A Heart's Bitterness — page 276: what you’re looking at

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

268 A HEART’S BITTERNESS, once told all to her father; and the wise old man, feeling sure that his child’s fleeting fancy, and not her heart, was enlisted, had insisted on a year of probation and part- EP eeung. : She told the little story simply, earnestly, frankly, with delicate tact, and tried to hide the truth—that Lord Leigh had not loved herself, had pursued Edna, and Edna had used all her power to try and comfort and help her, and make peace between her and Leigh; she also told how Edna had comforted and encouraged her. ‘I'hus Violet told her friend’s story. ) ‘* You think, then, she did not love this first lover?” “‘] know she did not. Here was a girl’s heart, faintly stirred by first words of love, which did not waken any real or strong emotion. And then the acquaintance was of the slightest—a few meetings, with the governess or her father for a third.” | “*T never loved but one,” said Lord Alwood, *‘ and that one—Hdna. I have always said I could marry only a woman who loved me, first, last, only. I could have the ghost of no dead loves rising in my married life. A coquette is a being whom I abhor. I believe marriage should be made on the simple basis of honest love. I felt sure that Lord Leigh could not have been truly congenial to Edna, and if there -- had been a long engagement, it was all on the ground of- social advantage. .I admit | was rash, hasty, jealous, un-. just. She ought to hate me, and, no doubt, she does.” Violet was silent. She took up a paper covered with cal- culations of certain interest, and knit her pretty brows, as - she studied it with zeal. | “Do you think I might have another chance?’ he Rae asked. ‘1 think you owe her ample and sincere apology,” said Violet, with admirable frankness. «She shall have it. Where shall I find her?” Violet still continued to study figures. Finally she lifted her sweet face. ‘¢ Lord Alwood, I have such a plan!” ‘‘Of a school-house?” asked the marquis, gloomily. “No. Hark a minute. This is my plan.” ao She bent forward, and talked earnestly. As she spoke __. Lord Alwood’s face brightened like the morning. (e(@) comicbooks