The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 303: what you’re looking at

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

286 THE COURT OF LONDON culated to make a sudden and awful impression upon the mind, to give the mind, indeed, a sudden shock, and unnerve it by the abrupt development of a spectacle of horror, — it is only by such means as these, I say, that a full and complete confession can be extorted from the lips of those three depraved and heartless young women. Now, Baron Ber- gami, do you begin to understand why I have retained the loathsome corpse of that child beneath this roof, why I have deposited it in the dissecting-room as the most fitting place for such an object to be viewed? ”’ “Yes, [understand your motives now,” answered Bergami. ‘““You purpose by some means or other to entice the three sisters hither.’’ “Such is my object,’’ replied Loftus. ‘‘ Had I personally been sent for by the princess to-day, as I had hoped would be the result of Lady Prescott’s visit, I should have con- tented myself for the moment by revealing to her Royal Highness enough to place her at once upon her guard as a preliminary to the complete revelation of all details when my plans are matured. I should then have sought a secret opportunity of inducing the three sisters, by means of dark and mysterious threats, to come to Doctor Maravelli’s house this night. But now, from the turn which events haye taken, these results must be brought about through other means. In plain terms, Baron Bergami, it is now for you to enter actively into codperation with me in carrying out my - aims. To you, then, must I entrust the task of inducing or compelling the three sisters, Agatha, Emma, and Julia, to come hither this night! ” ‘“T will do so,’’ was Bergami’s prompt reply. “Good!” ejaculated Loftus. ‘‘ Now then, let us under- stand each other thoroughly. At midnight punctually the three sisters must be at the front door of this house, for midnight is the hour when the mind, by a variety of influ- ences and associations, is most sensitive to the overpowering effect of circumstances of horror.’ “At midnight,’ rejoined Bergami, “‘ those three young women shall be at the front door of Maravelli’s house, — at least, so far as it will depend upon myself to urge, coerce, or persuade them. Asa matter of course, no means must be left untried. If I find that they are more accessible to cajolery than to threats, I will use the former; but, at —— EGoOmicdooks (E(0) im