Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

174 DARKE DARRELL. «With little hope of BUCOSPOINE, provided you have not forgotten our last conversation.” Darke passed his hand over his hair. ‘*T am generally hopeful,” he quietly said. ‘*I cannot say that our last conversation made any especial impression on my mind.” | ‘¢T had intended that it should,” with a faint smile. ‘There may have been ulterior objects in your mind which were not in mine,” replied Darke. ‘‘I was but a boy, then, and a little obtuse. I must be a little obtuse now, for I cannot see what bearing that conversation has upon this one.” ‘‘T anticipated this one, and the result,” with a haughty movement of the head. ‘‘I distinctly said that you were to make no future claims, and you as distinctly disavowed all such intentions.” Darke lifted his head. ‘“‘T am not here to present or further any claims,” he said. ‘You are here to claim the hand of my daughter.” ‘“Not by any promise, obligation, or indebtedness, Mr. Cassandra; nor by plea, except that we love each other very much. I simply ask you for her, hoping “Recognizing my right to refuse?” ‘« Most assuredly.” ‘‘'Then I refuse,” his tone needlessly positive. Darke’s face changed color. ‘“‘ For what reason?” he asked. ‘“‘T am not called upon to state them,” moving restlessly in his chair. ‘At least, you should consult her happiness, Ms some extent.” ‘To the fullest extent,” qualified Mr. Oassandra. “‘ That is precisely what influenced me. Your happiness is not a matter of much concern to me,” comicbooks.com