The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 134: what you’re looking at

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

THE MISTRESS 117 wife I am consulting my own happiness by thus obtaining the opportunity of giving myself up wholly and solely to her who has enthralled my heart. To-morrow at midday I will call for you at the hotel where you reside.”’ ‘“ Beit so,’ said the marquis. ‘‘ But perhaps it would be better, under all circumstances, that you should introduce me with some assumed name. ‘There are considerations — ”’ ‘IT understand full well,” interrupted the viscount. ‘‘ You occupy a prominent position in the world, and, moreover, you would not wish it to reach the ears of the marchioness that you had visited a lady in such a false position as Mrs. Chesterfield, for that is the name of my mistress. Well then, you shall go under an incognito, and to-morrow at midday I will come for you.” ‘ And in the meantime,” said the marquis, ‘* you promise me, Jules, that you will not sign any paper, you will not breathe a word to the viscountess of your intentions of sep- aration, you will not compromise yourself in any way?” ‘“T faithfully promise,’ rejoined Chateauneuf. ‘‘ Indeed the documents themselves will not be in readiness for several days. Oh, I understartd full well the friendly purpose you ~have in view. You intend to judge for yourself whether Mrs. Chesterfield — ”’ ‘She is an English lady, then? ”’ interjected the marquis. “Yes. But, as I was observing, you intend to judge whether she is worthy of being preferred to Stephanie. Now, I am quite content to constitute you the tribunal of taste in this matter, and I will abide by your decision, on condition that you promise it shall be strictly impartial, justly and righteously deciding between the merits of the two ladies, without the least reference to the position of one as a wife, or to that of the other as a mistress. Do you, on your side, promise me this? ”’ | ‘““ Most faithfully I do, and on the honour of a gentleman will I give you my sentiments without bias and without prejudice. We will now continue the discourse no longer. Let us return to the ladies, and to-morrow at midday I shall expect you.” — CONnNIECLOOKS (C(O)