The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

120 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ful were her husband’s praises, and he threw upon her a glance of fondest affection. Oh, how different was this breakfast- table scene from that which took place on the previous day at the Viscount de Chateauneuf’s mansion, and which we have described in another chapter. “Why, what have we here?”’ ejaculated the marquis, as he turned over the drawings. ‘‘ Something that I never saw before.. You naughty creature, how was it that you did not show me this? ”’ “I intended,” replied Constance, blushing and smiling, “but I did not like to do so. The truth is, I thought that I* had made myself too coy and sentimental — ”’ “No, dearest, this was indeed the way you often looked,”’ exclaimed the enraptured marquis, ‘‘ when we were wont to meet in the garden of Saxondale House. Ah,. often and often, too, has there been such a scene as this, — Mary Anne rushing toward us to give us due warning that your mother had just returned home from an airing in the carriage. It is lifelike, the whole scene is perfection— No, there is a fault. You have flattered me too much.”’ “Say rather, my dear Etienne, that I have datieal my- self.”’ ‘That is impossible, Constance,” exclaimed the marquis, “vou could not do so. Ah, though I am your husband, f am still your lover likewise, and more inclined than ever, perhaps, to be so, now that I am reminded by this picture of the days of our courtship. Oh, that was a period of pleasing pain, hope mingled with fear, delicious interviews enjoyed by stealth, and with the constant apprehension that they would be interrupted.’’ A few words will suffice to afford an idea of the pencil- sketch which Constance had thus made, and which the Mar- quis of Villebelle had so unexpectedly lighted upon in the portfolio. It represented herself and him seated together in a garden, she looking somewhat coy and sentimental, as she had observed, he evidently in the attitude of one who was breathing the language of love in the ear of his adored one. At a little distance Mary Anne, the faithful lady’s-maid, — who, by the bye, was still in the service of Constance, *— appeared in the background, hastening forward with alarm depicted on her countenance, to warn the lovers that their stolen interview must not be prolonged. d) CONNIE NO KS (E(0)