The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER V THE MINISTER’S WIFE Miss MARSHALL issued from the private dwelling of the Minister of the Interior with mingled feelings of anguish and indignation. Such was indeed her state of mind, she forgot she had about her the letter of the Marchioness de Villebelle, addressed to the minister’s wife. She entered the hired vehicle which had brought her thither, and was already half-way back to the hotel, when the circumstance of this letter flashed to her mind. Hope for a moment sprang up within her, but it vanished almost as quickly, as a second thought suggested that no wife, however excellent-hearted, could possibly wield any influence for good over such a husband as the man whom she had Just left. She was almost inclined to abstain from delivering the letter altogether, when she reflected that not a single stone should be left un- turned that might, even by the remotest possibility, tend to the accomplishment of the aim which was dearer than her own life, and she resolved to present this letter. Not choosing, however, to return to the ministerial abode in the vehicle which might be recognized by the minister himself from the windows, supposing that he had watched her departure, and being also unable to make the driver understand that she wished to return thither, Kate stopped the chaise and alighted. She remembered the proper direc- tion to be pursued, and, after a quarter of an hour’s walk, came once more in sight of the mansion. At that very instant she beheld the minister issue forth and enter his carriage, which immediately rolled away, for he was now proceeding to the Chamber of Deputies. She was glad that he had thus left his house, at the time that she was about to seek an interview with his lady, and when the carriage was 44 CONNIE IOO KS (E(0)