The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 223: what you’re looking at

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

206 REYNOLDS’ WORKS of his waking thoughts followed him in his dreams, and once again did he fancy that he was writhing in the immense coils of a fearful serpent tightening around him. So powerful were his convulsive movements, his spasmodic throes, his heavings and tossings and strugglings in his sleep, that his wife was awakened by them; and when, believing him to be labouring under the influence of some terrible nightmare, she kissed him, — for it was her policy now to enchain him to her by the tenderest blandishments, — his fevered imagina- tion made him fancy that the reptile which encircled him was licking him with its forked tongue, to cover him with its loathsome saliva previous to the process of deglutition. He awoke with a strong start and a wild cry, but fortunately, ere his wildering senses became collected, he gave utterance to no word which betrayed what was uppermost in his mind. Adelaide therefore still retained the belief that he had been labouring under the influence of a nightmare, and when he composed himself to slumber again, it was far less dis- turbed. The morning came. Lady Saxondale, Edmund, and Adelaide met at the breakfast-table, and still was the first- mentioned of the three satisfied that the other two were in the same relative position as on the previous evening, namely, that Edmund had said nothing to excite Adelaide’s suspicions, and that she herself remained without the slight- est misgiving. The travelling-carriage was ordered to be ready for Lady Saxondale at ten o’clock, and the moment for departure arrived. ‘Tam about to leave you, according to my promise,”’ said her ladyship, addressing Edmund and Adelaide. ‘“‘ Fare- well.”’ She extended her hand to her daughter-in-law, who held it for an instant with a look of cold reserve. She then proffered it to Edmund, who pressed it far more warmly, as if in oratitude for the warning and the counsel she had given him on the preceding day, as well as a significant assurance that her advice should not be disregarded. She descended to the carriage, Edmund and Adelaide accompanying her to the threshold of the castle, for the sake of appearances. She found an opportunity to dart one rapid look of deep meaning upon Edmund, and stepped into the vehicle. | It rolled away, and Adelaide whispered to her husband, CONNIE OO KS (E(0)