The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 194: what you’re looking at

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

THE GRAND ENTERTAINMENT 177 “and she would insist almost overcome with bashfulness, upon seeing her ladyship.’’ ‘““ A woman to be thus impertinent! ”’ exclaimed Juliana, her curiosity still more piqued. ‘‘ What did she want? ”’ ‘“ T do not know, miss,’’ returned the page, raising his large liquid hazel eyes for a moment to the mantling countenance of the patrician young lady, and then casting down his looks again in greater contusion than before. “ But what sort of a woman was she? ’’ asked Juliana, in a soft, tremulous voice that quivered with the same emotions which made her heart throb; for she felt consumed with a devouring passion as she fixed her regards upon the beautiful youth before her. | ‘She was a very common woman, miss, wretchedly dressed, with a cloak and cap. She had no bonnet on. Altogether, 1 did not like her looks. But I suppose she was some poor woman asking charity or a favour, and not know- ing very well how to behave herself.” At this moment the sounds of footsteps ascending the stairs were heard, and Juliana, flinging upon the page a look as expressive of a fervid passion as looks could possibly be, turned hurriedly away and passed into an antechamber, where she paused for a few minutes to compose herself, for she felt the blush of her fevered sensations still upon her cheeks. Then, with the image of the beautiful page still uppermost in her mind, but also still continuing to wonder what the meaning of that mysterious visit to Lady Saxon- dale could possibly be, she returned into the state apart- ments, where her hand was immediately solicited for the ensuing dance. We have already said that Mr. Marlow, one of Lord Saxondale’s guardians, was a guest at the banquet. His partner, Mr. Malton, had also been invited, but through pressing business, this gentleman had been unable to reach saxondale House until the saloons were thrown open for the ball. Though somewhat resembling his partner in personal exterior, he was not of the same bustling and volatile character, but far more precise, cool, and sedately business- like. Shortly after he had made his appearance, Mr. Marlow drew him aside, and they conversed together for a few minutes upon some private matters of their own. ‘TI shall be unable to come to the office to-morrow,” CONnNKEOOOKS (S(O)