Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 389: what you’re looking at

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

312 REYNOLDS’ WORKS told him that he should be doing wrong if he were to yield to the influence of Juliana’s endearments. Still he felt that he could not so far insult her as to take no notice of the hint she had given him, and he resolved that, though he would dance with her, he would not again conduct her to the con- servatory. Approaching the spot where she and her mother were seated, — Mr. Hawkshaw having in the meantime sought the refreshment-room,— Frank made his bow. Juliana bestowed upon him a sweet smile and a tender glance, and they proceeded to the ballroom together. “When the quadrille is over,’ said Juliana, “‘ we will find an opportunity of exchanging a few more words. But be guarded — be cautious!”’ she immediately added, for as her eyes swept rapidly around the ballroom, she perceived Mr. Hawkshaw amongst the lookers-on at the extremity. The warning would have been quite unnecessary, inas- much as Frank, now having compiete control over his feelings and his actions, was resolved to give no encouragement to Juliana, but to show to the utmost of his power that he was proof against all her blandishments and endearments. She herself, throughout this quadrille, was particularly guarded, -— the only indication of tenderness which she bestowed being the pressure of the hand, but not even a significant look, nor a sigh, nor a whisper did she vouchsafe. She appeared to converse only with the courteous and easy politeness which a young lady might be expected to observe toward a young gentleman with whom she was but very slightly acquainted. After the quadrille—and while promenading around the room — she bethought herself of a dozen different expedients to obtain five minutes’ un- observed and unrestrained discourse with Frank; but Mr. Hawkshaw was there, and she dared not risk the danger of ex- citing his suspicions by accompanying the youth a second time into any secluded place. The moment arrived when he must conduct her back to her seat, and as they were proceeding thither, she hurriedly whispered to him, “‘ If we do not find an opportunity to converse presently, you must meet me to-morrow, soon after midday, in the castle garden, at. the same spot where we met yesterday.” Frank made no reply. Indeed, if he had wished to give one, he could not, for by the time Juliana had finished speaking, they were too near the spot where Lady Saxondale ‘ ; 4 . Gomicbooks