The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER X THE MISTRESS THE Viscount de Chateauneuf hurried along in the direc- tion of the Durands’ villa. He sped thus precipitately, in order if possible to outstrip his own thoughts. He was too intelligent not to comprehend that he had been harsh, severe, and cruel toward his wife, and he was too generous not to regret it. Still he really and truly did believe that she had intended as taunts some of the things which she had said, but he could not help acknowledging that by his own conduct he fully deserved them. He knew that he was wrong, he knew that Stephanie loved him, and he felt that he was guilty of a monstrous injustice in punishing her for the very testimonials of affection which she lavished upon him. There was a moment during this rapid run from his chateau to the villa when he felt inclined to turn abruptly back, retrace his steps, take his wife in his arms, confess his error, and vow that he would be cruel to her no more; for this was the first time that ever such serious words had passed between them, or that he had actually shown open resentment at what he had described as the “ scenes ’’ which were wont to take place. Hitherto those scenes had been insignificant in comparison. with this one of to-day, and thus was it that his remorse was for an instant so poignant. But, alas! that good resolution was abandoned almost as suddenly as formed. He had not the moral courage to retrace his way and perform the part which his better feelings had for an instant suggested. Besides, could he abandon his Augusta? No, no, he could not, and he hastened onward to the Durands’ villa. For the rest of the distance he en- deavoured to reason himself into the belief-that he was 105 CONnNIEOOOKS (C(O)