The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

ANGELA VIVALDI 101 his hand in marriage to Signora Vivaldi, and thus, as he flattered himself, with one bold stroke carry off the prize in the presence of all competitors. Even the German prince had his cogitations upon a similar subject, and whispered to his head cook, or, rather, lord chamberlain, that he had serious intentions of taking the danseuse as his morganatic spouse. | , But there was one individual present who seemed ani- mated with far different feelings from all that we have yet described as he gazed upon Angela Vivaldi. This individual was William Deveril. It was not with the devouring eager- ness of passion, nor with the wonder of admiration, nor with the hope of conquest, nor with aught akin to an impure feeling, that he followed the bewitching girl in all her sylphid movements; but it was with a beaming satisfaction upon his countenance, as if he experienced the purest and kindest sympathy in those feelings of triumph which glowed in her own bosom. There was still one other person in the house that night who seemed to take no ordinary interest in the performance and success of Angela Vivaldi, and this was Mr. Gunthorpe. Like Deveril, however, the old gentleman surveyed not her beauties with gloating looks, nor did he devour her charms through the medium of an opera-glass; but seated at some distance from the stage, and in the hum- blest part of the house, he contemplated her with a sort of benevolent satisfaction, as if it did his heart good to witness the triumph of a young creature whose virtue was reported to be as pure as her beauty was ravishing. At length the performance was over, and Angela Vivaldi received the floral crowns which aristocratic hands threw upon the stage. Handkerchiefs waved, the house rang again and again with plaudits, the enthusiasm was immense. When she retired, it seemed as if the source of all the lustre which flooded the vast building had disappeared from the view, although that dazzling light itself still remained. Then, as the throng began to pour forth from the house, several of those hoary profligates and titled aspirants who had conceived designs relative to Angela Vivandi endeav- oured to avail themselves of the license, previously enjoyed by them, of passing behind the scenes. But they experi- enced a peremptory refusal. In vain did they remonstrate; they were told that on the first night of the signora’s appear- \ GomiilGcaooks (CO)