The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

160 REYNOLDS’ WORKS suspected, and how she intended to bear herself in the matter. Adelaide closed the door, and advancing straight up to Lady Saxondale, said, in a voice of firm severity, “Now will you have the kindness to take up the thread of the discourse where it was just now interrupted? ” “It 1s unnecessary,” answered Lady Saxondale. “Unnecessary? ’”’ ejaculated Adelaide, a smile of scorn- ful triumph for a moment appearing upon her lips. ‘‘ Why has it become unnecessary? On the contrary, it is more necessary than ever that you should reveal that secret to which you so solemnly and seriously alluded, inasmuch as, under existing circumstances, it behoves us all to be made aware of the position in which we stand with regard to one another.”’ “It is needless, I repeat,’ rejoined Lady Saxondale. ‘Ask Edmund. He will tell you that he is satisfied with the arrangements entered into between us.’’ ‘“Madam,’’ resumed Adelaide, fixing a determined look upon Lady Saxondale, “ your son cannot trust you, nor can I, as his wife, trust you. You spoke of a secret the revelation of which might, if you chose, in a moment bring down the whole fabric of wealth, titles, and honours crashing and tumbling about our ears.’’ ‘Tt was a menace, and I recall 1t,”’ said Lady Saxondale, quivering from head to foot. Then, in a sort of desperation, she exclaimed, ‘‘l am beaten, Adelaide, I renounce the warfare. Henceforth I leave you both unmolested — I will 90 hence. What more can you demand? ”’ “We demand nothing more; it is precisely what we want. But,’ continued Adelaide, ‘‘ we have no guarantee that your present demeanour is not assumed for the purpose. of throwing us off our guard, the better to carry out fresh perfidies. Now, look you, Lady Saxondale! Between you and me it is diamond cut diamond; and for the interests of your son, which are identical with mine own, we must come to a thorough understanding. Have you forgotten all the revelations which Lord Harold Staunton so un- consciously made to me on that evening when in the dusk of the apartment at Saxondale House he mistook me for yourself? ”’ “T have forgotten nothing, Adelaide,’ exclaimed Lady Saxondale, again quivering all over, ‘“‘ and there is no need CONNIE DOO KS (E(@) m