Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 257: what you’re looking at

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

248 A LIVING SAINT. death. I will put it around him,’’ and he suited the action to the word. “You are most kind,’’ she returned, gratefully, ‘but can you spare it? You see he has been ill and is still weak.’’ He was bending over the priest and made no reply. As he finished she half hesitatingly held out her hand. “Thank you very much. If you should——”’ she began, and then her hand dropped to her side. ‘‘Mr. Forrest!”’ she exclaimed, in amazement. ‘‘Can it bob——’’ “Yes, itis I,’? he answered, simply. “I preferred to keep my presence here a secret from you, if possible, for reasons of my own, but,’’ with a faint smile, “‘circum- stances have forced an issue.”’ She did not speak, but continued to gaze at him in a helpless, bewildered way. Then she slowly dropped into her seat. ‘Tt is a surprise, of course,’’ he went on, hurriedly, ‘‘and possibly a not too agreeable one, Miss Delmar. I learned of your intention to enter the convent purely by accident, but I had already started for Wallford.’’ Still she did not speak, and her face grew seated than ever. ‘‘Chance,’’ he continued, “‘in one of its strange, erratic fashions, threw us together before I intended. You have no doubt guessed my errand—it was to ask you for the third time to become my wife. I have imparted the reason of my errand sooner then I meant to, but perhaps it is too late, after all, as I cannot conceal from you that this isa perilous journey, and one of us may never reach its end.’’ Her eyes filled with tears. Impulsively she held out both her hands to him. Gomichbooks-.com