The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 45: what you’re looking at

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

28 REYNOLDS’ WORKS The servants came forth to receive their late master’s nephew, but it was with no hurried step or welcoming looks. They walked with measured tread and wore a grave de- meanour, as men do where death has just asserted his omnipo- tence. Nor did they exactly know in what manner to receive or address Ralph Farefield. Little skilled in the law, they were unable to decide whether he was now Lord Saxondale or not, inasmuch as though the infant heir was missing, there had been no positive proofs of the babe’s death. As for what Lady Saxondale had done, or might be still doing in London or elsewhere, and as to any discoveries, more or less important, which she might have made, they were utterly ignorant on all these points, having been kept in the dark respecting her ladyship’s proceedings. Descending from the post-chaise, Ralph put a question to the servants, but in a manner which showed that he already anticipated the answer; and that answer was precisely the one he had alike expected and hoped. Lord Saxondale was indeed no more, but barely an hour had elapsed since the venerable peer breathed his last. Ralph, assuming as mourniul a demeanour as he could possibly put on, desired one of the-servants to conduct him to the apartment of the deceased, and this command was immediately obeyed. In a few minutes Ralph stood in the chamber of death, and by the couch in which his uncle had so recently expired. The Reverend Mr. Clifton and the sur- geon withdrew, from motives of respect; for whether the heir or not, at all events Ralph was too near a relative not to be treated courteously. Besides, it occurred to the worthy clergyman that the nephew might be stricken with remorse for his past conduct, and that he did not choose to have spectators of the feelings to which he might give vent. Alas! how little did the unsophisticated and well-meaning Mr. Clifton know of the true nature of the emotions that were now agitating within the breast of that bad man! The nurse did, however, remain in the room. It was her privilege, a mournful one, but not the less sanctioned by custom, to remain with the dead; and Ralph, mindful of her presence, still retained that hypocritical air of sadness which he had put on for the occasion. He gazed upon the countenance of the deceased, and not for a single instant did his heart smite him at the thought that he himself in CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)