The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

24 REYNOLDS’ WORKS these reasonings on the part of her ladyship did the old lord yield; and, devoured with grief though he was, well-nigh broken-hearted, too, by the terrible calamity, he could not help complimenting his wife upon her calmness, her fortitude, and her good sense under such distressing cir- cumstances. Lady Saxondale’s principal tirewoman was a person of about thirty years of age, discreet, prudent, and cool- headed, one on whom reliance could be placed, and who was in every way qualified to share in a task requiring activity, energy, and determination. Her ladyship there- fore resolved upon taking Mabel, for such was the woman’s name, with her to London. A plain travelling-carriage was got in readiness without delay, a few articles of the simplest apparel were packed up, and Lady Saxondale, accompanied by Mabel, took her departure for the metropolis. In a couple of days Lord Saxondale received a letter from his wife announcing her safe arrival in London, and stating that she had engaged humble but comfortable lodgings, at the house of a respectable widow lady of the name of Ferney, where she passed under the name of Smith. At the expiration of a week his lordship received a second letter, to the effect that his wife had already made discoveries of importance, that there was everything to hope, but that she could not enter into any particulars, not only through fear of the letter being intercepted, but lkewise because every moment of her time was given up to the sacred task in which she was engaged. Some days later his lordship received a third letter, containing the joyful intelligence that Lady Saxon- dale had succeeded in ascertaining, beyond all possibility of doubt, that their beloved child was alive, though she had not as yet discovered where he was. She concluded by recommending her husband to keep the contents of her letters altogether to himself, as secrecy was, for the present, of the utmost consequence. The effect of this letter was to produce such a revulsion of feeling, from torturing suspense to ardent hope, and from harrowing fears to joyous antici- pations, that the excitement proved too much for the old nobleman, and he became dangerously ill. The usual medical attendant was summoned, and Mr. Clifton, Lady Saxondale’s father, was sent for; but in spite of their earnest solicitations, his lordship would not permit them to write CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)