Guy Earlscourt's Wife — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

th I IS tee 186 In Whicn Miss Lisle is Disposed Of. “Again I ask, Miss Lisle, what have I done?= At least } have the right to know that!” “And again I answer, Lord Montalien,” replied Paulina struggling with another yawn—“nothing! Your conduct in every phase of life is exemplary. Will that satisfy you? [ hear Mrs. Galbraith bleating after her lambkin in the dis- tance, and must go.” “Wait one moment!” his lordship linpetuously exclaimed —“only one instant! I can bear this suspense no longer!— | must speak to-night! Paulina,I love you! Will you be my ] wife?” He bent above her, his eyes glowing, his thin, sallow face flushed. » The excitement of the chase had cavried him away; her very disdain, hardly concealed, spurred him on. Ile knew perfectly what her answer would be—yet he spoke. “She rose up and looked at him, neither surprised nor em- barrassed; then she turned away. | “You honor me by your preference,” she said, in her cold- est voice. “At the same time, I do not think you expect me to say anything but ‘no!’ ” She moved a step away, but he came before her, his arms folded, that pale glow in his eyes still. “Miss Lisle, I am to understand you reject me?” She bowed her head. “You do not love me?” “IT de not love you.” | “But, Paulina, pause—think. I offer you one of the oldest titles in England; and my position and income are such as to prevent the most malicious from calling me a fortune- hunter. And I’love you to distraction—I would serve for you as Jacob served for Rachel]. I will give you time, only do not—do not utterly rejeet me.” His voice broke, he turned away; his acting was perfect, but it was acting, and a faint, cynical smile curved the girl's perfect lips. “My lord,” she said, and her sweet, clear voice rang silvery and distinct, “let us understand each other. You do not love me, whatever your motive in asking me to be your wife. My feelings in regard to you I have not striven to eonceal. Before you spoke to me you know perfectly wha! my answer wotid be. I believe you to be, in spite of every- thing you have said, the betrayer of Alice Warren—-§ foo! it—I know it, as surely as we stand here. Let there be an md of this farce then, at once and forever—cease to per- gute me with attenions as unwelcome as they are adeless She had fuarly roused im, fairly angered him, as she comicbooks.com ‘4 meant eritical “Tak when re Much a: 1] know brother, whom sl “My Galbrai “Pass ‘ruelty, better y any pur set very tuke my vou are my offer “The denance, me, Lore speak on He on 6A ely But sl her eves and hati “A eh teeth. vow.” lie st though 1 hand to him ass j her wray then Si: Montalie He ws scene 1n cussed t. for app leaned g beauty 1 Miss ] hever sf would s« Lhe 5