The Man in Possession — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 253 of to-night is also the victim of an unrequited attach- ment.” ‘“‘Indeed,” said Mrs. Lafaye with quick interest. ‘What is his name?” ‘‘Rivers. He’s averynice young fellow. I would like to introduce him to you.” ‘‘Rivers—lIom Rivers, is it?” exclaimed Mrs. ‘Lafaye eagerly. ‘‘Gracious!—You don’t say so. Why, I’m just dying to know him! I came up to London expressly to make his acquaintance. Go and bring him at once.” ‘‘T—IT hardly think he’s finished his cigar yet,” said Colonel Lawrence. ‘‘Won't your patience last a little longer?” | He was not quite pleased at this sudden en- thusiasm. Tom Rivers was young, good-looking, rich, and had interestedher. It was always danger- ous to interest a woman. ‘It will wait, certainly,” said Mrs. Lafaye, detect- ing the perturbation of his mind, and inwardly elated by it. ‘But I think you are unkind to demand it.” ‘Then I will go and bring him at once,” said Colonel Lawrence, rising from his seat. The room was rapidly filling now. Any conver- sation would be more or less of a public nature. Perhaps that thought consoled him for the abrupt termination to his /ée-e-#e. Mrs. Lafaye watched the tall figure striding across the room. A little tender smile touched her lips : her eyes were very soft and wistful. ‘‘He’s just thesame,’ she thought—“‘so strong, so simple, so true. I’m sure there isn't another man in ? ECOMNCE OOO SS) (SO