A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

UNCERTAINTY. 69 had been made, or terrible conclusion reached, which had led to his singular determination. It was to discover the possible basis of this conclusion that he bent his energies; and there came to him the most natural suggestion that his friend had discovered, or fancied he had discovered, some basis for the disenchantment in the enchantress; or, in other words, that Eloise had betrayed something that warranted the penalty he had inflicted. When Laurence had held his talk with George, he had known Eloise but a few hours; his conclusions concerning her were based upon one evening’s study of her character; and when he set out to discover the cause of his friend’s retreat from one so attractive, he determined to look for the solution in Eloise. He became aware that the girl did not enjoy his attentions, and felt that she experienced an aversion to him; and yet he took advantage of the privilege which common politeness afforded, and sought her society upon every possible occasion. Eloise did not immure herself—there were reasons why she must not— and in a mechanical sort of way she maintained her posi- tion and met the usual demands of society. Study as he would, Laurence failed to find the slightest testimony on which to amend his original reading of her character; in- deed, under the sorrow which:she sought to conceal, but which he knew she endured, there were developed traits which increased his admiration, and which caused him to amend his original estimate in her favor. ‘The more he studied, the more he became convinced that she was worthy the best love of any man; that her thoughts were of exceptional purity; and in her disposition the elements COPMIC LOOKS (C©)