The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 217: what you’re looking at

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

200 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘“ True,” ejaculated Edmund, full of excitement. ‘ But how know you all this? ”’ “What matter how it came to my knowledge?” de- manded his mother. “ You perceive that what I tell you is the truth. Nay, more, to speak candidly, I intercepted a letter from the count to Adelaide — ‘“ Show it me!”’ cried Edmund, vetionnen tie and still was he quivering with the excitement of his jealous feelings. “Nay, I have it not,” responded her ladyship. ‘I re- sealed it, and suffered it to reach Adelaide's hands. It suited my purpose to do this.”’ “ But what said the note? ” inquired Edmund. “It was such as a paramour would write to his mistress; it was couched in the most endearing terms. It left no doubt in my mind as to Adelaide’s guilt in many respects, — guilt as to the murder of her first husband, guilt as to her inter- course with St. Gerard, guilt as to her utter selfishness in inveigling you into a marriage, and guilt as to her intentions toward you.” ‘““ And those intentions? ’”? demanded the young nobleman, trembling more than he had ever heretofore done. Lady Saxondale bent upon him a fearfully ominous look, and in a low but impressive manner replied, ‘‘ Her intentions are to treat you as she treated her first husband — to take you off by poison.”’ “My God!” muttered Edmund, staggering back, with indescribable horror upon his ghastly pale countenance. “Yes, and the vile woman,” continued Lady Saxondale, inwardly chuckling as she saw how effectively her words struck the unfortunate Edmund blow upon blow, ‘“‘ the vile woman has all along laughed at you. She has ridiculed, she has mocked you, she despises and hates you. Her para- mour’s letter to her proved this much.” ‘But wherefore did she not marry the Count de St. Gerard? ’? demanded Edmund, quickly. ‘““ Because he was not rich enough to support her in the extravagant style in which she is accustomed to live. She married you in order to obtain an income settled upon her- self, and this she has got. Now, her purpose being fully served, she will make away with you, Edmund, that she may in due course become the wife of him whom she has all along loved.” eonniclbools (E(0)