More New Arabian Nights; The Dynamiter (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. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ...Somerset could find no words, whether of protest or welcome; and the spirited old lady pushed briskly by him and paused on the threshold of the dining-room. The sight that met her eyes was one well calculated to inspire astonishment. The mantel-piece was arrayed with sauce-pans and empty bottles; on the fire some chops were frying; the floor was littered from end to end with books, clothes, walkingcanes and the materials of the painter's craft; but what far outstripped the other wonders of the place was the corner which had been arranged for the study of still-life. This formed a sort of rockery; conspicuous upon which, according to the principles of the art of composition, a cabbage was relieved against a copper kettle, and both contrasted with the mail of a boiled lobster. "My gracious goodness " cried the lady of the house; and then, turning in wrath on the young man, "From what rank in life are you sprung?" she domanded. "You have the exterior of a gentleman; but from the astonishing evidences before ma, 1 should say you can only be a green-grocer's man. Pray, gather up your vegetables, and let me see no more of you." "Madam," babbled Somerset, "you promised me a month's warning." "That was under a misapprehension," returned the old lady, "I now give you warning to leave at once." "Madam," said the young man, "I wish I could; and indeed, as far as I am concerned, it might be done. But then, my lodger " "Your lodger?" echoed Mrs. Luxmore. "My lodger; why should I deny it?" returned Somerset. "He is only here by the week." The old lady sat dewn upon a chair. "You have a lodger?--you?" she cried. "And pray, how did you get him?" "By advertisement," replied the young man. 'Oh madam, I have not lived unobservantly. I adopted"--his eyes...