The Freemason's Daughter: A Novel — page 71: what you’re looking at

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

62 THE FREEMASONS DAUGHTER. “ Do you know me, miss?” ‘Oh, yes—you are the son of Mr. Small, Squire Grindem’s partner.” “ And so I am,” chuckled the precocious libertine. “Do you know,” he added, with a patronising air “ I have frequently noticed you ?”’ ‘“‘ Indeed !” “ Do you ever go to the theatre ?” “* Never.” “‘ Nor to the concerts ?”’ “ Sir?” | “Oh! that’s all very well; but you are a devilish fine girl, and can’t be angry at being told so. Do you know I’ve taken a fancy to you? so, if you feel disposed for a new dress, or” — Before he could finish, the young lady had resumed her walk, trembling with indignation and anger, at being so coarsely insulted; but Matthew Small was not a fellow to be easily put off: he was nettled at the cool disdain with which Amy treated him, and he de- termined, if he could not bend her spirit, at least to bruise it. Quickening his steps he followed, and was just renewing his impertinence, when, to Amy’s great relief, she encountered Henry Beacham. “‘ Miss Lawrence !”’ exclaimed the latter, raising his hat, “‘ and thus accompanied ?”’ “‘ Say rather followed. Oh, Henry,” she added, in a lower tone, ‘* I have been so insulted.”’ ** Insulted !” repeated the young man ; “ by whom?” ecomnuicloooks (SO