The House Divided - A Novel (1901) (Hardcover)

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III THE ASSEMBLY Thebe was no thought in Mr. Gerard Mallory's head next morning that he had let hi9 tongue go indiscreetly. Upon the contrary, he made a retrospect of the previous evening with extraordinary complacency, pluming himself on an excellent fine debut. " I have made my bow," he reflected. " And, damn me, but I think it was no bad entrance I made. I will learn those clodhoppers to respect one of my blood. They shall admit me superior." He let his mind dwell upon the squire, and laughed aloud at the ludicrous figure that gentleman cut. Then his wilding fancies fluttered to the handsome and sinister person of Sir Jeremy Lacon, and after that settled with no further vagrancy upon the form and features of the lady. " Gad, I would I had her name," he said, over his breakfast. " Is she wed ? I care not. She is handsome enough for me, and of the most enticing proportion. I will see her again. I believe she has a taste for me." He was no more of a coxcomb than youth should be, and if he had misinterpreted the lady's glances thewrong lay with her and those sexual arts which women practise in all classes and at most ages. Moreover, the young man knew his parts, and had been a pretty favorite in Vermont, as he said. But if he was easily betrayed into vanity he was not constant in that pleasant state; and now came out of it to chatter to the innkeeper. This worthy man had now come by his guest's name, and was full of wonder and respect, which he put into a string of humble questions. " Was his honor related to the Mallorys of St. Hill ?" " Indeed, not related, Mr. Host," says the young man, " but one of 'emone of 'em." "What " says the innkeeper, and forthwith he received the romantic tale in outline. " And, by God," says young Mallory, cheerfully, ...