The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

THE EXPERIMENT’S RESULT 135 dent to arouse him into a due appreciation of what is good, and what is virtuous, and what is beautiful, at the same time that he is snatched from the midst of delusions, falsities, and artificialities. To you am I indebted for all that has occurred, and rest assured, Villebelle, that whensoever you set forth within these walls, you will henceforth be enabled to contemplate a scene of connubial bliss as perfect as that which you yourself enjoy.’ The two noblemen were melted to tears. They grasped each other’s hands, Jules with the fervour of gratitude, Etienne in the warmth of congratulation, and thus for the present did they separate. The Marquis of Villebelle, re- entering the hackney-coach, was driven back to Paris, and on ascending to his apartments in the hotel, he found Con- stance awaiting his return. She was employing her leisure in finishing the portrait of Stephanie; and her husband, immediately perceiving in what work she had been engaged, as she threw down her pencil on his appearance, embraced her, saying, ‘‘ When that portrait is finished, Constance, you shall send it to my friend Jules, who will appreciate it as that of a wife whom he has at last been brought to under- stand and to love.”’ ‘Then your experiment has succeeded, Etienne,’’ ex- claimed the delighted young lady, ‘‘ and I am rejoiced on Stephanie’s account, yes, and on that of her husband like- wise. But sit down, and give me the promised explanations.”’ “A few words will suffice,” responded the marquis. “Last evening, Jules made certain confessions to me, by which I found that he had become infatuated by the siren charms of another. From all that he said, I felt convinced he was in the power of a designing woman; and you will not be angry with me, Constance, when I state that, in order to save my friend, I was resolved to see this female, inas- much as I knew that I could judge of her without the bias which sat like a spell on the mind of the viscount. It was arranged that he should introduce me to her to-day. It has been done, and the result is the complete severance of the two, the breaking off of a connection which so nearly proved fatal to his happiness, and the opening of his eyes to the full understanding of his wife’s affectionate disposition. You are not angry, dearest Constance? ”’ “Angry, Etienne,’’ she exclaimed, eagerly and _hallt- CONNIE DOOKS (F©)