The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 122: what you’re looking at

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

THE HUSBAND’S RETURN 105 “1 know not —I know not,’’ responded the countess, sobbing in his arms. ‘“‘ Never, never was I so unhappy as I am at this moment. I seem to have lost all courage — all energy, and I feel that the moment is at hand when my name is to be added to that catalogue of family depravity, scandal, and-disgrace, in which the names of so many of my nearest relatives already figure.”’ ‘Sustain your fortitude, I implore you,’ said Horace, in his most soothing tones, and accompanying his words with the tenderest caresses. At this moment the hackney-coach stopped in that part of Oxford Street which is close to Soho Square, and Lady Gurzon drew down her veil ere her paramour handed _ her forth from the vehicle. ‘Then, dismissing the hackney- coach, Horace gave the trembling Editha his arm, and con- ducted her hastily to the fashionable house of infamy kept by Mrs. Gale in Soho Square. Two or three times, as they thus passed from Oxford Street to the house alluded to, did Lord Sackville turn his head to ascertain whether any one was following them, but he saw nothing to excite his suspicion that such was the case. And yet that young man who had followed the hackney-coach from the by-street by the side of Lady Lechmere’s dwelling had never once lost sight of the vehicle; but, aided by the street lamps, he had kept it in view, and as it did not proceed at a pace calculated to outstrip him, he had no difficulty in thus keeping in its track, till it stopped in Oxford Street. Then, on beholding the gentleman and lady alight, the young man continued to follow them at such a distance as to elude observation when Horace turned his head, as above stated. Thus was it that the spy kept Lord Sackville and the guilty countess in view, until they entered Mrs. Gale’s establishment; and then he posted himself at some little distance, but at a point whence he could maintain a strict watch upon the front door of the house of infamy. We must now return to North Audley Street. At the very moment that the hackney-coach, containing Lord Sackville and Editha, rolled away, followed by the _ young man, the Earl of Curzon himself knocked at the door of Lady Lechmere’s house. GOmMiicdoo! cS (C(O) am a