The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

THE INTERVIEW 251 parture. You must look upon me as a friend, and regard me as such, even to the extent of making me your banker, for that is the proposal I have to offer without offending your delicacy.” Christian expressed his warmest gratitude for the young nobleman’s kind consideration, but assured him that he possessed ample resources for the present. Adolphus then took his departure, leaving the youth full of hope and joy at the prospect of so speedily obtaining the object of his enthusiastic wishes. In the evening the Earl and Countess of Lascelles, Osmond, and Isabella were seated in the drawing-room between eight and nine o’clock partaking of coffee. Isabella was sad and dispirited, though she did her best to conceal what she felt; she was so afraid of angering her uncle. The countess dis- played the most amiable demeanour toward her husband, and was completely on her guard not to exchange so much as the most rapidly furtive glance with Adolphus. Lord Osmond chatted with every appearance of ease and galety, and as the earl had drunk a few extra glasses of wine, he was in a much better humour than he had been since the adventure of the summer-house. ‘Ah! now that I think of it, my dear father,” said Lord Osmond, chus abruptly giving a turn to the previous con- versation, “‘ when are your memoirs to appear? ”’ 5 Why, the fact is, Adolphus,’’ answered the earl, “‘ I have come well-nigh to a full stop for the present, and without any disagreeable allusion,’’ — and he glanced somewhat spitefully at his niece, — ‘‘ I have lost my right hand, as it were. Dictation was easy enough, but when I sit down to write for myself, I find my ideas rushing on — like what shall I say? — like a troop of wild elephants, but my pen- manship can no more keep pace with them than — than — hem! — a lame donkey at a short trot.”’ “ It is a great pity, my dear father,’’ rejoined Adolphus, in an undertone, so that Isabella could not overhear him, “that you have got rid of that very useful young man merely on account of a passing folly — ” “ Don’t mention it, Adolphus,’ interrupted the earl sharply; ‘“ he shall never enter my house again.”’ ‘“ Oh, no, of course not,” responded Lord Osmond, finding that the little feeler he had thrown out experienced such a ECORnNIEDOOKS (C(O)