No Other Way; With 12 Illus (Paperback)

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. 1902. Excerpt: ... CHAFrER XXVI 'rrmrmbrr Not Past Yrars' Olivrr's task was done. Isabel was safe. No charge could now be brought against her. The bridegroom in that terrible marriage was silenced by death; the man of revenge was silenced by drink and seclusion; the Fleet parson was dead, his registers were destroyed; the dressmaker was a woman of many secrets, all of which were safe with her, provided she had her ladies' custom. Lord Stratherrick could do nothing but repeat what he had heard, but his silence had been bought, and that in the most friendly manner possible. The landlord of the Grapes had no purpose to gain by repeating a rumour of which he had no proof. His silence, too, had been bought. The lady's reputation, in a word, was saved. It only remained to communicate to her the news that the business was now concluded, and the past buried, and that, as far as could be predicted, it would never be remembered or revived. Oliver sighed as he thought of the reward that might be offered him. He recalled Alice's warning that Isabel regarded him in a way which he could not return. For now, in the first flow of gratitude, words might be said, a reward might be offered, which, in common gratitude for all Isabel had done for him, he could not refuse. He owed everything to her--his freedom, his good name, his present prospects, his hopes, his ambitions. He repeated to himself that she had found him in the deepest distress, and had taken him out of his misery. He had no right to entertain even the thought of any other woman, if this woman should haply claim more than gratitude, more than friendship. Isabel was in her parlour, the room at the back on the ground-floor--her own room, where she sat when she was alone, surrounded by her books and her pictures. She looked up, when...