The Dugdale Millions — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

CONFLICTING INTERESTS. 149 Mr. Stanton rose at the same moment and the two left the room, returning to Spring Hill. Mr. Hetlow, thus left with his daughter, related to her at length and in detail the results of Dick's visit to New York during the day. When he had finished Bessie replied: ‘I don’t doubt that I was frivolous in my reply to you when you told me first, but yet my words repre- sented my feelings. I do not regret the fact that young Dugdale is found. To have come into posses- sion of this great wealth would have been to take upon myself a life and a career for which I am fitted neither by training nor inclination. This may seem to you like the confession of a lack of proper spirit but it is the way I feel. Iam content as things are.’’ ‘‘And there was no attraction in a brilliant social prospect?’’ asked her father, rather proud of her than otherwise. ‘‘None. That was the heaviest burden, it seemed to me.”” “‘Nor in the possibility of high rank aad a distin- guished social position, by means of a marriage which such wealth would justify you in expecting?’’ ‘‘Nor that either. It may show little ambition. But I am, you know, an American girl, and I am patriotic enough to be satisfied with an American husband—’’ and she added gently, ‘‘of my own choosing.’’ Her father smiled, and impressing a kiss — her forehead, led her toward the door. “After all,’’ he said, “‘I am better pleased 2 have you in this frame of mind than one of deep disap- pointment. I presume the person who will be the most grieved will be Lord Merrimount.’’ Bessie bent her eyes keenly upon her father, think- ing he was about to reveal the exact nature of the young nobleman’s proposition, and she determined to let her eules know then, that whacever it was, touching her, Comicbockk C@ 3}