Gratia's Trials — page 111: what you’re looking at

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102 GRATIA’S TRIALS. And he drew her arm resolutely through his, and led her down stairs to the drawing-room before she could remonstrate. The suite of apartments was lighted and thrown open for evening callers. Mrs. Falconer sat in a low /aufeuzl, with a book of prints in her lap, which Ida was eagerly examining. Robert stood by the carved marble mantel, sullenly looking over the evening paper, and Alberta was reading a novel. All four glanced up in some surprise as Mr. Miller entered the apartment, with his lovely young companion leaning on his arm. ‘“‘Julia,” he said, turning to his sister, ‘‘you requested me to speak to Gratia, and I have done so. Her answer has been quite satisfactory. Let me have the pleasure of introducing to you my promised wife, and the future mistress of this mansion.” There was an instant’s dead silence in the room, and then Mrs. Falconer started up, exclaiming huskily : “Tt can't be! It isn’t possible! Gratia Kempfield your promised wife—the bold, presuming ‘ ‘<Stop !” roared Uncle Ralph, in a voice of thunder. ‘‘ An- other word like that, Julia Falconer, and I will never look upon your face again. Remember, you are speaking of the girl who is nearest and dearest to me in all the world.” ‘‘Oh, Gratia, I am so glad,” cried Ida, hurrying to her adopted sister and nestling in her arms. ‘‘Uncle Ralph, she is the sweetest girl that ever breathed. Papa will be so pleased !” Alberta had been silent, while the varying color in her cheek, and the quick panting way in which she drew her breath, evinced the inward turbulence of her emotions. ‘I congratulate my new aunt,” she said, scarcely trying to conceal the irony of her tone. ‘‘This is promotion, in- deed, for the chambermaid at the Long Branch Hotel !” Mr. Miller was about to reply indignantly, when Gratia put her hand softly over his lips. Eomicbooks:co m