Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

38 REYNOLDS’ WORKS hither? ” said her ladyship, ‘‘ for it is evident enough that in seeking Lady Saxondale, you did not expect to meet the Mrs. Smith of other times. Therefore I suppose your visit has nothing to do with the circumstances which first rendered — us acquainted? ”’ “No, nothing, nothing,” rejoined the doctor, and his answer afforded unspeakable relief to Lady Saxondale. “I have come upon quite another business, but a most unpleasant one, and to tell your ladyship the truth, I know not how to break it to you. Yet why should I not? Doubtless you will be enabled to explain it. God grant that you will be so! ”’ ‘““ Pray tell me, my dear friend, what all this means? You are rendering me exceedingly uneasy.” | ‘Listen then,’ resumed the doctor, ‘‘ while I explain myself. You know, Lady Saxondale, the passionate devo- tion I have ever entertained for all those pursuits which are connected with the mysteries of my profession, and that amongst them, that of anatomical research has not been the least. For many years past, I have, however, practised this branch but little. Excuse me for touching upon such topics, but it is necessary. The other night a dead body was brought to my house, for occasionally I do return to that pursuit which was once the most favourite of all. Well, then, Lady Saxondale, a body was brought to my house. It was the corpse of a female, an elderly one, and the mo- ment I beheld it, I was smitten with a suspicion that the deceased had not come fairly by her death. It bore the external evidences of poison, but not of any common poison, —a poison of a very subtle and peculiar nature, the evi- dences of which could only be known to the experienced eye. And my suspicion proved correct, for anatomical research showed me that this woman had died by that very poison which I myself had succeeded in eliminating some weeks back, and which I showed to you on the night you visited me at my house.”’ Lady Saxondale had listened in speechless consternation to the physician’s words, but it was with a consternation that was felt inwardly rather than shown outwardly, so that he himself observed not the full effects of what he had said. ‘“‘ Well,” he resumed, ‘“‘ you may suppose, Lady Saxon- (E(0) Gomichbooks