The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

THE DRAMA OF A NIGHT 11 worm themselves altogether into our confidence. They know that ladies in our position are acquainted with many little secrets connected with the royal personages, and so on, and they think that by breaking down every barrier of reserve, they establish a greater familiarity, a deeper inti- macy, and thus render themselves indispensably necessary to us.” ‘“ But all this must arise,’’ said Julia, ‘“‘ from — from —” “Love, you would say?’ exclaimed Emma. “ No, it is a temporary infatuation on their part. Without vanity, we may declare ourselves to be two very fine girls. We have everything in our favour, and it is no wonder that Curzon and Malpas, sheer voluptuaries in their hearts, should be for a season captivated by our beauty and en- chained by our fascinations. Besides, the whole adventure has for them a mystery which increases its charm to an ineffable degree. But once let Malpas have me altogether to himself, dwelling with him as his mistress, constantly with him from morning to night, or let the same take place with you and Curzon, and the result will speedily show how fickle and inconstant man can soon become wearied of the most beautiful woman.” ‘There is a great deal of truth in what you say,’’ remarked Julia, evidently much struck by her sister’s observations. ‘Therefore, solemnly and emphatically do I assure you that, happen what may, I will not suffer myself to be per- suaded to elope with Lord Curzon. And now tell me, Emma, has 1t never struck you as singular that the earl and the colonel should not have once met? For if they had, the one would have told me and the other would have told you — ”? “As a matter of course they would avoid such an encounter, even if they were to behold each other from a distance,” interrupted Emma, “ for as they are each living under a false name, humbly, obscurely, and even mysteri-. ously, they would of course avoid a meeting which would either render explanations necessary, or else, by the refusal of them, leave a singular impression upon each other’s mind. No, I do not for a moment suppose that they have met, for even when coming to the villa at night to keep their appointments respectively with you and me, they have to take separate paths in order to reach the distinct points ECORNICLOOKS (CO)