Gratia's Trials — page 99: what you’re looking at

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

90 | GRATIA’S TRIALS. ‘Don’t use that odious word ‘ma’am,’” Mrs. Falconer said, sharply. <‘‘If you must say anything, say ‘madam. One would think you never were going to forget that you had been a chambermaid |” | Gratia blushed a hot, fiery scarlet, but she said nothing, and, after a momentary pause, Mrs, Falconer, satisfied with the visi- ble effect her envenomed arrow had produced, proceeded : ‘To warn you, I mean, against the flirtation you are carry- ing on with Mr. Ardenham. Everybody at the Branch is talk- ing about it !” ; Gratia opened her eyes in amazement. ‘Mrs. Falconer !” “You need not flare up about it,” said the lady, drawing herself more erect. ‘‘Iam only speaking for your own good.” ‘*But, Mrs. Falconer, I never dreamed of such a thing!” ‘‘ Nonsense !’’ interposed Alberta. ‘‘ What were you doing in the starlight on the beach last night >—what were you doing when you must needs make a spectacle of yourself by ‘ touch- ing the post’ this very morning ?” ‘Not firing /” Gratia cried, vehemently. “It looks to me very. like it,” said Alberta, tossing her head. | ‘“But why should I flirt with him?” persisted innocent Gratia. ‘‘I do not care for him.” And then she colored at the sound of her own words. ‘“It is well to have a good opinion of one’s self,” said Mrs. Falconer, dryly. ‘‘Most young ladies would consider Mr, Ardenham a remarkably good match.” ‘‘T don’t mean that,” said Gratia, mcre and more embar- rassed, ‘*I only mean M At this momenta servant brought in a penciled card. **Mr. Ardenham’s compliments to Miss Gratia Falconer, and would be happy to have the pleasure of driving her out this afternoon, at five o’clock.”’ im Gomicbooks:¢e