The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

(2 REYNOLDS’ WORKS her demeanour, at once convinced him that he was about to have what he termed “ a scene.”’ But, for the reasons specified at the conclusion of the previous chapter, he resolved to adopt a conciliatory policy, if it were practicable; and therefore he somewhat mitigated the air of insolent defiance with which he had lately been wont to meet the maternal remonstrances or reproaches. Still his temper was on the point of failing him when he beheld the deep severity of his mother’s looks, — a severity not altogether unmingled with an expression of loathing and disgust, as her scrutinizing regards embraced at a glance all the evidences which his appearance furnished of the previous night’s debauchery. “Sit down, Edmund,” said her ladyship, ‘‘ for I wish to speak to you upon some matters of importance.”’ “Well, my dear lady-mother,’’ answered the youth, sinking languidly down upon a sofa, “ let us hear what you have got to say, and you shall find me the most attentive of listeners.”’ ‘““ Be so good as to divest yourself of this most oniubseniae flippancy of manner,’’ proceeded Lady Saxondale, fixing her eagle eyes almost sternly upon the youth, “‘ for it amounts to an impertinence which I do not choose to tolerate.” “Now, upon my soul, this is too bad!” cried Saxondale, his affected voice thrilling into a positive screech. ‘‘ I made my appearance with the most dutiful demeanour that I could command for the occasion, so if there’s to be any quarrel, it will be of your picking.”’ ‘“ Quarrel, sir! how dare you make use of this language to me? ”’ ‘““Come, mother, don’t put yourself into a passion — ”’ “Silence! —-- and listen to me. You have lately been pursuing a career of the most degrading and revolting debauchery “You have told me this over and over again, if that’s all you wanted me for.” ‘“ Again I enjoin you to silence,” interrupted Lady Saxon- dale, fiercely, “for remember, you are not yet your own master, and during the year and ten months which have yet to elapse ere you attain your majority, your guardians and - myself are determined to do our duty in the endeavour to reclaim you from these vicious courses which you are CONNIE OO KS (E(0)