The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 170: what you’re looking at

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

AT LASCELLES’ MANSION 153 Hartz mountain, — I nodded familiarly to him, but he took his hat right off to me.”’ ‘“A homage to your lordship’s rare qualities,’ said the valet. ‘‘ Well, and then there was the mirage, too,’’ continued the nobleman. ‘‘ I was once riding on an elephant in Africa, and in the horizon which bounded the desert, I beheld the reflection,but with this simple difference, that the elephant was riding on me.” ‘ Emblematical of your-lordship’s great bodily strength,” interjected Makepeace. ‘Well, they were optical delusions, after all,’ said the earl, “ but really, when one sees a young gentleman kissing a young lady, it is difficult — eh, Makepeace? — to persuade oneself that that is an optical delusion.”’ “And yet, my lord, with due deference to your superior understanding,” replied the valet, ‘‘ there might be an optical delusion on such a point as even this. Indeed, when I be- think me, I just now saw something that might serve as an illustration, if I dare introduce such names in connection with such a matter — ”’ ‘“ Speak out, Makepeace,”’ said the earl, fidgeting about on his seat; “‘ though I tell you it will be no easy thing to per- suade me that I am not — you know what I mean. but about this illustration of yours? ”’ ‘It is simply this, my lord,’’ resumed the valet. “ Just now, when your lordship descended from the dressing-room, I went into the garden to pick a flower or two for my own chamber, — I am very fond of flowers, my lord, — when I beheld Lord Osmond — ”’ “ Ah, Lord Osmond,” muttered the earl, grinding his false teeth and clenching his fist. “‘ My own son — the villain.”’ But Makepeace, as if not noticing the interruption, went on to say, “ I beheld Lord Osmond laughing gaily with Miss Vincent, and she too was laughing heartily, evidently at something which he had just been saying to her. Well, my lord, just at that moment the countess appeared at the ~ window of her own room, and her ladyship gaily exclaimed, ‘ What lovers’ secret is this passing between you?’”’ ‘“ She said that, did she? ” cried the old nobleman, eagerly, and quivering with suspense. ‘ Yes, my lord, that is what the countess said, and she ap- GoOmiGcoaooks (FO)