The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

THE BROTHERS 13 He did write such a letter. It was kindly and consider- ately worded, recommending Mr. Bertram Vivian to abstain, for at least a couple of years, from any correspondence with his daughter, suggesting that this interval would fully test the state of his feelings with regard to her, and promising that if at the end of the period he should still experience the same attachment, he (Captain Lacey) would be only too delighted and proud to permit Eliza to renew her engagement with the Honourable Mr. Bertram Vivian. The young lady’s good sense showed her that her father was acting with a due regard to her welfare, and, moreover, it was her habit to submit implicitly to his will. She had the fullest confidence in Bertram; she had equal confidence in the strength of her own love. Two years, oh, what was this interval as a test for that love which she felt assured would outlive centuries, if human existence itself ranged over ages! The very necessity of clinging to hope made her picture to herself this interval as soon passing away, and then there need be no further barrier to her happiness. The engage- ment would be renewed, or, rather, reacknowledged by her parent, and if years should still elapse ere she became Ber- tram’s bride, she could wait, happy and contented in the consciousness of possessing his love. The letter was despatched at once to Bertram Vivian. It reached him on the eve of his departure for the United States, and his reply came by return of post. He bowed to Captain Lacey’s decision, not but that it pained him sorely, yet he bowed, so that this very submission might be taken as a proof of his love, shown to the daughter through the deferential respect paid to the father. But he besought Captain Lacey to assure Eliza of his undying constancy, of his imperishable devotion. (EONMICELNOO KS (E(0)