Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

140 REYNOLDS’ WORKS or hurt, I felt grateful and pleased. ‘The officer paid me — much attention, mingled with the most courteous respect. I found him to be a generous-hearted, intelligent young man, ~ and as he spoke French perfectly, I was enabled to converse with him. At the expiration of a few hours, Christoval returned. He announced that the brigadier had under- taken not to push his column any farther in a northerly direction, but that he himself was unable to conclude the negotiation for the prisoner’s release, until he should have communicated with the captain-general, the young man’s father; and as it was not precisely known in what part of the country he might be at the time, and couriers would have to seek him, it had been arranged that Don Diego Christoval should return to the farmhouse, the brigadier’s headquarters, at the expiration of a week. Meanwhile it was understood that the captain-general’s son should be treated with all possible respect and attention. Accordingly, having communicated these results of his interview with the brigadier, Don Diego intimated to the officer that if he would pledge his word of honour not to es- cape, he might consider himseli free to walk about, alone and at all hours, within one mile of the tower. This parole was promptly given, and the young officer now remained only in what might be termed an honourable captivity. Thus several days passed, during which the prisoner paid increased attention to me, or, rather, endeavoured to do so, but I suffered him to perceive that his assiduities were not acceptable. Indeed, I was most careful not to provoke Christoval’s jealousy, apprehensive lest in a fit of despera- tion he might be led to adopt summary and violent measures to make me his own. Besides, the Spanish officer inspired me with no more tender interest than the count himself had done, and as I always despised a mere frivolous coquetry, I had not the least inclination to divert myself in that respect at the prisoner’s expense. ‘““ 7] must now proceed to observe that after the first day’s prisonage he grew restless, and roved about in the vicinage of the tower, almost constantly smoking. I was told, too, that instead of going to bed when the others retired, he issued forth with his cigar in his mouth, and rambled in the wood till a late hour. He was suffered to do exactly as he chose, the utmost faith being reposed in his parole, —a Gomilechbooks (e(e) m y