The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 274: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XxI THE RIGHTFUL HEIR OF SAXONDALE Wiup indeed was the amazement experienced by our hero at this intelligence, — an amazement which was to an equal extent felt by the Marquis of Eagledean. So powerful a sensation of faintness almost immediately seized upon our hero that he staggered back, and was compelled to lean against the wall for support. Angela, perceiving how great was the effect which the announcement had produced upon him, hastened to bear him a tumbler of water, but it was with a sort of timid bashfulness that she presented it. He drained its contents; then, observing the expression of her countenance, and instantaneously comprehending what was passing in her mind, he caught her in his arms, exclaiming, ‘“ Oh, dearest Angela, even if all this be not a dream, if it be not a fevered fancy on the part of that poor woman, if, in a word, it be a stern and solemn truth, you are not the less my sister. For think you that any circumstances could possibly diminish the brotherly love which I bear toward you? No, never, never, my darling Angela.’’ The young lady wept profusely as she received these as- surances, and the Marquis of Eagledean was likewise much affected. “Tf it be a dream?” exclaimed Madge Somers, speaking in a much stronger and more excited tone than at first. ‘‘ No, no, it is not a dream! Have you not the mark of a straw- berry upon your shoulder? ”’ ‘Yes!’ ejaculated our hero. ‘‘ Here!” and he placed his hand upon the spot. “To be sure,’ continued Madge. ‘‘I saw it when you were at that cottage in Lincolnshire, at the time you so gen- erously saved my life from the waters of the Trent.” 257 CONNIE OOOKS (S(O)