Marion Marlowe in Society, or, A Race for a Title — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

Kitty Glenham had found some one to speak to, also; so, although the incident was not to be easily forgotten, it was over with a Bicaty an instant’s embarrassment, “Marion scores one,” thought Bert, with a ~ Jaugh in his eyes; still he felt a little anxious, for he could see that she had made an enemy of Miss Rushlyn. “It’s lucky I’m not sup- * p posed. to know her,” he muttered to him- a 5 son ‘gives me that much better: chance to — learn the schemes of her enemies.’ _ - The balance of the evening seemed like a curious puzzle to Bert. He studied the faces ¢ around him and tried to read their expres- sions, all in the ardent hope of being able to protect Marion. & He was mystified by nothing so much as _ Marion’s acceptance of Mrs. Stetson’s offer, 4 but, like the true, loyal friend that he was, he trusted her implicitly. Marion, with all her unsophisticated innocence, had aroused E _ the social demon of jealousy, and Bert was. keenly alive to the dangers of her position. ~ Her beauty was so fresh, so pure and so sweet that she shone like a radiant flower in _ this hotbed of artificiality. . = True, there were both matrons and maid- ens in those parlors who were most lovable and fair, but, as Mrs. Van Twiller had said, _ “the odor of the meadows” still clung about _ Marion, and to other eyes besides the Duke’s this did not seem to be’ objectionable. — Marion was girlish and frank, and her laugh rang out fearlessly. Neither wealth _ nor rank could awe her naturally independ- ent spirits, and as Lord Curry watched her he became almost sullen in his manner. He had been monopolized all the evening by one _ or two of the less aspiring belles and had hardly had a chance for a word with Marion. _ But before the evening was over the young _ Englishman had arrived at a startling con- _ clusion. _ He had learned that, in spite of his high Be arabitions for a brilliant marriage, he had _ become desperately in love with this country | maiden. nat Ea | CHAPTER XI. ‘ AN HONEST AVOWAL. a . ae * * 7e the days passed and Marion grew ac- _ ctistomed to these functions, she entered Fe. = 4 5 aby oo ae Cad ‘ . ae | MY QUEEN. 21 more and more into the spirit of Mrs. Stet- son’s ambitious planning, but upon one sub- ject Marion had suddenly become inflexible— she was determined not to be under obliga- tions to Mrs. Stetson for any more dresses. “I'll just wear my own simple costumes,’ she said, decidedly; “for you know, Mrs. Stetson, this is only a temporary arrange- ment and, in a few weeks at most, I must go back to earning my own living.” Mrs. Stetson smiled peculiarly, but did not reply. Thus far she had succeeded in con- cealing her real motives from Marion. “T wonder what will come next?’’ she said to Marion one morning, after a particularly brilliant function. She was seated at the breakfast table as she made the remark, and Marion glanced up merrily as she answered her: , “Brain fever, I fancy! Why, do you know, Mrs. Stetson, this excitement is kill- ing me! Really, when I retired last night my head was spinning like a top, and this morning I can’t say that it is very much steadier.” “And to think, you only drank chocolate all the evening,” exclaimed Lord Curry, com- ing in just as she finished. “It doesn’t need anything in the way of a beverage to make my head spin,” laughed Marion; “really, Mr. Van Twiller’s flattery is sufficient to set my brain to reeling—it not only makes me faint, but actually dizzy.” Mrs. Stetson laughed, but Lord Curry looked serious. “T noticed that he bored you; and I felt very sorry for you,” he said, quickly. “Really, I feel ashamed of my countrymen when I look at Wurtemburg and Van Twil- ler! Do we Englishmen really look and act like that, Miss Marlowe?” “Well, to tell you the truth, Lord Curry, ] have only seen a few Englishmen,” said Marion, candidly; “but those I have seen were all of them gentlemen, while those two stupid boys answer to no description what- soever. They remind me of the caricatures One sees in the papers.”’ “Dear me, how Jack and Gus would feel if they knew you thought that, Marion,” laughed Mrs. Stetson; “why, I understand that they have registered a solemn vow to ECO JOO AUUC HaCO