The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

146 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘ moment she entered the room, and not a word was spoken by either one of the three. “JT have been seeking you both,” at length said Lady Saxondale, in a voice that was coldly calm and as severe as her looks, ‘‘ and it was only at an early hour this morning I learned that you had returned two days ago to the cas- tle.”’ “ Well, mother,’ ejaculated Edmund, with a tone and manner which under any other circumstances might be described as flippantly insolent, but which was really noth- ing more than what such a parent deserved, and indeed might expect on the part of such a son, “ what business is it of yours when we come or when we go? Now, I just tell you my mind. Your conduct toward me has been shameful, and if I were to lock you up for the next six months on bread and water, in one of the tapestry chambers, or even in the chapel itself, I should be only serving you right. However, you had better take care what tricks you play me in future, for I vow and protest that I will pay you off in a coin you won’t like.”’ “Cease this impertinence,’”’ said Lady Saxondale, in a peremptory tone. “ But you, madam,” exclaimed Adelaide, now firing up, “must fully comprehend that you are not permitted to give yourself these airs in our presence.”’ “And you, madam, understand,”’ returned Lady Saxon- dale, drawing herself up with the haughtiest dignity, “ that you are both of you only in this castle by sufferance, that for the present it is mine, or at least under my control, and that the domestics will obey whatsoever order I choose to give them.” ‘There may be two words to that,’ exclaimed Edmund. ‘Tf you like to try it on, mother, we will just ring the bell, and when I order the first footman who comes to turn you out, we will see whether I am obeyed or not.”’ ‘I was fully prepared for some such insolence as this from you, young viper that you are!’ exclaimed Lady Saxondale, for an instant losing the command of her temper. ‘“ Viper, eh?’ echoed Edmund. ‘“ If you want to see who can best call each other hard names, I don’t mind giving you a specimen of my ability, by telling you that you are nothing better than a demirep, and you might as well take yourself (E(0) m CONNIE OO KS