The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

THE HUSBAND’S RETURN , ie Wt “Yes,” replied Lady Lechmere. ‘“‘ But I thought you wished me to accompany you?” ‘Not farther than this point,’’ immediately rejoined the earl, and opening a door which fronted the spot where they had thus halted, he said, in a quick, peremptory whisper, “Your ladyship will please to walk in here, for I see that the room is unoccupied.” “ But what on earth do you mean?” asked Lady Lech- mere, in mingled astonishment and dismay. “T mean simply that I am going to lock your ladyship in here for an hour, while I talk to Gertrude in the other room. Because,’’ continued the earl, ‘‘ to tell you the truth, I do not choose you to have the opportunity of sending off a message to warn my delectable wife at Mrs. Gale’s of my presence and proceedings here this night. She fancies, no doubt, that I shall not return until to-morrow, and in that belief let her remain.”’ ‘“ But, my lord, you cannot think of imprisoning me here for an entire hour? ”’ said Lady Lechmere, in a low voice so as to avoid being overheard. ‘No harm ean arise,’’ rejoined the earl, who seemed to have an answer ready for every remonstrance. “ It is only eleven o’clock, and the countess ordered the carriage for twelve. ‘This interval of an hour you would have passed in yonder room with Gertrude, if I had not come to inter- rupt your proceedings; therefore you will not be missed by the domestics.”’ | Again did Lady Lechmere see that the Earl of Curzon was resolute in carrying his purposes into execution, and dreading an exposure which would cover her with disgrace and infamy by revealing herein the true light of a patrician demirep and procuress, she resigned herself to the hour’s captivity in the bedroom, the door of which Curzon now locked upon her. Then putting the key into his pocket, the earl hastened on to the end of the passage, and opening the door, he entered the room where Gertrude, dressed in the costume of the countess, was reclining negligently upon a sofa. CORNICLOOL ‘Ss (CO) am