Without a Compass; A Novel (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 Excerpt: ...if you would abandon speculation--" began his wife. "Egad, madam, if husbands would only economize the wives could indulge in extravagance. If the money is to be wasted, I prefer to waste it myself. There, Mrs. Walker-Brice," said the attorney, tossing upon the table a bundle of bills which Mr. Reamer, pursuant to the agreement made the preceeding winter, had that day paid: "There that's your Society for Lower Class Cleanliness--two dinners, three lunches, two receptions, and fourteen meals at Delmonico's, including wine. Egad, madam, cleansing the populace is more expensive than purifying the government; and your designs for the benefit of the masses seem to be as successful as your campaigns against the millionaire: Laura is not married--she is not even engaged; and the first beggar is not washed." "But, Edward, Laura does not wish to marry," said Mrs. Walker-Brice, in despair. "Then put her into a convent. If she will not marry, why keep her in the market?" "Edward, she is your daughter." "Egad, madam, if she is my daughter, that is so much the more reason that I should wish her to be happy; and she can't be happy if she feels that marriage is the only way in which she can earn her living. Put her in a convent; it is better for a woman to serve God than to slave for a man." "I would not urge her to marry a man whom she did not love," said Mrs. Walker-Brice, earnestly. "I wish her to love in a sensible way. Mrs. Chisholm--" "Mrs. Chisholm After all the fuss you made over her brother, he is going West again, and all that money will go for nothing. Had not you better put a few eggs in another basket, and trust some one besides Mrs. Chisholm?" Just then Laura ent...