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Hume, Fergus, 1859-1932

"Madame Midas"

Selina was in another room getting a drink for
Madame, and as Vandeloup entered she came back with it.
'Good day, Madame,' said the Frenchman, advancing to the table, and
putting his hat and the book down on it. 'How are you today?'
'Better, much better, thank you,' said Madame, with a faint smile;
'the doctor assures me I shall be quite well in a week.'
'With perfect rest and quiet, of course,' interposed Gollipeck,
sitting down and spreading his handkerchief over his knees.
'Which Madame does not seem likely to get,' observed Vandeloup,
dryly, with a glance at McIntosh, who was still pacing up and down
the room with an expression of wrath on his severe face.
'Ou, ay,' said that gentleman, stopping in front of Vandeloup, with
a fine expression of scorn. 'I ken weel 'tis me ye are glowerin' at-
-div ye no' ken what's the matter wi' me?'
'Not being in your confidence,' replied Gaston, smoothly, taking a
seat, 'I can hardly say that I do.'
'It's just that Peter o' yours,' said Archie, with a snort; 'a puir
weecked unbaptised child o' Satan.'
'Archie!' interposed Madame, with some severity.
'Your pardon's begged, mem,' said Archie, sourly turning to her;
'but as for that Peter body, the Lord keep me tongue fra' swearin',
an' my hand from itching to gie him ain on the lug, when I think o'
him.'
'What's he been doing?' asked Vandeloup, coolly.


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