Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 231: what you’re looking at

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

OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. 221 isfied that you are not in Liverpool. I have been stopping myself for some time in a charming little town in Surrey. And there is a good woman there who, I am sure, will keep you with all kindly service, and be faithful against any bribes. I happened to be of service once, when her foolish lad, under the influence of too deep potations of the fair, enlisted in the marine corps. I got him off for her; since when she is ready for any good deed. in my behalf. We might take the train all the way, but I prefer to leave, and proceed the latter portion of the journey by stage. I think you will enjoy it better, and it will be safer besides.” His programme was safely carried out. They chanced to be the only passengers in the old-fash- ioned, lumbering coach, and could talk freely without fear of listeners. As they came in view of the gray turrets of Wainwright Slope, crowning the dark green summit of the hill, with the blue sweep of the river dimpling at its feet, his fair com- panion uttered an exclamation vs girlish delight and ad- miration. ““ What a lovely spot! Is it the residence of some of your English noblemen?” she asked. ““No,” answered Maurice, gravely. ‘‘ Itis the old ances- tral house of the Wainwrights.” He. looked at her a moment in silence, and then said, with a smiling glance into her pensive face: ‘Do you know that Mathew Merle has ‘he’s power to es- tablish my father’s claim to that fine old place?” And he told her the story. She listened with keen interest, and said, at its conclusion, while a soft mist crept over her eyes: ‘Do you know that I have cherished wild visions of dis- coyering some such noble old mansion as my rightful home? Alack! I was so foolish and extravagant when I first landed on English soil. I have been taught a bitter GComicbhoo Cs) €oO nm