The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 368: what you’re looking at

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

THE SISTERS 351 mot, however, appear to take its inspiration from the full glow of a heart’s unalloyed happiness. ‘‘ You know that fond, loving, and affectionate sisters such as we are always have a hundred little trifles and sweet nothings to tell each other, and which they treasure up for the day of meeting.”’ ‘Then you have really nothing of importance to tell me? ”’ said Louisa, with a tone and look of disappointment. ‘ [ thought you were perhaps going to reveal to me some matters indicative of your own complete and consummate happi- ness.”’ ‘No — that is to say —I mean yes,” ejaculated Clara, somewhat falteringly; then, in a hurried tone, she added, “But I have already told you, by the bye, in my letters, that my dear kind friends, the Beckfords, have adopted me as their daughter, and intend to leave me all their fortune.”’ “Yes, you have already told me this,’”’ said Louisa, ‘‘ and I have congratulated you in return; for of course you are well aware, Clara, that your happiness is as dear to me as my own, or even dearer, for I would endure anything sooner than be compelled to hear that you were unhappy.” “ Dear Louisa, dear, dear girl,” cried Clara, embracing her fervidly and fondly; ‘‘ and be assured, oh, be assured that I entertain precisely the same feeling for you. But we must now part, Louisa, we must indeed; for it is time that you should return fue ward, and I am also compelled to leave town again immediately to rejoin Mr. and Mrs. Beck- tord, otherwise I would accompany you part of the distance. But I repeat, Sir Douglas Huntingdon will escort you in his carriage as far as Blackheath, or perhaps Dartford, where he will see you safe in a post-chaise.”’ The sisters now separated with many reiterated embraces, and also with many, many tears; and once more was Louisa consigned to the care of Sir Douglas Huntingdon. We need only add that the baronet fulfilled his mission with delicacy and fidelity. He escorted her to Dartford, where he procured a post-chaise for her accommodation; and on parting from the lovely girl he experienced a sensation of ineffable joy to think that he had never once regarded her otherwise than with the utmost respect. ’Tis said that the lion crouches at the feet of a spotless maiden; and assuredly the gay libertine, the lion of human society, acknowledged the , 1) CORNICE LOOKS (C(O)