The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRINCESS — MRS. HUBBARD 289 ‘“T have not seen Lady Prescott since she was at the villa ere now, but I have seen Mr. Loftus. How knew you that he was at Geneva? ”’ ‘Now, baron,” said Mrs. Ranger, hastily, ‘do not let us stand here wasting precious time in asking questions and trying to draw each other out. But tell me at once the amount of mischief that exists and how it may be remedied. Do everything you can to avoid scandal, and I will give my best assistance in any way that lies in my power.”’ “Well, then, to speak with equal candour,”’ answered Bergami, ‘‘ I will tell you that there is a considerable amount of mischief suspected and into the depths of which Mr. Loftus and I are determined to penetrate. Your three young friends, the Misses Owen, are implicated.” “Ah! poor dear creatures!’’ ejaculated Mrs. Ranger. ‘“ But remember how young they are, and make allowances for them. You would not seek to ruin them? Spare them; at all events, give them time to reflect upon the atonement they may make for any amount of mischief they have already done.”’ “Now, Mrs. Ranger,’’ said Bergami, ‘‘ I do not wish to proceed with unnecessary harshness or precipitation, and I think you are aware of Mr. Loftus’s disposition.”’ ‘Ah! he is a kind, good, excellent young man,”’ said Mrs. Ranger. ‘“ But what does he mean to do? What course is he adopting? Perhaps he believes that the poor girls are far more guNty than they really are? ”’ “To give you a proof that he does not wish to act with cruel abruptness or unfeeling precipitation,” said Bergami, ‘“ I will at once inform you that he desires to have an inter- view with these young ladies, to reason with them, to learn from their own lips the extent of their misdeeds, and to see in what manner scandal may be avoided. In a word, he has consented to see them, and has left it to me to make some appointment with them to that effect.” ‘Shall I bear a message to them for you, baron?” asked Mrs. Ranger, inwardly chuckling at the certainty which’she now acquired that no immediate step was to be taken with regard to the fearful matters wherein she, as well as the Owens, was so mixed up. ‘‘ Or would you prefer seeing them at once yourself? It were perhaps better — ”’ “ Yes, it would be better,’ said Bergami, adopting a COMMICLAOO <S) (C(O)