The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

114 ~ REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘“‘ the rude dress of a mechanic, not too greasy or dirty, lest it should make me sick — ”’ “ You want gentility in the workman’s garb? ” interrupted the woman. ‘ Well if you leave it to me I will procure you that dress to-morrow. I observe your height, you are not very tall, but you are nicely made.” ‘“ Yes, I flatter myselt,’’ observed Saxondale, caressing his beardless chin, “‘ that I am not altogether amiss.”’ ‘On the contrary,’ said the woman, whose eagle eyes penetrated the frivolous, weak-minded young nobleman’s wretched conceit and vanity at a single glance, ‘‘ you are in every respect a most fit and suitable admirer for such a charming creature as the occupant of Evergreen Villa.” “ But you must understand it is not marriage that I mean.” ‘“ You need not tell me that. A man who means marriage does not go beating about the bush in such a style as this. You long to possess that girl, and I do not hesitate to declare that you shall succeed.”’ “Ah, you promise me that?” exclaimed Saxondale, rejoiced at the tone of confidence and the air of assurance with which the woman spoke. ‘ But really, when I look at you, I do recognize a certain superiority about you under- neath that poverty-stricken garb.”’ “Yes, the superiority of intellect,’ at once replied the woman, and for a moment she drew herself up haughtily. ‘““T was not always what I now seem. But no matter, we will not touch upon that point. Relative to your own affair, I promise that your aspirations shall be gratified shortly, and in the meantime I will not let the grass grow under my feet. This very evening will I institute the inquiries you have suggested, and such others as I deem 1t necessary to make, and to-morrow I will procure the mechanic’s dress. You shall have everything complete.”’ “And do you think,’’ asked Saxondale, ‘ that if I took it into my head to stay a week or ten days altogether in this neighbourhood I could obtain a decent lodging near, so that I might be close at hand to avail myself at any moment of whatsoever circumstances might transpire?’”’ “TI suppose,” said the woman, “ that if you mean to throw your spice of romance into this love-affair, you could content yourself with rough accommodations for a little while? Because, if so, I could make up a bed here— Ah! you need Gomichbooks (E(0)