The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

20 REYNOLDS’ WORKS tighten spasmodically on her own hands, as if under the influence of intense and awful horror. They listened, we say, with suspended breath. Miss Marshall felt her bosom upheaved, as it were, with that terrible state of mind, — upheaved, and remaining so, for a fearful consternation was upon her. Paquetta drew closer to her, now clinging to her as if conscious that something dreadful was occurring or about to take place. And there in the darkness were they enshrouded, — in the black darkness which the shade of the trees produced, shutting out whatsoever glimmering light there might be of moon or stars on the face of heaven. And that darkness appeared to be of even Egyptian depth, a darkness that might be felt; for it was associated with the idea that some crime of congenial blackness was about to be consummated. | And now a door was heard to creak on its hinges on the landing below; all was still again for a few instants, and then followed stifling, suffocating sounds, accompanied by strugglings, as of two human beings together, one endeav- ouring to smother out the life from the other. And there- with was blended the noise of a bed agitating and creaking and swaying to and fro, beneath the weight of the strugglers; and this lasted for more than a minute, during which Pa- quetta clung with the tenacity of horror and affright to Kate Marshall, thus clinging with her left arm, while her right hand was placed upon Kate’s mouth, — a dread and signifi- cant intimation that no word nor cry must go forth thence. But from the girl’s dreadful condition of mind altogether, Kate could not help fancying, even amidst her own horrible thoughts, that something was taking place different from what her companion had at first apprehended, and of a na- ture which, though fully sustaining the tenseness of her feelings, had nevertheless turned them all into another channel. Those sounds had ceased; stillness prevailed again for a few moments, and then a sudden ejaculation of horror rang through the house. But at the very same moment, the rapid trampling of horses reached the ears of the appalled and dismayed Paquetta and Kate. Those steeds galloped up to the front of the tavern, and then the Spanish girl, with an exclamation of joy, sprang to the window, threw it open, and looking forth, cried out something, which, by its rend- CONNIE NOOO KS (E(0)