Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

94 THE EMERALD NECKLACE. _ ° The prejudice was mutual. Mr. Julien Percy had not ex- . petted to find a man so much finer in appearance, and in every way superior to himself, so perfectly at home in the house of his cousin. Pennon did not go out to tea, which gave the visitors opportunity to ask questions about him. “T am surprised that you should have allowed yourself to be taken in by a mere strolling adventurer, uncle,” remarked Julien, with a slight sneer, when he had elicited the informa- tion he desired. “ These traveling artists have not all of them the best of characters.” “Mr. Pennon is not a traveling artist; and if he were, it would be nothing to his discredit. Besides, he has told us all about his family, and his residence, and his pursuits,” spoke Clematis, with a little betrayal of excitement. “Then all that remains for your prudence to discover, is whether his stories are true or not,” replied her cousin, coolly. “We do not doubt him. His face speaks for his truth.” A red spot glowed upon Clematis’ cheek. Her cousin saw it and laughed. “He has a very handsome face, and such usually speak to young ladies eloquently enough, whether they speak truth or not,” he said. “You could not have had a fair opportunity of judging,” replied she, and laughed at him so brightly, that he was sorely vexed at her remark. “Don’t let us quarrel,” said he; “especially about my beauty ;” and he ran a hand, slender and white enough for a woman’s, almost, through his straight black hair. “T detest quarreling, so I will agree to the proposition,” an- swered Clematis ; and having finished their tea they returned to the parlor together, looking so well-pleased with each other that a pang shot through the heart of the lame man—who was obliged to remain upon his sofa and witness the numberless attempts of the new-comer to flatter and — ‘That very pang annoyed Pennon. © “Can it be,” he asked himself, “that I am growing envi- ous ?” Is there ever an occasion upon which ® woman can be so brilliant, so unconscious of her brilliancy, and so bewilderingly charming without meaning to be, as when she has two ad- conmicloooks.com