The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 212: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO DOORS 195 whom she was evidently acquainted. Nor were these allusions made with the air of one who artfully and purposely suffers her brilliant connections thus to transpire, but what- ever Mrs. Roberts said of this kind was given utterance to in all frankness and sincerity. Who, then, could she be, this lady who was surrounded by so much mystery? Of course Jocelyn had not failed to observe how intent she was upon some inward woe, even while struggling to seem cheerful and to force herself to take a due share in the conversation. Her double attempt at suicide had indeed proven that the grief which she cherished was of the most poignant nature, and during the occasional pauses which occurred in the discourse, Jocelyn observed a sudden ex- pression of ineffable anguish sweep over her features, and then be succeeded with so sinister a gloom that it was by no means difficult to understand that she experienced the goading sense of a deep wrong and cherished an implacable vengeance. There was a suspicion which Jocelyn had formed concern- ing this lady from the very first moment he had dragged her forth from the water, for then, as her garments clung closely to her, her shape appeared to indicate that she was in the way to become a mother. But upon this idea the natural delicacy of our hero’s feelings did not permit him to dwell, even in the deep recess of his own soul. At the same time, if this suspicion were correct, and if she were a widow, as her mourning garment led him to believe (although she wore not the widow’s cap nor characteristic sleeve), then would the circumstance afford a clue to the reading of the mystery concerning her. Indeed, it would then even become almost intelligible enough, without waiting to hear the tale from her own lips, why she sought the retirement of a physician’s house in a city so far removed from her native England. When supper was over, Doctor Maravelli rose from the table and begged to apologize for a brief absence on the plea that he had a patient to visit. Jocelyn and Mrs. Roberts were accordingly left alone together. “ Madam,’’ said our hero, now addressing the lady in English, after a brief silence which had followed the closing of the door behind Doctor Maravelli, ‘‘ you will pardon me for seeking the earliest opportunity to revive the topic CORNICLOOL SS (CO) im