The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 113: what you’re looking at

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

90 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the visits of one whose presence would continuously remind me that his sire had met his death at my hand. And then, too, the horrible suspicion existed in my mind that the same blood which flowed in the veins of Alfred Delorme might also flow in the veins of Clarine, and I recoiled in consternation from the idea that it was possible for them to become en- amoured of each other. Thus, in order to rid myself of Alfred Delorme, in the hope of preventing him from seeking me out for the future, I roughly and rudely repelled his con- ciliatory overtures. J assumed the air and speech of vin- dictiveness; I sent him away saddened and dejected. And then I lost no time in abandoning my home and taking Clarine with me, — it being my intention to bury ourselves in some deep solitude. It was amongst the Pyrenean regions or the wilds of Catalonia that I thought of settling our future abode, but on reaching the adjacent village and on beholding this chateau, I conceived the place and neighbourhood to be sufficiently suited for my purpose. It has, however, pleased Heaven to direct the footsteps of Alfred Delorme hither, and that which I had done so much to avoid, that which I have so much striven to prevent, has taken place. They have met, and they love each other.”’ There was another brief pause, and then Monsieur Volney concluded thus: ‘‘ One tremendous barrier has been broken down; it ceases to exist. That letter, which Alfred Delorme must doubtless have found amongst his deceased father’s papers, when tak- ing possession of his ancestral home, — or which might have been in possession of the marchioness who so tenderly reared him, — has convinced me that my wife became not com- pletely criminal until after the birth of Clarine. That barrier therefore is destroyed. But how can I recognize Alfred De- lorme as my son-in-law? How can I extend the hand of friendship toward him, — that hand which took his father’s life! Counsel — advise me, Lady Octavian. I pledge my- self to fulfil your injunctions, whatever they may be. But as for that terrible secret of mine — ”’ ‘Tt is safe, Monsieur Volney; it is safe with me,” replied Zoe, in a low voice of deep solemnity. ‘‘ You will not expect me to offer any comment upon that terrible portion of your narrative. But in respect to Clarine, in respect to the vis- count, I can have no hesitation in offering an opinion. If ECORNICLIOOKS (E(0) m