The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

THE SISTERS ~- 313 your Marquis of Villebelle been the veriest menial that ever stooped to lower the steps of a proud patrician’s car- riage, I should not have taught you to scorn and despise him, much less have scorned and despised him myself.”’ “Forgive me, dear sister, forgive me, if I have wounded your feelings,’ said Constance, bursting into tears. “‘ It was unintentional, it was rather in surprise than through any other impulse, and as to studied motive, I had none. Forgive me, I say,’ and she threw her arms around her sister’s neck, ‘Yes, I forgive you, dear Constance,’’ responded Juliana, who in her heart was glad that this little scene had taken place, inasmuch as it had disarmed her sister as it were of the strength of those feelings which she knew from the first must inevitably be excited by the mention of that name which had not as yet passed her lips. ‘‘ And now, since you have guessed who the object of my love is —” “ Yes, it is Frank — Francis Paton,” whispered Constance in her sister’s ear. “It is,’ responded Juliana, and still further to hush any scruples which her sister might have at listening to such a revelation or admitting the propriety of such an attachment, she at once assumed a proud position, exclaiming, ‘‘ Yes, it is he, our young page, at present a mere menial in the family. But so enthusiastic is my love, that I could almost glory in it.” | Constance did not immediately make any. comment, but unwinding her arms from her sister’s neck, she slid back to her seat, and could not prevent herself from falling into a profound and serious train of reflections. “You have given your love, Constance, to the Marquis of Villebelle,’ said Juliana, after a long pause, ‘‘and if circumstances do not sooner or later turn up favourably in your behalf, I presume you will marry him in spite of mother, brother, relatives, and friends. In doing this, you will be right, because you will be consulting your own happiness. I have told you so all along. But wherefore should you on the one hand consult your happiness, and I sacrifice mine on the other? Much as you love your Etienne, © do I love my Francis.” “Then Heaven forbid that I should venture to breathe @ word against this love of yours!” interrupted Constance, ECORIICLOO® <S (C(O)