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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"A Woman-Hater"

Even as
he dispatched this message there was a whistling and a ringing, and the
sound of a coming train, and Ned Severne ran to meet Rhoda Gale with a
heart palpitating a little, and a face beaming greatly to order. He
looked for her in the first-class carriages, but she was in the second,
and saw him. He did not see her till she stepped out on the platform.
Then he made toward her. He took off his hat, and said, with respectful
zeal, "If you will tell me what luggage you have, the groom shall get it
out."
Miss Gale's eyes wandered over him loftily. "I have only a box and a bag,
sir, both marked 'R. G.' "
"Joe," said he--for he had already made friends with all the servants,
and won their hearts--"box and bag marked 'R. G.' Miss Gale, you had
better take your seat in the carriage."
Miss Gale gave a little supercilious nod, and he showed her obsequiously
into the carriage. She laid her head back, and contemplated vacancy ahead
in a manner anything but encouraging to this new admirer Fate had sent
her. He turned away, a little discomfited, and when the luggage was
brought up, he had the bag placed inside, and the box in a sort of boot,
and then jumped in and seated himself inside.


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