A Daughter of Delilah — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

— ‘THINK OF ISABEL !” 127 Alston sank into a seat, trembling and as pale as death. ‘‘My Heaven!’’ he gasped. ‘‘What does this mean? How has it leaked out?’’ ‘‘How do these things leak out?’’ said St. Leonards. ‘‘One never knows. These American reporters are the very duse! They respect no one, high or low. When I came here, my private life was raked up untilI began to believe that I was the greatest scoundrel on earth. Then I allowed the devils to interview me, parted with a few dollars, and I became a saint. In England they would get two years at hard labor!”’ Alston’s head was buried in his hands. ‘“Do you think they will find me?’’ he groaned. ‘‘By Heaven! [’ll shoot the first man who approaches me!”’ ‘“Nonsense—nonsense!’’ smiled the man who had been instrumental in causing the publication of the item. ‘Be a man—for Isabel’s sake. Wemust come to business! I have brought a couple of blank notes. You had better fill them in for what you want—say eighty thousand dollars— two fortys—one at three and one at four months.”’’ “Kighty thousand!’ murmured Alton. ‘““Yes, dear boy. Iam thinking of you solely. Fifty for your wife, and a little to begin life with besides. When you are safely married, I will try and reconcile your father to the inevitable. I shall have a double purpose in doing this, because if I fail I shall have to pay these notes, being the indorser.’’ ‘You are too good!”’ _“T will also endeavor to keep any further scandal out of the papers.”’ He handed the notes to the half-dazed Alston, saying: GEomicbooks