The Man in Possession — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

178 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. . ‘‘Can't understand why women talk politics .. . awful waste of time, don't yer know,” drawled Sir Wilfred, who wanted a &e-d-/éfe with Kate, and had vainly endeavoured to draw her from Mrs. Lafaye’s circle of attraction. ‘It must seem so—to people like you, Sir Wilfred,” answered the pretty American. ‘‘ You do all the work—and we all the talk—isn’t that it?” Then Lady Jocelyn proposed music and the group broke up. Cornelius O’Brien drew Kate aside for a moment. ‘Sir Wilfred’s been talking to me about settle- ments. He’s most generous. Faith, you're a lucky girl—and I’m sure you'll be happy. He wants the affair soon, and there’s nothing to wait for, so far as I can see. We must get the “/rousseau on tick. That's easy enough once the people know who youre going tomarry. When shall we say—two months—three? ” ‘¢Oh, no, not so soon,” exclaimed Kate, turning white. ‘‘I—I must have time to think—to get used to the idea. After all, Sir Wilfred’s quite a stranger.” ‘You'll know no more about him in a year than you do to-day,” said her father. ‘‘ Long engage- ments are a mistake.” ) He was terribly afraid of the proverbial ‘‘slip” between Kate’s pretty lips and this rare and costly cup. He knew Kate was self-willed and self-reliant. Not a girl to be easily led or persuaded. Although, contrary to his expectations, she had changed her mind and accepted Sir Wilfred, yet she might break off the whole affair again—if the fancy seized her. COMicloe (Sri C(O)