A Heart's Bitterness — page 147: what you’re looking at

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

A HEART’S BITTERNESS. G96 eta with Persian lilacs; but Lord Leigh felt alittle glow of pride stir his heart, as his young countess, in a rose-colored bro- cade, shimmering with multitudinous diamonds in count-. less points of lght, cauzed a buzz of admiration even through that self-contained, aristocratic assembly, as she moved up, and took her place beside her aunt. ‘The Mar- quis of Alwood, prospective Duke of Ripon, pressed for- ward at once to be presented to her, and asked her hand for the first dance. Sunned in. universal applause and admira- tion, Violet stood with a bright face, smiles wreathing her lips, dimpling her cheeks, gleaming in her uplifted brown > eyes; her voice rippled merrily in piquant, artless sayings; without vanity or coquery she stood the center of all eyes. Suddenly the Marquis of Alwood gave a start. «© Lady Leigh! . Tell me—who is that divine creature!” Violet looked up. Edna Haviland, in a simple robe of eream white satin, with no ornaments but lilies of the val- — ley, was entering the room with Lady Burton and Lord Kenneth Keith. There was almost a hush of admiration and wonder. Vio- let whispered: ‘‘Tt is my dear friend, Miss Edna Haviland;” and yet her heart grew sick and faint. The words reached not only the marquis, but Lord Leigh. He turned, and his eyes fell on the womam whom. he worshiped. After saluting the Countess Montressor, Lady Burton and her two companion’s turned to Violet’s party. - It was Vio- let herself who presented the Marquis Alwood and Lord — Leigh to Miss Haviland. The honest soul of Edna was dis- pleased at the idea of seeming to be a stranger to one whom she knew so well. She said, quietly, as she gave Norman Leigh her hand for a second: | ‘Lord Leigh and I have met before; I trust we are fairly Se good friends.” Norman Leigh nearly lost his breath in wonder at Edna's beauty, and her unexpected appearance. At first he was so dazzled by his good fortune at meeting her, and by admira- tion, that he forgot everthing but to gaze at her. He came to his senses in realizing that the Marquis of Alwood, Lord Keith, and Sir Tom had seized the opportunity of se- curing her hand for several dances. He pressed hastily to her side. | Eomicbooks:co