The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 282: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXII MOTHER AND SON LADY SAXONDALE knew that the scheme for the carrying off of Madge Somers was to be put into execution on the particular night the incidents of which we have been de- scribing; she also knew that Lord Harold Staunton purposed to accompany Chifhn the Cannibal in the hired van, in order to bear away the woman to some distant spot where she might be disposed of in a manner that would silence her for ever. Her ladyship did not, therefore, expect any communi- cation from Lord Harold during that night, nor perhaps for a day or two, until all should be over in respect to Madge Somers. His silence and his non-appearance would be to her a sufficient indication that the plot had thoroughly suc- ceeded, and that the woman who was so much dreaded by her need no longer be regarded as an object of terror. There- fore her ladyship had gone to rest at her usual hour, having seen Edmund reel off to his own room in a state of complete intoxication. But Lady Saxondale had not been half an hour in her own chamber, and her night toilet was scarcely completed, — indeed her maid was still combing out the masses of that luxuriant raven hair which neither time nor the influence of strong passions and the powerful workings of her mind had streaked with a single thread of silver, — when a loud knock and ring resounded through the dwelling. Her ladyship started up with dismay, for it instantaneously struck her that the plot had failed, and then there was a perfect gush of horrifying apprehensions through her tortured brain. But quickly recovering her presence of mind, when she saw that the maid was gazing upon her in a perfect consternation, she bade her hasten down-stairs and see who the visitor 265 CONnNIECDOOKS (C(O)