The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 346: what you’re looking at

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

THE BANDITTYS TOWER 329 -ing me; and if the gendarmes had only done their work a little more cleverly and without so much noise, I should at this moment be in a French gaol instead of in my own tower. However, the necessity that was felt to have such a posse of officers to effect the capture was the highest com- pliment that could be paid to your renowned husband, Don Ramon de Collantes. Now, I think all explanations have been given, and you have nothing to do, Juliana, but to resign yourself to your new mode of life.’’ “Ramon,” said the lady, falling upon her knees at her bandit-husband’s feet, “I beseech you to let me depart hence. You say that you love me — ”’ “Yes, Juliana, and too well to lose you,” interrupted Collantes, forcing her to rise from her supplant posture. “Tt is useless to bandy further words on a point respecting which I am fully decided. You cannot go hence; it is impos- sible.’’ ‘‘ At least suffer me to write to my sister,’’ exclaimed the wretched Juliana. “No good purpose, my dear wife,’ responded the bandit, ‘can possibly be answered thereby. Doubtless the Marquis and Marchioness of Villebelle will read in the newspaper that the celebrated Ramon de Collantes had for some time past been living under a disguised name in a French village of the Eastern Pyrenees, and that when the gendarmes went to capture him he effected his escape in a characteristic manner. The same journalists will not fail to record how his wife played the heroine in the most admirable manner, and thus the Marquis and Marchioness of Villebelle are sure to hear all that has taken place. There is no necessity to write and tell them exactly where you are; and moreover, for certain obvious reasons, it might be inconvenient.”’ At this moment one of the females entered the apartment to inform Ramon de Collantes that he was wanted below. She then retired, and the bandit-captain said to Juliana, “Do your best to keep up your spirits and make yourself comiortable. I will presently despatch one of the women to Barcelona, and she shall purchase you all kinds of neces- saries that you may require. You can give her a list, and we will also do something to render the rooms more suitable for your accommodation. The amount of freedom you will enjoy depends entirely on your conduct toward me, but I CONNTICOOOKS (C(O)