The Women of Nell Gwynne's Read Online Free PDF Page A

before exiting again through the same door. Tea was served, accompanied by polite conversation on trivial matters, though the whole time Mr. Felmouth's glance kept wandering from Lady Beatrice to the floor, and hence to his open valise, and then on to Mrs. Corvey.
    At last he set his cup and saucer to one side. "Delightful refreshment. My compliments to your staff, Ma'am. Now, I must inquire—how are the present optics suiting you, my dear?"
    "Very well," said Mrs. Corvey. "I particularly enjoy the telescoping feature. It's quite useful at the seaside, though of course one must take care not to be noticed."
    "Of course. And the implant continues comfortable? No irritation?"
    "None nowadays, Mr. Felmouth."
    "Very good. Happy to hear it." Mr. Felmouth rubbed his hands together. "However, I have been experimenting with an improvement or two...may I demonstrate?"
    "By all means, Mr. Felmouth."
    At once he delved into his valise and brought up a leather-bound box about the size of a spectacle case. He opened it with a flourish. Lady Beatrice saw a set of optics very similar to those revealed when Mrs. Corvey had removed her goggles, as she did now. Lady Beatrice involuntarily looked away, then looked back as Mr. Felmouth presented the case to Mrs. Corvey.
    "You will observe, Ma'am, that these are a good deal lighter. Mr. Stubblefield in Fabrication discovered a new alloy," said Mr. Felmouth, unrolling a case of small tools. Mrs. Corvey's optics extended outward with a whirr as she examined the new apparatus.
    "Yes indeed, Mr. Felmouth, they are lighter. And seem more complicated."
    "Ah! That is because...if I may..." Mr. Felmouth leaned forward and applied a tiny screwdriver to Mrs. Corvey's present set of optics, losing his train of thought for a moment as he worked carefully. Lady Beatrice found herself unable to watch as the optics were removed. "Because they are greatly improved, or at least that is my hope. Now then...my apologies, Ma'am, the blindness is entirely temporary.. .1 will just fasten in the new set, and I think you will be pleased with the result."
    Lady Beatrice made herself look up, and saw Mrs. Corvey patiently enduring having a new set of optics installed in her living face.
    "There," said Mrs. Corvey, "I can see again."
    "Splendid," said Mr. Felmouth, tightening the last screw. He sat back. "I trust you find them comfortable?"
    "Quite," said Mrs. Corvey, turning her face from side to side. "Oh!" Her optics telescoped outward, a full two inches farther than the range of the previous set, and the whirring sound they produced was much quieter. "Oh, yes, greatly improved!"
    "It was my thought that if you held your hands up to obscure them at full extension, you could give anyone observing you the impression that you are looking through a pair of opera glasses," said Mr. Felmouth. "However, permit me to demonstrate the real improvement."
    He rose to his feet and, going to the nearest lamp, extinguished it by turning a key at its base. He did this with each of the lamps in turn. When he had extinguished the last lamp the room was plunged into Stygian blackness. His voice came out of the darkness:
    "Now, Ma'am, if you will give the left-hand lens casing a three-quarter-turn..."
    Lady Beatrice heard a faint click , and then a cry of delight from Mrs. Corvey.
    "Why, the room is quite light! Though everything appears green. Ought it?"
    "That is the effect of the filter," said Mr. Felmouth in satisfaction, as he switched on the lamp again. "But it was, I think, bright enough to read by? Yes, that was what Fd hoped for. We will improve it, of course, but from this moment I may confidently assert that you need never endure another moment of darkness, if you are not so inclined."
    "How very useful this should prove," said Mrs. Corvey, in satisfaction. "My compliments, Mr. Felmouth! And please extend my thanks to the other kind gentlemen in Fabrication."
    "Of course. As it happens, I do have one or two other small items,"