The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 101: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER VIII THE ALPINE TRAGEDY Ir was after breakfast on the following morning — a meal, however, at which Clarine was not present, and of which neither Monsieur Volney nor Zoe scarcely partook — that he requested her ladyship to join him presently in his study, as he wished to speak to her on matters of the utmost import- ance. Zoe hastened first of all to see whether her ministra- tions were required by Clarine, who was ull in bed, and in about a quarter of an hour she repaired to the study. She found Monsieur Volney pacing to and fro, not with a visible excitement and agitation, but in a slow, solemn manner, and with a deep dejection of the looks. He placed a chair for Lady Octavian’s accommodation; he then sat down at his desk, and he said, in a mournful voice, “‘ How fares my daughter now? ”’ ‘¢ My opinion is still the same, Monsieur Volney,” answered Zoe. ‘ As I told you the instant we met at the breakfast- table, Clarine has received a shock which she will never recover, unless joyous intelligence be speedily conveyed to her. She will die of a broken heart, Monsieur Volney, for all her happiness is centred in her love for Alfred Delorme.”’ | The pallor which already overspread the French gentle- man’s countenance deepened into ghastliness; 1t was a pale- ness like that of the dead; it appeared as if all the vital blood had suddenly quitted his body. Even his lips became ashy white; a fearful struggle was evidently taking place within him. In a few moments he rose from his seat, opened the door of the study, and looked forth into the passage with which it communicated. Satisfied that no one was there, | he closed the outer door carefully; then he shut an inner 84 Eomicboo cS (ele) ae