A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

COMEDY. | 151 In the afternoon Miss Slender appeared, and she looked radiant; her willowy form, so artistically clad, made her appear like a vision or a dream. She passed a group of ** we girls ”’ smilingly, but did not say, ‘* Come, girls,”’ although the handsome George stood awaiting her on the tennis-ground. She glided down the piazza, and then it dawned upon the minds of ** we girls ’’ that she meant to hold the prospective prize exclusively for her own winning. Miss Slender had been so lovely—but, alas! suddenly it was discovered that she was everything else but lovely, and I heard their spiteful remarks, and there was revealed what many of the girls had kept hidden in their hearts. My comedy was going merrily along; not an incident was lack- ing, and all the lights were let on at the proper moment. During all the play thus far, Eloise, whom 1 had selected as my star actress, had not made her entrée; but she would appear, and I knew that her entrée would be the chief and crowning incident in my play. Meantime, Miss Slender was having a delightful time; and mamma also, for the latter had taken up her position, and was a witness of the pretty game. Her face was wreathed in smiles; when poor Mrs. Eagle joined her. The latter was full of spite; her moon-faced daughters had been eclipsed, and indeed more—Miss Slender had quietly dropped them out. I managed to hold my corner; I did wish to witness the spat of these two cats. I knew there would be one, for the walk of Mrs. Eagle was tiger-like, as she crawled forward, her soul writhing in envy and spite. ‘**] should think you would forbid your daughter playing tennis, Mrs. Slender. ’’ Comicbooks.com. .