The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 375: what you’re looking at

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

308 REYNOLDS’ WORKS entirely, and that, though he has a lodging somewhere in the neighbourhood, — decency’s last rag, as it may be called, — yet that he more frequently sleeps at Saxondale House than at his own abode. Conceive what an example for a son, to be the constant companion of his own mother’s acknowledged paramour! ”’ ‘It is shocking,’ observed Hawkshaw. Then, after a little hesitation, he inquired, “‘ Has anything more been heard of Juliana? ”’ ‘“ Ah! by the bye,’’ ejaculated Denison, ‘‘ I have not seen you since that dreadful exposure which was recently pub- lished in the English newspapers, translated from the French —I mean the startling discovery that Juliana’s husband, who passed as the Count of Toledo, was none other than a notorious Spanish bandit, Ramon de Collantes.”’ ‘“T also read that statement,’’ observed Hawkshaw, “‘ and I must say that I somewhat pitied the unfortunate young lady, notwithstanding her vile conduct toward me. Is it known what has become of her? ”’ ‘“T have not heard,”’ responded Mr. Denison. “‘ Heavens, what a family it is! The only one who has turned out well is Constance, the Marchioness of Villebelle; and it was altogether by flying in her mother’s face and bestowing her hand where her heart was already given, that she has thus prospered. Her very disobedience has therefore been the source of her good fortune, — which almost proves that to be undutiful to such a mother was to be on the safe side.”’ “ Did you hear anything, when in London, of Lord Saxon- dale himself? ”’ ‘Only that he has become so dissipated as to be well-nigh past redemption, even if he had any friend who would under- take the task of reforming him. He drinks deeply, and, it is belleved, never goes to bed sober. I do not suppose that his mother would care very much if he were to drink himself to death, as I fancy that in this case, if he should have attained his majority, the great bulk of the property, if not all, would still remain with her; but I do not exactly know how this is.” ‘It was a shocking occurrence — the death of his wife,” observed Mr. Hawkshaw. ‘‘ You remember that accident took me to the spot at the time of the dreadful tragedy, and the unfortunate young man was very much afflicted. CONNIE DOO KS (E(0)