Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. 205 ‘¢ Are you a fiend, that you delight in my torment? Ar- thur sent me the letter of the nurse telling of his death.” «The letter was a forgery,” said Mathew Merle, coolly. — <©T wrote it myself. ‘The child did not die. I carried it to India. I have cared for her, with due regard to this splen- did development. ‘The legal heiress of Arthur Morley, who was adopted into one Aaron Morley’s family, 1s the true owner of Wainwright Slope. She is cae and in Eng- land.” “Oh, Will—my sweet little Will!” cr ied out Jane West. “* Now it is all explained.” Mathew Merle frowned upon her. But Lady Mary had rushed toward him, her pallid face glowing as with inward flame. ‘Alive! Arthur’s child and mine—alive! Show her to me! Bring her to her wretched mother!” ‘Not yet, my lady. The secret is mine. The girl is safely'in my keeping. I am her appointed guardian. I left strict directions for her to be brought to London, in readiness for the arrival of the good ship Comet. She will be married to my son in the morning, and I shall proceed at once to establish her rights. But, mind you, the proofs of this strange story, though I have taken care to establish them beyond the possibility of doubt, are all in my possession —every one.” “« Proofs?” repeated Lady Mary, with feverish impatience. **T ask for no proofs. I want my child.. Arthur Morley’s child and mine!’ ‘*I know her. I will find her for you,” cried out Jane West, rushing forward, the tears pouring from her pitying eyes. ‘‘Do not believe him. She is not in his power. She is safe. Oh, no wonder I loved her so! She is Doctor Mor- ley’s daughter.” Mathew Merle flamed an ireful glance upon her. ** You will not meddle in this affair again, young woman. 3 co nicboo “S (ao)