A Heart's Bitterness — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

* Cs te eed SS, eee Vex ee ek. ee ® TeV) «fe 5 pF A a tc oy PR eS ae a OT es WP Beek ere! a or “, ver Phere ae | ade Pe aS ay Gh Pe Bos yg St Phra ‘7 . ere is % ony TAS ase > - % a wis wee, tm | Wen el P) . a , ae Sa a 4 e >, oN el aT 4 Sue NO tgs “al “ - ": r, _ 4 ik - 3 i ee 2 » A HEART'S BITTERNESS. 131 «« She was not!” | ‘‘She was! I have seen the record—married to an attor- ney in Ireland. How do you know that I cannot prove that she married your father while her first husband lived, or that you were the attorney’s child? Do you not know how your cousin stands ready to seize your inheritance, and Lady Clare, who will soon be his wife, hates you, whom once she hoped to marry? And if I go to them with these suggestions, and tell what I know, will they not fill England with their clamor? If they do not unseat you, they will drag you and your family story forth, a target for the arrows of every tongue. I will go to them. As I cannot have love, I will have revenge. I will urge them to investigate your claim. I will dethrone you from this seat of Leigh, wherein you boast over me.” ‘““You? Impossible! Who would listen to such frivo- lous suggestions, or heed your mad tale, or count you other than a crazed adventuress? Who would help you?” ““T would help her! came a voice from the door-way. ' Lord Leigh and Helen turned simultaneously; a man of — middle age—a short, spare, sinewy frame, bronzed face, keen eyes, shaggy. hair, and rough beard—stood looking eagerly, triumphantly at them both.. There was a malign sparkle in his eye when it fell upon Leigh, and a strange leaping flame over his whole face, when he turned toward Helen. But the effect of his gaze on Helen was singular; she shuddered from head to foot, gave a low cry and averting her face, as if she could not look on him, she rushed past him and fled from ‘‘ The Earl’s Folly.” One instant the stranger spread his hands, as if to detain her. Then he stayed himself and turned to Leigh. ‘Yes, I will help her. By Jove, a handsome woman ~ shall not want a coadjutor, while Bart Kemp is above ~ ground.” Saint : ‘«©And what has Bart Kemp to do with my affairs, or in my presence, uninvited? Out of here, and if you wish to see that mad girl, seek her!” ‘‘ Business first,” said the stranger, coolly. ‘‘I introduce myself as your mother’s step-son, by her first marriage with — Bart Kemp, my father. A sort of brother I am, you see, \ Lord Leigh, and evidently not welcome.” - You are a vile impostor.” comicbooks.co