A Fair Fraud — page 94: what you’re looking at

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

A Fair Fraud 83 fond of music, Mr Naylor?’ she asked with a little playful malice, for she quite anticipated the prompt answer. ‘Not in the least. I rather dislike it than otherwise. But I find it useful sometimes, and I didn’t know how to get you away from that figurehead of a woman—’ ‘Poor Miss Poppleton! She is a most excellent person.’ ‘I am sure she is. But I don’t want her. And I do want you.’ Marion was silent. She began to play a reverie of Schumann’s in a soft undertone. She played well and accurately, but not speci- ally brilliantly. Her musical powers were chiefly called into requisition in order to lull her uncle into his after-dinner nap when they were alone. It had always been found to answer this purpose very well indeed. On the present occasion the sound of the notes caused the murmur of conversation in the room to swell into a continuous roar. ‘That's right; make them talk,’ said Mr Naylor. ‘Do you know ycu are not very complimen- tary to me, Mr Naylor ?’ . ‘No, I daresay not. It’s not my object to be complimentary. My object is to gain your assistance and help.’ ‘My help?’ she repeated with upraised brow S, GOMMGIOO