The Man in Possession — page 265: what you’re looking at

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

260 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. appeal to me. It was so delightfully uncon- ventional.” “It was a great piece of folly,” he said, colouring. ‘But I never dreamt of its results.” ‘Exactly. The observation is strikingly novel. And now, tell me, was Kate very angry with you? ” ‘Terribly. She seemed to think I purposely in- sulted her.” ‘‘Thats what she wrote to me,” said Mrs, Lafaye thoughtfully. ‘‘But Irish people are hot-tempered as well as proud. I suppose your're not above ac- knowledging she has some faults, or—are they only distinguished virtues in your eyes?” ‘“‘T—I can’t help thinking she was Justified in what she said. You sce, I had only one excuse to offer, and that she wouldn't believe.” ‘You think she does nat care?” ‘‘T am sure of it,” he said hopelessly. ‘When you are older—and wiser, you will not judge a woman by her words, but by her actions. And you will find then how contradictory the two are. That's what makes usseem so puzzling to men.” ‘‘Thank you,” he said, ‘‘for the information. I promise you I will lay it to heart.” ‘‘Do,” she entreated. ‘‘And now as I’m con- vinced Colonel Lawrence has decided on that dun- geon and is coming to give us the imformation, I wont say any more on the subject. But you may trust me to consider your interests. ” ‘“‘T think,” said Colonel Lawrence, standing before her as stiff and straight as if suddenly brought to “attention’—‘‘I think that you will find Dumbar- COMicloe (Sri C(O)