The Dugdale Millions — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

186 THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. “Threats are unnecessary,” she replied calmly. “JT do not deny your right. Since I was a very little girl IT have loved Mr. Mason, and as I have grown older, and have been able to better appreciate his Sterling qualities of heart and head, that love has deepened and strengthened, until I can think of no other man as my husband. Should you interpose your parental authority—well, I could only suffer. I have come to know what it will mean to me, since I have been forced to the belief that Mr. Mason will never declare his love for me.”’ ‘“What shield is there in that ?’’ contemptuously asked her father. ‘“ Will not a woman find a way to show her lover his love is not hopeless ?”’ “Do not forget that, though confessing my love, I am yet a woman.” The calm dignity of the reply confused the old mer- chant, and this made him angry. “ And you would make this clerk your husband ?”’ “At his age Howard Hetlow was a clerk, yet he presumed to love and marry his employer’s sister.” “The case is not analogous.” ‘‘T cannot see why it is not,” replied Bessie decid- edly. “Mr. Mason is a gentleman. He was the nephew and adopted son of your warmest friend. He is of strict honor, excellent morals, and of more than usual ability, as I have heard you say a score of times. As [have said, regardless of all consequences, were he to ask me to be his wife, I would proudly and gladly Say yes.” Angered as he was Mr. Hetlow could not but admire his daughter. She was displaying a spirit he had not dreamed she possessed. In an instant, before his eyes, she had been transformed from a weak, cling- ing, obedient girl into a strong, forceful, and charming woman. Healmost stood inawe of her, and wondered what had caused the great and sudden change. He did not know the test through which Bessie had re- Comicloo S C@ 3