The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 388: what you’re looking at

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

SAGOONAH 371 Christina, ‘‘ and very far from my object is it to make such an impression upon your mind. I merely wish you to com- prehend that these midnight wanderings are not suitable nor becoming, and that henceforth you must exercise more strength of mind than to yield to superstitious fears. Have you not read, Sagoonah,”’ continued Christina, “‘ that might is the season for the wanderings of those who are guilty in deed or those who are equally sinful in purpose, — the season too, Sagoonah,’ added Christina, with a deepening impressiveness, “‘ when Murder stalks abroad — ”’ ‘““ Hush, Miss Ashton, hush,” said Sagoonah, with a visible terror depicted upon her countenance. ‘‘ You frighten me; you strike terror into the depths of my soul. Rest assured that I will wander about the house no more. Believe me,”’ continued the ayah, in a tone of mingled entreaty and per- suasion, — “‘ believe me that you have made a deep impres- sion upon me. I see that you are right. I will henceforth follow your advice in all things, but may I hope that you will keep silent as to this occurrence of to-night? ”’ Christian reflected for a few moments, and then she said, ‘““ It will be the second time, Sagoonah, that I shall have con- sented to shield you from the displeasure of your mistress, but remember that it is the last. You have solemnly pledged yourself that you will not repeat these nocturnal wanderings, and I believe you. But if in this or any other way you trans- oress for the future, I shall feel it my duty to speak with frankness to the Lady Indora. MRecollect that I eat her bread as well as you do, and I am bound to care for her interests.’’ ‘“ My sweet Miss Ashton,”’ said the ayah, taking Christina’s small white hand and pressing it to her lips, “‘ you shall never again have cause to be angry with me. And now good night.” Sagoonah glided noiselessly from Christina’s chamber, and ascended to her own. When there — and when she had closed the door behind her — she took from beneath the folds of her garment a long dagger with a ghastly gleaming blade and a handle of curious Oriental workmanship, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. As she consigned it to her trunk, her eyes flashed sinister fires, and she murmured to herself in her own native tongue, “Fool that I was to yield even for a moment to the influence of that English girl’s language. CONIICLOO© ‘S (C(O)