The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 399: what you’re looking at

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

382 REYNOLDS’ WORKS able, the Cannibal was about to steal away from the-door and ascend the staircase, when Lady Saxondale began to speak, so that Chiffin’s feet remained riveted to the spot, and he continued to listen with suspended breath. ‘“ T feel such a faintness coming over me,’’ were the words which thus began to flow from Lady Saxondale’s lips, and which were addressed to Tony Wilkins, “ that I must beg you to reach me that scent-bottle which stands on the -mantel. It is the one with the silver top, and is next “to the timepiece.”’ She spoke in a faint and languid voice, and appeared to be sinking back in the chair. Tony Wilkins gave no immediate answer; he hesitated how to act. At length he said, ‘* Well, ma’am, I don’t want to act harsh, leastways not cruel, but I can’t part company from yer. If so be natur’ isn’t so much exhausted that you can drag yourself up to the chimneypiece, I’d rayther it should be done that way, and then | could walk by your side.” “T will endeavour,’? murmured Lady Saxondale, still more faintly than before, and rising from her seat, she advanced slowly and with every appearance of feebleness, and tottering in her gait, toward the mantel. Tony Wilkins kept so close to her, and held his weapons in such evident readiness to use them, that Chiffin, who observed all that was passing from the doorway, felt per- fectly satisfied with the conduct of his companion, yet he was well convinced in his own mind that this was nothing but a stratagem on the lady’s part for the purpose of con- summating some treachery. “Don’t go too near the bell-pulls, ma’am,”’ said Tony Wilkins, who evidently had his misgiving also, “ ’cause why this here clasp-knife is terribly apt to dig itself right down into an arm when stretched out to ring a bell at a time when the flunkies and slaveys isn’t exactly wanted.” “ T had no intention of the kind,”’ responded Lady Saxon- dale, and taking the bottle from the chimneypiece, she, still with slow and tottering gait, retraced her way to her seat. “ Well,’ thought Chiffin to himself, ‘‘she meant no harm, after all, but I suppose these fine ladies can’t get on without their scent-bottles, any more than a chap like me can without his gin. But Ill iust stav a minute or so longer, —_— ) CONNIE OO KS (E(0)