A Struggle for a Ring — page 259: what you’re looking at

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

UNHAPPY. 255 up to Lady Ethel then, and Alice watched—watched while the gentle, Joving heart seemed to break. The happy light that came from happy thoughts deep- ened in Lady Ethel’s eyes; the radiant face seemed to grow brighter; there was a smile of unutterable beauty and sweetness, as he took a seat by her side. What was he saying in a low voice as he bent his head? Something that brought a flush of color to her face. Alice looked at the crimson roses on the golden hair, at the diamonds cn the white throat, at the gleam of jewels, at the folds of white lace, at the lovely white neck and shoulders. Ah! who could resist her?—was she not the very queen of love? Women have suffered much and will suffer again; they have endured the pangs of death with a smile, they have walked with bleeding feet over sharpest thorns and have betrayed no pain; they have listened to words which were their death-warrant, and have answered with a bright laugh; they have stood still, firm, undismayed, while the sharpest sword has pierced their hearts; but, perhaps, no woman ever suffered more keenly than Alice, as she sat watching her husband and Lady Ethel. Then some one came up to the beautiful heiress and took her away, leaving Lord Carsdale alone. Alice saw how his face changed, how the light died out of it, how the eyes darkened and stern lines came round the ‘lips. - What was he thinking of then? Could it be of her? Then Lady Ethel came back, and something was said of music. ‘Will you sing, Lady Ethel ?” asked the countess; and as she rose with a smile to comply, Lord Carsdale touched her arm. | Gomic ool) Ss