Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 258: what you’re looking at

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

A LIVING SAINT. 249 ‘Oh, you are suffering,’’ she said, ‘‘and on our account.’”’ ‘No, no,’’ he returned, hastily, ‘‘I am only too thankful to be of use to you, even in this way. Hark,’’as the priest moved uneasily, ‘‘he is trying to say something.”’ ‘“Sir,’’ uttered the old man, to Dick, as he approached, ‘‘I don’t wish you to deprive yourself for mein this man- ner, and I beg of you to look after her. She must not— must not——’’ The rest of the sentence was inarticulate as the heavy lids dropped again. ‘‘He is so warmly covered that he will soon be quite comfortable; in fact, he’s sleeping now,’’ said Dick, as she lingered to tuck the bearskin closer about the old man’s knees. ‘‘I only fear for you. You heard—he commended .you to my charge, Rose. He has forgotten the convent.’’ ‘*Do you really think he is asleep?’’ she asked, with con- cern, her eyes still fixed upon the priest’s haggard face. ‘*He scarcely seems to breathe.’’ ‘Listen to me,’’ continued Dick. ‘‘ You must relinquish this morbid idea of entering the convent at once. Thank God it is not yet too late for you to change your mind. You sought to end your days alone, forgotten, buried alive. I tell you, it must not be—the bare idea is too re- volting, too uncanny—if I can prevent it. Just so long as your sister claimed your time and devotion I determined not to cross your path, but I have learned that she has ceased to need you, sol have come back to offer you the same love you refused four years ago. I will not refer to your sister again, except to say that I could not interfere with the burden you had seen fit to assume; I can and do, though, with this barbarous resolution which would blast two lives. You are not achild, Rose, neither am Ia boy; Gomicbooks. co im