The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

190 REYNOLDS’ WORKS him by the hand, and several friends of a more recent date likewise pressed forward for the same purpose. Amongst these latter were Sir William Stanley, his son Captain Stanley, and Sir Frederick Latham. Mr. Coleman was likewise there, having in his possession the important docu- ment which had recently been drawn up at Oaklands, and which was now to be produced. This was the confession. In the first place, Purvis the steward, and the physician who had attended at the murderer’s death-bed, were placed in the witness-box and sworn, and they declared that they had attested the document which was now exhibited to them. Mr. Coleman went through the same ceremony, and the clerk of the court then read the confession. It was listened to with the attention and interest which such a narrative was so well calculated to excite, and when-the reading was terminated, the foreman of the jury at once rose, saying, “* It is with unfeigned pleasure that we formally proclaim that with which the court was already acquainted, namely, she innocence of Lord Clandon.”’ ~ “ Bofore your lordship pronounces my discharge,”’ said Bertram, rising from the seat which he had taken at the bar- ristors’ table, ‘“‘ T would crave your indulgence and that of the jury while I speak a few words on my own behalf. I admit my obiect to be that they should go forth to the public through the ordinary channels of intelligence. I have two distinct purposes in view: in the first place, to rescue the memory of a deceased lady from even the slightest remnant of suspicion which may rest against it, and in the second place, to prove how for several long years I was in utter ignorance of my uncle’s tragic end, and how for even some time after that inteligence reached me I was unable to take any steps toward the demonstration of my innocence,’ Lord Clandon paused for a few moments; he was deeply affected at that allusion which he had made to the deceased Duchess Eliza. Having regained his self-possession, and amidst the breathless silence which prevailed in the court, he proceeded as follows: “Not for an instant do I attempt te deny that I fondly and devotedly loved Eliza Lacey, with whom I first became acquainted at Oxford. We plighted our faith to each other; Wwe were separated, and I went abroad. During my absence it was reported that I had perished, and she was prevailed Gomiuicboc CS (E(©)