The principal girl

THE PRINCIPAL GIRL
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
MRS. FITZ ARAMINTA FORTUNE WILLIAM JORDAN, JUNIOR HENRY NORTHCOTE BROKE OF COVENDEN MISTRESS DOROTHY MARVIN etc., etc.
J. C. SNAITH
NEW YORK MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY 1912
Copyright, 1912, by MOFFAT, YARD AND COMPANY New York
All Rights Reserved
CONTENTS
THE PRINCIPAL GIRL
The great Proconsul stood on one of Messrs. Maple’s best hearthrugs in Grosvenor Square. A typical payer of the super-tax, a pink and prosperous gentleman in a morning coat and striped trousers, his appearance had long commanded the admiration of his country.
He had not ruled the teeming millions of the Ganges, although the strength of his digestion and his absence of imagination would at any time have enabled him to do so. But for a period of nine weeks he had been the Resident of Barataria North-West; and partly for that reason and partly for a reason even more cogent, he had the distinction of being the last peer created by Mr. Vandeleur’s last government.
The world is familiar with Sir William Richmond’s fine portrait of Walter Augustus, first Baron Shelmerdine of Potterhanworth now, on loan at the National Portrait Gallery. In this the national asset appears as he encountered his Sovereign in knee breeches, silk stockings, shoe buckles and other regalia.