The Man in Possession — page 249: what you’re looking at

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

244 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. an uncommon fool of himself,” she said. ‘I thought romance and poetry and all that sort of thing had gone out when tall hats and frock-coats came in, but I spose human nature will always be human nature, however we dress it up.” Then she laid aside the letter, and sat down, and went into a reflective mood, from which she was only aroused by the sound of the dressing-bell. She was extremely quiet and subdued that evening, even to the wonder and discomfiture of her enemy, Lady Westmoreland, who laid conversational traps for her-in vain. Later on, the cause of this gentle melancholy was announced. Mrs. Lafaye regretted that she must cut short her visit, she had received hnews—very sad news—from a friend, and that ne- cessitated her immediate return to London. Lady Jocelyn was quite distressed about it. She was genuinely fond of the pretty, bright American, and knew that her departure meant a reign of dul- ness and depression. But reproaches and entreaties were quite unavailing. Mrs. Lafaye, with the mourn- ful gentleness that cloaked her own relief, displayed also an amount of resolution that no entreaties could shake, and the next morning she took her lovely self, her wonderful toilettes and her magnificent jewels back to the smoky fogs and muddy streets of the Metropolis. Sir Wilfred had intended Jeaving by the same train, but the idea of a /éfe-d-/é/e Journey with the fascinating American was too much for his weak nerves. He therefore postponed his departure till the next day, and communicated that fact to Kate by telegram. ECOMICMOOOKS.G