Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 156: what you’re looking at

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

fitkick WEDDED. . 1d? ‘Madam, will you not use your influence before it is too lute. Her fate is in my hands, but I have no desire to use my power, if by any possible means she can be induced to yield willingly.” Madam cast an appealing glance at Dora; but there was no encouragement to be gathered from her inflexible fea- tures, and with a bitter sigh she remained silent. Cursing both of them in his heart, Ralph bent toward Dora, and said in a low, concentrated voice: “Listen! ‘This evening you are to become my wife. Everything is arranged, and at seven o’clock the clergyman will be present to perfor m the ceremony. Nothing can save you; your fate is sealed.” He had no reason to complain of her want of animation now, for instantly neck, cheek, and brow were flooded with an angry crimson, and ‘with a gesture of intense loathing she cried: “You dare not do this thing! I will defy you at the very altar, and no clergyman will pronounce the banns against my will.” ‘“‘My darling, you will do no such thing; it would be very improper,” he laughed, lightly, glorying in her proud, bril- liant beauty. ‘‘Villain, you shall see,” she retorted, snapping her small pearly teeth savagely together. “Shall I, my beautiful one? Very well, I shall come for you a little before the time; and in the meantime some suit- able attire shall be provided for you. I would not have my bride disgrace the occasion, for we are to have a ‘gay com- pany’ at our wedding.”’ ‘“‘T will die first!” she said, passionately. ‘“You see that lady sitting there—your only friend—your benefactress? - Well, the moment you attempt your life, she _ dies. And should you refuse to be my wife when we come before the clergyman, she will be instantly shot by a con- cealed foe. I told you truly when I said your fate was sealed. Will you defy me now?” “Oh, merciful Heaven! I am, lost—lost!” shrieked the miserable girl, in a heart-rending voice, as she sank back half fainting upon her seat. Madame Alroyd sprang fr antically forward, and clasping her convulsively in her arms, cried out: «No, no, my precious darling, it shall not be! You shall EomiIchboo gs) GO