The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

152 THE FREEMASON’S DAUGHTER. “Whew! that 2s something. I shall begin to like _ hin, if he goes on as he has begun.”’ “‘ But the affairs of the house render it necessary that I should proceed to St. Petersburg for a few weeks— perhaps months,” said his friend. ‘‘ And poor Amy is so heart-broken, so desolate since the death of her brother.” ‘What!’ exclaimed Bowles; ‘little Amy—Dick Lawrence’s sister—is she the object of your choice? You could not have made a better, Harry—at least, not as we judge the world. She is as good as she is beautiful. I always thought, when a boy, that there was a sneaking kindness between you. Nothing like early love—it is always the best and purest. How does she bear your intended separation?’’ he added, in a tone of interest. “She does not know it yet. From her humble position, she is exposed to the persecutions of the licentious. It was only the other week I kicked Matthew Small for insulting her. Who will be her protector when I am absent ?” “Who?” said his friend, reproachfully, ‘‘ Why, I will, Henry. If Matthew Small or anyone else casts a forbidden eye upon her, I’ll wring their necks,” he added coolly. ‘‘Come, cheer up. Tl go to St. Petersburg. No, hang it! I can’t do that. I forgot my own little girl—must not neglect her. You can’t think how dear she has become to me since she confessed that she loved me—no great proof, you'll COniiclooecl SS (SO