The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 939 a demand which, to say the least of it, is a little extra- ordinary. I am not an unknown man in Manchester— in fact, without vanity, I’ may say in the kingdom. I have been twice examined before both Houses of Par- hament—received the thanks of Commissioners—in fact, I should have hoped,” he added, with the air of a man whose feelings had been deeply wounded; “I should have thought that my character would have. saved any establishment under my dtrectton from the honour of a magisterial visit.” “We have some reason to believe that our poor brother Gridley”— began Mr. Keeting. “© Brother Gridley !”’ exclaimed Crab. ‘“< Yes,” continued the speaker ; “‘ he is a member of the masonic lodge over which [I have the honour to preside—has been confined tm error—of course,” he added, “on suspicion, merely, it would be unjust to use a more offensive word: we are aware of his unfor- tunate habits—it is possible that delirium tremens may have been mistaken for insanity. Have you seen him yourself, lately ?”’ ** This very morning, sir!’ the assertion was a lie, but the speaker was too far gone in villany to hesitate at a breach of truth to serve his purpose. ‘‘ And do you suppose, gentlemen,” he added, with a well-acted smile of pity, “ that, with my experience in such cases, I could be decewed? The man is mad—frantic—vio- lently mad! A feeling of humanity alone prompted my refusal, for the sight of strangers only enrages him COniiclooecl SS (SO