The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 340: what you’re looking at

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

THE SISTERS 309 a revelation which one shrinks from making willingly, and which must be asked for before it can be breathed even in the ears of a sister.” ‘““T have not questioned you before, Juliana,’’ was the reply given by Constance, ‘‘ because you are sometimes so impetuous and hasty —” “Ah! but in this respect I should not have been so,” interrupted the elder sister. ‘‘ And besides, you have a perfect right to seek my fullest confidence. Have you not given me your own? Am I not acquainted with the secret of your love? ”’ | “Oh, then,’’ exclaimed the blushing Constance, “‘ I am to understand that the confession you are now about to make is of the same tender character. [I am glad of it — lam delighted at the idea that you yourself also cherish an affec- tion of the heart, for I have sometimes felt uneasy — I know not why — at the thought of being alone as it were — ”’ ‘““In experiencing the bliss of love?”’ added Juliana, with an arch smile upon her lip, but still with a blush upon her cheeks. Then, as her fine bust heaved with a profound sigh, she added, in a low and almost mournful voice, “ I am afraid, Constance, that we can scarcely congratulate each other upon the objects in whom our affections are respectively centred.” “ What! ” exclaimed Constance, ‘‘ do you mean to share my mother’s prejudice against Villebelle? Ah! this has been the source of my uneasiness, when I have reflected that I loved so fondly, and that you, being ignorant of what love is, could not enter into the spirit of all I experience, and would thus sooner or later be led to view this love of mine with suspicion and displeasure.” “But I hope, my dear Constance, that you have never feared I should betray you? ” said Juliana, with a reproachful look. “Oh, betray me, no! I was well aware that you were incapable of such perfidy toward me. But I trembled lest you, dear Juliana, sharing none of my enthusiasm in respect to the Marquis of Villebelle, might endeavour to wean me from that devoted love with which I regard him, might remonstrate against the impropriety of our clandestine meet- ings, and might even be cold to him when you were present at our interviews. All this have I apprehended — ” CORNICLOO© cS (EO)