Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 252: what you’re looking at

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

THE RETREAT IN WALES 239 “Mrs. Jameson, a gentleman wishes to see you on some business connected with her ladyship,” and having placed a chair for the accommodation of the marquis, the old foot- man withdrew from the apartment. Lord Eagledean sat down, and did not immediately speak, for he saw that Mrs. Jameson’s looks had been at once earnestly fixed upon him. They grew more searching; the expression of her countenance showed that memory was doing its work faithfully, and that he would be recognized by her. Ah! then if she were thus enabled to penetrate through the change and alteration which years had effected in him, how much more easily would Lady Everton have done so! And how prudent was the precaution he had thus taken in seeing Mrs. Jameson first. ‘““ My lord, my lord,” said the old woman, trembling from head to foot with the violence of her emotions, “‘ I know you — J] recognize you! What brings you hither? ”’ ‘“ Need you ask?” inquired the marquis. ‘‘ Can you not conjecture? ”’ ‘“ But your wife, my lord, the Marchioness of Eagledean,”’ interrupted Mrs. Jameson, “is she not still alive? Is she no more? ”’ “Good heavens!’’ ejaculated the nobleman, for these words struck him as a revelation, instantaneously making known to his comprehension some new phase in the villainy of Mr. Everton. “ My wife — the Marchioness of Kagledean — I never was married.”’ A cry of mingled joy and astonishment burst forth from the aged housekeeper’s lips, as she started up from her chair. Then fixing her looks earnestly and penetratingly upon the marquis, she said, “ My lord, I adjure you by everything you deem solemn and holy to proclaim the truth, whatso- ever it may be.” “I have already proclaimed it,’’ he replied, profoundly agitated. ‘‘ I am incapable of deceit. JI never have been married — No; never, never has the image of your mistress been absent from this heart of mine.”’ “ Oh, what misery — what long years of misery, wretched- ness, and woe — might have been spared to my poor mistress had she known the truth! ”’ and as Mrs. Jameson spoke, she resumed her seat, wringing her hands, while tears trickled down the countenance that was furrowed with age. EORVICLO@QC) cS (C(O)