The Man in Possession — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 131 thing under six syllables, was thundering forth from the Brinsmead Grand. ‘‘ What a desecration of the instrument!” thought Kate. People, however, were talking animatedly, and eagerly under cover of the noise. Suddenly, without warning, there came a pause, then a soft shower of rippling notes followed by a plaintive sos/enufo melody. The player and the instrument had evidently come to an understanding, and the result was delightful, but not favourable to the conversationalists. Presently the music ceased and there was a movement towards the supper-room. Kate had promised to go into supper with Tom Rivers, but he was nowhere to be seen. However, she saw Sir Wilfred’s face peering round the door as if in search of some one. The moment he saw Kate he advanced eagerly towards her. ‘‘Awh, looking everywhere for you, Miss O’Brien. Too bad to hide yourself like this. Determined to take you into supper, don’t yer know, and here you are.” ‘‘T really don't want any supper,” said Kate coldly. The little baronet’s face fell. ‘‘ Awh, too bad—you can't mean it. Awh, by Jove, you wont be so cruel —and after waiting all the evening for the—the pleasaw,” he ejaculated distressfully. ‘‘Surely, Sir Wilfred,” said the girl with an im- patience and petulancy that she made no attempt to disguise — ‘‘ surely there are others of your mother’s guests on whom you should bestow this honour. You are strangely forgetful of your duties as a host.” COMicloe (Sri C(O)