Lady Evelyn — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

140 “A Marriage of Convenience.” She colored faintly, and bent her head in assent. ‘And you consented ?”’ “No, papa; I declined.” “Ah! you declined? And why?” _ The faint rose-light dawned in her face again, the violet eyes drooped. “TI suppose one should love the man one marries. I do not love Mr. Trevannance.”’ “Oh!” the earl said, with a cynical sneer, “you don't love Mr. Trevannance! Sentimental, certainly, but not satisfactory. I presume you don't love any one else?” “No, papa.” The drooping face lifted proudly, the violet eyes met his full. | My Lord Clontarf rather shrank from the gaze of those singularly beautiful and brilliant eyes; they reminded,him ‘uncomfortably of other eyes, sealed forever on earth. “Then [ think Mr. Trevannance has great cause of complaint. You certainly have encouraged him. He has been your constant companion, your favored attend- ant, during the past six weeks, to the exclusion of all others; and at the last you reject him! I thought Lady Evelyn Desmond was too proud to stoop to coquetry.” “I am no coquette.” But she colored painfully as she said it, with a con- scious sense of guilt. “No? It would be coquetry in any one else, then. Have you any especial aversion to Vivian Trevannance?”’ No.7’ - “He is wealthy, clever, accomplished, handsome—all any girl could desire; you love no one else, and you have no aversion to him; then, my dear, you shall marry the lord of Royal Rest.” “Papa!” ~My daughter, I have intended it from the first—set my heart upon it. I did not speak of it before, because I thought of your own free will, without any interference of mine, you would choose him. You have not seen fit _ to do so, therefore it is high time I should step in and proclaim my wishes.”’ ~ Papa,” Lady Evelyn said, growing very pale, “you should have spoken sooner. It is too late now. I have refused him.” co comicbooks Ss