Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

THE DISCARDED SUITOR 93 the most cordial welcome upon her lover’s much-valued friend, and it was even with a species of paternal kindness that the old gentleman treated Florina. “ Now, I dare say,’’ hesexclaimed, making her sit beside him upon a sofa, “‘ that you are very anxious indeed to know what has taken place between me and your aunt? Well, I think, my dear Florina — for so you must permit me to eall you — that your aunt will give you the welcome intelli- gence that she is perfectly satished with a certain ycung gentleman’s rectitude of conduct.” “ Ah, Mr. Gunthorpe,’? murmured Florina, with blushes upon her cheeks and the light of joy dancing in her beauteous eyes, “ how can I sufficiently thank you for having thus cleared up the character oi one — ”’ “Whom you love so dearly, eh?’ interrupted Mr. Gun- thorpe. ‘“‘ Ah! you need not throw that dismayed look at your aunt. She will not reproach you for having kept this love a secret from her. She knows everything now.” “Yes, dearest Florina,” said Lady Macdonald, speaking with a most affectionate kindness, “‘ Mr. Gunthorpe has told me everything, and | shall not chide you. To tell you the truth, for the last two or three weeks I have myself enter- tained serious misgivings as to whether your happiness was being truly and really consulted by this engagement with Lord Saxondale. But now I can hesitate no longer in giving you the assurance that it must be broken off.”’ ‘““Oh, my dear aunt,’’ exclaimed the beauteous girl, bound- ing from her seat and embracing Lady Macdonald fervently. “ You know not what happiness your words have given me. It was only in obedience to your wishes that I ever consented to receive a suit all along so odious to me.”’ “ We will say no more upon that part of the subject, my dear Flo,’’ interrupted her ladyship. ‘ Mr. Gunthorpe has made me fully aware of the impropriety and imprudence of opposing the natural current of the heart’s affections. Be- sides, Florina, I have ceased to entertain any respect for Lady Saxondale. I have heard such sad things concerning her— But you are already acquainted with them all; Mr. Deveril has informed you of everything.” “And Mr. Deveril will receive permission,’ added Mr. Gunthorpe, “‘ to pay his respects to you, Florina, at your aunt’s house.” CONnNIEDOOKS (E(0)