The Widowed Bride — page 186: what you’re looking at

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

THE WIDOWED BRIDE. 177 quite well by this time, Lady Glenhampton. I have on my - part simply to say to you that I demand—yes demand, for - you may as well ‘comprehend my full meaning—that this engagement of Lady Blanche’s to her aristocratic young ad- mirer be broken off at once, and my own clainis to her hand be fully recognized.” “But the earl?” shuddered Lady Glenher pton. “He could never be induced to give his consent.” “Tam quite aware that your ladyship’s influence over him is not what it was,” said Mr. Poynings, still with the evil smile upon his face; ‘‘but you must do what you can, and I will risk the rest.” «The world—what will it say?” uttered Lady Glenhamp- ton, as if she were thinking aloud, rather than addressing herself to a crafty lawyer. “The world—the world!” contemptuously echoed. Mr. Poynings. ‘‘You and I, my lady countess, know that same world well enough to comprehend that it is our mere tool, if it is handled rightly. I have no fears as far as the world is concerned!” ‘Man! do you know what you are asking of me?” bots from Lady Glenhampton’s pale lips, as she wrung her hands until the diamonds on her slender fingers seemed to emit shattered rainbows of quivering fire. ‘‘I have given to you money, help, influence—all that you have asked, without stint—but my beautiful, joyous-hearted child—a fiend in- carnate could not ask me to give up her young happiness, and blight the life that has just begun. Ask what you please that is mine to give, but spare her.” The wild entreaty of the mother’s voice might have melted a heart of stone. Poynings stood unmoved, how- ever. “You talk as if I were the wicked giant in a fairy tale,” said he sullenly. ‘*What is there so outrageous in the idea of my wanting a titled wife? Ishall make a good husband to the girl, Why, l would be willing to wager a good round sum that I love her quite as well as that young fop, Vere Temple, although 1t never was my way to go into ecstasies about anything!” “Stop!” said Lady Glenhampton, in a choked, breath- less tone, as she lifted her forefinger with a warning gesture, ‘‘vou are going too far, Mr. Poynings. T have endured much from-you, but I shall not endure this.” | EOomicbooks aa