Roxy Hastings — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

ROXY HASTINGS. 123 did not importune your father before I—before I—offered | myself ?” “What! What!” exclaimed Lucy, gasping out her sur- prise and terror. ‘“ You offer yourself ? Surely you do not _mean—I—I beg your pardon—lI did not understand—” Shocked, saddened, abashed, her joy turned to despair, Lucy hid her face in her hands, and could say no more. “Tell me what this means, Miss Holden,” said Jede- diah, not a little mortified. ‘I came here to offer you my hand and fortune, which is a large one” (both were), “and you seemed to accept me with joy. Now you retract or say that you did not understand me. Pray explain.” Lucy explained timidly but distinctly, and with some tears. She told the whole story, which was, in substance, that she had thought Mr. Burr knew of Mr. Lee’s offer and of his rejection, and that he had interceded with her father in her behalf, and had effected a change in his de- cision. She begged his pardon. She had been very stu- pid, and hoped that Mr. Burr would forget it, and, above § ~ all, would not tell her parents of it. No danger. He was glad enough to keep it secret, and he promised it quite condescendingly. Then he resumed his offer, backing it with the paternal approval, and with a second reference to his fortune, his house and furniture, and the style in which he expected to live. | “If I am to be allowed to answer for myself,” Lucy re- plied, with some spirit, ‘‘I shall decline your offer, Mr. Burr, with all due thanks for the compliment to me, which itimplies. My affections are already bestowed, worthily, I believe, and you would not wish my hand without my heart.” “TI don’t quite believe in broken hearts, Loo,” said the bachelor; “or rather, I believe they can be mended like other wares. You are a sensible girl, your father says, and I hope you will see the advantage of having a kind, liberal husband who can support you handsomely, even if he does not chance to be your first choice. Think of it, Loo, and talk to your father about it.” Ay, there he had her. There was no doubt about the counsel she would receive, though it would not be of her seeking. Well he knew the iron will of Mark Holden, and the ductile nature of little trembling Lucy. . He did not miscalculate, and although it was not imme- diately, nor even for several months, yet his renewed offer ,0O “S GOl EOMIG