Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 107: what you’re looking at

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

90 REYNOLDS’ WORKS the young nobleman spoke, while his dignity was offended by the omission of those ceremonial phrases and compliments with which he expected that every visit should invariably commence. Mr. Malton was also surprised at the abrupt and ejaculatory language that Edmund made use of. “Sit down,” said Lord Petersfield, pompously indicating a chair; “and when you have recovered breath and are perfectly master of your thoughts, have the goodness ‘to explain what sort of thing it is you cannot stand.’”’ “Why, I am sick of London life,” exclaimed Saxondale, flinging himself upon one chair and putting his legs up on another. ‘I wish I had accepted your lordship’s proposal of a few weeks back, about being attached to that foreign embassy, you know. Of course you are well aware from that list of debts I sent in, that poor Emily Archer and I were on very intimate terms together, and also as a matter of course, you have read the account in the newspapers of her mysterious death.”’ ‘““T have no doubt,” said Lord Petersfield, gravely, ‘‘ that she was about to pay a visit to Saxondale Castle at the time, perhaps thinking you were there, or perhaps to see her lady- ship for some purpose — ”’ “Well, I can’t say,” interrupted Edmund, ‘ and I don’t like talking of the business; it has upset me very much. Be- sides, Iam so precious dull all by myself in Park Lane.” ‘Then wherefore,’ inquired Mr. Malton, “‘ do you not join the family circle down in Lincolnshire? I understand that Lady Macdonald and Lady Florina Staunton are there.” “No, they came back to town yesterday,’ observed Ed- mund. “TI learned it by accident. My valet happened to see them arrive.’’ | ‘And pray, Lord Saxondale,” asked Petersfield, severely, “have you not been this day to pay your respeets to that lady who is afhanced to you? ”’ ‘“Can’t say that I have,’ responded Edmund. “ Prt I shall go there presently. The fact is, lf am very much atraid _ Florina must have learned on what terms I was with poor Emily, and if so, all will be up in that quarter. I wish to go abroad for a few months, and therefore I came to tell your lordship that I will accept of that post — ”’ ‘It is no longer vacant,’’ remarked Petersfield, ‘ but if you are serious, Edmund, you can accompany me. For her Gomicbooks.- co