A Man of Mark by Anthony Hope
page 43 of 169 (25%)
page 43 of 169 (25%)
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"Then suppose I do mean it?" Donna Antonia refused to be frivolous. With a look of genuine distress she said: "You will not let your real friends save you, Mr. Martin. You know you want help. Why don't you consider the state of your affairs?" "In that, at least, my friends in Whittingham are very ready to help me," I answered, with some annoyance. "If you take it in that way," she replied sadly, "I can do nothing." I was rather touched. Clearly she wished to be of some use to me, and for a moment I thought I might do better to tear myself free from my chains, and turn to the refuge opened to me. But I could not do this; and, thinking it would be rather mean to take advantage of her interest in me only to use it for my own purposes, I yielded to conscience and said: "Donna Antonia, I will be straightforward with you. You can only help me if I accept your guidance? I can't do that. I am too deep in." "Yes, you are deep in, and eager to be deeper," she said. "Well, so be it. If that is so I cannot help you." "Thank you for your kind attempt," said I. "I shall very likely be sorry some day that I repulse it. I shall always be glad to remember that you made it." |
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