The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 344: what you’re looking at

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

THE DAGGER O20 mean close by the door of the cabinet — was suddenly and strongly agitated? ’’ and the duke’s countenance was very pale as he spoke. “No, my lord,’ answered Purvis, “I did not nctice it. It must either have been your Grace’s fancy, or else it was the wind.”’ “Yes, it was doubtless a draught caused by the sudden opening of this door,”’ and the duke advanced into the saloon, still carrying the wax light in his hand. As they drew near the cabinet, Marchmont’s looks were thrown upon the drapery which he had either seen or fancied to have seen for an instant swaying to and fro, but it was now completely still. Still there was a certain vague terror in Marchmont’s soul, and he would have looked behind those hangings were it not that he was ashamed to display his fears in the presence of the steward. “Open the cabinet, Purvis,” he said, and the order was at once obeyed. ‘* Now let us see whether the dagger be here.”’ Marchmont remained standing upon the threshold in such a way that the door, as it now stood open, was between himself and the drapery which a few moments back had excited his apprehension. Purvis touched the secret spring, opened the drawer, and said, “‘ Yes, look, my lord, the weapon is there.”’ At that very instant the wax light was dashed from March- mont’s hand, and the saloon was enveloped in total darkness. The duke, with a loud moan, fell heavily upon the carpet, and Purvis was seized with so awful a terror that he felt as if his senses were abahdoning him. “My lord, my lord!” he at length murmured, and in the utter darkness of the place he felt his way to the duke, who lay stretched upon the floor. Still under the influence of the direst, most awful terror, the old steward entertained the horrible apprehension that some assassin blow had been dealt at his master. He swept his hands over the prostrate form, inanimate too as well as prostrate, but they encoun- tered no weapon or oozing blood. Then Purvis ran out into the corridor, but with his hair almost standing on end as he traversed the spacious saloon, for the frightful thought was racking his mind that amidst the total darkness which pre- vailed a mischief might be done by unseen hands upon him- self. However, he passed without molestation into the COnNIELOOOKS (CO)