Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-02
CHAPTER III.


court in a low tone. There is no anger
in it; there is indeed only a desire to
show how tedious have been the mo-
ments spent apart from her.
''Have you brought your book, or do
you mean to go through your part with
out it?" Florence asks, disdaining to
notice his words, or to betray interest
in anything except the business that
has brought them together.
Il know my part by heart" he re-
spends, in q strange voice
"Then begin" she commands some
what imperiously: the very insolence of
her air only gives an additional touch
to her extreme beauty and fires his
ardor.
you desire me to begin?" he asks
unsteadi}y.
eff you wish it."
81 desire nothing more intensely than
to get this rehearsal over" she replies
impatiently.
you take no pains indeed to hide
your scOrn of me-" says Dynecourt bit
terly.
"Iregret it, if I have at any time
treated you with incivility," returns
Florence, with averted eyes and with in
creasing GOODNESS. "Yet [ must always
think that, for whatever has happened,
YOU have only yourself to blame"
"Is it a crime to love you?" he de-
mands boldly.
'Sir," she exclaims Indignantly, and
raising her beautiful eyes to his for a
moment, Il must request Jou will
never speak to me of love. There is
neither sympathy nor common friend
illness between us. You are we'll aware
with what sentiments | regard you"
"But, why am alone to be treated
with contempt?" he asks, with sudden
passion. "All other men of your ac-
Quaintance are graciouSly received by
you, are met with smiles and kindly
words. Upon me alone your eyes rest,
when they deign to glance in my direc-
ton, with marked disfavor. All the
world can see it. [ am signaled out
from the others as one to be sighted
and spurned."
you forget yourself" says Florence
contemptuOusly. Il have met you here
to-day to rehearse our parts for next
Tuesday evening, not to listen to any
insolent words you may wish to address
to me. Let us begin"-opening her
book. IF you know your part, go on"
L know my part only too well; it is to
worship you madly, hopelessly. Your
very cruelty only serves to heighten my
passion. Florence, hear mel"
Il will not" she says, her eyes flash
ing. She waves him back from her as
he endeavOrs to take her hand SIS it
not enough that [ have been perSecut-
ed by your Observation-Disclosures most
hateful to me-for the past year, but
you must now obtrude them upon me
here? You compel me to tell you in
plain words what my manner must
have shown you only too clearly-that
you are distasteful to me in every way,
that your very presence troubles me,
that your touch is abhOrrent to mel"
All" he says, stepping back as she
hurlS these words at him, and regard
ing her with face distorted by pas
sion, "if / were the master here, in
stead of the poor cOusin-ifI were Sir
Adrian-yOur treatment Of me would
be very different"
At the mention of Sir Adrian's name
the color dies out Of her face and she
grows deadly pale. Her lips culver,
but her eyes do not droop.
Il do not understand you," she says
proudly.
court. do you think / am blind, that
L Cd1l llOb SET HOW you nave given your
proud heart to my cousin, that he has
conquered where otter men have
failed; that, even before he has de-
clared any love for you, you have, in
spite of your pride, given all your af-
lection to himw
you insult me-" cries Florence with
quivering lips. She looks faint, and is
trembling visibly. If this man has
read her heart Alright, NAV not all
guests have read it too? Nav not even
Adrian himself have discovered her Sc
cret passion, and perhaps despised her
for it, as being unwomanly?
And more" goes on Dynecourt, ex-
ulting in the torture he can see he IS
infiicting; though you thrust from you
an honorable love for one that lives on
ly in your imagination, will tell you
that Sir Adrian has other views, other
intentions. / have reason to know
that, when he marries, the name of his
bride will not be Florence Delmaine. :"
Leave me, sir" cries Florence. rous-
ing herself from her momentary weak
ness, and speaking with all her old fire,
"and never presume to address me
again. Co."
She points with extended hand to the
door at the lower end of the gallery.
So StandinO with her evoc frapUnfv