Roxy Hastings — page 211: what you’re looking at

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

202 ROXY HASTINGS. “My decision is quite unalterable, I assure you,” said Laura, rising and seeking to end the interview, but still the mortified man lingered. “T never was so astonished in my life,” he said, with a vacant, foolish look ; “and—and—but you must allow me to see you again on this subject, or to write you a note. There is some misunderstanding, I am sure.” “T shall not see you again,” replied Laura, now a little angry, “and if you write mea note I shall return it un- opened.” “Bless me! Bless me! This is terrible!” replied Isaac, who was so utterly crest-fallen now that one would have thought no grain of conceit could ever be got into his sys- tem again. ‘“ Well, good-night, then.” They shook hands; he attempted vainly to kiss the little fingers which rested for a moment in his, and then with- drew, with no attempt to hide his utter confusion. But the poor fellow had yet another humiliation to endure at home, for his sister Elvira well knew the errand on which he had set out, and to which, indeed, she had insti- gated him by the most confident assurances of success. Elvira was older than her brother and taller, and more distinguished looking—and like him, she had a very high idea of her family, which needed nothing but wealth to render its respectability quite perfect. Her father was a lawyer who had always lived up to his professional income, which had so greatly diminished of late as to make a money alliance highly desirable. Isaac came home so much earlier than he was expected that his sister, who was awaiting him, believed at first that he had changed his mind and had not been to see Laura. But this she could not hope when she caught sight of his face, which, despite a feeble smile, was so woe-be- gone and so sheepish in its expression that words were scarcely needed to confirm what it told her. ‘“Well, Isaac,” she said, fearfully, “did you—did you see Laura ?” * Yes—yes,” said the brother, turning his face away from her scrutiny ; ‘‘I wish I hadn’t.” ‘* Why, you don’t mean to say—” ‘What did you put me up to it for?” he asked, angrily. “We might have known, after all that has passed, that if she had any spirit she wouldn’t—wouldn’t accept me.” “Why, Isaac,” said the sister, looking quite aghast, ‘*has she really refused you out and out?” _“ Yes!” said the young man, fiercely. “Do you want to Eomicbooks (ele)