The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 370: what you’re looking at

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

THE LADY ’S-MAID 300 together with certain documents testifying to the authen- ticity of that certificate, and signed by those who witnessed the bridal. All these papers she frankly offered to place in my hands, so that I might do with them as I chose. You may conceive, Constance, with what joy and gratitude I accepted this offer. She accordingly made an appointment for me to receive the papers, and she promised that they should be faithfully remitted to me on the day, at the hour, and at the place named. We then parted, as mere acquaint- ances, in the same way that we had just met, our interview having lasted but for a few minutes, and the whole conver- sation being confined to the topics which I have mentioned. We did not even shake hands, nor make any inquiry into each other’s circumstances, beyond the one question which my wife put to me whether | was in want of money. ‘““-T have now nothing more to say, unless it be to add that the appointment was faithfully kept by an emissary from my wife, and the papers were all placed in my hand. I have them at my residence, I have not destroyed them, and were it not for my oath’s sake, I would show them to you, dear Constance. But I dare not reveal the names which appear in the marriage certificate and the other documents. Now, save and except the entry in the register at the British ambassador’s chapel in Paris, no evidence could possibly be produced — unless, indeed, by my own hand — to prove that I was ever wedded to another. Finally, I will ask you, Constance, whether under all these circumstances, especially the last, I should not have been almost justified in repre- senting myself as single and unmarried? ”’ Constance gave no immediate answer; she reflected pro- foundly. What course was she to pursue? That she might in all safety become the wife of the Marquis of Villebelle, without having her right to that name ever disputed, seemed beyond the possibility of doubt; but, on the other hand, could she look upon herself as the legitimate and lawful wife of this nobleman who had been wedded to another? Again, on the favourable side, it was scarcely to be supposed that the English law would recognize a marriage such as that which the marquis had been so mysteriously led into, inas- much as it had never been consummated, and appeared on the very face of it a mockery too scandalous to be regarded in the light of a grave solemnity. And on this same favour- GomiGcsooks (C(O)