The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 270: what you’re looking at

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2 THE INTERVIEW 253 other hand, was too artless and innocent to entertain the idea of any ulterior purpose, and leaning upon her cousin’s arm, she walked by his side in silence, occupied with her ‘own melancholy reflections. To his other arm the countess clung, and as the night was clear and beautiful, she and her lover were now enabled to exchange glances of deep and earnest tenderness. It becomes necessary to explain that in one of the angles of the walls enclosing the spacious garden grounds, there was a small, private door, but which was seldom or never ~used.. An avenue of evergreens led from this door toward the conservatories at the farther extremity of the garden, and it was in this avenue that Osmond was now walking with the two ladies. At first there was little conversation, for Isakella - was altogether silent, while Adolphus and Ethel were too much gratified with the opportunity of thus stealthily be- stowing a tender pressure of the hand, or of exchanging a fond look when the starlight penetrated amidst the trees and - flooded their path with its argentine lustre, to give utterance 2 to remarks on purely indifferent subjects, for on such sub- jects: alone could they converse in the presence of Isabella, “who was altogether unsuspicious of their guilty love. et a You are pensive, my sweet cousin?” said Adolphus, at length breaking a long silence, and now addressing himself to Isabella. ‘ The countess gtd EWE nist 80 dull, he con- _ tinued, in a good-humoured strain, “as to be unable to -eomprehend what ares your thoughts. We both feel _ for you, my dear cousin — —“ Tsabella has already more than once received the assur- ance of my sympathy,” remarked the countess. | “ But we should offer her more than sympathy,” quickly _-exelaimed Lord Osmond. ‘ There could be no harm in assisting the progress of this little love-affair, which experi- ences disfavour only on the part of one, for really Christian Ashton is an admirable young man— You are weeping, dear Isabella.”’ | “The conversation gives her pain,” said the countess, in a tone of tenderest sympathy. _ “ Not for worlds would I wilfully give you pain, my dear cousin,” resumed Adolphus. ‘ On the contrary, you shall see whether I have not studied to do something to afford you pleasure,”’ GomiilGcGaooks (CO) mn