José — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

120 JOSE. understanding, Mary,” he continued, after drawing along breath. “You are aware that your father intends to make this his place of permanent abode; you must have guessed with what sentiments I con- fronted you in his society, and with what hopes your ready assent to share our solitude here inspired me. Now, after a long journey, which should have served to bring us into closer communion, we have arrived, and you are more of a stranger to me than on the day of our first meeting.” “And does not that sufficiently answer your ques- tion, Mr. McGregor?” said the young lady, slowly turning her serious countenance upon him. He gazed at her a moment, as if he could not at once grasp the meaning of her words. “You say that so calmly and coldly, Miss Mary,” he said, at last, while his eyes seemed intent on reading her inmost thoughts; “you do not even leave me room to hope that the future may grant what I am denied to-day. I did not propose to hasten your decision; I only hoped to catch some word of encouragement to cherish in my soul, to support me in the coming struggle, to nurse my hope until the future might decree a kindlier ver- dict——” “You insisted upon a frank decision, sir!” she said, interrupting him, and again fixing her gaze on space, without a sign of emotion; “I have no right to base expectations upon future contingencies for which the conditions do not exist in the present.” - McGregor stared at her fixedly a moment, then seized his bridle, and the next instant gave his horse a cut that caused him to make a sudden leap, and dash away at the top of his speed. _ Mary watched McGregor as. he sought to curb the Eomichooks sco