The Man in Possession — page 159: what you’re looking at

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

154 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. and candid a soul, well, who in the world of men, young or old, were worthy of trust? None, she told herself bitterly, and if they suffered at women's hands, well, they deserved it. Sir Wil- fred was a fool, and weak as wax, but after all he would be her slave, and she could rule him as she pleased. If she had been tempted to care for—for somebody else, well, that was all over. A foolish fancy, rapid. in death as in birth, for no man who cared for a girl, really cared, or honoured her, would have behaved as—well, as that somebody else had behaved. She could never excuse, and never forgive him | There was a decided hint of social frost in the air next morning when Kate descended to the breakfast- room—frost that exhibited itself in chill glances, frigid greetings, disdainful withdrawals of skirts and finger-tips. The girl felt‘annoyed and discomfited, though she showed no sign. Even Lady Jocelyn was less genial and gracious than her wont. Kate missed Miss Judy’s kind face and garrulous tongue, and, though she would not confess it, missed also that courteous attention and warm greeting which she had always received from Tom Rivers. Aunt and nephew had left by the early train, and few comments were made upon their absence. Sir Wilfred did not come down to breakfast at all, and Kate could only take refuge by her father’s side, and heartily wish that their visit was near its conclu- sion. There seemed a general determination on the COMicloe (Sri C(O)