The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

THE TWO DOORS 209 ment, thus accounting for the long delay which had occurred since he set out from England on his present mission, and without mentioning any names, he observed that the princess was so surrounded by secret enemies and spies that he knew not how to obtain access to her. “Can you not boldly present yourself at the villa to- morrow,’ *asked Mrs. Roberts, ‘“ and demand an interview with her Royal Highness? ”’ “There are certain ladies in her household,’ returned Jocelyn, “ who would hesitate at no means, however des- perate, base, or unprincipled, in order to prevent me from obtaining access to her Royal Highness.”’ “Who are those ladies?’ inquired Mrs. Roberts, hastily, and as if prompted by a particular motive. “Their name is Owen, and there are three sisters, the response. ‘“ Detested name!” ejaculated Mrs. Roberts. Then, in a different tone, she added, “‘ Il have every reason to believe that one of those young ladies of whom you have spoken is no very estimable pattern of morality and virtue, though Heaven knows it is not for me to cast the first stone at her. But I should inform you, unless, indeed, you know )) Was it already, that the strangest, the most startling, indeed, — the most astounding rumours are prevalent in Geneva relative to her Royal Highness.”’ “Indeed! ’’ ejaculated Loftus. Then, as a sudden recol- lection struck him, he said, “Il remember how peculiar and how mysterious was Maravelli’s manner when I spoke to him on this same poe at the village inn where we dined together this afternoon.”’ ‘Doctor Maravelli is acquainted with something relative to the villa, of a dark and mysterious character,’ observed Mrs. Roberts. ‘“ He has once or twice inadvertently let fall a hint to this effect, and although naturally a very cautious man, yet has he so far committed himself on one or two occasions as to suffer me to perceive that he could reveal some startling secret if he chose.”’ “But concerning whom, and of what nature is that secret? ’’ asked Loftus, eagerly. “Ah! that I cannot say. Doctor Maravelli has never entered into particulars, has never even manifested the slightest approach toward making me his confidante. CORNICLOOL €5) (C(O)