A Heart's Bitterness — page 73: what you’re looking at

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A HEART’S BITTERNESS. 8 a house with your glass, or look a person down, as Lady Clare does. But she has one charm—she has the most — beautiful hands and arms in the world.” ‘* And she shows them off all the time,” cried Violet. ““Who wouldn’t when they are so superb? Now yours are too slender,” said the husband, with refreshing frank- ness. Violet was ashamed of Herself that she had shown any pettishness about her cousin. The nature of Lady Leigh was generous and noble. She.desired to change the con- — versation, and so cease to discuss Lady Clare. ‘ ‘““When are we going to Switzerland? I am tired of aris.” “Let us start Friday, if you do not fear the day. Are you in haste to get away from Lady Clare? Surely you are not doing me the honor to be jealous of me?” ‘““No, I am not. Only love is jealous,” said Violet, angrily. “Fie, child, don’t be angry. Why do we come on the verge of quarrels constantly? We need a third party to keep the peace between us. I mean to ask Keith to join us in Switzerland. He will be good company.” That evening at the opera, between the acts, Kenneth Keith made his way to Violet’s box. » Leigh welcomed him. “ Keith,” he said, after a few moments, ‘‘come with us to Switzerland. You’ll understand Lady Leigh’s rap- tures over scenery much better than I shall. Ill depend on you for all the poetry about ‘ gentian bells,’ and ‘ rosy snows,’ and ‘ gleaming glaciers.” I promised to go to Lady Clare Montressor’s box Shall I leave my wife in your care?” Much as he loved Violet, Lord Kenneth Keith loved honor more. Violet’s timidity ,and her husband’s confi- dence, called him to the serene and easy paths of simple friendship. He summoned all his tact, and when they left the opera-house, Violet’s heart felt at rest. What had she feared? What had she to fear? She had lost in Keith a lover, but she had gained a friend and brother. What could - be more sweet? . | «“You’ll come along with us, Keith?—save us a guide?” said Leigh, as Keith stood by their carriage. Keith looked at Violet, and’ the happy, hopeful look in the ingenuous brown eyes-decided him for the path of dan- ger. He answered: Eomicbooks co