Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHAPEL | 25 could it have been that William Deveril was at Gains- borough the other day? Was it to obtain a secret interview with Florina? Ah, and that girl’s coolness and reserve toward me! Yes, yes, assuredly she has seen Deveril, and he has done his best to prejudice her against me. But I will defeat all my enemies yet; I will defeat them, and I will triumph.’’ But, oh, at what a price were Lady Saxondale’s victories ~ to be won and triumphs to be accomplished? She herself ‘shuddered at the idea. On the following morning, when the postman from Gains- borough called at Saxondale Castle with letters for some of ' its inmates, he related to the domestics such particulars of the horrible and mysterious murder which had taken place on the previous night, as were current through the town. Lady Saxondale had not yet descended from her own chamber, and Lucilla, one of her maids, brought her up the intelligence which she had just received from the other servants after the postman had called. Her ladyship, who could not of course admit that she had received the same tidings during the past night, affected to be alike shocked and amazed. She asked for further particulars. Lucilla went on to inform her that Mr. Gunthorpe and Mr. Deveril had discovered the bodies, and that they were going to be examined as witnesses at the coroner’s inquest in the course of the morning. Lady Saxondale inquired if suspicion attached itself to any one, but on this point the maid could give her no explanation. On descending to the breakfast- parlour, Lady aierud ile found Lady Macdonald, Juliana, and Florina already as- sembled there. ‘The tidinas had reached their ears, and they were unfeignedly shocked and astounded. Lady Saxondale attentively watched Florina’s countenance when the name of William Deveril was mentioned, and she saw that the young damsel exhibited signs of considerable emotion. Her ladyship was half-inclined, through sheer malicious- ness, to throw out-a hint that Mr. Gunthorpe and the young artist were themselves suspected of the crime, but this she _ felt would be too preposterous, as not a word to that effect had been mentioned by the postman or by the domestics. “Have you seen Lord Harold this morning? ’’ inquired Lady Saxondale of Florina. Gomicdoo 6S (FO)