Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

< “ ’ - i ; ’ t FS PE a ae cA és ie sy its ge Spike a ions : ve iA Le! bys e, ~~ \¥ < Paha iis : Ty" | ay ine fh | OCTAVIA'S PRIDE, 147 ‘« Felix,” said she, authoritatively, ‘‘I want you to let me take you up to see papa.” He bowed coldly and in silence. Biting her scarlet liz angrily, she said, hastily: ““ Papa, at least, has claim upon your good nature. He was fond of you almost to foolishness. He is sick, and a little gratification produces wonderful results. It 1s for his sake I ask it.” ‘7 never doubted that, Miss Wainwright. I have very ~ little time to spare from the business which brought me here, bas what 1 is at my disposal is at General Wainwright’s service.’ “Come, then, at, once,” she said, assuming playfulness to hide her anger and resentment, and, turning to the count- ess, She added, gayly, ‘“‘ Will not your ladyship come also to witness my father’s surprise and pleasure?” Lhe latter gaye smiling assent, and the trio entered the general’s little parlor just as he was settling himself com- fortably for a nap in the easy-chair. His face brightened, and he rose eagerly, with a sincerity of friendship which could not fail to touch Felix, despite his sullenness. “ Why, Fehx Thorne, where have you dropped from?” ‘* Not from the skies, certainly,” said Octavia, meaningly, ‘““he is altogether too wicked for that. Now we can leave you, satisfied that you will be kept in good spirits. He is the same young man whose entertaining society was prom- ised you. Make the most of it, papa.” “What, the young man going to Australia? Tut, tut, Helix; that is a very stupid movement in you. What can Australia do better than England?” -“She has not told him a single word,” thought Felix, and fell to pondering on her motives for concealment. Octavia glanced back as she followed the countess down to the drawing-room, and said to herself: “« He is certainly aremarkable person. No one can deny ‘i | comicboo een ooh ‘GO “S ioe | : a. om ~ x . ~~ § Si ', SP a> Tse pet 4 a “s —) . gto? oe onal ly tae” Pe a * a ~ fae 4