A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

A QUEER RACE. 189. she said. in a low, tremulous voice. ‘‘I know it is not usual in England, but here, in Fair Island I thought —I mean that I did not intend—but now that’ you want to go home—and it is right you should—I must. Has it never occurred to you—have you not seen” (im- petuously) ‘‘ that—that I love you—love you with all my heart, and that I should be glad—oh, so glad!—to be your wife? Say, now, have you never thought of this?” This avowal took me so completely by surprise that I knew not what to say—could hardly think, in fact—for in my wildest dreams it had never occurred to me that it would ever enter into Mab’s mind to make me a formal offer of her hand and heart. ‘“You do not answer—you are angry with me!” she exclaimed, in a broken voice. ‘‘ You think [am un- maidenly. You do notlove me. Well, be it so”—avert- ing her face; that face which had never seemed to me so beautiful. ‘“No, no, no!” I said, taking her hand and pressing it tomy lips. ‘‘ Not until this moment did I know how dear you are to me; and if I had known’! should not have dared to speak. You are a grand woman, a true queen, my queen, and I jove you as you say you love me—with alt my heart.” ‘“‘As I say I love you! Oh, how little yoa know!——” I drew her toward me and put my arm around her neck. ‘* Do not think that I shall ask you to forego your visit to your mother. I will go with you to England!” “ You will go with me to England!’ “Do you think I would let you go alone? Now that we are no longer in fear of a Carib invasion, I can easily be spared for a few months. And I want to see England. We are very backward. We must have more books, and a printing press and machinery, and other things. And when we come back you shall take part with me in the government. We will abolish slavery—I have been read- ing ‘ Uncle Tom’s Cabin.’” ‘‘T am delighted to hear yousay so. But what will the slave-owners say?” ‘Tf for every slave I give them a horse they will say nothing; they will be quite content. And I shall bny horses.”’ (E(@) Al C ool) “S (Ee)