The Mission of Poubalov — page 225: what you’re looking at

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

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. 221 rst half of the day than with the tedious watching of the second. ‘*You may drive me home,’’ she said wearily; ‘‘and if your employer will let you. you might come back in an hour or two to see if I need you.”’ Mike, therefore, drove away, when he had left Clara at Mr. Pembroke’s gate. She went up to the house, and Louise met her at the door with a white, frightened face. ‘*Papa is worse than ever,’’ she whispered; ‘‘go to him at once. He is in the library.’’ Clara opened the door and went in. Her uncle sat at the table, with his arms and head upon it, and he did not look up until she touched him and spoke to him. - ‘‘Tam sorry, uncle dear,’’ she said, ‘‘that I was not at home when you wanted me,’’ He raised his head with a groan. “*It doesn’t matter,’’ he responded; ‘‘you could have done nothing, as it has happened.”’ “‘Didn’t you have some news for me, uncle? Tell me; I can endure anything.”’ He tried to look at her, but a violent fit of trembling seized him and he averted his eyes. ‘“*T thought there was going to be news, good news,’’ he stammered, ‘‘but——’’ and he shook his head sorrow- fully. “Do you mean that you have been disappointed, uncle?”’ ‘*Disappointed!’’ he repeated excitedly; ‘‘worse! All is lost, Clara, lost! Oh! that wily Russian!”’ ‘*‘What Russian, uncle? In mercy’s name, tell me!’’ ‘“Your man Poubalov! He is——’’ Mr Pembroke’s words stuck in his throat and he looked at Clara with watery eyes. ‘*You have seen him then,’’ she whispered faintly. Mr. Pembroke nodded. | ‘‘And you have nothing to tell me?”’ Her uncle opened his lips, tried to speak, and failing, OMMUC (DOL (C@