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Wells, H. G. (Herbert George), 1866-1946

"The Sleeper Awakes A Revised Edition of When the Sleeper Wakes"


He looked up suddenly, and their eyes met. "I have not your faith," he
said, "I have not your youth. I am here with power that mocks me. No--let
me speak. I want to do--not right--I have not the strength for that--but
something rather right than wrong. It will bring no millennium, but I am
resolved now, that I will rule. What you have said has awakened me... You
are right. Ostrog must know his place. And I will learn--.... One thing I
promise you. This Labour slavery shall end."
"And you will rule?"
"Yes. Provided--. There is one thing."
"Yes?"
"That you will help me."
"_I_--a girl!"
"Yes. Does it not occur to you I am absolutely alone?"
She started and for an instant her eyes had pity. "Need you ask whether I
will help you?" she said.
There came a tense silence, and then the beating of a clock striking the
hour. Graham rose.
"Even now," he said, "Ostrog will be waiting." He hesitated, facing her.
"When I have asked him certain questions--. There is much I do not know.
It may be, that I will go to see with my own eyes the things of which you
have spoken. And when I return--?"
"I shall know of your going and coming. I will wait for you here again."
They regarded one another steadfastly, questioningly, and then he turned
from her towards the Wind-Vane office.


CHAPTER XIX
OSTROG'S POINT OF VIEW

Graham found Ostrog waiting to give a formal account of his day's
stewardship.


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