The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 31: what you’re looking at

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

14 REYNOLDS’ WORKS been more inviting. She however took something on her plate, so as not to give offence by altogether repudiating the fare, and when the supper was over, the mistress of the inn made her appearance. Her countenance was very much flushed, she had a strange, vacant look, and for the first few moments Kate could not comprehend what was the matter with her. She was not, however, long at a loss to discover the cause of the woman’s excitement, for the smell of her breath and her unsteady movements showed that she was considerably under the influence of liquor. Disgusted be- yond expression, Miss Marshall recoiled from the woman’s approach, but the latter was too far inebriated to notice the sentiment of loathing which her presence thus inspired. Taking up the candle, she beckoned Kate to follow her, but as Miss Marshall hesitated, not exactly understanding what this new proceeding meant, the woman made signs to show that she purposed to conduct her to a bedchamber. Kate was now more than ever a pr2y to unpleasant mis- sivings when she found it was intended that she should pass the night at that lonely inn in the depth of a forest. She issued trom the room, and repairing to the place which had already been pointed out to her as the stable, found the muleteers attending to their animals by the light of a lantern suspended to the roof. She pointed to the mules, and then tothe chaise which remained standing in front of the hostelry, but the drivers gave her to understand, as well as they were able, that it was their intention to pass the night at the inn. She assumed a peremptory air, again indicating the animals and the vehicle, and making every possible sign to show her anxiety to proceed. The manner in which they shook their heads was that of dogged determination, and Kate, finding that it was useless to urge them further, beckoned them to bring her trunk from the chaise into the hostelry. This was at once done, and the inebriate landlady guided the fellow who bore the box up the narrow and dilapidated staircase. Kate followed, and in a few moments was left alone in a wretchedly furnished little bedroom. The candle, which the mistress of the tavern had placed upon the table, dimly lighted that gloomy-looking and poverty-stricken chamber. Kate sat down, and abandoned herself to her reflections. Her mind was still full of misgivings, but with her natural courage, she endeavoured to reason herself out of them. COMMIELOOOL<S,E)