The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 165: what you’re looking at

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

148 REYNOLDS’ WORKS those voices discoursing, that Edmund started up, exclaim- ing, “ What is that? ”’ Going to the window, he looked forth, and beheld a number of the servants, male and female, gathered beneath the case- ment; and in the midst of them was a man in the dress of a peasant, displaying some kind of garment which he held up, so that it floated out at full length. ‘What on earth can this mean?” ejaculated Edmund, who, in his silly curiosity, had for the moment lost sight of _the very grave and serious manner in which his mother had just been speaking. ‘“ Return to your seat, dear Edmund,” said Adelaide; “never mind what is taking place elsewhere.’’ ‘“ But here is something very odd going on,” he exclaimed. ‘The servants all gathered together —a labouring man amongst them — What the deuce is it? He is holding up a woman’s gown, I declare. Ah, whatisit they say? ‘ Found in the river?’ ”’ Lady Saxondale now hurried to the window, as if she had more curiosity than her daughter-in-law Adelaide, who only proceeded thither more leisurely, doubtless thinking that whatsoever might be going on was of very trivial importance indeed. Lady Saxondale had scarcely flung forth a glance from that casement, when she turned abruptly around, saying, “Something extraordinary has occurred. I must see what it IS3e | “And I will go, too,’ cried Edmund, following close behind Lady Saxondale as she hurried forth from the room. Adelaide remained behind, ashamed at the idea of dis- playing what she conceived to be a childish curiosity, and wondering that Lady Saxondale could possibly do so. Her ladyship was hurrying, indeed rushing most swiftly down the stairs, when she caught the sounds of Edmund’s foot- steps behind her. All in an instant she stopped short, and seizing the young nobleman by the arm with a convulsive violence of touch, she looked at him with a deadly pallor of countenance, and said, in a low, hoarse whisper, “‘ Edmund, if you recognize anything, I charge you to remain silent. Speak not a word, betray not the fact by a look, treat it with seeming indifference, and I swear to you that, as a recompense, I will do all that you wish, — all that you ask. I will attempt to coerce you no more.” CONNIE DOO KS m