The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 285: what you’re looking at

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968 THE COURT OF LONDON “ Would to Heaven I never had anything to do with that business!’ and the wretched man writhed in agony upon the chair which he had just taken. ‘““ Fool, idiot, coward!’’ said Mrs. Ranger, in the thick, husky voice of subdued passion and contempt. “ Is it thus that you show a worse than woman’s weakness in the pres- ence of tremendous dangers?’’ and as she spoke she grasped his arm with her bony fingers, and griped it with a force as if it were 1n an iron vice. ‘“Dangers!’’ repeated the wretched man, shuddering with the very endeavour which he made to control his fears. ‘“ Ah! I knew there were dangers. I knew it, I knew it, the moment I received your note, so mysteriously sent, and so imperatively summoning me hither.” “Yes, there are dangers,’’ returned Mrs. Ranger, her voice suddenly changing fom the huskiness of passion to the sepulchral depth of solemnity. ‘‘ But if you are a man, and will show a man’s courage, we can avert those perils, whereas if you are weak-minded and show a craven spirit, ruin will overwhelm us all, not ruin for one, but ruin for two, three, all, all concerned. Now do you understand me, and will you be calm?” “T will, I will,”’ said the doctor. At this moment the waiter reéntered the room, bearing refreshments and wine, and when he had retired again, Mrs. Ranger rose from her seat and examined the apartment carefully to see whether the walls were merely wooden partitions, or whether they were indeed thick enough to pre- vent their voices from being overheard in the adjoining rooms. Having satisfied herself on this head, she opened the door gently and looked forth into the passage, but no one was there. Thus convinced that there were no eaves- droppers, she returned to her seat at the table, where Mara- velli was just tossing off a tumbler of wine in order to resusci- tate his courage and his spirits. ‘““ Now are you prepared to listen?’’ asked Mrs. Ranger. ““T am,’’ was the response; and he certainly appeared to have found the fortitude which he sought in the juice of the orape. ‘‘ Take another glass,’’ said Mrs. Ranger, who saw that the artificial stimulant would render him ductile and pliable GOmMmicbooks (E(0) my