The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

324 THE COURT OF LONDON determined to leave London without delay for Canter- bury.”’ ‘Louisa, my dear girl,’’ exclaimed the marquis, evidently astounded and almost dismayed by this resolve so decisively expressed, and, at the same time, there was in his look something so sinister that, unsophisticated as Louisa was, she at once read therein the confirmation of her suspicions, “you cannot think, you must not entertain — no — really,” stammered the nobleman, “ I will not permit —” “My lord, I am determined to hasten home without delay,’’ interrupted Louisa, her courage rising in proportion as her position seemed to become more menacing and dangerous. ‘ It is not yet an hour past noon; perhaps your lordship will allow one of your domestics to order a post- chaise to be in immediate attendance for me? ”’ “The haste, the precipitation, with which you are thus about to depart, my dear young friend,’’ said Lady Ernes- tina Dysart, rising from her seat and taking Louisa’s hand, ‘would almost amount to an impeachment upon our hos- pitality, or indeed a mistrust of our friendship toward you.” ‘Pray do not deem me ungrateful, nor thus prejudge my motives,” said Louisa, with a telltale blush upon her cheeks which showed that her thoughts were in reality precisely as Ernestina had interpreted them. “ Accept all my thanks, and if you would add to the obligations which you have imposed upon me, then suffer me to depart at once.”’ And having thus spoken, Louisa hastened to the bell-pull and rang it somewhat violently. At the same instant the marquis and his niece exchanged rapid glances, expressive of the conviction that it was useless to try further argument or persuasion; and then the signifi- cant look which the nobleman assumed made Ernestina aware that his lordship had determined upon strong and coercive measures. A footman promptly answered Louisa’s summons; and, in a tone of complete confidence, she said, ‘‘ Will you be so kind as to order a post-chaise to be immediately procured? ”’ The domestic bowed a respectful assent; but as he raised his eyes again, at the moment of turning to quit the room, he saw Lord Leveson shake his head at him, unperceived, however, by Louisa, and the footman accordingly understood that he was not to order the post-chaise. COnNIE OO KS (E(0)