The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR 41 that the day must come when you will shrink appalled and in utter loathing from the contemplation of your villainy.” The Minister of the Interior had listened coldly in one sense, but with impassioned feelings in another, to the long, the eloquent, and the reproachful address which Kate Marshall thus delivered. He listened coldly, we say, because he was unmoved and unaffected by the bitterness and terrible satire of her remarks. He was not even angered by them; the words, though barbed like arrows, fell innocuously away from a soul too much indurated by an utter unscrupulous- ness of character to be penetrated by them. But on the other hand the minister was more than ever excited by the beauty of Kate’s appearance. Indeed, superbly handsome did the young woman seem then, with the flush of indigna- tion upon her cheeks, her blue eyes lighted up with fire, her nostrils dilating, her ivory teeth looking brilliant between the coral lines that were wreathed with the strong accentua- tion of her language, her fine bust swelling as if about to burst through the corsage which imprisoned it, her whole form appearing to expand into a nobler stature and more magnificent proportions, as she thus boldly stood dealing forth the terrible invective of her outraged feelings. The minister had likewise risen from his seat, and though his attitude seemed indicative of a cool nonchalance, yet there was a burning fire of lustful passion in his eyes, the hectic of that same gloating desire upon his cheeks, and the hot breath came thick and almost panting from his parched throat and between his quivering lips. Strange and striking was the contrast between those two beings, — the fine form of the Englishwoman expressing the prideful indignation of her sex, the short slender figure of the minister seeming as if it might be overwhelmed by the immensity of that anger. And yet the one whose aspect was so glorious was impotent for all such purpose, while the one whose presence was so in- significant was endowed with the mightiest power. ‘“ Stop yet one moment, Miss Marshall,’’ said the minister, as she was turning away. “ It is not the proposition which I am about to renew, but a piece of advice that I am about to give. Beware how you write to the Marquis of Villebelle aught that shall be derogatory to myself. Remember that I have the power of intercepting your correspondence at the post-office, and of suppressing it if unpalatable to me. Be- GomiGcaooks (C(O)