A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

118 A LADY BACHELOR. ‘* Why, auntie, haven’t you gone to bed yet?”’ ‘*' No, my child; I want to hear all about the ball.” ‘* Tt’s the old story, auntie,’’ answered Eloise, with a derisive laugh. | ‘©The old story, my child?’’ ‘* Yes, auntie. ”’ ‘* Dear me! didn’t you have a good time?”’ ‘** Oh, yes; a delightful time for about thirty minutes, and then—’’ ‘* Well, what then?’’ ‘** One of ‘ we girls’ danced with Mr. Platt, and—’’ ** Go on.’’ ‘*(Qh, you can guess! He had been all attention to me, but when he returned after that little waltz he was like ice. He only spoke to me when I spoke to him, and after each dance we retired to our seats and sat as quiet as two wax figures that had been moved to the front and manipulated by a performer, and then shoved back to sit—well, like inanimate wax figures.’’ ‘* T suppose some one belied you?” ** Yes; or told the truth, and that appears to be sufficient; it is a crime to be eight-and-twenty. One of ‘ we girls’ need but tell the truth, and I am put back on my pedestal near the wall.’ ‘* Do you wish to leave here, Eloise?’’ ‘** No; the air agrees with me, and | have become a sort of student of human nature. [am like Diogenes; I am looking for one young lady whe will not despise and rebuff me because I am an old maid.’? ‘** You are not an old maid, Eioise. No woman becomes Gomichbooks (Eo)