The Widowed Bride — page 117: what you’re looking at

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

— 108 THE WIDOWED BRIDE. “Croquet is a bore,” said Captain Evelyn, ‘‘but in agree- able society 4 ‘Stella Barrington has grown very handsome,” observed Lady Glenhampton, ‘‘and Miss Armitage is to be there also.” “In that case,’ " yawned Captain Evelyn, “‘it will proba- bly be endurable.” Mr. Poynings, who had been invited by the countess to join their party at dinner, came in at that moment, and his presence created a sort of diversion, during which Lady Barrington and her croquet party were forgotten for the time being. And Rena discovered that even while sur- rounded by the young Londoners, fresh from a society which is supposed to be the cream of the civilized world, Mr. Poynings could and did make himself marvelously agreeable.” «‘Am I mistaken,” said Rena, in a lo voice, to Captain Evelyn, after the dessert had been placed on the table, ‘‘or does Mr. Poynings really admire your sister Blanche?” Captain Evelyn stared at her in amazement. ‘Because he seems so devoted to her,” Rena added, inno- cently. ‘“Certainly not,” said Captain Evelyn, drawing himself up with hanteur. ‘I should like to see Poynings presume to admire Lady Blanche Arden, Why the man is nothing but an attorney!” ‘Mr. Alkenard is only a barrister.” | ‘But there’s a difference, you know; and Alkenard is connected with the Alkenards of Nottinghampshire, one of the best families in England. You are mistaken, Miss Per- cival, Poynings is a very nice sort of a fellow, and received a good deal into society around here, but he never would dream of such a piece of pretension. That insinuating manner of his is natural to him; he would be just as cour- teous to old Wadesleigh, if she happened to sit next to him at dinner.” ‘‘T am so unaccustomed to society,” said Rena, with art- ful simplicity, ‘‘and you must pardon meif I have said any- thing terrible. It takes me so long to under stand the ar ti- ficial distinctions you great people have.” ‘‘Do you call yourself a little people, then: ?”” asked. Cap- tain Evelyn, much amused. comicbooks . ¢ 4 t $ ¥ A z= . <4 7 a 2 J «* 2 : » =