The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 177 ‘¢ Tol-lolish.”’ “Would you like to marry her?’? demanded his father. ‘Marry her!” repeated Matthew, with a look of astonishment ; “not so green! marry a girl without a penny—I should be a flat !”’ ‘“‘ Not so great a one as you suppose,” said Small; ‘she is about the best match in Manchester, or, rather, might be made so.” *‘ 'That’s another affair.” “It would spite Beacham,” continued his father. ** So it would,” said Matthew; “and I would go any length to be revenged upon him. I hated him when he was a boy—I hate him now he is a man. I would do anything short of murder to be revenged on him.” “*Reach him through hts affections!” whispered Small ; “it’s much safer than through the body. Mar his happiness—his health will soon follow; for he is one of those sensitive fools who are all heart.” “ T’ll find the way to reach it, father.” “Do so through Amy Lawrence—he loves her, Matthew, better than his uncle’s fortune. Strike him there, and you will be quits for the kicking he gave you: mar his prospects and make your own. Now, then, to your desk. When Grindem returns, cringe and fawn, as usual—the mask is easily worn, when we know that we can cast it off at will.” With these words the worthy pair separated: the son to his desk, the father to busy himself in the general affairs of the firm. VOL. I. N COniiclooecl SS (SO