The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

THE EARL’S VENGEANCE 121 “ Create no disturbance in the house,” said Horace, instantaneously precipitating himself from the bed, and speaking in a hurried manner to the Karl of Curzon. “ To- morrow I shall be prepared to give you such satisfaction as you may demand.”’ Editha, covering her face with her hands, burst forth into a violent fit of sobbing, and Theodore Varian, so soon as he perceived that her ladyship’s companion was not Emmerson, over whose exposure he had hoped to exult, withdrew upon the landing outside, through motives of delicacy. The Earl of Curzon did not immediately reply to Sack- ville’s remarks, but stood gazing upon him with a sort of stupid dismay for nearly a minute. It was not, however, that Curzon was so very much astonished at discovering who his wife’s paramour for the occasion thus was, but it was because it instantaneously struck him that this was a visitation of retributive justice. For had not the Earl of Curzon intrigued with Sackville’s wife, and how could the earl himself now complain of Sackville’s intrigue with Editha? Such was the thought that struck him suddenly as if with a sense of dismay, and held him speechless. But Sackville, so far from suspecting what was thus passing in Curzon’s mind at the moment, attributed the consternation of his looks to quite another source. “ Considering all the friendship that has subsisted between us, Lord Curzon,” he said, in a tone of self-mortification and repentance, “‘ you doubtless regard me as the perpetrator of an unparalleled atrocity? ”’ “Yes, my lord,’ responded the earl, instantaneously recov- ering his presence of mind, “‘ in such alight do I indeed regard your conduct. But of course you shall hear from me so soon as satistactory arrangements can be made.” Then, turning toward Hditha, he exclaimed, in a tone of malignant triumph, “At length I have detected your ladyship. Everything is known to me. Gertrude has ere now been unmasked in the presence of Lady lLechmere’s servants and of mine — ”’ | “Ah! then the scandal and the exposure are complete? ” exclaimed the Countess of Curzon, in a voice broken with convulsive sobs; but the next instant, as if suddenly ani- mated with a lightning flash, she sprang from the couch, and GOmiicdoo! <S) (CO) am