Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 341: what you’re looking at

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

o24 REYNOLDS’ WORKS not so large as Mr. Hawkshaw’s, would nevertheless be an ample one, — very different, we say, would it have been, if Juliana had heard all these things from Frank’s lips. Then she would have followed only the dictates of that powerful passion which she believed to be love, then she would at once have clasped that charming youth in her arms, mur- muring an enthusiastic “‘ Yes,’ and throwing a veil over what he might have been in times past, she would have been proud, when she thought of him as her husband, for the present and the future. But as she knew nothing of all those things which young Paton might have revealed to her, had he chosen, she was at once struck with the seem- ing audacity and presumption of his demand, and not for a moment did she think of making what appeared to be so stupendous a sacrifice. Nevertheless, she could not endure the thought of losing him altogether, and she asked herself wherefore her original plans could not be carried out, — that she should wed Mr. Hawkshaw and that Frank should continue her paramour? For upwards of a minute did she remain motionless, half-reclining in his arms, with her head resting upon his shoulder;. then she slowly Yaised her countenance, and assuming her most winning, most seductive look, she said, ‘“ Listen to me, Frank.” ‘“‘ Proceed, dearest,’’ he responded, for there was nothing in her mien or her manner to throw a damp upon his hopes. ‘Listen, my dearest boy,’ she continued, “‘ and I will tell you what I think, and what I propose after all you have said. As for the alternative of your fleeing from your native land to seek your fortune in other climes, it is cruel of you to hint at such a thing, and you must know perfectly well that I could not endure the thought. Then, as to the other alternative, we must look at it calmly and deliberately. Of what use would it be, Frank, for us to wed in order to be poor? I have no fortune, and I could neither endure poverty myself, nor behold you suffer it. You know that I love you devotedly, passionately, and you love me in return. We must make the best of circumstances, and they perhaps are not so unfavourable as you may apprehend. Now listen, dear Frank, and let me not see a shade gathering upon that beautiful countenance of yours; it must always brighten up with smiles to beam upon me, as mine shall Gomicbooks