His Grace — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

230 HIS GRACE. IT will at once give my answer; although you will prob- ably have anticipated it. Certainly I do not wish the world to be informed that an uncle of mine was an unconvicted felon, and certainly I shall withhold that information if it be in my power todo so. But I have not only myself to consider in this matter. Without going.into motives to which, I fear, you would attach scant credence, I am, I think, entitled at least to say that a lady for whom I entertain a high regard must not be permitted to accept in ignorance the hand of a man of your parentage. Such, at any rate, is the light in which my duty presents itself to me. Desist from your attentions to Miss St. George, and your secret shall be safe ; continue them, and I shall be compelled to speak out. Believe me, I sympathize with you in your dilemma, which has not been of my creating ; but pray believe me also when I assure you that my de- termination is unalterable. “T have only to add that, should you be disinclined to accept my word for the facts, I will willingly show you the letter to which I have referred, and that I shall remain at home during the whole of this after- noon in case of your desiring to see me. “T am, my dear cousin, “Very faithfully yours, “PAUL GASCOIGNE.” “Well,” said Hurstbourne, when I folded up this gracefully-worded epistle and restored it to him, “ what do you think of that?” “What could anybody think?” I returned, sorrow- fully. “The man must have his proofs, or he never would have dared to write in that way. I don’t know Gomichoo “S (E(@)