The Man in Possession — page 326: what you’re looking at

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

THE MAN IN POSSESSION. 321 and I’m thankful that Sir Wilfred has seen his mis- take. The girl was too good, and lovely, and lov- able, to be sacrificed.” ‘‘Sacrificed,” echoed O’Brien pettishly. ‘‘ Why will you all persist in saying that? Kate acted of her own free will. I never forced her to accept Sir - Wilfred.” ‘‘No?” questioned Mrs. Lafaye, lifting her pretty eyebrows. ‘‘ But there are indirect means and ways of coercion quite as powerful as the rod and bread and water of childhood. I suppose you are re- signed to the change? I ask, because I know Mr. Rivers’ address.” . ‘‘Do you?” he exclaimed eagerly. ‘‘Well... you had better let him know what's happened. Of course, I’m very disappointed and—all that, but what can [ do?” ‘‘Nothing, I should say,” observed Mrs. Lafaye dryly. ‘‘Except give the girl a chance at last to be happy. She needs it. And now, I must really ask you to excuse me. The dinner bell rang quite five minutes ago.” Cornelius rose with some alacrity. He was notat all dissatisfied with what had happened, though still completely ignorant that he had once entertained ‘fan angel unawares ” in the person of a bailiff. He knew very little about Tom Rivers, except that he was heir to the famous brewery, but that was enough, at present. He left Mrs. Lafaye’s presence with a semblance of regret as to the turn affairs had taken, with a chastened sorrow that Kate should have been so 21 9 COMicloe (Sri C(O)