At a Girl's Mercy, or, The Fortunes of War — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

16 Ht AT A GIRLS MERCY. cannot have this. It is a gift that even you must respect. Itis mine, and shall still be mine. Have you not all else?’ For a moment he was tempted to take it from her whether she would or no, just to prove to her that after all she was a frail girl in his power, but he let it pass, and merely laughed lightly as he said: “Keep the pretty bauble, if you will, my maid. Your anger becomes you.” But I will humor you in this. Is there aught else you have I may desire?” ‘“‘T wish,’’ she said, and half laughed as she said it, for she knew how conscienceless such men as this one were—‘‘I wish I had something worth hasten- ing your departure, sir. I would gladly give it to you if only I possessed it.’’ ‘“‘By Heaven!’’ he burst out then. “If you were a man——”’ ‘Which I’m not, you see,’’ she broke in, her voice steady and sweet. ‘‘Come, come, sir. This, to a woman? Youshould have entered the army, and fought with men who would soon teach you man- ners. Ah, sir, I fear your courage is lacking, that you stay at home and fight with women.”’’ “The better half of the world, and therefore the better fight,’’ he said, recovering his coolness, and falling back into the groove of their conversation. ‘‘But I must hasten. Your purse, madam. Thanks. And I will take that ring you have on your finger. Judging at random, I should say it is worth more - than all these jewels. It is quite too heavy for such slender fingers as yours.”’ “I give it with pleasure, my lord. Would that it were a bullet.’? and she laid the ring in his hand with a mocking grace. ‘Doubtless its aim would be sure,’ he said, “and eEomicbooks.co mi