The Argosy — page 135: what you’re looking at

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

118 “* Fohn Simuth, Funor.”’ “Tt would be a great comfort to see Frances provided for, William; think of all the others £ ‘“T don’t forget them, my dear, you may be sure. I ought to be thankful, no doubt. I don’t like that sister—she’s a regular stuck up little fool !—Oh, by the way, look what I got just now from Smith. Isn’t he a brick? I sent in his bill the other day—he has asked for it several times—and just see, he has doubled the amount, and sent me such a kind note: ‘never can show his gratitude,’ and so on. That’s a patient worth having. Give me aman who knows how to spend his money, and I'll forgive him for making it so inordinately fast.” If. ‘THE night of the party arrived. Dr. Lisle’s house was lit up from roof to basement, carriages and cabs steadily deposited their occupants at the door, and the large double drawing-rooms were filling fast. Among the earliest arrivals were Mr. and Miss Fitzhardy. Frances contrived to whisper to her dear friend that they had been obliged to ask Mr. and Mrs. Smith, “of Smith and ‘Trewson, you know.” “Oh, dear, how amusing,” said that young lady; “I get all my frocks there! Pray don’t distress yourself, Frances; you need not mention our name to them. I think it is rather fun. What are they like? Are they here now?” “No,” said Frances, delighted to see that her august visitor took the matter so affably. “Do you know, I am quite curious to see them, Frances,” Miss Fitzhardy went on, with a little laugh. “I don’t think I ever met people of that sort out anywhere before.” A remark which, although uttered in the most innocent manner, sent a sudden flood of crimson over Frances’s fair face and neck, and she was glad enough to turn to Mr. Fitzhardy and hear what he had to say about a new collection of pictures he had been inspecting that afternoon. Meanwhile the crowd grew thicker and thicker, and the hum of voices louder and louder. Someone was playing a florid piece on the grand piano in the larger room, but Frances, at the other end of the small drawing-room could hear little of the performance above the hubbub of conversation. Suddenly she caught her mother’s eye, evidently searching for her. She made her way to her as quickly as she could. “Frances,” whispered Mrs. Lisle, ‘‘ you must come and be intro- duced to Mrs.. Smith; remember she knows no one here. I want you to come and talk to her.” A minute later the girl found herself seated by a stout elderly lady in a rich velvet dress, adorned with lovely lace, which was fastened at the throat by a magnificent diamond ornament. Above this elegant finery beamed a large, round, rosy, good-humoured face. ‘I’m glad to make your acquaintance, my dear,” she said. “TJ’ve (SOA l an \ ebooks,com | | | !