Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

176 REYNOLDS’ WORKS as his own, — and as illegitimate, too, for he dared not pretend that they were otherwise, — wonder would be ex- cited, suspicions might arise, inquiriés might take place, and the truth be traced out. It was known to many that he had been Alexandrina’s suitor previous to her marriage with General Lord Everton, and as her husband had been for so many years absent, the tongue of scandal would not. fail to whisper a surmise which might ultimately be proved the actual truth. No, every possible precaution must be taken to shield Alexandrina’s honour from danger and de- traction, and the births of those children must Pnpaeeare remain pied in an impenetrable mystery. “Thus was it that the Marquis of Eagledean had never dared to pay even the most stealthy a to that cottage where his children were kept in the care of Mrs. Burnaby, and this was not the least violence that he was compelled to exercise over his feelings. But now that Lord Everton was on the point of returning from India, the marquis felt it a paramount duty to give Alexandrina the assurance that the two children would be amply provided for, and that she need experience no anxiety with regard to their future welfare. The marquis accordingly resolved to pay one more visit to England, in order to settle this business, and then bid his native land a long farewell, — if not an eternal one, — so that he might avoid the chance of encountering her whose image was enshrined in his heart. But on repairing to England on the occasion, and for the purpose named, he solemnly vowed that he would not seek an interview with Alexandrina. He wrote to her, stating that he was again in London, explaining the purpose for which he was there, imploring her to pardon him for having thus broken the com- pact mutually agreed upon, that no epistolary correspond- ence was to take place between them, and requesting only that she would give such suggestions or instructions as she thought fit relative to a mode of settling the fortune he destined for their two children. He declared his intention of devoting the sum of one hundred thousand pounds to this purpose, so that they might have a fortune of fifty thousand pounds each. ‘“ Alexandrina, who was then staying at Everton Park, which is about twenty miles from, London, wrote back promptly to the Marquis of Kagledean, expressing her admira- Gomicbooks. co aw nade ee ee ae