The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

THE MISTRESS 115 is what I have promised the latter, and, indeed, I have already instructed a notary to draw up the requisite deeds.”’ “ Jules de Chateauneuf,” said the Marquis of Villebelle, addressing his friend in a solemn voice and with a grave countenance, ‘‘ you have done well to consult me in this instance. You have brought yourself to the edge of a precipice. For God’s sake, let mine be the hand which is to draw you back. You must reflect; this resolve which you have adopted in madness must be renounced in the hour of sober deliberation. What, for some of those little peculiarities of temper which no women are without, — and which, if we of the sterner sex study ourselves impartially, we shall find that we likewise possess, — will you on this account break up your home, perhaps deal your wife a death-blow, with the certainty of being yourself brought sooner or later to bitterest repentance? ”’ “Oh, my dear friend,’ exclaimed the viscount, “it is easy for you to talk thus, you, who are unacquainted with all the circumstances. I tell you that I cannot live with Stephanie. I never loved her; it was a marriage of ex- pediency on my part. She brought me a fortune, I gave her a lofty title and a proud name in return. On that score, therefore, we are equal. This very day has there occurred between us a scene which, had you beheld it — ”’ But he stopped suddenly short, conscience-smitten, for with almost overpowering effect did the sense of his own harshness and severity toward Stephanie rush back to his mind. The Marquis of Villebelle comprehended in a moment wherefore his friend thus abruptly left off speaking, and his looks became graver still. “ Jules,” he said, “‘ you are conscious of faults on your own side. Now, I intend to speak plainlv; it is my duty as your friend. Look you, I begin to understand your exact position. You have a mistress whom you love better than your wife, and you are seeking for every possible excuse and apology for abandoning the one so as to give yourself up entirely to the other. You are naturally magnanimous and generous, and a man with such a heart cannot be without scruples when about to perform a bad action. Yes, do not be offended. I repeat, a bad action. And it is in order to tranquillize the qualms of your conscience that you seek to throw upon the head of your wife all the blame of the pro- CONNIE DOOKS (C©)