A Fair Fraud — page 83: what you’re looking at

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

72 A Fair Fraud generous to her little companion in the matter of her garments. Although she believed it her duty to allow her to wear nothing that should be unsuitable to her position, yet she took care that her simple dresses were well made and becoming. Thus Marion always possessed one pretty dinner dress in which, if she happened to be wanted at her uncle’s table, she would not feel herself to be less well-dressed than any of his other guests. Mrs Drury had elaborately explained to Mr Edgar Naylor the unfortunate circumstances which had obliged her to request him to take in Miss Blake in the place of the lady originally destined for him. ‘Mrs Havering, whom you would have liked, Iam sure, Mr Naylor, was unfortunately taken ill only this morning. I had no time to find a substitute, and was obliged to fall back on my adopted niece, Miss Blake. I hope you won't mind?’ Mr Naylor bowed politely. ‘Not at all, not at all; it makes no difference to me at all.’ | ‘I ought to tell you that she is an orphan, and lives with us. She acts as my companion, in fact. I am sorry that on your first visit to us—’ ‘Not at all, not at all; it makes no difference, said Mr Naylor once again, and GOMMGIOO oO C' Q)