This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV "LET IT SERVE FOR TABLE-TALK" The true essentials of a feast are only fun and feed.--O. W. Holmes. They were all in the drawing-room when Agatha entered; she had purposely delayed, not being anxious for another private interview with her supposed lover, and had occupied the time in making ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XIV "LET IT SERVE FOR TABLE-TALK" The true essentials of a feast are only fun and feed.--O. W. Holmes. They were all in the drawing-room when Agatha entered; she had purposely delayed, not being anxious for another private interview with her supposed lover, and had occupied the time in making herself even fairer than usual. Before starting on her venture as a governess she had hastily provided a wardrobe in keeping with that character, and had also taken a few of her own richer gowns which, unknown to her, had caused much disquietude in Mrs. Vaughan's breast. She was wearing one of the latter now, put on in a reckless spirit to increase her loveliness and to assist in the further undoing of the Rev. Mr. Mildmay. Had her appearance been less pleasing, however, it would have proved a welcome diversion, for those few minutes of waiting were compounded of utmost dreariness. Mrs. Vaughan, occasionally aided by Peter, strove to enliven the time with conversation, though the guest (a victim not only of a gnawing hunger, but of a conscience that upbraided him ceaselessly) had fallen into an austere silence from which it was impossible to arouse him; nor was Jeffrey to be inveigled into any semblance of gaiety. He stood at one side morosely studying the stranger from head to foot. Then the girl came in, her eyes sparkling with a pretty show of daring, and almost immediately dinner was announced. The change to another room did not apparently bring about a change of spirits; the diners seemed to have carried their atmosphere with them. Mr. Mildmay, at a signal from his hostess, emerged from his gloom and embarked upon an elaborate grace, his sonorous syllables rising and falling without any show of an ebb in their eloquence. Agatha stole a...
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