The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 52: what you’re looking at

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

ia THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR 30 eaze, which he riveted upon her. Then his eyes settled upon the paper, and having perused it, he made a sign for the secretary to retire. The command was obeyed, and Kate was now alone with the Minister of the Interior. “And you are Miss Marshall, I presume?” he said, speaking in very excellent English. ‘‘ Be seated,” and he indicated a chair close by his own, and nearly opposite, so that by turning slightly around he could still survey his fair applicant from head to foot as she tremblingly took that seat. ‘“‘ The Marquis of Villebelle,” he went on to observe, “has written very strongly on your behalf. Will you ex- plain the nature of the boon you seek at my hands? ”’ “Your Excellency may perhaps be aware,’’ responded Kate, speaking in tremulous accents, and still with looks bent down beneath the ardent gaze which was fixed upon her and filled her mind with a vague trouble, — “ your Excellency is perhaps aware that an English sailor named Edward Russell — ”’ “Enough, Miss Marshall!’”’ he gently interrupted. “ I am acquainted with all the incidents.” Then, pointing to the desk at which his secretary had been writing, he added, “Amongst those papers lie the documents connected with the case. I learn from his Excellency the Captain-General of Catalonia that by virtue of the authority invested in him he has temporarily suspended the execution of the sentence. Can you point out to me any substantial reasons wherefore a commutation of the sentence should be effected — or,”’ added the minister, more slowly, and as Kate thought, with a strange significancy of look, ‘‘ a pardon should be granted? But first of all I should perhaps inquire wherefore you your- self are so interested in this man? The Marquis of Villebelle merely represents you as being thus deeply interested, but leaves all explanations to be given by yourself.” ‘Edward Russell is my afhlanced husband,’ answered Kate, the colour now mantling vividly upon her cheeks, down which tears were at the same time trickling. ‘Ah, the romance of a love-affair!’’ ejaculated the minister, with a smile; and as Miss Marshall raised her eyes at the moment, she thought that smile was somewhat en- couraging. “Oh, sir,’”’ she exclaimed, “I have travelled from my native place in England with the hope of saving a life which CONNIE DOOKS (EO)