Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

198 OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. men were lounging along the sidewalk, and policemen have a way of taking notes of passing events without seeming to use their eyes at all. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton, however, seemed to have no concern about the matter. The Greys came down the steps for the last words of leave-taking. There were warm adieus, and many promises of a recipro- cated visit. The trunk was strapped behind, and away rolled the coach. ‘‘ A pretty woman!” said one, policeman to the other. ‘(It’s all right,” returned his confederate. ‘‘ They were there before our bird arrived in Liverpool.” “Safe so far, Miss Wilhelmine!” said Maurice, gayly. **T think you might almost venture to throw up your vail.” ‘“‘ Not yet,” she answered, catching her breath nervously. ‘“It seems to me as if every aS in the pavement was ready to cry out and betray me.’ : | ‘You have mot been under my care before; I do not allow failure or betrayal.” The coach drove briskly up to the great station. ‘There was an extra force of police around. Maurice perceived it at a glance, but would not disturb his companion by any allusion to it. The door was opened, and the coachman came to help them out. Maurice gathered up the shawl, and book, and luncheon basket, pretty trifles to give further proof of their journey’s genuineness, and gave the lady his arm, walking on carelessly toward the office. He felt her fingers close suddenly upon his arm, and UN what it meant without her whisper: ‘‘Qh, sir, there is Mathew Merle!” »> COr - "¥ ow Fy - 4 7 ” aoe!