Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 215: what you’re looking at

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

206 “I CANNOT BE YOUR JUDGE,” stage. It was the very last occupation to which she could picture her resorting, and she had been taught to regard it with contempt. I must repeat,’’ with the ghost of a smile, “that this poor, unsophisticated woman was totally un- learned in the curious ways and means of this world of ours, and had nursed the fatuous belief that her innocent little sister would starve rather than goon the stage. Nevertheless, the following day, she sought out the actress at her hotel and found her without difficulty, as her name was in everbody’s mouth—her reckless extravagance a by- word. ‘‘As might be concluded, her reception under the exist- ing circumstances was not particularly cordial, and the young girl showed a disposition to be very independent, so high-headed and vain had her success rendered her. She acknowledged, with no scruple whatever, apparently, that she had lost sight of every religious and moral obligation, and regarded her old life with absolute aversion. The stu- pidity and narrowness of it depressed her, even in the recol- lection, she frankly owned. In spite of this, however, the other implored her to come back to her, only to be sneer- ingly repulsed. The gayety and frivolity of her present thoughtless existence served to blot out much of the re. membrance of the miserable past, and the excitement buoyed her up. Always fond of admiration, the adu- lation she was constantly receiving was food and drink to her at this period, and really it was calculated to turn a much stronger head than that of Mademoiselle Florine. ’’ ‘Florine!’ cried Dick, starting back. ‘‘Impossible!’? She looked up at him, a painful smile hovering upon her lips. Gomichbookssco