The Dugdale Millions — page 177: what you’re looking at

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

‘A BOX. AND. ITS CONTENTS, 167 “Ves; if you were the Dugdale heiress.” 1 -don't beliexe it.” ‘Mr. Mason overheard him make the proposition for your hand and came to me downright sick over it.” Blushes were on Bessie’s cheeks again. “ Well, I don’t care if he did,” said Bessie. “I've - an idea of my own.” | heally! And itis?-” “ That Lord Merrimount is fond of you.” Wallis sat upright regarding Bessie with severity. * Bessie |” “YT do indeed. When you are near, he rarely has eyes for anyone else. And I have noticed that when you are talking, he can’t hear what anyone else is saying. JI am quite sure that before long I shall be addressing you as my Lady Merrimount.” “That will be nice,” replied Wallis, preparing to climb down fromthe rock. ‘In the meantime, as the most palpable effect of the reconciliation between yourself and Dick Mason has been to leave you bereft of the little sense you once had, let us go back out of the sun. I think your head ts slightly affected.” ‘“ But Iam in earnest,” persisted Bessie, rising and picking up her sun umbrella. *So am I,” acquiesced Wallis. “But I am not prevented from seeing that you have taken a very ingenious method to put an end to conversation about Mr. Mason.” “But wouldn't it be jolly if you were to marry Lord Merrimount and I-—— bi Were to marry Dick Mason,” said Wallis, com- pleting the sentence for the other. “Bah! He’s poor.” “ But think of the rank he’d give you.” “Rank! Can you tell me of anything worse than genteel poverty ?”’ mes at is not genteel.” “Nonsense. You can marry poverty, because Comicbockk C@ 3