The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

46 THE COURT OF LONDON held the progress of this affection between the young couple, and though they did nothing to encourage it, they were likewise careful against impeding its development. They had already resolved that whenever the time came for their well-beloved niece to enter the matrimonial sphere, the merits and not the rank, the virtues and not the social position of him on whom her affections might rest, should be taken into consideration. ‘Therefore, when Florimel and Pauline observed that Florence was disposed to give her heart to a young man who not only possessed every mental qualification, but the advantages of rank and fortune into the bargain, they rejoiced unfeignedly. It was in secret, however, that they thus rejoiced, for they were resolved to allow their niece’s attachment to take its own course, so that she might not, by receiving encouragement from them, prematurely assume that her liking was in reality a love. But at the end of the four months of their acquaintance, Valentine Malvern, in a frank and candid manner, sought an opportunity of communicating to Lord and Lady Flori- mel the affection which he entertained toward their lovely niece. In thus revealing to them, in the first instance, the state of his feelings, he was actuated by the most honourable of motives, namely, to ascertain from them whether it would be agreeable that he should propose himself to the Honourable Miss Florence Eaton as a suitor for her hand. Lord and Lady Florimel at once expressed their full con- currence therein, and the circumstance of the reader’s now finding the young gentleman and the youthful maiden alone together in the drawing-room was in truth the opportunity which the uncle‘and aunt had purposely afforded tor the avowal of love. We said that during the first portion of this interview the conversation had dwelt upon those subjects which are the recreation of the truly healthful mind. But gradually did Valentine turn the discourse into that channel which was to bring to an issue the subject he had nearest and dearest at heart. Unconscious was the sweet Florence, in her girlish innocence, of the point to which her companion’s remarks were at length tending, but when, with a due amount of delicate preparation and suitable preface, he ushered in the tender topic, oh, how her heart began to palpitate in her bosom like a bird fluttering in its cage, how ECORNICLIOO KS (E(0)