The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

38 REYNOLDS’ WORKS unconsciously on my part! My heart weeps bitter tears as I think of it, and likewise because, my dear Zoe, it is shock- ing — oh, it is shocking to be unable to look back with respect and with veneration toward the memory of a mother. Yes, and I now comprehend likewise,” continued Clarine, her voice sinking so low that 1t would have been inaudible were it not for the naturally harmonious clearness of its tones, ‘“T comprehend likewise what dreadful thought must some- times be uppermost, perhaps ever uppermost, in the mind of my father. Zoe, dearest friend,’”’ added the unhappy Clarine, with a strong, convulsing shudder, and fixing haggard looks upon Lady Octavian’s countenance, “‘ I now comprehend — my God! I comprehend that he doubts whether I am his own child.” With these words Clarine threw herself upon Zoe’s bosom and wept bitterly. Her own bosom was torn and rent with convulsing sobs; for some minutes she appeared as if totally unsusceptible of solace. Zoe lavished sisterly caresses upon her, but she spoke no word; language itself were a mockery if seized upon as a resource to convey consolation under such circumstances. But there is no human anguish so profound that it does not expend itself, and thus was it at length with the grief of the unfortunate Clarine. ‘“‘ Let me hasten, my dear Zoe,” she said, “‘ to bring my unhappy narrative to a conclusion. But it is about to take a strange leap, and you will at first marvel how I am in a condition to tell you that which I am about to communicate. Nevertheless, it is the truth, it is no idle dream, no phantasy of the fevered imagination. I am about to speak of the marchioness and of Delorme’s son Alfred. Years passed away after the terrific explosion near Fontainebleau, and Alfred Delorme grew up under the affectionate care of his excellent relative. Meanwhile no tidings had been received from his father. The marchioness had therefore long deemed the viscount dead, but it was necessary that Alfred Delorme should reach his twenty-first year before legal proceedings could be taken to establish his claim to the title and estates of his father. It appears that at the very time he attained his majority some report of a marvellous and singular nature relative to the late viscount reached the ears of the mar- chioness. It was a statement of such a kind that though it seemed scarcely credible, she was resolved to sift it to the CORNICLIOOKS (E(0)