The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 357: what you’re looking at

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340 REYNOLDS’ WORKS honouring, such an injurious thought,’ and Constance showed by her looks, her accents, and her manner that she was deeply pained by the remark her lover had made. ‘‘ Besides, Etienne, what could you think of me, if supposing for a moment that I did entertain such a dark suspicion, you still find me meeting you thus, accepting the assurances of your love, giving you mine in return, and willing to entrust all my life’s happiness to your keeping? No, deeply and devotedly as I love you, if I thought that you were other than I believe you to be, we should part at once, never to meet again. And if I could not tear forth this love from the depths of my soul, I would rather suffer it to devour my heart in secret than let it hurry me on into degradation and error. Moreover, you have dealt candidly with me in respect to your circumstances. ”’ “And yet again you hesitate, Constance?” said the marquis, perceiving that she stopped short, as if about to give utterance to something which she nevertheless trembled to speak. “ Oh, I will be candid with you, I will be candid with you,” rejoined Constance. ‘ You have asked me how long these stealthy interviews are to continue, and you know, indeed, you have more than hinted, that the only way to annihilate the necessity thereof is by our marriage. Now,’’ continued Constance, bending down her looks and speaking in a low, tremulous tone, “‘among the various things which my mother has at different times let drop concerning you, there is one allegation on which I have never touched before, which I have never even hinted to you, and to which I would not allude, however distantly, because I dared not so far shock your feelings.”’ _ “ Speak, speak, Constance. Be frank and candid,” said the marquis; but his own voice was now trembling as if with anxiety and suspense, and the arm that encircled the maiden’s waist was trembling likewise. ‘Oh, I dare not, no, I dare not proceed further,’ mur- mured Constance, now bursting into tears as a feeling of deep despondency suddenly seized upon her; for indeed it struck her that the matter to which she was thus alluding did not altogether involve a wanton calumny. “Constance,” exclaimed the marquis, more vehemently than he was wont to speak, “ you alarm me. What means ) Gomichbooks (E(@) m :