The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

FRESH ADVENTURES 151 “Vou are out late to-night, sir,” said the horseman, whose voice, though sounding with somewhat muffled accents through thé folds of the shawl-neckerchief, was nevertheless mild and agreeable. ‘“Yes,’’ answered Saxondale, who was just in that frame of mind to be by no means displeased at meeting some one to talk to, after an adventure which had been fraught with so much terror, and the influence of which, still lingering upon his mind, made the road seem more lonely and the silence of the night more ominous than under other circum- stances they would have appeared. ‘ But I may make the same observation in respect to you. We are both late. It must be considerably past twelve o’clock,’”’ and pulling - out his watch, he examined it by the starlight. ‘‘ Near one, I declare! ”’ “ Which way lies your road?” inquired the traveller, scrutinizing the young nobleman from beneath the over- hanging brim of his hat. “To tell you the truth,” answered Saxondale, with a laugh, “‘I am benighted, as it were, and was just thinking of going up to the tavern yonder and procuring a bed when, as I was crossing the road, you galloped up to the spot.”’ ‘‘ It is ten to one that the people will not open their place for you up there at this hour,” rejoined the horseman, point- ing with his riding-whip toward the tavern upon the neigh- bouring eminence. ‘“ But my house is little more than a mile hence, and if you will condescend to accept such hospitality as I can afford, a bed is cheerfully at your service. I may observe that I have as pretty a little villa-residence farther along the road here, toward Edmonton, as you will see any- where in this district.” The offer was made with such frank courtesy, and the - traveller altogether seemed to be of such genteel and pre- possessing appearance, though lhttle of his countenance could be discerned, that Lord Saxondale at once accepted this kind proposal. “Tf you like to get up behind me,” said the new friend, with still increasing affability of manner, ‘‘ a few minutes will bring us to our destination, and at this hour of the night it is by no means likely we shall encounter any one to notice the singularity of the proceeding. By the bye,’’ he exclaimed, ere pausing for the young nobleman’s answer to this last ) ECORNICLOO® Ss (C(O)