I Forbid the Banns! — page 150: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXI. ON THE ART OF LYING. ULIAN CHARLTON spent an hour with his thoughts J in the dining room, and then he went into the large drawing room, carrying with him a lamp. The delicate French decorations of the wall still remained covered with chintz, and the old ormolu candelabra were hidden in bags of oiled silk. ‘The French cabinets with Watteau-painted panels of porcelain were, however, exposed, and the polished parquet of the floor glistened beneath the light of his lamp. He took the cover off one of the chairs and seated himself. It was a beautiful room, he knew; but what would it be when she had come to it—when she would be in that chair with her fair head lying upon the French tapestry which had been hidden beneath the chintz? ‘The room was silent now, but soon the music of her voice and its sweet laughter would be heard there. While he was thinking his thoughts Mrs. Barwell, the housekeeper, entered the room, but seemed surprised to find him there, and apologized for her intrusion. “Why, I was just about to set out in search of you, Mrs. Barwell,” said he. “1 didn’t think you would leave the dining room, sir,” said the housekeeper. ‘You said you didn’t want this room put in order for you, or I would have seen to it.” “T merely strolled in to see if I recollected anything of it,’ said he. ‘I have not been in a better room since I left home, Mrs. Barwell.”’ “Do you say so, sir? Well, I’m pleased to hear it. I notice a spot of damp on the wall under that window ; but 140 (E@NMICELNOKOL KS (E(0)