Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 54: what you’re looking at

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

THE PHYSICIAN AND THE LADY Od more, — strong-minded, bold, courageous, resolute, prepared for any emergency. But she remained seated at the table with her back toward the opening door, that a too sudden discovery of her identity on the part of the physician should not elicit from him an ejaculation that would excite the astonishment of the domestic. Nevertheless, Lady Saxon- dale felt more than half-persuaded that the precaution was unnecessary, for must he not have already discovered that Mrs. Smith and Lady Saxondale were one and the same? And was it not on account of this discovery that he had come to visit her now? “Doctor Ferney,’’ exclaimed the domestic, announcing the physician in the usual way, and then the door of the library closed again. Lady Saxondale rose from the table, but the instant that Doctor Ferney caught a glimpse of her countenance, he did give vent to an ejaculation of wonder and amazement and he staggered back as if stricken a fierce blow by the hand of an invisible giant. “Yes, Doctor Ferney,” said her ladyship, extending her hand with the most gracious affability toward him, “it is I, and now the mystery is cleared up. Mrs. Smith exists for you no longer.”’ ‘Ts it possible? Is it possible? ’?’ murmured the doctor, with confusion in his brain, and he took the proffered hand in a mechanical, unconscious manner. ‘“My dear friend, pray be seated,” said her ladyship. ‘““Come, place yourself on this sofa, and I will sit down by your side. What has procured me the pleasure of your visit? ”’ “And you are Lady Saxondale?”’ he said, still gazing with a sort of vacant incredulity upon the mistress of the castle, “‘ you are Lady Saxondale? ”’ “And most welcome are you at Saxondale Castle. But do tell me, my dear Doctor Ferney, what has brought you hither? Is there anything amiss? Why do you still gaze upon me in this manner? You really begin to frighten me. Are you not toward me the same kind and devoted friend I have ever thought you? ”’ “ Yes, God grant that I may be enabled to continue so,”’ was the physician’s solemn response, and now he appeared to be recovering somewhat of his wonted self-possession. “ You will hasten to tell me, then, what has brought you CONNIE OOOKS (FO)