Guy Earlscourt's Wife — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

214 A Mad Marriage. and grimy office, where a fire burned in a round stove and @ dirty little boy was sweeping. “Where is Mr. Markham?’ Guy asked the boy. The door opened on the instant, and a lively little red- faced man came in. “Kept you waiting, sir? No?’ as Guy answered impa- tiently; “well, I am lucky fer this once! Now, then, if the lady will stand up, and the witnesses approach, we’ll do your little job for you in a twinkling.” fer heart was throbbing with almost sickening rapidity now—throbbing so that she turned sick and faint once more. She looked about her for a second with a wild instinct of fight, but it was too late. Guy had led her forward—how firm, how resolute his clasp sé@med !—and -she was standing before the legal official, answering, as she was told to answer, and hearing Guy’s clear, deep tones as in a dreamy swoon. She heard, still faintly and far off, it seemed, the solemn ‘words, “I pronounce you man and wife,” and then she was signing her name in a big book, and feeling rather than seeing the little red-faced man staring at her curiously, and knew. that she was the wife of Guy Farlscourt! The registrar placed a slip of paper in her hand. “Your marraige certificate, madam,” he said, with a bow; “nermit me to offer my congratulaions, Mrs. Farlscourt.”’ The clocks of the distriet were striking nine as*they left the office and re-entered the cab; and once again Guy mounted to his seat with the driver, to face the December blasts, and smoke a second consoling cigar. As before, Pau- lina sat in dead silence during the homeward drive. Thirty minutes’ rapid driving brought them to Berkeley Square. In front of Sir Vane Charteris’ mansion the cab stopped, and Mr. FEarlscourt assisted them to alight. Then Paulina directly addressed him for the first time. “T shall tell Sir Vane Charteris, the moment I enter, what has taken place,” she hurriedly said; “and if you will call, within an hoyr or so, the other business of paying over the forty thousand pounds will be t ansacted.” “YT will call,” Guy answered, briefly, “if I may see you ior a moment to say farewell.” She bent her head in token of assent, and flitted up the steps. From the library window Sir Vane Charteris had watched the whole extroordinary proeeeding, utteriy as- tounded. What did it mean? Had this reckless girl out- witted them after all? He eame forth into the hall. She flung back her veil for the first time, and met his angry, sus- picious gaze with flashing, fearless eyes. The sight of him s- Me me, I eve) had 6 folk prou her» Ear] “T _ An as ty then- and Powe CT clear, Marr to ma heard alive man escape the ey Power,