I Forbid the Banns! — page 175: what you’re looking at

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

ON A FINE DAY. 165 Before he pulled up at the porch Julian said to her in French: ‘‘In order to save trouble, dearest, I told the housekeeper that you were my wife. You must not start when she addresses you as ‘madam.’ ”’ : ‘“You were quite right,’’ said she with only a little flush upon her face. “If I were not your wife could I be here to-day?’’ She made acomplete conquest of Mrs. Barwell, whom she suffered to lead her into various rooms, after she had laid off her hat, explaining the purport of each. The light French furniture in the boudoir overlooking the lawns had been uncovered, and the silk hangings replaced. ‘The old house- keeper hoped that madam was pleased with the appearance of the room, and madam declared that she had never been in a more charming apartment—it was faultless. Then Mrs. Barwell showed her that interesting apartment known as the still-room, and Bertha expressed herself greatly pleased, especially with the appearance of last year’s pickled walnuts. Atthe end of the corridora door was thrown open disclosing a spacious room with an iron grating in front of the fire, and iron bars across the lower windows. ‘“This is the day nursery, madam,’’ said the housekeeper; ‘‘but if you think a southern aspect 1s better, we can easily prepare one of the bedrooms in the other wing.”’ She spoke in an unctuous whisper, and with infinite solemn- ity. Bertha said she was sure that the room was a very nice one, and she thought that perhaps Mr. Charlton might be waiting for her downstairs. She hurried away, leaving the housekeeper to close the ’ doors, which she did, smiling all the time in a way that was full of subtle meaning. ‘‘My beloved—my beloved!”’ cried Julian, putting his arm around her as he met her at the foot of the staircase CONNIELIOOKS (C@)