The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

HENRIETTA LEYDEN 253 by these rapid ejaculations on the part of his mother and sister, sat up and began to cry. ‘“ Henrietta, my dearest child,’’ exclaimed the unhappy woman, ‘if I have wronged you, forgive me — oh, forgive me! ”’ “Alas, alas!” cried Henrietta, hysterically, “I am virtuous and pure and innocent, and yet for all this I obtained not credit even with my own mother! ”’ “ Dearest child, this reproach tortures me almost to mad- ness,” and Mrs. Leyden wrung her hands bitterly. “Miserable gold!” exclaimed Henrietta, springing up from her knees with a look of despair. ‘‘ The want of it produces misery, and the possession of it brings a darker misery still. Mother, you have wronged me, and this from you— O God! I should never have expected it.”’ “Sister, dear sister,’ said poor little Charley, frightened at what was passing, “ do not speak so to dear mamma!” “Oh, my beloved brother,’’ exclaimed Henrietta, straining the little fellow to her bosom, “‘ but a few minutes back I was dreaming, fondly dreaming, of brighter days for you, but now all is dark, — darker than ever. Perish that gold since it has made my very mother suspect me,” and suddenly relinquishing the fervid clasp in which she had held her brother, Henrietta snatched up the five sovereigns which she had thrown upon the bed, and was about to dash her hand through the window to fling them forth, when a hollow groan from her mother’s lips suddenly made her pause. “ Heavens! what have I done? Dear mother, you are fainting.” “No, I shall be better in a few moments. Give me some water, my dear child.” -The gold dropped from Henrietta’s hand, as she flew to fill a cup with water and place it to her mother’s lips. Then she sprinkled a few drops upon that pale and emaciated countenance, while little Charley sat up in the bed, gazing in blank consternation upon what was passing, for the child could not possibly understand the nature of this scene, but the terror of which hushed his crying and made him speechless. “ Dear Henrietta,” said Mrs. Leyden, now somewhat recovering, “ I have wronged you — I see that I have most fearfully wronged you, and till the last day of my life shall GOmiGcodooks (FO)