Gratia's Trials — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

GRATIA’S TRIALS. 163 staying? Give me your address, and I will call this afternoon at five.” And almost before she knew what she was doing, Gratia had spoken the name of the White Hart Inn at Cheyne Regis, and he had pressed her hand and gone, ‘‘Well, now,” cried Hadley, who had stood open-mouthed and staring all this while, ‘‘I’m blessed if this ain’t a regular adventure, as good as anything in the dime novels. Who is it, Miss Kempfield? An English lord? And how did you come to be on such jolly good terms with him ?” ‘* Hadley,” cried Gratia, rote: suddenly toward him, ‘‘pray do not speak of this to any one.’ ‘Why shouldnt I? Where’s the harm? I’m going to tell mamma this very minute. No, I’m not either,” suddenly melt- ing in his mood at sight of Gratia’s tears. ‘‘ Don't cry, Miss Kempfield ; Ill be as mum as a mouse.” ‘Miss Kempfield,” said Mrs. Pennilon, sharply, when they had at last reached their room at the inn, ‘‘do come here and unlace my boots; my feet feel as if they were on fire. What horrid, stuffy little rooms these are; and people talk so much of the comfort of English inns! I’ve two minds to ask Pen- nilon to go away this very afternoon. “ahs could catch the srg express at Daylesford, I am very sure.’ Gratia’s face brightened. ‘‘Oh, Mrs. Pennilon,” she stammered, ‘‘if you only would!” ‘What is it to you whether we go or stay?’ snapped the matron. ‘‘ You are paid to be satisfied wherever we are.” ‘‘ Ves,” faltered poor Gratia, bending once more to her work, SAM artli I agree with you that these old bate, are very wearisome. ’ ‘‘T didn’t say anything of the sort,” said the lady, with acri- mony; ‘‘and if I did, I don’t want you to agree with me, You are too forward in your opinions, Miss Kempfield. We shall make a point of staying at Cheyne Regis through ine rest of the week, in any event now /’ GEomicbooks.co m