Stella Rosevelt — page 343: what you’re looking at

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

YOSEPHINE’S AMBITION. 337 as they could conclude better what to do after a personal in- terview, ‘‘If it should prove a ‘ wild-goose chase,’ as I fear it will, I can ill afford the expense of the trip,” Mr. Richards said, when ccnsidering the question. But his wife was all enthusiasm, as well as very sanguine regarding the result, and it was at length decided that they should sail as soon as practicable, and preparations were at once begun for the voyage. Mrs. Richards merely remarked to her friends, when inform- ing them of their plans, that Mr. Richards was not well; they all wanted a change, and had iesolved to try what a trip across the Atlantic would do for them. Not one word was breathed regarding her expectations, however, ‘‘If Tam successful, there will be time enough then to make it public; if I am zo/, no one shall ever be able to crow over my disappointment,” she said, cautiously, to her husband; although in her own mind she had not a doubt as to the issue of the matter, while already visions of a title and a life among the nobility of England, presentation at court, and a marriage in high life for Josephine, were taking shape in her head. CHAPTER XXXVI. JOSEPHINE S AMBITION. Mrs. Richards’ vision of magnificence bade fair to be realized ; for, upon arriving in London in November, she and her family were most courteously received bv the firm of Compton & Bailey, who assured her that her credentials and proofs of her relation- ship to Sir Charles were incontestable. Gomichookssco