The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 315: what you’re looking at

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

298 THE COURT OF LONDON The girls shuddered from head to foot, but Emma’s shuddering, as Mrs. Ranger mentioned the name of Bergami, was even more agonizing and convulsive than that of her sisters. But she said nothing, only fell immediately into a profound reverie. ‘““Methought,” said Agatha, in the low, hushed cual of terror, to Mrs. Ranger, ‘‘ that you had ilready agreed with Doctor Maravelli — ” ‘“ Yes, that Loftus and Lady Prescott are to die,”’ returned the woman, “ but I did not then foresee that Jocelyn would desire to have an interview with you. His doing so looks concilatory, or, rather, I should say, as if he meant to be mercitul. In this case his death will answer no good purpose, will be unnecessary. Therefore, after the interview with him to-night, wherever it may take place, it will be for you, Agatha, to judge whether it is safe to let him live, or whether our interests require that he should die. If he is to live, then must you find the opportunity of breathing the word to Maravelli, but if he is to die, then nothing need be said, and the doctor will do his work.”’ “You argue as if you expected that the interview be- tween us and Loftus,” said Agatha, “is sure to take place at Maravelli’s house? ”’ “TI believe so, from what Bergami said. However, he will let you know all about it presently, and we shall be perhaps better able to decide how to act. But mind,” continued Mrs. Ranger, emphatically, “ that whatever our purpose be, our resolution must be bold and inflexible; whatever we determine upon must be carried out to the very letter. Consider how much depends on all this. Is it not better to dare everything, sooner than suffer ourselves to be dragged away to a felon’s gaol? I am half-inclined to believe,’’ she added, in a very low whisper, to Agatha, a whisper which she alone heard, “ that Emma has become spoony with respect to Bergami. Look into what a mood of abstraction she has fallen, and Julia, too, gazing listlessly upon her — ”’ ‘“ Yes,’’ whispered Agatha, ‘‘ Emma is indeed in love with Bergami, and I think that the feeling already amounts to an infatuation.”’ “Ah! if Bergami were a man to be tempted,’’ said Mrs. Ranger, thoughtfully, ‘‘ he might be won over by Emma’s Gomichboo! CS (E(0)