The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 19 ‘Simply that we are members of the same lodge. My friend, Lord Somers, whose society you wished me to cultivate, has long been initiated. Had I thought you had the least objection” — ‘‘ Objection !”” repeated his uncle, breathing freely ; ‘not the least. Lord Somers is a most unexception- able acquaintance. And so Lawrence is a mason.” ‘Ay, and a distinguished one. His father was so before him.” ‘< And his sister,” demanded Mr. Grindem; “ have you seen her ?”’ “Oh, frequently,” replied the young man, without the least sign of embarrassment. “She is a little fairy, and sings like a nightingale.” ‘“‘And how old is this nightingale?” demanded the uncle, curiously. <* A mere child, sir—fifteen.” ‘‘Humph!” said the old man, not quite satisfied. ** Mind what you are about, Henry. To seduce her would be a folly—to marry her a crime, never to be forgiven by me.” ‘© Rest satisfied, I shall do neither one nor the other. Marry her,” he added to himself, “ ridiculous! Seduce her—oh never, never !”’ The secret of old Gridley’s influence over his master is soon told. Fourteen years previous to the com- mencement of our tale, led by his love of wine, he had concealed himself in the vast cellars of the firm, and drank till memory and reason tottered on their c2 y COUN Goo! SS (SO