Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

“TF HE WERE TO DISAPPOINT MY HOPES!” 21 must take care of yourself when you are out of my sight.’’ Florence’s face altered, while her sister was speaking. Her look of surprise changed first to amazement and then to almost indignation. She drew herself up, and when she spoke again her tone was very frigid. ‘Sister, 1 am perfectly astonished at you,’’ she said. ‘*You talk to me as though I were an imbecile! I ask you, what do you know about Arthur that you should go off on such a tirade? Or what do you suspect? You say I have no sentiment. Perhaps you are right, but I trust [ have common sense enough to keep me out of harm. As for Arthur Eldridge, you force me into admitting to you that my whole heart is bound up in him and were he to disap- point my hopes, I believe I should die.’’ And with these words she started to leave the room haughtily, when a low sob fell upon her ear. In a moment her mood changed, and she flew to her sister. ‘‘Oh, dearest,’’ she cried, ‘‘do forgive me! I know you meant it for my good and only spoke out of affection for me, but I was provoked. There, I'll kiss all the tears away and promise never to be so nasty again. I have no senti- ment and less sense, and I’m selfish, too, into the bargain. Don’t contradict me, for it’s true. Oh, dear, now don’t cry any more, for if you do, I shall have to join in!” Rose dried her eyes and then looked up at Florence in a strange, wistful way. “I’ve nothing to forgive, dear!’’ she replied, ‘‘only it hurts me to have you misunderstand whatI say. It’s far from my intention to lecture you, and of course I have every confidence in you. But you are young and might make a grievous mistake and only think what it would EGOmMmIichbooks (©) im