I Forbid the Banns! — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE SMILE AND THE FROWN. 251 Perhaps he might even get his wife to ask her to dinner. He thought that, by judiciously exaggerating the influence that Charlton possessed in the county, Lady Ashenthorpe might consent to ask Mrs. Charlton to dinner. Cyril Southcote was at hand, and the retreating figure of Marian Travers was seen in the distance as Julian and Bertha came out from the Presence. ‘*“The world is not all so bitter, but her smile can make it sweet,’’’ said Cyril, gracefully indicating the Presence. ‘A delightful woman,’’ said Bertha. ‘‘Is not that Miss Travers who ran away as we came up?”’ ‘“You are right on both points, Mrs. Charlton,’’ said Cyril. “The delightful woman is Lady Ashenthorpe, and the other is Miss Travers.”’ ‘*T did not suggest anything like that,’’ said Bertha. ‘‘Miss Travers is very delightful too. She ran away.’’ “Quite so,’’ said Cyril. ‘‘I did not like to put it so strong myself; one can always depend on a woman for help- ing one out in a difficult matter such as this.’’ ‘‘Why did Miss Travers run away?’’ asked Bertha. ‘‘A dear friend—a young girl—appeared in the distance in pink. A lowering of the eyebrows to make certain—a corresponding lifting of the hands—a cry of ‘my beloved Polly!’—a school friend not. seen for years, I learn, and I find myself alone.’’ ‘‘Oh, that is why she ran away?” said Bertha. ‘‘Have I not given you a graphic explanation?’’ said Cyril. ‘It could not be more graphic if you had invented it,’’ said Bertha. ‘You do not mean to imply ‘‘That you invented the explanation? Certainly not. I only wish to imply that I regard you as an artist-—a clever colorist is the exact phrase of the critics, I believe.’’ ‘‘IT accept your commendation in a spirt of humility. not 9 99 Gomichbooks.co