The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 268: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 261 For the first time in his life Grindem was subdued : his tormentor knew his power, and used it with no sparing hand. It was in vain that the man of wealth looked nght and left for aid, turned his astute spirit into the recesses of his own scheming heart; he could find no loophole to escape. In the agony of his humiliation and rage he would willingly have murdered the little man, who sat eyeing him with a provoking, cool indifference, which was the more galling from its contrast with his former slavish subserviency. ‘* And how long,” he groaned, “do you give me to decide on this?” ‘* Three days.” ** Only three ?”’ ‘*Not an hour more,” continued Small; “and I consider even that a weakness; but I have no wish to be hard with you, especially as it 1s possible we may one day be friends.” “Ay,” thought Gilbert, “such friends as the lion and the tiger when they meet;” but he restrained himself, and merely replied— | ‘‘ Three days be it, then.” *‘ Have you anything more to add?” demanded Small. © Nothing—nothing.”’ ““ Good afternoon.” And the triumphant rascal deliberately put on his COniiclooecl SS (SO