Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 214: what you’re looking at

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

204. OCTAVIA’S PRIDE As the pearl-inlaid chess table was wheeled away, Octavia rose, carelessly shook out her lawn flounces, and sauntered across the room, stopping, as if by accident, at the table where the summer-house plan was being warmly discussed by the countess and one of her guests, Miss Nettie Hather- way, an Kast Indian heiress, who was quite willing to com- mence a flirtation with the grave, unimpressible, but re- markably interesting Mr. ‘horne. Miss Wainwright had not failed to notice the young lady’s kindly interest in the work of Felix Thorne. It is possible she took a wicked pleasure in seeing that quick sparkle come into his eye and the spot of crimson gather on the sal- low cheek when she approached. She leaned over the table a moment, and followed with her white finger the lmes on the plan. “Very good, Mr. Thorne,” said she; ‘“‘do you know I detect a blunder, and I am wondering how you will repair bP” He recognized the hidden meaning and answered quickly: “Tf there is a blunder it can be remedied by prompt action, Miss Wainwright.” She seemed to be examining the plan with keen interest. ‘‘T should like to know how you will commence,” she said, slowly, putting her finger again on one of the founda- tion lines. ‘* What will you do here, to make the upper structure secure?” * Lay a straight plank, Miss Wainwright.” ‘‘ But the danger—the lack of security,” she said, mean- ingly. A singular smile came to his thin lips. He compelled her to look at him by a magnetic glance of power. “<I shall not be afraid of esas T will work ee and fearlessly, let what will come.’ She lowered her white eyelids slowly, a little shiver shot comicboo cS €oO