Weaker than a Woman — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

; ; Dar \; WEAKER THAN A WOMAN, 177 “T do not like to interfere, Violet; but is all this that I | hear about your husband’s intemperate habits true ?” | “T am afraid so, father,” she would reply, and then he would add : | “Can you do nothing to check him? A wife should have some influence over her husband.” “TI can do nothing,” she would answer, and then her father would doubt whether, after all, things had happened for the best. * * *K **k *K *K *K * Sir Owen rode over to Lilford and called at the office in Castle street. If he had found Felix there, his request -- would have been refused, but Darcy Lonsdale was in the office, and listened calmly to what the baronet had to Say. | “I cannot give you an immediate answer,” he replied, “but I will think over your proposition and let you know our decision.” i | ~ Sir Owen stopped while he said something about his earnest desires, and he made some impression on Darcy Lonsdale by his evident trust in him. Once the elder man was inclined to turn around and say, “ You robbed my son of the greatest joy of his life—his love—and I will have nothing to do with you or anything belonging to you.” But that would have been undignified, and he had learned his lesson of mercy. To him there was something almost piti- ful in the fact of this strong, coarse, rich man, unable to take care of his own, unable to hold his postion with dig- nity, appealing to him for the sensible management that he could not give himself. He would not decide hastily; he did not think his son would like the business. But five hundred per annum was a consideration, besides which Darcy Lonsdale shrank from the remarks that people would make if he refused such an offer. He said nothing about it until he returned home at night, and then he found Eve Lester there, and the matter was reviewed in solemn couneil. “TI say take it,” urged Kate. “It seems to me really, Darcy, that there is an especial Providence for us. Take it, by all means. It is’ a sin to throw five hundred a year away.” “My dear Kate, this is more a matter of sentiment than of money,” said Mr. Lonsdale. “TIT am of Kate’s opinion,” putin Evelyn. “I quite think you should accept it, If you do not, people will say dis- agreeable things,” Eomicbooks