The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 97: what you’re looking at

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

86 THE EVIL GENIUS. how very extraordinary!) that he would never do it again. usan gave her message gravely. Here was an unintelligible Shae she felt the necessity of being careful in her choice of words. ‘‘ Miss Kitty stared at Miss Westerfield—only for a moment, sir—as if she didn’t quite understand, and then knew her again directly. The doctor has just called. He drew up the blind to let the light in, and he looked, and he says, ‘Only be care- ful——’” Tender-hearted Susan broke down, and began to cry. ‘‘T can’t help it, sir; we are all so fond of Miss Kitty, and we are so happy. ‘Only be careful’ (those were the exact words, if you please), ‘and I answer for her life.” Oh, dear! what have I said to make them run away from me?’ Randal had left her abruptly, and had shut himself into the drawing-room. Susan’s experience of men had not yet informed her that a true Englishman is ashamed to be seen with tears in his eyes. He had barely succeeded in composing himself, when an- other servant appeared (this time a man) with something to say to him. ‘*T don’t know whether I have done right, sir,” Malcolm began. ‘““There’s a stranger down-stairs, among the tourists who are looking at the rooms and the pictures. He said he knew you. And he asked if you were not related to the gentlcman who al- lowed travelers to see his interesting old house.” ‘Well ?” ‘‘ Well, sir, I said ‘Yes.’ And then he wanted to know if you happened to be here at the present time.” Randal cut the man’s story short. ‘‘ And you said ‘ Yes,’ again, and he gave you his card. Let me look at it.” Malcolm produced the card, and instantly received instruc- tions to show the gentleman up. The name recalled the dinner at the London club—Captain Bennydeck. CHAPTER XIX. THE CAPTAIN. THE fair complexion of the captain’s youthful days had been darkened by exposure to hard weather and extreme climates. His smooth face of twenty years since was scored by the telltale marks of care; his dark beard was beginning to present variety of color by means of streaks of gray; and his hair was in course of undisguised retreat from his strong, broad forehead. Not rising above the middle height, the captain’s spare figure was well preserved. It revealed power and activity, severely tested, perhaps, at some former time, but capable even yet of endurance under trial. Although he looked older than his age, he was still, personally speaking, an attractive man. In repose his eyes were, by habit, sad, and a little weary in their expres- sion. They only caught a brighter light when he smiled. At such times, helped by this change and by his simple, earnest manner, they recommended him to his fellow-creatures before ke opened his lips. Men and women taking shelter with him, ECOMMICOOOKS (EO)