The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

300 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Christina, accept this trifle from one who loves you,” and she presented our heroine with a locket of choicest work- manship, and containing some of her own hair. Christina pressed it to her lips, and then, obeying some strong impulse, she sank upon her knees, took Zoe’s hand, and covered it with her kisses and her tears. She sobbed audibly, but spoke not, and yet there was a world of elo- quence in the whole proceeding on her part, for not more plainly could the meaning of her almost involuntary con- duct have been expressed if she had exclaimed, *‘ Pardon me, dearest Zoe! I know that I am the cause — though’ Heaven can attest how innocently — of all you sufter.”’ Yet those words were not spoken, and whether Zoe com- prehended the silent eloquence of the weeping and kneeling maiden’s proceeding must be left for the reader to conjecture. Certain it is that Lady Octavian wound her arms around Christina’s neck, strained her to her bosom, sobbed and wept likewise, and thus were their farewells expressed. When Christina again found herself in the carriage, as 1+ bore her homeward, she could scarcely recollect how she had reached it after that parting scene with the amiable lady whom she feared that she should never behold again. Pro- found was the affliction which Christina experienced, and on regaining the villa she hastened up to her own chamber, where she once more gave way to the wild outpouring of her anguish. Gomichbooks (E(0) m