The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 255: what you’re looking at

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

348 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. The next moment the green baize door, instead of being closed in the usual careful, quiet way, was banged after him, and the two partners were alone together. “‘ How often must I ring? you are getting strangely neglectful of late,’ exclaimed Grindem, his face red with passion; “and for the future, pray be more careful how you close the door: you know I hate a noise.” ‘Very likely,” coolly answered Mr. Small. “Very likely!’ repeated the astonished merchant, “very likely. Are you aware whom you are speaking to, sir? You are impertinent.” “ Psha |!” Grindem’s astonishment at the insolent monosyllable was so excessive, that for a few minutes it absolutely suspended his passion. Unlike the world, he was not deceived by the pretensions of his partner to sobriety and morality ; he knew that in secret he indulged in many excesses, and naturally concluded that for once his usual prudence had deserted him. With a stern look, he calmly replied— ‘“‘ Leave the room—you are drunk, sir.”’ ‘‘Drunk!” repeated Small, throwing himself on a_ chair opposite to the speaker, and coolly stretching out his legs ; ‘“‘ what do you mean by that? Do you want to destroy my character—after having lost your own? Be more careful of your words, Gilbert Grindem, and take care how you insult a better man than yourself, sir ?”’ COniiclooecl SH 1CO mn —_)