The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAIDEN’S BRIDGE 245 “TI do not know that I have done anything very, very wrong,” resumed the woman, “ but still I have been afraid, because — ”’ “Tell me what you have to say,” interrupted the young lady, full of anxiety, ‘‘ and I will candidly give you my opinion upon your conduct, whatever it may have been.”’ ‘‘T am about to speak, miss, of something that happened here, — I mean in the dell — ”’ “The death of my relations?’”’ interjected Isabella, in feverish suspense. ‘“‘ Yes, miss,’ responded the woman. “I never told any one except my husband, but — but —I heard and saw it all.”’ ‘““You?”’ said Isabella. ‘“‘ But what did you hear and see? Tell me quickly. No, no, my poor woman. I am wrong thus to excite you. Take your leisure; forgive my impatience.”’ ‘This is how it happened, miss. I had been down to the manor on some message from my husband to the steward, and instead of returning by the regular path through the grove, I took a shorter cut to bring me to the bridge. I was within the shade of the trees, but just as I was about to step forth upon the bridge, I caught sight of the young earl and the countess standing together on the very middle of the plank. I thought there was something so affectionate in their manner to each other, as well as in their looks, that I was struck with a suspicion all was not right, and that they were not just upon the terms which a nephew and an aunt — especially as she herself was so young — ought to observe toward each other. Ah, miss, I was seized with woman’s curiosity, so I remained hid in the grove to watch and to listen.”’ “Yes, yes,” said Isabella, “I understand. Your fault was venial enough. Proceed.’’ ‘“‘ Well, miss,’”’ continued the woman, “‘ I heard his lordship say that it was in the middle of the bridge where the event of the legend happened, according to the tale afterward told by the young shepherd who witnessed it. And then her ladyship said, — I remember her words as well as possible, — ‘ Here they fell over, the girl’s arms clasped tight around the neck of him who had ruined her happiness.’ His lord- ship answered, ‘ Yes, it was here,’ and then both he and GomiilGeaooks (S@)