A Social Meteor — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

252 A SOCIAL METEOR. had heard, for the first time, of Mr. Thorne’s failure, and she had lost no time in running around to find out whether she was going to lose the money which madam owed her. She soon discovered that it was probable she would, and she had thereupon given vent to a torrent of abuse, which had so frightened Mrs. Thorne that she went into a fit of hysterics on the spot. An- nette had come speedily to the rescue, and ordered Joseph to put the infuriated woman out of the house, which he did, but not until she had shaken her fist in Mrs. Thorne’s face, and vowed ven- geance upon her. Then the maid had adminis- tered an opiate, and left her to herself. Late in the afternoon she tiptoed softly in again, and, finding her mistress still calmly sleeping, started to go away again, when suddenly Mrs. Thorne awoke with a start. “What time is it?” she asked. , “Nearly six, madam,” replied the maid. “Are you better now? and will you dress ?” “Yes. Is Mr. Thorne at home ?” “No, madam, he leave word he will not be at home until late to-night.” “Very well. Then I'll dine up stairs, as I don’t feel like going down, until I have to.” “Does madam expect company this evening ?” asked the girl, respectfully, as she dropped the window curtains, and lit the gas, | Eomichoo (E(O) Ss)