The Land Claim — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

a ANOTHER VISITOR. 69 regard to Mr. Mauvais, and am in’ every way dutiful toward you, as long as I live, will you not forgive me now, and let me see and comfort you while you are in this place? Oh, say ‘ yes y ” It was not in the human heart to withstand that perfect submission and loving entreaty altogether. The unnatural father was checked in his cruel impulses for a moment, but only for a moment. The relaxing brow gathered its frown again, and the poor, unhappy pleader saw refusal in his face before he uttered it. : “No. I want nothing more to do with you. I have given you to Mauyais, and it is to him you are to submit your head- strong will. If you desire to obey me, do as he tells you; or, by heaven, I will curse you yet {” Alicia did not reply. She clasped her hands across her forehead, and bent her face to the floor, like the most abject eastern slave, Her young life seemed crushed out of her, and she felt that the Juggernaut of perpetual despair had already gone over her, She had no fear, no resentment, no hope; all was a dull, dead, motionless desolation. In this attitude she remained for several minutes, while her father uttered no word, and there was no sound in the room except the clank, clank, of the chain on the prisoner's leg, as he moved impa- tiently from time to time. The sheriff opened the door and announced that another visitor was waiting on the prisoner's Jeistre. Without inquiring who the visitor was, Mr. Neweome ordered him to be admitted, at the same time commanding the prostrate child to rise. Weurily she raised herself to her feet, turning her tear-stained face away frém the observation of the new-comer. But he had already caught a glimpse that revealed to him the Sorrow imprinted there, and her listless attitude betrayed the rest, He was too late! For a moment, the young man’s self-possession was in danger of being altogether lost; but he quickly conquered his rising indignation, and addressed himself to Alicia's father, as if she were not present, oF not plunged in grief and humiliation. “Mr. Newcome,” said he, as firmly as possible, “I have called on you this morning to ask your consent to my comicloooks.comn —