The Dugdale Millions — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

DICK’'S PROGRESS. 159 explanation of the offense I had given you. I do now ask you.” ‘“T think you then wanted an explanation of what you were pleased to term my singular conduct,” re- turned Bessie. “For Heaven’s sake!” exclaimed Dick earnestly, ‘do not let us again drift into misapprehension, I have given you offense evidently. I am not conscious of how or where. I ask you to tell wherein my of- fense lies that I may make reparation.” Bessie did not reply. Indeed she did not know what replyto make. The situation was embarrassing. That of which he had been guilty in her eyes was the undertaking of the search for young Dugdale. And that only because it argued an indifference to her. If she were to give this as the offense, it would be showing him that the sentiment with which he regarded her was of great moment to her, and she was not yet ready to confess that. Dick waited patiently for her to reply, but as she did not, he spoke: “You are silent. Am Ito understand you decline, and I must remain in ignorance.”’ Fairly driven by desperation, Bessie harked back to the old cry. | ‘Did you not say I was sordid and avaricious? Is that not enough to give offense ?”’ “No, I did not,” said Dick flatly. “ That was a construction I never intended, but put upon my words by you. I have told you I never thought so, and do not now. But since you insist upon the construction, I here, now, make the most humble apology.” “T do not want you to apologize for what you think you never did,” said Bessie softly. Dick pressed his advantage. “ Then you accept unreservedly my statement that I did not mean such things ?” “Yes, if you wish it?” ‘ad Comiclbookks C@ 3