Who is she? - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1878 Excerpt: ...I not already sufficiently degraded in your sight?" Cyril rises to his feet, looking very much discomfited; indeed, all his love, all the manhood in him melts into a feeling of intense pity, in which all the other more selfish passions are for the time extinguished. "The moment is not well chosen," he says, "I agree with you. Aught I can say of love now must seem an insult to you. Yet, believe me, it is because I have so greatly respected you that I have not ere this confessed my love." "If you respected me while I was honoured and loved by all, why can you not respect me now that I am alone, deserted and poor?" "In my eyes you are still the same proud beautiful woman you always were," he says, taking her hand. "Hush! I am unworthy of you," she cries, struggling to free herself. "Ko; nothing will make me alter my opinion. There must have been strong and powerful reasons for what you have done. You have been forced into your present position either by unhappiness at home and your husband's cruelty, or by your love for Randolph. I will ask you no questions. All I want is that you should believe in me, that you should accept me as your protector and avenger." "You love me then?" "With all my heart and soul!" "Alas! I cannot accept your devotion, for I could never return your love. I should never respect myself if I were unfaithful to him--never." "And would you be faithful to the faithless?" Mary makes no reply. She begins to walk up and down the room, looking very pale and evidently lost in deep thought; but her skirts do not rustle now, and I do not think any one would dream of calling her Frou-frou could they see her. Cyril thinks of this, and a sad smil...