The Illegal Marriage — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

144 THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE. “Now that is too bad,” she said, gaylv, rallying him; “this is the second time that you have an- swered yes, when I’m sure you mean no. Are you building a castle? Will you make me chatelaine?” Stannard started when thus recalled to himself, and his face grew pale as he looked at her pleasant smile. In an instant she saw that he was distressed, and. dropping her work, took his hand. “Pray excuse me for speaking so; I was wrong.” “He is thinking of the woman he loves,” she thought—“ would that I could speak of her to him.” “William—something is wrong with you, some- thing troubles you—is the doctor worse!” “He is no worse, Cecy—on the contrary, Pierce thinks he is improving. But he will not be up for some weeks, at best.” “What then—may I not ask you? What is it that troubles you? Will you not let me offer the poor solace of my sympathy?” “Oh! Cecy, you do not know what you ask of me.” He paused for a moment and turned his head away from her, while she looked at him with mute appeal. He saw it as he again caught her eye. “Cecy, can you bear a great sorrow?” “Have I not already done so?” “Yes, but this is different.” She saw that he was agitated. “It must be about me,” she mused, “he would not show bis own trouble so.” And her quick mind flew from one thing to an- other, trying to conjure up some greater sorrow that could come to her. Was it of Alfred? That he could be untrue, never entered her head; she would have doubted Heaven as soon as him. Had some- thing happened to him? It was with a trembling voice, therefore, that she asked if it was about Mr. Guerry. “No, Cecy,” he replied, “it is about yourself alone.” The words gave her inexpressible relief, and she looked up proudly as she said: “J can bear anything that concerns me alone.” -_—_ (elo) comicbooks: m