The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 221: what you’re looking at

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

204 | REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘To-morrow,’ resumed Lady Saxondale, — “ yes, to- morrow, I say, for delay is dangerous, and you know not how soon after | am gone the drop of poison. may be poured into your coffee or your wine, or how, when you are sleeping, the phial of venom may be placed to your lips — ”’ ‘“ Horror!’”’ groaned the miserable young man, whose feelings were worked up to Just the very pitch which Lady Saxondale desired. | ‘Yes, to-morrow, I say,’ she continued, ‘“‘ when I have taken my departure, you and Adelaide can walk out together. She will be all endearing blandishments, you must be all apparent confidence; and you will chuckle and rejoice and laugh together, at having got rid of me. You will lead Adelaide along the bank of the river; there is a beaten path- way, and it is pleasant walking there on these fine frosty davs. When at a sufficient distance from the castle, and beyond the bridge, — where the water runs so deep, the stream is so wide, and the banks are so high, — you will sweep your eyes around to assure yourself that no observer is near, and you will suddenly thrust her into the river. Need I say any more? Her cries will echo around; you may raise shouts of seeming horror and vociterate for help. If those shouts are heard, so much the better; the more effective gloss will be thrown over the deed. In any case, when you see that she has sunk the third time, — remember, Edmund, the third time; — you may rush away, you may hasten back with all the appearance of frenzy and frantic erief to the castle, vou may proclaim that a terrible accident has deprived you of your beloved wife. Now, have you the courage of a man— Yes, you must have when you think of all your wrongs. And I warn you to be deluded not by her blandishments. The more endearing they may become, rest assured the nearer is the hour when the fatal poison is to be administered. It is for you to anticipate it; it is for you to save yourself by making away with her — ay, and avenge yourself at the same time. Will you do it?” “T will, mother!’ and Lady Saxondale saw that Edmund was resolved. ‘But, in the meanwhile, everything depends upon the demeanour you assume. Remember, she is keen and pene- trating; a word or a look will betray you, and if so, your life, even before my departure, is not worth a single hour’s CONNIE OO KS (E(0)