Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

Emelie Graham’s lips trembled, and she could not reply. She had never half comprehended the great- ness of this man’s nature. All her burdens, all her difficulties were slipping from her shoulders be- neath the magic of lis love. While he wrapped the mantle of his protection so tenderly about her that all care and anxiety seemed suddenly shut away from her, “How long will it take to settle up your business?” Mr, Earlescourt continued, practically, as he saw that she was on the point of breaking down. The question restored her composure instantly, and her active mind began at once to plan for the bright future awaiting her. She felt sure that her assistant, Mary Walker, would be glad to become the proprietress of her well- regulated establishment and flourishing business. It would take but very little time to make the transfer, and she had no outstanding bills to collect, for she had rigidly insisted upon doing a cash business from the first. She knew well enough that her mother would ac- company her to England to live, for she had no strong ties to bind her to this country, while Mr. Barles- court’s delicate proposal to regularly adopt Marie settled the question of her future. “How long can you wait?” she asked, after consid- ering these poiuts for a moment. “Not a moment longer than is absolutely neces- sary,” Mr. Earlescourt replied, gravely. “You must return soon?” ‘‘Very soon.” “Your business is imperative ?”’ “Very 7 But the twinkle in his eye, as it met hers, half- belied his statement, and the next moment he laughed outright. “8ee what a tyrant you have proniised yourself to, my Emelie,” he said, archly. “But seriously, dear, I do not wish to put you to the least inconvenience; I will not hurry you unduly, only I cannot bear to de- fer our happiness for any false notion regarding 30- ealled etiquette. The most imperative business I have on hand just now is to secure my wife and take her home, Earlescourt has long beeu without a mis- tress, Emelie; not since my dear mother’s death has it known the presence of a woman, excupery Seq — “oe Pr