A Daughter of Delilah — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

86 A LIVELY SCHEME. ‘Thanks! You would have passed me in the street with- out a nod of recognition?”’ ‘“‘T certainly should. You appear to be in clover,’’ Rose- berry said, scanning the other from head to foot, and let- ting his eyes rest upon a flashing diamond stud in the spotless shirt-front. ‘“‘Ves,’’? responded Mitford Palmer, airily. ‘I wonder if my lady will permit smoking in this bower of roses? I have some rare cigars here worth half adollar apiece. Try one?’’ | Roseberry gazed hungrily at the fragrant tobacco, say- ing: ‘*Tmported?’”’ ‘‘Yes, choice Havanas. Mr. Jabez Alston is one of those rabid Americans who spend their money on foreign goods. His clothes are made by a London tailor, his furniture, his horses, his dogs, are all imported. Now his great idea is to purchase a dilapidated castle from some bankrupt noble- man in England, marry his two children to titled British- ers, because the United States is no fit place for a gentle- man to live in! Ha! ha! By the way, his respected mamma sold bananas in the days of her youth in the streets of this city.”’ ‘“You may have no scruples about smoking here, gentle- men,’’ Isabel said, with one of her silvery laughs. ‘‘The lace curtains are already redolent with tobacco smoke! What will you take to drink? My sideboard is well- stocked, and I can serve the liquors in cut glass de- canters which sparkle in unison with our own bright spirits. All at the expense of the generous Mr. Edgar Alston!’ | (E() S Eomichbooks