The Argosy — page 270: what you’re looking at

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

Court Netherlegh. 251, ‘“T don’t mind—yes, if you like,” replied Selina, never asking the price. ‘‘I saw Lord Winchester just now,” she resumed to Mrs. Cleveland. ‘‘I did not know he had returned.” “Only since a day or two, I believe. My husband does not care to renew our acquaintance with him, so ———” ‘““Oh, what a love of a bonnet !” unceremoniously interrupted Mrs. Dalrymple, as her eye fell on a gossamer article, all white lace and beauty, with something green sparkling and shining tn It. “Ah,” said madame, coming forward, ‘‘ce chapeau me rend triste chaque fois que je le vols.” “Pourquoi?” demanded Selina, who was not quite sure of her French, but liked to plunge into a word of it now and then. In those days French was not so universal a language, even in polite circles, as it is 1n these. ‘““Parce que je ne suis pas dame, jeune et belle. Ainsi je ne peux que le regarder de loin. Mais madame est lune et l’autre.” Selina blushed and smiled, and fixed her eyes on the bonnet. “Tt is a charming bonnet,” observed Mrs. Cleveland. ‘What is the price ?” | “Thirteen guineas, madam.” Thirteen guineas! Mrs. Cleveland shook her head. Such bonnets were not for her. “Tt is a high price,” observed Selina. ‘High! Mesdames have surely not regarded it closely. These are emeralds. Look well, ma chere Madame Dalreemp. Emeralds. It is the very cheapest bonnet—for its real value—that I have shown his, S6950Re ng “JT think I will try it on,” cried Selina. Madame was not backward to follow the thought. Ina twinkling the bonnet was on Selina’s head, and herself at the glass. ‘Twitching the border and the flowers, twitching her own hair, she at length turned round with a radiant face, blushing in its conscious beauty, as she spoke to Mrs. Cleveland. | “Ts it not a sweet bonnet ?” “Tf you do not take it, it will be a sin against yourself,” interposed the bonnet’s present owner. ‘‘ You never looked so well in all your life. Madame Dalreemp. Your face does set off that chapeau charm- ingly.” | “T will take it,” decided Selina. ‘What did you say it was? Fifteen guineas P ” “Thirteen, madame ; only thirteen. Ah! but it is cheap!” Mrs. Cleveland bought the mantle Selina had designated as dowdy, and a bonnet equally so. Selina told her they were frightful; fit for an alms-house. ‘““My dear, they are quiet, and will wear well. I cannot afford more than one new bonnet in a season. As to a mantle, it generally lasts me three or four years.” Cconnicloooks (C(O) -