Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 392: what you’re looking at

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

MR. DENISON Ovo ness of a fixed resolve, “I have made up my mind that I will not see that lady again.” “ And you act very wisely,” rejoined Hawkshaw. “ Now, take my advice, my dear young friend, for so I am sure you will permit me to call you: shun that lady, whoever she may be, as if she were a reptile. I have been thinking very seriously over all you have told me, because the more I see of you, the more I am interested in you, and I should be very sorry to think that you were ensnared or entrapped by such a base, heartless, intriguing creature. I don’t know much of the female sex, but this I do know, that such a woman as the one you have described to me must be capable of any sophistry, hypocrisy, and dissimulation, in order to carry a point. Therefore, if you give me the assurance that you do not intend to use any exertion to see her again, it will be taking a weight off my mind.”’ “My dear Mr. Hawkshaw, I cannot thank you suff- ciently,’ responded Frank, with grateful fervour, “‘ for the kind interest you take in my behalf. I should be unworthy indeed of such a generous friendship, if I did not give you the pledge you ask. And that pledge I do give you, solemnly and sacredly.”’ The squire shook Frank’s hand in the most warm-hearted manner; he even wrung it with effusion, and then he hastened to observe, “ The truth is, my young friend, if I thought that you were at all inclined to throw yourself again in the way of that siren, whoever she may be, I should not con- sider myself justified in keeping you at the Hall another minute. Much as I should regret to lose you so abruptly, it would be my duty to urge your speedy return to London. However, you have given me the pledge, and I am satisfied. I must now inform you that my friend Denison last night took an opportunity of telling me that he received a letter from your father, who is a very old friend of his. Your father, as I already knew from your lips, is preserving an uncogmto, — he enjoined the strictest secrecy to Mr. Denison, — and Mr. Denison has not violated it. He did not tell me therefore who your father is, and of course I did not seek to know. Stop, do not tell me that secret, Frank! I would rather not learn it at present. When you return to London and inform your parents that you have formed the friend- ship of blunt George Hawkshaw, you can then, with their ECORVICLOOO® SS (EO)