The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 326: what you’re looking at

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

THE SISTERS 309 a revelation which one shrinks from making willingly, and which must be asked for before it can be breathed even in the ears of a sister.”’ “T have not questioned you before, Juliana,” was the reply given by Constance, “‘ because you are sometimes so impetuous and hasty —”’ “Ah! but in this respect I should not have been so,’ interrupted the elder sister. ‘‘ And besides, you have a perfect right to seek my fullest confidence. Have you not given me ycur own? Am [ not acquainted with the secret of your love? ”’ “Oh, then,” exclaimed the blushing Constance, ‘Il am to understand that the confession you are now about to make is of the same tender character. I am glad of it — Iam delighted at the idea that you yourself also cherish an affec- tion of the heart, for I have sometimes felt uneasy — I know not why — at the thought of being alone as it were -—”’ ‘In experiencing the bliss of love?”’ added Juliana, with an arch smile upon her lip, but still with a blush upon her cheeks. ‘Then, as her fine bust heaved with a profound sigh, she added, in a low and almost mournful voice, “ I am afraid, Constance, that we can scarcely congratulate each other upon the objects in whom our affections are respectively centred.”’ “What! ”’ exclaimed Constance, “‘ do you mean to share my mother’s prejudice against Villebelle? Ah! this has been the source of my uneasiness, when I have reflected that I loved so fondly, and that you, being ignorant of what love is, could not enter into the spirit of all I experience, and would thus sooner or later be led to view this love of mine with suspicion and displeasure.”’ “ But I hope, my dear Constance, that you have never feared I should betray you? ” said Juliana, with a reproachful look. “Oh, betray me, no! I was well aware that you were incapable of such perfidy toward me. But I trembled lest you, dear Juliana, sharing none of my enthusiasm in respect to the Marquis of Villebelle, might endeavour to wean me from that devoted love with which I regard him, might remonstrate against the impropriety of our clandestine meet- ings, and might even be cold to him when you were present at our interviews. All this have I apprehended — ” GOmiilGadooks (CO)