Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. 175 soft hands pressed against the noblest heart that ever beat in a man’s bosom! What a slow torture had she given out to that heroic, devoted soul! But for her—but for her— what rich joy and blessing might have blossomed in Jane’s own life! Pity her? No! Jane, so tender hitherto to the pangs of the humblest creature, stood there relentless and hard as iron. | ‘‘Doctor Morley is dead. Perhaps you know it. I lived with him many years. I did what I could to assuage the erief and sorrow of the noblest man who has lived in these degenerate days. But he is dead now, and his trials ended.” » The lady was still gasping and trembling. She looked longingly toward the silver tray standing on the little table with glasses and ice pitcher. It was a hard thing for Jane to do, but when her physi- cian’s eye saw that her noble companion was suffering severely and nearly fainting, she poured out a glass of water and carried it to her, and held it while the ghastly lips swallowed it greedily. ‘“T shall be better in a few moments. If you will be good enough to help me, I should lke to hear the rest in my Own room.” — After a moment’s hesitation, Jane gaye her the help of her strong arm, and thus together they mounted the great staircase and entered the luxurious apartment fitted up for her sitting-room. The dressing-maid, busy there dusting out a jewel casket, looked up in surprise. “« Leave the room, Madge; this is a friend of mine come for a confidential talk with me.” The girl went, leaving the toilet-table littered with jewels. Jane put her into the easy-chair, and stood ‘up before her, “ rte Pee ie Fees RAY ao ai © OP 1 ae Spee 2 i ee a ot ig ihe pee EN ot Fra Bie geht iety teat iee, A ead or Aen ‘ie a ELS Bylee : he tI 7 vr -te or ‘ r ie ars | ioe rs 7 ‘ - : oo j S 2 j .S / “comicboo co