The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 319: what you’re looking at

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

302 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “The most amusing thing in the world,’’ exclaimed her ladyship, pretending rather to address herself to the aunt than to the niece, but furtively surveying the latter with a scrutinizing intentness from the corners of her eyes. “‘ Would you believe it? — this Mr. Deveril who has obtained such renown by his talents and is so extensively patronized in the circles of rank and fashion seems to have had his head turned by his good fortune. For my part, I always considered him to be a well-behaved unassuming young man, of a sufficiently independent spirit for one of his sex and intelli- gence, but totally devoid of any insolent pretensions.”’ “That 1s precisely the opinion which I had formed of him,’’ observed Lady Macdonald, “‘ and I should really feel grieved to be compelled to alter it. What has hap- pened? ”’ Florina said nothing, but awaited with a torturing sus- pense the reply that should be given to the question her aunt had just put to Lady Saxondale. She was naturally filled with the strangest misgivings, and even while waiting for the clearing up of her uncertainty and doubt, she felt a thousand wild conjectures sweeping through her brain; for under such painful circumstances one seems to live an entire age in a single minute, and to be tossed upon a sea of troubled emotions vast enough to fill a century, although compressed at the time into the space of a few instants. She however did her best to conceal what she experienced. Her aunt was not noticing her, nor did Lady Saxondale appear to be doing so either, though in ‘reality the latter lost not a single gleam or sade of those feelings that found a swift brief flitting expression upon the young maiden’ S features. “You asked me what has happened, my dear friend? ” resumed Lady Saxondale, in reply to Lady Macdonald’s question. ‘‘ You really never would guess, and you will scarcely know how to believe me when I tell you. In one sense you will perhaps say that I ought to feel complimented, in another indignant and angry, and in a third sense wonder- fully amused and diverted.” “ T already begin to understand your meaning,” said Lady Macdonald, in astonishment. ‘ But is it really possible — ”’ ‘So possible,” returned Lady Saxondale, “‘ that it did actually take place.’’ OPA CONNIE OO KS (E(0)