The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

THE THREE SISTERS 247 ivory between lips of wet coral, teeth which were pure and perfect as pearls themselves could be, and lips which seemed so fresh in their dewy moisture that it were hard indeed to believe that the hot kisses of burning lust had ever been pressed upon them. But, oh, who that observes the rose when drooping at eve with the diamond dewdrops sparkling upon every modestly closing leaf, would imagine that this flower seemingly so pure, so chaste, so delicate, had been boldly basking in the gorgeous sunlight during the whole day, and had drunk in the impassioned glow without parching or scorching? ‘Then are we to understand,’’ said Agatha, when her own and her sisters’ mirth had somewhat subsided, ‘‘ that you love Bergami? ”’ “Yes, love him as I loved Jocelyn,’ answered Emma, ‘because he was handsome and I desired him; or love him as I have loved Malpas, because I cannot exist without a lover.”’ ‘Oh, we can understand why you love him,’’ exclaimed Agatha, stilllaughing. ‘‘ But remember, Emma,’’ she added, more seriously, ‘‘ these amours may have their conse- quences, as mine did, and it may not always be so easy to get over them — ”’ ‘Well, my dear sister,’ interrupted Emma, “it will be time enough to talk of that when the danger presents itself. Besides, you must not get on too fast in your conjectures. I am very far from having ensnared Bergami as yet. He even appears rather distant, — not exactly distant, for he is politeness itself, as you well know, but he will not see that I love him. If my hand lingers in his, he does not press it; if my looks fix themselves upon him, his are cast down; ii my foot happens: to rest against his under the table, he begs my pardon, as if he himself had accidentally kicked me.”’ ‘““ Why, this is as bad as Loftus in the post-chaise,”’ ex- claimed Agatha, “‘ when we first travelled with him, and before we knew who he really was. And yet the baron does not look as if he would prove another Jocelyn, nor do I belheve that there can be more than one man of Jocelyn’s stoic disposition in the world, and that man is Jocelyn himself.”’ ~ Well, at all events, I intend to subdue Bergami if it be ) ) CORNICLOO <S) (C(O) im