A Parisian Romance — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

A PARISIAN ROMANCE. 225 whose honor and truth she knew so well. Had things been different he might and probably would have learned to love this woman, who was so worthy of him in every way. But circumstances, destiny, fate, call it what you will, had been un- propitious, and the chance for happiness was missed, as, alas! is too often the case in a world which strikes us all at times, as if it were mis- governed. ** Of all sad words of tongue or pen The saddest are these—it might have been.” o + % x Xf % oe One afternoon, three or four days after Ar- mande’s visit, Madame de Targy was in the con- servatory, busy with scissors nipping off the dead leaves of the plants. Doctor Chesnel was an enthu- siastic lover of flowers, and would go miles and spend fabulous amounts to obtain some rare orchid or exotic plant. To this lonely old bachelor. his flowers were like children, and he lavished on them his tenderest care. The conservatory extended all one side of the drawing-room, and was famous for its wonderful collection. It was a proof of the doctor’s great affection for and trust in Madame de Targy, that he allowed her to care for his darlings. As she worked, stopping now aid then to inhale the odor of some marvelous rose or stately lily, Madame de Targy sang softly to herself snatches of the songs that had been popular in her youth, CONNIE OOOKS (E€©)