The Man in Possession — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

188 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. ‘I knew you were unhappy,” said Mrs. Lafaye, a thrill of passionate feeling in her voice. ‘‘Perhaps that drew me to you. There is affinity in friendship as well asin love. Tell me all. Perhaps I can help you.” | Kate shook her head. ‘‘I am afraid not,” she said, ‘‘and there seems so little to tell. It is all so foolish . . . so unlike anything I had imagined hap- pening to myself.” ‘Tt is always unlike what we imagine,” said Mrs. Lafaye softly. ‘‘Was it,—here?” ‘“Yes, . . . Someone Imet. He seemedsobrave and generous and kind-hearted and we were such good friends. There was no sentiment.... He never said anything that might lead me tosuppose he cared... . in the way you think. And then I found out something . it was a terrible shock—it seemed so mean and small and—treach- erous. Something I could never have believed of him... . but I saw it with my own eyes. There was no mistaking—there could be no excuse. I saw that and then.... well, he went away—and I ac- cepted Sir Wilfred. It didn’t seem to matter any longer what I did or how I suffered... . Everything else was ended.” ) ‘* Are you sure you were not mistaken?.... When I look at you I can just imagine the sort of man you would care for. But there could never be anything mean or dishonourable about him.” ‘Do you think I would not have made excuses if I could,” cried the girl passionately. ‘‘Do you think I would not have been thankful to accept happiness COMicloe (Sri C(O)