The Man in Possession — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

278 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. she is also very anxious to know the extent of the ‘accident. I will keep her till you return.” ‘Your charming American friend,” he exclaimed eagerly. ‘‘Has she found us out already? Do you think you could borrow a fiver from her?” he added. ‘“T’m devilish hard up, and there’s sure to be tips and fees and things at the hospital. Try it—there’s a good girl.” ‘“T shall certainly zo/ try it,” exclaimed Kate, an- erily. ‘‘I think you have no right to ask sucha thing of me. I have endured enough humiliation of this kind. I will have no more of it!” “Then you had better pray Sir Wilfred may not be approaching his ‘latter end,’” said Cornelius coolly. ‘‘If he was to die I don’t know what would happento us. A case of leaving the country without the ceremony of leave-taking.” Kate sighed wearily, and left the room without further remark. She found Mrs, Lafaye flitting about the drawing- room in restless agitation. ‘‘This is very upsetting and dreadful,” she said. ‘‘Is your father going to the hospital ?” ‘“Yes, of course,” said Kate. ‘‘I hope you can stay till his return. I can offer you some sort of luncheon.” ‘‘I don't want any luncheon,” said Mrs. Lafaye., ‘I’m due at the Langham for that at 2 pm. But I will stay willingly. If I hadn’t sent away the carriage we might all have driven to the hospital and heard the news much sooner.” 3 COMicloe (Sri C(O)