Out of the Past — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

Out of the Past. 107 to me, so [ treat you as I like. I need not make you love me or hate me. I can be my true self. And, m’sieur, my true self is very much of a child. Will you forgive me?” She had risen and stood nobly before him. “T have nothing to forgive,” he answered more gently. “But time presses. I wish to understand what I can do for you.” “Ah! then you will help me!” She drew a long sigh of relief. “But I feel faint. I have been so anxious—I have not eaten. Will you bear with me a little longer?” She called Louise and asked for crackers and wine. When the tray came she filled two glasses. “You will not re- fuse what hospitality I have to offer! I shall feel that you scorn me, indeed.” She took the glass. “Nearly ten o'clock! I must see Gaspard to-night. If I fail the out- look is so dreadful. Poverty! He may turn me away and then it is all over. You cannot dream how I fear that.” A feverish color came to her face. “‘M’sieur!”’ she cried, harshly, “you say you will help me. It is late. You can have little to do now. Come with me now. Tell Gaspard why I broke my contract. Make him take me. If you knew what it means !’’ For some reason his mind did not respond quickly, but at length he put his objection into words. “I should pre- fer to see Gaspard alone.” GOMmicdoo Sri