The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

THE PRISONER We the abode of Sir William Stanley, and the discourse to which we have just alluded was progressing between this gentle- man and his son. Captain Stanley had only arrived within the same hour at the paternal mansion, where he was to spend a few weeks, he having obtained leave of absence from his regiment. We have already said he was about twenty-four years of age; we may add that he was a hand- some young man, of the middle height, well made, and of genteel figure. He was steady in his conduct, endowed with high notions of honour, of generous disposition, and of considerable intellectual acquirements. He had a good parent, but he himself was a son of whom any father might be proud. ‘‘ And who is this Mr. Redcliffe whom you are expecting to-day?’ inquired Captain Stanley, as he sauntered with Sir William through the spacious and well laid-out grounds attached to the mansion, which we may as well observe bore the name of Stanley Hall. “ Do you not remember, my dear Robert, how I was in- debted to a gallant Englishman for my life when traversing the Indian jungle — ”’ ‘““Can I, my dear father, ever forget an occurrence which, when I read it, caused me for the moment as much cruel terror as if I had indeed lost you, but which the next instant was succeeded by as thrilling a joy at the certainty of your escape? You however omitted in your letter to specify the name of the valorous Englishman who rescued you from those bloodthirsty Thugs, and after your return to England you never happened to mention it.”’ “That gentleman, then,” rejoined Sir William, “is the Mr. Redcliffe who will be with us presently.”’ ‘And most heartily shall I grasp the hand of my father’s deliverer,’’ exclaimed the captain. ‘“ Sincerely do I hope, too, that he will remain with us some while, for his is a | friendship which I shall be proud to cultivate.”’ “You will have the opportunity,’ replied Sir William Stanley, “‘for according to the letter which I received from Mr. Redcliffe this morning, he purposes to remain with us a few days, and I know that he will be here again shortly, before your leave of absence expires, inasmuch as he takes considerable interest in a case which has caused great ex- citement in our neighbourhood, and which will be brought GOmiGcoaooks (C(O)