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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"A Terrible Temptation A Story of To-Day"

Did inquire, and
brought him word Lady Bassett had left for London yesterday morning.
Bassett ground his teeth with vexation.
No train to London for an hour and a half. He took a stroll through the
town to fill up the time.
How often, when a man abandons or remits his search for a time, Fate
sends in his way the very thing he is after, but has given up hunting
just then! As he walked along the north side of a certain street, what
should he see but the truly beautiful and remarkable eyes and eyebrows
of Mr. Angelo, shining from afar.
That gentleman was standing, in a reverie, on the steps of a small
hotel.
Bassett drew back at first, not to be seen. Looking round he saw he was
at the door of a respectable house that let apartments. He hurried in,
examined the drawing-room floor, took it for a week, paid in advance,
and sent to the Royal for his bag.
He installed himself near the window, to await one of two things, and
act accordingly. If Angelo left the place he should go by the same
train, and so catch the parties together; if the lady doubled back to
Bath, or had only pretended to leave it, he should soon know that, by
diligent watch and careful following.
He wrote to Wheeler to announce this first step toward success.

CHAPTER XXVIII.


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