A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

A SECRET. Pee 33 George rose to his feet and evinced an excitement, sup- pressed but apparent, that proved the terrible struggle going on in his mind, and with desperate energy he said: ‘* You have spoken plainly.’? ‘* 1 thought it best to do so.”’ ‘* 1 will speak plainly.’ ‘*Doso. 1 trust I have not excited your resentment. [I have spoken as a friend. ”’ ‘** You have not excited my resentment. Had you come for advice to me under similar circumstances, I should have advised you as you have me. Yes, my advice would have been exactly the same. I repeat, you have not ex- cited my resentment. 1 will invite your contempt.” ** No, no.”’ **{ can not do otherwise, and your contempt will be merited. You ask what I willdo. I will act the part of a sneak. ’’ ** Never!’’ cried Laurence. ‘‘ You are beside yourself: you do not mean or you do not know what you say. ’’ ** IT never, in all my life, better understood the full im-. port of my words. I will act the part of a sneak.’’ ** And why, George?’’ ‘© Because I can do nothing else.” ** You owe an explanation to me.”’ ‘* Yes, I do.’ “© Well?’” **I commence my role as a sneak by refusing an ex- planation to you.” ** You have defined your course; how will you com- Gomicbooksreo