Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 206: what you’re looking at

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

A NIGHT AT THE VILLA 189 from giving vent to the feeling of astonishment which this announcement was so well calculated to raise up in her bosom. ‘“In love?’ she repeated, mechanically. ‘‘ Impossible! ”’ ‘‘ Sweet simpleton that thou art, my Pauline!” returned Lord Florimel, smiling. “Is it so very wonderful that Octavia should be in love? For are not you yourself already in love likewise — and with me? ”’ ‘““My lord! my lord! this pleasantry is cruel!’ began Pauline, her countenance expressing mingled impatience, anger, and curiosity. “By heaven! I never was more serious in my life, sweet girl,’ answered Florimel. ‘“‘ However, to return to your sister, I tell you that she is in love, and that she has deceived you, with absurd excuses for her absence.” “Oh, if I thought that this could be true! ”” murmured Pauline, bursting into tears. ‘“‘ But no, no,’ she exclaimed, Wiping away Winke crystal drops that were tracing their pearly path down her beauteous cheeks, “ Octavia would not refuse me her confidence, much less deceive me.’ “One word, Pauline,” Aid Florimel, gazing upon her with a mixture of tenderness and archness which rendered his countenance beautifully soft and feminine in expression at that moment, so that even the maiden herself, much as her mind was preoccupied, felt her heart irresistibly at- tracted toward him, — “ one word, Pauline,’ he repeated, ‘and now answer me truly. When Octavia returns home in the morning, shall you frankly and unreservedly reveal to her all the incidents that have occurred during her absence? ”’ A blush mounted rapidly up to the virgin’s pure and spotless brow; and she cast down her looks at the same time. Then, after a long pause, she raised her eyes timidly, observing, in a tremulous voice, “‘I can understand now that it is possible for even the innocent and guileless heart to cherish secrets of a certain nature.” —“ You believe, then, at length, that it is quite probable for your sister to be in love, and yet not confess her passion to you?” said Lord Florimel. ‘‘ Yes, Pauline, dearest, she is indeed in love; and her lover he added, in a melting tone and with a plaintive look, “sighs not vainly at her feet as t have been doomed this night to humble ype at yours.” GOMmiGcdooks (C©)