Geoffrey's Victory by Mrs Georgie Sheldon — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

_A MONSTROUS PROPOSITION. . 8 Both circlets proved an honorable engagement and a lawful marriage, the latter occurring some seven months subsequent to the former, and Dr. Turner felt that he had got himself into a very unpleasant predicament. “IT beg your pardon, madame,” he said, with visible con- fusion, but in a grave, respectful tone; “‘but your very extraordinary preposition must be my apology for my unjust and offensive suspicion.’ For a moment the lady regarded him gravely, but with a little gleam of triumph in her dark eyes; then with a shrug of her shapely shoulders, she replied : ‘*Perhaps it was but natural; Jet it pass. I became a lawful wife, as you have seen, nearly a year ago, and my child has had honorable birth: but, for reasons which I cannot explain to you, I can never acknowledge her, and it becomes necessary for me to make some other provision for her.’ ‘‘But it is such an unnatural thing to do,” persisted the doctor, with a deprecating gesture. 2: Granted ; but—it cannot be helped,” replied the mother, firmly, an inflexible purpose written on her fair young face. ‘‘Allow me to inquire if your husband is living?” Dr. Turner asked, after a moment of silence. “Excuse me; I cannot answer that question,” replied his companion with pale, compressed lips. “Ah! there has been some trouble and a separation, rhaps,” thought the doctor ; then he asked : “Do you think that he would uphold you in thus sacri- ficing your little one—his little one, to your selfish pur- pose—to abandon her, as you propose, to the doubtful charity of acold world.” An icy shiver seemed to run throughout the woman’s frame at this. She shifted uneasily in her chair, her white lids quivered, her hands were locked ina rigid, painful clasp. “T tell you there are circumstances which make it ab- solutely necessary for me to give her away,” she said, in a strained, unnatural voice, after an evident effort at self control. “My husband would—is as helpless in the matter as myself.” ‘‘T can conceive of no circumstances which should make the well-being of your child. of secondary importance, es- pecially since you have asstred me that you area lawful wife, and it is evident that you have abundant means at your eommand. She is your own flesh and blood, and it (E(0) Mmicooo KS ( 3