His Other Wife: A Novel — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

THE PLOTTERS. 139 ward, and, subtle as your influence over her is, you could never induce her to run away with you.” ‘No; I dare not even speak to her of love, far less of marriage. She takes fright like a timid fawn that hears the rustle of leaves, if I but approach the vital question.” ‘Then she is not in love with you?” ‘‘T know it; but the power I have over her at times amounts to infatuation. Opportunity is all that I lack to carry off my prize by strategy.” ‘«'That is exactly what I cannot furnish you. Miss Dra- per is an Argus that cannot be evaded, unless the girl willed to dispense with her eternal surveillance. In my opinion you have frightened her with your evil eye, and she keeps the governess close by as a counter-charm.,” ‘‘T’ve thought of that myself Is there no way to win Croft over?” | ‘He will not even listen to the suggestion. I’ve done my best with him. Indeed you cannot wonder, my dear Julian, for the world says ugly things of you; and, while Croft is no saint, he dares not brave social opinion so far as to consent to a match between his immaculate young ward and a man with your reputation.” »- @There’s too much truth in that view of the subject. _ But what need we care about his consent? Only help mié to get possession of the girl, and the rest is simple enough.” | '1.4¢J-dare not have any hand in such an intrigue.” - “Are you afraid of your husband’s resentment?” ~~ Gomichoo “Si (E(0)