What Will He Do with It — Volume 10 by Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton
page 38 of 91 (41%)
page 38 of 91 (41%)
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"Madam, let us not argue. As you yourself justly imply, man's heart and
woman's must each know throbs that never are, and never should be, familiar to the other. I repeat my question, and again I implore your answer." "I cannot answer for certain; and I am fearful of answering at all, lest on a point so important I should mislead you. Matilda's child? Jasper affirmed it to me. His father believed him--I believed him. I never had the shadow of a doubt till--" "Till what? For Heaven's sake speak." "Till about five years ago, or somewhat more, I saw a letter from Gabrielle Desmarets, and--" "Ah! which made you suspect, as I do, that the child is Gabrielle Desmaret's daughter." Arabella reared her crest as a serpent before it strikes. "Gabrielle's daughter! You think so. Her child that I sheltered! Her child for whom I have just pleaded to you! Hers!" She suddenly became silent. Evidently that idea had never before struck her; evidently it now shocked her; evidently something was passing through her mind which did not allow that idea to be dismissed. As Darrell was about to address her, she exclaimed abruptly: "No! say no more now. You may hear from me again should I learn what may decide at least this doubt one way or the other. Farewell, sir." "Not yet. Permit me to remind you that you have saved the life of a man whose wealth is immense." |
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