A Heart's Bitterness — page 128: what you’re looking at

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

120 A HEART'S BITTERNESS, ous eyes on Helen’s handsome, dark, but secret face. ‘I never know just what you mean?” ‘‘'You force me to be very plain,” said Miss Hope, stead- ily. ‘‘I consider that it is Miss Ambrose whom your hus- band met, and with whom he has quarreled. He has had an infatuation for her. I heard she was here, and of course they were meeting, and I came here to warn you; for, as I told you, I want to be your friend. I think you tried to be kind to me, and I am very sorry for you.” ‘Tf your feeling is.so kind,” said Violet, ‘‘I think your acts are very unfortunate. Surely you cannot make me more comfortable by coming to me with tales about Lord Leigh. If there are unpleasant things, that I cannot hin- der, it were much better that I had not known them. I do not expect to be happy, but I should like to be at peace.” | — And you would ignore your husband’s unfaithfulness!” “Hush!” said Violet, angrily. ‘*‘ You are now slander- ing. You are merely surmising. Surmise good, not evil, if you are a good woman! A man may surely renew an acquaintance without being accused of unfaithfulness.” ‘‘But what would you do if the accusation were true?” cried Helen, holding her fast by both hands. ‘¢T would endure in silence,” said Violet, firmly. ‘¢ What! for a man who does not love you, whom you do not love? When you might free yourself by a divorce!” ‘<Stop, wicked woman! Do you think for any cause I would make my name, my home, the line I have entered, a cause for public scandal, the talk of all England? When nothing else is left me, I can at least patiently endure.” “When you might free yourself, and marry one you ove?” ‘Weak and foolish as I may be,” said Violet, rather to herself than to Helen, ‘<I should never fall so low as to des- -ecrate marriage in that way. What you suggest is wicked, ~ shameful.” ‘And you are resolved nothing shall part you from Lord Leigh?” | ‘‘ Nothing but death.” ‘“‘ How noble and good you are! Forgive me; I was only testing you. You are quite right, you are angelic. Oh, how I wish that such sweetness and faith could save Lord Leigh! They could, if he loved you. But love was not in é (eo) comicbooks