The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

THE HEAD CONSTABLE tee a0 4 ‘My lady, rumour did at the time whisper that Lord Saxondale was somewhat intimately acquainted with Miss Archer, and therefore it is natural to understand how your ladyship may dislike having the topic brought to your attention.’ | ‘“ But if it be necessary for the purposes of justice,” was the response, given with a perfect maintenance of outward composure, ‘‘ you must not hesitate to speak, nor I to answer. You say that no clue has been obtained to the discovery.”’ ‘“ Not the slightest, my lady, and that is the reason I am anxious to glean as many particulars as I can, no matter how trivial they may be. If, therefore, I could learn for what purpose those unfortunate women came into Lincoln- shire at all, and also —”’ “T will tell you candidly,” interrupted Lady Saxondale, assuming the merit of a frankness which she felt convinced she might display with all possible safety. ‘‘ Yes, it is true that the unfortunate Miss Archer was my son’s mistress. There was a desperate quarrel between them in London. She felt aggrieved, she considered that she had claims upon him, she addressed herself to me. Indeed I saw her within these walls the very day before that on which she and her servant lost their lives. I could not then make up my mind what to do in the matter. I had guests staying in the castle, Lady Macdonald, Lady Florina Staunton, her brother, Lord Harold, while Mr. Hawkshaw and other neighbours were constant visitors. I was fearful that a character so well known by sight as a somewhat conspicuous dancer at the opera might be recognized by my guests or my visitors. Moreover, my son at the time was engaged to be married to Lady Florina Staunton, and it would have been shocking for that amiable and excellent girl to discover by any means that his lordship’s cast-off mistress— for this, in plain terms, she was — was applying to me for pecuniary redress.”’ ‘“ Naturally enough, my lady,’’ observed the head con- stable, gratified and proud at the mingled courtesy and frankness with which he felt himself to be treated. ‘You can appreciate, therefore, my motives,’’ continued her ladyship, “ when I begged Miss Archer to give me time to think over the matter, and not to seek my presence again save and except under circumstances of the strictest secrecy. CONnNICEOOOKS (C(O)