The Man in Possession — page 174: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION... 169 she rich—or a widow—or has she done anything remarkable ?” ‘‘Rich—I believe you,” answered Sir Wilfred with more force than elegance. ‘‘ How her husband made his money I don't know, nor any one else. He's dead now, but she’s got the ‘pile’ as they call it, and doesnt she go the pace too! By Jove.... Why, she was the rage in London last season. The Prince made hera success, they say. Every one was talking of her.” | ‘‘She is wonderfully lovely,” said Kate admiringly. ‘‘ Think so, really? I don’t—’pon my honour—can’t hold a candle to you, you know. Those American women always remind me of wax dolls... . colouring and dress, and—and all that. They’ve nostyle... look as if a breath of wind would blow them away. Never think they’re ‘‘ fixed up,” as they call ‘it, unless they’re covered with jewels. Now that woman’s much too over-dressed. She'd be all right for a state . ball, but for a quiet party like this, downright absurd, don’t yer know.” ‘It is a—little—too much, I think,” said Kate, with a glance at the brilliant reds of Mrs. Lafaye's gown, studded and sparkling everywhere with dia- monds and rubies. ‘‘ But then Americans have a weakness for jewellery. At the hotels abroad I’ve seen them covered in diamonds at breakfast-time. I used to excuse that, though, because it might have been done for safety, not display.” ‘‘They’re a doosid queer lot,” remarked Sir Wilfred. ‘‘T neverliked’em. So jolly cheeky, don’t yer know. Took an American gal down to supper at a ball once, COMicloe (Sri C(O)