The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

262 REYNOLDS’ WORKS men to depart? You will not, by invoking the aid of the law, create an inevitable exposure of all that has occurred ?”’ ‘“T will suffer them to depart,’ answered Lord Eagledean. “Think you, Wiliam, that I would do aught inimical to your wishes? No, not for worlds.’’ “ And you will likewise, my generous friend,’’ said our hero, ‘keep the secret — ”’ “From everybody!” responded the marquis, emphatic- ally. ‘‘ Yes, I will do so, because there is in my mind the deeply seated conviction that Heaven itself, in spite of your own noble forbearance, will sooner or later bring all these mysterious transactions to hght, and I shall yet have to welcome you as Lord Saxondale in the presence of the world.” William shook his head slowly and solemnly, in deprecation of this prophecy, and he followed the marquis from the room. On reéntering the opposite apartment, all eyes were at once turned upon them both, but Lord Eagledean hastened to observe that it was only in connection with the critical posi- tion of the invalid woman they had been summoned forth by Angela, adding that the poor creature was much better and past all danger. ‘“T have now to decide,’ he went on to observe, “‘ upon the measures which are to be adopted in respect to you two,” fixing his eyes upon the prisoners. ‘“‘ First, in regard to you,”’ he said, now addressing himself specially to Spider Bill, “ you are at liberty to depart hence. Should you encounter your accomplice who ere now saved himself by a precipitous flight, or that traitorous gardener who has been playing the part of a vile spy, you may tell them both that for certain reasons a merciful course has been resolved upon, and that they have nothing to fear, but that it will be well for them to forbear from lightly mentioning the name of Lord Harold Staunton, their employer in the misdeed. Go — begone! ”’ The reader need scarcely be informed that Spider Bull lost not a moment in availing himself of the permission thus accorded, and muttering a few words of thanks, he precipi- tately left the house. ‘With regard to you, infamous villain that you are, most unscrupulous, daring, and iniquitous of evil-doers,’’ continued the marquis, now addressing himself to the Canni- bal, “if you had your merits, the transition would be from ) CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)