The Man in Possession — page 162: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 157 care for you in the least. My motives for accepting you, if I did accept, would only be selfish. I cannot, failto see how muchI should gain, but you have to consider how much you would lose.” ‘‘Lose!” burst forth the little baronet rapturously —‘‘lose! Ifyou only knew how I worship, how I adore you!... Why, the sacrifice is all on your side, Miss O’Brien—Kate—Oh, to call you Kate !...Oh, do you—can you give me hope? If you only knew how miserable I’ve been all night. I was in two minds of cutting my throat or drowning myself in the fish pond... and now youre so kind ... I ain't worthy of it... youre just like a goddess, andI only ask you to let me worship you!” ‘‘And the worship is to be all on one side?” said Kate sadly. ‘‘ For, I tell you plainly, I do not return your affection in the least.” ‘‘How could I expect it?” said the suitor humbly. ‘¢What aml? Do you think I don’t know and don't feel ashamed? ... At least I have since I’ve known you.” Kate grew more and more embarrassed. She felt she was taking an unfair advantage ofa generosity . she had no right to accept. Both her father and herself would turn it to their own account, and neither would make any return for it. ‘It would be wrong,” she said faintly. ‘‘ You would blame me one day. I wish I could think I cared for you, but I can’t; and yet, if you very much wish it, I will marry you.” ‘You will? ” almost screamed Sir Wilfred; ‘‘ you mean it? You're... youre not laughing at mer COMicloe (Sri C(O)