The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

304 REYNOLDS’ WORKS able side, too, was the young lady’s love for the French nobleman, so that after a few minutes’ deliberation the arguments on this side proved the weightier; and extending her fair hand to the marquis, she exclaimed, “‘ No, Etienne, I cannot separate from you. I cannot resign this dream of bliss. I love you, and in the world’s despite will I love you on unto the end.” The marquis strained her to his breast, covered her lips and her cheeks with kisses, lavished upon her the tenderest epithets, and breathed the most solemn protestations and pledges in her ears. ‘And now, dearest,” he said, “‘ you will not refuse to be mine so soon as I shall have obtained the means of guarantee- ing an adequate maintenance? At thé beginning of this conversation, I informed you that a change in the French Ministry had given power to an individual who has influence enough to compel the king to do me justice, though so tardily, and in a short time I may expect a diplomatic situa- tion. Then — ”’ “Yes, then,’’ murmured Constance, “I will become thine.’’ Again were. there caressings and embracings and the breathing of tender vows; and the two lovers experienced, if possible, a greater amount of happiness, or, at all events, of satisfaction and content, in consequence of the explana- tions which had taken place on this memorable occasion. ‘Now, dearest Constance,” said the marquis, ‘“‘ you shall play me one of those beautiful airs which carry such ineffable bliss in unto my heart when the music is made by your fair fingers. You have your guitar with you, and I am sure that I shall not beseech this favour in vain.’’ Constance took up the instrument and began to run her fingers over the strings, while the marquis, rising from the seat, leaned against the pedestal of a huge vase that stood close by, so that his tender gaze might embrace the entire form of that ravishing creature whom he loved so fondly and who loved him so devotedly in return. But scarcely had the beauteous Constance begun to strike the strings of her guitar, when Juliana, who in the meanwhile had gone through the ceremony of the toilet and exchanged her déshabillé for a dinner costume, came hurrying down the gravel walk with the intimation that Lady Saxondale had CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)