The Dugdale Millions — page 277: what you’re looking at

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

IN IMMINENT PERIL. 267 from the face of the young Englishman by one of intense amusement. When she had concluded, she looked him fully in the eyes, and was not unconscious of the look of deep admiration with which he was regarding her. So angry was she on perceiving this, that she turned to go from him, but was detained by his next speech. ‘‘One moment,’’ he said. ‘“*‘You have made your explanation and I thank you.’’ He bowed to her in his most courtly manner. ‘‘Let me make my answer now. I did not come here as a suitor for the hand of Miss Bessie. I never made such a proposition to Mr. Hetlow, I never dreamed that anyone would suppose or did suppose that such was the purpose of my visit. It never occurred to me that anyone could think so.’’ ‘“Why persist in such folly?’’ cried Wallis indig- nantly. ‘‘I am very young, I know, but that fact should entitle me to the forbearance of aman of the world.’’ ‘“You need forbearance for something else,’’ replied Merrimount quietly. ‘‘You are very irritating, but also very charming.’’ Wallis gave an indignant toss of her head. “Did not Mr. Mason hear you make such a propo- sition to Mr. Hetlow?”’ ‘‘No,’’ said Merrimount slowly, ‘*he did not. Mr. Mason may have overheard, and I think he did, the concluding portion of a conversation relating to a proposition | submitted to Mr. Hetlow. But it had nothing to do with marrying or with proposing to marry.’’ Wallis looked upon him with deep incredulity. Smiling over it the young nobleman went on: ‘IT see that you are under avery grave misappre- hension,”’ he laughed. ‘‘Be patient with me, and I will tell you. My father, the Duke of Mountchessing- ton is much embarrassed. The revenues of the estates have been greatly reduced, and portions of them must Comicboclk C@ 3