The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

256 REYNOLDS’ WORKS while the Marquis of Eagledean and William Deveril, exchang- ing rapid glances of wonderment and suspense, hastened to follow her. ‘They both felt that they were upon the threshold of the knowledge of some grand and important secret, but neither of them could form the slightest conjecture what it might be. Still under the influence of a strange and wild excitement, Angela tripped up the stairs, and conducted Wilham and the marquis into the invalid’s chamber. Madge Somers was now propped up with several pillows, and there was a faint hectic tinge of excitement upon the haggard, hollow cheeks, or, rather, upon the sallow skin where the cheek-bones were prominent. Her eyes lighted up with an expression of joyous satisfaction as she encountered the looks of Wilham Deveril, whom she beckoned to approach close to the couch. “Now,” said Angela, her voice losing somewhat of its ex- citement in the gentle kindness with which she habitually spoke to the invalid, “‘ repeat those words which you ere now breathed twice in my ears.”’ ‘“T will,’’ responded the woman, in a faint, feeble, and almost dying tone, but still one that was clearly audible, as well as unmistakable in the syllables to which it gave ut- terance. Then, fixing her eyes steadfastly upon our young hero, she said, ‘‘ Prepare yourself to hear that solemn truth which I am about to proclaim, and which I see that Miss Dev- ert! has not ventured to communicate. Prepare yoursell, I say, for it is a truth that will startle you with the wildest amazement. You are not the brother of this amiable and excellent young lady, you are not the child of the poor wan- dering players, — you are the son of Lady Saxondale! ”’ (E(0) CONnNIEDOOKS