The Illegal Marriage — page 102: what you’re looking at

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

94 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. “Yes—no—Alfred, let me tell you; I have prom- ised to be yours, and I will keep my promise; but, dear Alfred, you are not safe here—indeed, you are not. I cannot explain here. Oh, Alfred! do go away now and let me write to you.” - A noise in the hall made her turn hastily into the path; but she came back immediately, and, reach- ing over the pickets, gave her hand to him. A branch of the althea was pressed down between them, as he took her hand and pressed it to his lips. “Now go, Alfred—for my sake, go now.” “Cecy! I must see you for a few moments. If you do truly love me you will grant me a short interview.” “T dare not—Alfred, I dare not. Itis not for my- self that I fear, but for you. Papa is not himself now; he—he a: “Cecy, I must see you! Do you not care for me?” “Oh, yes, yes, I do,” she said, almost hysterically now; “but do wait a few days, oh, do.” “T will come at ten,” he whispered, after her, as frightened and trembling, she sprang away at the sound of her father’s voice. She barely caught the words as she ran up the walk. Entering the hall, she cast one glance be- hind, and seeing his anxious face, was deeply moved. He stretched out his arms toward her. Without noticing that the door to her father’s room was open, she motioned to him to go away, and turning, saw her father’s eyes fastened upon her. “Where have you been?” he asked, sharply. “Qut in the garden,” she replied, evasively. “I walked down to the gate.” “Has Stannard been here?” Eomicbooks com —