Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

194 “OH! 1 CANNOT! I CANNOT!” sites to be found around Nice. The original plan of the building had been, as its name indicated, quite small, but, having passed into the hands of younger and more preten- tious individuals, on the death of its former owner, it had been added to and changed, from time to time, until it was now a dwelling of very fair dimensions. It was white, with innumerable turrets and balconies and a slanting roof. It was situated half way up a low, heavily wooded hill and surrounded by a park filled with fine old trees. Extensive lawns, well keptand broken by neither flower-beds nor statues, stretched away on both sides until lost in the shade. <A small lake lay to the right and was approached by a narrow path, lined with tall chestnuts. This sheet of water was fed by a diminutive fall which babbled noisily over the rocks and fell into the basin below with a spiteful little dash. This was one of the most attractive spots in the grounds, and it was here that Dick was almost certain to find Miss Cameron on pleasant days. She would occupy herself for an entire morning with a book, seated on the velvety turf, or, with Mrs. Eldridge, would stroll through the olive groves, drinking in the pure air and admiring the fine view. As Dick rode slowly up the driveway he discovered, to his surprise, that the house was in almost total darkness. Lhe lamps at the foot of the flight of stone steps were burn- ing low, but otherwise it appeared as though every one in- side was asleep. _ He drew rein and took out his watch; it was early. They were usually just finishing dinner at that hour. It was not uncomfortably cool, and he knew that frequently, when the weather permitted, coffee was served outside. Instinct- COMIGboOokstco im