Vashti's Fate — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

TRAGEDY. 19 ‘Haven't you any brother?’ ‘‘Yes, I’ve a brother; he’s bigger than I am, but his name is Francis Roscoe prcuelut. mere is after papa and grandpapa, you know.” ‘*And what is your name?” ‘‘Teonore. They always call me Nora, though.” Here was an interval of silence, and then Nora said: “‘T want to ask you something else, but mamma says I am always too curious, and she would scold me if she knew I asked you anything so rude. But I want to ask you so much,” “You may ask me anything you like, Nora,” said he, gravely. “*May I? Thank you. What have you and all these soldiers come here for? Papa often has the soldiers come here to eat fruit; but I don’t think he knew of these.” ‘Why don't you think he knew we were coming?” ‘«Because he went up the walk before you came in sight ; and he was cross, and kicked Bute for being in the way. No, I don't think he knew you were coming.” ‘Well, he did, Nora. I am very sure he did.” Nora longed to ask him more, but notwithstanding the permission just accorded her, something in his face deterred her. When the company, with its gallant captain, departed, Leon was left with the lieutenant and three others. Leon staid by the little girl, amusing himself with her lively chat and piquant expressions, and she so far forgot her trouble as to join in the laugh ere long, when suddenly her sister © Vashti came out of the house, and ran down the road to her. ““Come away, Nora, come away,” she whispered ; ** papa is very ill.” ‘Doo “<S (Ee)