The Man in Possession — page 138: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 133 nice girl, really,—not companionable or easily con- tented, or anything of that sort, and I've a dreadful temper. All Irish people have, youknow. Now try and forget that you ever took this fancy into your head. There are so many girls nicer, cleverer, better suited to you in every way than I am, who would be only too proud and happy to be your wife.” Sir Wilfred burst forth into frenzied protest. ‘‘ Never, never was there such another girl. Never could he forget her. Never could he care for any one again. Life—fortune—all he had was at her disposal if only she would accept it. But Kate was gently inexorable, and, to end the argument, she took his arm, and led him into the supper-room, where she advised lobster salad and champagne as a restorative. The poor little baronet was undoubtedly very miserable, though he took her advice as regarded the supper, and ministered to her own requirements with a solemn devotion that was worthy of a funeral cere- mony. In vain Kate tried to cheer him. The poor little man was ‘‘hard hit” for once in his life, and even the ‘flowing bowl” possessed little attraction under the circumstances. His grief was too deep to be easily drowned, even by champagne. ‘T’ll never believe in magic or—or witchcraft again,” he murmured plaintively, ashe filled his glass for the third time. ‘‘I went to consult this wizard fellow, as they call him, and I asked him if I would be successful in my suit, and he assured me I would. At least it was on the paper he handed me, for he didn’t speak.” He pulled a card out of his pocket, and handed it to COMicloe (Sri C(O)