Her Faithful Knight — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

150 Passion and Poetry. all. Already I know everybody thinks I ought to have given up the part when the critics said I spoiled the play, and I would have done so but that I wanted the money so badly. But if you behave in this way I shall have to go.” Darcy sank into an arm-chair, limp and nerveless. For some seconds he remained silent, staring at her and gnaw- ing his red under-lip. Something about her icy purity, her unconsciousness of and indifference to passion in spite of the soft feminine allurement of her appearance, exer- cised an extraordinary fascination over him. ‘There she stood within a few yards of him, an apparently defenseless girl, yet so walled round by quiet dignity that the mere vulgar methods of love-making were not to be thought of where she was concerned. “Forgive me for offending you,” he said at last, speak- ing in very low and subdued tones. “I would not will- ingly hurt you for the world. And I cannot quite under- stand why you should consider the declaration of my love as an insult.” “T did not say it was an insult, Mr. Darcy. It is merely something I don’t want to hear.” “Ah! How can you be so cold, so cruel!’ he cried, springing from his seat, and smiting his hands violently against each other in his excitement. “Have you no pity, no mercy? Can’t you see I would give my life and soul for you? Is the whole love of a man’s heart nothing to you, less than nothing, that you should treat me with such disdain? Am I hideous or crippled that you should turn from me with loathing and contempt? Dorothy, turn your sweet eyes on me for a moment, and say that you pity me!” | “TI am sorry, very sorry,’ she faltered, withdrawing toward the door, ‘“‘that you should waste so much affection upon me. But as I cannot in any way return it, or, in- EOmIGcboo “S (S@)