The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 52: what you’re looking at

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THE EVIL GENIUS. 41 people—I beg your pardon, my dear; Mr. Ormond sometimes used strong language, and it breaks out of me now and then— the good qualities of that unfortunate young person can not have always resisted the horid temptations and contaminations about her. Hundreds of times she must have had deceit forced on her; she must have lied, through ungovernable fear; she must have been left (at a critical time of her life, mind!) with no more warning against the insidious advances of the passions than—than—I’m repeating what Mr. Presty said of a niece of his own, who went to a bad school at Paris: and J don’t quite remember what comparisons that eloquent man used when he was excited. ButI knowwhatI mean. Ilike Miss Westerfield; I believe Miss Westerfield will come out well in the end. But I don’t forget that she is going to lead a new life here—a life of luxury, my dear; a life of ease and health and happiness—and God only knows what evil seed sown in her, in her past life, may not spring up under new influences. I tell you we must be careful; I tell you we must keep our eyes open. And so much the better for Her. And so much the better for Us.” Mrs. Presty’. wise and wary advice (presented unfavorably, it must be owned, through her inveterately quaint way of express: ing herself) failed to produce the right impression on her daugh-~ ter’s mind. Mrs. Linley replied in the tone of a person who was unaffectedly shocked. ‘ ‘‘Oh, mamma, I never knew you so unjust before. Youcan’t have heard all that Miss Westerfield said to me. You don’t know her, as I know her. So patient, so forgiving, so grateful to Herbert.” ‘So grateful to Herbert.” Mrs. Presty looked at her daughter in silent surprise. There could be no doubt about it; Mrs, Lin- ley failed entirely to see any »ossibilities of future danger in the grateful feeling of her sensitive governess toward her handsome husband. At this exhibition of simplicity, the old lady’s last reserves of endurance gave way; she rose to go. ‘* You have a Preece heart, Catherine,” she remarked; ‘‘ but as for your ea A 93.29 ‘‘ Well, and what of my head ?” ‘It’s always beautifully dressed, my dear, by your maid.” With that parting shot, Mrs. Presty took her departure by way of the library. Almost at the same moment, the door of the breakfast-room was opened. A young man advanced, and shook hands cordially with Mrs, Linley. CHAPTER IV. RANDAL RECEIVES HIS CORRESPONDENCE. SELF-REVEALED by the family likeness as Herbert’s brother, Randal Linley was nevertheless greatly Herbert’s inferior in personal appearance. His features were in no way remarkable for manly beauty. In stature he hardly reached the middle height; and, young as he was, either bad habit or physical weakness had so affected the upper part of his figure that he stooped. But with these, and other disadvantages, there was COMNICLAO© Ss (E() im