Stella Rosevelt — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

_ “WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?” 207 Mr. Rosevelt followed, for he enjoyed looking upon the merry dancers, and taking up his station near a window, and by a stand of flowers where he was partially shielded from ob- servation, he watched his pet with a fond smile upon his lips, proud of her beauty, proud of her intelligence and of the ad- miration she was attracting. While standing here, a group of half a dozen ladies and gentlemen gathered near him, and he overheard a conversation which amused him, and caused at the same time something of a feeling of triumph to pervade his heart. ‘‘Have you seen the new arrivals?” asked a gentleman of one of his companions. ‘*No; what new arrivals do you refer to? ‘There are many every day.” ‘*An old codger from New York—rich as a king, they say— and his ward, who bids fair to be “Ae beauty of the season.” ‘* Indeed |!” returned the lady,. assuming a piqued tone. ‘‘ How dare you make such an assertion, and in the presence of three acknowledged beauties, too?” ‘‘T beg pardon if I have offended,” the gentleman roguishly replied; ‘‘but—lI have had Washingfonian instructions regard- ing the principle of ¢rush.” The young lady tapped him playfully upon the arm with her fan, while she remarked, significantly : ‘‘How glad [am that you have /o/d me of it!” whereupon the whole party joined in a laugh at the ‘‘ truthful” gentle- man's expense, ‘But about this fair charmer,” the lady pursued; ‘‘ who is she, and what is the name of this ‘old codger’ who is ‘rich as a king?” | “The lady’s name is Miss Gladstone, and she is not only beautiful, charming, and rich, but is also the author of ‘Chats- worth’s Pride,” which you have doubtless read.” *‘Oh! a blue-stocking!” cried the gay girl, with well-affected Gomicbooks:;