The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 88: what you’re looking at

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

A SINGULAR PROPOSAL 71 him,” interrupted Mrs. Malpas. ‘‘ He will only ridicule and laugh at me — ” ‘ You do not exactly understand the nature of the lecture which you are to give to him,” said Venetia. ‘I am well aware that to appeal to his moral feelings as a husband or as a man will be utterly useless, but. to appeal to his selfish- ness may produce quite a different effect. You will tell him, then, that you are now upon intimate terms with me, and that it is my intention to introduce you into the highest cir- cles and the best society. You will go on to observe that your father has agreed to allow you a thousand a year to live upon, and has given you five thousand guineas to fur- nish a mansion and commence the world anew, in order that you may live in independence, happiness, and comfort.” “But my father has done no such thing,” exclaimed Mrs. Malpas, in astonishment, ‘‘ and he would not do any- thing of the kind.” “No, but I will do it all for you,’’ answered Venetia, ‘and you can attribute it to your parents’ kindness — ’’ ‘But such goodness on your part,’ cried Mrs. Malpas, in amazement; “‘ is it possible — are you joking —”’ ‘Tt is no subject to jest upon,” returned Venetia. ‘‘ My dear friend,’ she continued, “‘ can you not understand the object that I havein view? Your husband not only demands the surrender of my person, but also seeks to extort a large sum of money from me. Now you will not be angry if I declare that I so thoroughly hate and cordially detest your husband that I would sooner die than yield to his wishes on the first point, while, on the second, it would only en- courage him to further extortion if I were to comply with his demand. You can now understand that it is well worth my while to adopt any course in order to save myself from that humiliation and that danger, and by the plan I am suggesting, you can likewise be restored to a position oi comfort, respectability, and independence, without having to drag along your existence in Butcherhall Lane.”’ “Then what would your ladyship have me do?” asked Mrs. Malpas, now beginning to see clearly, like one who emerges from a dense fog. “TI would have you recite to your husband,’ continued Venetia, ‘“‘ the tale which I have ere now devised for the purpose, how I have taken you by the hand, how you are GOmMmiicdoo! CS (C(O) im