The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

THE INQUEST 227 self in the mirror, he recoiled with dismay and affright, so changed had he become. When his valet entered to assist in the morning toilet, the man could not prevent himself from showing how much he was shocked at his master’s appearance, but still he suspected not that it was guilty horror, instead of the immensity of woe, which had thus Stamped its terrific traces on Hdmund’s countenance. On descending to the breakfast-parlour, he found his mother already there, and the instant they were alone, Lady Saxon- dale said, ‘‘ You have passed a bad night, Kdmund.”’ ‘Mother,’ he answered, “a few more such nights as these will either send me to a madhouse or else hurry me to the grave. Ah, I can understand how it is that people’s hair has turned white in asingle night, — a statement at which I have often been wont to-laugh.’’ “ Hdmund, I will not reproach you,” answered Lady Sax- ondale, ‘‘ I will not tell you that this is an unmanly cowardice, but I will conjure you to exercise greater control over your feelings. You must do it. At present, those about us give you credit for a natural grief; but grief, the sincerest and the severest, becomes toned down, and if you assume not such a demeanour, suspicions will arise. Bear this in your mind, and let it serve to arm you with courage.”’ “Tt must, it must,” murmured Edmund. “ Yes, I see that you are right.” Several days passed, and it appeared as if the counsel given by Lady Saxondale was not entirely thrown away upon Edmund. But then he had discovered the means of defying the horrors of the night, or, rather, of rendering himself unconscious of them. He drank deeply. Lady Sax- ondale saw it, permitted it, even encouraged it; and when, more than half-intoxicated, he went to his bed at night, she attended him to the door of his chamber, whispering to the valet “ that grief had made sad havoc with his unfortunate master.”’ We should observe that before the lid of the coffin con- taining Adelaide’s remains was screwed down, Lady Sax- ondale and Edmund proceeded together to the chamber where the corpse lay, ostensibly for the purpose of bestowing a last look on those remains. But this was a piece of mockery in perfect keeping with all the other horrible proceedings that were known only unto their own hearts. When alone CONNIE DOOKS (FO)