The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

18 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. who was much more annoyed at the exposure than at the hypocrisy of his children. The day was decidedly unfavourable to his views; he almost regretted that he bad been tempted to make the proposal to his principal, to whom, although nominally a partner, he was as much subjected as the merest clerk in the office. “J shall make no change,” said Grindem, “till the expiration of the month. Mr. Small, those letters are of importance, you had better look to them yourself.” He pointed to a packet lying on the table. The junior partner took the hint, and retired, a smile upon his lip, his heart overflowing with bitterness and hate. What !?? he murmured, “ treated with less consi- deration in the firm than that drunken old rascal, Gridley ! There is a secret—I am sure there is. I'd give my soul, almost, to find it out. We shall see,” he added, repeating the words of his principal. ‘“ Let me but obtain the clue from old Gridley, and we shall see.”” ““ Henry,” said his uncle, as soon as the door was closed and Mr. Small installed in the outward office, ‘‘you take a strange interest in this Richard Lawrence.” ** He is my friend.” “Friend? Bah!” * Brother, then, if you will.” ‘‘ Brother !”” repeated the old man, with a fearful expression of countenance, for his thoughts reverted to Amy. “ What mean you?” ecomnuicloooks (SO