Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED. 177 virced him at once that he had nothing to fear for his future from her. - He had conversed with her only a few moments when these words fell upon his startled ear: ‘Robert, my son!” He turned and was clasped in a warm, fervent embrace, while the one word, ‘‘Father!” burst from his glad lips, CHAPTER XAXAXI. BAFFLED. We must go ee to the moment when Ralph saw his uncle leave the room, fell the guard, and areas away through the mazy passages. He followed as well as he was able, for he was wholly un- acquainted with the situation of the different cells and the way which led to them. very few moments Ralph paused to listen, to catch the sound of the squire’s footsteps, and — then hurried on. At last there was a moment of utter silence, then he heard the sharp clang of a heavy bolt as it was drawn from its socket, then the noise of an opening door, after which an almost satanic laugh echoed through those low vaults as Squire Moulton at last reached his victim. Ralph crept cautiously nearer. He did not wish to be seen by his uncle, and resolved not to interfere in any way, unless he should attempt violence. “Hal?” he heard the squire say, tauntingly, “I thought Vd bring you news of the wedding. Your—~—” Ralph could not catch the next word, though he straineqa his ears to do so—‘‘has wedded the wealthy little lady, as I told you he would, and deeming it likely that you would be anxious to learn when it was all nicely over, I came to tell you.” ‘Cease; babbler, and leave; I would be alone,” replied Mr. Eller ton, commandingly. “Oh, ho! Command the rocks to open and set you free}. per haps they will hear and obey,” was the sneering retort. ‘But I cannot obey you just yet; you know, I promised to return to you again, and I always keep promises of this kind, especially when I have a purpose to accomplish.” Mr. Hllerton bowed his head wearily upon his hands and made no reply. The evil- hearted bes went ons pang Nate co yeh as , ~~ =EOomick Soe iS