Roxy Hastings — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 163 But as they did not much expect to see Mr. Hartley on that day the ladies thought a little delay in receipt of the note would be of no consequence. They were agreeably disappointed. Their grateful friend returned a little before dark, looking particularly jolly and comfortable, and with a decided though not strong alco- holic odor in his breath. But the ladies were so happy with their secret, so full of the joyous surprise which they had in reserve for Alfred’s friend and rescuer, that they received him with increased cordiality,.and found excuses for everything amiss. He unhesitatingly accepted an in- vitation to stay to tea, and his friends resolved to detain bim if possible through the evening in the hope of Mr. Eldon’s arrival. They did not find this a difficult enterprise. Louis was very social, talked freely and in a lively manner on all topics, but when the subject of Alfred's escape came up, which it did every few minutes, he seemed to avoid de- tails and to confine himself ,.as far as possible to generali- ties. He seemed to be more than usually observing, too, closely eying some costly articles of virtu in the room, and taking especial notice of the watches and chains of his friends. As the evening wore away he complained of being’ ill, and remained for an hour in such a faint state, sniffing at hartshorn, though without any diminution of the red dol- lar-spots on his cheek, that Mrs. Lee begged him to stay all night, lest he might drop down on his way home. “Thank you; I— believe I will,” he said, “if it won’t inconvenience you toomuch. I’m really a little afraid to o out.” : “Then we’ll have him here in the morning when his father comes,” Mrs. Lee said to Laura, ‘“ for it’s got to be so late I don’t think he’ll come to-night.” Yes, it happened very well, Laura thought—and as their guest seemed to think it would be better for him to retire immediately, he was permitted to do so on condition that if he felt any worse he was to notify his hostess, and allow the family physician to be sent for without delay. He was to be put in Alfred’s room, greatly to his satis- faction. ‘“ Anything that reminded him of his dear friend was so pleasant,” he said. ; Being of an inquisitive turn of mind, the affable guest asked some questions of the servant, who showed him his sleeping apartment, which he was only too happy to answer. EComicboo cS (ele)