The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 81: what you’re looking at

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

64 REYNOLDS’ WORKS trived to obtain access to my chamber, it suits me that you should remain here for the present, inasmuch as I will not conceal from you my apprehension that if left at liberty you would speed to the hotel in the hope of anticipating the visit of the police.” “And is it thus that you address your own wife?” ex- claimed the wretched lady. Then, as her eyes suddenly flashed fire, and her form appeared to dilate with the in- spiration of indignant pride, she exclaimed, ‘‘ But enough of this humiliation for me. You have committed the foulest outrage which a husband can perpetrate toward a wite; you stand before me under circumstances which render your purposed infidelity undeniable; and not one word of regret, not one syllable of remorse has passed your lips. You take the highest ground, — that ground which I myself ought to occupy. You treat me as if I were the offender, whereas it is you yourself who are the criminal. But I will bear patiently with my wrongs no longer. Have you forgotten, sir, that Spanish blood flows in my veins, that a true Castilian vengeance can animate my soul? ”’ ‘““Madam,”’ answered the minister, coldly, ‘if you think that you have it in your power to ruin me, make the at- tempt. If it succeed, you pull down an edifice over your own head as well as over mine; if you fail, you will only widen the distance which of late has subsisted between us.’’ The unhappy lady saw but too keenly and felt but too forcibly the truth of these observations, and, flinging herself upon the couch, she gave way to a passionate outburst of oriet. At the expiration of the hour, there was a knock at the door of that chamber, and the minister hastened to receive the tidings which his valet brought. He passed out upon the landing, and the unfortunate lady heard the domestic speak thus: ‘Your Excellency’s commands are obeyed to the very letter. The English woman, bearing the name of Catherine Marshall, 1s in prison, and this packet contains the few papers which were found in her possession.” “Good!” responded the minister, and reentering the chamber, he closed the door. Then, tearing open the packet, he examined the papers one after the other, but his looks altered visibly to the \ (Eo) m CONNIE OO KS