The American Marquis by Nick Carter — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

THE AMERICAN MARQUIS. 17 The woman who was nothing to him—lost. ‘The woman who was to be his wife—lost. - Was he really crazy? Was he bewitched ? Where was that reckless coolness of his? Where that mocking spirit? (Gone—all gone. He would have given his very life that moment only to have held her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. The ceremony was gone through with by him mechan- ical] | fa did as he had promised, and closed his ears to her name. Name! What cared he for that? It was herself he wanted. She was his wife! The mayor was gone, and he once more stood with his wife and her brothers. ‘*¢ Monsieur,” said the stranger, who had hitherto done all the negotiating, ‘my brothers will conduct you to the carriage, give you the money as 8 promised, and see you to your home.” ““Qne moment!” It was his wife who spoke. Clinton listened eagerly, drinking in the sweet tones of her voice, hanging on her every word. It was his life that hung in the balance. ‘‘ Come aside; I wish to say something.” ‘T'hey spoke in low tones, but Clinton heard every word. It seemed to him he could have fathomed their very thoughts, so intent was he. ‘*You must give me ten minutes alone with him.” ‘¢ With whom?” ‘¢ My husband.” «¢ Are you mad?” ‘©No, but determined.” *« It cannot be.” “‘It must be.” cé Why: 9? ‘<1 wish it.” ‘* Bah! A woman’s reason.” ‘* Be it so; but don’t cross me.” ‘‘] must, for yourown sake and my own. You will ruin us.” i “In ten minutes?” ‘In one minute. A love-mad woman needs no longer,” Gomichooks.¢co