The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRECIPICE D9 you that you possess my warmest sympathy. But for your own sake, and that of your father — ”’ “Oh, Zoe,” interrupted Clarine with passionate vehem- ence, ‘ you do not understand me. If you only knew all.”’ “ Heavens! my dear friend,’ said Lady Octavian, “ is there anything that you have concealed from me? Yes — yes —I perceive it. There is something more than what I already know, and that is making you thus miserable. Clarine,’’ continued Lady Octavian, very seriously, “if there be aught in which you require the counsel of a friend, I beseech you to make me your confidante.” “Yes, I will —I ought,” said Clarine, now sobbing vio- lently, and for a few moments wringing her hands as if with frantic grief. ‘‘ You know not half my wretchedness. All that you do know is surely enough to accountefor a world of misery, but my heart holds enough to fill the entire uni- verse.” “Good heavens! what words are these to come from your lips, Clarine? ”’ said Zoe. ‘‘ You frighten — you terrify me. I beseech you to relieve me from this cruel suspense, for believe me, oh, believe me, Clarine, the friendship I entertain for you is as great as if we had known each other for years instead of weeks.” Mademoiselle Volney had all of a sudden grown calm; she bent a look of ineffable gratitude upon Lady Octavian Meredith; then she took her hand, and pressed it to her bosom. ‘They walked on for some minutes in silence, — Clarine buried in profound reflection, Lady Octavian burning to become acquainted with her beloved friend’s source of anguish, yet not daring to put another question on the sub- ject. They had walked in a direction which, when together, they had never happened to take before; it was on one of those slopes which gradually ascend into the mountainous outskirts of the Pyrenees, and all of a sudden they came upon the brink of a deep, yawning chasm. “ It was here!”’ shrieked forth Clarine, as abruptly catching her friend Zoe by the arm, she held her back. Lady Octavian Meredith was far more startled with Cla- rine’s tone and manner than even by the fact of finding herself on the verge of that abyss, because there was a low paling fencing it, and therefore nothing too dangerous to prevent the instantaneous recovery of her presence of mind, ECO AMIE ,OO cS (e(@)