The Dugdale Millions — page 96: what you’re looking at

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

36 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. “YT have asked Mr. Mason to come to- us at once, He may have some information directly bearing upon this matter which we have under advisement. He is stopping with a neighbor, and I imagine, although I have no knowledge, has aspirations for the hand of the young lady of the house. However this is not to the point. Your lordship will see that since the suc- cession to the Dugdale estate is not determined, since it is among the possibilities that young Dugdale may be found, it 1s really impossible at this juncture to entertain the proposition. If young Dugdale is found, of course neither my daughter nor myself will have a voice in the disposal of the Dugdale estate. If how- ever Dugdale is found to be dead, or cannot be found at all, then my daughter will succeed, and then only can we entertain the proposition you have done us such honor to make. As the matter now stands, I would suggest that your lordship make ‘The Larches’ your home until the matter 1s definitely determined one way or the other.”’ Mr. Hetlow had only concluded his statement, when Dick’s card was presented. Bidding the servant to conduct Dick to the library, Mr. Hetlow continued to Merrimount: “Thus you will perceive, my lord, that at present my daughter cannot be declared the heir.’’ At this moment Dick was announced, and the ser- vant retired. The young nobleman and the old mer- chant were standing at the window with their backs to the door and so engrossed that neither had heard the announcement of Dick’s presence. As a conse- quence, that luckless young man was left standing at the door an unwilling listener to the conversation. ‘‘t am deeply sensible of the alliance you propose,’’ said the old merchant. ‘Hang it!’’ thought Dick, ‘‘why don’t they turn? I don’t want to hear my own misery.”’ **As you will perceive, until this search is concluded Comicboolkkxs C@ 3