A Yellow God: an Idol of Africa by H. Rider (Henry Rider) Haggard
page 82 of 319 (25%)
page 82 of 319 (25%)
|
night I should have spoken to you, I had arranged it all. Yes, if it had
not been for the story of that accursed fetish and your uncle's illness, I should have spoken to you, and perhaps succeeded." "I think not," she said. He turned upon her and notwithstanding the tears in his eyes they burned like fire. "You think--you think," he gasped, "but I know. Of course after this morning it was impossible. But, Barbara, I say that I will win you yet. I have never failed in any object that I set before myself, and do not suppose that I shall fail in this. Although in a way I liked and respected him, I have always felt that Vernon was my enemy, one destined to bring grief and loss upon me, even if he did not intend to do so. Now I understand why, and he shall learn that I am stronger than he. God help him! I say." "I think He will," Barbara answered, calmly. "You are speaking wildly, and I understand the reason and hope that you will forget your words, but whether you forget or remember, do not suppose that you frighten me. You men who have made money," she went on with swelling indignation, "who have made money somehow, and have bought honours with the moneys somehow, think yourselves great, and in your little day, your little, little day that will end with three lines in small type in _The Times_, you are great in this vulgar land. You can buy what you want and people creep round you and ask you for doles and favours, and railway porters call you 'my Lord' at every other step. But you forget your limitations in this world, and that which lives above you. You say you will do this and that. You should study a book which few of you ever read, where it |
|