A Parisian Romance — page 195: what you’re looking at

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

186 A PARISIAN ROMANCE. Suddenly he shivered, and seemed to pull himself together. “Tn—in costume?” he asked, with evident effort. “Yes, monsieur, in costume,” replied Ambroise, who had been intently observing his master. “Im- mediately after the ballet of the third act, accord- ing to monsieur’s desire, but only on the condition that everything should be conducted in the most proper fashion.” “Certainly, certainly. .That is understood.” As he spoke, the baron staggered and caught at the back of a chair for support. “Brandy,” he gasped. “Brandy! Quick!” Ambroise poured out half a glass of the required stimulant, and was at his side ina moment. The baron raised it to his lips with a trembling hand, and the glass clattered against his teeth as he slowly swallowed the draught. “Are you ill, monsieur?” asked Ambroise. The baron set down the glass, and straightened himself up. “No, no,” he said, irritably. “I am a little fatigued, that’s all. I have overexerted myself to- day, arranging about that villa. And then the spring weather—the first warm days. Most de- cidedly the spring does not agree with me.” “It is not a very convenient time to be ill, mon- sieur,” said Ambroise, with an obsequious smile. “I know that without your telling me,” replied the baron, sharply. Gomichbooks.¢o