José — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

132 | JOSE. matters with such nicety—nor should you insist upon it, Mary,” he said, without observing the ex- pression of surprise which his easy, familiar manner of address had called to the face of the young lady. “As Hattie has her hands so full of work at meal times, I thought I would escort you to our dining- room, and perhaps have a few words with you be- fore going. Pray, let us be seated a few moments, Mary.” “You certainly have rights in this house, which I as a guest cannot dispute,” she retorted, with a touch of bitterness, raising her head. “Then why so ill-favored? Have I ever said an unkind word to you?” asked McGregor, as he drew the chair Brown had just left, closer to him. “Do you call it polite to deny me the right to speak?” A nervous twitching around the young girl’s mouth portended a harsh reply, but she repressed it. “T cannot forbid you speaking,” she said, taking her seat. | He sat down without appearing to notice her cold- ness. : “Your father has told me what passed between you,” he began, in an indifferent tone. It was only what I anticipated, after what you said to me. Your firmness, Mary, is one of the traits in your character I admire, and which fascinates, even though it be directed against me. You refuse to become my wife—very well; that is your affair; rest assured no one is going to force you against your will. ) - “We have ample time to wait. As to all your father told me about debasing himself by taking a clerkship and the like, that is all nonsense. Since you are here, there are no longer any grounds to Eomichooks (E(0)