I Forbid the Banns! — page 374: what you’re looking at

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

364 “7 FORBID THE BANNS!” “The lady to whom I believe you allude,” replied the minister in his measured parliamentary manner, “said not one word to me that would suggest that she meant to leave the house in which, I understand, she was living. I need not, however, conceal from you the fact that I perceived some time ago that she would leave that house.” ‘“‘ How did you perceive that, may I ask ?”’ said Julian. ‘‘ How does a man perceive that, when the roots of a tree are rotten, that tree is bound to fall, Mr. Charlton? How does a man perceive that, when the foundation of a house is sand, that house will tumble about one’s ears?”’ ‘¢ Where is the analogy ?”’ ~ “T think it is apparent. There are so few instances on record in this country of a man and a woman living together happily for any length of time without having marriage as the foundation of their union, it is safe to assume, as I did, that such a ménage cannot bea permanent one.”’ ‘And I have no doubt that you were as frank with my— with her, as you are with me.”’ ‘JT never discussed the subject with her. If I had done so I should certainly have been frank with her.” ‘She told me that you had sympathized with her.” “She told you the truth. JI sympathized with her, I do so still. I sympathize with any woman whose weakness has been taken advantage of by a man, as her weakness was by you.” ‘You believe me to have been a scoundrel ?”’ ‘Most unquestionably I do.” “Great God! You love her—you love her—you have loved her all along—my instincts were not at fault.” “If your instincts led you to believe that I felt the deep- est affection for that girl who has been your victim they led you in a right direction. I have had that feeling for her. I have it still. I looked forward to the time when Gomichbooks (€(0)