The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

THE EXPERIMENT’S RESULT 129 of that other name was a whim and a caprice— But why do you withdraw your hand? Why do you look thus coldly upon me? ”’ Jules de Chateauneuf, however, made no answer. An expression of anguish passed over his countenance, and turning abruptly aside, he pressed his hand to his brow, as if to steady his thoughts. The horrible idea was agitating in his mind that he was the victim and the dupe of a de- signing woman, and that Villebelle’ S ominously uttered parce had become justified in their predictive reality. For all in a moment the thought had occurred to the young viscount that if this were Juliana Farefield, and she unmar- ried, the child that she bore in her bosom was the fruit of an illicit amour. She must therefore be a wanton, and she had sought the retirement of this villa to conceal her shame. If she had been another’s, with the sanctified title of a wife, it was nothing in his estimation; butif she had been another’s without that title, then was she instantaneously converted into a licentious profligate, a being of gross impurity. ‘For Heaven’s sake ruin me not with him!’ were the hastily whispered words which Juliana breathed aside to the Marquis of Villebelle, the instant that the viscount so abruptly turned away from her. ‘“ Juliana,’’ responded her brother-in-law, but also speak- ing in a subdued and rapid manner, “I dare not mislead my friend on any account. It would be the death of his wife.”’ “Etienne, | implore you,’’? murmured Juliana, ready to sink with shame and anguish, ‘‘ save me from exposure. Remember that I always favoured your suit with my sister.’’ “ It cuts me to the very soul to harm a hair of your head, for Constance’s sake,’’ rejoined the marquis. ‘‘ But what am | to do?” “ Villebelle,’’ exclaimed the Viscount de Chateauneuf, suddenly turning around at this juncture and clutching his friend by the arm, for it was evident that the young nobleman was labouring under the most painful excitement, ‘“ tell me, wherefore has your sister-in-law sought this retire- ment? She is in a way to become a mother. Has she a hus- wand? Does he hold an Indian appointment? , Tell me everything, I conjure you.”’ CONnNIECOOOKS (S(O)