Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

“WHERE CAN SHE BE?” 173 ‘‘Ages ago,’’ was the retort, as Mrs. French, resembling more than ever a bit of porcelain in her striking costume of cream-colored cloth, trimmed with long, white fur which glistened like threads of silver in the sunshine, ad- vanced to embrace and be embraced. ‘“‘I got tired of the poky hole and fled to Paris for new pleasures and new dresses. I found both, paid my bill with as good grace as possible, and started for this place two days ago. I’m de- voted to giving and receiving surprises; that is, agreeable ones. Of course I heard of you, directly I arrived, and like — a good friend, hunted you up without delay. So behold me, bag and baggage, come to‘break the bank’ or ‘go broke’ myself. Vozla tout.’’ ‘‘My dear, I have not words enough to express my de- light,’’ returned the actress. ‘‘What a jolly time we'll put in! Did you bring your horses?’’ ‘Cela va sans dire and two French maids. I can chatter quite a bit to them now, too. Only, when I wish to blow them up, I generally spend half an hour or so beforehand in the society of my dictionary, hunting up the proper words and phrases to hurl at their stupid heads. They don’t dare to even look crosswise, you know, and even if my tongue does get twisted and I say the exact reverse of what I mean, it all goes and I gain my point. Oh, we’ll cut a dash here, you and I, for a while. I hear all sorts of tales already about your success and elegance. ”’ A shade passed over Florine’s face. ‘‘But Dolly,’’ she began, with a tinge of sadness in her tone, ‘‘have you reflected that I have no position, no name even, on this side of the water? I am only an actress who has been fortunate enough to make a hit. In America——”’ The other interrupted her. im CORNIElOOO KS,EC)