The Face of Rosenfeld — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

160 , THE FACH OF ROSHNFEL., ‘¢Well, what of our Annette?” ‘¢T want to make her my wife.” Maxey was quite prepared to see his sister faint, to hear her scream, or to give any other extreme vent to her feelings, but he was hardly prepared for entire calmness. Miss Maxey started, it is true, and drew a deep sigh, but when she did speak there was scarcely a tremble in her voice. ‘‘T am well aware of that, Julian. Why don’t you do bP”? For a minute Maxey was too astonished to speak. ‘Well aware of it! What do you mean?” ‘*T mean that I discerned it some time ago, Julian. You are not artful enough to keep such a matter to yoursel’. I found it out, I dare say before you did, and it made me very happy. You want my opinion, my brother? I will give it to you. Ina worldly way some of your friends will say you have made a grave mistake, but in your own heart you will always be satisfied and happy. She is the most lovable girl Il know. She will make the best wife in the world, I am sure of it. I say this with all my heart, Julian, with all my heart.” She tried to speak in a matter of fact tone, but the tears came into her eyes. Maxey could hardly conceal his delight, though he answered abruptly: ‘“Pshaw, Ellen! You didn’t think I wished to con- sult you about the wisdom of this step. I decided that for myself.” “¢Why then?” ‘Because I want you to advise me—more, to help me. You know how sensitive Annette is. If once I place myself in the position of a lover before her one of two things will happen. She will either accept me or leave the house. NowI don’t want her to leave the house.”