The Man in Possession — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

. eg ee = — 312 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. do not object to my talking to my visitors,” she said. ‘‘It would be rather strange if I did not.” Then a sudden remorse seized him. Involuntarily he held out his hand. ‘‘Kate,” he said huskily, ‘you've been awfully good and patient all this time. I don’t deserve it. I’m a—a selfish little beast I know, but don’t you fancy I've been blind. Won't you—-won't you take my hand.” She came nearer, and put out her cold, listless fingers. The damp, hot clasp that seized them sent a shudder of physical horror through her veins. He recognised that and gave herinstant release. ‘‘ How you hate me,” he said. ‘‘Oh, don't attempt to deny it. Your looks say it if your lips don’t. Will you— will you sit down there a moment? I've something to say to you.” He indicated the chair that Mrs. Lafaye had oc- cupied, and somewhat reluctantly she took it. ‘I know, he began, ‘“‘ you think me an awful fool, and —and all that, and I suppose youre right. I’ve never done anything to be proud of except when I fell in love with you... but fool as I am, Kate, I can't see the—the changein you, and not speak. It’s a hard thing to care fora girl as I care for you, and know all the time she hates you and wishes you dead. Oh! don’t speak. You've been very kind and attentive—even my mother said so, and she’s not easy to please—but it was all duty, it wasn’t be- cause you cared a rap for me. I see it now. I mightn’t have done so but for this illness . . . it’s given me plenty of time to think, at all events, and to—to look about me.” COMICIDOOKS. C(O)