The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

144 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. “‘ Pray name it, sir.” “It is necessary—nay, indispensable—that in three days you set out for St. Petersburg.” Had a thunderbolt fallen at his feet, Henry Beacham could not have been more astonished. The blow was cruel; for it promised to separate him, heaven knew for how long, from Amy. * To St. Petersburgh ?”’ “‘St. Petersburgh,” methodically repeated his uncle, without paying the least attention to his surprise. ‘You are aware that a great portion of my fortune is vested in the Russian trade; circumstances require that for a month or six weeks I should have a person there on whom I can implicitly rely.” ‘Would not Mr. Small ”’— ‘‘ Had Mr. Small,” said Gilbert, interrupting him, ‘‘been capable of managing the affair, I should have sent him; you know I never decide on anything with- out mature reflection. In three days your credentials will be made out.” “Uncle,” exclaimed the young man, “ is the journey inevitable ?”’ ‘‘ Inevitable,” repeated Grindem. «* And you have no other motive in sending me than the one you have stated ?”’ ‘The motive,” said his uncle, sternly, as he felt offended that his word should be doubted; “‘ regards the honour of the firm and the stability of my fortune.” «Then I must go!” sighed Henry. COniiclooecl SS (SO