The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 260: what you’re looking at

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

~ THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER 253 . least alarmed at his hint at self-destruction ; “ that pampered soul of yours clings too much to life; you dare not die. Were the officers of justice at your door, and the pistol in your hand, you would not find the courage to pull the trigger: the dread of meeting the accusing spirit of poor Lawrence, whom you robbed—of his son and widow, whom you morally murdered, would restrain you. Psha! I know you; you would brave the felon’s dock much sooner than the grave.” * Devil—devil! ” ** Good bye,” added Small, with insulting coolness ; “you will not provoke me to act upon the impulse of passion. I give you four-and-twenty hours to dis- solve our partnership; for I should not wish my name to be mixed up with yours in the assize calendar.” The speaker rose from the chair on which, during the interview, he had been lolling, and slowly moved towards the door, evidently expecting to be called back ; for our readers have already seen too much of his character to suppose for an instant that he had any serious intention of coming to a positive rupture with his wealthy partner : his real object was to revenge the many years of insult and degradation he had submitted to, and, like a skilful chapman, enhance his price. ‘“‘ Stay—-stay ! ” said Grindem, with a violent effort. “TI thought so,” muttered Small to himself, as he turned from the door. “No,” added his partner, in a fresh paroxysm of passion, for the sneering smile upon the hypocrite’s COniiclooecl SS (SO