The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 324: what you’re looking at

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

THE SIREN’S WILES 307 proof? I scarcely know what to ask for, unless it be your entire confidence with regard to the sad, tortuous course you have been pursuing. Yes, tell me everything, Emma,’’ he continued, trembling as if with a strong excitement. ‘“‘ Prove that you are worthy of my love, that you are sorry for the past, and that you will do all you can by your good conduct to make reparation in future. Convince me, I say, that you are worthy of the love which I have to give you, and the confession of that love shall be made.”’ “This is happiness unspeakable, ineffable,” murmured Emma, really feeling what she said; for, as the reader is already aware, she had for some time past conceived a strong fancy for Bergami. ‘“ Ask me what you choose, and I will reply faithfully and truly.” “Then will you secure my most devoted love,” replied Bergami, gazing upon her with looks that seemed full of passion; but as she again attempted to seize his hand, he snatched it away, erving, “ No, no, not until you have given me proofs the most convincing that you love me. Then, then, 1t is not my hand that you shall take, but it is to my arms you shall come — ” And he stopped short, gasping as with excess of pleasure at the bare idea of joys which he was conjuring up to his imagination. ““ Ah! ask me some question and you will see whether I am prompt to reply,’ said Emma, whose head was turning and whose senses were becoming bewildered in the tumult of blissful emotions which her easy triumph over Bergami had naturally excited, and which were all the more extrav- agant, all the more thrilling and intoxicating, inasmuch as they had succeeded an interval of such blank despair and cruel terror. “Well, then,’’ said Bergami, speaking quickly, as if putting at random the first thing that entered his head, “tell me, dear Emma, tell me, which of you three sisters it is who, not content with masquerading on one or two occa- sions in male costume, must actually have imitated so closely the very garb that I sometimes wear as to be taken for me?” “Oh, if I tell you, if I tell you,” exclaimed Emma, now elevated to the highest degree of excitement, as if she felt she was touching on the very brink of that paradise which ) CORNICE OO cS (C(O) im