The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 34: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER III THE DRAMA OF A NIGHT — ACT THE THIRD Tuus far all the plans, plots, and machinations of Mrs. Ranger and the Misses Owen, relative to the proceedings of this memorable night, were crowned with success. But now the curtain was about to rise upon a new phase in the intricately woven and strangely ramified performance. Emma and Julia had been brought into their sister’s room on the present occasion for two reasons. ‘The first was to enact the little scene with the description of which we closed the preceding chapter; the second was to keep watch upon Maravelli for the few moments during which Mrs. Ranger was now compelled to absent herself from the apartment. Hastily threading the passage, the wily woman repaired to the chamber occupied by Mrs. Hubbard, who had not retired to rest. Indeed, the light burning upon the table showed the liveliest curiosity, mingled with an air of much mystery and importance, on the features of the laundress, and the moment Mrs. Ranger entered the room, she rushed forward, exclaiming, quickly, “ Wal, mem, be it all over? ” “Yes, all, and well over, too,’ answered Mrs. Ranger, seenifioan thy. “ The child is dead. 4 “ Dead!’ ejaculated Mrs. Hubbard, holding up re arms with an affectation of dismay. ‘“‘ The poor leetle hinnocent lambkin of a babby! ”’ “There is nothing to regret,’ said Mrs. Ranger, speaking quickly. ‘“ It is much better it should be so.”’ “Wal, so it be, mem,” observed Mrs. Hubbard, “ and I always thought what a blessin’ it would be if as how the egspected little un should hop the twig, as they say of the dear little birds — But,” she cried, suddenly interrupting 17 CORNICLOOL CS (C(O) am