The Dugdale Millions — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

A FATEFUL ARRIVAL. 89 The words Dick gave expression to upon the spur of the moment were idle and hollow, wrung from him in his surprise. “T will be pleased to devote myself to Lord Merri- mount,’’ he said. ‘“Thank you,’’ said the young Englishman heartily, rising and extending his hand to Dick. ‘‘But please drop the title. It isn’t anything in this country, you know. I’d rather be called Merrimount.”’ As Dick took the other’s hand, and felt the firm hearty grasp with which his own was taken, he appre- ciated the sincerity of the man, and felt a strong lik. ing for the Englishman; moreover he was distinctly conscious that the young nobleman had formed the same feeling for himself. It was one of those strong fancies which not infrequently occur between men instantly on meeting, which is not to be ex- plained. ‘**Mason, you will dine with us to-night,’’ said Het- low. ‘‘Dinner at seven.’’ Accepting the invitation, given as it was in a spirit he could not resent, he begged to retire to prepare himself. As he wandered along the crooked path leading to Mr. Stanton’s house, he muttered to himself: ‘*‘Hang it; he’s just the kind of fellow I didn’t want him to be—handsome, courteous, simple, unaffected, ad good fellow, d him.”’ He did not see Wallis until in the evening, when he walked back from ‘*The Larches’’ with her. ‘“Well,’’ he said, ‘‘he’s gone and done it.’’ **Done what?’’ asked Wallis, with a gasp. ‘*He has proposed for Miss Hetlow’s hand.”’ *‘Lord Merrimount has? Oh, we feared that was what the library conference meant. Did Mr. Hetlow consent? Of course he did.”’ ‘*No; he said, ‘until it was definitely settled that Miss Hetlow was the heir, everything must remain in Comicloeo® <S C@© 3