The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 40: what you’re looking at

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

THE DRAMA OF A NIGHT 23 ‘‘ Waiter,” he said, slipping a couple of gold pieces into the man’s hand, “‘ listen to what I have to say. My friend and myself of course require bedchambers, to which we shall not, however, immediately repair. We wait the coming of a post-chaise containing two ladies and three men, who are serving as an escort to the said ladies. So soon as the carriage arrives, you will show the whole party up into this room, and in the interval you will direct that a bedchamber be provided for the two ladies, who are sisters, and therefore will occupy the same couch. As for the three men who are coming with them, they may shift for themselves, for I know not whether they will remain or whether they will take their prompt departure again. Now you understand. So bring up a couple of bottles of champagne, by the aid of which, together with this array of eatables, my friend and I will while away the time till the carriage comes.”’ The waiter bowed acquiescence to all the instructions he had just received, and having served the wine that was ordered, the discreet functionary took his station in the porter’s lodge to await the coming of the post-chaise. ‘“ Well,”’ said Curzon, as he and Malpas sat down together at the supper-table after the door had closed behind the waiter, ‘‘ this is indeed a night of mingled romance and excitement. It was eleven when we left Geneva, and it was half-past two as we set foot in Lausanne. Thirty miles in three hours and a half, with such horses as those, are no bad achievement.”’ ‘“On the contrary, twas a famous ride,’’ remarked Mal- pas, as he tossed off a bumper of champagne. “ It will be at least an hour before the post-chaise arrives. But should you not have passed the girls off as our wives before that waiter to whom you ere now gave such elaborate instruc- tions? ”’ “No such thing,” exclaimed Curzon. “ It is not by any means necessary to practise the least deception in the matter. Here we-are safe at Lausanne, in the Canton of Vaud, and therefore completely out of the jurisdiction of the authori- ties of Geneva. Even suppose that any disturbance should have been created, any exposure caused, and any pursuit instituted, nothing could be done to us. In the same way that a man seeks refuge in France against the consequence of his little irregularities in England, so may we make sure ECORNICLOO cS (C(O) im