The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO DOORS 193 that he may at once be regarded in the light of a friend, something more than a mere acquaintance, especially as he is a countryman of your own.”’ | ‘This is precisely the view which I take of the matter,’’ said the lady, who, it appeared, passed by the name of Madame Roberts, “‘ and therefore, if this gentleman — But we are as yet strangers to each other by name,’ she added, with a mourntul smile, “ though already speaking of friendship.”’ ‘The name that hgures ypen my passport,’ said our hero, ‘is Jocelyn Loftus.’’ “ Ah!” ejaculated Mrs. Roberts, with a sudden start, and she surveyed our hero with evident surprise, curiosity, and interest. ‘““ Ts it possible this name is known to you? ” asked Jocelyn, though not with any mistrust or alarm, for there was some- thing in the lady’s manner, language, and indeed her whole appearance, which convinced him that her own sorrows, whatever they might be, were of too deep and absorbing a character to permit her to harbour treacherous designs toward another, and there was altogether an air of genuine frankness and sincerity about her which placed Jocelyn quite at his ease on that head. ‘Yes, the name of Jocelyn Loftus is indeed known to me,’’ ie answered, “and honourably so.’’? Then turning to Doctor Maravelli, she said, ‘‘ By all means, if you can accommodate this Se ilemnaen a so. You have just heard that his name is known to me. I can assure you it 1s one that would not disgrace the interior of a palace.”’ It was now Jocelyn’s turn to survey with astonishment, curiosity, and interest this lady who thus frankly and gener- ously became a guarantee for his respectability, and who likewise spoke of him in such flattering terms. But she made a rapid sign to him, unperceived by Maravelli, to intimate that this was not the moment for further explanations, and he accordingly withdrew his inquiring looks and held back the verbal questions that. were about to issue from his tongue. Almost at the same moment the door opened, and the doctor’s housekeeper, Mavolta, entered, bearing a tray on which were served several dishes that sent forth a savoury perfume. “And now, by the bye,’ said Maravelli, ‘‘ relative to CORNICLOOL eS) (CO) mM