The Man in Possession — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

192 THE MAN IN POSSESSION, you marry Sir Wilfred. Doesn't that strike you?” Kate said nothing, She was conscious of a sense of relief—she was glad she had spoken... and yet doubtful as to the wisdom of her candour. ‘If I gave you my candid opinion,” Mrs. Lafaye went on, ‘‘I should say there’s some mistake. Oh, don’t shake your head in restive fashion. You're a very clever girl, I've no doubt, but even clever people make mistakes—sometimes. And although he wrote that card for Sir Wilfred, it wasn’t exactly acrime. Heknew, and every one in the house knew, that he was bound to formulate a proposal soon or late. If Mr. Rivers wanted the coast clear, it was no — great harm to hurry up his rival and get him off the scene, or see him fixed up on it for good.” ‘‘T think it was a mean trick,” said Kate coldly. ‘¢ And then the bad taste of bringing up what had hap- pened in town, of pretending that it had made such an impression on me! What right had he to place me in such a humiliating position ?” ‘No right, I grant... but perhaps he just thought he’d play out the little drama and abide by the re- sults.” ‘‘T hope he is satisfied with those results,” said Kate bitterly. ‘‘T should like to know that young man,” said Mrs. Lafaye presently. ‘‘ There’s something original about him. And I’m sure he’s not the sort to take defeat quietly, and go off the scene, as you say he’s done. Does he know you've accepted Sir Wilfred ?” ‘‘No,” said Kate. ‘‘I told you I refused him the night of the theatricals. But then—well, the disap- 3 COMicloe (Sri C(O)