The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 285: what you’re looking at

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

268 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ‘True,’ observed Lady Saxondale, ‘ it will be serious for you. You had better leave London at once — ”’ “To-night I can do nothing,’ answered Harold, with a sort of dogged determination. ‘‘I am tired to death, and unfit for any energetic proceeding. Besides, Harriet, I am not going to separate again from you. Our destinies are linked — ”’ “ But I cannot harbour you here, Harold,” interrupted her ladyship. ‘‘ It isimpossible. The servants will know it — Edmund will know it —”’ ‘They already more than suspect that you and I are not very great strangers to each other,’ interrupted Harold. “You would not have me go wandering forth to-night. Look at this costume, this glazed hat, this great rough coat. Do I not seem like a ruffan? How can I present myself at any hotel to ask for a bed? I may be arrested in the streets. Who knows what hue and cry may be already raised after me? ”’ There was a mingling of entreaty and dogged determina- tion in Staunton’s looks and accents as he thus spoke in a hurried manner. Lady Saxondale saw that it would be dangerous to provoke a quarrel with him, and she herself was getting so desperately reckless as to her own reputation that she came to the conclusion it would be better to let him have his own way. ‘* Well,’ she accordingly said, ‘‘ I must secrete you in the - house as cautiously as I can. Fortunately I have dismissed my maid for the night. To-morrow we shall doubtless learn from some source or another the extent of the exposure which has taken place, and of the peril which menaces you. Then our measures can be taken. Perhaps the vortex of ruin— But no matter, itis too late to retrograde a single step. Come.”’ They issued forth together from the parlour, and Lady Saxondale, opening and closing the front door, said, in a loud voice, ‘‘ Good night, Lord Harold,’? which words were ut- tered in order to deceive any of the domestics who might possibly be listening to what was going on. Staunton did not, however, leave the house, but with the utmost caution he followed Lady Saxondale up to her own chamber, and in the embraces of illicit passion they both forgot for awhile the perils which, jointly or separately, they CONNIE DOOKS (E(0)