Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

174 “WHERE CAN SHE BE ?” ‘Granted, my dear, in America you would not be any- body, while in Europe Jam quite as insignificant, so it’s about equal, isn’t it?’’ she said, benevolently. ‘‘Society is a farce any way—a constant struggle to elevate yourseli a little higher than your neighbor. Now, my poor, light, lit- tle head is subject to giddiness, so I prefer to remain on terra firma, where the most sensible, agreeable people are to be found, after all. I shall do as I please, select my own friends as I do the materials for my gowns. I am too inde- pendent to live by given rules. 1 enjoy being with you, and I throw myself upon your hands to be amused. What do you say?’’ ‘‘What canI say?’’ said the other, laughing, with evident pleasure, ‘‘except that you do me too much honor, and I shall do my best for you. Let me see, how can I demon- strate my appreciation of the compliment you pay me? Do you want to marry a title? If so, I know a nice young marquis, only a boy, it is true, but he adores blondes and is anxious to marry a rich American.”’ ‘*No, I thank you,” responded Dolly, promptly. ‘‘I de- test boys. Have you forgotten my affair with that con- temptible little Gordon Russell? Caught him making love to Therese three weeks before the day we were to have been married! Since then I have learned to value my free- dom beyond my diamonds. I was so sorry to be obliged to pack Therase off, too, as I’ve never found her equal since. But to change the subject, show me your ‘jewels, won’t you? I hear you have a stack.”’ The maid, at a sign from her mistress, produced the heavy, inlaid -box in which they were kept, and placed it on a table beside Mrs. French, who opened it with many an exclamation of womanish delight. Gomichbooks:com