Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 106: what you’re looking at

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

THE NOBLEMAN AND THE LAWYER 89 proper a term,” said the lawyer, “ I will be more guarded in future.”’ At this moment the footman entered, bearing a large official-looking packet with an enormous seal. Lord Peters- field took it from the silver salver on which it was presented, placed it solemnly before him, and waited until the servant had withdrawn before he broke the seal. Then he opened the despatch, looked slowly around the room to convince him- self that there was nobody but Malton present with him, and lastly fixed his eyes upon the lawyer himself, as if to acquire the additional certainty that this gentleman was not pre- pared to take any undue advantage of the packet being opened in his presence. Malton perfectly. understood what was passing in the mind of the cautious diplomatist, and he could not help smiling as he rose to take his leave. But the nobleman bade him remain for a few minutes until he had examined the despatch. Mr. Malton accordingly resumed his seat, while Lord Petersfield slowly and solemnly perused the contents of the document he had just received. Having done this, he folded it up again, placed it in the envelope, tied a piece of red tape around the packet, and then deliber- ately endorsed it with the day of the month and the very hour at which he had received it. ‘Tt is as I thought,” said his lordship, ‘‘ when I begged you to remain. I have just received an announcement — and when I tell you this, Malton, it 1s with the deliberate conviction that I am justified in so telling you — that I eannot possibly proceed into Lincolnshire. All I can do is to write to Lady Saxondale. Her Mayjesty’s Ministers, having every confidence in my ability, caution, and wariness, have selected me for a special mission to the imperial court of Vienna. Itis not altogether unexpected. I think I may go so far as to state that I did positively expect it — ”’ Again the door opened, and the footman said, “‘ Please, your lordship, Lord Saxondale requests a few minutes’ interview with your lordship.”’ “ Let Lord Saxondale be introduced,” said the nobleman. “Well, you see,’’ exclaimed Edmund, as he entered the room, “| can’t stand this sort of thing any longer, and so I have resolved to go abroad.” | Lord Petersfield looked positively aghast at what he con- sidered to be the precipitate and reckless manner in which Gomichdoo ‘S (S(O)