The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 312: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRINCESS — MRS. HUBBARD 295 fearful conspiracy, but I now perceive that you are its dupe. This conspiracy has been concocted for the ruin of your royal mistress. You have never seen me in the passage, as you state, but some one who has personated me, nor have you ever seen the princess in the condition which you have described, but some one personating her. To such an extent has the fiendlike imaginativeness of these wretches gone. Ah! you may well hold up your hands in amazement, but let me tell you that all is discovered, even to the fact that it was Agatha Owen herself, and not the princess, who gave birth to a child within these walls, —that child whose corpse you have had in your arms. And now I am reminded,”’ added Bergami, “‘ that those two gentlemen whom you saw at Lausanne, Colonel Malpas and the Earl of Curzon, for such were their names, were the paramours of Emma and Julia Owen, and doubtless they were the same two individuals whom you saw introduced to the villa by the wearers of the ermine cloak and silken hood.”’ Mrs. Hubbard was astounded at all she thus heard, as well indeed she might be; but she was no longer frightened on account of herself, for Bergami’s manner had undergone an entire change toward her from the moment he found she was a dupe and not an accomplice. He spoke kindly and encouragingly, reiterating his assurance that no harm should befall her. He also bade her maintain the profoundest silence relative to this interview which he had with her, until the time came when she would be required to speak out and tell all she knew. Mrs. Hubbard promised most faith- fully to comply with these instructions, and the baron then took his departure from her chamber, more than ever astounded, afflicted, and indignant at the atrocious measures set on foot to ruin the Princess of Wales. We must now return to Mrs. Ranger, who in the meantime had also reéntered the villa. Proceeding straight to the apartment where she had left the sisters two hours before, she found them still there in no very enviable state of mind. The moment she made her appearance, they started up, rushed toward her, and with their eager looks, more than with their hurried ene showed the intense anxiety which filled their hearts. CORNICLOOL “S) (E(O) mM