Vashti's Fate — page 299: what you’re looking at

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

ee Ps we , ‘ * . : e wm . 7 ; : : 2 Sh « we pS s ’ * - 294 DOUBTS AND ANXIETY. CHAPTER XXXVII. DOUBTS AND ANXIETY. Arrived at Paris, Leon made diligent inquiries after Pro- fessor Robert Thorpe. A young American gentleman whom he stumbled upon at length put him on his track. Mrs. St. Clair was just now holding a sort of miniature court a little way out of Paris. Thorpe was in her suite; doubtless he would find him there. With great misgiving Leon sought and inquired for Mrs. St. Clair, to whom he had letters. She received him . immediately, was enchantingly smiling and polite to him as a countryman, and because of his distimgue air. Madam herself was very lovely, and she knew it, and was disposed to take this call of Leon’s as a courtesy to herself. He humored her vanity, and, in the course of the spark- ling chit-chat that followed, introduced Thorpe’s name. Mrs. St. Clair’s eyes lightened at the name. Yes, he was here, she believed ; and Leon explained by saying that he held a lettes of introduction for him from a mutual friend, The professor was sent for, and the introduction took place. Leon said nothing of his errand, representing him- self as at Paris on business, but disposed to glean some pleasure also from the trip, which indeed was very true. He was anxious to observe for himself a little before open- ing to Thorpe the object of his journey, and accordingly accepted immediately Mrs. St. Clair’s invitation to remain a few days at her country-seat. He retired soon to his room to dress for dinner, At table he found a large company assembled—ladies and comicboo “ a peas .* A» “,- iS 1 © |} _* ee ee ein ot rt , A.