Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 210: what you’re looking at

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

ben DISCOURSE 193 ‘But who are you?” again demanded the sick man, and he gazed with increasing apprehension upon this visitor, who appeared so determined to maintain his position in the chamber. “You have heard my name announced,’’ replied the marquis. “ Is it unfamiliar to you? ”’ ‘‘Gunthorpe? I do not know it. Who are you? Why don’t you speak out plainly at once? You see that I am ill — that I cannot bear excitement — ”’ “The name of Gunthorpe is then unknown to you?” said the marquis. ‘‘ Am I to conclude that neither Lord Petersfield nor Sir John Marston have acquainted you with the interview that took place between them and me the day before yesterday? ”’ As Lord Eagledean mentioned those names, a still more ghastly expression gathered upon the countenance of the wretched invalid, mingled with a still more agonizing affright. He gazed wistfully and with feverish anxiety upon the marquis, as if to study the lineaments of his countenance, or read therein the exact purport of his visit; but it was evident enough that he did not recognize Lord Eagledean, - so changed indeed was the personal appearance of this noble- man from what it was when he and Everton had last met, more than sixteen years back. “J will at once set your mind at rest,’’ said the marquis, “so far as | am enabled to do so, and far more, perhaps, than you deserve. All your guilt is known — ” ““ My guilt? ’’ echoed the invalid, and his emaciated form quivered with a cold, convulsive spasm. ‘‘ But you spoke of Petersfield and Marston — ” “ And I have likewise,’’ added Lord Eagledean, solemnly, “to speak of your nephew Adolphus, the rightful heir to the estates and title which you have usurped.” “Tt is false — all false,’ cried the old man, vehemently. ‘He is a pretender, an impostor. Adolphus died and was buried — ”’ “Silence! ’’ interrupted the marquis, sternly; ‘“‘ persist not in those foul falsehoods. But hear me. I come to offer you the means of settling all these matters peaceably, tranquilly, —I cannot use the word amicably, — but, I may say, with as little scandal and as little exposure as may be possible under the circumstances. Now, will you make CORVICLOOC eS (C(O)