The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 164: what you’re looking at

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

THE PURSUER AND THE FUGITIVES 147 off to William Deveril or Lord Harold, and perhaps a dozen others, for anything I know.”’ Lady Saxondale’s countenance became scarlet, and her lips moved as if she were about to give vent to some strong ejaculation; but catching back, as it were, the word ere uttered, and at the same time exerting the strongest power of control over her feelings, she said, “ I have but a very few words to say: you will both do well to listen, and per- haps the communication I purpose to make will convince you that I am not to be insulted with impunity. Now let us bandy not these idle taunts. I can assure you that the syllables I am about to utter are fraught with more im- portance than you may possibly imagine.”’ “We are all attention,’’ said Adelaide, glancing with rapid sienificancy at Edmund, as much as to make him understand that it were better to allow his mother to have her say. ‘““ Yes,’ continued Lady Saxondale, “‘ matters have come to such a point that I am resolved to bring them to a settle- ment in one way or another, without an hour’s delay. You two, no doubt, hug the belief that in a short time — in less than a year and a half from the present date — I shall sud- denly become altogether powerless; that I shall sink into a mere cipher, and ye will be dominant. Now, that is a position which I am not at all prepared to accept; and sooner than look forward to such ignominy, I would bring the whole fabric of grandeur, wealth, and titles crashing and crumbling in ruins upon the heads of us all.’’ Kdmund gave a supercilious toss of his head, but Adelaide, laying her hand on his knee, said, ‘‘ Hush!” for she saw plainly enough that Lady Saxondale was speaking with too solemn a seriousness, and likewise with too much cold desperation in her resolve, not to have the inward con- sciousness of being enabled to perform that which she threat- ened. Lord Saxondale accordingly held his peace, and his mother went on in the following manner: ‘““There is a secret which my soul has hitherto treasured up as a criminal would hold fast the tale of his guilt. Itisa secret which — ’’ At this moment the sounds of numerous voices talking beneath the windows reached the ears of the three persons in the apartment where this scene was taking place; and so loud, with so much apparent excitement, too, were CORVICLOOQC) CS (©)