The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

THE VILLA 243 told you that he has for some weeks past come much oftener than he was bound to do according to the terms of our con- tract for keeping the garden in order, — much oftener, too, than the garden itself requires at this season of the year. He has lingered and loitered about at times in a manner -that struck me to be strange; and with an air of good- humoured familiarity. he has frequently endeavoured to get me into conversation when I have been going out, as if he sought to learn whither I was proceeding and how long I should be absent. Just now his manner struck me as more than usually peculiar. In a word, I believe him to be a spy — SBut fear not, Angela. Whoever our enemies may be, we will outwit them, and whatsoever may be their design, we will frustrate it.” “Do not think, William, that my fortitude will fail,”’ responded his sister. ‘“ It is for you to adopt the course that you may think fit. J will remain here tranquilly until your return.” “You would do well, dearest Angela, not to breathe a word to the maid serv he that anything unusual has oe- curred. Go about your avocations with the same demeanour as heretofore. On the part of neither of us must the least evidence be shown that we suspect anything, so that the geardener, if he be really a spy, may go and inform his em- ployers that this morning’s letter has thrown us completely off our guard.”’ Angela promised compliance with her brother’s instruc- tions, and he then departed. Proceeding at once to the railway station, he took the first train to Edenbridge, reach- ing the Park soon after midday. The marquis at once pro- nounced the letter to be a forgery, thus confirming Deveril’s preconceived suspicion. “ But who can have done this?” asked our young hero. “Who can my enemies be, and what object can they have in view? ”’ “These are questions,’ replied the Marquis of Eagledean, gravely, and after nearly a minute’s consideration, ‘“‘ which naturally lead us to retrospect over past occurrences, and bring events to our minds, showing us who have acted in a hostile spirit on former occasions. Alas, I fear that my graceless nephew Harold has not abandoned the career of wickedness, for I have recently received letters from Stock- COMM|Ee DOOKS (EO)