A Struggle for a Ring — page 216: what you’re looking at

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

212 A SURPRISE. hands filled with roses, gathered just as that dainty wdy loved them, of all hues, with plenty of green leaves, and all shining still with the morning dew. During the whole season of roses Lady Waldrove had them brought to her freshly gathered and fragrant every day. Ailie entered, as usual, and was met by the countess, whose face had in it a shade more of animation. Floss _tried to bark, but failed in the attempt. Castor and Pollux greeted her with scorn, as though they would ask why was she busying herself with roses when two dogs required looking after. ‘‘Miss Derwent,’ said the countess, ‘‘you have some artistic taste, I know——— What beautiful roses! Pray ring for some water; not one leaf must fade. Lord Wal- _ drove and I cannot agree about this picture. I want to have it where the western sun-beams fall on its face; my lord would have it facing the south. What say you?” Without a moment’s warning or preparation she was looking on her husband’s handsome pictured face—the bright, debonair, noble face, with its dark eyes and beauti- ful mouth. It was_a wondertul picture; the eyes were full of light, and seemed to look with a conscious expres- sion. . | _ Lady Waldrove uttered a little cry, for the roses that the young girl carried in her hands were dropping on the eround, and Ailie stood, white, motionless, with parted ~ lips and eager eyes before that portrait. ‘‘Well?” said the.countess, impatiently; she could not endure that any one should keep her waiting. ‘‘ You have dropped all those beautiful roses—no, do not stoop for them; never mind them; I am waiting to hear what eb you think about the picture. Should it not hang facing | (eo) cComichooks