Commodore Junk — page 316: what you’re looking at

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

A FRESH ALARM. 309 suffered—all I have lost? ‘Tell me this is false. You do not —you cannot—love this woman.” He was silent. “Ts she so beautiful? Is she so true? Will she give you wealth and power? Would she lay down her life for you? Would she degrade herself for you as I have done, and kneel before you, saying, ‘ Have pity on me—I love you’ ?” ‘“ Hush, woman !” cried Humphrey, hoarsely; “and for pity’s sake—the pity of which you speak—let us part and meet no more. I cannot, I will not listen to your words. Give me my liberty, and let me go.” ‘‘'To denounce me and mine ?” ‘ Am I such a coward, such a wretch, that I should do this?” he cried, passionately. “Then stay. Listen: I will give you love such as woman never gave man before. I loved your cousin as a weak, foolish girl loves the first man who whispers compliments and sings her praises. It is to her all new and strange, the realisation of something of which she had dreamed. LBut as the veil fell from my eyes, and I saw how cowardly and base he was, that love withered away, and I thought that love was dead. But when you came my heart leaped, and I trembled and wondered, I shrank from you, telling myself that it was a momentary fancy ; and I lied, for it was the first strong love of a lonely woman, thirsting for the sympathy of one who could love her in return,” “Oh ! hush—hush!” cried Humphrey. ‘I have told you that it can never be.” ‘‘ And she will never love you as I would—as I do,” came in a low, imploring whisper. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!” cried Humphrey. No, I will not “ Hven if it were not so I could not speak. I only say, for pity’s sake let us part.” CONNICELOOKS =)