The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 304: what you’re looking at

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

A STRANGE SCENE 287 you should incur the chance of exposure before your house- hold. At the same time, I warn your ladyship not to address me again in language that is derogatory to yourself and insulting to me.”’ ‘“ Insulting to you, foolish boy?” said Lady Saxondale, and the words came hissing forth on her panting breath, while every feature of her handsome countenance was convulsed with passion, a passion in which the fury of - desire was mingled with the rage of disappointment and the deep sense of mortification. ‘“‘ Have you refused my love because there is such disparity in our ages? It is true that there are many years’ difference between us, but am I not handsome, am I not-1n the proud glory of my beauty? Look at this hair, is there one line of silver in it? Look at this face, is there a wrinkle upon it? Look at this form, has time done aught to mar its symmetry? No, no,” she added, with increasing excitement, ‘I not only love, but I have the consciousness of being lovable. And if my mirror told me false in that respect, think you that the handsomest and proudest peers of England, who when seeking my hand have told me that I was beautiful, have spoken thus in mere idle flattery? Once again, then, William Deveril — ”’ ‘No, lady, not again, not even once again!” he cried, now stricken with the conviction that every moment which he gave up to a prolongation of this scene was a treachery and an insult to that sweet patrician girl who but a few hours previously had breathed a revelation of purest and chastest love in his ear. ‘‘ Ah, then yours is a heart of adamant and will not be moved,” exclaimed Lady Saxondale. ‘‘ But perhaps you love another?’ and her whole form quivered with rage as the bare idea struck her with an ice-chill, smiting her proud heart as if it would rend it in twain. ‘“ Love another? ” echoed the young artist, mechanically, for again he trembled lest his secret should be surprised. “Yes, love another,’ promptly rejoined Lady Saxon- dale. “I said so, and I see that it is the case. Oh, that telltale look of yours reveals the secret! Then I have a rival? Ah! rivalry encourages bad passions, it excites vengeance, and by the heaven above us, William Deverill, if my love be spurned for that of any puling, sentimental girl, the revenge that I will wreak shall be terrible.’’ CONnNIEOOOKS (f()