The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 298: what you’re looking at

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

CONFESSION OF ROMANTIC LOVE 281 thither, forgot the important topic of discourse whence his own feelings had hurried him divergingly away, forgot everything save the reminiscences which had been thus conjured up, and which came crowding back upon his soul, all absorbing, and with a tenderness that was ineffable. Loftus could not interrupt him, dared not break in upon this reverie, for it was too solemn and sacred for intrusion, although time was now of such importance; and every minute that was slipping away could be so ill spared from earnest deliberation or positive action in the cause of the Princess of Wales. ‘This delicious dream,’’ continued Bergami, slowly and mourniully resuming the thread of his discourse, “ lasted for nearly eighteen months; and will you believe that during this period never once did I speak to the princess, never were we near enough to each other to exchange a single syllable? I was but the secretary to a second-rate diplomatic agent at a proud court, and although my rank is noble, yet _ was I never invited as a guest to the ducal table. Suddenly the intelligence began to be whispered about in Brunswick that negotiations had been opened with the British court relative to the marriage of her Serene Highness the Princess Caroline to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. Then was I immediately ordered by the Prussian government to quit Brunswick and repair to Vienna, to take the post of secretary to the Prussian legation in that city. By some means the romantic attachment which had sprung up be- tween myself and the princess had become either whispered about or else suspected, and hence my sudden removal to Vienna. Then did I awake from this long dream oi bliss, | awake to find that I had been clinging to a shadow, immo- lating my happiness on an ideal altar. Bitterly did I curse my folly in having given way to such a delusion, and yet a delusion it scarcely can be called, for though I had loved so tenderly and had evidently been loved in return, I had not cherished any definite hope. Indeed, I had never thought - of asking myself why I loved and to what I expected my love would lead. ‘Thus I had not deluded myself, and assuredly the princess had not deluded me. But I will not attempt to analyze the feelings which I experienced when thus abruptly removed from the Court of Brunswick. I may, however, mention that I at once resolved to renounce ) CORNICLOOOKSSEcOn