The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 269: what you’re looking at

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

282 THE COURT OF LONDON events, this young man must be something more or less than human if he resist the combined influences of such circumstances, temptations, and opportunities.” ‘“T think so, too,’’ observed the under-secretary of state, in a laconic tone, but with a salacious smacking of the lips. “And, therefore, you say that if he does really succumb either this night or on some early occasion — ”’ “Oh, once let him sink vanquished and overcome into the arms of Julia Owen,”’ cried the prefect, ‘‘ and he can no longer hold up his head as the champion of virtue. Ashamed, disgraced, and degraded in his own estimation, pulled down from the pedestal of his austere rectitude and immaculate chivalry, he will either be glad to conceal his diminished head in some solitary nook, or else, in an access of despair, will plunge deeper into the fount of bliss. And this latter theory is the more probable; for if the wiles, artifices, and seduc- tions of the siren Julia once triumph, he will henceforth yield to the current of so irresistible an infatuation and devote all his thoughts to the beautiful mistress whom he will thus have gained, neither thinking of interference with the designs of the prince regent on the one hand, nor remaining bent upon contracting an unequal marriage with Louisa Stanley on the other.”’ “Ah! then there is an objection to this marriage, is there? ’’ exclaimed Jules Martignac. “Yes, I believe so,’’ responded the prefect. ‘‘ But that appears to be altogether a minor consideration in comparison with the one grand aim of disarming him as to his inter- ference with the mission of the Owens.” While the prefect was yet giving utterance to the latter portion of this sentence, a valet entered the room; and the moment his master had ceased speaking, the servant ad- vanced and whispered a few words in his ear. “Good,” said the prefect; then waiting an instant until the valet had withdrawn, he observed, ‘‘ Well, my friends, it is as I had anticipated; for the watchman has just sent in word that he saw Mr. Loftus examining the window, and that upon raising his voice to command the lights to be put out, he beheld the shadow of a female form reflected upon the opposite wall, as it flitted across the young English- man’s chamber.”’ “ Oh, happy fellow,’ ) cried the under-secretary of state, CONNIE KKS(E0)