The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 126: what you’re looking at

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

THE HUSBAND’S RETURN 109 adopting an aspect of defiance, ‘“ that you shall not do as you like beneath my roof.” ‘Then you will force me to create a scandal and an uproar in the house, by pushing my way in spite of opposition to the chamber where, as you allege, my wife is lying down,” and as the earl thus spoke, he took up his hat and turned toward the door. “My lord, you cannot, you would not, you dare not do this,’ faltered Lady Lechmere, now terribly alarmed. “ T will do it, on my soul, madam, I will do it,” exclaimed Curzon. ‘‘ Now decide — will you conduct me to that chamber? Or shall I find my way thither by myself? And perhaps,’ he added, with a look of peculiar malignity, “‘ it wil not be so difficult as you fancy. Let me see? Up two pair of stairs, then along a carpeted passage, into a bed- chamber where a second door communicates with a back staircase, and in that staircase there is a signal bell, and at the bottom a door opening into the by-street — ”’ ‘Good heavens!’’ cried Lady Lechmere, turning ghastly pale as the Earl of Curzon thus gave utterance to those details which displayed his perfect knowledge of the privacies of her dwelling-house, for the reader will remember that Colonel Malpas had given the earl a full account of all these matters at the hotel at Lausanne. “ Ah! I thought that I should produce some effect upon your ladyship,’’ exclaimed Curzon, enjoying her confusion. ‘“ Now will you hesitate to conduct me thither? ”’ _ Lady Lechmere rose from her seat, accosted the earl with haggard looks and convulsing form, and placing one of her trembling hands upon his arm, said, in a low, thick voice, “ Tell me how you know all this — tell me who has been the betrayer.”’ Well, I do not know why I should keep the secret,” said the earl, “ and indeed I may answer your question if it be only to prove how entirely everything is known to me. Learn, then, that from the lips of one of my wife’s para- mours — Colonel Malpas.”’ “ The villain! I always knew he would betray her,” ejaculated Lady Lechmere. ‘‘ You are aware, then,’ she continued, her voice again becoming thick and hesitating, “that your wife — ”’ ~ Is not beneath your roof at this moment,’’ exclaimed the CORNICLOO® SS (CO) am