The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 326: what you’re looking at

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

THE SIREN’S WILES 309 that costume wherewith you imitate me. Will you then put it on to-night and come to my chamber? ”’ “ To-night!’’? echoed Emma, in rapturous joy. “ Yes, but that appointment at Maravelli’s house, with Jocelyn Barus — ** ‘““ Must be kept,’’ answered Bergami, ‘‘ because I dare not appear in any way to depart one tittle from the arrangements entered into between him and me, and if you were not to go, you would have to allege as an excuse some new understand- ing with me. This would be to betray what has now taken place, to betray my weakness, in a word, to prove that | had succumbed to the fascination of your charms. And this must not be. Not even to your sisters must you state what has occurred. if you do, if to a living soul you breathe a syllable of this love of ours, I will then stifle it, I will renounce it, | will tear your image from my heart, — yes, and all this love of mine, this frantic passion with which you have inspired me, shall turn into the deadliest hate! Do you understand me, and wil you pledge yourself sacredly and solemnly? ”’ ‘““T do, I do,” answered Emma, trembling all over with the fever of joyous excitement, for this seemed to be a tri- umph so wondrous, so complete, so crowning on her part, that while it promised to minister unto all her devouring desires, it was likewise most eminently flattering to her vanity. “ I swear that I will not mention to a soul, no, not to a soul, one syllable of what has now taken place between us. I will keep the appointment, too, at Maravelli’s house, | in company with my sisters. And afterward,” she said, with a look full of wanton wickedness and sensuous mis- chief, “‘ afterward — ”’ ~ Yes, aiterward, no matter at what hour you may come back to the villa from that appointment,” said Bergami, “you will apparel yourself in the costume of which you have spoken, and you will come stealthily to my chamber? ”’ “ Yes, oh, yes, I will not fail you,” she murmured, her heart already panting with voluptuous longings, as with eyes brimful of passion she surveyed the handsome Bergami from head to foot, devouring him, as it were, with her luxurious looks. “And now return to your sisters,’ he said, seizing her hand and again pressing it with cordial warmth. ‘‘ But COMMICLAOO (CO) am