The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 244: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER, 237 “No, you may as well remain a few minutes: per- haps they have only come to inspect the establish- ment.” Mr. Mordaunt, the elder of the two visitors, was a man of about sixty, with a most benevolent cast of countenance not unmarked by shrewdness. His companion was considerably younger. They were the actual masters of the two principal masonic lodges in the town, and commissioned by the brethren to visit the asylum, and personally ascertain the state of poor Gridley; for the paper which the honest postman delivered into their hands was, although perfectly intelligible, written in so excited a style, that they were not altogether convinced by it. “ Good morning, gentlemen,” said Mr. Crab, pointing at the same time to the keeper to place chairs for his visitors; “to what am I indebted for the honour of this visit? The surgeon of the establishment,” he added, at the same time introducing Dr. Chinon to them. ‘To the circumstance of your having a poor friend, in whom we feel deeply interested, under your care— Mr. Simon Gridley. We come to visit him.” Crab felt that his countenance changed as he heard the name—nay, he almost fancied that he blushed; till recollection convinced him that it was most impro- bable—not to say impossible—so he felt reassured. An instant restored him to self-possession, and he answered, in the blandest tone of voice he could com- COniiclooecl SS (SO mn