A Daughter of Delilah — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

A LIVELY SCHEME, 89 ‘I had only one friend in whom I could 2onfide—your | wife, Roseberry—and together we elaborated a little scheme. She provided me with sufficient money to make a respectable showing, the idea being to tap the banker for as much asI could. With the regulation eye-glass of the British swell, and the exact tint of St. Leonards’ beard added to my own, a new suit of clothes, etc., anda slight stoop in the shoulders, I called upon the banker, having been careful in the meantime to trace the real St. Leon- ards’ movements. He had sailed for Australia with a party of friends. I explained that at the last moment I had decided not to go, and had not troubled to contradict the reports in the society papers, adding: ‘* “Tt is a dused relief, bah, Jove! not to be known!’ ‘*T dined with the banker at his place in Fifth avenue, and two days later was introduced to the greatest financier in New York, Mr. Jabez Alston. I am now very much run after by that astute millionaire, because he wants me to marry his daughter! And release my ancestral castle in England from the hands of the Jews! He has diligently perused Debrett and Burke, and it is arranged that I en- tertain the Alston family at my London town house dur- ing the height of the season, introduce them to the cream of the beau monde, and make love to the charming Miss Minnie Alston! In the meanwhile, Isabel has added the son to her train, and it depends upon coming events how we shall further shape our plans. Iam keeping in direct touch with the elder Alston, while Isabel——’”’ He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Tt is clever—devilishly clever,’’ said Roseberry, ad- miringly, ‘‘and well worth the risk. Isabel feels sure that Gomicboo “S (E(0)