Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 208: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 201 one of her attributes (unpleasantly suggestive to him now of a serpent), and laid one hand, ungloved and white asa snowy rose-leaf, upon his arm. ‘‘Hear me, Lloyd!” she pleaded, piteously, her beautiful eyes uplifted, dewy with unshed tears. ‘‘I am your wife! your wife, Lloyd Vernon—you must acknowledge me—and ”—(her eyes blazed wrathfully)—‘‘ you shal//” She had made a mistake—a grave mistake; she saw it when it was too late to retract. Loyd’s lip curled scornfully. ‘‘Listen to me, Lady Venetia Chandos,” he said, slowly ; ‘‘we may as well understand each other, and settle this ques- tion now—at once. No matter what the law may decree, the ceremony which chains our lives together is but a farce ; for, so help me, Heaven! you shall never bear my name—you are no wife of mine! Venetia, had I entertained a thought that was tender in my heart for you, it would have died when I found out your fiendish attempt to take the life of that poor defenseless girl |” ‘It is false!” she shrieked, when she could command her voice; ‘‘false as you are. And she, the woman who would deliberately court the attention of a married man, and who = ‘* Stop, Lady Venetia Lloyd’s voice was very cool. But, my lady, who knew him well, knew that when he spoke in that calm, icy tone, his anger was ativhite heat. She hesitated. ‘¢Dare to mention Lola Gordon in tones of reproach,” he said, slowly, ‘‘and I will publish to the world the fact that you attempted to take her life! Lady Venetia Chandos, the would- be murderess; would hardly find so many suitors kneeling at her shrine. Go your way, my lady, and leave that poor girl unmolested, or it will be worse for you. JZ intention is to return to America; once there, I will obtain a divorce; and then you will be free to marry whom you please.” | $+ And-you can marry Lola Gordon!” she snarled... _ ~- 9) Eomichooks (Eo) =