Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 306: what you’re looking at

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

LOVE - AFFAIRS 289 she exclaimed, with her wonted blithness, “‘ Come, Frank, we must hasten and dress for dinner. The Deverils and the Leydens are coming, and 1t will be a happy party.” The brother and sister sped back to the mansion, and it was indeed a happy party which was gathered in the splendid drawing-room at about six o’clock. William Deveril, who had seen Frank in his page’s livery at Saxondale House, could not help thinking that handsome as he had looked then, he appeared to far greater advantage in his present elegant evening costume, and he shook hands with him in a manner so ingenuously cordial and warm, that it was as much as to imply the words, “‘ We are bosom friends from this moment.”’ Angela — who, in a plain white dress, looked ravishingly beautiful — was heartily welcomed by Lady Everton, and she was soon on the most friendly terms with Elizabeth Paton and Henrietta Leyden. And here we may observe that it would have been difficult, if all England were searched through, to discover three more perfect specimens of female loveliness than Elizabeth, Angela, and Henrietta, or two handsomer youths than William Deveril and Francis Paton. But Adolphus, did he not also appear to advantage? Yes, and wonderfully improved was he alike in personal appear- ance and the tone of his intellect. Mrs. Leyden and lhttle Charley were amongst the guests, and the sweet boy was full of the most joyous spirits. Altogether, we repeat, it was indeed a happy party. Soon alter eight o’clock the Marquis of Eagledean and William Deveril entered the carriage, which was in readiness, and which drove away in the direction of Agar Town. ‘““ And so Fiorina and Angela at once became as affectionate as two sisters,’ observed the marquis, referring to some conversation which had already taken place between him- self and William Deveril in the course of the evening. “ Angela was delighted with Florina,’’ answered our hero; “indeed, how could she be otherwise? For the heart which is all amiable and pure is certain to love a being who is her- self amiability and purity.” “ No doubt of it,’ said the marquis. ‘ I was convinced they would immediately experience a fondness for one another. Florina was already much prepossessed in favour of your sister, and of course Angela was equally prepared CONnNIEDOOKS (S(O)