The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

122 REYNOLDS’ WORKS concerning her. But we will now talk on other subjects. I must not be sad and gloomy when in your society.”’ ‘“ No,” rejoined the marquis, ‘“ because my happiness depends upon yours. And now, Constance, I have to inform you that at twelve o’clock | am going somewhere with the Viscount de Chateauneuf. It is to carry out that experi- ment to which I have alluded. I shall tell you nothing more now. Have patience, my beloved one, until my re- turn. You need not fear that I shall be very long ab- sent.”’ But in the meanwhile, let us see what the Viscount de Chateauneuf was doing elsewhere. This young nobleman was much struck by the remarks and remonstrances of his friend Villebelle at the time the discourse was taking place in the conservatory, but when he awoke in the morning, the effect thereof was much deadened. We cannot say that it had altogether passed away, because Jules de Chateauneuf was too intelligent and likewise possessed of feelings nat- urally too good not to have experienced, even after the lapse of some hours, the lingering influence of Villebelle’s impressive language. But he was still as much infatuated as ever with Augusta Chesterfield. Her image, which was uppermost in his mind, was full of a ravishing beauty, and he said to himself that such a woman was worth making any sacrifice for. Nevertheless, he preserved a certain degree of kindness of manner toward Stephanie at the breaktfast- table, and he studiously avoided taking offence at anything which she said. He moreover faithfully kept the promise which he had given to the Marquis of Villebelle, and hinted not a single syllable of the intention which he harboured in respect to a separation. The viscountess, finding him more gentle toward her, more lenient, more tolerant, secretly flattered herself that a favourable change had taken place within him, and she lost no opportunity of lavishing upon him the evidences of her sincere love. Even during the ordinary routine of the breakfast-table and the accompany- ing conversation, there are a myriad little ways by which a fond and adoring woman can display her tenderness for the beloved one: looks and words and attentions all may be rendered available for this purpose. And so it was with the viscountess on the present occasion, and more than once Jules de Chateauneuf was compelled to admit to him- (E(0) CONNIE OO KS