The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 385: what you’re looking at

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

368 REYNOLDS’ WORKS information on the point to be enabled to use that dress as a means of extortion or coercion with regard to Lady Saxon- dale. And now, Hawkshaw, you can understand wherefore her ladyship had so deep an interest in clearing her path of the unfortunate ballet-dancer. I confess there have been times, ever since you mentioned the discovery of that mas- querade-dress some time back, — and which discovery proved that it was this particular costume which the women had — with them in the parcel on the evening of the murder, — there have been times, I say, when distant suspicions have flitted through my mind that Lady Saxondale might possibly have not been altogether a stranger to the foul assassination of those victims. but still there was no positive evidence to justify such a thought; and, at all events, I never for a moment fancied that my wretched nephew could have been implicated in the tragedy.’ I knew that he was stretched upon his bed at the time, and never for an instant did it occur to me that his indisposition was feigned for the purpose of enabling him to commit, with all the greater ease and security, so execrable a crime. However, it is, alas, but too apparent now that such has been the real truth, and I am well-nigh broken-hearted at the thought.’ ‘Your lordship indeed requires all your fortitude,” said Hawkshaw, profoundly moved by the spectacle of his noble friend’s affliction. ‘‘ Ah, I do indeed comprehend, from all that you have just said, how it was that Lady Saxondale might have had the strongest possible motives for the perpetration, or, rather, the instigation, of so foul a deed. But what, my lord, is to be done? As yet no exposure has taken place. The incidents which I have been relating to you are known only to Denison and myself. Rest assured that our friendship toward yourself and all connected with you shall override every other consideration, if you so will it. Should you decide upon maintaining silence in respect to this dreadful discovery, for the sake of the amiable Florina and the kind-hearted Lady Macdonald, you have but to say the word. It will be easy for me to return into Lincolnshire and say something to those labouring men which will give them to understand that the clue which I at one moment fancied to be obtained has not turned out to be the right one.”’ ‘ Hawkshaw, whatever may occur,’ responded the ) CONNIE OO KS (E(@) ny