Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Or No Brother; Or, Which Was The Wiser ?
direct or indirect to himself never for one moment occurred to him . Moreover , a letter or two abounding in queer Italian phrases which he did not give himself the pains to master , readied him by unknown hands , and were petulantly thrown aside . Meanwhile , Signora Valdi eagerly hastened on the marriageand an earlday was fixed for its celebration . An
, y evening or two previously the expectant bridegroom was strolling in the Balbi when two Englishmen , cousins , of the name of Hensingham passed him . He heard—or fancied he heardthe younger say to the elder , " Let us save him—he is our countryman—the consequences are so frightful and life-long . " They passed on in eager conversation—repassed him—and
renewed their gazes . Then the younger man , throwing as it were , all conventional usages aside , announced himself as a compatriot , and challenged the musing Rupert ' s acquaintance . After some desultory remarks , the elder Hensingham addressed his auditor as Mr . Philip Morshead .
"No ! " said the affianced bridegroom , "that title is not mine , it belongs to my student brother . " " With whom on public occasions , I have had more than once much agreeable intercourse , " said the elder gentleman . " Very probably , " returned Rupert . " At some Masonic dinner , perchance—for the youth Philip , " continued he ,
jeeringly , " is or was a Mason . Of the absurdity of that connexion I never could convince him , though my efforts have been neither few nor slight . To that fraternity with its imposing pretensions and palpable uselessness—its marvellous assumptions and its undeniable impotency—he clings pertinaciously up to the present hour . "
The Hensinghams exchanged glances , and walked for a few moments by his side in silence . " And do you believe , " said the elder gentleman , earnestly , " that Masonry , which has numbered among its ranks so many devoted , exemplary , self-denying men—so many true lovers of their species—is so tainted and hollow an association V
" I entertain the worst opinion of it , " returned Rupert , firmly : " my only consolation is , that it is powerless ; powerless alike to protect or to injure , —to counsel or to save . " " But if some needful and necessary caution were given—¦ some highly important and opportune information—" " I should reject it , " interrupted the young man , quickly , "if offered by a Mason . " " On what ground 1 "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Or No Brother; Or, Which Was The Wiser ?
direct or indirect to himself never for one moment occurred to him . Moreover , a letter or two abounding in queer Italian phrases which he did not give himself the pains to master , readied him by unknown hands , and were petulantly thrown aside . Meanwhile , Signora Valdi eagerly hastened on the marriageand an earlday was fixed for its celebration . An
, y evening or two previously the expectant bridegroom was strolling in the Balbi when two Englishmen , cousins , of the name of Hensingham passed him . He heard—or fancied he heardthe younger say to the elder , " Let us save him—he is our countryman—the consequences are so frightful and life-long . " They passed on in eager conversation—repassed him—and
renewed their gazes . Then the younger man , throwing as it were , all conventional usages aside , announced himself as a compatriot , and challenged the musing Rupert ' s acquaintance . After some desultory remarks , the elder Hensingham addressed his auditor as Mr . Philip Morshead .
"No ! " said the affianced bridegroom , "that title is not mine , it belongs to my student brother . " " With whom on public occasions , I have had more than once much agreeable intercourse , " said the elder gentleman . " Very probably , " returned Rupert . " At some Masonic dinner , perchance—for the youth Philip , " continued he ,
jeeringly , " is or was a Mason . Of the absurdity of that connexion I never could convince him , though my efforts have been neither few nor slight . To that fraternity with its imposing pretensions and palpable uselessness—its marvellous assumptions and its undeniable impotency—he clings pertinaciously up to the present hour . "
The Hensinghams exchanged glances , and walked for a few moments by his side in silence . " And do you believe , " said the elder gentleman , earnestly , " that Masonry , which has numbered among its ranks so many devoted , exemplary , self-denying men—so many true lovers of their species—is so tainted and hollow an association V
" I entertain the worst opinion of it , " returned Rupert , firmly : " my only consolation is , that it is powerless ; powerless alike to protect or to injure , —to counsel or to save . " " But if some needful and necessary caution were given—¦ some highly important and opportune information—" " I should reject it , " interrupted the young man , quickly , "if offered by a Mason . " " On what ground 1 "