The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

THE WIFE 103 “IT am indeed most unfortunate,’’ murmured the poor young lady, sinking down upon a seat. ‘‘ I endeavoured to please you, but I cannot.”’ “There you are again,”’ ejaculated the viscount, stamping his foot upon the carpet. “‘ Why will you persist in this style of upbraiding? It does no good, it only creates ill- feeling — ”’ ‘““My dear husband,” said Stephanie, now rising up, and looking as well as speaking with a sort of despairing calmness, ‘““T am afraid that you will never have real happiness with me. I am not fitted to be your wife, I am beneath you in birth, beneath you in education, beneath you in knowledge of the world — ”’ ‘Stephanie, you will drive me mad,” cried Jules, for these were precisely the ideas which he did entertain in respect to his wife, but which nevertheless he could not bear to have so forcibly brought to his mind, and by that very wife herself. ‘‘ You must not talk thus.” “ Well, I will not. We will speak on other subjects. Ah, I remember, we were just now conversing about the dinner-party, for the Villebelles, you will remember, are coming. What little I saw of the marchioness the other day, when you introduced me to her, I liked very much. I should be pleased to cultivate her acquaintance, I think she would become my friend; and I feel that I do want a friend, a real friend. There are times when I am so lonely, so dull, so desponding.”’ This was another unfortunate speech, but made in a per- fectly artless manner, and most unreflectingly. “By Heaven, another taunt!’ ejaculated the viscount. ‘How many more complaints? However,” he immediately added, perceiving that his poor wife was becoming so deadly pale again that it seemed as if she were about to faint, “we will not say any more now, we will not renew these unpleasant topics.”’ “No, don’t, pray don’t,” she murmured, with a look of earnest appeal. Then approaching him half-tenderly, half- timidly, but not venturing to embrace him, nor even to take his hand, nor place her own lovingly upon his shoulder, as she longed to do, she said, “‘ Do not forget, dear Jules, that the company will be here by seven. And,’’ she added, perfectly innocent of any sinister motive, “it is not yet CONnNIEDOOKS (©)