Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 328: what you’re looking at

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

THE ENAMOURED SQUIRE 311 what has taken place between you and me to-day, and also congratulate him on the change which his position is likewise to experience. One kiss more, dear Juliana, and I am off.’’ The kiss was given and returned, and Squire Hawkshaw, quitting the drawing-room, repaired to Lord Harold Staun- ton’s chamber, which was on a higher story and in a remote part of the building. On knocking at the door, he was de- sired to enter, and he found the young nobleman making some change in his toilet. He proceeded to mention his en- gagement with Juliana, and likewise to offer suitable con- eratulations on Harold’s intended marriage with Lady Saxondale. It struck him for the moment that a somewhat strange expression passed over the exceedingly handsome countenance of Lord Harold, — an expression which seemed to spring from the writhing sense of internal pain, but as it immediately passed away, and Staunton recovered his wonted cheerfulness of look as he reciprocated those ‘con- sratulations, the squire thought no more of the circum- stance, or if he did, he attributed it to the lingering effects of the severe fall from the horse. “Why are you going so early to-day, Hawkshaw? ” asked Lord Harold. “I have some little business at Gainsborough,’’ responded the squire. ‘In fact, a large farmer, who owes me some money, has called a meeting of his creditors at a tavern there, and as he is a worthy good fellow, I am going to give him what help I can.”’ “ You are going to ride across?’ asked Harold. “ Yes, and on that same thoroughbred, too, that you were so venturesome with. I am afraid that you sometimes feel the pain now. And yet — let me see — it must be a good three weeks ago — ”’ ‘“ Ah! but it was a very serious fall,’’ rejoined Harold. “I am going to have two or three hours’ fishing, under the shade of those trees yonder, till dinner-time.”’ ‘ You seem to be fond of manly sports,’’ observed Hawk- shaw. “ Ah! you have got a pistol-case here,” and the Squire, who possessed a perfect knowledge of every descrip- tion of firearms, opened the box. ‘‘ Double-barrelled, eh? ”’ he said, taking up the only one it contained, for the other was not there, although the case was formed to contain two. GoOmicdoo ‘S (C(O)