The Man in Possession — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 81 him, and his genial face and voice, and pleasant flow of talk quite delighted that amiable youth. ‘Sort of man, don’t you know, saves one all the trouble of talking, and seems to put good things into your mouth while he says them atronet’— swe jolly old boy.” In this fashion Sir Wilfred summed up the Irish- man to a select circle of friends in the smoking-room later on. Meanwhile Kate had moved over to the tea-table by the side of her hostess. A group of girls and two or three young men were lounging, or standing about; an eccentric-looking lady in a gown of brilliant green silk, slightly toned down by black lace, was evidently relating a story with a richness of brogue and an irresistible touch of humour that at once proclaimed her nationality. Beside her stood a tall young man, his fair hair cut close and short to his head in a some- what hard and unbecoming fashion, and attired in a knickerbocker suit of dark tweed. As they approached Lady Jocelyn addressed him. ‘‘Mr. Rivers,” she said, ‘‘please look after my young friend ; she’s only just arrived.—Miss O’Brien, let me introduce to you—Mr. Tom Rivers.” The young man bowed calmly, gravely, with a cool unconsciousness that did credit to his nerves, but Kate, as she returned the greeting, flushed scarlet to her very brow, and a look of perplexity and wonder came into her deep grey eyes. Good Heavens! Was she dreaming, or was this young man indeed the ‘‘ double” of whom Tom Smith had spoken? 6 COMicloe (Sri C(O)