The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

THE THREE SISTERS 243 “ T am sure,” said Agatha, the eldest sister, “‘ that you can neither be such silly girls as to think of settling here in a foreign country. In the first place, to marry on the Conti- nent is really no joke, for if the husband should happen to catch you going a little astray, he can have you lockea up in prison for a couple of years or so. Then, as to the other alternative, of always solacing oneself with lovers, let me assure you that nothing would be more dreadtul than to be exposed to the jealousy of these foreign admirers. It fre- quently happens that they murder their mistresses through excessive love, and then make away with themselves.”’ “Ah! this is a little exaggeration and romancing on your part, Agatha,’ observed Emma, laughing. ‘“ However, I can safely promise you that I have no thought of settling myself here, and I can answer for Julia that she is not so foolish, either.’’ ‘“ So far,’ resumed Agatha, “‘ from our even dreaming of such a thing, I sincerely hope that we shall soon be enabled to give up our present mission and receive its reward.’’ “Hush! do not speak too loud,” said Emma. “ We may be overheard trom the neighbouring windows. But speaking of a reward, what recompense will be conferred on us, think you? ‘The prince regent could scarcely create us peeresses in our own right, with handsome pensions. The scandal would be too great,” she continued, in a low and cautious tone, “‘ after we shall have been called upon to give evi- dence against the princess — ”’ “ Hush! hush! ’tis for you now to be cautious, you silly girl,”’ said Julia, placing her hand playfully upon her sister’s mouth. “ What should you say, then,’’ asked Agatha, bending down and speaking in a whisper, “‘ if the prince were to find each of us an old wealthy peer, just so far advanced in his dotage as to be amorously inclined, without being overnice as to the reputation his bride may have borne before her marriage? ”’ “ Something of this sort must the prince do for us,” said Emma. ‘Mamma hinted as much in the last letter she wrote to Mrs. Ranger,” said Agatha. ‘ But come, you must assist me to finish my toilet. The hour advances for us to descend to the breakfast-table,”’ CORNICLOO! <S) (C(O) im