Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 363: what you’re looking at

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

346 3 REYNOLDS’ WORKS settled in different parts of the same county. These were all present at the ball of which we are speaking. Most of the guests had arrived when Mr. Hawkshaw’s carriage drove up to the front of the mansion. There were perhaps three hundred persons altogether assembled, and, as the squire had. hinted to his youthful companion, these consisted of the élite of the entire neighbourhood for several miles around. It was with a heart beating more violently than while performing his toilet or during the drive thither, that Francis Paton, arm in arm with Mr. Hawkshaw, followed the powdered lackey up the spacious and well-lighted stair- case, to the first of the suite of rooms which were thrown open for the reception of the company. It was here — in what was called the anteroom — that Mr. and Mrs. Denison had stationed themselves to receive their guests. Immedi- ately upon crossing that threshold, Frank swept his quick glances around, but amongst the ladies and gentlemen who were lounging there previous to passing into the next apart- ment, which was called the saloon, he discerned not Juliana Farefield. The footman announced Mr. Hawkshaw in a loud voice; Mr. and Mrs. Denison at once came forward to receive him. Cordial shakings of the hand took place, and the squire hastened to observe, ‘‘ Permit me to introduce a young and very particular friend of mine, Mr. Paton. He is on a visit to me at the Hall, and I have taken the liberty of bringing him hither, knowing that he would be welcome.”’ “We are delighted to see Mr. Paton,’’ said Mrs. Denison, at once, and with more cordiality than would have been shown in the less genial circles of London fashionable life, extending her hand to greet the youth. “Any friend of my friend Hawkshaw,” said old Mr. Denison, ‘“‘ is sure to receive a kind welcome here,’’ and he in his turn shook Frank by the hand. Some other guests were announced at the moment, and the squire, accompanied by Frank, strolled into the saloon, where the bulk of the company were assembled, and where tea and coffee were served up. This was an immense apartment, and it was not with the first quickly sweeping glance that Frank was enabled to discern whether Juliana was there'or not. All around — on chairs, ottomans, Gomiechbooks (E(0)