The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

146 THE EVIL GENIUS. tell me; I'll find it for myself. It’s on grandmamma’s boxes, and they’re in the passage.” Captain Bennydeck’s eyes followed her, as she left the room, with an expression of interest which more than confirmed the favorable impression that he had already produced on Catherine. She was on the point of asking if he was married, and had children of his own, when Kitty came back, and declared the right address to be Buck’s Hotel, Sydenham. ‘‘ Mamma puts things down for fear of forgetting them,” she added. ‘* Will you put down Buck ?” The captain took out his pocket-book and appealed pleasantly to Mrs. Ormond. ‘‘May I follow your example?’ he asked. Catherine not only humored the little joke, but, gratefully re- membering his kindness, said, ‘* Don’t forget when you are in London, that Kitty’s invitation is my invitation too.” At the same moment punctual Mrs. Presty looked at her watch, and re- minded her daughter that railways were not in the habit of al- lowing passengers to keep them waiting. Catherine rose, and gave her hand to the captain at parting. Kitty improved on her mother’s form of farewell; she gave him a kiss, and whispered a little reminder of her own: ‘‘ There’s a river in London—don’¢ forget your boat.” Captain Bennydeck opened the door for them and stood by it, secretly wishing that he could accompany Mrs. Ormond and Kitty to London. Mrs. Presty made no attempt to remind him that she was still in the room. Where her family interests were concerned the old lady was capable (on very slight encouragement) of look- ing a long way into the future. She was looking into the future now. The captain’s social position was ali that could be desired; he was evidently in easy pecuniary circumstances; he admired Catherine and Catherine’s child. If he only proved to be a single man, Mrs. Presty’s prophetic soul, without waiting an in- stant to reflect, perceived a dazzling future. Captain Benny- deck approached to take leave. Not just yet,” pleaded the most agreeable of women; *‘ my luggage was ready two hours ago. Sit down again for.afew minutes. You seem to like my little granddaughter.” ‘* Tf I had such a child as that,” the captain answered, ‘‘I be- lieve I should be the happiest man living.” ‘* Ah, my dear sir, all isn’t gold that glitters,” Mrs. Presty ree marked, ‘* That proverb must have been originally intended to apply to children. May I presume to make you the subject of a guess? I fancy you are not a married man.” The captain looked a little surprised. ‘* You are quite right,” he said; ‘*‘ I have never been married.” At a later period Mrs. Presty owned that she felt an inclination to reward him for confessing himself to be a bachelor by a kiss. He innocently checked that impulse by putting a question. ‘*‘ Had vou any particular reason,” he asked, ‘‘ for guessing that J] wasa single man ?”’ Mrs. Presty modestly acknowledged that she had only her own experience to help her, ‘‘ You wouldn’t be quite so fond of CoOnmicooolks (€(@) m