The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 307: what you’re looking at

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

290 REYNOLDS’ WORKS Juliana,’ he added, tenderly, “‘ I ought to say of our estate.”’ Then having made a gesture to the wretched object, as if to imply that he would come to his succour, the count gave the reins to his wife, requesting her to drive slowly on, and he leaped down from the vehicle. This little incident occurred on the outskirt of the village, and was unnoticed by any of the inhabitants. Juliana drove on in a leisurely manner, as she had been directed, and without thinking very much of the occurrence. In a few minutes she was rejoined by her husband, who, taking the reins from her hands, drove homeward. While proceeding thither he gave her to understand that the un- fortunate labourer had wounded a soldier in a disturbance, and had been compelled to fly the country, adding that as he (the count) happened to have but a mere trifle of money about him at the time, he had bidden the poor man await him in the village, whither he purposed to return and give him more substantial assistance. Accordingly, on reaching the house, the count went to the strong-box, and having taken thence what he wanted, hastened back to the village. A month passed after this incident, and one day, on a tradesman presenting the amount of his bill, the Count de Toledo bade him return in a fortnight, at which time he would be in receipt of ample funds. The man was perfectly satished with the assurance, and went away. But Juliana was astonished that her husband should have thus put him off, as she imagined that there must be a considerable remnant of the large sum which he had brought back on his second visit to his Spanish domain. The count assured her that somehow or another the money had melted away, adding, with a laugh, that he must make another journey across the Pyrenean boundary. As he treated the matter thus lightly, the countess thought but little more of it, save and except so far as it regarded the necessity for this third separation. The count however assured her that he incurred little or no risk, and after affectionately embracing her, he mounted his horse and took his departure. In the evening of that very same day, Juliana was in- formed by her maid that a person was inquiring for the count, and would not be satisfied with the assurance of his lordship’s absence unless he saw the countess herself. She, fancying that it might be some particular business which had brought COMNIE DOOKS (E(0)