Her Faithful Knight — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

Darcy’s Mother. 143 Daily Leader? He has but little of the highest artistic faculty, but he possesses a good honest tradesman’s in- stinct of what pays in the long run, which is as much as a nation of shopkeepers requires from their favorite dra- matic critic. He can practically make or mar a play or an actor. It will be everything to have “‘Love’s Right’ criti- cised in the Leader by Graham North as a send-off.” “But I thought you despised critics?” | “TI do, personally, but the paying public doesn’t. And I regret to say that North can make or mar an author, too.” The redoubtable North was introduced to Miss Knight on the stage a little later, and roared as gently as any sucking-dove. A short, well-built man, with charming manners, and thoughtful, humorous eyes behind pincenez. He talked for a considerable time to “Mr. Darcy’s” beau- tiful leading lady, to the evident envy of the rest of the company, and looked at her persistently with unconcealed admiration. “And what do you think of my leading lady?” Mr. Darcy inquired, as he and Mr. Graham North, Wyverly and Coles left the cool, dark theatre for the blazing sun- shine outside. | “My dear Derrick, I don’t know where you discovered her, but she is one of the most absolutely lovely women I have ever had the good fortune to behold. There is an intense womanliness about her which appeals to all that is best in a man. Upon my word I could watch her face and listen to her voice all day, and imagine myself in a poet’s Heaven! ‘The man who wins such a woman’s love will be a lucky fellow.” “Yes, but how about the man who engages her to play ‘lead’ ?” inquired Wyverly drily. “Ah, that remains to be seen,” observed the great critic diplomatically. “I am speaking of Miss Knight as a Eomichooks (S@)