I Forbid the Banns! — page 243: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE STUDY OF GEOGRAPHY. 233 ‘“We are,’”’ said the mother; ‘“‘the mistake was coming here atall. You brought me, Marian Travers—you brought me, and—ah—the Child—take her away—let her escape ! ” “There is no mistake whatever, Miss Travers,” said Bertha. “ Mr. Charlton and I are just as honorably hus- band and wife asif we had gone through a ceremony in a church. We love one another with a love that is God’s best gift. We are married in the sight of God.” “In the sight of the devil, woman!” cried Lady Rushton. ‘I see it all—lI see it all!” Charlton went to the bell rope, and thence to the draw- ing room door. He opened it to the fullest extent. ‘“ Lady Rushton’s carriage,” he said to the footman. Lady Rushton lifted up her head, drew down the corners of her mouth, squared her shoulders, and keeping well on the weather side, so to speak, of her daughter, to protect her from the possibility of contamination, stalked out of the room. The daughter looked around, and, smiling pleasantly at Bertha, made a little movement with one of her thumbs in the direction of her mother—the action was not one that suggested respect. “This is a curious business,” said Cyril, standing at the door. ‘Of course I know there is something behind that we know nothing about ; but still-———” ‘T am bewildered, I frankly confess,” said Marian, arch- ing her eyebrows. ‘I suppose Mr. and—well, let us say, Mrs. Charlton, understand their own business and what is due to society.” ‘You are quite safe in supposing so much,” said Charlton. ‘“ But you cannot blame us if——”’ “In no way do we blame anyone for anything,” cried Julian. ‘“ Lady Rushtonis getting impatient.” “ Good-by,” said Marian. ‘I wish I had not so insisted on——”’ ‘Do not distress yourself,” said Julian. ‘ You had much COMMEDOOKS (2)