The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 281: what you’re looking at

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

264 REYNOLDS’ WORKS The incident produced the most painful impression upon the minds of the countess, Adolphus, and Isabella. Without being at all enabled to account for it, they were nevertheless deeply saddened by the thought that the poor old noble- man had been placed in that cruel predicament. Such a - state of feeling brings vividly up into people’s minds the wrongs of which they have been guilty, or the duties which they have violated, in respect to the individual who is the object of their compassion. The countess, who had many generous qualities notwithstanding the deep depravity into which an irresistible temptation had led her, was more than ever aroused to the blackness of her turpitude; while Lord Osmond, despite his unabating infatuation for his young and beautiful mother-in-law, could no longer look in his father’s face without feeling that his guilt toward that parent was of the darkest and deepest dye. As for Isabella, she, with her feelings far more keenly sensitive, and with her notions of | propriety still more exquisitely delicate, was led painfully to reflect that as her uncle stood in the light of a parent, she had proved grievously disobedient to his wishes in stealthily meeting Christian Ashton. The result of all these remorseful feelings was that the Countess of Lascelles penned a note to Adolphus, beseeching and imploring that on some pretext he would withdraw from the mansion, and that by means of a long separation they might better endeavour to conquer their unhappy passion. She appeared to recover much if not all of that firmness of purpose which had at first stood her in such good stead, and enabled her to struggle for a time against the wiles of temptation. Adolphus — though feeling it was despair, if not death, to sever himself from the adored and worshipped Ethel — was nevertheless led by a sense of duty to make this atonement for his sin, however tardy, and how- ever slight in comparison with the sin itself; and in a note penned in response to that of the countess, he assured her that he would lose no time in stating to his father that he intended to travel upon the Continent. As for Isabella, she likewise penned a note, and it was to Christian Agntons In terms of suitable maiden modesty — but still properly tender and affectionate after all that had passed between them — she besought him not to make any further attempts to see her until she could receive his visits CONNIE OO KS