Penny Blood Serial Cover — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

14 ALFRED DE ROSANN. lessened the remnant of his days. He could not banish from his imagination the death-bed of his affectionate mother, broken-hearted at the calamities that visited her husband when it was too late in lifé to repair the grievous harm. Such were the frequent reproaches he made himself ; and although no sting harassed his conscience, still did he bitterly regret the moment In which, emboldened by his own successes, he induced his parents to hazard their fortunes in the same enter- prises. To expel these gloomy ideas, he laboured at his desk with increasing ardour, and not only gained back the vast sums he had formerly lost, but a consid- erable property in addition. Unlike the gambler, who becomes more daring as his fortune appears more prosperous, William was contented with the treasures he accumulated, and retired from business in a few years to enjoy the repose he well merited after his severe toils. Never having been tempted to change his bachelor’s freedom for the silken chains of matri- mony, he took up his abode with his brother and sister-in-law, and devoted himself entirely to their society. He gratefully recollected the pecuniary as- sistance they had afforded him immediately after his father’s death, when he had first indulged in a hope of re-establishing his fallen fortunes ; and now that pros- perity had so amply crowned his most sanguine wishes, he generously shared the wealth his labours had acquired with those whom he loved, and who felt a sincere interest in his welfare. Meantime the -little Eloise became the darling of her parents, and gave great promise of inheriting all her mother’s beauty, as well as acquiring the same accomplishments. But scarcely had she attained her ninth year, when her father was suddenly cut off in — the vigour of manhood and of life. Nothing could exceed the grief of Mrs. Clayton at this event; she for many days resigned herself entirely to the deep sorrow that filled her soul, and obstinately refused to listen to consolation. At length she recollected that there were many duties for her yet to perform in the CONNUCG VOOKS on EO fl