A Daughter of Delilah — page 129: what you’re looking at

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

120 ST, LEONARD'S FINE HAND. can alter it. Iam aman and ought to know my own mind. No arguments on earth will move me one iota.’’ ‘‘T do not think that I have opposed you yet, Edgar,”’ was the quiet reply. ‘‘St. Leonards speaks well of the lady, though I have little confidence in the rhapsodies of young men where a pretty woman is concerned. As for actresses—as a rule they are as worthless as they are painted! What do you want of me?”’ ‘I want your consent and as much money as you can afford to give tome. Ican’t start housekeeping on noth- — ing.”’ Jabez Alston laughed mirthlessly. ‘“‘What is her figure?’’ he remarked, carelessly, but with a sudden contraction of the eyelids. ‘‘Her figure!’’ repeated Edgar, flushing hotly. ‘‘What is the amount of the settlement she demands— the marriage settlement?’’ “Wifty thousand!’’ blurted out the young man. ‘‘A flea- bite to you!”’ Jabez Alston was silent for a few minutes, then he said: ‘‘T must take time to consider this. ’’ ‘‘T cannot wait,’’ was the dogged rejoinder. ‘‘It must be yes or no.”’ ‘*And if I say no?’’ ‘“Then I must shift for myself. I have been your play- thing long enough. The richest man in New York keeps his son on a beggarly allowance—treats him as though he were a child—and——”’ ‘The interview is ended,’’ his father interrupted, coldly. ‘fT will not find you one penny for this woman who values you personally at nothing. Ido not wish you to leave my Eomicbooks (E(0)