The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 220: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO DOORS 203 whom men take as the companions of a transitory enjoy- ment and fleeting pleasure.”’ As she thus spoke in accents full of concentrated bitter- ness, the unfortunate lady covered her face with her hands, . and the next moment Jocelyn could perceive the tears _ trickling between her fingers. He sympathized deeply with her, but what could he say, what could he do to console her? Hers was a grief which admitted of no solace from human lips, but if consolation could be offered to her at all, it must be from one of her own sex, between whom and herself the circumstances of etiquette and propriety interposed no formal barrier. “On receiving that note,” the lady at length resumed, having hastily wiped away her tears, “‘ I was overwhelmed with despair. But reflection showed me that if I had thus been made the dupe of a heartless debauchee, I should at least strive to conceal my dishonour from the world. ‘To give way to utter despondency or frantic grief would only be to excite,suspicion, which might lead on to exposure. I accordingly resolved to cherish my wrong in secret. But here I must suddenly digress for the purpose of informing you that it was at this very time I had an opportunity of hearing her Royal Highness, the Princess Charlotte of Wales, speak of you to her aunt the Princess Sophia. No matter under what circumstances I thus became an ear-witness to the discourse of those royal ladies. Suffice it to say that as they spoke somewhat unguardedly in my presence, enough fell from their lips, ere they recollected themselves, to make me acquainted with many particulars concerning yourself. If you wish me to tell you the exact truth, I must observe that the princesses spoke of you in the most enthusiastic terms, praising your chivalrous character, dwelling with grateful admiration on the enterprise in which you had embarked, and deploring the previous misfortunes and calamities in which you had been involved when imprisoned in Paris. Thus was it that the discourse of the two princesses | not only revealed to my ears who you really were, but also impressed me with the highest opinion of your merits. Can you therefore wonder if I ere now spoke so confidently concerning your honour as an English gentleman, when recommending Doctor Maravelli to receive you as a lodger beneath his roof? ’’ CORNICLOOL CS (CO)