The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

THE APPOINTMENT 5d he could conduct with greater privacy at his own abode than at the building officially devoted to the department over which he presided. It was at the entrance to the minister’s apartments that the vehicle which bore Kate stopped to set her down, as on the preceding occasion. She was conducted up to the waiting-room. Several other persons were there assembled, but almost immediatély after her arrival she was desired by the usher to follow him into the minister’s presence. It was evident, therefore, that this usher had received his instructions how to act in case Miss Marshall should call again. ‘The colour was heightened upon her cheeks as she followed the official into the same cabinet where she had before seen the Minister of the Interior; and on entering that apartment, she observed that he was now alone, the secretary having been doubtless ordered to withdraw. ‘The minister endeavoured to maintain a cold reserve of manner, as if he did not choose to show too much pleasure at the ‘ful- filment of his prophecy. At the reappearance of Miss Mar- shall, nevertheless, the gradual flushing of his previously pale cheeks and the fiercer burning of his dark eyes denoted but too plainly the flaming up of the devouring desires which her presence had on the former occasion excited within him. Bowing with a distant courtesy, he motioned Kate to a seat, and resumed his own, from which he had risen on her en- trance. ‘Your prophecy is fulfilled, sir,’ said Kate, speaking in a low but firm voice. ‘‘ I am here once more.”’ “But have you been mindful of the warning I gave?” demanded the minister, his eyes travelling slowly and with gloating eagerness over her entire form. ‘‘ Have you borne in mind the assurances I so emphatically held out, that it would be useless to have recourse anew to intercession and en- treaty, to threat or upbraiding? ”’ ‘“T have borne all this in mind,” answered Kate, her looks sinking beneath the devouring gaze of the libertine minister. “Then I am to understand, Miss Marshall,’ he went on to say, “ that you have consented to my proposition? ”’ “ Iam resolved to save at any price the life of him whom I love,”’ and still Kate spoke in a low but firm tone. ‘It is well, and your decision is a wise one,” said the CONnNIECOOOKS (E©)