The Man in Possession — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION, 153 he was wiser and knew more of the world than she did. No one could live on sentiments—and debts— and that was all she had to look forward to. Did love matter so very much? Was it so absolutely necessary to adore one’s husband? - None of the married women she knew seemed to care two straws about their respective lords. Yet they seemed to ‘get on” very well. And after all she would gain a great deal, as her father had said—a great deal. She sighed heavily. There was no one in the back- eround. Men were all alike—untrustworthy and heartless. She could see no way out of her troubles except by this marriage—and she would be candid with Sir Wilfred and tell him so—and that he must not expect any affection from her. The bargain was terribly one-sided, but if he chose to acceptit... well, there was no more to be said. The bells might be set ringing, the orange-blossoms bought, and the curtain dropped on Kate O’Brien. “T had better do it,” she said, rising at last and looking sadly and wearily at the dying flames in the grate. ‘‘I must marry—some day—and at all events Sir Wilfred will be easy to manage. I wonder if he will give me another chance?” She sighed again—but not for Sir Wilfred. The slow tears welled up in her eyes as she stood looking down at the dull red ashes. Her thoughts dwelt still with passionate resentment and bitter shame on the discovery she had made respecting that unworthy youth to whom she had said good-bye not an hour before. If he were false, he who seemed to own so brave - at tale COMicloe (Sri C(O)