The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

180 REYNOLDS’ WORKS bosom, while Christian tremulously murmured, ‘‘ We are here to assure your husband of forgiveness.”’ ‘“‘ Oh, this is more than I could have expected! ’’ moaned the dying nobleman, now finding utterance for a few broken sentences. ‘‘ 1 who have been so wicked, so deeply stained with guilt, I who deprived your father of his life, oh, Chris- tian, Christina, it is more than I ought to have hoped! But, my God! even now that you are here, I cannot look you in the face! ”’ And again did the wretched man cover his countenance with his hands. ‘“‘If your penitence be sincere, as I trust and hope and believe it is,’”’ said Christian, in a soft voice, “‘ receive the assurance of my pardon, and that of my sister.”’ ‘“‘Can you forgive me? is it possible that you can forgive me?’’ asked the dying man. “Oh, what hearts do you both possess! It must be a paradise to have such hearts as yours, but mine cannot understand them. Yes, Christian, my penitence is sincere. O God! with such remorse as this, how can there be otherwise than contrition? My confession is made; you are Duke of Marchmont. I need not ask that you and your amiable sister will be kind to my poor wife — ”’ “Think not of me, Hugh,” gasped forth the afflicted Lavinia. ‘I shall not long survive you. I feel it here,’ and with an expression of ineffable anguish on her counte- nance, she pressed her hand upon her heart. ‘Christian, you have forgiven me,” continued the dying nobleman, in a hollow voice, and at the same time his equally hollow eyes were turned toward our hero, ‘‘ and such gen- erosity on your part will experience its reward. The same with Christina. Oh, if I dared bless you— But no, no! blessings from my lips — ”’ ‘“ Remember,” said Christian, ‘‘ that a Redeemer died to save us from the consequences of our sins, and for our blessed Saviour’s sake the mercy of God 1s illimitable.”’ ‘Oh, these are words of solace, coming from your lips! ”’ murmured the dying man, and he made a movement as if he would take the hand of our young hero. ‘‘ Tt is a sign of forgiveness which from my heart I afford you,” said Christian, and he at once gave his hand to the perishing penitent. At the same moment a change came suddenly and visibly COMUIICOOOKS (E(©)