The Land Claim — page 119: what you’re looking at

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

SIR DEMING CARLETON. ~ 115 “ Pardon this intrusion, Miss Newcome ; I beg your pardon, Mr. Allen—that is your name, I believe—but my errand was one that required dispatch. Mr. Mauvais will tell you the business I have come about—simply to take the guardianship of this young lady away from him. What does my niece say to taking her uncle for guardian?” said the stranger, advanc- ing to Alicia and clasping her hand. “Well, I do declare!” murmured Mrs. Wyman, who, hearing strange voices, came in with a lamp. “How do you do, madam? You have not forgotten me, I see. I appear and disappear in very mysterious ways, for which I have to ask your pardon. But, as this niece of mine says, one sometimes has motives not apparent to every one—ha! ha!” “Take seats, gentlemen,” said Mrs. Wyman, to her visitors. “J don’t know your name, sir, but I am very glad to see you, if you are a friend of Alicia’s.” “My name is Carleton, madam—Sir Deming Carleton, at home—Mr. Carleton, in the United States, I suppose. Thank you, I will take a seat.” “ Good-evening,” said Allen, in the doorway. “No, I beg your pardon, I am not ready to say good- evening to you yet, Mr. Allen,” Sir Deming said, hastily, rising and bowing to the young man. “Pray remain, sit ; you need bave no fears of intruding where your company is so desirable,” he added, glancing at Alicia, close to whose side he had drawn a chair. “Now, Mr. Mauvais,” continued Sir Deming, when Allen was seated, “ please tell this young lady the errand we came upon.” “ This gentleman,” said the Frenchman, addressing himself to Alicia, “ has been able to convice me, however reluctantly, that his right to the guardianship of your fair self is better founded than my own. At all events, it is based ona legal claim, while mine is not. He is undoubtedly your uncle, on your mother’s side, and is able to do for-you all which it would have been my highest pleasure to have done. There- fore, I resign you into his hands. I have already prepared him to find in you all that is lovely and endearing, and I Wish you, dear Miss Alicia, all the happiness you so eminently deserve.” comiclbooks.com