Darke Darrell, the Boy Detective — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

176 DARKE DARRELL. ‘T have a mind to run away,” her lips quivering. “I always was headstrong and wayward.” Their eyes met, hers so full of tenderness that he thrilled under it. ‘<We must submit,” he said, his voice unsteady, but his face resolute. «And wait,” she added, her hand tightening on his. «‘Not long, maybe. Not long, I hope.” He looked steadily at her, knowing that she referred to her father’s death. «<Ttis mother whom I love,” her cheeks crimsoning. ‘‘She favors your suit.” ‘‘T was quite sure of that,” he said, feeling more hope- ful. ‘Was father rude?” she asked, watching his face. ‘* Or —unjust?” ‘* Rather—unkind,” with a pause. Sympathy overspread her face, and her hands tightened on his again. ‘Did he make restrictions, Darke?” eagerly. ‘‘ Did he forbid your calling on me?” ‘“No, Leotine. You may have all the restrictions placed on yourself.” , <« He knows me better than that,” a flashin hereye. ‘<I chafe under bonds; I burst them. We can still see each other. At least, when mother is present.” ‘‘T am pained, but not disheartened,” Darke said, kissing her. ‘* What can be your father’s reason?” ‘‘He did not give any,” her eyes on his face. ‘‘A mere prejudice, perhaps.” “< He said it was a matter of preference.” ““Oh, he did!” her face widening. ‘‘That he did not prefer you at all, or that he preferred somebody else far more? © ‘There is a young nobleman in Italy whom he wants me to marry. What a pity that I, too, should presume to Eomicbooks-com