A Heart's Bitterness — page 273: what you’re looking at

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

, Veg - es ”. A HEART’S BITTERNESS. 265 the thought of such mistakes for you. Edna do you still love Alwood?” . z **J amnot changeable, Violet,” said Edna, looking at her friend between a smile and a tear. ‘* Darling Edna,” said Violet, in her most caressing tone, ‘surely you will not be so unkind as to leave me alone here to receive Lord Alwood. You know it is not for my own sake I am speaking. I feel sure if you two were to meet — the old good terms would at once be established between you. ‘The happiness of you both is at stake. Oh, it is asad — thing to part true lovers, my Edna.” ‘‘ Urge meno more,” said Edna. ‘‘ I cannot see him; all — my peace, my dignity, my womanly self-respect are at stake. I know if I met him I could not so command myself, but some look or tone must show that my heart is his. You know, Violet, how many there would be to say the poor rector’s child was seeking Alwood for his lofty rank, and loved the title rather than the man. I cannot lay myself open to any such suspicion by throwing myself in his way. — All is ended between us.” | ‘* But there is a mistake between you, I am sure.” , _ Tt is not for me to right it,” said Edna, and the leap- ing firelight showed her lovely blue eyes full of tears. ‘‘ And ‘ now listen to me, Violet, promise me that you will not speak of me—to him.” | ‘‘T cannot do that, for [should break my promise,” said Violet; ‘‘everything would recall you, and I could hardly e avoid mentioning your name.” «< At least promise me that you will not inquire into the — trouble between us.” ‘Yes, I can promise that. Ido not know Alwood well enough to intrude on his private affairs.” But Violet believed that she knew what the trouble was, oe and she set her loving heart and earnest mind at work to ~ try and find a way to right the wrong done by her dead ~ husband. ) The next day Edna went to her cousin near Hackney. 2 : Her going from the Towers was as a light withdrawn. Lord Alwood arrived just in time to dress for dinner. After dinner his little ward was brought to the drawing- — room, and then Lord Alwood had a long talk about the es- tates, and how they should be conducted during the little — — earl’s minority. | : comicbooks.co