The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

en 182 THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. Le Elise was in a magnificent passion. i ‘I did not mean it, Elise. I will marry ‘you if you ‘ j - wish it.” ‘‘ He will marry me if I wish it! Mon Diew/ As if L an were begging him to marry me. ‘There is the door.” She pointed to it in indignation. ay «* Will you hear me, Elise?” ae Alphonse was very humble. | ‘*Go on, but do not venture to insult me again.” <4 <<T should be only too glad to make you my wife. You ~ know I adore you and live for you alone.” 4 “* Mere talk.” 7 ‘¢ Have I not proved it?” He looked around the richly furnished apartments. a «Did vou think, then, that you had purchased me like © a slave?” a ** You know I did not mean that. I would give you | ten times as much if I had it, and think myself happy if you would take it.” “¢ Bah!” “< Will you be my wife, my beautiful Elise?” A servant entered the room. «© A gentleman would like to see mademoiselle.” «< Where is he?” ‘<In the reception-room.” «< What name?” ‘He would not give it, but said it was about ur bank busi- ness that he wished to see you.’ «Tell him I know of no business. - I am engaged.” ‘Pardon me, but I must see you.” It was the Marquis d'Iberri who stepped mournfully into — the room. ‘* Honore!” exclaimed Alphonse, overcome by his guilty fears. ‘¢ How dare you?” Elise did not recognize Bras-de-Fer. ‘‘ Forgive me, mademoiselle,” said Honore, sadly, ‘ 7% L 5 force myself upon you. This man,” pointing to Alphonse, — ‘‘ will tell you that I have a right to be here, since it was — my money paid for all this.” ‘Who are you, then?” Alphonse did not speak. He hung his head in fear and shame. comicbooks.com