Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 332: what you’re looking at

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

-THE ENAMOURED SQUIRE 315 “Then let me henceforth call young Mr. Paton my friend,’ said Hawkshaw, again grasping Frank’s hand. ‘“ But come now, don’t think me rude, and don’t be angry with me for what I am going to say. Is there nothing I ean do for you? I have told you that I mean to regard you as a friend, and you must look upon me in the same light. You are very young, and I dare say that you have been brought up in a manner above your present means. Now, don’t be offended, for I do not seek to wougd your feelings; no, not for the world. Perhaps if you had a good friend, a sincere friend, a friend who would take you by the hand, — a friend, in short, who would not let you want for a few hundred pounds to give you a fair start in hfe — ”’ Frank’s countenance had become the colour of crimson, for he knew that all this was said in consequence of the shabby apparel which he wore. But at the same time he experi- enced a deep sense of gratitude toward his new friend, whose frank generosity of spirit it was by no means difficult to penetrate. “To cut all this short,” said Mr. Hawkshaw, ‘ will you come and take up your quarters with me at the Hall? It is not very far distant, and if you go to Gainsborough, there is a van leaving at six o’clock that will put you down at the park gate. Are you staying at Gainsborough? ”’ ‘Yes, I am staying there for the present,’’ replied Frank, who did not like to say too much concerning himself, be- cause his business in Lincolnshire was, as the reader may suspect, of rather a secret as well as of a delicate nature. ‘And may I ask,’’ pursued Hawkshaw, ‘‘ whether you are rambling here with any fixed purpose, or only through curiosity? Perhaps you were on your way to see that fine old castle yonder? I have just come from thence; it is Lady Saxondale’s.”’ “Yes,” observed Frank, with difficulty veiling his con- fusion at all the various associations conjured up by the mention of that name, “I was going to while away a few hours by looking at the castle. As for your invitation to stay at the Hall, I again express my sincere thanks, and with regard to all the other kind things you said, and the offers you so generously but delicately made — ” “You refuse them?” said Mr. Hawkshaw, and he gazed _ upon the youth with growing interest as well as curiosity. GOMIIGDOOks (FO)