Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

A CHANGE OF ABODE _ 165 is the Marquis of Eagledean.’ This 1s all I saw, for Sir John Marston returned to the room immediately afterward. I do not know whether you have already made the discovery which Mrs. Lloyd appears so earnestly to hope that you have not, but I consider the matter to be one of sufficient impor- tance to be at once communicated to you. If, by making such communication, [ am rendering you the slightest service, I shall feel truly rejoiced, and though I must always remain your debtor for your generous conduct in giving up those documents some weeks back, yet may I hope that the contents of this letter will acquit me of some part of the immense obligation I owe you. ‘“ Permit me to subscribe myself ‘“ Your devoted friend and well-wisher, ‘. VILLEBELLE.”’ Mr. Gunthorpe perused this letter with as much attention as if he had not read it on the preceding day, and as he handed it back to Elizabeth, he appeared to be absorbed in the deepest reflection, still pacing the room to and fro. Suddenly stopping short, he was about to say something, when she exclaimed, as she glanced forth from the window, “ Here are Frank and Adolphus returning from their walk.’’ Mr. Gunthorpe looked at his watch, and said, “‘ It 1s close upon two o’clock, at which hour I ordered my carriage to return. Hlizabeth, it was my purpose to have made certain revelations to you, which it is necessary you should learn, but I cannot do it now. You must restrain your impatience yet a little while — ”’ “ But tell me, Mr. Gunthorpe,”’ she said, in a tone of anxious entreaty, ‘‘ who are you, and wherefore do you take such an interest in the affairs of Frank and myself? Do tell me — I beseech you to tell me! One word will suffice. Frank and Adolphus are entering the house, — quick, quick, do speak that word! ”’ “Iam the bosom friend of the Marquis of Eagledean,’’ he replied, in a hurried manner. Klizabeth Chandos: looked disappointed, but yet some- what bewildered and incredulous. “Hush,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, ‘‘no more now! But as the friend of your father, — as one acquainted with all his secrets, and one having full power to act on his behalf, — CONIC OOOKS (C(O)