The Man in Possession — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 147 ‘IT can’t think what’s come over you at all,” resumed her father. ‘‘ You were quite ready to make this marriage a short time ago, and I’m sure Lady Jocelyn is as anxious for itasIlam. Never did things fall in and fit in so beautifully, and yet you upset it all at the last moment by this piece of folly.” ‘¢Has Sir Wilfred told you, then?” ‘Of course he did. After that scene in the supper- room. Why, it was quite affecting tosee how cut up he was, and he’s lent me such a damned lot of money too,” he added. ‘‘Is that so?” said Kate, lifting her tired white face to her father’s clouded and angry one. ‘‘Did you borrow on the security of my accepting this pro- posal ?” ‘‘Of course I did. I never doubted for a moment but you would say Yes toit. Such achance! Good Heavens! you mightn't get another in a life-time. I’m not a worldy-minded man,” he went on pathet- ically. ‘‘I’ve not bullied you orbothered you. I’ve given you the best of everything when I had it to give, and let things drift along as best they could. I know I don’t possess much practical wisdom, but I do know a good chance when I see it, and I see it now.” : ‘‘T would have married him if I could,” said Kate sadly. ‘‘But, oh, he is so odious, When it came to the point, I couldn’t accept him. It seemed so in- sufferable, so degrading to give myself to such a man.” ‘‘Beggars can't be choosers,” said her father gloomily. ‘‘ And if you were half as sick of this life COMicloe (Sri C(O)