The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 46: what you’re looking at

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

THE DUKE AND HIS MISTRESS 29 repeat, we will goad her to desperation, so that if she have only the ordinary feelings of a woman she will seek to sep- arate herself from the man who treats her thus. Yes, Alexis, there must be a double divorce, and then, oh, then,’’ added Mrs. Oxenden, with a triumphant expression of countenance, “‘trust to me to compel — yes, I use the word compel — the Duke of Marchmont to conduct me to the altar.” ‘These are grand schemes,’ said Alexis, ‘‘ and you know that I will enter into them. Only tell me how I am to act.” “ We will so arrange the details of our proceedings,” said Mrs. Oxenden, “‘ that they shall be certain to result in success. I am prepared for all their intricacies; I do not blind myself to the magnitude of the obstacles which I have to encounter. But I possess the requisite energy. Indeed, Alexis, it is a stake worth playing for. And you whom I love so well, you who have inspired me with a passion such as never be- fore burned in this heart of mine — ” “Oh, my adored friend,” exclaimed the youth, clasping the infamous woman in his arms, “ how rejoiced should I be to hail you as Duchess of Marchmont.”’ We need not carry our report of this conversation any further, but before concluding the chapter, we will make a few observations. As already stated, Alexis Oliver was only playing a subtle and treacherous part. He in reality experienced not the slightest attachment toward Mrs. Oxen- den; it suited his purpose to become her pensioned para- mour, and therefore to flatter her in every sense and to fall into her views. On the other hand, Mrs. Oxenden was com- pletely infatuated with him, and the wonted strength of her character was positively absorbed in the weakness of this passion. Blinded thereby, she was ready to give him her completest confidence; she fancied that he was sincere in all he said, that he loved her with the ardour that he pro- fessed, and that it was herself, and not her purse, that was the object of his devotion. CORE Oe SS) (S©)