Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 57: what you’re looking at

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

40 THE COURT OF LONDON ‘“ Indeed, sir!’ ejaculated the lady, amazed at his keen- ness of perception. ‘‘ You can guess, then, that — ”’ “That it is respecting the child,’ he added, fixing his dark eyes significantly upon her. ‘ Be not afraid, madam, to explain your views. I am aman of honour.” “Then I can no longer hesitate to address you upon this delicate — most delicate subject,’ resumed Mrs. Smith, encouraged by the surgeon’s words. ‘‘ You doubtless ob- served that there was no wedding-ring upon the hand of my unhappy friend, and I need scarcely tell you that she has become a mother without being a wife! Oh, sir, the honour of an illustrious family is menaced — terribly menaced — ”’ ‘There are ways and means of covering female frailty with an impenetrable veil,” interrupted the surgeon, in an emphatic tone. “Ah! now I am still further encouraged to proceed,” exclaimed the lady. Then, after a short pause, she said: ‘Will you take charge of that hapless babe, Mr. Thurston? Your recompense shall far exceed your most sanguine expectations.” ‘1 will, madam,’’ was the answer, instantaneously and unhesitatingly given. ‘‘ But as this must be regarded as a mere matter of business, — a negotiation to be conducted with the utmost circumspection and prudence, — pardon me if I inquire what guarantee you can offer me for the fulfilment of any conditions that may be settled between us? ”’ ‘Listen attentively, sir,” replied Mrs. Smith; “ and ponder well upon all I am about to say. Upon receiving into your house that hapless child whom a mother’s frailty compels her to disown, you must consider that it henceforth belongs to you. Adopt it as your own son, if you please, or bestow upon it any name you may think fit, and devise any tale which may appear to you most suitable to account to your friends for the fact of its being thrown upon your hands, — arrange all these details in your own way, but pledge yourself solemnly and sacredly never to take any steps to discover its parents. On these conditions the sum of ten thousand pounds — ’”’ “Ten thousand pounds! ”’ ejaculated Thurston, startled from his habitual equanimity and self-possession by the mention of such a princely amount, and half-fearful lest his ears should have deceived him. GOMmicsdooks