Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

1K THRICE WEDDED. ‘Do you understand my proposition, Miss Duponi?” “T do, sir!” ‘‘And do you accept it?” <I do not, sir!” : ‘‘Do I understand that you refuse me a second time?” “Utterly and forever!” she answered, without once changing her position, or removing her eyes from his face. ‘“Dora——” ‘‘Allow me to correct you, sir. My name is Miss Du- pont.” ‘‘T warn you not to exasperate me beyond endurance,” he returned, angrily. Just the least little bit of a sneer curled her red lips at this threat, but he saw it, and said, with sudden deter- mination : ‘‘T will give you five minutes in which to reconsider your answer, after which, if it is not favorable, I shall not hesitate to take the matter into my own hands. Possibly you re- member the oath I took in your presence the night of your birthday entertainment.” He uttered these last words in a meaning tone, at the same time taking an elegant gold watch from his pocket to note the time. | She did remember the oath he referred to, and she grew a shade paler, but by no other sign did she show that she felt or noticed his words, and remained standing in the same cold, calm attitude during the whole five minutes. ‘‘Miss Dupont, your time is up!” at length said Ralph Moulton, in a gentler voice than he had hitherto used. He thought he really and truly loved this beautiful crea- ture, and his heart softened toward her a little, for he knew she suffered in spite of her apparent indifference. She made no reply, nor moved a muscle. | He regarded her in perplexity for a moment, then arose and went and stood before her. “Will you be my wife?” No, sir!” ‘‘Beware! Do you mean it?” | ‘‘Most emphatically! And now, if you are done with your persecution, I can dispense with your society.” ‘‘By heavens, I won’t bear this! I have sworn that you shall be mine, and I will not give you up!” he exclaimed, excitedly. Then turning to Madame Alroyd, he continued, ; co (6) micbooks