The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

THE EXPERIMENT 119 I sincerely hope so — in the restoration of the happiness of this young couple.’’ ‘¢ And I also sincerely hope, Etienne, that you will succeed. I had my misgivings, last night, that they live not com- fortably together. The courtesy which the viscount dis- played toward his wife was somewhat forced, while, on the other hand, she frequently threw timid glances at him, as if fearful that she might be committing herself in some way or another, by an unguarded word or even a gesture or a movement. Ah, when I think of all the happiness which “you and I enjoy, my beloved Etienne, I can deeply feel for other married couples who do not experience a similar amount of felicity. Stephanie de Chateauneuf is a very sweet creature. I have formed qufte an affection for her, and should be so rejoiced if you are enabled to report the success of the experiment to which you have alluded. Ah, when I bethink me, I yesterday sketched from memory the portrait of Stephanie.’’ ‘“ And you had never seen her before the other day, and then only for ten minutes,” exclaimed the marquis, laughing good-humouredly. “ Judge for yourself whether the outline is so very in- accurate. Of course, having been so many hours in her society last evening, I shall now be enabled to make my sketch more perfect. But meanwhile, tell me what you think of it.’ Thus speaking, the beautiful Constance rose from her seat, and flitting across the room, raised a large portfolio from the sofa where it lay. She was bearing it to the break- fast table, when the marquis, with all the gallantry of a lover, sped af tele her, and took the burden from her hands, re which he received an affectionate look. ‘ Now, let us see the sketch,” he said, turning over the drawings in the portfolio. “I know you are a proficient in this beautiful art, my sweet Constance — But really,’ he ejaculated, as he took up the portrait alluded to, and which . was only just commenced, “ this is indeed striking. You have caught the expression to a nicety; all the outlines are periect. There is not a single correction to make. You have nothing to do but to put in your shading, and the work will be admirable.”’ The countenance of the marchioness showed how delight- 8 es CONNIE DOOKS (C©)