The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 32: what you’re looking at

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

‘THE LONELY INN 15 She had already received experience to the effect that the roads were bad, and the posting arrangements for travelling wretchedly incomplete in Spain. Might it not therefore be, after all, that the highway did really run in the form of a narrow road through this forest, and that previous travellers on this particular day had exhausted the relays of cattle? She had noticed that the stable was a spacious one, and such as might be expected to belong to a posting-house; she had likewise observed that the mules recently unharnessed from the chaise in which she travelled were the only cattle at pres- ent in that stable. Then, too, she argued that the muleteers might not choose to carry their beasts another stage until the morning, or else that the arrival of fresh animals, which might be expected in the night, must be awaited in order to furnish a relay. Such were the conjectures by means of which Kate endeavoured to reassure herself, and then she again thought of the people of the house. It was true that the master and the mistress were of no very prepossessing countenances, but it did not follow that they should be criminal on that account. The woman was evidently a drunkard, but it was not to be thence inferred that she was anything worse. lbesides, there was something interesting about the servant-girl. It was scarcely possible for any crime to be committed beneath that roof without this girl’s knowledge, and Kate Marshall did not think so ill of human nature as to suppose that one of her years and appearance was an habitual accomplice in deeds of turpitude. These were the reflections which her natural courage and intelligence suggested, but still they were not potent enough to reason away the dark suspicions and gloomy apprehensions which had forced themselves upon her mind. What, how- ever, was she to do? To ensure her safety by flight was out of the question. She could not quit the hostelry unper- ceived, and if she were indeed in a nest of robbers and murderers — she shuddered at the idea — they would not hesitate to pounce upon her and consummate their purposed criminality at once 1f she were to make an attempt at escape. | It was therefore absolutely necessary to remain and risk whatsoever perils might menace her. As for putting off her apparel and retiring to rest, — as she had at first intended when ordering her box to be brought into the hostelry, — it was out of the question. She felt that if she went to bed she eomicbooks (C(O)