A Struggle for a Ring — page 209: what you’re looking at

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

AILIE’S' WELCOME. 205 sad, sweet face, her heart warmed. She held out her white, jeweled hand in kindly greeting, while the dogs moaned in chorus. ‘‘ Welcome to Roseneath, Miss Derek ” she said ; then she wondered why a sudden light came over the beautiful face. To Ailie those words had seemed like an omen of good fortune. ‘‘ Have you had a pleasant journey?” asked Lady Waldrove; ‘‘the country is looking very beautiful, I should imagine. May is one of my favorite months.” Then, having exhausted herself, the countess sank on one of the pretty garden chairs; the dogs composed them- selves at her feet. She thought it just a little strange that the girl remained silent, with that strange look of wonder on her face—wonder that was half happy delight and awe. Madame had expressly stated that she was a quiet but entertaining companion. ‘‘ Perhaps,” thought her ladyship, ‘‘she is shy aaa fortable with a person of rank. J must set her at her | ease.” So she talked easily and kindly, until the white, startled face grew calm and still. What would she, the proudest woman in all Eaplang | the haughtiest -peeress that wore a coronet—what would she have said had site known that this fair-faced girl sitting so quietly by her side was her son’s wife?—wife to the brilliant, handsome young heir, whom she loved as she ~ loved no one else on earth. Could she have guessed. it, her anger would have been se great she would have dashed -the beauty from her face, and have trampled it out. As it was, the girl’s delicate beauty charmed “her; her eraceful loveliness and quiet elegance were above all praise. Then, when the countess thought her lord would have roused himself from his after-dinner meditations, she was anxious that he should see her companion, Lord Wal- os | Eomichoo S ( com