The Man in Possession — page 154: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 149 him, and he wanted a—a sort of investment. I'll give him ten per cent. interest on it.” ‘‘ He is as likely to get the interest as the money,” said Kate bitterly. . ‘‘ What was the sum altogether ?” ‘‘Qh—about fifty pounds,” said O’Brien airily. ‘Fifty pounds !” she echoed in surprise. Strange as that young man had been in his ways and manners, it was stranger still to think of him as the possessor of a sum of money which he was will- ing to lend to such a very doubtful personage as Cornelius O’Brien. But not more strange than that he should live such an odd, uncomfortable life, or adopt such a curious profession in his leisure hours. The more Kate thought of it, the more mysterious itseemed. But at the present moment her chief feel- ing was one of intense indignation. ‘‘ How could you take money from—from any one in such a position,” she said. ‘‘ What must he think of you?” ‘‘ That gives me very little concern,” said Cornelius airily. ‘‘ He is not a gentleman, and really, the con- descension was on my side. Some people would have had scruples about accepting money from such | a source. I—I did not wound his feelings by even pretending to think it was an unusual proceeding.” ‘‘And you say you have borrowed from Sir Wil- fred also,” Kate resumed sternly. ‘‘ You might at least have paid off the first debt before incurring another.” ‘‘Qh, you women, when will you ever understand the absolute necessity of possessing money! Idon’t like borrowing; I—I would really much rather live COMicloe (Sri C(O)