Read "Her own People" by B. M. Croker online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Sir Horace, followed by his nephew, made his way briskly to the well, and having cast one searching glance among the crowd, immediately descended the steps, where in a few moments, he and Captain Haig found themselves wedged in closest proximity to Madame de Godez. On nearer inspection, she really proved to be one of the ugliest old women in Homburg, in spite of her costly clothes, elaborate black wig, and brilliant earrings: but it was a shrewd -- nay, a clever face; and the countenance expressed not only determination, but animation. Madame instantly accosted her neighbour in a sort of bleating foreign key, each syllable most distinctly articulated.
"Oh ho, my friend! so here you are! Just get my glass filled, will you? it is my own propertee," and as she spoke Madame handed Sir Horace a gorgeous red and gold tumbler. "This ees your nephew, ees it not? " and she looked up at Malcolm, with an eager twinkling gaze, and nodded her head with an air of affable encouragement.