The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 124: what you’re looking at

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

THE HUSBAND’S RETURN 107 ‘Indeed! ’’ remarked the earl, with increasing irony of tone. ‘‘ She must have been seized very suddenly, for it can scarcely be a quarter of an hour since she entered your lady- ship’s house.”’ “ Yes, it was very sudden,’’ returned the wily and disso- lute patrician lady, who, having been an utter profligate during her own youthful years, had now become, on the shady side of existence, a base pander to the profligacies of others. ‘‘ But you do not look well, Lord Curzon. Will you take some wine? I have the most delicious cham- pagne — ”’ “ T thank your ladyship, but I would rather not,’”’ answered the earl, in a cold tone and with a stiff bow. ‘Then, in a peculiar accent and with a look of ominous meaning, he said, ‘“ Of course my dear wife is most anxious to see me, and your ladyship can well understand that I am equally desirous to fold her in my embrace. Perhaps you will permit me to see her? ”’ ‘But she is fast asleep,’’ exclaimed Lady Lechmere, scarcely able to conceal her fright. ‘‘ Surely you would not disturb her? ”’ ‘“‘ There is no necessity to disturb her,’’ said the earl, with a most provoking persistence in his object, so that Lady Lechmere suddenly conceived so bitter a hatred for him, she could almost have assassinated him on the spot, — that is to say, if she had a weapon ready at hand. ‘‘ There is no necessity to disturb her, I repeat,” continued the earl, “ I will enter the room on tiptoe.”’ “ But, my lord,’’ said the infamous woman, now trembling visibly, ‘““ what would be thought by the servants if they saw me conducting you up-stairs to that part of the house where the bedchambers are situated? ”’ “What could they think, madam,’ asked Lord Curzon, with an ironical smile, “‘ except that I was going to the room where my wile was lying indisposed? ”’ “ But the world is so very wicked,’’ rejoined Lady Lech- mere, battling hard to dissuade the nobleman from his purpose. “ Your ladyship forces me by this ridiculous argument,’ said the earl, ‘“ to remind you that what might have been probable ten_or fifteen years ago is not by any means so likely now,’’ and he gazed with a significant look upon the ) CORNICLOO cS (C(O) im