Ruby's Reward — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

Mr Allstone, an elderly gentleman who had always been very fond ofher, remarked, playfully, in roply to something clso that had been said : * Yes, she has been gucen of the evening, with her lily crown. 1 shall probably go home and have my dreams haunted, far tho remainder of the night, by Lenten lilies, each one having hidden in its cup a bright, piquant faco, with ruby lips and diamond eyes,” ‘Hear, hear !” cried Ruby, clapping her hands softly in applause. ‘* I had not sup- posed it possible to make such an impression upon a man who is Allstone !™ She swept him a profound curtsey, amid the laughter which followed this retort, and in the act the slender stem of the lily in her hair snapped in twain, and tho beautiful flower went spinning over the marble floor of the hall. Three gentlemen sprang forward to re- cover it, but Walter was the more agile, and captured it before the others could reach it, and then stood quictly waiting for an opportunity to return it to her. At last all wero gone but himself and Edmund Carpenter, who was determined to have the last word if possible, though it was all he could do to control his rage against Waltor for lingering so long. ‘Mr and Mra Gordon, with Mr and Mrs Ruggles, stood near, and two at least or four were watching with some curiosity and interest to seo Ruby take leave of the young nen, ‘Walter, do not keep Miss Gordon waiting ; reburn hor the flower,” Edmund commanded, turning upon his rival with an air of authority, his patience completely exhausted. comicbockss.com