The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

MOTHER AND SON 270 being deeply affected. ‘‘ Sit down by me, and tell me how you purpose to behave toward me, what you demand, what you expect me to do.” ‘IT came only to demand of you a parent’s recognition of her child,’ responded Deveril. ‘‘ You have given it, and I have no more to ask.”’ | ‘““ And is it possible,” she said, a thrill of ecstatic joy once more sweeping through her, and animating her countenance with such a light that it might well be mistaken by her son for the glow of maternal joy and pleasure in having him at length restored to her, ‘‘ and is it possible that you will con- sent to remain in obscurity? Is it possible that the Marquis of Hagledean will not urge you to enforce your claims? ”’ ‘The Marquis of Eagledean is a generous-hearted man,’’ interrupted Deveril, ‘ and he has yielded to my persuasion, he has consented that I shall follow my own inclinations. Oh, my dearest mother, I feel too grateful that you have re- ceived me to your arms to think for a moment of injuring a single hair of your head. No, not for worlds would I do it. It is hard, no doubt, that I should behold another usurping my place, but that is preferable to the exposure which must ensue if I assert my claims, and which would involve you in ruin.”’ “ Do I indeed hear aright? ’”’ exclaimed Lady Saxondale, almost wild with joy. ‘“ In the same moment that I em- brace a son, do J receive from his lips the most affectionate assurances! ”’ “ I call Heaven to witness the sincerity of what I say,” cried Deveril. ‘‘ No, no, much as my soul may shrink from the bare idea of living privy to an imposture, yet is it better so than to involve you in disgrace. I envy not my supplanter the proud title which he wears and the riches which must be his. My views are modest, my aspirations humble. I have more than sufficient for my wants. JI am to become the hus- band of‘a charming creature whom I love, and in all this will my happiness consist. To plunge you into disgrace and ruin, in order that I myself should assume a lofty rank and become possessed of vast estates, would only constitute for me a gilded wretchedness, in the midst of which I should pine and languish away. Suffer me sometimes to see you, suffer me occasionally, when the eye of Heaven is alone upon us, to embrace you as my mother, and I shall ask no more.’’ Gomicdoo cS (C@)