A Heart's Bitterness — page 230: what you’re looking at

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

999 | A HEART’S BITTERNESS. - “Do not think that I shall abandon my rank and my privileges without a struggle, and all that power, and wealth, aud prestige can do to maintain me in my place will be © done. Your plot will fail, wretch!” cried Leigh. ‘‘Heap names of scorn on me,” said Helen. ‘‘I bide my time. I will fling them back when I see you and yours leaving Leigh Towers, carrying no name but your mother’s name of Kemp. Come and sit down at my side, Norman; we are equals now.” TT could strangle you!” cried Leigh, in a paroxysm of rage. “Yes, do. Strangle me, and fling me into the Pool. _ But Kemp has the papers, safe with his lawyers. You will | _ only add a trial for murder to the trial of your title!” Leigh dropped back into his chair. ts*T defy you.” ‘‘ At least read the list of our evidence,” cried Helen, and lightly tossed him a folded paper. He read, and great beads of agony stood pearled upon his brow. Verily the case was formidable. Helen Hope wait- ed for the effect. | ‘< IT shall fight to the bitter end!” said Leigh. ‘‘ And the end will be bitter, when you resign your coro- net to your dearest enemy, Hartington.” . Leigh gnashed his teeth. “Tt could not even hereafter revert to your boy—as near- est kin to the colonel—he will be barred out.” _ Leigh groaned. He was not a brave man, nor a strong man, his life had given him that ill conscience that makes cowards of us all.” , ‘« There is a way of escape,” said Helen. ‘‘I can secure these papers, and tell you how to destroy these witnesses. I will do it on my own terms.” “And the terms?” | ‘‘ Make me your countess, and you are safe. You will be still Lord of Leigh!” , «There are some depths of infamy to which I cannot go _. down,” said Leigh, furiously, ‘‘and to link myself with you is one of them. As well lose my earldom as live the fugitive Lord of Leigh, the slave of the governess Helen Hope, while all England rings with my folly, and my son grows up to execrate alike my memory and my crime.” «‘You refuse me?”