Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 204: what you’re looking at

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

LADY EVERTON 187 Here again did he resolve to judge for himself. And last, but not least, he experienced an anxiety to make inquiries concerning the welfare of his children, — those children for whom he had made such ample provision. “He knew not indeed whether they were alive; he had communicated not with Lord Petersfield, nor with Sir John Marston. The solicitor who prepared the trust deed had long been dead, and many years had elapsed since the marquis held any communication with those particular bankers in whose hands the money was lodged. It must not be thought that he had ceased to reflect with tenderness upon those children. The truth is, he dared not take any step which should recall too vividly all the incidents of the past. Convinced that he had entrusted their destiny to honourable men, and that the provisions of the deed were so carefully arranged as to ensure their welfare, his mind had been easy upon those points. Yet when he resolved to return to Engiand, the intent of making inquiries con- cerning his son and daughter naturally entered into his plans. He came to England about two months back, and if he did not instantaneously enter upon these inquiries, it was because it suited his purpose, for several reasons, to maintain a strict incognito and pass under the assumed name he had for so many years borne upon the Continent. With that assumed name he did not at first choose to call upon Lord Petersfield, and he therefore postponed that proceeding until he might think fit to resume his rank again. But I can say no more at present — My feelings are over- powering me — You know all!” With these words Mr. Gunthorpe extended his arms toward Elizabeth and Francis Paton, and they, throwing themselves upon their knees before him, looked up with tearful counte- nances and ineffable emotions into his face, adown which the tears were likewise falling thick and fast. ‘Yes, my dear children,’’ he said, in tremulous tones, “| am your father, — I am the Marquis of Eagledean.”’ Gomiichdoo ‘S (¢(0)