Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

THE ENAMOURED SQUIRE 313 forth, mounted his spirited steed, which was in readiness. Putting a crown piece into the hand of the groom — for the squire was generosity itself — he galloped away, made the circuit of the grounds, and thus getting on the rear, or northern end of the castle, proceeded along the bank of the river through the fields in the direction of Gainsborough. He had ridden about a couple of miles, and on reaching a gate, Mr. Hawkshaw was stooping ideoratd to open it, when several horses, that were in the field which he was about to enter, ealloped, as 1f they were mad, but only in frolicsome sport, across the meadow. ‘The thoroughbred which the squire bestrode instantaneously pricked up its ears, manifesting that sudden excitement which spirited horses are wont to do under such circumstances, and swerv- ing abruptly on one side, the animal threw the squire com- pletely over the gate into the next field. His hat fell off, his head came in violent contact with a stone, and he was completely stunned. In a few minutes he came back to con- sciousness, and found an exceedingly prepossessing, indeed beautiful, youth bending over him, bathing his face with a wet handkerchief, which had been dipped for the purpose in the river that flowed close by. ‘Are you much hurt?” inquired the youth, in a gentle voice, expressive of sincere sympathy and concern. “No, I think not,’’ said Mr. Hawkshaw, and then making an attempt to rise, he found that he was much better able to do so than might have been expected from the severity of his fall. ‘“‘ Thank God, there are no bones broken, at all events. A little pain in the head, but that is of no great consequence. Tell me, my young friend, 1s there much of a contusion on the forehead? a “No mark is apparent there at all,” replied the youthful stranger, “‘ but I felt a considerable swelling on the side. The hair, however, covers it.”’ “So much the better,” ejaculated the squire, overjoyed at this intelligence. ‘‘ Nobody need know anything of my misadventure. But where is the horse? ”’ He made a long circuit, and then came back. There he is — just behind the hedge. I would have caught the noble animal, but did not like to leave you till I was assured that you were returning to consciousness.”’ “ It would have been more seemly,” exclaimed the squire, — Gomichdoo Ss (S(O)