Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

10 | REYNOLDS’ WORKS from drowning, and yonder is the cottage to which we were both conveyed. You perceive that glimmering light? ” “ Yes,’ said Mr. Gunthorpe, “and I tell you what, William, I feel uncommonly thirsty, and we will just step out of our way that much, and call upon those good peasants. There is plenty of time, for Chiffin will of course wait for us. That confounded soup at the hotel in Gainsborough was so salt that it has left my throat as dry as if I had been eating red herrings.”’ Mr. Gunthorpe and Deveril accordingly turned away from the bank of the river and approached the cottage, — which they reached in a few minutes. On knocking at the door it was opened by the peasant himself, who, instanta- neously recognizing Deverill as the light from the room streamed upon his countenance, gave vent to an ejaculation of surprise and Joy. ‘This is kind of you, sir, to come and see us again. Walk in, sir. Mother, here is Mr. Deveril, and another gentleman along with him.” “They are both heartily welcome,” said the old woman, making her appearance, and in the kindness of her heart she grasped Deveril’s hand. Our young hero and Mr. Gunthorpe entered the little sitting-room of the cottage, where the old woman’s daughter welcomed Deveril in her turn. But there were two other persons in this room,—two females. One was hand- somely dressed, and had the air, 1f not exactly of a lady, at least of a person in good circumstances, while the other, who appeared to be her maid, carried a large brown paper parcel in her hand. It immediately struck Deveril that he had seen the countenance of the lady before, but he could not at the instant recollect when or where. | “Sit down, gentlemen,” said the old woman, bustling about to give Mr. Gunthorpe and our hero chairs; “ there’s plenty of room. Well, we have got company this evening. Who would have thought it? This lady and her maid have taken a longer walk than they meant to do, as they say, and were so tired they were obliged to step in and sit down for a few minutes. But what will you take, gentlemen? Our fare is humble, yet such as it is, you are most welcome.”’ “My friend here,’’ answered Deveril, “‘is exceedingly thirsty. A draught of water, or milk — ”’ ) Gomicbooks (E(o)