Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

32 REYNOLDS’ WORKS hardihood as not to be intimidated by such means, and that she would indignantly deny the circumstance of the allezed communication with Mr. Chiffn. He therefore resolved to return to London with Deveril, and take time to settle the course which was now to be adopted toward her ladyship. “ But Florina?” suggested William, when his old friend had thus imparted his decision. ‘‘ Will you leave her in the odious atmosphere of Lady Saxondale’s iniquity? Oh, my dear sir, if you do indeed possess any influence in that quarter — ”’ | “Enough, William!’ interrupted Mr. Gunthorpe. “I can take no step until I return to London. It must be from thence that I shall write to Lady Macdonald, but I faithfully promise you, William, that within a very few days Florina and her aunt shall cease to be inmates of Saxondale Castle. Will that suffice? ”’ “It will —it must,’ answered Deveril. ‘I submit to your opinion and judgment in all things. But when, sir, do you propose to depart? ”’ ‘We will go across to Lincoln presently, after dinner,” responded Mr. Gunthorpe, ‘‘ and to-morrow morning we will start by rail for London. Ah! you rogue, you wish to have an opportunity of seeing Florina for a few minutes, but it cannot be on the present occasion, William. I have many things requiring my presence in London.” Mr. Gunthorpe had indeed fathomed our hero’s desire, for was it not natural that he should wish to see his well- beloved Florina, if only for a few minutes? And would he not cheerfully have walked across to the grounds of Saxon- dale Castle in that hope? But he was compelled to bow to Mr. Gunthorpe’s decision, and he did so with the best possible grace. Mr. Hawkshaw, having called at Saxondale Castle in the morning, to inquire after Lord Harold Staunton’s health, had intimated his intention of riding across to Gainsborough to learn the fullest particulars of the terrible tragedy of the previous night. He was present throughout a ereater portion of the examination before the coroner, and when the inquest was over, he rode back to Saxondale Castle to communicate all he had learned. It was close upon Gomichbooks (E(0)