His Grace — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

HIS GRACE. pry 32 Indeed, I hope—I mean I think—that he will not ask me to leave home while mamma lives.” “Is that it?” I asked, with a quick pang of appre- hension. “Is she worse, then ?” “Yes, much worse. She didn’t want you to know, because she said there was no use in distressing you; but about a month ago she was very ill for a few days, and the doctor told me plainly that in cases of heart- disease, like hers, the end may come at any moment. Only it is quite possible that she may live on for years, if we can save her from worry and anxiety. Now, do you understand, Phil? Of course she is anxious and worried now, not knowing how you will take this news, and you must pretend to be pleased—anyhow, to be resigned. I don’t ask you to be pleased with me, and if you can’t help being disgusted with me—vwell, you can’t help it. But you won’t say so before her, will you?” I had to give the pledge required of me; I didn’t see at the time, and I don’t see now, how I could have acted otherwise. Nevertheless, I said to myself very decidedly that, if Mr. Burgess ever married my sister, it should be no fault of mine. It was bad enough that, for the present and for my mother’s sake, he must be allowed to consider himself engaged to her. ‘“ Don’t look somiserable, Phil,” said Nora; “it will all come right in the end, you'll see.” And I could not but wonder whether, in the inmost recesses of her heart, hér intentions with regard to the good. Rector might not, perhaps, be as perfidious as my own. Eomichoo m