A Struggle for a Ring — page 121: what you’re looking at

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

A HUSBAND'S CAUTION. 117 ‘¢Why not ask them, mother?” he said, at last. ‘Lady Pierpont is so particular; she never likes her young daughters to visit where there are marriageable men.” ‘‘‘Then how does she expect the Lady Ethel ever to get married ?” The countess smiled with calm disdain. ‘* My dear Vivian, I had not imagined you so ignorant of the world’s ways. Lady Ethel will be married as royal princesses are married—to the most eligible man that offers. So far from being taken about to meet eligible men, she will be kept out of their way. It must be something more than a mere eligible man for Lady Ethel | Pierpont.” There was no reply; but the gloomy look that deepened on her son’s handsome face seemed to give the countess much pleasure. What keen, bitter anguish it would have caused had she known what brought it there! ‘*T think,” said Lady Waldrove, ‘‘that I shall make the experiment. I can hardly imagine that Lady Pierpont would refuse me. Of course, if Linda were marrying a commoner, it could not be thought of; but marrying a duke is quite another thing. Lady Ethel and Gertrude could be first bride-maids. How silent you are, Vivian.” ‘‘T am thinking, mother. Iam listening to all you say, ~ and thinking of it. I—I hope you will ask them, and they will come. I BOG ake to see this beauty of yours, just for once, before I go.” ‘‘What a despondent tone!” laughed the countess. ‘‘VYes, I think that I shall ask her; it ide be one of the events of the day—the duke’s marriage.” ‘*Do you expect that it will be soon?” he askedic ‘‘ Yes; the duke seems very impatient. ‘This is Sep- — : cComicbooks | ee)