A Final Triumph; or, A Lady Bachelor — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

eae | Wikayse al ae CONFESSIONS. : 1? CHAPTER IIL CONFESSIONS. THERE are times when the slightest incident will give intimation of impending evil; when little events, which, under ordinary circumstances, would but excite a moment’s attention, assume a portentousness which is crushing. It would not appear that Eloise had sufficient provoca- tion for the feeling of sadness and apprehension which we have described; indeed, it would seem that she had exag~ gerated a commonplace aggravation—yes, so it would ap- pear; but love is singularly sensitive and keenly perceptive. These premonitions come to us unexplained. A shadow will settle over us when not a cloud is in view. Disaster, approaching unseen, seems to have invisible tentacles which it extends forward, touching the object it is to blight long ere the real evil strikes. | The fact that George Edicott should announce an illness that would prevent him from dancing was not an extraor- dinary incident—illness comes suddenly; but in this case Eloise felt there was something under this excuse which boded disaster to hopes that had risen in her heart, which, if dispelled, would leave anguish and despair behind. There was, besides, a little reason for her apprehension.. During the afternoon and evening, up to an hour or two. preceding the ball, George had been with her, and had ex~ pressed delightful anticipations in view of the evening’s ep- joyment. He had shown no signs of illness, and appeared to be in robust health. Then again, when he approached com Ghooks (ECO)