The Illegal Marriage — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. il usual halloa. Half a dozen hounds came growling and barking down the yard, and amid the confusion a negro woman opened the door. “W hat’s the matter?” Stannard called to her. The yelping of the dogs prevented him from hear- ing her reply. Throwing the bridle rein over a post, he entered the yard, beating right and left among the hounds, while the negro laid about her vigor- ously. : Two negro men with rolling eyes and chattering teeth were by the hall door, but too much terrified to speak. Stannard pushed into the hall, into the room to the left, from which he heard cries and moans, but his steps were arrested on the threshold. He started back with horror at the dreadful sight which met his gaze. Lying upon the bed shouting or talking incoher- ontly, and wildly swinging his arms about, was old Morgan, his ghastly face covered with blood, his hands gashed and bleeding. With a quick glance Stannard took in the details of the room, observing many signs of a struggle. One window was broken, the chairs were in con- fusion, the inner door hung by one hinge, while spots of blood were plentiful about the floor. Squatted in the corners were the house-servants, wailing loudly; and at the foot of the bed kneeled the old man’s daughter, Cecilia—a girl of one-and- twenty, and of uncommon beauty. Stannard was shocked at her appearance. For one moment she raised her head, but there was no look of recognition in her eyes, while her face wore an expression that startled him, With clasped hands he turned to her for an explanation; but turning her head slowly she again fixed her eyes upon her (EO ANIICEl seve) <S (E(0)