Vashti's Fate — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

A NEW WARDROBE, 135 dhe recovered her preserice of mind instantly, as his hand teched her, and as soon as they reached the hall, said: -‘Did I do well, sir?” ‘I believe you did; I’m not much of a musician myself, but J believe you did very well. Here is Mrs, Gordon, ask her,” Mrs. Gordon came hurrying out, all smiles and congratu- lations, Twice again during the evening, Vashti sang and played, to the satisfaction of everybody. The theatricals, charades, and calisthenic exercises passed off well. The company had mostly dispersed. Vashti was sitting in an easy-chair before the fire. Professor Thorpe came and stood at one side of the hearth, nearly in front of her, his hands in his pockets, as he surveyed her quizzi- cally. ‘‘Now, then, it is coming,” thought Vashti, and aloud she said: ‘‘Please, sa, don’t laugh at me.” “Why not?” ““Tt is not pleasant to be laughed at.”’ “Isn't it? Well, I’m sorry, but I can’t help laughing, when I think that it is not so very long since you were rail- ing in unmeasured terms at people who wore fine clothes ; and now you seem to enjoy the peacock’s plumes as much as anybody. ”. Vashti was silent, and looked annoyed. Presently she rose, stood a moment hesitating, the parlor was nearly empty, and said, timidly: ‘* May I bid you good-evening, sir?” ‘‘Good-morning, you mean; it is nearer that than the other. Yes, off with you; the old professor is nobody now. You are too fine for old friends.” She stood looking away from him, but at these words, comicbooks.co Roe sy