The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 171 savage joy in his degradation, knowing how soon they would change characters; “at the very moment you came in | was thinking of an affair which promises an excellent return for a comparatively small outlay.” ** Indeed! how much ?” “ Not more than a thousand pounds.” “Pooh! a trifle,” sneered Grindem; “a thousand pounds! what per cent do you expect to make on that ?”’ *‘ A thousand per cent at least.” ‘A thousand per cent !”” repeated his partner, some- what mollified. ‘‘ Well, well, that is something; but not too much,” he added, fearful that he should make Small vain by his unusual commendation. ‘* Men of sense should never make small ventures without the certitude of a large return. It’s not business-like, Small—it’s not business-like.” *T’ll remember that!” thought his partner, mentally. “Well,” resumed the speaker, in a still more softened tone, “you shall inform me of the affair to- morrow—I have no time to listen to anything to-day. My nephew is about to start for St. Petersburg; there is a deed of partnership to sign; and, im fact, I have something else to think of.”’ With these words the speaker entered his carriage, and drove hastily away. ‘A deed of partnership!”’ repeated Small, as soon as he was alone with his three sons, who, during the con- versation, had been most industriously scribbling away. COniiclooecl SS (SO