The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 286: what you’re looking at

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

THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. 979 writer had arrived safely.”” It is astonishing what cir- cumlocution lovers take to express the simplest facts. “Well, Amy,” said William, as she slowly folded the letter, and placed it in her bosom, ‘‘ what news of Henry ?” : “He has arrived in St. Petersburg.” ‘The post-mark told me that much,” said the young man, laughing ; “ does he say nothing more ?” * Nothing—that is scarcely anything,” replied Amy, blushing. ‘I don’t intend to be defrauded of my due for all that,” continued the young man. ‘“ You remember the conditions ?” ‘You must pardon me and act like a generous creditor. I am a bankrupt—accept a composition,” said Amy ; ‘instead of a kiss, I’ll shake hands with you ?” ‘Oh, dear no! It was strictly a commercial trans- action ; therefore, since the principal fails, I come upon the surety.” And, before Mary could possibly be upon her guard, or thought proper to be so—we leave our female readers to decide which—the speaker drew her towards him, and imprinted a kiss upon her lips. The sound attracted the attention of his father, who raised his head from the paper ; but at the same instant Mrs. Bowles snuffed one of the candles, and the un- suspecting old gentleman resumed his reading, perfectly satisfied that it was the click of the snuffers which had startled him. COniiclooecl SS (SO