The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 178: what you’re looking at

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

THE WOUNDED AYAH 155 one as you to confess everything and thereby make as much atonement as you can for the past, because I know that you will cling with a frenzied and desperate tenacity until the very last to that position which you hold. But I warn you, my lord, against a renewed attempt at a crime for which I am prepared. At the very first indication of such a pro- ceeding on your part will I remorselessly reveal whatsoever I know, and the hand which grasped that portentous dagger within the walls-of Oaklands on an occasion to which I need not more particularly refer, that same hand, I repeat, shall pen a narrative of all which concerns yourself, and to the Queen of England shall this narrative be sent. Tremble therefore at the precipice on whose verge you stand, and re- member that if you again dare me to precipitate you t into the abyss, nothing shall deter me from thus hastening a con- summation which the progress of circumstances will other- wise sooner or later work out. ‘“ INDORA.”’ ~The hand of the queen trembled as it guided the pen which traced these lines, and as we have already said, varied were the feelings which successively found expression on the features of Mr. Redcliffe. It was in alow, deep, solemn tone that he dictated the note, and twice or thrice he pressed his hand as if in anguish to his brow. It was evident that a train of horrible memories, a troop of portentous antece- dents, were conjured up by the words of that letter to the mental vision alike of Clement Redcliffe and of Queen In- dora. The billet was finished, 1t was directed and sealed, and the queen said, ‘‘ Are you determined, Clement, to despatch this missive? ”’ ‘Yes, Indora, I am resolved,’’ was the answer; ‘‘ it is absolutely necessary. We will send it by the faithful Mark, and he shall be instructed to deliver it in Belgrave Square this very night, without saying from whom it comes, and without tarrying for any reply.”’ This was accordingly done, and soon afterward Mr. Red- cliffe took his departure with Christian Ashton. CORnnICLOOOKS (CO)