Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 373: what you’re looking at

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

306 REYNOLDS’ WORKS away from the conservatory, through the ballroom, back into the saloon. In the meantime Squire Hawkshaw, as already stated, had proceeded to pay his respects to Lady Saxondale and Juliana, who were seated with Mrs. Denison. He placed himself next to his intended, and for the first few minutes the conversation was confined to mere drawing-room generalities; but Juliana, as well as her mother, was con- vinced by the squire’s manner that he had heard not a syl- lable from Francis Paton’s lips to alter his sentiments in any way with regard to the former. ‘By the bye,’ observed Lady Saxondale, after a brief pause in the discourse, ‘“‘ you have a friend here with you this evening, Mr. Hawkshaw? ”’ ‘ Yes, andit was owing to that horse of mine — you know,” he continued with a smile, ‘“‘ to which I allude?—that I formed Mr. Paton’s acquaintance. In short, I met with a little accident yesterday. I did not mean to tell you of it, but since 1% is necessary to account for my falling in with that ) very interesting young man — ‘An accicent?’”’ said Juliana, in a low tone, and pre- tending to ‘ling upon the squire a look full of apprehension, which Mrs. Denison could not help noticing, and she was at no loss to suspect the cause, although she certainly little thought tat it was assumed. “ Oh, but i: was nothing, I can assure you,” said the squire. ‘IT was thrown at a gate, not leaping it, it was all my own fault, sheer carelessness on my part — However, Mr. Paton, who was passing along at the time, rendered me the requisite assistance, and the result was his visit to me at the Hall.”’ ‘“And does he purpose to make a long stay in Lincoln- shire?’ asked Lady Saxondale, as if merely in a conversa- tional manner. “No, it was with some difficulty I could induce him to remain a day or two with me. He is a well-connected youth — “Do you know anything of his family? ’’ inquired Lady saxondale, still with the same seeming indifference. ENS) but I have heard enough from his lips to be assured that he is of the highest respectability. Indeed, his whole appearance, his manner, his conversation, stamp him as the well-bred young gentleman.” Gomicbooks (E(0)