The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

110 REYNOLDS’ WORKS blackness, but 1t was now turning with gray. Her features were strongly masculine in their outline, harsh and coarse‘ her dark eyes shone with an exceeding brightness; and her brows, which were very thick, met above the nose. Her look was alike bold and repulsive, and the lines upon her countenance seemed rather to have been traced by strong passions than to be the wrinkling effects of time. Her apparel was of a humble and sordid description; she had a dirty white cap on her head, and her appearance altogether was negligent and slovenly. | On opening the door the woman said nothing, but seemed to wait until the visitor should explain the object of his presence there. But she gazed upon him with mingled astonishment and curiosity, evidently wondering that so well-dressed a young gentleman should have called at her abode. Saxondale himself knew not exactly what to say, for previous to knoeking at the door he had prepared in his mind no excuse for stopping at that wretched-looking place. However, being of an effrontery and a self-possession which with such individuals and in such cases often serve the pur- pose of ready wit, he said, in as civil a tone as he could assume, but still with a patronizing kind of air, “ My good woman, I have been rambling about here till J am tired, and with your permission will walk in and sit down a little.” ‘‘ There is Hornsey Wood ‘Tavern over yonder,” she replied, in a harsh voice, ‘‘ not much more than half a mile distant, and there you can be accommodated better than you can here.”’ “ But I am too tired to walk even that half-mile,’ said the young nobleman. ‘“ Besides which, I see a lot of working- class folks, all in their Sunday gear, wending their way in that direction, and I can’t bear to mingle with such vul- garity.’’ ‘And yet you seek out a miserable-looking place like this? ”’ the woman at once answered, fixing her dark eyes keenly upon Lord Saxondale. Then, as a thought seemed to strike her, inspired perhaps by something which she read upon his countenance while thus scrutinizing him, she added, ae DAVE | suppose you have some object 1n view, and therefore you can walk in.’ Thus speaking, she threw the door wide open, and stood aside for the young nobleman to enter the habitation. It CONNIE NO KS (E(0)