Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

A CHANGE OF ABODE 167 to utter a word of blame or reproach on account of the past, but I wish to make it well worth your while to bury in oblivion all you do know concerning that lady. She will leave the cottage just as it is. There js a lease, I believe, and that you can have; all the furniture is likewise yours. Here are fifty pounds for your immediate wants, and every half-year you will receive a cheque from me for the sum of twenty- five pounds. Upon an annual income of fifty pounds you can live respectably. You may take lodgers to make up enough to pay your rent. But all this is done for you on condition that you set a seal upon your lips in respect to whatsoever you may know concerning Mrs. Chandos. Now go up-stairs, fetch down her male apparel, take it into the kitchen, and tear it to pieces. I shall come in a few minutes and see that you have done so. Go, but take your money, and don’t stand staring at me in this vacant, bewildered manner.” Thus did Mr. Gunthorpe issue his commands, and Rosa, finding that he was altogether serious, — as indeed the bank- notes he had placed upon the table fully proved, — ha- stened to obey him. In a few minutes the old gentleman, who seemed determined to do things in quite a businesslike manner, found his way into the kitchen, and expressed his satisfaction when he perceived that Rose had lhterally fulfilled his instructions and had torn up Lady Bess’s frock coat, waistcoat, and trousers into shreds. “There,” he said, “‘ that will do. By the bye, there’s a horse. She will have no further need of that, and you may cause it to be sold and take the proceeds for yourself. _ But mind that it is sold.” Having thus spoken, Mr. Gunthorpe retraced his way to the parlour, where he was speedily joined by Adolphus, Frank, and Elizabeth. The lady threw upon him a signifi- cant look, to imply that his instructions in respect to the pigeons had been duly carried into effect. They then all four entered the carriage, which drove away toward Stam- ford Hill. “ It is my wish,” said Mr. Gunthorpe, while proceeding thither, ‘‘ that you, Elizabeth, should resume your maiden name of Miss Paton. It is by this name you will be known beneath my roof.”’ Frank glanced toward his sister in a manner which showed EOMIIGDOOKS (f(0)