The Man in Possession — page 218: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 213 handmaiden had donned what she called a ‘‘ Frinch cap with tails,’ and on the strength of this adorn- ment was particularly dignified and affable. Cornelius O’Brien, who was not particularly anx- ious to be left alone with Kate, detained her in the room on various pretexts. As for Kate herself, she poured out the tea and gave some to her father and leant back in her old low, shabby chair, listening to the conversation and taking little or no part in it. After a while a remark of her father’s aroused her attention. ‘‘ There'll be no need, Biddy,” he said loftily, ‘‘for any more of thase little. . . ahem— evasions—on your part. I intend to settle with all my creditors, every one of them, shortly.” Biddy was so overpowered by this announcement that she could only stare. ‘¢ All of them, sor?” she repeated breathlessly. ‘* All,” answered Cornelius with dignity. ‘‘My fortunes have taken a turn, Biddy.” ‘‘ For the better, sor? May the saints be praised for that same.” ‘They could hardly have taken one for the worse,” laughed Cornelius. ‘‘ It’s all your young mistress’s doing,” he went on vivaciously ; ‘‘she’s going to make a grand marriage, Biddy. Now, what have you got to say to that?” ‘‘Say !” Biddy resumed her lostdignity. ‘‘ What could the likes o’ me be saying, save that the Prince Royal himself, nor-the Lord Archbishop of Canther- bury would be axing any too much if ‘twas Miss Kate’s hand they'd be afther requesting! Shure she’s fit to be a quane—God bless her !” ECOMNCE OOO SS) (SO