The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

THE DOCTOR’S SECRET 223 stood so much in need to save her honour. But all on a sudden her seducer’s precipitate departure irom Geneva filled her with despair, and now, as I have ere now told you, Mr. Loftus, she is a sinking wreck, though still retaining all the evidences of remarkable beauty. But even in three weeks has affliction worked fearful inroads upon her. Ah! no wonder, for if my heart be nearly broken, experienced as I am in the ways of the world, what must be the feelings of this unhappy girl, so innocent, so full of gaiety and Joy, until she became his prey! ”’ “ Alas! poor girl!”’ said Jocelyn, deeply touched by this narrative. ‘‘ You know my reasons for remaining indoors to-day, — indeed until the letter which I bear from England shall be safe in the hands of the princess? ’’ “You are afraid of being seen and recognized by any one attached to the household of her Royal Highness, the result of which knowledge of your presence in Geneva would only be to cause the multiplication of all imaginable pre- cautions to ward off the approach of any friendly disposed person to the presence of the princess.”’ “Yes, those are the reasons which induce me to remain in the house to-day,” said Jocelyn, “‘ but to-night so soon as it is dusk, I will issue forth and institute the necessary inquiries relative to the individual who bore the name of Thompson.” “ And you will also do well to call at the other lodging and see that poor girl,’”’ said Mrs. Roberts. ‘‘ She may prob- ably tell you even more than she told me concerning the villainy, the perfidy, and the profligacy of her seducer. But now that I bethink me,” she suddenly exclaimed, ‘‘ there can be no need for me to exhibit the slightest want of con- fidence toward you, since you have placed such full trust in me. i will therefore tell you my real name, likewise that of the perfidious nobleman who has been the author of my un- happiness and who under the name of Mr. Smith — ”’ But here Mrs. Roberts was interrupted by the entrance of Doctor Maravelli, who burst somewhat abruptly into the room, on his return from the visit to which he had been summoned. “ Now, my dear madam,” he exclaimed, ‘‘ you will have a companion at last. I thought it impossible that my establishment could remain much longer with only one CORNICLOO <S) (C(O) am