Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER VII MR. GUNTHORPE’S VISITS In the neighbourhood of Stamford Hill was a handsome residence, situated in the midst of spacious grounds, and commanding a beautiful view of all the surrounding scenery. This house, after remaining unoccupied for some time, had within the last three weeks become the abode of Mr. Gunthorpe. The moment he had decided upon taking it, he lost no time in fitting it up in a very handsome manner. Everything this gentleman did might appear to the shallow observer to be done on the impulse of the moment, but it was not so. The key to the reading of his character was this: that he made up his mind quickly, yet not without as much deliberation as the incident of the moment might deserve, and when once he had resolved how to proceed, he lost no time in carrying out his plans. Thus, the very day after he had taken Stamford Manor, —'as it was called, — wagon- loads of the costliest furniture arrived at the place. He did - not fit up the house by degrees, nor even take a week to do it. His orders were given at the moment to upholsterers whose warehouses furnished proofs of their competency for the commission, and as money to Mr. Gunthorpe was no object, his will and pleasure were promptly executed. A few days after his return from Lincolnshire, and at about eleven o’clock in the forenoon, Mr. Gunthorpe entered his carriage, and drove to a pretty little cottage situated at no great distance.from the manor. The moment his modest equipage stopped at the door, little Charley Leyden, nicely dressed, and full of joyous spirits, bounded forth to welcome the benefactor of his mother and sister. Henrietta herself was likewise speedily seen upon the threshold to greet Mr. Gunthorpe, and the old gentleman was introduced | 56 ECORVICLOO® SS (C(O)