His Other Wife: A Novel — page 35: what you’re looking at

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

‘s Uf es », «i Vt 1% Aled ov: tae \ Wy ‘THE WIDOW'S CONFESSION. 27 ‘‘Miss Morgan, you must excuse me if I refuse to answer any questions concerning your mother’s business, _ Of which I am simply the professional guardian for the present.” . Leda was silent for a few moments; then, with a swift -. Movement, she reached across the table and placed her hand upon Warren’s, which also rested on the opposite edge of the ebony slab. She raised -her eyes entreatingly, and said, softly: ‘‘Do not speak to me like that; you see how ill she is —that at any moment I may lose her. She hides her trouble from me, because she loves me too well to pain me; but I ought to know it—you see that it is time I did know.” The pressure of her warm, lissome fingers on his hand gave a powerful emphasis to her words, and Warren felt his fibers quiver to his very heart’s core under her touch. ‘‘It grieves me to refuse you anything, but indeed, Miss Morgan, I cannot tell you one word of what your mother has been pleased to confide to me—lI have no right. Command me to any extent that I can serve you otherwise. ” ; Leda drew her hand away, and: said, with cool haughti- ness : 3 ‘‘Thank you; but it is not likely I shall ask anything further of you after your treatment of my first request.” ‘*T am sorry that you take it'so, but I have no option,” said Warren, with severe dignity. | eomicbooks: (E(@)