The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 327: what you’re looking at

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

310 REYNOLDS’ WORKS retaining possession of it I have been actuated by some higher impulse which I cannot rightly understand.” ‘‘ It is singular — most singular,” said Indora, in a musing tone, “for it was not, as you have declared, through mere morbid curlosity.”” Then after a few minutes’ pause, during which she reflected profoundly, she added,. ‘‘ The horrible has its own mysterious fascinations as well as the pleasing and the beautiful, for the human heart is so constituted as to be susceptible of them. Yes, I will see that dagger. You have already told me, when reciting the narrative of the tragedy, that it came from North America and is of peculiar workmanship.” “ It was brought from North America, together with other curlosities,’’ responded Purvis, “‘ by Bertram Vivian. If your ladyship will come this way, I will show it to you.” The old steward conducted the Princess Indora to a superbly furnished saloon, where marble pillars and splendid draperies gave a grandeur to the scene, and where, too, there were some beautiful specimens of sculpture. At the extremity of this saloon there was a small cabinet, contain- ing a variety of curiosities, amongst which were those that Bertram Vivian had brought over with him from the United States. The old steward touched a secret spring in a rose- wood cupboard of curious workmanship; a door flew open, revealing a single drawer, and thence he took forth the fatal dagger of which so much had just been said. With a visible tremor shooting through her entire form, the Princess Indora took it in her hand, and examined it attentively for upwards of a minute, at the expiration of which she returned it to Purvis, who consigned it back again to the place whence he had taken it. Shutting the drawer, he closed the little door of the closet; and Indora said, “‘ In the country to which I belong, we have articles of furniture with secret springs, but I do not understand the working of this one.” The old steward at once gave her the explanation she seemed to desire, and they then issued forth from the cabinet. It was now announced to her that dinner was served up, and she was conducted to the dining-room, where an elegant repast appeared upon the table. The liveried lackeys were in attendance just as if it were the duchess herself who was thus being waited upon and indeed all possible respect was shown toward the princess. , Gomichbooks (E(0)