The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 254: what you’re looking at

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

A SCENE IN THE DARK 237 “It is impossible to sleep with a strong current of air coming through this aperture,” said Laura; and Jocelyn could hear by the elastic bound of her feet alighting upon the floor that she had leaped from the couch. “ Permit me to do my best to stop that aperture,” he said, rising from his seat and slowly advancing through the darkness toward the alcove. ‘‘ Perhaps I can replace the panel of the wainscot in such a manner as to protect you from the draught.”’ “ T do not believe it possible,’ said Laura, in a tone which evidently came from lips that were pouting with subdued ill-humour at the moment. “ Then let us light a candle at any risk — ”’ ‘Ah! doubtless for you to see my face, now that you know the veil is off,’’ she cried, with a merry laugh. ‘TI can assure you, Miss Linden, that I have no imperti- nent curiosity of such a nature,’’ answered Jocelyn, in a voice coldly expressive of displeasure. “Oh, no, no,” ejaculated Laura, her humour suddenly changing again, and this time into a bitterness which she did not attempt to conceal, ‘ you have no curiosity of any kind, Mr. Loftus; your heart is ice — ice to the very core. I declare that it is almost an insult to a young and beautiful woman as I am, that you have not spoken to me a single word such as young gentlemen do speak to young ladies. There — you know what I mean — but I cannot explain myself any better. At all events, I feel slighted, neglected. Why don’t you answer me, sir?” she exclaimed, with a petulance almost amounting to rage as she stamped her foot upon the floor. ‘Heavens! what a little demoness,”’ thought Jocelyn within himself; but in a cold and apparently unmoved manner, he said, ‘‘ Miss Linden, you thanked me just now for the brotherly kindness which, as you were pleased to observe, I manifested toward you when you felt unwell, and therefore you will perceive the inconsistency of at present accusing me of deliberately slighting you.’ “ Answer me one question, sir,’ exclaimed Laura, hastily and impetuously; ‘‘ do you wish to escape hence? ”’ ‘Most assuredly,” replied Loftus. ‘‘ But wherefore a question so singular under the circumstances? ”’ ‘ Because you cannot escape without my assistance,” COnnicooolks (CO)