The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 398: what you’re looking at

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

A NIGHT ADVENTURE Reet “Tf I do, ma’am,”’ rejoined Chiffin, with a terrible scowl of his hideous features and a savage glare of his reptile eyes, “it will be the worst for you. Now, mate,’’ he added, to his companion, “‘ keep a sharp lookout on her ladyship, andif you hear any suspicious noise you'll know what to do.” Having thus spoken, Chiffin the Cannibal took up one of the wax candles from the table, and quitted the room by the door which Lady Saxondale had indicated. But as he issued forth, he closed the door in such a manner that, while it appeared to the inmates of the room to shut, he did not really allow it to do so, but he suffered it to remain about an inch ajar, and then, instead of immediately continuing his way to Lady Saxondale’s private chamber, he stopped to — listen, setting down the wax candle at such a distance from the door and in such a position that it threw no light into the room. But why did the Cannibal adopt all these precautions? Why did he remain and listen? Because, notwithstanding Lady Saxondale’s countenance had remained inscrutable in its self-possession during the whole of the latter portion of the discourse, yet still Chiffin’s mind was filled with doubt and misgiving. That very self-possession on her ladyship’s part appeared, the longer he reflected upon it, to be but a mask for some deep treachery. In short, Chiffin fancied that she had purposely sent him on this errand with the knowledge that he would fall into some snare the nature of whicn he himself could not however conjecture, and that in the meantime she would endeavour to extricate herself from the custody of Tony Wilkins. He therefore resolved to listen for a few minutes, and if Lady Saxondale remained perfectly quiet and gave no indications of treachery either by word or deed, Chiffin might then in all confidence pursue his way to her chamber. For at least a couple of minutes after he had quitted the room, Lady Saxondale remained perfectly silent as to speech and tranquil as to movement, while Tony Wilkins stood close by the chair in which she was seated, the pistol in one hand, the open clasp-knife in the other, and his eyes intently fixed upon the splendid patrician lady whom he was thus watching. Seeing everything remain thus favour- COQNICMOOOKS (FO)