The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 376: what you’re looking at

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

FLORINA 309 intolerable, that she felt she must do something in order to put an end to this state of mind. She must know the truth at once; to live tossed upon the waves of uncertainty were an existence which she could not endure. If Deveril had been guilty of all that Lady Saxondale imputed to him, the sooner Florina knew the worst the better. She could then summon all her fortitude to her aid, and endeavour to stifle her love in her heart. But if, on the other hand, William Deveril were innocent, 1f through misapprehension of his meaning at the time, or if in the spirit of sheer wicked- ness Lady Saxondale had recited her narrative, it was of the highest consequence that Deveril should be informed of what was being said against him. Thus in any case did Florina feel how paramount it was that she should have an interview with Deveril. But how was this to be managed? When he called at the house the door was to be shut in his face. She thought of writing to him, but if she proposed an appointment, where could they meet? ‘The circumstances in which the young lady found herself placed were as difficult as they were urgent. Indeed, it was one of those positions in which a very decisive and almost desperate step could alone be taken. And such a step did Lady Florina make up her mind to adopt. Composing her feelings as well as she was able, the young lady descended again to the drawing-room. Her object was to learn, in the course of conversation, what were her aunt’s plans for the evening. This was soon ascertained. Lady Macdonald was engaged to a whist-party at an old dowager’s in the same square, and Florina therefore perceived, with inward satisfaction, that the evening would be entirely at her own disposal, for Lady Macdonald was by no means likely to require her to accompany her to an “ old people’s party.”’ Hours passed away, hours full of poignant suspense and a torturing anxiety for the poor young lady. Never had an afternoon appeared so long, never had the foot of time seemed to be so heavy. Talk of time having wings and flying fleetly! He had none then for Florina. By one only incident was the monotony of that afternoon relieved, and this was an incident that enhanced to a harrowing degree the young lady’s affliction. It was when Deveril’s well-known knock sounded at the front door, and Florina almost immediately CORNICE OOOKS (C©)