The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

FRETS AOE IIE RE SESE ee age c ~~ - bad all "2 r ij : x y phy THE COTTAGE AGAIN 137 happened, but having not a moment for reflection, and being too much bewildered to act of his own accord, at once obeyed the woman’s command, for which it no doubt struck him there must be some good and excellent reason. She at the same time banged the door violently behind him, as if to enforce with additional energy the order she had given for his retreat; and then hastening toward Saxondale, who had begun vociferating as ere now described, she said, “Hold your tongue. It is nothing.” “ But that noise, what was it?’ asked Edmund, quaking and quivering all over. ‘‘ For God’s sake, don’t hurt me! Take my purse, if you want it, but — but — ” and his teeth chattered audibly. “T tell you that you have nothing to fear,’’ exclaimed Madge ep ‘“T would not hurt you, and I do not want your purse.’’ “ But what has Bappehed? What is the disturbance? ”’ inquired Edmund, stil with tremulous voice and quivering i? limbs, as he sted upright by the side of the bed from which. he had leaped. ‘Tell me, what are you doing here? What noise was that? Did I not see something glitter in your hand? ”’ “No, nothing — only the candlestick that I dropped,” at once replied Madge, who had already concealed the dagger under her cloak. But here we should observe that although the light had been extinguished by the fall of the candle, vet the room was not enveloped in total obscurity, for the elimmering of the starlight through the small and dingy window ren- dered objects somewhat discernible. Therefore the young nobleman could perceive the figure of the woman standing near him, atid observing that she was not undressed, natu- rally argued that she had not been in bed at all. But he likewise perceived that she had no one with her, and this latter circumstance somewhat reassured him. ~ It was only a drunken man who would force his way into the house,” continued Madge. ‘‘ But make haste and dress yourself. You must go awav from this place at once. Ask me no questions, and do as I tell you without delay. You must manage to resume your apparel in the dark, and in a few minutes I will come up to you again. But fear nothing, I repeat; no harm shall befall you.’ CONNIE OOOKS (S(O)