A Heart's Bitterness — page 196: what you’re looking at

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

a trays i} hat Se Mees a ! Lee ¢ Lee . s Wace ARAA ae Ff { TTR ae 4, ue 2 Ot 8 Td etd = Dey _ ir - + eae ba, i md Se * 188 5 A HEART’S BITTERNESS. will arrange to have you take him to a private asylum in Scotland.” ) Now, indeed, Leigh breathed more freely. The terror of --acrime was lifted from his spirit. The wish of his heart was gratified, when he could tell Colonel Hartington his hope of an heir. And Edna had yielded to Violet’s entreaties, and would accompany Lady Burton for a fortnight’s visit at Leigh Towers. But, after she left the Towers she would be con- stantly in the society of Keith and Alwood. ‘T'o see her was to love her, and, no doubt, ere long Edna would be the wife of some happier man. These thoughts so goaded him that while Edna was at the Towers they unhappily found expression. A number of ouests were at the Towers during July, and Edna had chosen that time for her visit, hoping to find safety in numbers. She would not have gone at all, only Violet begged so pite- ously that she could not refuse, and very happy Violet was for that two weeks. It was on a lovely moonlight evening that Edna, seeing all the circle in the drawing-room well engaged, stepped trom the long window upon the terrace, and strolled from the house. , Unhappily Leigh, whose furtive gaze followed her con- tinuously, had seen her graceful figure steal from behind the silken hangings. He was playing chess with Gore, and | though far the better player, suddenly in two moves allowed himself to be checkmated. ‘* What has come to you?” cried Gore, laughing. ‘‘Simply charity. I saw Anna alone in a favorable nook - behind the piano, and I thought it a benign time for you to go and do a little courting, I shall steal out.and have a sol- itary cigar.” He made good his escape, followed Edna by some swift instinct, and she started, as in the moonlight, in music and perfume, he came to her and touched her hand. “Edna!” ““QOh, Lord Leigh, why are you away from your guests?” “* Because one guest, the guest is here.” : ‘* But why did you follow me?” she said, turning coldly. ‘* Do you wish—would you prefer it had been another?” Lo cried Leigh, in jealous pain. ‘Gomichbooks (E(0)