Beadle's Dime Novels No. 14 — page 66: what you’re looking at

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

64 THE EMERALD NECKLACE. “Ts it possible, Mr. Percy? No, it can not be!” “Mind, I do not say itis. I may-be entirely mistaken ; and of course I do not intend you to build up hope upon it, if-you yet wished it so. TI only know that Clematis has been another gitl since the day you left us. Alas! I fear she will never be the blooming child she once was. I must go ani inquire after her.” . He went after Clematis, and Pennon returned to his party. | “Who was it you were talking with?” asked Rosalie, as he came back to the group. | She seemed jealous almost of every word and jook that others had from him. , “Tt was a gentleman with whom I am well acquainted. I was glad to meet him,” and he relapsed into silence. | He knew that the woman by his side thought or fancied that she loved him, and he had seriously questioned within himself whether he ought not to marry her and secure her happiness, and perhaps his own would come in time. Now a revulsion of feeling had taken place. They had not sat long before Mr. Percy approached them and beckoned Pennon aside. “Clematis is very ill,’ he said in an agitated voice. “1 found her ina high fever—declirious. There is no physician on the boat, and we will not reach port until morning. 1 think she must have seen you. She was just im that nervous and highly excited state when any mental disturbance is too much for the prostrated physical powers. The doctors told me particularly to guard her from excitements.” “Do you think it could have been her surprise at seeing me? What a foolish idea, Mr. Perey. I wish yeu would let me look at your daughter. Iam not unskilled myself in some kinds of diseases, and have nursed many a friend through dangerous diseases. May I go?” “ Most certainly.- Ah, I wish her mother were here.” They entered the state-room together. She was tossing upon her little, uncomfortable bed, uttering now and then a moap. Her head was fearfully hot, her cheeks burning. She did not recognize either of them, staring at them a moment with bright eyes, and then restlessly throwing herself upon her pillow. She was enveloped in her tight, warm traveling dress, while the air in the tiny room was oppressive to the :ast degree. comicboooks.comn