A Struggle for a Ring — page 115: what you’re looking at

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

A MOTHER’S STRATAGEM. Ill ‘*When I was a boy and wanted anything, I used to kiss you for it, mother,” he said. ‘“You are a boy now, anda big one,” replied the proud mother; ‘‘I am not sure if a kiss will have the same effect.” . She saw a determined expression come over his face, and then she knew all was right. ‘‘Mother, do not tantalize me,” he said; ‘‘ tell me why you do not wish me to look at this picture.” ‘* Because the beauty of it is great,” she said, ‘‘and that beauty is not for you.” ‘‘How do you know that?” he asked, entirely forget- ting, in his eagerness over the portrait, the unfortunate story of his marriage. ‘‘ How do you know, mother, that I could not win it if I choose?” he said. ‘‘I could win almost anything that I choose to win.” ° He looked so kingly in his proud young beauty that his mother quite believed it. ‘‘It is not for you, my dear boy,” ” she said. “The _ original of that picture is the daughter and heiress of one of the most illustrious houses in England; her parents will expect almost a royal alliance for her. Do not think about her, Vivian; it would all be in vain.” ‘‘T am not so sure of that, mother,” he said. ‘*But ‘I am. Put the picture away, and forget it. Sleeping or waking, steel your heart against it—do not let its beauty gain on you; and it is very beautiful, is it not?” ‘‘T can hardly imagine that any living woman is like that,” he said. The countess laughed. ‘‘ My dear Vivian,” she said, ‘‘she is not a woman; she — ~ is only a girl—a slender, graceful girl, She reminds me Ss comicboo co aa