The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 143 *‘ Certainly not, sir,” answered Henry, eagerly; for he felt that there was something offensive in his surprise. ‘‘ Why should I doubt that you, who have through life been so generous to me, would act less so to others ?” *“Humph!” growled Gilbert, not half satisfied. “You are my nephew.” “Certainly ; I am your nephew.” “* And, if you obey me, my heir.” ‘‘ Have you ever found me disobedient or ungrateful, sir?” - “Why, no—to do you justice, Henry, I have no great cause to complain. If you have been lazy, I en- couraged you ; if extravagant, I supplied you with the means; for I wished to let the titled fools—whose lands I could buy, whose manors groan beneath my mortgages —see that the nephew of Gilbert Grindem, the Man- chester merchant, could vie with the best of them. But enough of that. Nothing like settling business, when once we are about it. There,” he added, throwing a cheque across the table, “there is the money for the Lawrences.” ‘‘ Thanks, my dear uncle—a thousand thanks!” ex- claimed the young man, more gratified at the interest his uncle took in their welfare, and the trait of bene- volence which the gift announced, than its value. Besides, he had his own plans for the establishment of Amy and her mother. “‘ And now,’’ resumed the old man, “ for a matter of much deeper importance.” COniiclooecl SS (SO