Gratia's Trials — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

GRATIA’S TRIALS. 121 because she has youth and prettiness. Well, we have said, and done, and dared all that is possible. All that remains to us is simply to value the goods the gods give us,’ While Mrs. Falconer and her daughters were thus discussing the affairs of the future, Gratia was in her room wrestling with her own heart, as Jacob wrestled with the angel of old. Ida, wearied with a more than usually exciting day, had fallen asleep on a low /e/e-a-/e/e at the other end of the room. A shuddering sob broke from her lips as she began noise- lessly pacing up and down the apartment. ‘What shall I do?” she murmured; ‘‘ whither shall I turn? Oh! if I were but safe in heaven with you, dear little Ray- mond! I know now that I never can marry that old man, yet how shall I ever muster courage to tell him so. I would rather go out again and toil for my wretched pittance of daily bread, than to perjure myself before the altar by becoming the wife of a man whom I cannot love.” Dinner was rather a silent meal this evening. Nobody ate much, and very little conversation was kept up at the table. Before the dessert was removed, Scipio came to his master, and announced : ‘*Mr, Parley, sah, waitin’ to see yer in de lib’ry,” in a low voice, as Directly, directly, tell him, Scipio,” said Uncle Ralph. Alberta looked meaningly at her mother. Mr. Parley, as both of them well knew, was Mr. Miller's family lawyer, and his unlooked-for appearance was an evidence that the latter’s determination respecting his will had been duly carried into effect. « Whatever the business was, it detained Uncle Ralph a close prisoner in his library until past nine o’clock ; then Mr, Parley having been honorably escorted to the door, Mr. Miller entered the drawing-room, and came straight to Gratia. ‘* My love,” he said, stooping over her with reverential ten-— derness, ‘‘I think you told me you had something to say to Gomicbooks (E(@