A Heart's Bitterness — page 58: what you’re looking at

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

\ 50 4 HEART'S BITTERNESS. erness; but just now she gives lessons in fancy work, and I engaged her to teach me embroidery.” «¢ And where did you pick her up?” «‘T met her at the museum yesterday.” . *T declare, if you are a married woman, you need a chap- eron as much as if you were a chit of fifteen, just out of your school-room.” «< Why do you speak so to me?” cried Violet, in anger. ‘‘ Because you deserve it. The idea of Countess Leigh _ making an intimate of any stranger that she picks up in the museum.” ‘<T do not make an intimate,” said Violet, hotly. Then she stopped and blushed, for she realized that in some way Miss Hope had led her on to talk in a free and friendly strain, both at the museum and that morning in the boudoir. She certainly had made the acquaintance very easily. And she had never thought of the suggested recommen- dations. No doubt she had been childishly rash. She might have repented had Lord Leigh been wise enough to leave her to her own reflections. But he went on: | _ * Adventurer is written on the woman’s face. People of that stamp are full of lies and gossip, and go about to de- ceive, and make trouble, and fasten themselves like vam- pires on rich young women, such as you.” “What?” cried Violet. ‘‘Kven a teacher of embroidery follows me for my fortune?” | _ “Certainly; it is the first thing one thinks of about you. You will be the prey of the public if you are so approach- able. I wish you not to make acquaintances except those that I introduce to you.” ‘* You mean to be a tyrant, then?” ‘* Has not that always been the rule with you? Did your aunt allow you to take up with strangers? Certainly not. _ And I am quite as much interested in your welfare. I do not like the woman’s looks. I forbid you to have anything more to do with her.” | ‘“{ must finish my lessons,” said Violet. - © Of sof# other teacher; not of her. Remember that young, and inexperienced, and evidently careless, as you are, if you fall in with people in this way, you will come ‘ es upon some evil genius of your life who will ruin you, Here cComicbooks (E(@)