The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 379: what you’re looking at

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

362 REYNOLDS’ WORKS obtained an insight into the mysteries of your establish- ment? ”’ ‘ That is what puzzles and bewilders me,’’ responded the infamous woman. “‘ Oh, I wish — I wish I had never had anything to do with those Orientals! ”’ ‘“ You see, my worthy friend,’”’ answered the duke, bitterly, “that we are both of us involved in the most alarming per-. plexities. Just now you were flattering yourself that Indora did not mean to include you in her vengeance — ”’ ‘She has already begun,” said Madame Angelique, ‘ and I tremble lest it should not end there.”’ “Hind there? ’’ exclaimed Marchmont; ‘it would be preposterous to indulge in such a hope. I tell you that these astern women are as vindictive as tigresses and as cunning as serpents. We have become the objects of this vengeance and this subtlety — ”’ “What is to be done?” cried Madame Angelique, literally shaking herself in her mingled spite and despair. The duke looked her hard in the face, and said, “‘ Did vou not ask Sagoonah whether she would again serve you? Did she not confess that she has some feeling, no matter what, that prompts her to yearn for the ruin of her mistress? And has she not consented to meet you in the forenoon of to- morrow? ”’ “Yes, yes; this is true eee replied Madame Ange- lique. ‘ But what can we do? ”’ ‘“ What idea had you in your head,’’ inquired Marchmont, ‘‘ when you asked if she would again assist you? ”’ ‘““T had no fixed idea, I had not thought of anything; I was perplexed and bewildered at the time, — frightened too — ” ‘And yet,” rejoined iacomont still eying the French- woman significantly, ‘“ you did think of making some use of Sagoonah? ” ‘“T see that your lordship has an idea in your head,”’ said Madame Angelique, hastily. ‘‘ Tell me, what is it? I would do anything, — yes, anything, anything, to rid ourselves of that enemy.”’ “ Anything, did you say? ”’ asked the duke, and he drew his chair more closely to that which the woman occupied. “Good heavens, how strange your Grace is looking at me!” she cried, and then in a faltering voice she added, CONNIE ACO) KS (E(0)