The Man in Possession — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 125 and the little piece was simply a discussion between them on the merits of these friends—a discussion which grew so spirited that it ended in a violent quarrel, After the quarrel the feminine friend was discovered to have played a very treacherous part to her faithful champion, and the male one to have been equally guilty towards his /dus Achates, in some small matter connected with ‘‘ backing a bill.” Mutual disgust at. the worthlessness and instability of friendship once more reconciled the lovers and left them rejoicing at the prospect of matrimonal bliss which no friend of either sex should disturb, unless by mutual agreement. The little trifle was so brightly written and sparkled with so many witty speeches, such sly hits at society crazes, and such brilliant satires upon women’s faults and mens weaknesses, that it was received with unbounded enthusiasm. The two performers had thrown themselves into their respective parts with an intelligence and love for their characters that could not fail to make those characters lifelike and delightful. Even the house party, who still looked so disdain- fully at Kate as ‘‘that girl,” almost forgot how objec- tionable she was as they laughed over the wit and merriment of the representation. Lady Jocelyn was delighted, and the enthusiasm and applause of Miss Judy threatened to dislodge the bird of paradise. Behind the scenes the two actors stood for a moment as the curtain fell for the last time. Kate was trembling with excitement. Her eyes, larger and more brilliant than usual by reason of the artificial COMicloe <Sr ‘