Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

202 A SEVERE THREAT. ‘© At least, I shall not be bound to you/” he returned, icily. ‘¢‘Listen !” she faltered, beseechingly. ‘‘I love you, Lloyd, with all my heart I love you, and you are my husband! Ac- knowledge me to the world as your wife; give me a chance to redeem the past, and I swear, before high heaven, to ded- icate my future to you. See!” And she fell upon her knees on the velvet carpet at his feet, her two small hands uplifted and clasped in supplication, her beautiful, flower-like face raised to his own. ‘“‘IT do not love you!” he answered, quietly. ‘‘I was led into that mad marriage—you know best through what influence —it is too late to retract now; but acknowledge you to the world as my wife, never—never !” She sprang to her feet with a muttered cry of rage and despair ; and he saw, with a pang of wordless horror, that she held something shining and glittering in one small hand; and he shrank back appalled at her baseness, for his quick, keen glance saw that it wasa knife. He darted forward, with a look of scorn and contempt upon his handsome faee, and struck the weapon from her grasp. | ‘You are bent on murder, Venetia,” he observed, with per- fect sang fro. ‘‘It is well that you are always foiled in your attempts. Venetia—Lady Chandos—listen to me; I all heaven to witness my words. I would not acknowledge such a creature as you to be my wife; no, not to save my own soul !” “I will make your life a hell upon earth!” she hissed, slowly, biting the words off with sharp precision. Lloyd Vernon, you shall live to regret this hour, so help me Heaven !” He bowed coolly, and opened the door of the drawing- room. : ‘‘ Your carriage waits, Lady Venetia,” he observed, serenely. He offered her his arm, but she turned from him with a disdainful glance ; then slowly followed him out into the sun- shine. | } He placed her in her carriage as deferentially as though she Eomichooks.co 3