The Man in Possession — page 251: what you’re looking at

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

246 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. Aunt Judy had not come under her ken either, for that lady did not often come over to England, and, when she did, her sole idea of enjoyment was to visit a theatre every night. Mrs. Lafaye sipped her tea, and reflected on these matters, and wondered whether she might venture on writing to Tom Rivers, and asking him tocall on her. From what Kate had told her she thought he would not be likely to misinterpret her overtures, even if they did seem unconventional. ‘‘A king can do no wrong, no more can an American,” she said, laughing. ‘‘ We're privileged to be astonishing.” Having arrived at this satisfactory reflection, she rang for her maid, and ordered her to unpack her trunks, and get out a dinner dress, as she would dine at the /able d’héte. | ‘¢The black dress, Félicie,” she said. ‘*‘That one with all the jet, and [ll wear some diamonds—not many. And fetch me my writing materials. I want to do some correspondence before I dress.” When Mrs. Lafaye descended from her own rooms to the public dining-room of the Langhan, the first course was just over. She entered with the coolness > and self-possession of one to whom the stare of the stranger is a matter of total indifference. The head waiter had reserved a place for her, and conducted her thither with the deference due to a distinguished guest. Some of the private tables were occupied by small parties of twos and threes. As Mrs. Lafaye’s jet-laden skirts rustled by one of these tables she was COMicloe (Sri C(O) ry