The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

156 REYNOLDS’ WORKS was evidently a gentleman by his dress, the self-sufficiency of his speech, and the diamond studs which gleamed in the starlight, she did not see any necessity for hurrying away from the spot; on the contrary, advancing close up to the gate, she rather appeared to court the little chat which accident thus threw in her way. ‘ What are you doing out here so late?’”’ asked Lord Saxondale. “ Well, it’s like your impudence to question me in this manner,’ said the young woman, with an arch toss of her head, though evidently being very far from offended. ‘“‘ And suppose I was to ask how it is you are out so late? ”’ ‘““ Well, then, I should at once tell you,” returned Saxon- dale. “‘ I have been dining up at the tavern yonder, with a parcel of friends of mine, and we have swallowed no small quantity of wine. Then we had cards and dice, and if I had not lost a matter of three or four hundred guineas, I should at once slip a ten-pound note into your hand as an earnest of future rewards if you lend me your aid in a certain enterprise I have in view.” “Oh, I am sure you must indeed have been drinking a great deal of wine to talk to me in this way,” said the lady’s- maid, with an affected giggle, which showed that if Lord Saxondale were really earnest in what he said he was at perfect liberty to go on and explain himself without the fear of giving offence. ‘“T ean assure you that I speak the truth,” he immediately rejoined. “ But though I have lost all my money at cards, as I tell you, there is nothing to prevent me from coming up to this neighbourhood to-morrow and making it twenty guineas instead of ten, that I design as a little present for your acceptance.” “Oh, yes, I dare say! It is all very pretty to talk in this manner,” cried the maid, with another laugh, as if she pre- tended to regard his behaviour only as a mere pleasantry. ‘“ But I should hke to know in the first place who you are, that you speak so fine and make such magnificent prom- ises? ”’ The young nobleman had not been despoiled of his card- case by the female highwayman. He accordingly took it forth from his pocket, and, producing one of its pasteboard contents, handed the same to the lady’s-maid, who was CONNIE NO KS (E(0)