The Man in Possession — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 259 cent, in order to pique another man about whom she does care a—very, very great deal.” The young man’s face had grown strangely white. “I know she’s going to marry,” he said. ‘‘ But why should you think it’s out of pique? She— she’s not that sort of girl, surely.” ‘‘Oh, were all ‘that sort of girl’ when we’re mad with some one we care for and he’s done—well, done something stupid—or reckless,” exclaimed Mrs. La- faye. ‘‘ Half the marriages are made in haste—or in disappointment. But I’m not going to let Kate O’Brien make a fool of herself if I can help it, and I want you to assist me to prevent her doing so.” _ “You needn't ask me to do that: I'd give my life for her,” exclaimed Tom passionately. ‘‘ But,” and his face grew gloomy, ‘‘she’s refused me—and sent me away. She said she would never forgive me.” ‘Oh, a girl's never,” laughed Mrs. Lafaye. ‘“‘T know what that means, Will you put your case in my hands and trust me? I've only got her happiness at stake. I must act promptly and decid- edly. Will you trust me?” ‘Most heartily. But I confess I’m not very hopeful.” ‘“Well,” said Mrs. Lafaye, looking up at him with her laughing eyes, ‘‘you’ve put yourself into rather a queer position, haven’t you?) Somehow romance doesn’t pay in real life as well as it does in a novel. You see we can’t fix up our situations to suit our characters, and we can’t make the characters act and think as we want them. Now I admire your be- haviourimmensely. It’s just the sort of thing would ECOMNCE OOO SS) (SO