Her Faithful Knight — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

Aylmer to the Rescue. 253 attractive-looking personage, and yet Aylmer Read chose instantly to dislike him with surprising intensity. The man apologized, in a cvltured and melodious voice, for colliding with him, and with an interchange of hat- lifting the pair parted. “Now who in the world is that big fellow?” Darcy Der- rick asked himself, as he watched Mr. Read’s retreating figure. “Can Phyllis have consoled herself in my absence with another lover? Evidently he is interested in the place from the way in which he stared about and asked questions. The infernal publicity the press gives to every- thing is dead against the interests of justice.” “I wonder who that pallid, effeminate-looking beast with the red lips was,’”’ mused Aylmer Read. “Certainly has was skulking about for no good. Heaven send the © poor child does not run home straight into the trap laid for her!” | Going home to Regent’s Park, where he now resided, was clearly out of the question in his present state of restless anxiety, and Mr. Read repaired again to the offices of the Daily Post to ascertain whether any news had come in during his absence. Meantime the fog thick- ened to what is known as a “London particular,” and a drizzling rain began to fall. As the afternoon wore on Aylmer’s agitation increased until, unable to keep in one place, he sallied out to study the contents’ bills of the evening papers. Through the slippery mud of Fleet street and the Strand he passed down to the Wigwam Club in its quiet terrace overlooking the Embankment. He had meant to wait there awhile until the later editions of the evening sheets were out. But hardly had the doors of the club smoking-room swung to behind him when an overpoweringly strong impulse made him suddenly turn and leave the house, walking rapidly in the direction of Villiers street. : ‘ Eomicsoo S (E@) im =>