The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

50 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘“ And then he might break off the match,” replied Harold. ‘“ Not but that he is madly in love with you — ”’ “If my happiness were consulted, Harold, in this matter,”’ rejoined Florina, the tones of her voice now flowing in that clouded contralto which is so expressive of a deep pa- thos, “‘the sooner the engagement were broken off the better.”’ ‘““ Pooh, nonsense, Flo! ’’ returned Lord Harold, angrily. “You know it will be a brilhant thing for you — ” ‘At all events, we will not discuss the question again, nor here,’’ interrupted Lady Florina, as tears started forth upon the long dark lashes of her superb blue eyes, but she — instantaneously wiped them away. ‘““ Now, in a few minutes,” said Lord Saxondale, turning again toward his intended, “ we shall have the fair débutante. I just now learned that the reports which have appeared in the newspapers are not a bit exaggerated, and this is a wonder, for the journals do lie so confoundedly. But I am told that in the present case there was really no scope for lying in respect to the beauty of this Signora Vivaldi who is to appear for the first time to-night.” “Did you receive that intelligence from the friends in a neighbouring box to whom you and Harold went to speak a few words? ”’ and as Lady Florina put this question, there was a gleam of contempt in her looks and a tinge of sarcasm in her accents, as if she guessed full well whither the two young noblemen had really been; but the next moment resuming her wonted serene yet somewhat pensive sweetness of look, as if she felt it was actually beneath her even to appear to notice the circumstance in the most distant manner, she observed, ‘‘ How crowded the house is! It is always well filled, but to-night — ”’ “Perfectly insufferable,’ remarked Lord Saxondale. ‘There will be a fine crush on going out presently, and that will be rare and amusing.”’ “Indeed, with your lordship’s permission,” said Florina, quietly, “‘ we will wait till the crush 1s over ere we take our departure.”’ ‘“ Just as you like, Flo,’’ responded Edmund, with a dis- play of familiarity so flippant as to border upon impudence even on the part of an accepted suitor. ‘“ Yes, I shall prefer it,” said the young lady, the carnation deepening upon her cheeks. ) ) CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)