Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 361: what you’re looking at

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

344 REYNOLDS’ WORKS he conversed with such frankness of heart and in such cheerful spirits that young Paton felt himself considerably — elevated from the despondency and gloom into which he had previously been plunged. It was impossible not to catch some portion of the squire’s exhilaration; besides, Frank was little more than eighteen years of age, and that was not a time of life when disappointment in love renders the victim so utterly disconsolate as to think seriously of quitting the world and turning hermit. Mr. Hawkshaw and his youthful guest, mounting the horses that were gotten in readiness for them, rode forth across the country. There was a variety of beautiful scenery on the squire’s estate, with the contemplation of which Frank was much charmed, for his was a mind that could appreciate the loveliness of nature, and receive, as it were, poetic inspirations therefrom. Nor less was he in reality curious and interested with regard to fine specimens of archi- tecture; he had therefore done himself an injustice when at the breakfast-table he affected an indifference with regard to Saxondale Castle. But this, as the reader has no doubt understood, he did for the purpose of preventing Mr. Hawk- shaw from starting a proposal to take him in that direction. After a long ride, a farmhouse was reached, where the squire purposed to halt and take lunch. He was well known there, although it was not upon his own estate, and most welcome were he and Frank made by the occupants of the homestead. Having refreshed themselves, they remounted their horses and returned to the Hall by another route, so that Frank had further opportunities of beholding the charm- ing scenery of that part of the country. It was about four o’clock when they reached the mansion, and the interval until dinner-time was occupied by an inspection of the interior of the house itself. There was a fine library, con- sisting chiefly of old works accumulated by Mr. Hawkshaw’s father, who was much more of a bookworm than his son and successor. There was likewise a fine gallery of pictures, and there were a few good busts and statues. Thus, in the inspection of these objects of interest, the time passed away quickly enough till six o’clock, when dinner was served up. After the repast Frank and the squire adjourned te their respective chambers, to dress for the grand ball that was to take place at the Denisons’ that evening. Gomicbooks.¢co a 4 - . : 45 ‘ ; ' 2 a “i