[Go to insertion point] [ p.23a ]

Anna Lefroy  Maria's voice? Ah! Who? The heart of every sympathetic reader repeats, Ah, Who?Vain Echo! vain sympathy! There isno meeting – no Murmur – No Maria –It is not in the language power of language however potent; nor in that of style, however diffuse to render justiceto the astonishment of Mr . Gower – Arming him self with a mahogany ruler, which some fatality had placed on Maria'swriting table, heand1 calling repeatedly onher beloved Name, he rushed forwardto examine the adjacent apartments — In the Dreſsing room of his lost one he had the melancholy satisfaction of picking up a curl paper, and a gust of wind,as he re entered the Boudoir, swept from the table, & placed at his feet, a skeinof black sewing silk – These were the only traces of Maria!! Carefully locking the doors of these now desolate rooms,burying the key deep in his Waistcoat pocket, & the mystery of Maria's dis-- appearance yet deeper in his heartof hearts, Mr . Gower left his once happy

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'and' written over he'. Back to context...
Image for page: 23a of manuscript: blvolthird