The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHAPEL od Besides, he was not more than five and twenty, only four years older than Lady Saxondale herself; and thus, every- thing considered, he seemed warranted in entertaining that belief. But if it should prove incorrect, then must he sup- pose her conduct to be instigated by that scintillation of friendly feeling to which she had alluded, and which she described as being conjured up by the recollections of earlier days, when as boy and girl they were playmates together? Or if even this supposition did not account for her behaviour toward him, was it that she had special reasons of her own for wishing to get him away from the castle as soon as possible and that she really had no other opportunity of carrying her views into execution except by means of the earliest and most secret appointment which at the moment she had been able to think of? _ While revolving these various speculations in his mind, Ralph Farefield heard a light step approaching along the corridor toward the chapel door, which he had left ajar, and in a few moments Lady Saxondale made her appear- ance, also with a wax taper in her hand. Ralph at once saw that she was pale, very pale, but her countenance gave no other indication of any feelings which might be agitating in her bosom. Closing the door, but not fastening it, she approached him with slow step, and placing the candle in the same niche where he had deposited his own, she said, “Mr. Farefield, you are doubtless surprised, indeed, you must be, at my conduct. It may appear indecorous, it may even warrant you in entertaining an evil opinion with regard tome. Therefore, let me at once assure you that the motives which prompt me to act with kindness toward you, and the considerations which have compelled me to render our meet- ing as secret as possible, are precisely and exactly those which | stated this evening when in the drawing-room.”’ While Lady Saxondale was thus speaking, she assumed a certain dignity of manner which even more than her words convinced Ralph that his supposition of her having fallen in love with him was altogether unfounded. He was there- fore compelled to believe himself the object of her sympathy alone, and he accordingly looked as humble, contrite, and submissive as he possibly could. “ But in addition to the motives already explained for making an appointment here,’ continued Lady Saxondale, CORNICE DOOkKS (C(O)