The Craze of Christina — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

The Craze of Christina. 31 her; she has the worst taste possible! Well, come to-morrow, then?’ “Tam very sorry, but to-morrow, you see, ; am also unfortunately engaged.’’ **To Mrs. Bruhen, of course! she won’t stand you lunch, I expect! you’ll have to treat her! -That’s her little playful dodge; she is as mean © as you make ’em, is Nora Bruhen!”’ Clifford reddened. ‘‘Oh, I assure you I offered——”’ “*Yes, she’s clever at getting offers. Now I invite you to lunch with me. I have a tiny ivy- covered cottage where [ live with my assistant and my maid; it adjoins my shop in Oldcastle High Street. It is only a little humble four- roomed cottage, but I will give you the very best of welcomes at it, and the fare—if simple——’’ “Audacious creature!’’ fiercely muttered Mrs. Ommaney, who had overheard the last words. ‘‘For an unmarried woman, Miss Ashley,”’ she went on aloud, ‘‘you certainly sail very near the wind in giving invitations to téte-a- téte meals to bachelors! In my young days, before I married Mr. Ommaney——”’ ‘Oh, that was so very long ago, dear Mrs. Ommaney!’’ replied Miss Ashley sweetly; ‘‘and besides, Mr. Clifford need not come at all if he Comichooks.co