The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 118: what you’re looking at

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

THE WIFE 101 endearments. That is not the life I wish to lead. Try and be always the same, and I shall be always the same to you. But don’t disgrace me in the presence of our servants. You seem to think, Stephanie, as | just now said, that I am to be ever tied to your apron-strings, that now I have become the husband, I am still to play the lover. I can do nothing of the sort, and what is more, I do not intend to attempt it. If you think that because you brought me a fortune, you have a right to a devotion such as 1s only displayed during the period of courtship — ”’ ‘“‘ Jules,’ exclaimed the viscountess, springing forward and falling upon her knees at her husband’s feet, while her clasped hands were stretched out toward him, “‘ do not, do not, for Heaven’s sake, attribute such unworthy thoughts to me! My fortune — or the fortune that I brought you — I have never once thought of it. Would to God that I had been ten times as rich, that I might have bestowed all, all upon you — ”’ Here was another offence, though the reader may full easily comprehend how very far it was from the unfortunate young lady’s intention to give it. But she stopped short suddenly, perceiving how her husband started, how his countenance became stern, and how he drew himself up with the haughtiest dignity. “Madam,” he said, “ rise from that posture. It is not one which I ever desire my wife to adopt toward me.” Then as the viscountess rose to her feet, cowed, dismayed, and full of anguish, he went on to say, in a tone which struck her as implacably severe, ‘‘ Your words have conveyed such a taunt as I little expected ever to hear issue from your lips. You would remind me that I owe my wealth to you, and though you gave the assurance the semblance of love, yet _~was it the cruelest of reproaches thus to declare that you wished you had been richer so as to lavish your fortune upon me. Ah! then I am a sort of pensioner — I am bribed with gold? Verily, madam, I would have you reflect that rank is above wealth, and that I gave you a name which all the sugar baker’s money-bags never could have purchased.’’ With this heartless speech the Viscount de Chateauneuf turned abruptly upon his heel; but as a low moan struck his ear, he was smitten with remorse for what he had said, and, turning quickly around again, was only just in time to COMNICLOOOKS. EC)