The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

UNPLEASANT VISITORS 131 to persuade himself that the officer’s presence had no refer- ence to him, his evil conscience would not allow this idea to be so easily relied upon. That Sampson might have entered the house upon some pretext, but with the real ob- ject of making a reconnoitre, was probable enough; and in this case he had doubtless planted his followers in the street. At all events, Daniel Coffin did not deem it prudent to issue forth at once; while, on the other hand, he could not very well remain in the dining-room, during Ernestina’s absence, without exciting the suspicions of any domestic who might chance to enter it. He knew not exactly what to do; and it was without any fixed intention, but in obedience to one of those vague and undefined impulses which often prompt desperate men that he gently opened the dining-room door and looked out into the hall. The porter had gone down to supper; not a living soul met the Hangman’s view by the light of the lamp suspended to the ceiling in the hall. A thought struck him. He had been told by the domestic, | on his arrival, that the Marquis of Leveson was away from home; and Ernestina was therefore mistress of the estab- lishment in her noble uncle’s absence. What if he were to hide himself for a few hours, until the next night even, in one of the unoccupied apartments of the spacious dwelling? Were he discovered, Ernestina must be appealed to in order to decide how the intruder was to be disposed of; and she dared not deal harshly with him. On the contrary, he would be safe beneath her protection. But then, as to food? He could very well wait four and twenty hours in a fasting con- dition when his personal security was concerned; and, at all events, it would be better to incur any risk or privation within the house than stand the chance of enccuntering Mr. Lawrence Sampson’s myrmidons outside the threshold. _ Rapid as thought alone can travel did these reflections sweep through the brain of Daniel Coffin as he stood at the dining-room door, looking forth into the hall. There was also something in the adventure that pleased him; and his resolve was soon taken accordingly. Hastily ascending the great marble staircase, he reached the landing on the first story, and opened the nearest door. It led into the Crimson Drawing-room which has been mentioned in preceding chapters. The fire was smouldering in the grate, two wax COnNIEDOOlKS (C(O)