Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED. 145 ‘That subject was long since forbidden between us.” ‘‘Nay, my fair one, I could not receive your cruel answer as final; and if you remember right, you know I told you that I should at some future time renew my suit. And I am here this morning to plead again, that you will consent to be my wife. Madam, have I your permission to address your niece?” he said, turning quickly to Dora’s aunt. “Tt must be as she says, Mr. Moulton. I trust all such matters to her own heart. and judgment,” she returned, coldly. “Very well, then to her I will appeal,” turning to our heroine again. : » ‘‘How came you in this place, sir?” she demanded. “Why, I came here the same as I would go anywhere, but my object was to meet you.” ‘Ah! perhaps Mr. Moulton has something to do with our captivity here,” said Dora, shooting a wicked glance at him from her flashing eyes. , ‘Possibly he may have,” he returned, with a smile and a bow. ‘Thank you, sir; you are very kind. You have taken a Joad from my mind,” she answered, in a relieved tone. ‘“‘How so?” he asked, surprised. ‘IT feared I had been brought here by a set of lawless rob- bers, and that my -honor would be the sacrifice; but, I assure you, I fear no such craven as yourself,” she said, in a voice of intense sarcasm. | He colored angrily at the scorn and irony which her look and tone betrayed, and replied: . ‘‘T did not come here to be scorned and abused, Miss Du- pont. I came to offer you marriage, honorable and true, . together with a heart as faithful as ever beat in the breast of one mortal for another. In a word, I have come to ask y2u to be my wife!” Dora stood in a graceful attitude, her pretty head raised just a trifle more than was natural, her little hands coquet- tishly clasped before her, and one tiny blue velvet. slipper peeping out from beneath her white robe, while her eyes were fixed in a cold, unflinching gaze upon his own. © " She did not reply, as he ceased speaking, but stood calmly ‘regarding him, as if waiting for him to continue. - = His eyes wavered, and finally drooped, and he said, while he moved uneasily in his chair: co ComIlcboo “S