The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 255: what you’re looking at

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258 THE COURT OF LONDON returned Laura; ‘‘ and that assistance you are not so certain oi having as you were just now.” “Good heavens!” exclaimed Loftus, bewildered and chagrined; “is it possible that I have really offended you? ” ‘“T have already told you,” said Laura, in a voice that again became low, deep, and tremulous, — but whether with real or affected emotion Jocelyn knew not, — “ I have already told you that men of the highest rank and most briliant position have besieged me with their overtures, some upon honourable terms, others upon dishonourable, and while I have spurned the latter, I have steadily refused the former. But wherefore? Because in my own heart I had already conjured up the ideal image of such a being as alone could win my love. To that idealism have J clung; it has been to me a dream and a worship, until at last I have felt that my very happiness depended upon its realization. I have pondered and pondered upon that image until I have led myself, as it were, to become desperately enamoured of it, and I have vowed that never, never, would I bestow my affections upon any one who did not realize in his person and his mind all that was beautiful, attractive, and endearing in that creation of my fancy. Conceive, then, my astonish- ment and my delight when on passing ere now into this chamber I[ beheld in you the personification of that delicious idealism.” ‘“ Miss Linden, not another word, not another syllable in this strain, I conjure you, I command you!” cried Loftus, in a tone but too plainly indicative of outraged feeling. “This scene reminds me of temptations, arts, and wiles to which I was exposed ere my captivity; and did I not believe that the three ladies to whom I now allude are far, far away from Paris, I should actually fancy that you were one of them,’ he added, vehemently. ‘‘ Therefore, Miss Linden, for Heaven’s sake, let us have no more of a scene which in truth is as derogatory to you as it is painful and revolting to me.” ‘““Mr. Loftus,’ interrupted Laura, suddenly assuming a tone of decision, ‘“‘ I see that it is now necessary we should thoroughly understand each other; for you are more flinty- hearted than I had at first imagined.” ‘Yes, let us understand each other,’’ said Loftus, “ since it would seem that we had mistaken each other’s character, } ECORNIE KOOKS (E()