Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 222: what you’re looking at

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

“YOU KNOW I LOVE: YOU.” 213 —I will wait patiently a month, a year if need be, only do not snatch away all hopefrom me. You have been through so much and have borneit so bravely—but even your strength may fail, and you may be willing at last to lean upon me.”’ But she shook her head sadly. ‘It cannot be,’’ she said, despondently, ‘‘glad as it would make me _ to allow even one ray of hope to enkindle in my own breast. I have the courage to look further into the future than you, and I am convinced that if I were to consent to what you ask, one or the other of us would bit- terly repent, and soon. Ihave lost the one attribute so necessary to close companionship—in the beginning, atany rate—my youth. I cannot comfort myself, therefore, what consolation could I offer you? It is my punishment, I sup- pose, for making an idol of a frail human creature, and it is just. She has failed me, and I deserve that it should be so. No, I shall do you a kindness in refusing to listen to you, though you cannot bring yourself to feel so now. Some people, you know,’’ with a mournful attempt ata smile, ‘‘are born under an unlucky star; [am one. I shall 20, and you will forget me in time. It is better so.’’ And bending upon him a look of infinite affection and tenderness before he could open his lips to speak again, she had gone. » CONNIELOOO KS, EC)