The Argosy — page 283: what you’re looking at

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

204 Court Netherleigh. “T want a thousand things,” began Selina, in the blitheness of her heart. ‘‘ Have you sold the green-and-white gauze dress?” No, was madame’s answer, she had kept it on purpose for Madame Dalreemp. Milady Ac-corn had come in yesterday afternoon late, and wanted it, but she had told milady it was sold. Selina took it allin. The fact was, madame had tried to persuade Milady Ac-corn into it, but milady was proof.against the price. She had wanted it for Frances. It was only seventeen guineas, and that included the fringe and trimmings.. Selina had told her husband that gauze dresses cost nothing ! ' “T want it for the breakfast on -Thursday,” cried Selina. ‘‘ What mantle can I wear ?” A momentous question. ‘They ran over in memory the mantles, scarfs, fichus, possessed by Mrs. Dalrymple, and came to the con- clusion that not one of them would “ go with” the gauze dress. ‘““T have a lace mantle,” said madame—‘‘ah! but it 1s recherché ! —a real Brussels. If there is one robe in my house that it ought to go with, it is that green-and-white.” She brought it forward and exhibited it upon the dress. Very 7 beautiful; of that there was no doubt. It was probably a beautiful price also. “Twenty-five guineas.” ‘““Oh my goodness—twenty-five guineas!” cried Selina. “ But Ill take it. A breakfast féte does not come every day.” For a wonder—/for a wonder—Selina, having exhibited her white lace bonnet with the emeralds but twice, came to the conclusion that that “would do.” Not that she hesitated at buying another, but that it was so suitable to the green-and-white dress. ‘“And now for—— Oh, stop; I think I must have a new parasol. My point-lace one is soiled, and I caught it in my bracelet the other day and tore it a little. You had a beautiful point-lace parasol here yesterday..{, etme sée.it.” “The one you were looking at yesterday will not do,” cried madame. ‘It is lined with blue: Madame Dalreemp knows that blue can never go with the green dress. I have got one parasol—ah, but it is a beauty !—a point-lace, lined with white. I will get it. It does surpass the other.” It did surpass the other, and in price also. Selina chose it. It was twenty guineas. ‘“My husband thought I could have worn one of my old dresses,” observed Selina, as she turned over some gloves; “he says I have a great many. But one can only appear in a perfectly fresh toilette at a magnificent gathering such as this is to be.” And madame fully assented. Mrs. Dalrymple went to the breakfast, and she and her attire were lovely amidst the lovely, exciting no end of admiration. Very grati- fying to her heart, then topsy-turvy with vanity. And so it went on EORMIELIOOKS (CO) im