The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 70: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 61 days she had been so industriously employed, she en- countered the eldest of the three Smalls—Matthew— a tall, liquorish-looking youth, who, despite his suit of black and white cravat, had that rakish, licentious look, from which female delicacy instinctively shrinks. He had often observed our heroine, and vainly sought to become acquainted with her. The idea of annoying Henry Beacham, whom he honoured with particular dislike, especially since his splitting, as he elegantly termed it, on the affair of the police, was an additional incentive. The illness of her brother this time gave him a fair excuse for addressing her. “Beg pardon, Miss!” he exclaimed, with insolent familiarity ; “ but how is Dick ?” “* My brother, I suppose you mean ?”” quietly replied Amy. ‘* Exactly so.” “1 thank you, sir, Buk he is better; at least we trust so. Good morning, sir.’ “« Whew—stop—don’t be in such a devil of a hurry. Dick’s a good fellow, only a little precise. His screw is not over high, especially when there are three to keep ; so if you want anything, only say the word—I shall be happy to oblige you ?”’ ‘Thank you, sir,” replied the indignant girl, with difficulty suppressing her tears; “but my brother requires nothing more than our means, humble as they are, enable us to procure him—lI will not detain you, sir 33 COUN Goo! SS (SO