The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 325: what you’re looking at

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

308 REYNOLDS’ WORKS a sudden access of bitterness in her tone, as a thought smote her brain. ‘‘ You know my husband to be a man of the highest honour and the strictest probity; you know likewise that in becoming his wife I must have deceived him in respect to my own antecedents. You have recognized in him a friend of former times, and you feel shocked that he should have been thus deceived. Oh, do not deny it. I now com- prehend it all. And my sister, she trembles lest the count should discover my past frailties, and that he should wreak upon me a terrible Spanish vengeance. ‘Tell me, is it not Sone ‘ Juliana,’’ responded Villebelle, addressing her in a solemn tone, “ it is painful, most painful thus to refer to the past. I beseech you to dwell no longer upon it. But one word more ere we separate. If, Juliana, you should ever require the succour or the consolation of friends, rest assured that you will not apply in vain to your sister or myself. Unfortunately your husband is indeed proscribed — ”’ ‘“ Ah, and his estates are all confiscated? ’’ ejaculated Juliana. “ I have feared so for some time past, but through kindness he has torborne from revealing the sad, sad truth.” ‘“ Believe me, Juliana,’”’ continued the marquis, gravely and earnestly, ‘‘ your husband 1s proscribed beyond all hope of ever having the ban lifted from off his head. Every time that he crosses the Pyrenean frontier he risks his life, — I am compelled to speak plainly, — he incurs the chance of being shot summariy, or dragged ignominiously up to the scaffold’s platform.’’ “Good heavens!” cried Juliana, clasping her hands in despair, ‘“‘ are his persecutors so rancorous? But,” she ejaculated, catching at the slightest gleam of hope, “ may not a change of ministry — ”’ “No change of ministry can benefit him,” responded Villebelle. ‘‘ It is my duty, painful though it be, to assure you that he is proscribed beyond redemption. He has solemnly promised me, during the few minutes we ere now conversed together, that he will remain altogether in France. If you wish to preserve your husband to yourself, you will add the weight of your influence to induce him to keep this pledge. I understand he has brought ample funds away with him from Catalonia on this occasion — ”’ CONNIE DOOKS (E(0) m