I Forbid the Banns! — page 37: what you’re looking at

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

ON THE ORIGIN OF A MAN. 27 some surprise that the authorities should exercise so strict a supervision over the visitors to the island as necessitated the attendance of the deputy governor in person at the gates to scrutinize the face of every applicant for admis- sion. “Let us hope it is not quite so bad as that,” said Charl- ton. “I am inclined to think that Mr. Southcote rather overestimates the extent of the political significance which would attach to an incidental visit-of his to St. Helena.” “Tt would be of imperial importance, Mr. Charlton,” said Miss Travers, with a little smile. ‘‘ And you,” she added after he had laughed in sympathy, ‘‘ do not intend to make the attempt to pass the scrutiny of Sir Ebenezer ?”’ “I certainly do,” he replied. ‘ To me that island beside us has a singular interest.” ‘“ What, you a Bonapartist—an I[llegitimist? Why, I fancied that all young men nowadays were ardent Repub- licans—except, of course, those who have something to gain by being Monarchists or Imperialists.”’ ‘“T assure you my interest in the place is quite personal,”’ said he. ‘It is painfully personal, in fact, since it begins and ends with myself.” ‘“ You have invested the matter with such an air of mystery—of secrecy—that one longs to learn what is its origin. If you say that the reason of your interest in the island is a secret, my longing to penetrate it will be abso- lutely irresistible.” ‘There is not much of a secret about the matter, Miss Travers ; and as for the mystery—well, I suppose that, as the matter has a distinct bearing upon what Southcote calls the phenomenon of love, we must, out of deference to his judgment, think of it in the light of a mystery.” “Deeper and deeper still,” said Marian. “I am now almost afraid to ask you to reveal anything. I wishI were well out of the business. Never mind ; I will only ask you (EONMIELOOlKS 5 (EC)