The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 228: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 221 to be useful, promising that they should be summoned to say what they had to say at the inquest. But no cajoling or threats could induce the faithful Pepper to quit his beloved master. The little creature seemed to feel that he had still a duty to perform. “Let him remain,” observed Marjoram, to the in- spector, who had been vainly trying to call him away ; ‘“ he’ll keep off the rats.” Just as he was about to leave the place, after having carefully fastened up the door, and placed two of the force to guard it, he found himself suddenly face to face with the unhappy Meg. She had just heard of her supposed bereavement, and, mad with grief and horror, she frantically demanded to see the body of her husband. “Not now, my good woman—not now,” said the functionary, in a tone of professional commiseration ; “xo home—we will do all that is necessary—the affair is in the hands of justice—you will be much better at home.” To impress his words yet more, Mr. Marjoram had laid his hand upon the woman’s shoulder—a habit he had when he wished to be very condescending. “Don’t touch me!” shrieked Meg, as if a ser- pent had stung her. ‘* You—you have caused all this | ” ““ I!” exclaimed the astonished officer. ‘‘You, and your accursed gold, for which I gave COniiclooecl SS (SO