A Struggle for a Ring — page 261: what you’re looking at

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

UNHAPPY. 257 33 ‘‘ My dear Vivian,” she said, ‘‘ you speak quite reck- lessly ; and what troubles me still more, you do not speak like a happy man,’ There was. something bitter in the laugh that answered her. ‘Do I not, mother? Then I must be very ungrateful ; for most certainly I ought to be happy.” ‘You, the heir of Roseneath, a brave soldier, an ac- complished gentleman, a beioved son, the idol of your home—for you to speak of death as though it would bea relief to you—I cannot understand it. Yet, now that I look at you, you do not give me the impression of being a very happy man.” ‘‘Tt is all fancy, mother,” he replied; but Alice heard the tremor in his voice. ‘‘Vivian, you must marry,” said the countess. ‘‘No man ever feels quite happy until he is settled with a charm- ing wife. You must marry, my dear.” Did he remember her? Alice could-not doubt it then, . for a look of unutterable anguish came for one moment over his face—a look that she never forgot. ‘¢T will remember what you say, mother, ” he replied, hastily, as he turned away. _ Then Alice thought to herself that if he were going out. in the grounds to smoke his cigar, the best plan would be for her to follow him, and to talk to him there. He must know soon of-her presence, lest hearing her name and looking at her suddenly he should recognize her. Some keen, subtle instinct told her that he would never forget that, or forgive it. She must, instead of going to her own room to-night—she must wrap herself in something dark, and follow him. There would be no risk; even if any one should by accident see her with him, they would fancy, { Eomichoo S