The Craze of Christina — page 142: what you’re looking at

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

138 The Craze of Christina. ‘*Miss Pratt,’ she called out to her secre- tary, ‘‘if Miss Ommaney has quite finished her purchases, please come here and put this table and chair aside for Mr. Clifford.”’ Miss Pratt sauntered leisurely forward. ‘‘How do you do, Miss Pratt?’’ said Clifford, putting out his hand. She ignored it entirely and bowed. ~ ‘Now, can’t I tempt you with this lovely em- broidery, Mr. Clifford?’’ went on the lady decorator, who was by this time flushed with success. She held it up with both hands. ‘“‘It is perfectly beautiful, isn’t it?—a real old piece. You shall have it for five guineas.’’ “‘My dear Miss Ashley! what possible use could I make of a piece of embroidery, how- ever beautiful and however cheap?’’ cried Clif- ford, holding up his hands. He had not been a rich man long enough to forget the traditions of a poor one, and, in spite of his love-sick condi- tion, he awoke to the conviction that having put his foot into the “‘den,’’ the ‘‘lioness’’ in charge was bent upon fleecing him. He did not mind certainly paying something for the pleasure of being under the same roof with Chris, but how- ever madly a man may be in love, there are limits! Clifford drew the line at the embroidery, and Gomich (0\(0) KS (E(0)