Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

THE NOBLEMAN AND THE LAWYER 85 heard a certain tale respecting his behaviour to her lady- ship? ’’ inquired the attorney. “This is a very pointed question, Malton,’ answered Lord Petersfield, ‘‘ and though not in the habit of replying without due deliberation, I think that in the present case I may admit that I have heard something of the kind.”’ “Tt is relative to this I wish to consult your lordship. Mr. Deveril, it appears, denies the truth of the story alto- gether, and a gentleman, who has taken up the matter very warmly on his behalf, is about to instruct his attorney to bring an action for defamation against Lady Saxondale.’’ “ You had better, Malton, tell me the name of that gentle- man. But do not speak too hastily; reflect on what you are going to say, you might mention a wrong name. I once knew a person, answering too quickly, give the name of Noakes instead of Brogson. So pray be careful.”’ “There is no need of reflection, my lord,’’ responded the attorney, with a smile. ‘“ The gentleman’s name is Gun- thorpe.”’ : _“ Ah, Gunthorpe! ” ejaculated the nobleman, with a start, for his name had now become an ominous and inauspicious one for him. “Yes, my lord. Do you know him? ”’ . Know him, Malton? I should not like to speak so posi- tively as to avow that I know him, but he was certainly here upon a little private business an hour back.”’ “ Mr. Gunthorpe here?” exclaimed Mr. Malton. ‘ And did he not mention this circumstance to your lordship? For of course he must know that your lordship is a friend of the Saxondale family.” ‘“ He did not mention the circumstance, Malton. I think that I may go so far as to assure you that he did not, — I am certain that I may.”’ “Well, then, I must explain how the matter stands. pome time back — as much as a fortnight ago — Mr. Gun- thorpe came to our office, and explained his business, as I have already intimated to ‘your lordship. He agreed to suspend all proceedings for one week, on condition that we would write to her ladyship upon the subject. It however appears that business has prevented Mr. Gunthorpe from returning to us until yesterday, and then he came to inquire what we proposed to do on behalf of her ladyship in the mat- Gomichoo Ss (C(O)