Alice Wilde: The Raftsman's Daughter — page 53: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

CONFESSIONS, 49 tunes with him; could not sacrifice splendor and the passion for admiration, for his sake—what would you think of her ?” “That she did not love him.” | “But you do not know, little Alfte; you have never been tempted; and you know nothing of the strength of fashion in the world, of; the influence of public opinion, of the pride of appearances.’ “T have guessed it,” she answered, sadly. He thought there was a shadow of reproach in those pure eyes, as if she would have added, that she had been made to feel it, too. “T loved a woman once,” he continued ; “loved her so rashly that I would have let her set her nenicnt foot upon my neck and press my life out. She knew how I adored her, and she told me she returned my passion. But she would not resign any of her rank and influence for my sake.” “Was her name Virginia ?” “Tt was; how did you know ?” “You talked of her when you were ill.” “Tj] warrant. But she wouldn’t have sat up one night by my bedside, for fear her eyes would be less brilliant for the next eveuing’s ball. She drove me off to the West to make a fortune for her to spend, in case she did not get hold of some- body else’s by that time. Do you think I ought to make it for her ?” : There was no answer. His companion’s lead was droop- ing. He lifted one of her hands, as he went on: “TI was so dazzled by her magnificence that, for a long time, I could see nothing in its true light. But my vision is clear now. Virginia shall never have my fortune to spend, nor me to twist around her jeweled finger.” The hand he held began to tremble. “Now, little Alice, supposing I had told you of such love, and you had professed to answer it, what sacrifices would you have made? Would you have given me that little gold heart you wear about your neck—your only bit of ornamen- tation ?” “T would have made a sacrifice, full as great in its way, as the decline in pomp and position might have been to the proud lady,” she replied, lifting her @yes calmly to his face. comicbooks CO)