Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

06 REYNOLDS’ WORKS into a neat little parlour, where Mrs. Leyden, considerably improved in health, received him with a degree of warmth which was due to one who had dragged her forth from the depths of poverty. ‘“T am come to have half an hour’s chat with you, Mrs. Leyden,’’ said Mr. Gunthorpe, “ respecting a certain matter you spoke to me about some days ago,” and he glanced slyly toward Henrietta, who, blushing deeply, rose to leave the room. “ No, you needn’t go!” cried the old gentleman. “On the contrary, you are a very necessary person to the present conference. But you, Master Charley, can run out and play in the garden till you are sent for,’’ he added, patting the child kindly upon the cheek. “Oh, do let me stay,” said Charley. ‘“ I am so fond of being where you are. I did not much lke you at first,” he went on to observe with boyish ingenuousness, ‘ but since I knew you better — ”’ “Hush, Charley, hush! ’’ interrupted Mrs. Leyden, some- what severely. ‘* You should not speak in this manner.” “My dear madam, let him speak as he will,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, ‘‘ everything he utters comes up from his heart. You are a good little boy, Charley, and here is something to buy a toy with,” he added, placing a five-shilling piece in his hand. “ But I would rather stay with you than have that, if you mean me to go away,” said the child, pouting his pretty lips and looking as if he were going to cry. “You must run out and play a little by yourself for the present,’ said Mr. Gunthorpe, kissing him, “ and if you do, you shall come and stay a whole day with me at my house.”’ Charley’s countenance now brightened up, and he willingly left the room, taking the crown piece with him. “Now, my dear girl,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, turning to — Henrietta, “‘I am going to devote my attention to your affairs, for you see I have constituted myself your guardian, as it were, and therefore I must attend to your interest. Now, don’t blush and look confused, Henrietta; there 1s nothing to be ashamed of in an honourable love, and nobody will be more delighted than myself to behold these bright prospects realized. I presume, madam,’ he continued, turning toward Mrs. Leyden, “ that you have not as yet Gomicbooks: co