The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

THE MASQUERADE DRESS 159 man, unable to resist the opportunity of giving vent to that vindictive spitefulness which was natural to him, ‘“ and that is a name you have on more than one occasion flung at me. But, look you, mother, whatever I may be, I am not so bad —’’ ‘Silence, Edmund, for Heaven’s sake silence!” ejacu- lated her ladyship, her countenance once more becoming absolutely ghastly, and an expression of indescribable horror, mingled with anguish, sweeping over her features. ‘‘ I am in your power. Have mercy upon me. What more can I do than fulfil the promise I have already made you? ”’ ‘““ Well, keep to it, and I will say no more,” rejoined the young nobleman; but even as he gazed upon Lady Saxon- dale, he could not help feeling an ineffable aversion, a strong loathing, a deep sense of horror, at the thought of what she was, for as he himself had said, or had meant to say, he was not so bad as to be enabled to contemplate the darkest criminality unmoved or undismayed. “Edmund,” said Lady Saxondale, suddenly recollecting something, and recoiling in affright from the idea which thus struck her, ‘‘ have you ever mentioned to Adelaide anything about that dress? But, yes! I feel convinced you have — I am sure of it. From all she said when first I met her in London, she knew everything, — far, far too. much.” ‘‘ Of course,’’ responded the young nobleman, with a sort of brutal roughness, “‘I told Adelaide all I knew, and it was natural enough, as you have been at war with me for some time past.”’ | “Where is Adelaide? What can she be doing? Where- _fore does she not rejoin us?”’ exclaimed Lady Saxondale, sinking upon a seat, and feeling as if all the courage which had hitherto supported her must now give way. “Go, Kdmund, tell her to come hither at once — ”’ But at this moment the door opened, and Adelaide entered the room, — she having just come up from her conversation with Lucilla in the hall. The instant the handle of the door moved, Lady Saxondale with a mighty effort regained her ‘outward composure, for she knew not whether it might be one of the servants who was about to enter. But when Adelaide made her appearance, her ladyship’s eyes were quickly flung upon her countenance, as if to glean from thence how much her daughter-in-law knew, how much she CONnNIEDOOKS (EO)