Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

16 A HONSTROUS PROPOSITION. it,” she added, the look of care vanishing from her face, which had now become to the high-minded physician more like the face of a beautiful fiend than that of a ten- der-hearted woman. “I will advertise in the Transcript to-morrow morning, and will offer the sum of five hun- dred dollars to any respectable couple who will take the babe and promise to rear and educate her as their own. I wonder why I did notthink of that plan myself,” she eoncluded, with a sigh of relief. “T should propose omitting the reward from the adver- tisement,” observed the doctor, with a slight curl of his lips. Why SO ?” ‘Because in that case you would be sure that whoever applied for her was actuated by areal desire to have the little one; while, if money were offered, cupidity mu: aght be the main object in the application.” “Perhaps you are right,” Mrs. Marston hacewe thoughtfully ; “and yet I believe I shall offer it. I shall, at ali events, give that amount to whoever adopts the child.” She then adroitly changed the subject, plying the phy- sician with numerous questions regarding Boston, its at- tractions and advantages, and so effectually led his mind in another direction, charming him with her rare con- versational gifts, her evident culture and familiarity with both America and Europe, that he spent a delightful hour with her, and temporarily forgot the contempt and repulsisn which he had previously entertained for her. When the clock upon the mantel struck four, he started up in surprise, at which a sly smile curved his fair en- tertainer’s red lips, for she knew that she had held him by the magic of her fascinations, as she had meant to do. But she arose also, and cordially extended her hand to him at parting, while she remarked, smilingly: “‘T have neglected a very important item of business, and came very near forgetting it altogether. If you have, with you, the bill for your services to me, I shall be very happy to settle it.” Dr. Turner flushed, and began to search his pockets, without appearing to notice the proffered hand. At length he drew aslip of paper from his diary, and handed it to her. She smiled again as she noticed the figures upon it; but unlocking adrawer inthe table near which they were standing, she took from it an elegant purse, in which comicloookks.€