The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 314: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRINCESS — MRS. HUBBARD 297 “Foolish girls! how can you fly?’’ demanded Mrs. Ranger. ‘“ Without time to get passports made out, we should be arrested as suspicious fugitives. No, no, flight is impossible. We must remain and dare it all.”’ ‘“ But we have but a few hours before us,’ Julia, shuddering. ' ‘“ And in those few hours an immensity may be done,”’ rejoined Mrs. Ranger. ‘‘ Bergami desires to see you all three at the jetty at five o’clock. You must go. It is for the purpose of making another appointment for you else- where, and this other appointment is with Loftus, which you must also keep.”’ ‘What! see Loftus, after all he knows?’”’ cried Agatha, in dismay. ‘‘ Is he not aware that I have been delivered of a child? Is not the very corpse of that child in his posses- sion? ”’ “Oh, it becomes you admirably to play the shamefaced and the prude,” cried Mrs. Ranger, scorntully, ‘* you who did all you could to win him to your arms in Paris, display- ing all your beauties with the luxuriousness of a wanton — ”’ ‘Enough, enough!” said Agatha, biting her lips at the taunt. “‘ Ii you think it necessary that we shall see Loftus, we will do so.”’ ‘Yes, necessary indeed!’’ replied Mrs. Ranger. ‘Then, in a deeper tone, she added, “ It is necessary, because it may save the necessity for three murders.”’ “What mean you?’’ demanded Emma, in horror and dismay, as it instantaneously struck her that the dreadful old woman was now alluding to Bergami as well as to others. “I mean,” rejoined Mrs. Ranger, speaking with the firm- ness of a cold and implacable decision, ‘‘ that there are three enemies whom we have now to fear. This morning there were two, Loitus and Lady Prescott, but within the last few hours Bergami has been added. Well, then, if Loftus mean to propose some terms and conditions that wiil avoid the necessity of exposure, and if an avenue of safety be open to us all, then will it be unnecessary to do the work of death. But if, on the other hand, the result of your inter- views with Bergami and Loftus respectively should prove that exposure must ensue, that we are not to be spared, and that punishment is intended us, then must Loftus, Lady Prescott, and Bergami all three die this night.”’ ) exclaimed — CORNICLOO© <S) (CO) am