The Man in Possession — page 137: what you’re looking at

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

132 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. ‘‘Yaas, ya-as, by Jove, lam; I knowit. But it’s all your fault. “Pon my honour, I assure you. All your fault. I—lI never can think of anybody else now when youre by, Miss O’Brien. I’msure you know it, though youre so—awh—so cruel. I asked your father if you really disliked me, or if I had any chance, and he assured me you—awh, were quite favourable in your views—and I might—in fact hope. Oh, Miss O’Brien, Kate—beautiful, divine Kate, sayI may. I— I—in fact, I worship you—’pon my honour, worship is not half strong enough to express my feelings.” ‘‘Qh, please say no more,” exclaimed Kate. ‘‘ You do me agreat honour, Sir Wilfred, but really I—I don’t care in the least for you, and I am very sorry that you should have said this.” sir Wilfred’s face fell. ‘‘Of course you don't care. I—awh—I could not expect that so soon. But in time, and—awh—really, you know, I'd do anything for you. Anything in the world, and my mother’s so fond of you,” he added. The people had all left the drawing-room. Kate, embarrassed and annoyed at this sudden proposal, was meditating flight as her only means of escape when suddenly Tom Rivers appeared in the doorway. She saw him start; she noted also the quick glance he gave at the two embarrassed faces. Then he turned sharply away, leaving Kate once more alone with her unwelcome suitor. ‘Come, Sir Wilfred,” she said cheerfully. ‘‘ Let us forget all this and be friends. I assure you youve made a mistake in thinking I should make you happy. I—I couldn't do anything of the sort. I’m not a—a COMicloe (Sri C(O)