Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 172: what you’re looking at

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

MADLY IN LOVE. 163 it,’’ he rejoined, flippantly, ‘‘and hesitate about trying the experiment?”’ | ‘Not believe in it?’’ she repeated. ‘‘Why should I not believe in the best, the holiest of ties?’’ ‘“It is true you have the noblest of examples before you.’’ ‘“Yes,’’ she uttered, simply. ‘‘You are right, they are de- votion itself. ’’ ; Dick grew still bolder. ‘‘And yet, how old are you—twenty-four? and have never been engaged, perhaps?’’ A cold, dreamy expression came into her face. ‘‘No. Marriage is not for all,’’ she murmured. ‘But you, Miss Cameron, a woman like you, to argue in this strain! Forgive me, but have you ever had a love affair?’’ She seemed uncertain at first whether to answer or not, and an attentive listener might have observed the effort with which she controlled her voice as she lifted her lus- trous, night-black eyes to his and said: **Never.’’ . ‘*What a life you must have led! Do you know, I believe you when you say you have suffered a great deal, though?”’ ‘‘Why should you not? You have learned from my own lips that I have lostall my family—is not that enough——’”’ ‘To change one’s entire nature, as yours must have changed? To taint the cup of pleasure before it has ever touched the lips? No, a thousand times!’’ cried Dick, with a vehemence totally unusual with him. ‘Bereavements bring sadness, it is true; they leave hopelessness, resigna- tion behind them for a time, but they do not embitter one’s whole life as yours has been embittered! What is the cause —forgive me if Iseem presumptuous in trying to wrest Gomichooksnco im