Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 78: what you’re looking at

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

MR. GUNTHORPE’S VISITS 61 recovering, said, ‘‘ Forgive the trouble I am occasioning, but the heat of the weather is quite overpowering. I felt as if I were about to faint.” “Do you feel better now, sir?’’ asked Lady Bess, in a kind voice. ‘‘Is there anything we can dofor you? Frank, run and get up some wine — ”’ “No, do not give yourself the trouble,’ exclaimed Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘I never touch it in the middle of the day — Besides, I am altogether well now. Where is your guest, — Lord Everton, I mean — ”’ ‘“ He is 1n his own room,” said I'rank. “ I will fetch him. He was with us a few minutes back.”’ “No, do not call him immediately,” said Mr. Gunthorpe. ‘““T wish to say a few words to you two,”’ and he again looked first at Lady Bess, then at Francis Paton, then back again at the Amazonian lady, with a singular interest in his gaze. “You rendered an immense service to a young girl in whom I am interested,” he continued, after a pause, taking Lady Bess’s hand and pressing it warmly — most warmly — in his own. ‘‘ Accept my best thanks for what you did upon the occasion. And now give me your hand, Francis Paton,”’ he said, and when he received that hand, he pressed it as kindly and as fervently as he had done the sister’s. Lady Bess and Frank had heard from Henrietta that Mr. Gunthorpe had strange ways about him, but possessed the most generous of hearts; and thus they were by no means annoyed at whatsoever eccentricity of conduct he appeared to display on this occasion. They felt that he was a gentleman with whom they could at once find themselves on a friendly and familiar footing; they even experienced sentiments which seemed to draw them toward him, and give them pleasure at the kindness with which he pressed their hands and bent his looks upon them. But then they had heard such excellent accounts of him from Henrietta, and therefore it appeared perfectly natural that they should like, and even love, anybody who was good to that art- less young maiden whom they both loved and liked as a sister. “ Now, I dare say you will think me a very strange person,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, “‘ but I am sure you will not fancy me an impertinent one, when I ask you a few questions. Be assured it is entirely in your own interest that I shall ) GOmicdoo cS (C()