The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

THE CRIME DEBATED 271 ‘“ Methought so,”’ exclaimed the doctor, “ for this morning they were alone together in the drawing-room with writing materials, before she went out, and immediately she returned he was evidently waiting about in the hall to receive her.’’ “Has any visitor called for Mr. Loftus within the last half-hour?’ inquired Mrs. Ranger, now thinking of Ber- vam. “Yes, a few minutes before your note came,’ and the physician proceeded to give a description of the royal equerry. ‘ This individual,’ he added, “‘ was closeted with Mr. Loftus at the moment I left my house. But now, for Heaven’s sake, relieve my impatience and tell me what mean all these questions? What has been found out. What perils menace us? ”’ ‘“ Answer me one query first,’’ said Mrs. Ranger. Then fixing her eyes steadily and searchingly upon the doctor, she asked, ‘* Who do you now believe was the mother of that child? ”’ “From what Mr. Loftus said, and considering all the evidences,” answered Maravelli, “‘I can no longer believe that the princess — ’’ ‘“ Hnough! Well, it is useless to sustain the cheat any longer. No, it is useless! Instead of studying how to im- plicate the princess,’ she continued, in a musing tone, “ the Owens and I must think how we are best to get out of this scrape. Doctor,’ she went on to say, ‘ Agatha Owen, the eldest of the three sisters, was your patient on that night when upwards of three weeks ago you were introduced to the villa. It matters not now to explain why a cheat was practised on you, and wherefore it was sought to make you believe that it was the princess herself whom you were engaged to assist through the ordeal of maternity.”’ ‘But the dangers which menace us, what of them? ”’ asked Maravelli, his impatience, or, rather, his terrors, now once more rising to a feverish pitch. ‘‘ Who was that handsome man who came ere now to call upon Mr. Loftus? He gave no name, but introduced himself as one having important business.”’ “ It is the Baron Bergami, the princess’s equerry,” an- swered Mrs. Ranger. ‘‘ Have you never seen him before? ”’ “ Methought I recollected his features, but I was not sure,’ answered Maravelli, ‘‘I have been so agitated all CORNICLOOL cS (CO)