The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

326 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘Explain yourself. Hasten to explain yourself. Tell me the whole truth, whatever it may be,” and Marchmont was labouring under the violent excitement of suspense. ‘“ My lord,” rejoined Purvis, “I have done nothing that I can hesitate to explain. I conducted the lady over the mansion, and amongst other places I showed her the cabinet in which divers family relics and various curiosities are ‘Yes, yes, the one opening from the grand saloon,” ejaculated the dukes ‘“‘ But about that dagger? ”’ ‘It has been kept in that cabinet, my lord, for many, many years past —”’ ‘“ And -wherefore was it kept? Who gave you such an order? ”’ ‘“ No one, my lord,’ answered the steward, “‘ and I cannot define the feeling which has thus prompted me to keep it. It was always secured and placed out of sight in a secret drawer. I showed it to the lady for curiosity’s sake, and I remember perfectly well that she questioned me as to the mode of opening that secret drawer. I saw no harm in siving her the explanation she sought —’”’ ‘Well, well,” cried the duke, stamping his foot impatiently, ‘it was through your folly that the weapon thus fell into her hands. But come, let us see whether she has restored it to its place, or whether she has taken it away with her.’’ “Taken it away, my lord?” cried Purvis, “‘ she would not do such a thing as that. Indeed, I wonder that one so well-behaved —”’ ‘““Cease your prating, and come,” ejaculated the duke. Then snatching up one of the wax candles, he hurried from the room. Purvis followed him close, and they proceeded toward the saloon with the marble pillars, the costly draperies, and the exquisite specimens of sculpture. At the very moment the Duke of Marchmont burst in with the feverish haste which inspired him, he stopped short, and something like an ejaculation of terror burst from his lips, while his eyes were riveted in a particular direction. ‘What is it, my lord?’’ inquired Purvis, catching the infection of the duke’s terror, but yet not comprehending the cause. ‘Did you not perceive how the drapery at that end—I Gomicbooks (E(0)