is truly an affecting tale, but romantic enough to be im- probable. “Think you, then,” inquired Adolphus, ‘‘ that whatsoever is wildly romantic must be mistrusted? ”’ ‘““It is of course to be received with more caution,’’ re- sponded the countess, ‘‘ than that which is natural and of every-day occurrence.”’ ‘“‘ Were it an every-day occurrence,’ answered the young earl, smiling, ‘‘ there would be no interest in the tale. But here is the bridge.”’ For the last few minutes they had been threading their way along a path which ran through a grove, and a slight winding in that path suddenly brought them within sight of the bridge, which was about a dozen yards distant. The gurgling waters in the depth of the ravine now plainly met their ears, and Adolphus said, ‘‘ The spot is wildly pictur- esque. I do not know, after all, but that it were a sin to build a new bridge here.”’ “Oh, I am sure,’”’ exclaimed Ethel, ‘‘ you, my dear Adolphus, will never do it,’’ and thus speaking, she stopped short at the commencement of the bridge, from which point the eye could sweep along the depth of the dell. ‘“* At all events,”’ said the young earl, ‘‘ I will order another hand-rail to be laid across, for this is positively dangerous.”’ ‘‘ Dangerous — no!” ejaculated the countess, with a laugh. ‘But these cottages of which you were speaking, and where the two families dwelt — ” “They are in the valley behind the eminence on the opposite side of the ravine. That is the tree which, as the legend tells, concealed the shepherd who was a witness of the catas- trophe.”’ “IT should like to see the cottages,’ observed Ethel, “the clump of trees likewise behind which the shepherd was hidden, and the spot where the young maiden met her faithless lover on the memorable night which marked their doom.” ‘“ Have you really the courage, Ethel,” inquired Adolphus, “to cross the bridge? ”’ “Qh, the courage! ”’ she ejaculated, laughing gaily. ‘‘ Is it so grand an achievement, after all? Look, you shall see,” and she tripped upon the bridge. EOMINGIOOKS (CO)