The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

| THE APPOINTMENT 65 keen watching eye of his wife, when he found that the written promise given to Kate Marshall was not amongst them. This was an event for which he was but little pre- pared; he had felt confident the acknowledgment would be amongst those documents, but it was not. The case was dangerous — critical; that acknowledgment was in his own handwriting, bore his own signature, and was invested with all the formal sanctity which the ministerial seal could be- StOW. | “You perceive,” said his wife, more in anguish than re- proach, “ that you have woven a web which 1s closing around you, — alas, I fear to your utter ruin! ”’ The minister gave no immediate response, but stood gaz- ing upon the papers with looks of sombre moodiness. His wife continued to watch his countenance with painful anxiety; she knew that the circumstances must be perilous and threatening indeed when they could make this deep impression upon such a man as her husband. “You can save me,’’ he suddenly exclaimed, approaching the couch on which she reclined, her arm supporting her head. ‘“ Oh, if I could!’’ she cried, with an expression of Joy and hope and love appearing upon her features. ‘‘ It would be the happiest moment of my life, because perhaps you would in that case give me back some portion of your heart? ”’ “Yes,” quickly responded her husband, whose soul, in- durated though it were, was touched by all these evidences of that truly noble-minded woman’s devoted attachment, - and who could not help feeling that this prompt anxiety on her part to succour him in his embarrassment was far more than he deserved after all the abominable infamy of his con- duct, “‘ yes, I have indeed treated you too harshly. I were the veriest wretch upon earth if I did not appreciate so much _ goodness!”’ Then, in a voice rendered tremulous with the conflicting emotions which such a variety of circumstances had excited within him, he went on to say, ‘‘ I cannot blind myself to the fact —I do not hesitate to admit —that I stand upon the very verge of ruin. Ah, cursed folly that has brought me to this extremity! ”’ “ My dearest husband,” said the noble-hearted Spanish woman, seizing his hands and pressing them to her bosom, “tell me what I can do to serve you.’ , CONnnicooolKs (FO)