I Forbid the Banns! — page 366: what you’re looking at

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

356 “7 FORBID THE BANNS!” good for us, Mr. Charlton—not good for the carnisolists. Our membership increases materially in the winter. People don’t mind binding themselves down to eat nothing but meat in the winter; but strawberries and new peas are great temptations. The flesh is weak at such times, Mr. Charlton, in every sense.” ‘Has my wife been here this morning, Mr. Hardy ?”’ asked Julian, boldly coming to the point. ‘“ Vour—wife?”’ said Mr. Hardy slowly, pausing before saying the words, and making a considerable pause between them. “ My wife—Bertha—your wife’s niece—is she here now? If she is, I must speak with her alone.” “My wife’s niece is not here, Mr. Charlton—she paid us a visit in your carriage three weeks ago. She told us how she has been living. She has not been here since.”’ “Vou are quite sure ?”’ “ Personally I have no doubt in the matter. She came three weeks ago to have an interview with Eric Vicars.” “With whom ?” . “ Vicars, her father’s late overseer on one of the runs. A respectable young fellow. He has a large heart, Mr. Charlton, and has been occasionally sober latterly. He and Bertha were always good friends.” “Curse him!” cried Charlton. ‘Curse him! If I had not seen the way he looked at her and held her hand when you brought him aboard the steamer the day we landed, I should never have given in to her. I should have brought her to see how unpractical her theories were,and we should now be happy.” “You have now come to see that you behaved like a scoundrel,” remarked Mr. Hardy, as placidly as though he were making an ordinary statement. “JT do not want to discuss the matter with you, Mr, Hardy,” said Julian. ‘ Heaven knows that I am ready to eonicnooks (2(6)