The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

THE AVOWAL AND THE DEBATE 159 Venetia, shuddering from head to foot. ‘‘ No, no, my dear Horace, this duel must not take place.”’ “Ah! vainly do you talk, my poor Venetia,’”’ said her husband, “‘ for on the one hand the wretched code of honour will compel Lord Curzon to send me a challenge, and on the other will force me to accept it.”’ “And this is because he discovered you with his wife? ”’ said Venetia, in a musing tone, as she gazed abstractedly upon her husband, for it seemed as if some thought or scheme was now developing itself in her mind. “Yes, that is the plain English of the matter,” replied Horace. “Ah! J understand,’ ejaculated Venetia. Then as her eyes suddenly assumed another and peculiar expression, fraught. with a deep and mysterious meaning, she said, “ Do you remember, Horace, that on the first occasion you ever required money — it is now some months ago — you said that you consulted me, knowing that I was a woman fertile in expedients? ”’ “I remember it perfectly,’ returned her husband, “ and I might reiterate the averment now. But what has that to do with the present position of affairs? Believe me, my dear Venetia, there are no means of staving off the present danger. It must be encountered boldly, although, to confess the truth,” he added, in a mournful tone, “ I experience terrible misgivings amounting to a presentiment as to the re- sult.” “Then I beseech you, Horace, to put faith in my inge- nuity,’’ exclaimed Venetia, with the air of one who already has resolved upon some settled plan of action. “But remember, my dearest wife,’’? said Horace, ‘ that anything you might do in this matter would be to compro- mise my honour most seriously, because the challenge must be accepted — ”’ ‘ Now, leave it all to me,” interrupted Veentia, with one of her sweetest smiles accompanying a look of confidence and encouragement. ‘‘ But I am about to give you an instruction which you must obey to the very letter.”’ Proceed,” said Horace, wondering what possible scheme his wife could so suddenly have devised, but still experiencing sufficient faith in her prudence, tact, and knowledge of the world to feel assured that in whatsoever she might do she ) GOmMmiicdoo! <S) (CO)