The Man in Possession — page 155: what you’re looking at

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

150 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. without increasing these perpetual obligations, but the world simply wont allow it. Somebody or something is perpetually asking me for money, and as I seldom or never have it, I am obliged to ask somebody else. There is the case in a nutshell.” ‘‘In its horrible, humiliating truth,” said Kate bitterly. ‘Well, put it how you please. Words do not materially affect the situation. The only point to be considered, now, is, do you mean to help me out of my difficulties? A girl’s ‘No’ doesn't stand for much, when a man is in love with her, and Sir Wil- fred has fairly lost his head over you. He'll be sure to ask you again before we go away. Won't you make up your mind to give him a different answer? ” Kate shuddered. All her former loathing and dis- like returned. Shecould not bring herself to contem- plate the position without shame and disgust. And yet what a prospect lay on the other side. Perhaps no argument her father could have used would have had the weight with her that that confession of his debt to Tom Smith had had. There was something intolerable in the bearing such an obligation. The more she thought of it the more indignant she became. The whole memory of that life of debt and disgrace—shifts and pretence—mean- ness and humiliation—rolled back like a wave that swept her into the old dark stormy sea again. Fora little space her feet had rested on firm ground. Her eyes hadlooked up tothesky and sunshine. Only for a little space. Such things were not for her. Which- ever course she took would not lift the burden of COMicloe (Sri C(O)