The Man in Possession — page 76: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 71 CHAPTER VIII. A HOPEFUL PROSPECT. ‘*Kate, my dear,” said Cornelius O’Brien to his daugh- ter some two days later, ‘‘I—I am glad to say my little temporary difficulty is over. ’ve managed to raise the necessary. The landsharks are appeased, and here—” drawing forth a bulky pocket-book from which he extracted a ten pound note—‘“‘ here is some- thing for you to purchase any little things you require for the visit to Croft. It’s only for a week or two,— so don’t be extravagant.” Extravagant !|—Poor Kate, when she knew only too. well that that note would not cover the expense of even one gown of Lady Jocelyn’s, or any of the guests assembled under her roof. However, if they excelled her in point of toilette, she could carry off the palm of beauty and youth. The more simply and severely she dressed, the better she alwayslooked. She had but brieftime, however, to make her preparations. Fortunately her dark tweed dress was almost new, and would serve ad- mirably for travelling and ordinary country wear. But for evening—there came the difficulty! Two dresses at least would be necessary, even if that well- worn black velvet could be utilised at a pinch fora third. There was a long consultation with Biddy COMicloe C(O) (Sri