Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

A GOLDEN FUTURE PREDICTED. 147 he began. ‘‘Why, not a franc; of course, I work out of the purest friendsnip and good-will only to mademoiselle.”’ ‘‘A likely story! a plausible one, too—for geese! I quite understand that there’s a good fat plum in the pie sgome- where for you, Fabbricotti, but I don’t know just where— yet. Answer me, frankly, do you get paid when the con- tract is signed, or are you interested in the success of the piece Bouchon intends to bring out?’’ ‘*How can I convince you?’’ replied Fabbricotti, mourn- fully. ‘‘I assure you, Mademoiselle Delmar, I have noth- ing to do with the affair, nothing whatever. For the sign- ing, I am not anxious; of the piece, Iam in ignorance. I brought mademoiselle over on a venture, and I wish to see her well placed. Itis my duty.’ ‘‘How you prattle! Come, out with the truth, what do you make of this thing? Do you take me for a two-year- old, Fabbricotti?”’ ‘‘Bah! Well, then, a mere pittance, mademoiselle,’’ said the man, sheepishly, ‘‘if you do sign, itis barely possible Monsieur Bouchon may make mea little present for the trouble I have taken; mind you, though, I only say it is possible.’’ ‘‘Habbricotti,’’ said Miss Delmar, slackening her pace, ‘‘vou are a deceitful old rogue, and Bouchon is none too guileless, and I—well, Iam not going to spare either of you. Listen! This morning Bartonni, of the N—— Thea- ter, came around and offered me three hundred and twenty- five if I’d sign with him. So you see, it was unnecessary for you to misrepresent things to me so.”’ ‘‘Bartonni?’’ repeated the Italian, in consternation. ‘‘Bartonni himself,’’ returned Miss Delmar, coolly. EOmMmIichbooks (©) im