In Sight of St. Paul's — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

70 | A CRUSHING BLOW. Ah; captain, I thought you’d gone. Sorry to hear Mrs. Dell is indisposed. Come in! Come in!’’. And Mr. Chichester, in the exuberance of his _ spirits, absolutely forced them into the dining-room, where, in the blaze of countless lights; the entire company was assembled about the tables, groaning with eatables and drinkableés of every description. ‘*Prescott,’’ said Mr. Chichester, addressing one of the servants, ‘‘some champagne for these gentlemen. We’ll have another toast.’’ ro ‘One moment, Mr. Chichester,’’ said Gridston, in a voice intentionally loud enough to attract the atten- tion of the major part of the company, ‘‘I have some- thing very particular to say to you first, that is, if you will grant me your permission.’? Mr. Chichester looked astonished, but he could only answer: ‘*Certainly—as you wish.”’ “But, surely, father,’’ began Tom, seeking for some excuse to prevent the threatened revelation, ?? ‘“you ‘Silence, Tom,’’ interrupted his father, not exactly understanding, but not a little curious. ‘‘Captain Gridston has something particular to say, and, as he desires to say it at once, let him do so.”’ Tf Mr. Chichester had any idea at all of what Grid- ston’s intention was, he probably thought it was some little surprise in honor of his son Harry. Eomicbooks