The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 213: what you’re looking at

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

196 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the crockeryware, struck them as being suspicious, for it all looked as 11 the woman were playing a part, — a part, too, which she was now overdoing. They were therefore just on the point of knocking at the door, and insisting upon Lady Bess coming forth, when they were struck with con- sternation on hearing the sudden trampling of the horse’s feet as he was being led from the stable. ‘“ By Heaven, we are tricked!’’ exclaimed Marlow, and without ceremony he rushed into the bedchamber. The open window and the rope of sheets which Rosa — was just dragging in told the tale. ‘“ Wretch,” cried Marlow, “ you have aided your mis- tress’s escape! But you shall go to prison for her.”’ “Let her alone,’ exclaimed Mr. Malton. ‘ We will punish the guilty one yet,’ and he rushed down the stairs, closely followed by his partner. “Why did you not stop her? Don’t you see that she has escaped?” cried Marlow, addressing himself fiercely to the coachman. “IT saw some one, sir, gallop around from the back of the house and bolt away like a shot,” answered the coachman, ‘but how could I possibly stop her? I scarcely knew who it could be till she was out of sight, and then it was only suspicion, for she whisked by at such a rate.”’ ‘“'True,’’ cried Marlow, ‘‘ the window 1s at the back of the house, the stable also. Well, John, I was wrong to blame you. But now, what is to be done? ’”’ he demanded, turning to his partner. ‘ We shall be the laughing-stock of all London if we let her escape us thus.”’ ‘Besides,’ added Mr. Malton, ‘it is more than ever imperative that the outraged laws should be satis- fied.’’ ‘‘ But what is to be done? ”’ again asked Mr. Marlow, more excited than before. ‘Depend upon it, she means to get out of the country,” responded the junior partner, after a few moments’ reflection. “ T tell you what we must do. We will go on to your house, and snatch a few hours’ sleep, then off by the first trains in the morning, one of us to Dover and the other to Liverpool. France and America, these are the alternatives for this desperate woman.” “Yes, that is our course,’ ) returned Marlow. ‘‘ I would CORNIELOO)<S,5 (EC)