United States or North Macedonia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"It really is a very wonderful thing," she said; "I'm so grateful, Mr. Coxeter. Did you go and see it tried? I did, last time I was in Paris; the man took me to a swimming-bath on the Seine such an odd place and there he tested it before me. I was really very much impressed. I do hope you will say a word for it. I am sure they would value your opinion." Coxeter looked at her rather grimly.
Coxeter, 'in his MS. notes, was reprinted in 1720, by A. Johnston, who in his preface says, that he had the honour of transmitting the author's works to the great Mr. Addison, for the perusal of them, and he was pleased to signify his approbation in these candid terms.
On her head was poised a dark hat trimmed with Mercury wings; it rested lightly on the pale golden hair which formed so agreeable a contrast to her deep blue eyes. Coxeter did not believe in luck; the word which means so much to many men had no place in his vocabulary, or even in his imagination. But, still, the sudden appearance of Mrs.
Close to Nan and Coxeter two men were talking Spanish; they were gesticulating, and seemed to be disagreeing angrily as to what course to pursue.
Putting Nan aside, John Coxeter was only concerned with two things in life his work at the Treasury and himself and people only interested him in relation to these two major problems of existence. Nan Archdale was a citizen of the world a freewoman of that dear kingdom of romance which still contains so many fragrant byways and sunny oases for those who have the will to find them.
It was characteristic that Nan's liking for John Coxeter often took the form of asking him to help these queer, unsatisfactory people. Why, even in this last week, while he had been in Paris, he had come into close relation with one of Mrs. Archdale's "odd-come-shorts." This time the man was an inventor, and of all unpractical and useless things he had patented an appliance for saving life at sea!
Bob Rendel laughed, not very kindly, and together they went across to the stair leading below. Coxeter opened his mouth to speak, then he closed it again. What a scene! What a commentary on married life! And these two people were supposed to be "in love" with one another. The little episode had shocked him, jarred his contentment. "If you don't mind, I'll go and smoke a pipe," he said stiffly.
There came a little stir among the people on the deck. Coxeter heard a voice call out in would-be-cheery tones, "Now then, ladies! Please step out ladies and children only. Look sharp!" A sailor close by whispered gruffly to his mate, "I'll stick to her anyhow. No crowded boats for me! I expect she'll be a good hour settling perhaps a bit longer."
Together in silence they watched the rolling away of the enshrouding mist; together they caught sight of the fleet of French fishing boats from which was to come succour. As he turned and clasped her hand, he heard her say, more to herself than to him, "I did not think we should be saved." John Coxeter was standing in the library of Mrs. Archdale's home in Wimpole Street.
From there he travels on into golden sunlight; he is again in Richmond Park as it was during the whole of that beautiful October. Walking up the west side of Cavendish Square, Coxeter again becomes absorbed in his great adventure, a far greater adventure than that with which his friends and acquaintances still associate his name.
Word Of The Day