The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

CONFESSION OF ROMANTIC LOVE 285 that her Royal Highness has intrigued with you, Baron Bergami, and that you have been seen proceeding along the passage in the villa at night-time to her Royal Highness’s apartment. This point we are not as yet in a condition to clear up. That we know the allegation to be false is one thing, but to make the world believe it so is another. That the scandalous imputation emanates from the Owens, there is no doubt. With them, too, is leagued that mother of crime, Mrs. Ranger, and she appears to have an accom- plice in Mrs. Hubbard, who, as I have already told you, bore her part in the adventures of that night when Maravelli was introduced to the villa. It were well then, baron, 1f you were to demand explanations of this Mrs. Hubbard, and compel her to confess all she knows.” ‘JT will do so,” answered Bergami. ‘Perhaps,’ continued Loftus, ‘‘ her revelations may throw some further light upon the subject. At all events, you have too much sensibility, delicacy, and good taste not to feel how important it is that the particular allegation relative to the princess and yourself should be cleared up.” ‘““T do indeed appreciate the justice and the good sense of all you say, Mr. Loftus,” responded Bergami, “ and, depend upon it, I will do my best to exonerate her Royal Highness from that gross and scandalous imputation.”’ “In this respect, then, I must leave you to act according to circumstances,” said Loftus. ‘‘ Meanwhile I shall not remain idle. For you must understand that although we have every reason to suppose it was indeed Agatha Owen who gave birth to the child, we are not yet in a condition fully to prove it. That her sister Emma disposed of the corpse in the lake is beyond all doubt, and that it was wrapped in a garment belonging to Wo athia is equally cer- tain. But still these evidences do not place the main point beyond all doubt. It might still be alleged that as the Misses Owen were in the confidence of the princess, those little circumstances just mentioned were natural enough. It is therefore necessary to obtain a confession from the lips of the sisters, and this cannot be elicited from them by suasion or remonstrance, no, nor even by mere threats and menaces of exposure. All these they have no doubt firmly made up their minds to dare and defy. It can therefore only be under extraordinary circumstances of terror, best cal- CORNICLOO (C(O)