The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 349: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXXI THE DISSECTING - ROOM It was about half-past eleven on this memorable night, and Doctor Maravelli was seated alone in his little ‘parlour opening from the hall. Loftus was in his own chamber, pondering upon the plan which he was putting into execution, and settling in his mind as to the exact details of the course which he should pursue when the three sisters were to make their appearance at midnight. As for the Countess of Curzon and Lady Prescott, they were also sitting up, for they had not as yet dared to retire to rest, each deeply feeling that alter the crime which had been consummated no sleep would visit their pillows. They were therefore holding companionship in the drawing-room, endeavouring to look satisfied at the tremendous work they had done, but unable to conceal from each other the fact that they now would give worlds to have it all undone again. Return we, however, to Maravelli, who was alone in his parlour. oan what was he doing there? Upon the table at which he was seated stood a phial labelled ‘‘ Poison.” That venomous drug had he been compounding in his secret laboratory up-stairs, and having brought it down with him to the parlour, he was now contemplating it with the air of a man who has obtained the means of accomplishing a certain object but trembles at the bare idea of using it. Not that it was so much the criminality of the contemplated deed which thus made him waver in his purpose, but it was the dread of being found out. Nevertheless, having duly weighed all the considerations that presented themselves to his mental view, he made up his mind to do the deed, for imagination suggested no other avenue of escape from 332 EGOmichboo Ss (E(0)