Gratia's Trials — page 203: what you’re looking at

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

194 _ GRATIA’'S TRIALS. ‘But I cannot—I w7// not believe this !” said Miss Melworth, looking wistfully from Mrs, Falconer to Alberta. ‘“VYou will when you hear the whole story of crime and rapacity,” said-Alberta, ‘‘Itwas my uncie whom she murdered | —a noble, gray-haired old man, whose only fault or folly was that he had become infatuated with her doll-like beauty. Ask her yourself and see if she dares deny it.” As Alberta spoke the waiter knocked at the door. ‘‘Lady Chichester’s compliments,” he said, obsequiously ; ~ *€and she will be here directly.” ‘«There !” cried Mrs. Falconer, as if her tidings had con- firmation strong. ‘‘I knew she would not dare to return. She recognized us, you see.” ‘‘But this is all so visionary—so impossible !” cried Alicia, rousing herself with an effort, ‘‘that I am sure a word or two of explanation must convince you of the misapprehension un- der which you have fallen. James’—to the waiter—‘‘ ask Miss Kempfield to come to me at once.” Gratia was lying on her bed, with her face hidden among the pillows, when the message was brought to her by James. ‘Shall I go to her?” Gratia asked herself, with a sinking heart and a face whose pallor surprised and startled even herself, as she caught its chance reflection in the opposite dressing-glass. ‘* After all, why should I not? What else is there left for me to do? Only, I had learned to love her so dearly, and when she casts me off, I shall not have a friend left in the world.” And so, feeling like a lost spirit who wanders by the side of its own grave, Gratia went down to obey Miss Melworth's summons. As she entered the room, she saw that all she most dreaded had come to pass. Alicia Melworth stood opposite the door, with a look of white, frightened terror on her lovely features, — and Alberta Falconer was supporting her, one arm thrown around her waist, while Mrs. Falconer sat, stern and hard as a condemning judge, beyond. Eomicbooks.co