The Man in Possession — page 141: what you’re looking at

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

136 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. ‘‘Can I be of any assistance ?” said a voice beside her. She glanced up and saw the tall figure of Tom Rivers. In the momentary relief and gratitude for his presence, she forgot her suspicions and hailed him gladly as a friend in need. ‘‘T want to get away from here, Mr. Rivers,” she said hurriedly. ‘‘But I cannot persuade Sir Wilfred to let me pass.”’ ‘‘Come, Sir Wilfred, you are detaining Miss O’Brien,” said Tom, laying his hand on the young baronet’s shoulder. Now, whether it was from his disappointment, or the champagne he had imbibed, or the unusual ex- citement of the evening, Sir Wilfred was by this time in that state of obstinate dulness and ill-humour which is the most trying stage of inebriation. The touch and voice of Tom Rivers acted like match to gunpowder. He shook off his hand and staggered to his feet. ‘‘What the d—1 business of yours ish it what Miss O’Brien wishes?” he shouted wrathfully. ‘‘ You go back to Ireland—and at-t-tend to your d—d brewery. I’m not going to be—be interfered with ;” and seizing his champagne glass from the table, he dashed the contents full in the young man’s face | COMICOOOKS.€O