Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

142 A GOLDEN FUTURE PREDICTED. accepted the post of honor. He knew you by reputation, he said, and had heard nothing that wasn’t to your credit. And now that I’m to get this engagement and am going to ‘paddle my own canoe’ hereafter, as we say in America, you'll stay with me, won’t you? I’ll need you, as my French is beastly! I always get my verbs wrong. The others must shift for themselves, poor things! and heaven knows how they’ll turn out.’’ ‘*T will, with many thanks,’’ answered Madame Philippe, ceremoniously, striving to conceal the satisfaction she felt at the prospect. ‘‘As I say, If predict a great future for Mademoiselle Delmar and shall be only too proud to re- main with her.”’ The young girl leaned back against the cushions with a dreamy look on her face. The carriage was going the other way now, and the wind was freshening. <A four-in-hand, returning from St. Cloud, passed, filled with men who glared impertinently at the flower-like face below them, but Miss Delmar did not even see them. ‘To think,’’ she uttered, musingly, clasping her hands in her lap, and with her eyes fixed on the distance; ‘‘to think that I should have been chosen, when, to tell the truth, I more than half expected Edna Paxton would ba the one, her voice is so sweet and well-trained. ’’ ‘Itis not half so strong as mademoiselle’s,’’ declared Madame Philippe, stanchly, ‘‘and Miss Paxton’s figure— ugh! it is like a meal-bag. It is so much to be young and graceful!”’ And she sighed, for her own lost charms, perhaps. ‘‘Fabbricotti is delighted,’’ Miss Delmar resumed, ‘‘and Iam to receive—apropos,’’ she exclaimed, suddenly, inter- E@NRNIELOOO KS, EO)