The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASQUERADE DRESS 153 ) “T was about to tell your ladyship,” said this labouring man, ‘‘ what my opinion is. It was at the cottage where I live with my mother and sister that those two unfortunate women stopped for a little while that night when they were murdered, — ”’ Here Adelaide could scarcely repress a sudden start, for all that had hitherto struck her as extraordinary in Lady Saxon- dale’s behaviour in a moment associated itself with the tragedy thus revealed by the last few words the labouring man had spoken. From beneath her long lashes she darted a quick glance at her mother-in-law, and her power of pen- etration showed her at once that the cold outward com- posure which her ladyship wore was merely a mask conceal- ing poignant feelings of trouble and agitation that were working within. But Adelaide still remained silent, and in- stantaneously regaining complete command over herself, she continued to listen with merely an appearance of such curiosity as one might naturally feel under such circum- stances. | ‘And I noticed,” continued the peasant, “ that the one who seemed the servant-girl carried a large parcel done up in brown paper, and tied around with string. Now when the bodies were discovered murdered on the bank of the river, the parcel had disappeared, and this was proved on the inquest. I really do believe the dress that hes there was what the parcel contained. It seems that the servant’s mistress was a theatre dancer, or something of that sort, and so perhaps she was accustomed to wear this very identical dress. Depend upon it, my lady, that my opinion isn’t far wrong.”’ ‘““ Perhaps not,” said Lady Saxondale, with the appearance of her wonted calmness. ‘‘ But the incident is of no conse- quence now: it cannot assist in the discovery —’”’ _ But here she stopped short, and, stooping down, affected to examine the texture of the wet garment. ‘“‘ Please your ladyship, with due deference,” suggested the butler, ‘‘ I think this incident ought to be made known to a magistrate.”’ ‘““ And please your ladyship,” added the steward, “‘ such is my idea. The murder was as mysterious as it was horrible, and everything at all connected with it must of necessity be made public.” GOomiilGnaooks (FO)