The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 200: what you’re looking at

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

THE SECOND JOURNEY 183 “ But I presume she has rendered herself much liked by her charities, and much respected by her virtues,” said Jocelyn, ‘‘for she is an excellent lady, a most amiable princess, and one whose purity of character has defied all the slander of her enemies.”’ “No doubt of it,’’ said the Genevese gentleman, but with a dryness of tone and a peculiarity of manner which Jocelyn could not possibly help observing. ‘ But what do they say of her in England, sir? ’’ he asked. “The great majority of the people,’ replied Loftus, “those, indeed, who do not pander to courtly profligacy, and are not deceived by the prejudices propagated and fostered by the blind worshippers of royalty, know that she is innocent of every evil which is imputed to her. Yes, and they know also that she is the victim of a base, systematic, and cowardly persecution.”’ “You are warm in her defence, sir,’’ remarked the pro- fessional gentleman, as he sipped his wine; for we should observe that dinner was served up immediately after Jocelyn entered the room, and that he and his companion were now seated at a table where, although it was but at a small village inn, all the dainties of the season were spread, forming indeed an admirable specimen of the united kitchens of France, Savoy, and Switzerland. “ Yes, I defend the princess, sir,’ replied Jocelyn, ‘ be- cause I know that she is a victim and not a guilty woman. The vilest charges have been at different times made against her, the most atrocious calumnies have been levelled at her — But you will pardon me, sir, if | grow warm upon this subject, for I feel indignant, as a man and as an Englishman, at the treatment which this foreign princess has experienced from the cold-blooded sensualist, her husband. Can you tell me, sir, whether in her Royal Highness’s household there are three young ladies named Owen? ”’ ~ Yes, I believe so,”’ was the reply, “ and, if I mistake not, they are three very beautiful girls. Yes, to be sure,’’ ex- claimed the Genevese, as if suddenly recalling some- thing to mind, “‘ i remember that I once spoke to two of them.”’ “ Ah! then you are acquainted with the persons attached to her Royal Highness? ”’ said Jocelyn, interrogatively. “ No, not to say acquainted,” answered the professional ) ) CORNICLOOL ‘S (CO) im