The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

THE SISTERS 315 deeply moved by Juliana’s speech, “‘ that you may prove happy in this love of yours. But you say that as yet you have not in words revealed it to Frank Paton? Think you _ that he is aware that you love him? ”’ ‘““T am sure of it,’’ responded Juliana, with impassioned warmth; ‘‘ and I am equally confident that he loves me in return. But he is timid and bashful, and also retiring, more perhaps from a due sense of his position than naturally so, and never from his lips dare I hope for the first avowal. But from mine — yes, from mine — shall he receive that avowal of love which I know and feel to be reciprocal. Often and often, during the last few weeks, has such an avowal trembled upon my tongue, when for a few minutes _ I have found myself alone with him, and yet I have not had the courage to let it go forth. But the next opportu- nity —”’ At this moment the door opened, and Mary Anne, the principal lady’s-maid especially devoted to the service of the two sisters, entered the room. The quick glance which she flung around to assure herself that they were alone, and the expression of mingled archness and importance which was upon her very handsome countenance, at once revealed the object of her coming. ‘“ He is here?” said Constance, springing from her seat and bounding toward the lady’s-maid. “No, miss, but this letter has just arrived,” and Mary Anne drew forth from the bosom of her dress a little billet which she handed to her young mistress. “He will be here at four o’clock,”’ exclaimed Constance, her beautiful countenance becoming radiant with joy as she glanced over the contents of the letter. ‘‘ Mary Anne, you must be upon the lookout at the side door as usual.” “Trust me, miss,” replied the abigail, proud of being the confidante of this important secret. ‘“‘I will take care everything goes well. Her ladyship will not be home till five; she told her own maid so.”’ Mary Anne then retired, and Constance, looking at the timepiece, exclaimed, ‘‘It is half-past three o’clock. I must go up and dress. And you, Juliana — ”’ “IT do not feel in the humour for exertion at present,’’ answered the elder sister. ‘“‘I will go up presently. But rest assured, my dear Constance, that while the marquis GomiGnsooks (C(O)