The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

186 REYNOLDS’ WORKS as a secure prison until.the morning. But in order to make sure, he took a light in his hand, and was about to investi- gate the chapel more narrowly, when Lady Saxondale, as if divining his intention, said, “ You are perfectly wel- come to leave him here if you choose. The door has strong bolts and bars, the windows of the chapel and the cloister have iron gratings, and there is no possible means of egress.” ‘“‘ Besides,” added the constable, “I will myself keep watch upon him throughout the night, and I shall take the liberty of asking one of your ladyship’s servants to go over to Gainsborough early in the morning, and bring half a dozen of my men, so that we will take good care to keep him secure. I thank your ladyship for your offer, which I therefore accept.” Lady Saxondale darted, unperceived by any one else, a quick glance of intelligence upon the Cannibal, who fully comprehended that she had some friendly purpose in view in thus interfering to procure his stay there. He wore an appearance of gloomy and savage sullenness, but yet hope was in the ruffian’s breast, for he knew that her ladyship was too astute and clever to be easily baffled in any project on which she had set her mind, and that she would devise some plan of outwitting the vigilance of the chief constable. This official now requested those present to withdraw, he himself issuing forth from the chapel last of all. As her ladvship had observed, the door had massive bars and bolts, and these were all secured. ‘There was, moreover, a key fastening a padlock. This key the head constable secured about his own person. He then inquired if there were any pistols in the castle. The steward at once volunteered the loan of a pair which he had recently purchased, and these were placed in the constable’s possession. A sofa-was brought out into the passage from one of the tapestry-rooms, and was stationed against the chapel door. A lamp was placed in a window recess, and Lady Saxondale gave instructions that food and wine should be supplied for the constable’s use. These arrangements being completed, and it being now late, her ladyship directed the domestics to seek their respective chambers, at the same time observing that none of them need labour under any apprehension of being dis- turbed in the night, as it was evident the prisoner was too COMIC IOOMKS (E(@)