The Dugdale Millions — page 43: what you’re looking at

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

A GOOD FRIEND. 33 would not be in for an hour, and, by a quick flank movement she intercepted the servant so that she could receive the card and thus have an excuse for going to Dick. Dick was not unprepared for her appearance. So strong was the hope that accident might favor him, that he persuaded himself it would, and he recognized the swish of her skirts as she came up the hall. But he was not prepared for the manner of his reception— for the studied air of dignity and coldness with which she greeted him. The last time he had seen her, barely a week pre- vious, she had been gracious, and he tender. The idea crossed his mind that she thought he had been too tender and was now resenting it. She waved him to a seat and sank into another upon the opposite side of the room. ‘“This 1s an unexpected pleasure, Mr. Mason,’’ she said coldly. ‘‘I supposed, at this time of the year, gentlemen were confined to the city by business.’’ Dick thought he detected something in the speech, indicating that it had been purposely left incomplete and would be finished only by the words ‘‘especially when they are clerks.’’ Being a young man of spirit he resented the imphed significance and replied with equal dignity and coldness: ‘*True. Gentlemen engaged in business—especially when they are clerks—have not freedom at this time of the year.’’ laveniness was mot -Bessies intention,’ ‘She thought the readiness with which Dick had been will- ing to undertake the search for a young man, who, if found, would make the Dugdale fortune impossible to her, argued an indifference to her interests quite remote from his protestations, and she wanted to make him feel that she resented the difference between his acts and his professions. But now she in her turn Comicboocl< C@ 3