The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

\ THE COTTAGE AGAIN 131 “ You are right, my worthy monitress,’’ observed Ed- mund. ‘‘ I must do nothing foolish to mar the plot.”’ ‘““ Besides,’ she immediately continued, “I had a room up-stairs all nicely cleaned out for you to-day and put into the best possible order. There’s a comfortable bed that I bought, a washing-stand, and everything requisite, though ina humble way. It’s true the bed is upon the floor, as there was no time to get a bedstead put up, and besides I did not like to make too many~preparations, for fear of attracting notice.’’ ‘Enough, my good woman,’’ exclaimed Saxondale. “I had forgotten at the moment our understanding of yesterday afternoon, that I was to have a shake-down bed here. At all events, I can try it for one night.” “And then,’ added the woman, “if you feel yourself uncomfortable, you might take some little obscure lodging in the village, passing yourself off as a mechanic.”’ “To be sure,” eried Saxondale. ‘* Your advice is in all respects excellent. It shall be as you say, and now, as the night is remarkably fine, I will just take a stroll for half an hour, smoke a cigar in the fields, and then on my return go to bed. I suppose you have got such a thing as a drop of spirits in the house? For wine is not to be thought of here.” “On the contrary,” said the woman, “I have done my best to make you as comfortable as I can.’’ Then opening a cupboard and taking forth three bottles, she said, “I brought these with me in my basket from town to-day.’’ She likewise produced a corkscrew, some glasses (evidently newly purchased), and a jug of fresh water. Saxondale uncorked the bottles, and tasted their contents one after another; then repudiating the wine, he mixed himself a tumbler of brandy and water. This he quickly imbibed, and then lighting his cigar, strolled forth from the cottage. For about three-quarters of an hour he sauntered through the fields, enjoying the fragrance of his Havana in the calm freshness of the evening, and thinking over the brilliant conquest he felt certain of achieving. It was about half-past ten when he returned to the hut, where he was immediately admitted by the woman; and on being again conducted into her little room, he found the table spread with a clean napkin, and a little supper consisting of a cold fowl, a lobster, ) CONnNIEDOOKS (C(O)