Her Faithful Knight — page 140: what you’re looking at

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

136 Darcy’s Sympathy. “Mrs. Stourton-Chepe will bring you,” he said. “She and my mother have met in society some years ago, before poor Chepe got sold up and had to go on the stage. Now, you will come, will you not, Miss Knight? My mother takes the deepest interest in what I have told her of you and your sister, and she is extremely anxious to make your acquaintance.” “You are very kind,” Dorothy returned in rather re- served tones, “but really, you know so very little of me or of my sister either 3 “Oh, but I have heard from other people of your de- _ votion to each other,” he assured her warmly. “And I think it most touching and beautiful. Years ago my mother lost a sister whom she loved very dearly, and she can sympathize with you.” Had he heard any of the true facts of the case, she won- dered. But his face expressed nothing but a tender and respectful admiration, and she was constrained, somewhat against her will, to accept his invitation. “You must forgive the short notice,’ he said. “My mother’s arival was altogether unexpected. I believe she came, prompted by something I said in one of my letters recently—something about you,” he added. Dorothy looked across the table at him, clearly startled. But before she had time to speak again he had caught up his hat, and excusing himself on the plea that he should have just sufficient time to acquaint his mother with her acceptance of the invitation to lunch, he had thanked her, and bowed himself out. Dorothy was surprised to note the high value Mrs. Stourton-Chepe placed upon this casual invitation. The latter lady came down to rehearsal rustling in a new silk gown, and grew quite effusive to Miss Knight over “dear Lady Derrick’s kindness.” (S() “Do you know,” she said, “that there are dozens of Eomichooks