The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 374: what you’re looking at

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

LINKS IN THE CHAIN OF EVIDENCE 357. to the park; and I can fancy what their feelings were when they again looked upon those scenes of which they had thus obtained a glimpse in their childhood, and which must have been associated with such mysterious memories until the secret of their birth was cleared up. Amongst your letters is one from Lord Everton, — or Adolphus, as all his friends and relatives call him. It hkewise contains an invitation, and as you have decided on accepting the others, you cannot refuse this.”’ “Nor should I think of doing so,” answered Hawkshaw. ‘“ And now there remains one more couple for you to speak On.” “Mr. Deveril and Lady Florina,’’ observed Mr. Denison. “Tt 1s just the same story with regard to them as it was in respect to the others; and if I had said at once that all the four couples at whose weddings we were present enjoy an equal amount of felicity, I might have summed up these elaborate details in a very few words.”’ ‘“ Not too elaborate, my dear friend,” replied Hawkshaw, “inasmuch as they are so deeply interesting. I suppose Deveril and his wife have long ago entered upon possession of the estate which the Marquis of Kagledean, Count Christo- val, and Lord Everton jointly purchased for them? And that, I believe, is at no great distance from Edenbridge? ”’ “Not above a dozen miles,’ answered Denison, ‘‘ and it is a sweet spot. Deveril and his wife, the charming Florina, are so happy in their married state, and with their little girl, — a, lovelv child, by the bye, just four months old, — that, if there be a drawback, it 1s only on account of the life led by Florina’s brother, Lord Harold Staunton.” “ Ah,” ejaculated Hawkshaw, “I used to like that young nobleman at one time — I mean when he was staying down here at the castle, the year before last, and when he nearly eot killed by being thrown off my thoroughbred. But I am afraid he is a sad fellow.’’ “He is living almost openly with Lady Saxondale,”’ responded Denison. ‘‘ Nothing could be more shameless. Her ladyship seems not merely lost to all sense of decency, but to hold up her head higher in her profligacy and disgrace Laan she ever did when standing on the pinnacle of a stainless reputation. I understand that Lord Harold Staunton is constantly at Saxondale House, that he almost lives there CONNIEDOOKS (C(O)