The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

8 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the points in her character, all its strength and all its self- willed firmness; and though he had frequently thought, when regarding her with a kind of paternal feeling, that she was more precocious than he should lke a daughter of his own to be, yet now that he wanted a second wife, he felt assured that Harriet was the very being who would best suit him. He knew that she was good and virtuous, but that she was ambitious, that she possessed a heart which was capable of the noble feeling of gratitude where it was not likely that she could entertain the softer sentiment of love; and he moreover calculated that if his projected marriage with this damsel should crown his most fervid hope and give him an heir, her resolute and haughty spirit would serve, when he himself should be no more, as an efficient defence to shield her offspring against any open hostility or secret snares on the part of Ralph Farefield. Such was the tenor of Lord Saxondale’s. musings ‘as he rolled along in his travelling-chariot to Lincolnshire. He arrived at the castle safe and sound that evening, and the very next day he sent to invite Mr. Clifton and Harriet to pass a week with him. They came, little suspecting what was in store; but after dinner, on the first day of their arrival, and when Harriet had retired to the drawing-room, Lord Saxondale unfolded his purpose without much circum- locution, and over a bottle of excellent claret. Mr. Clifton at first could scarcely believe his own ears, next he thought his lordship was joking, and then he concluded that he must be mad. But Lord Saxondale speedily convinced him that he was neither jesting nor insane, and long before the bottle of claret was emptied, the matter was duly settled, —it being taken for granted that Miss Harriet would give her consent. Nothing was said to the young lady that evening, but next day her father introduced the subject to her notice. There was no necessity to wait for a verbal reply from her lips. The flash of triumph in her eyes, the glow mantling upon her cheeks, and the swell of her fine bust proved how Joyous was her exultation, and how proudly she could become the position of Lady Saxondale. At the expiration of a fortnight the marriage took place at Mr. Clifton’s own church, and Harriet became the mistress of that magnificent castle which, as a guest, she had so often admired, and with every part of which she was already so CONNIE IOO! KS (E(0)