The Man in Possession — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 181 CHAPTER XIX. ‘S REMEMBERING THINGS THAT WERE,” ‘‘Do come into my room, Miss O’Brien,” said Mrs. Lafaye after she had wished her hostess good-night. She and Kate were leaving the drawing-room to- gether. ‘‘ That's to say, if it’s not inconsiderate to ask you to stay up. Are you tired?” ‘“Not tired enough to refuse such an invitation,” said Kate, smiling. It was impossible to resist the fascination of this bright and winning little beauty. It seemed equally impossible to think of her as a married woman, or, in- deed, a woman to whom life had presented more re- sponsibilities than a flower garden offers to a butter- fly. Kate followed her into her luxuriously-appointed - chamber, where her maid was in attendance to remove the jewels and costly evening toilette, which had achieved its end, if not its aim, by creating envy in feminine hearts and admiration in male minds. When the gown had been replaced by a wrapper of pale blue cashmere and lace, in which the beauty looked even more dainty, fragile and alluring, she settled down into the deep padded chair by the fire, dismissed the maid, and announced her intention of having a ‘‘real good time.” COMicloe (Sri C(O)