Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

MR. DENISON 377 In the course of the evening Mr. Denison took an oppor- tunity to conduct Frank into his library, and there, making him sit down, he said, “‘ My young friend, I have to repeat the question I put to you last night: whether there be any way in which I can serve you? You saw the letter which your esteemed father wrote, and you must speak to me with the same confidence as if you were addressing him. Banish all reserve, I am not disposed to be a harsh or severe mentor.”’ Frank felt that it would be most ungracious toward his father’s old friend if he did not show him at least the same degree of confidence which he had placed in Mr. Hawkshaw, and he accordingly proceeded to give him precisely the same details as he had already narrated to the squire, still sup- pressing Juliana’s name, and still making it appear as if the lady of whom he spoke was temporarily residing in the town of Gainsborough. Mr. Denison listened in silent attention; he did not speak a word until Frank had finished, and when the youth had done, he appeared to reflect pro- foundly for some time. ‘““Now, my young friend,’ he at length said, speaking gravely aod solemnly, but still with a truly paternal kind- ness, “‘ you will follow the advice of one who is old enough not merely to be your father, but your grandfather. Avoid this woman as the mariner would a rock on which his vessel must inevitably suffer shipwreck; avoid her as if she were a moral pestilence. You are too young, and your life is too full of brilliant hope, for you to sacrifice yourself to such a shameless profligate. Am I not giving you the advice which your revered father would proffer were he present on this occasion? ” “You are, my dear sir, you are,” responded Frank, seiz- ing the old gentleman’s hand and pressing it warmly. “I have already pledged myself to Mr. Hawkshaw that every- thing shall be at an end between that lady and myself; I renew the same pledge to you.” “It is well,” rejoined Mr. Denison, “‘ and I am gratified with this evidence of your sincerity. But there is still some- thing more that you must do, and now I am again counselling you as if it were your own father who in his loving care was profiering his best advice. That woman — for it is scarcely possible to call her a lady after all you have told me — will not leave you unmolested; she will take the earliest measures 9) CORVICLOOO eS (C(O)