The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

A SINGULAR PROPOSAL O7 “T have not had the honour of your acquaintance before,”’ said Lady Sackville, adopting her most courteous demeanour and affable tone, ‘“‘ but I am rejoiced to have the present opportunity of forming it. Doubtless you were surprised to receive a note from me at all, but much more so to per- ceive by its contents that I have business of the utmost im- portance to speak upon. In that note I also suggested that you should maintain as strict a secrecy as possible relative to the fact of receiving it — ”’ ‘“‘ And I can assure your ladyship,”’ said Mrs. Malpas, “‘ that I did so. I happened to be alone at the time when the note was delivered, and neither my father nor mother is aware of my receiving it. I could not hesitate to obey the summons at the hour appointed, considering the kind and conde- ’ scending tone in which the letter was written. ‘Therefore, even before your ladyship breathes a syllable of the business alluded to, I beg to tender my sincerest thanks for your good- ness toward me.’”’ “My dear Mrs. Malpas,’’ said Venetia, making the lady sit down upon the sofa by her side, and treating her with the familiar condescension so flattering to her vanity, ‘“ I am delighted to perceive that you appreciate beforehand my good intentions and friendly objects. Indeed, it is upon a very serious and delicate matter that I wish to discourse with you, and were you my own sister, I could not entertain a more sincere sympathy than I do toward you in respect to the unfortunate position in which you stand with regard to your husband, for it is on this point that we must de- liberate.’’ ‘““ Indeed,’’ said Mrs. Malpas, in evident surprise, ‘ I fancied from something I had heard that your ladyship had every reason to entertain a serious animosity against my husband.’’ “What was it that you heard?” asked Venetia; ‘‘ and from whom did you hear it? Let the fullest confidence subsist between us.” ‘ By all means,’’ exclaimed the colonel’s wife, delighted at thus entering so speedily upon such familiar terms with the reigning star of fashion. ‘‘In answer, then, to your ladyship’s questions, I must inform you that Captain Tash, whom I accidentally met a few weeks. ago —”’ CONNIE OOKS im (E(O)