A Daughter of Delilah — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

30 “GILBERT ROSEBERRY, YOU ARE MY PRISONER!” for neglecting to open the door for Mr. Alston, and every word that he said was a stab. ‘‘Being past midnight, ma’am, and as Mr. Alston tapped in a mysterous sort of way, my first thoughts were burlgars, remembering that the Wilsons were only robbed last week and the watch-dog shot on the stoop.”’ ‘It is all right, John,’’ his mistress told him; and then the ladies retired into the drawing-room to await Edgar’s tardy appearance. ‘‘T really hope that he has not been indulging too freely, my dear,’’ Mrs. Radcliffe said. ‘‘Why should he alarm the servants by tapping on the glass? Edgar has changed very much for the worse, lately, and Iam not so blind that I have not noticed the quantity of wine he drinks at dinner. And his talk about cocktails and that sort of thing is dis- graceful! I wonder that his father does not see as I do.’’ ‘‘Listeners rarely hear any good of themselves,’’ smiled Edgar, walking into the room; ‘‘and though I have only heard your tones of annoyance, dear aunt, I am satisfied that I am the culprit under censure.”’ Mrs. Radcliffe looked up at him swiftly, and was relieved to find that her worst fears were unfounded. ‘‘Let me confess to the most abominable conduct im- aginable,’’ continued Edgar, airily; ‘‘but do not condemn me until I have answered your charges in categorical order. Ihave been made a fool of by some one,”’ he added, in tones of annoyance, ‘‘and, by Jove! they shall be made to answer to me.”’ Mrs. Radcliffe was mollified, for she was really very fond of the handsome fellow. ‘*Now listen to this, aunt,’’ he nephew said. ““We were Gomicbooks (ee) m