The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

THE EARL’S VENGEANCE 119 Street, I dared not approach them too closely, for fear they might see that they were followed, and this would have spoilt all.’’ “But you are certain that the man was Emmerson? ”’ said the earl. “ No, my lord, I cannot possibly be certain of it,’’ answered Varian. ‘‘ I did not approach close enough to see.”’ “But, at all events,’’ persisted Lord Curzon, “ you are confident that you never lost sight of the hackney-coach from the time it left Lady Lechmere’s until it stopped in Oxford Street? ”’ ““T am confident on that head,’’ replied Varian. “Then I am equally confident,’”’ said the earl, “ that the | lady who issued forth: from Lady Lechmere’s was the count- ess. That her companion is Emmerson is most probable, unless, indeed,’’ he murmured to himself, “‘ she has got hold of another paramour, which, by the bye, is not unlikely. But no matter who he 1s.” Thus musing within himself, the earl alighted from the carriage, and bidding the coachman wait, he and Varian stepped up to Mrs. Gale’s front door. The knock which they gave was immediately answered by a female servant, for no one who applied for admission during the night at that house was ever kept waiting. The moment they passed into the hall, the servant, to whom Lord Curzon was well known, looked somewhat terrified on recognizing him, for the woman instantaneously suspected that an explosion was about to take place in respect to the countess. ‘““ My wife is up-stairs,’’ said the earl, slipping a handful of guineas into the servant’s hand. ‘‘ Come, I know your discretion and prudence, as well as your trustworthiness, but it is no use denying the fact. My wife is up-stairs, I say.” “ For Heaven’s sake, don’t make a noise, my lord,” interrupted the servant-woman, in an imploring tone. ~ Besides, your lordship should remember that if you have been here now and then with a lady, surely your wife has an equal right to come here now and then with a gentleman? ” “ Suence!”’ said the earl, sternly, ‘‘ and now show me and my iriend the way up to the room where my wife and her companion are. Not another word! Obey me, or I shall commence the search myself,” | ECORNICLOO <S (C(O) am