The Works of George W. M. Reynolds — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

THE GRAND ENTERTAINMENT 167 Lane, and I know that you do not like to be there much before the time.’ “True,’’ observed Lady Macdonald, ‘‘ we will wait oie minutes. Have you read Mr. Gunthorpe’s letter which I sent in to you just now? ”’ “T have read it, with some degree of astonishment,” answered Florina. ‘“‘ The other night, when he first intro- duced himself to me and Harold at the opera, he said that he should be delighted to pay you a visit, and I assured him that you would be well pleased to show him every attention. And now,” added Florina, taking up the letter from the table and glancing her eyes over it, ‘‘ he says that his numerous occupations in the City and the attention which he has to devote to certain business matters have compelled him to decide upon resigning for the present the advantages he would otherwise have been delighted to reap from Uncle Eagledean’s letters of introduction. He dined with Harold the other day,’’ added Florina, speaking hesitatingly, “ and I do hope that my brother treated him with civility.” “Mr. Gunthorpe appears to be a singular kind of per- son,’ remarked Lady Macdonald. ‘‘ However, he can act as he pleases. By the bye, talking of Harold, is he to be at Saxondale House this evening? ”’ ‘“T believe so,’ responded Florina, ‘‘ but I have not seen him to-day.” “And Edmund, has he called? ”’ asked Lady Macdonald. ‘He has not been here since Saturday, when he came with Harold to take me to the opera.” “ What, and this is Tuesday evening!” exclaimed Lady Macdonald, in a tone of vexation. ‘‘ Three whole days without coming to pay his respects to you! That is rather too bad— _ And yet,” she immediately added, ‘‘ itis nothing in high life. The sphere in which we move is in many respects different from the other grades of society in its usages and customs.” “ Then I wish that I had been born in another sphere,”’ observed Florina, in the lowest and most melting accents of her fluid voice. “ Niece, I do not like remarks of this kind,” exclaimed Lady Macdonald, in a tone of remonstrance. “ But, my dear aunt,’ replied the gentle girl, ‘ surely COnNIEOOOKS (C(O)