The Man in Possession — page 302: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 297 This will be an exception, then,” she answered. ‘You see Iam not mentally or physically capable of doing battle.” ‘‘ How have you let yourself get into this state?” he said. . ‘‘I—I don’t know,” she answered wearily. ‘‘One doesn't feel things at the time. I fancy I have been anxious and troubled. ... But itis nearly over now. I shall soon be all right again.” His brow darkened. It was not pleasant to think that anxiety for a rival should have produced this change in her. ‘‘ How is—Sir Wilfred?” he said with effort. ‘‘T think he is better,” said Kate. ‘‘ Only the doctors say it will be a long time before he can walk.” ‘Surely there are plenty of people to take care of him without your knocking yourself up,” said Tom stormily. ‘‘ What is your father thinking about? Can’t he see the change in you?” ‘‘T assure you, she said with a faint smile, ‘‘ you exaggerate the change, as youcallit. Iam only tired to-night, and as I said before I stupidly forgot to order dinner. I think I hear Biddy with the coffee. You will see that I shall be quite myself when I have had a cup.” She rose to a sitting position, and Biddy placed the coffee service on a small table near the couch, and arranged cakes and bread and butter beside it. Tom watched Kate as she poured it out. Her hands were trembling, but he did not offer to help her. He left somehow that he could not trust him- ECOMNCE OOO SS) (SO