Moths by Ouida — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

oS BO eS MOTHS spectacle so astonishing that there was a general lull fora moment in the conversation of all his guests. It was a triumph, but Vere was wholly unconscious of it, which made her charm- ing in the eyes of the giver of it. ; ‘‘T think that’s a ease,” said Miss Fuschia Leach to her ad mirers. She did not care herself. She did not want Zouroff, high and mighty and rich and of great fashion though he was; she meant to die an English duchess, and she had only throwp over the unhappy Mull because she had found out he was poor. ‘“‘And what’s the use of being a duchess if you don’t make a splash ?” she said very sensibly to his mother, when they talked it over. She had flirted with Mull shamelessly, but so she dia with scores of them; it was her way. She had brought the way from America. She had young men. about her as naturally as a rat-catcher has ferrets and terriers; but she meant to take her time before choosing one of them for good and all. ‘¢ What a beautiful child she is,” thought Prince Zouroff, “‘and so indifferent! Can she possibly be naughty Dolly’s daughter ?” He was interested, and he, being skilled in such ways, easily Jearned.the little there was to know about her, whilst he took her through’ his conservatories, and showed her Japan lilies, Chinese blossoms that changed color thrice a day, and orchids of all climes and colors. The conservatories were really rare, and pleased her; but Prince Zouroft did not. His eyes were bold and cold at once; they - were red, too, and there wasan odor of brandy on his breath that came to her through all the scent of the flowers. She did not like him. She was grave and silent. She answered what he asked, but she did not care to stay there, and looked round for a chance of escape. It charmed Zouroff, who was so used to see women throw themselves in his path that he found no pleasure in their pursuit. ‘‘ Decidedly she has been not at all with naughty Dolly!” he said to himself, and looked at her-with so much undisguised ad- miration in his gaze, that Vere, looking up from the blossoms of a gloxinia, blushed to the eyes, and felt angry, she «ould not very well have told why. ‘**Your flowers are magnificent, and I thank you, monsieur; 5ut I am tired, and I will say good-night,” she said, quickly, with a little haughtiness of accent and glance which pleased Zouroff more than anything had done for years. ‘‘T would not detain you unwillingly, mademoiselle, one mo- ment,” he said, with a low bow—a bow which had some real re- spect in it. ‘‘ Pardon me, this is your nearest way. I will say to miladi that you were tired. To-morrow, if there be anything you wish, only tell me, and it shall be yours.” He opener a door that led out; of the last conservatory on to the foot of the great staircase; and Vere, not knowing whether she were not breaking all the rules of politeness and etiquette, bent her head to him and darted like a swallow up the stairs. | Sergius Zouroft smiled, and strolled back alone through his drawing-rooms, and went up to Lady Dolly, and cast himself ins to a long, low chair by her side. | ix com (é ,00 SAECO)