The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

222 THE COURT OF LONDON “but repair to the town hall, examine the police book, and ascertain where the individual named Thompson lived when at Geneva. You can then follow up your inquiries at the place so indicated and perhaps you may glean much im- portant information concerning him.” ‘“And Mr. Smith the same?”’ said Jocelyn. ““ Alas! I am in a position to tell you certain particulars relative to him,’’ resumed the lady, with a profound sigh, ‘“ for he is the treacherous one of whom I have been speaking. Here, then, is the address of the lodging which he occupied when at Geneva. If you go to the house, you will be received by a young and beautitul girl, one of those models of true > Genevese loveliness, but who, alas! is gradually becoming the mere wreck of her former self. That this sad change is taking place in her is but too evident, even to the eye of one who never saw her ere the blight of sorrow had fallen upon her cheeks. Did I not tell you last night,” continued Mrs. Roberts, with a strong accentuation of bitterness, “that on pursuing my inquiries here, within the walls of Geneva, I learned enough to put to flight all dreams of love and hope, and make me think only of vengeance? For that treacherous one who scrupled not to make a moment’s plaything and toy of me, and then tossed me ignominiously away, has done the same by this poor Genevese girl. Nay, his conduct has even been more flagitious toward her than in respect to myself, for I knew that he was married, and I fell, therefore, with my eyes open. Yes, mine was the guilt of sheer profligacy, and its punishment was merited. But that poor girl, placing full reliance upon the word of an Englishman, believed that he was unmarried; and little dreaming that he was of a lordly rank and so highly placed above her, she surrendered herself to his honour, but in the hope of becoming his wife. During the last month of his residence at Geneva, he was frequently absent from his lodging for the whole night, and though at first his excuses satisfied the girl, she at length grew jealous. So she followed him, kept a watch about the villa, and gleaned unmistakable proof that he was carrying on an intrigue with Miss Julia Owen. But still the poor Genevese girl said nothing to her seducer, for she was afraid of angering him, and she trembled lest he should seek some subterfuge for not fulfilling his pledge to her, — that pledge the fulfilment whereof she GOmIichboo S iGO