Gratia's Trials — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

192 — GRATIA’S TRIALS. ‘‘T suppose they must come in,” said Alicia, looking rather disconsolate. ‘At home, ma’am ?” asked the waiter, evidently prepared to report any message they might choose to give. ‘“Of course,” Miss Melworth answered. ‘‘And request Sir Hugh to join us at once. enough in the recess of the window, I am sure.” ‘‘But I had better go,” said Gratia, nervously. ‘‘ Indeed ycu shall not,” she could assume at will. whom our distinguished visitors are. Only think Don't go, Gratia—you are secluded said Alicia, with the resolute air ‘«Sit still—you’ve no idea as to She stopped, with a rising color, as the door was thrown open, and the waiter respectfully announced : ‘Mrs. and Miss Falconer.” Gratia felt as if every drop of blood in her body was changed to globules of congealed ice. Involuntarily she shrank farther back behind the sheltering folds of the lace window-curtains, and bent as closely over her sewing as if each stitch required to be taken with microscopic delicacy, while the well-known voices “of Mrs. Falconer and Alberta chatted away. After the first terror of their advent was over, Gratia began to hope that they might go away without even perceiving her. Emboldened by this possibility, she ventured to lift her eyes and cautiously steal a glance or two now and then at the ladies. ‘We thought, perhaps,” said Alberta, winningly, ‘‘that we could persuade you to accompany us ona short drive up to the park this afternoon, Miss Melworth. The air is delight- fully fresh, and it isa pity not to improve the few brief hours of sunshine that we can steal from the short winter days.” ‘You are very kind,” said Alicia, ‘‘ but we were there yes- terday, and I beli¢ve Lady Chichester has some other plans for this afternoon. cards. here ?” boo cOlIr SiC 44 3S I scarcely think she can have received your _ Gratia,” turning suddenly around, ‘‘will you besokind «| as to knock at Lady Chichester’s door and ask her to eg me ¢