The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

168 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the satisfaction of expressing my fanciful wishes is left to me, even though all other power of free-will be denied.” “ What means this language, niece? ’’ demanded Lady Macdonald. ‘‘ Ah, I] understand. It is one of those covert reproaches which you sometimes throw out against me, for having studied your best possible interests by arranging with Lady Saxondale that her son was to become your accepted suitor. I hope that you will not prove ungrateful.” “ Ungrateful! No, not to you, my dear aunt,” cried the young lady, approaching her elderly relative and looking affectionately up into her countenance. “ ‘lo me you have supplied the place of a lost mother, and I know that all you do is done for the best. Still—” “Hush, my dear child,” exclaimed Lady Macdonald, who really loved her niece, “I know what you would say. You would tell me the old story, —that you cannot love Edmund; but in the sphere in which we move,” continued her ladyship, making use of a phrase which was a great favourite with her, “ love has very little to do with mar- riages. If I had a fortune to leave you, my dear girl, it would be different; but as all I possess dies with me, it was absolutely necessary for me to think of settling you well in life, and with all his faults Lord Saxondale 1s a very eligible match. Besides, these faults of his are only the invariable frolics of youth, and it is better that he should sow his wild oats when young, before he marries, so that after he does marry he may settle down into a steady and quiet husband. But while we are talking here the time is slipping away, and we must be off.” Lady Macdonald and her niece thereupon descended to the carriage that was waiting, and in which they were borne to Park Lane. On arriving at Saxondale House, they were conducted up-stairs to the magnificent drawing-room, where Lady Saxondale, with her two daughters, was waiting. to receive her guests. Her ladyship was sumptuously apparelled, and looked as 1f invested with a perfectly imperial dignity. Juliana, the elder daughter, likewise shone in the glory of that proud and haughty beauty which she inherited from her mother, while the delicate and interesting loveliness of Constance appeared to greater advantage by the contrast. ‘Where is Edmund? ” asked Lady Macdonald, when the usual greetings had been exchanged on all sides. CONNIE NOOO KS (E(0)