Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 184: what you’re looking at

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

DARKE DARRELL. 175 Darke arose, an angry flush on his face. ‘“‘T did not come to argue,” he said, his lips compressed. ““You have not given me an opportunity to plead. If your daughter’s heart is as devoid of sympathy as yours seems to be, she would not be much of a prize, after all. You have not done me justice.” ‘‘ Tt isn’t a matter of justice,” testly, also rising. ‘‘It is a matter of preference.” ‘Is it because you do not consider me worthy?” Darke asked, crushing back his anger and pride. ‘IT have made no inquiries in that direction. Mrs. Cas- sandra, at least, seems to havea high regard for you. Itis a matter of preference, I said.” ‘‘Of prejudice,” declared Darke, bitterly. Mr. Cassandra waved his hand. “If so, I have the right to give expression to it. No doubt our preferences are influenced, to a great extent, by our prejudices.” ““T bid you good-morning,” Darke said, angrily, bowing stiffly, ‘*Good-morning, Mr. Darrell,” suavely. ‘‘Surely you cannot charge me with vacillation. As a man of honor——” ‘Qh, I donot propose to elope with her,” retorted Darke, as he disappeared through the door. In the hall below he met Leotine and her mother. They knew what his errand had been; they read its result in his face. ““T am sorry,” Mrs. Cassandra said, catching his hand. ‘Believe me, when I say that I esteem you very highly; be- lieve me, when I say that I still consider myself under deep obligations to you.” ‘“‘Thank you,” Darke replied, huskily. Leotine followed him to the door. Her face betrayed how intensely she was suffering. She clung to him in a -momentary embrace, tender and passionate. Gomicbooks:co m