A Heart's Bitterness — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

A HEART’S BITTERNESS. 189 ‘‘T certainly prefer to be alone. Since you have come, will you take me back to the drawing-room?” She turned her steps toward the house, but he stayed her. ““Qne moment. Will younot prolong your visit? Violet wishesit very much. I wishit. You are a great help and comfort to us. Jam never so happy, so able to be my best, as when you are here. - Will you not stay after Lady Bur- ton goes?” “‘ You are kind; but, really, it is impossible.” ‘“Don’t say so—don’t think so. Stay. My hope, my happiness, my safety depend on it. You must stay.” “‘T really cannot, Lord Leigh,” said Edna, striving to move on, but he held her fast. ‘Do you wish to go? Do you prefer to go?” “Yes. I have made pleasing engagements. I wish to fulfill them. Do not detain me in this way, please, Lord Leigh.” | ‘‘You cannot go. You shall not go. You drive me mad. You will go to the castle, and Keith and Alwood, and dozens more, will be sunned by your eyes, blessed by your smile, sighing’at yourfeet. By Heaven, Edna, every time I look at you, I curse myself for a fool that when you might have been mine, I let you go!” His voice alarmed her, but she said, firmly: «¢ Knough of that, Lord Leigh.” ‘No, no, itigsnot enough; I must speak—I will. dna, promise me that you will not marry one of them.” ‘©] shall make no such extraordinary promise.” ‘«*You must, you shall! Qh, say you will not love or marry; it would drive me wild!” «‘'his ig sheer raving. If it continues I leave your house to-morrow. Let gomy hand, Lord Leigh.” - ‘‘ Promise, that for five years, for three years, you will not marry!” | | «< You must be insane to ask such athing. What differ- ence could it possibly make to you?” << Why, none; yes, all—every difference. ‘’o know that you loved, to hear of your marriage, would drive me to suicide. Oh, give me room for hope, my Edna.” «Room for hope! What do you mean?” cried Edna in terror, starting from him. But he fell at her feet; he clasped her with his arms; he held her fast. | | | Gomicbhoo S) (e(0)