A Struggle for a Ring — page 112: what you’re looking at

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

| 108 A MOTHER’S STRATAGEM. Carsdale went into his mother’s room. She looked tired, and reclined on the couch of amber satin—TFloss on a silken cushion at her feet. The countess looked very grand and picturesque in a black velvet dress and head-dress of Mechlin lace. She looked up with a smile as her son -entered—she was always pleased to see him. *‘Alone, mother?” he said. ‘‘I thought Linda was here. ” ‘‘Linda is with the duke, my dear.. He asked her to take him into the rose-garden ; she went half an hour ago. sit down here by me, Vivian; it is not often that I see you alone. We have but few /ef/e-a-tefes now. Tell me what you think of the duke.” ‘*] think he is very noble, frank, honest, honorable, but very proud.” ‘‘Proud!” repeated the countess. ‘‘I have not noticed that. In what way is he proud, Vivian?” she asked, anxiously. ‘‘T can- hardly tell. He says so much about low mar- riages, and all that kind of thing.” | Lady Waldrove looked wonderingly in her son’s face. ‘‘Ts that all? Do you call that pride? I call it proper spirit, and I admire him the more for it. Is that the only fault you have to find with him, Vivian?” ‘‘I know of no other, mother. I really like him very much indeed—more than I can tell you. Has he said anything to Linda?” ‘1 fancy that is what he is saying to her now,” was the well-pleased answer. ‘‘ Vivian, give me that fan—the large one. I find the morning warm.” ‘“You are warmly dressed, mother,” said the young lord. ‘‘I like to see Pde in BACs velvet better than in anything you wear.’ comicbooks.com —