The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 318: what you’re looking at

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

THE FABRICATION a0 1 it secret,’ and. her ladyship now laughed with every appear- ance of a genuine merriment. ‘At all events it is nothing seriously unpleasant,” said Lady Macdonald. ‘“ Rather ludicrous and amusing than unpleasant,” re- sponded Lady Saxondale. ‘ And yet it is annoying, too, because,” she added, with dignity, ‘I flatter myself that there could not possibly be anything in my manner, much less in my conduct, to give the slightest encouragement — ”’ ‘‘ My dear friend, you are speaking in enigmas,”’ said Lady Macdonald, as Lady Saxondale paused, ‘“‘ Neither Florina nor I can understand to what you are alluding. And yet in the sphere in which we move, people do seem to be growing mysterious and incomprehensible. Here’s my niece, who has been so abstracted and thoughtful all the morning — ”’ ‘““ By the bye, my dear Florina,’’ exclaimed Lady Saxon- dale, as if suddenly reminded of something by the aunt’s allusion to the young lady, “‘ now that I think of it, you receive lessons from a certain Mr. William Deveril, do you not? ”’ The sudden appearance of a ghost would not have pro- duced a more startling effect upon the lovely Florina than this question so abruptly and unexpectedly put. She turned red and pale in rapid transitions, half-sprang from her seat, and then surveyed Lady Saxondale in a sort of stupor of amazement. “Why, what is the matter with you, Flo?’’ asked her ladyship, at first utterly at a loss to comprehend the meaning of this emotion which her words had excited on the part of the young lady; then all in an instant a suspicion of the truth flashed to her mind, for the eyes of jealousy are keen and sharp as needles. “ You changed the conversation so abruptly, my dear Lady Saxondale,” answered Florina, slowly recovering her- self and endeavouring to smile, though the attempt was not very successful, ‘ that you quite startled me.”’ “IT too noticed how strange you looked, Flo,” exclaimed Lady Macdonald, “‘ but I suppose that when one is abstracted and thoughtful, to have a question suddenly put shakes the nerves. However, Lady Saxondale has evidently something to say concerning that Mr. Deveril who gives you lessons, Hilo.) ; GOomicaooks (SO)