The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 149 “Where are you going ?”? demanded Henry. ‘To our old quarters, at the Royal,” replied the young man ; “ we can speak more freely there ; where, when boys, we called for our first bottle of wine, and ventured on our first cigar together. Do you remem- ber,” he added, “with what dignity we gave our orders to the grinning waiter? and how we hid the half-finished cigars behind the lookjng-glass, to make the fellow believe that we had smoked them 2” “‘ Perfectly,” said Beacham, relaxing to a smile; “ah, those were happy times, William.” ** We shall see happier yet,” continued his friend ; “why, Harry, we have but just commenced the game of life. At our age, we have too many chances to despair. Not a word here,” he added, observing that his companion was about to speak. ‘‘ Thank heaven, we are at the Royal at last.” In a few minutes the young men were comfortably seated in the private room where their first attempt at smoking had been made. ‘“‘T am sure we are friends again,”’ observed Bowles, as he filled the glasses. | ** And ever have been.” ‘That being the case, I may speak freely,’ con- tinued the young man. ‘“ You spoke just now, Henry, of being obliged to quit England—of being wretched. If there is anything between you and your fine lord— I know he 1s a gambler—leave me to settle it, I am of age—in possession of my grandfather's legacy—as you COniiclooecl SS (SO