The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 205: what you’re looking at

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

188 THE COURT OF LONDON stances. Her features were regular and handsome, her complexion was dark, but now somewhat sallow rather than pale, through grief, and her countenance had a hageard expression. She possessed a fine figure, with a noble bust, and was apparently about twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age. Such was the hurried survey which Jocelyn was enabled to take of the lady whom he had rescued from death, and at the expiration of two or three minutes the thoughts which forced themselves upon her mind seemed to effect a ereat change within her. “It was in a moment of madness, of utter despair,” she said, suddenly breaking silence and turning her large dark eyes full upon our hero, ‘*‘ that I made the rash, the wicked attempt upon my life, which your timely presence and noble conduct so providentially frustrated. And, oh, it was the shame, the bitterness, the rage, at having been rescued a first time which made me still more desperate the second time. But, ah!” she abruptly exclaimed, “ what must you think of me? What will the world think of me? ”’ “Lady,” said Jocelyn, in a deep and earnest tone, “ I am aman of honour, and will never breathe to a living soul, without your permission, the occurrence of this evening. As for what I may think of you, believe me it is in my nature to put the most charitable construction upon your conduct. Then, as for the world, whose opinion you dread so much, wherefore need it ever become acquainted with your secret? ”’ ‘Oh, generous young man,” exclaimed the lady, with a perfect effusion of gratitude in her accents and in her looks, “you fill me with hope, with confidence, with courage.” Then rising abruptly from the bank, she said, “‘ Come, we must depart hence. You shall repair with me to my place of abode, where I will order a change of apparel to be pro- vided you. But of course,’ she instantaneously added, “ it was an accident, and not an attempt at self-destruction.” ‘““ Madam, I promise net to betray you,” observed Jocelyn, with earnest sincerity, ‘‘ and if you would prefer that I should leave you this minute, so that I may not learn who you are, by proceeding with you to your own abode — ”’ “ Your generosity is equal to your courage,’ answered the lady. ‘ But if I am not interfering with your arrange- ments, you must come with me. I could not think of leaving ECORMICIOO KS (E(0)