The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 79: what you’re looking at

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

62 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the most discreet and virtuous of young ladies, that she is attended by an old duenna who looks as sour as vinegar, and screws up her face most awtully if even an eye be too intently fixed upon her fair charge, and that when at rehearsal the signora keeps herself as aloof as circumstances can possibly admit from both the male and female performers in the ballet. Why, it seems to be even a secret known only to the lessee and the ballet-master where she lives, and neither of them is at all likely to give the information.”’ “Oh, but her residence is easily found out,’ exclaimed Kdmund. ‘ When leaving the opera, she must of a necessity ride home in a carriage, hackney-coach, or some kind of vehicle, and it will be easy enough to get a person to follow Mb 7 “Granted,” said Lord Harold. ‘‘ But when you have found out her place of abode, what course would you adopt? i do not think that, from all we heard last night, she would give us a very gracious reception if we went boldly to call upon her. Yet there are ways and means, and these must be thought of. In the first place, I will instruct Alfred to endeavour to follow her from the theatre, the next time she makes her appearance. Alfred is a cunning, astute fellow, with all his sedateness of look and mealy-mouthiness of words, and he will be sure to discover the fair one’s abode. This once done, we can deliberate how to proceed.’’ ‘““T was thinking,’ remarked Saxondale, “‘ whether, if you were to draw me up some appropriate little billet, I might . not send it to her. By addressing it to the opera, it would be sure to reach her — ”’ ‘“ And be treated with contempt,’’ added Staunton. ‘Yes, but who ever believed in the virtue of an actress or a dancing-girl? ”’ exclaimed Saxondale, contemptuously. ‘ All rules have an exception, and in this case our phoenix of beauty and mystery seems to constitute that exception. However, I will do the best I can for you in the matter, and, as a preliminary, will set Alfred to discover her residence. We will then take measures accordingly. But now, my dear fellow, I want you to do me a little favour in your turn.” “Anything but in the money way,” replied Saxondale, ‘for I am as hard up to-day as you can possibly be. Just before I came out, I told my mother that I had nothing left at the banker’s, and desired her to ask my guardians ior CONNIE XO KS m