The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

266 REYNOLDS’ WORKS amusing himself with the pictures in one of the books which were among the things redeemed from the pawnbroker’s. Presently footsteps were heard ascending the stairs, and the elderly gentleman of the morning made his appearance. ‘Well, ma’am, I am glad to see you are up,” he immedi- ately observed. ‘‘ Ah, my little fellow, looking at a picture- book, eh? But where is your sister? ” ‘ Henrietta has gone to the opera, sir, to leave a note of thanks for Signora Vivaldh,”’ said Mrs. Leyden, answering the question. ‘“That’s all very well and good,’ interrupted the old gentleman, “‘ but she might have given it to me.” “That is what I suggested,’ rejoined Mrs. Leyden, ‘but she would take it herself.” “Then I suppose we mus wait for her,’”’ said the visitor, Cepositing himself in a chair. ‘ How long has she been gone? ”’ “Two hours, sir,’ returned Mrs. Leyden, endeavouring to banish the expression of uneasiness from her countenance. “Two hours!” ejaculated the gentleman. ‘ That's rather long. It is now more than half-past five,” he con- tinued, looking at his watch. ‘‘ Did not the porter tell you I should be here between five and six? ” “He did. And now let me thank you again and again —” “Nonsense! I don’t want thanks. I suppose your daughter will not be long. Come, my little fellow, you and I will look at these books together till your sister comes back.” Another half-hour passed. Mrs. Leyden was suffering excruciations, which she endeavoured to conceal as well as she was able. and the old gentleman began to grow impatient. Another half-hour, then another, till at length it was seven o’clock. Mrs. Leyden, who had frequently turned aside upon her chair to conceal her tears, now burst into a flood of weeping, and becoming dreadfully excited, declared her conviction that something was wrong. The old gentleman said what he could to soothe her, and volun- teered to hasten off to the opera and see if anything was really the matter. He accordingly sped away, and during his absence Mrs. Leyden became so ill that she was com- pelled to he down. Little Charley now saw that something fresh had occurred to make his mother unhappy, and she CONNIE OO KS (e6) m