The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

4 THE COURT OF LONDON premonitory symptoms of approaching maternity soon after nine o’clock this evening, and, judging from the experience which I myself have had in those matters, I think I can safely promise that you will not be detained long at the house to which I am about to conduct you, but that all will be over in a very short time.” A few more observations in a similar strain passed between Mrs. Ranger and the doctor, but it is not worth while to record them. We must, however, observe that as they were proceeding along the road, Maravelli raised the bandage, and by the light of the transient moonbeams discovered the path which they were pursuing. He immediately suspected that he was being led to the villa. He knew that her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales dwelt with her suite at that place, and if his patient were indeed an inmate of those walls, he could well understand wherefore the utmost pains should be adopted to hush the matter up. On reaching the garden wall which ‘ooked upon the road, Mrs. Ranger immediately opened the private door by means of a key which she had with her, and conducting the doctor inside the enclosure, she said, in a low but 1m- pressive whisper, ‘“ Not a word, nota syllable, every possible precaution is now needful.’’ Maravelli pressed her hand significantly, as much as to imply that she had no need to apprehend any thoughtless- ness on his part, and while she conducted him through the garden, another glimpse stealthily obtained from under the bandage showed him it was indeed within the pre- cincts of the villa that he had been introduced. Delighted at the adventure, Maravelli inwardly resolved that it should prove a profitable one for him. The back entrance into the villa was now reached, and Mrs. Ranger led the doctor up that, private staircase which has been already more than once alluded to in preceding chapters. The passage on the second story was speedily reached, and as Mrs. Ranger hurried Maravelli along, a door at the end was noiselessly opened, and a head was thrust forth. This was Mrs. Hubbard, whose listening ears had caught the sounds of footsteps, slight and scarcely audible though they were; but the instant she thus looked forth to satisfy her curiosity, Mrs. Ranger made a rapid gesture with the hand, and the laundress accordingly CORMICLIOO KS im