The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

240 REYNOLDS’ WORKS epistolary correspondence between them. William Deveril still continued to call regularly upon his charming and well- beloved Florina in Cavendish Square; and thus stood matters at the time when Lord Harold Staunton encountered Chiffin, as described in the preceding chapter. It was in the morning of the second day after this en- counter that a letter bearing the Edenbridge postmark was delivered at the villa. It was addressed to William Deveril, and its contents were found to be as follows: ‘“ EDENBRIDGE Park, December 22, 1844. “My pEAR DrverIu: — Something has transpired which renders 1t necessary that I should see you to-morrow evening (the 23d) at the Park. You had better leave London so as to be with us at the dinner-hour. Of course you will stay the night; but 1f you be anxious to return home soon, I will let you depart on the following day. Do not alarm yourself unnecessarily as to the nature of the business to which I have so distantly alluded, for though of importance, and requiring prompt attention, it need nevertheless excite no apprehension. ‘We all join in kindest regards to your amiable sister and yourself, and believe me to remain, ‘Your sincere friend, ‘“ HAGLEDBEAN,”’ This letter was received at the villa while the brother and sister were seated at the breakfast-table. William had at once exclaimed that it was from the Marquis of Eagledean, —not merely because he perceived the Edenbridge post- mark, but likewise because he fancied that it was his lord- ship’s handwriting. But as he read the letter, his counte- nance gradually expressed a look of suspicion and mistrust, so that Angela observed him with an increasing degree of anxiety. ‘““T hope, dear brother, there is nothing wrong?’’ she said. ‘Read for yourself, Angela,” he answered, giving her the letter. ‘‘ And now what do you think?” he inquired, when she had perused it. ‘There certainly appears something strange in the word- ing of the contents,” replied Angela, also mystified and (E(@) m CONNIE NCO KS