The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

94 THE COURT OF LONDON alone, very far from suspecting the many incidents and episodes that were growing out of the main adventure which she had planned for this memorable night. On beholding her abigail enter, Venetia turned indolently around upon the sofa where she was more reclining than sitting, and said, “‘ Well, I suppose it is all right? ” ‘“ Heavens! no, my lady,” was the startling response. “Ah! what then is the matter?’’ demanded Venetia, now springing from the sofa as she observed the singular expression of the faithful Jessica’s looks. “T cannot comprehend it,’’ was the abigail’s quick re- sponse. ‘“ The key is gone, the door is still locked, and Mrs. Malpas, from inside the room, declares she has changed her mind.’’ “What!” cried Venetia, in dismay, “is it possible? ”’ “Yes, and she says that the colonel may go whence he came,’ added Jessica. “But you must be dreaming, you must have gone to the wrong room.”’ ‘““Tmpossible, my lady; ’tis the spare bedroom.”’ “Yes, but you must have misunderstood Mrs. Malpas, then,” said Venetia, catching at any hypothesis to account for the extraordinary tale she had just heard from Jessica’s lips. : ‘TIT can assure your ladyship that it is as I say,” rejoined the maid. “And the colonel, where is he?’’ demanded Venetia, quickly. ‘““T have left him standing in the passage while I came to ask your instructions. What is to be done? ” “T know not, I am bewildered,” responded Venetia. ‘“ But, at all events, the colonel must not be left there. Go and get him away, induce him to depart. Invent some excuse, say anything. Tell him to come and see me to- morrow. Haste, haste, Jessica! He must not be allowed to loiter there.”’ | The abigail issued from the boudoir, closing the door be- hind her. But the moment she thus emerged into the passage she saw that it was empty. No one was there. She hesitated what to do, and she was about to return into the boudoir and report this new circumstance to Venetia, when . it- struck her that the colonel might have been alraid ta CORNIClIOOKS (E() im