The Man in Possession — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

48 THE MAN IN POSSESSION. She was used to these logical observations on his part. ‘You look pale, Kate,” he said presently. ‘‘Come, you mustn't lose your good looks, or what will become of that grand marriage we've talked about? You are my one hope, you know.” ‘‘Beggars don’t usually make grand marriages,” said the girl bitterly, ‘‘even if they are as much in- clined to sacrifice their personal inclinations as I am.” ‘‘Qh, nonsense !” said the father lightly. ‘‘ Beauty can always command its price in the marriage market. Where's the duchess that could hold a candle to you? By the way,” he added anxiously, ‘“ when was it we arranged to go to Lady Jocelyn’s—at Croft?” ‘‘ After New Year,” said Kategloomily. ‘‘ But we can’t do it now. This man must be paid out before we can leave the house—and I have no dresses fit to go in.” , ‘‘Oh! it must be managed,” said herfather. ‘‘If only I wasn’t laid by the heels like this I’d con- trive something. Why, I’ve told you her son is one of the best matches of the day. Not go? And perhaps ’tis the very chance we've been looking for. Nonsense, Kate! Youmust pluck up courage and put a bright face on matters. We've got a week to look about us. Something is sure to ‘turn up.’”’ Cornelius O’Brien had a Micawber-like belief in that contingency, which was always to put his affairs to rights, and unravel the hopeless tangle of his dif- ficulties. Kate did not share that belief—perhaps from a long experience of its futility. COMicloe (Sri C(O)