Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 220: what you’re looking at

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

THE MYSTERIOUS MISSIVE 203 eravely, “‘ there is this consideration, that if Juliana Farefield beguiled you into becoming the object of a sensual phantasy, she is a being unworthy of a pure affection on your part, because she herself experiences it not toward you.” Francis Paton, recovering from his confusion, proceeded to acquaint his sister, candidly but delicately, with all that had taken place between himself and Juliana. Eliza- beth listened in silence, and continued to reflect in silence also, after he had done speaking. “You tell me that Miss Farefield manifested a deep interest in the tale of your earlier years,’’ she at length said, ‘“‘ that she treated you with the kindest sympathy, that she expressed the cogviction your birth was above the circum- stances in which you were then placed. All this seems to argue in favour of a true and sincere love on her part. And yet, could she not have suggested a private marriage? Not being acquainted with her, and therefore being utterly unable to form a correct estimate of her true character and disposition, I know not what to say, or what to advise. She is exceedingly handsome, Frank, is she not? ” “Oh, she is superbly beautiful! ’’ cried the youth, in enthusiastic tones, and again did the colour glow upon his cheeks. “TI know not what love is,’’ said Elizabeth, ‘‘ but I think that I can conjecture the symptoms and principles of the passion. Look into your own heart, Frank; does it cherish Juliana’s image? Are you frequently, almost constantly thinking of her? Yes, yes, I know that you are. Those abstracted moods which I have so often observed since we were thrown together again have not been altogether fraught with pain and grief on my account. Doubtless you have sorrowed at being separated from Juliana. Your heart has yearned toward her.”’ “ Yes, for I feel that I love her,’’ replied Frank. ‘ But do you think, dear Elizabeth, that there is any hope of the proud and haughty Lady Saxondale permitting her daughter to wed a youth who once wore a livery in her service? ”’ “The Marquis of Eagledean,’ responded Elizabeth, proudly, “‘ will give you a fortune, Frank, that will be sufficient to overrule Lady Saxondale’s scruples. Yes, if he cannot give you a noble name, he will at least give you wealth, and wealth in this country constitutes a social posi- CORVICLO@QC) <S (F(©)