Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 383: what you’re looking at

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

366 REYNOLDS’ WORKS jected suitor that I stand before you. Think you not that I have my own feelings of pride? And is it possible that what took place in that arbour can be recalled? No, im- possible! But I would not have you think that I was selfish and egotistical in seeking the hand of the elder daughter of the titled and brilliant Lady Saxondale. Circumstances have much altered with me of late, but not in the sense that I gave you to understand yesterday. It is true that what the world may call a stigma rests upon my birth; never- theless my parents are of noble rank, my father possesses immense wealth, and he will shower riches upon my head. He and my mother are now married. They are acquainted with the love which I had cherished for you — ”’ ‘“Ah, then, dear Frank, you did love me, oh, you did love me, and-you must love me still!’ and as Juliana thus spoke, she threw her arm around the youth’s neck, and ere he could disengage himself from her embrace, she had im- printed a kiss upon his lips. Nevertheless he did so disengage himself, for he had been speaking of his father and his mother. Their images were now in his mind, he remembered his duty toward them, he remembered the counsel he had received, and he was determined to follow it. “You draw yourself away from me,” said Juliana, and she spoke coldly and distantly, for her pride had just sus- tained a severe shock. “ You told me that you would marry another, and ‘ieee the man of your choice may be,’’ responded Frank, “T will not be guilty of any outrage ee him.” ‘‘ Ah, all this is intended as a bitter sarcasm to myseli! ”’ and now tears started forth from Juliana’s eyes, but tears of mingled spite and vexation. “Do not weep,” said Frank, much moved, for he com- prehended not the true source of those tears. “ Heaven forbid that I should speak sarcastically or upbraidingly toward you! I only reminded you of your duty, or, rather, proclaimed what I felt to be mine.”’ “ Ah! now you speak kinder, Frank, and I am soothed,” said Juliana, taking his hand, which was not immediately withdrawn, sid she pressed it tenderly. ‘“ Think you not that I am delighted to hear of this change of fortune which you have experienced? Yes, most sincerely do I congratu- 1) Gomichbooks (E(o)|