Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

114 REYNOLDS’ WORKS exhibited to him, and one of these duplicates he handed to me, bidding me keep it. He then produced another docu- ment, of which he likewise had a duplicate, and which set forth that for certain reasons of a delicate character, known only to the persons interested, a separation had been agreed upon between my husband and myself, I retaining all rights over whatsoever property I might be entitled to. These papers I had to sign, and one of them was also left in my possession. Next the notary produced a still more elaborate document, and then Sir John Marston, interposing, said in French that ‘the Marchioness of Villebelle was al- ready acquainted with its contents, and it was not necessary to read it.’ I was very much inclined to demur to this, but Sir John threw upon me a look which seemed to say that I was completely in his power as to the five thousand pounds, and not knowing but that I might have really been so, and indeed more than half-fancying I was, I held my peace. Thereupon Sir John drew forth his pocketbook, counted down the amount of five thousand pounds in French bank- notes, and placed them near me. I signed the document, over which a large piece of blotting-paper was thrown so that I could not catch the slightest glimpse of its contents, for I have no doubt that the notary was secretly in the baron- et’s pay, bribed to manage the business thus cautiously. I should observe that all the documents were in the French language, with which I am perfectly acquainted. The notary then took his departure, and I possessed myself of my five thousand pounds. ‘“T now intimated to Sir John Marston that I was about to quit his family at once, to which he made no objection. But he bade me wait a few minutes while he gave me a word of caution. This was to the effect that if I consulted my own interests I should do well not to mention to any persons whose friendship I might thereafter form the peculiar circumstances under which my marriage was contracted, and he even hinted that some fraud had been committed, in which I was more or less an accomplice. I began to grow frightened, for it did not occur to me at the time that this might be merely a device on his part to intimidate me into secrecy. He however assured me that I should be perfectly safe, provided I kept my own counsel, and he further inti- mated that if ever I wished to communicate with him, and Gomichbooks (eo)