The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 294: what you’re looking at

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

A REVELATION 277 “ Ethel, let us endeavour to be composed and reasonable,”’ said Adolphus, at length resuming his seat by her side, and taking her hand as he looked with fond earnestness and imploring entreaty in her face. “I tell you that I neither will nor can take any step without your consent, but will you calmly envisage all the difficulties of the position in which I know we are placed? ”’ ‘“ Yes, yes, proceed,” said the countess. ‘‘ I am calm — I am reasonable,’ and yet she shivered visibly as if with a cold inward desperation. “ Would you, Ethel, that we should fly away together? ”’ asked Adolphus. ‘‘ No, I am sure you would not, for it would be ruin for us both. The earl in his rage would pro- claim everything in respect to myself; I should become an outcast — penniless; and though God knows I shrink not from the idea of poverty on my own account, yet for your sake, Ethel, — oh, I could not endure to behold you, my beloved one, pining away in want.”’ “Think not of me,’’ answered the countess, ‘‘ for I could dare everything. But not for worlds would I have your true position proclaimed; not for worlds would I have you stripped of your rank,—scorned and spurned by those who have hitherto been your equals— No, no, I could not; it would kill me.” “You see, Ethel,’’? continued Adolphus, “ that what I said is right, and we cannot flee away together. But on the other hand I cannot remain here in the same position as before; the earl insists that I should marry Isabella. Neither can I carry out our original view and go abroad upon the Continent, because there again arises the consideration that the earl insists that I shall espouse Isabella.”’ “In a word, then,’’ rejoined the countess, speaking in a voice of cold and unnatural calmness, ‘‘ your position is reduced to these alternatives, — that you must either fly away with me, or remain to espouse Isabella. We have both agreed that the first of these alternatives is impossible, and I see therefore that you are endeavouring to make up your mind to the latter. Is it not so? ” “In the name of Heaven, Ethel, what else can I do?” asked Adolphus, with passionate vehemence. “ And Isabella, who lowes Christian Ashton?’ said the countess, still in the same voice‘as before. CONnNICELOOOKS (S(O) m