The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 47: what you’re looking at

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

30 THE COURT OF LONDON word. ’Tis clear you have committed, or, rather, caused to be perpetrated, a most unwarrantable outrage upon me and this good woman here. But if you will at once direct that we be conducted back to Geneva, we will consent to forgive not only yourself but also your accomplice there,’’ — glancing toward Malpas, — ‘“‘ and your agents here,’’ she added, turning toward Kobolt, Hernani, and Walden. ‘For Heaven’s sake, begone, then! ’’ exclaimed the Earl of Curzon, and putting a number of gold pieces into Kobolt’s hand, he said, ‘“‘ Depart, and undo your night’s work as quickly as you have done it.”’ The next moment the room was cleared of all save the earl and Malpas, who once more found themselves alone together. For nearly a minute did they survey each other with an expression of countenance in which there was some- thing ludicrous, for they both felt all the ridicule of their present position. But they exchanged not a word until the post-chaise had taken its departure, fresh horses having been procured, to retrace its way to Geneva. ‘Now what is to be done?’’ demanded Colonel Malpas, at length breaking a silence which had lasted nearly half an hour. “For my part,’ answered Curzon, doggedly, ‘ I wash. my hands of any further interference in the business.” With these words he rang the bell furiously, and on the waiter making his appearance, he said, in an imperious tone, ‘‘ Conduct me to my chamber.”’ Then, without taking any further notice of Malpas, he stalked out of the room. The colonel likewise sought the couch prepared for him; and on awakening at a late hour in the forenoon, he inquired for the Earl of Curzon. ‘“ Your companion, sir?’ observed the domestic to whom the question was put. ‘“ Oh, he took his departure an hour ago for Berne.”’ “Ah!” thought Malpas to himself, “ he doubtless means to get back to England as quick as possible, in order to tella good story to Venetia, and ’tis ten to one that he will throw the whole blame of failure upon me. But I must forestall him, if possible. Waiter, a post-chaise and four immedi- atel as in less than half an hour, Colonel Malpas likewise book! his departure irom Lausanne, at lal (E(0) im COMMIELOOOKE