The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

48 REYNOLDS’ WORKS “ Do not interrupt me,” he said, waving his hand some- what impatiently, and then replacing that same hand before his eyes to shade them again, ‘ but listen in silence. The injunction I am about to give you is one vitally necessary, and yet I cannot explain the reasons, nor must you ever seek to know them. It is true that accident may some day waft them to your ear, and ifso— Butno matter. Listen to my injunction. You cannot always remain a prisoner in this old chateau, Clarine; sooner or later you will go into the great world, and there you will mingle amidst the busy throng. Let me hope, too, that your hand will be sought in marriage by some eligible suitor, for I have already told you, Clarine, that you will be rich at my death. Weep not — weep not, my poor girl.”’ Thus speaking, Monsieur Volney rose suddenly from his chair, and pressing his lips to Clarine’s forehead, he smoothed down her hair for a few moments with his hand. He then resumed his seat, shading his countenance as be- fore. ‘Let me hasten,” he said, “‘ to conclude this scene, and to specify the injunction toward which I am so long in coming. It is this, Clarine: that there is one person in the world whom you must never suffer to approach you, — one person with whom no friendly words must ever be exchanged by your lips, and if you felt that your heart could possibly love this one to whom [ allude pluck that heart out of you, kill your- self sooner — ”’ A cry thrilled from Clarine’s lips; Monsieur Volney started up from his seat, and the afflicted young lady exclaimed, “O father, father! ”’ ‘Pardon me, Clarine. I have been too abrupt, too ve- hement likewise. I have made use of language which is in- deed but too well calculated to startle and horrify you, in- comprehensible at it must be.”’ Again Monsieur Volney passed his hand caressingly over her hair, and in a tremulous voice he said, ‘‘ Courage, Clarine, courage for only a few moments. Bear with me — have patience. This is a scene which is necessary now, but which need never be renewed.” Again did he return to his seat, and again did he shade his countenance with his hand. “It is possible, Clarine,”’ he continued, “ that sooner or ECORNIClIOOKS (E(0)