The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

150 1tt1h AVIL GENIUS. She interrupted him. ‘‘ What change do you mean ?” ‘* Tt’s quite possible I may be mistaken, Sydney. But I have ore than once, as I think, seen something in your manner ‘vhich suggests that you distrust me.” ‘*T distrust the evil life we are leading,” she burst out, *‘ and 1 cee the end of it coming. Oh, I don’t blame you! Youare kind ind considerate, you do your best to hide it; but you have lived long enough with me to regret the woman you have lost. You begin to feel the sacrifice you have made—and no wonder. Say the word, Herbert, and I release you.” ‘*T will never say the word!” She hesitated—first inclined, then afraid to believe him. ‘‘[ have grace enough left in me,” she went on, ‘‘ to feel the bitter- est repentance for the wrong that I have done to Mrs. Linley, When it ends, as it must end, in our parting, will you ask your wife si Even his patience began to fail him; he refused—firmly, not angrily—to hear more. ‘‘ She is no longer my wife,” he said. Sydney’s bitterness and Sydney’s penitence were mingled, as Opposite emotions only can be mingled in a woman’s breast. ‘* Will you ask your wife to forgive you?” she persisted. ‘* After we have been divorced at her petition?’ He pointed to the window as he said it. ‘‘Look at the sea. If I wags drowning out yonder, I might as well ask the sea to forgive me.” He produced no effect on her. She ignored the divorce; her ee remorse asserted itself as obstinately as ever. ‘‘ Mrs. inley is a good woman,” she insisted; ‘‘ Mrs. Linley is a Chris- tian woman.” ‘*T have lost all claim on her—even the claim to remember her virtues,” he answered, sternly. ‘‘ No more of it, Sydney! 1 am sorry I have disappointed you; I am sorry if you are weary of me.” Her manner changed completely ina moment. ‘‘ Wound me : cruelly as you please,” she said, humbly. ‘I will try to ear it.” ‘*T wouldn’t wound you forthe world! Why do you persist in distressing me? Why do you feel suspicion of me which I have not deserved ?” He stopped and held out his hand. ‘‘ Don’t let us quarrel, Sydney. Which will you do? Keep your bad Opinion of me, or give me a fair trial ?” She loved him so dearly; she was so young—and the young are so ready to hope! Stillshe struggled against herself. ‘‘ Her- bert, is it your pity for me that is speaking now ?” He left her in despair. ‘It’s useless!” he said, sadly. ‘‘ Noth- ing will conquer your inveterate distrust.” She followed him. With a faint cry of entreaty she made him turn to her, and held him in a trembling embrace, and rested her head on his bosom. ‘‘ Forgive me—be patient with me—love me.” That was all she could say. He attempted to calm her agitation by speaking lightly. ‘‘ At last, Sydney, we are friends again” hs said. (CORNIELOOOKKS (C(O)