The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 160: what you’re looking at

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

A GLANCE AT THE PAST 143 never could make out how that Ralph Farefield came by his death.” ‘“‘A strange affair, was it?’’ said Madge Somers. ‘‘ Come, Chiffin, your glass is empty, and although it’s late, you are accustomed to sit up, and we may as well have a friendly chat while we are about it. Besides, I mean to have a glass myself. So come, refill your own.”’ ‘I don’t mind if I do,” said Chiffin, suiting the action to the word. , ‘“ Let’s see, what were we talking about?” said Madge, who had likewise brewed a glass for herself. ‘‘ Oh, I remem- ber, that strange story of the Saxondale family nineteen years ago. Come, I am Just in a humour for a good gossip to-night.”’ ‘Then it’s a very strange humour of yours, Madge,”’ said Chiffin, “‘ for, generally speaking, you ain’t accustomed to talk more than is necessary.’ ‘Oh, but people are not always in the saying humour,” said the woman. ‘“ Well, that’s true,’ remarked Chiffin. ‘ I myself don’t generally chatter and talk about my exploits, except when I am preciously in the wind, and then I let out everything. Did I ever tell you,” asked the ruffian, on whom the frequent potations of brandy and water were producing an effect, “how it was I come to be called the Cannibal? ”’ “Yes, you have told me that story,’’ returned Madge, “‘ and it is precisely because you told it so well, that I want to know about this other business of which you are speaking, — I mean the Saxondale affair.” ‘“ Well, come, I will tell you all about it,”’ said the Cannibal. “ You must, know that Ralph Farefield was tne old lord’s nephew, and was asad, wild fellow, who ran through a lot of money and spoke ill of his uncle. So theold lord was resolved to cut him out, and went and married a young girl, all in a ereat hurry. By her he had three children, two daughters and ason. Now, this didn’t suit Mr. Ralph’s book at all, because the little Edmund would succeed to the peerage and estates. So Ralph determined to have him made away with, and somehow or other he found me out. Well, I wasn’t over- particular, and Ralph had gold enough to tempt me; _ be- sides which I looked to the future, and thought that if through me Ralph got to be Lord Saxondale it would be as GOmiGaooks (CO)