The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

62 REYNOLDS’ WORKS a valet who slept overhead. Scarcely had the minister given that response to his wife, when a knock was heard at the door of the apartment, and the minister, partly opening the door, addressed his valet. thus: ‘““ Hasten and take with you a sufficient number of the police for the arrest of a woman, — this woman being a reso- lute and determined one. Lose no time in repairing to the hotel where she resides,’’ and he named it. ‘“‘ Let no merey be shown her, let no delay take place. See that she com- municates not with a single individual belonging to the es- tablishment. It is of equal importance that all papers in her possession should be secured on the spot, sealed up, and brought to me. Let every nook and corner, every pos- sible crevice of concealment, be thoroughly searched and examined, for this is a dangerous woman, a spy in the pay of the Carlists, and she has important documents with her. Her name is Catherine Marshall; England is her native country. Now depart, and at the expiration of an hour, at the farthest, I shall expect that you knock at this door to announce that the arrest is effected, and to place in my hands the sealed packet containing all the papers found in the woman’s room. Stop, one word more. When conveyed to gaol, let her be placed in a cell by herself, and see that some trustworthy individual be appointed as the turnkey.”’ Having issued these instructions, the Minister of the In- terior abruptly closed the door of the chamber; and as his eyes again settled upon his wife, he saw that she was pale, trembling, the picture of grief and despair. “For Heaven’s sake, consummate not this stupendous injustice!’ cried the unhappy lady, flinging herself at the minister’s feet. ‘‘ Oh, do not, I implore you! Avenge not upon her whatsoever raneour vou may cherish against me. It was I who devised the project, it was I who coun- selled her how to act.”’ ‘How came you to form her acquaintance? ’’ demanded the husband, folding his arms across his chest, and looking down in cold severity upon that wife who still knelt at his feet, and whom he bade not arise from her supplant posture. ‘She brought me a letter from the Marchioness de Ville- belle. That letter I can show you. It was on the same day when she had a first interview with you. Oh, in mercy spare her! Send and revoke the order ere it be too late. I will (E(0) m CONNIE NO KS