The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

A WOMAN’S LOVE 159 you have forgiven me for my past conduct, as you have already told me on more than one occasion, and you think that I shall go down upon my knees to thank you? ”’ ‘““ No, my lord,” replied the duchess, the tears gushing from’ her eyes, “ I neither think nor expect anything of the kind. I seek no self-humiliation on your part. But I cannot forget that I am your wife; I cannot forget that the vows which I took at the altar pledge me to certain duties which must be fulfilled — ”’ ‘“ Enough of this maudlin nonsense, madam! ”’ interrupted the duke. ‘1 understand you full well. In thus speaking of your own duties you insidiously and cunningly seek to remind me of mine.” “No, you wrong me again, you wrong me, my dear Hugh,” said the amiable duchess, the tears flowing faster from hereyes. ‘‘ Will you put me to the test? Will you tell me wherefore you are afHicted, and you will see how pro- foundly I can sympathize with you. Oh, for one kind word from your lips! ”’ ‘And why do you think that I am afflicted? ’’ demanded the duke quickly. ‘‘ In short, what do you mean? ”’ “There is something in your manner, and — pardon me if I add that there is something also in your looks which prove but too unmistakably that you are afflicted. Oh, { declare solemnly, Hugh,” continued the duchess, ‘“ that your interests are dear to me, very dear to me, and I have seen this evening how you have laughed with a hollow laugh, how you have spoken incoherently, and then, too, — but pardon me for what I am going to say, — I happened to overhear one of the domestics say to another that you had received a letter a mere glance at which had seemed to strike as if with a sense of some misfortune.” ‘Ah, you overheard that?” ejaculated the duke, who could scarcely prevent himself from stamping his foot and crying out with rage. ‘“‘ Then you watch me, and you listen to conversations — ”’ “Oh, I entreat your forbearance, my lord,” said the duchess, imploringly; ‘‘ not for worlds would I give you offence. I have often and often seen that a singular and painful expression has flitted over your countenance, and I have been afraid — yes, I have been afraid,” continued Lavinia, meekly, ‘‘ that it was on account of myself. But CORnnICLOOOKS (CO)