Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 351: what you’re looking at

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

334 REYNOLDS’ WORKS " was only upon indifferent and every-day subjects. But when the cloth was removed, and the board was covered with fruits and wines, the domestics withdrew, and then Frank, who in the meanwhile had found leisure for reflection as to the singularity of his position, thought that it was time to give a few words of explanation. “Mr. Hawkshaw,” he said, “in the first place I must renew my thanks for this generous hospitality on your part — ” “Not a syllable, Mr. Paton,” interrupted the squire. ‘“ T have already told you that I consider myself your debtor. Thank Heaven, the hurt I received has proved much more trivial than might have at first been anticipated.” ‘“T am rejoiced to receive this assurance,’ answered Frank. ‘“‘ But I was on the point of observing that you must doubtless consider it strange to have beheld me wandering about in such a manner, and also,” he added, with a mournful look, “ that I should be so poorly apparelled, although possessed of the amplest means.”’ ‘“T don’t seek to penetrate into your affairs, my young friend,’ observed the squire, ‘ and if you consider it neces- sary to give me proofs of your respectability, I can tell you at once I don’t want them. Your speech, your air, your manners, are those of a young gentleman, but even if-you were not, it would be all the same, for I am not merely under an obligation to you, but I have likewise concerred a great interest on your behalf.” ‘For this reason, therefore, Mr. Hawkshaw,” responded Frank, ‘‘ and in return for that generous assurance, I con- sider it my duty to tell you something respecting myself. Nay, permit me to do so. There is perhaps some little romance in the tale that I am about to narrate, and at all events it will serve for conversation as well as another topic.” “Tf you regard the matter in this point of view,’’ observed Hawkshaw, “‘ you shall have your own way. Now, fill your glass, and let us enjoy ourselves. I am sorry to see that your spirits are none of the best, but I must hope to con- tribute toward cheering them somewhat. I dare be sworn it is some love-matter, but pray do not for a moment fancy that I seek to make light of it, as I myself must plead guilty to having recently surrendered up my heart to the keeping of the most beautiful and virtuous of her sex.”’ Eomicbooks (E(o)