Gratia's Trials — page 100: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GRATIA'S TRIALS. 91 ‘« There!” cried Alberta, who had deciphered the message over Gratia’s shoulder. ‘‘I told you so!” ‘What shall I say ?” asked Gratia, irresolutely. ‘‘I do not see how-I can avoid going.” ‘“It's easy enough, if you choose,” said Alberta. ‘‘ Tell him you have another engagement.” ‘‘ But it would not be true.” ‘‘What nonsense !” exclaimed Mrs. Falconer, angrily. ‘*And why should I decline a pleasant drive with Mr. Arden- ham?” quietly persisted Gratia, who was beginning, in some measure, to rally herself from the unexpected attack which had been made upon her. ‘‘For no reason at all,” said Mrs. Falconer, her voice quiver- ing with passion. ‘‘Of course there can be no harm in boldly deluding another girl’s lover; it is done every day, I believe, and why not by you as well as any one else?” ‘‘Whose lover?” asked Gratia, fixing her clear hazel eyes full on the flushed face of the indignant matron. ‘‘ Alberta’s !” flashed back Mrs. Falconer. ‘“Mamma!” interposed the young lady, half vexed, half pleased. | ‘‘Tf that is the case,” said Gratia, quietly, ‘‘ matters are differ- ent. I will decline Mr. Ardenham’s invitation in Alberta’s favor.” ‘¢VYou will do nothing of the sort!” exclaimed Alberta, un- certain whether Gratia was sarcastic or a fool. ‘‘Gratia Kemp- field, if you dare 4 ‘‘T beg your pardon,” said Gratia, calmly; ‘‘my name is Falconer. ” Alberta dared not resent the words as she would have liked, She burst into angry tears. ‘Perhaps Miss adconer will be so good as to leave us now,” said the elder lady, frigidly. And Gratia obeyed, her cheeks aflame, and her heart angrily ‘throbbing. Robert Falconer met her on the threshold. Gomicbooks (E(0) m