Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 105: what you’re looking at

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

88 REYNOLDS’ WORKS > These varied reflections swept rapidly through the mind — of Lord Petersfield, as Mr. Malton had been speaking, and for upwards of a minute he remained silent. ‘“ Well, my dear sir,” he at length said, “ there may be something worthy of consideration in your remakes But do you not see that it 1s a very difficult matter to deal with? Assuredly, Lady Saxondale must not be permitted to rush headlong into disgrace. She may not know the nature of the evidence that her opponents are possessed of against her. Persons — as you of course are even better aware than myself — frequently go to law with the confident hope that every- thing which is really damnatory to themselves 1s unknown to their opponents.”’ “ Just so, my lord,” said Mr. Malton, “ and then, when it all comes out, and they find themselves overwhelmed with disgrace and confusion, they bitterly regret their folly in having persevered with law. I was thinking that if your lordship would only write a pressing letter to Lady Saxon- dale — or what would be much better, proceed into Lincoln- shire, and obtain a personal interview — you might, with that delicacy and tact which your lordship knows so well how to use, induce her ladyship to empower Marlow and myself to compromise this matter.”’ “JT cannot possibly give an immediate answer,’ said the nobleman. “It requires deliberation; it is something to be pondered upon; I could not undertake anything rash.” “ But the affair is urgent, my lord,’ said Mr. Malton. “In two or three days, unless we are prepared to do some- thing, Mr. Gunthorpe’s attorney will commence proceed- ings.” ‘“ Well, my dear sir, I must take the rest of this day to consider the matter,’ rejoined Lord Petersfield, “and I will let you know to-morrow. If I decide upon proceeding into Lincolnshire — ”’ “ You will in that case,’’ added Malton, wishing to nail the nobleman to this particular course, “ start to-morrow morning? ”’ “ Start, Mr. Malton? ’’ observed the diplomatist, looking very grave and very suspicious. “I never start. I never do anything in a hurry. I do not start, as you term it; I take my departure.”’ “TI beg your lordship’s pardon for having used so im- m Gomicbooks.co