A Struggle for a Ring — page 262: what you’re looking at

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

258 UNHAPPY. it was Lady Gertrude. It was late that evening before the party broke up. She was standing near the countess when Lord Carsdale came to bid her good-night. ‘(We have had a very pleasant evening, mother,” he said. ‘‘After all, it is delightful to be at home again. Have I my old suite of rooms, next to yours?” ‘‘ Yes,” she replied, gently; ‘‘I thought that you would like them best.” ‘‘T do; and, mother, do not be alarmed if I am late. My brain is excited by meeting with all these old friends again; it will take three cigars and two hours in the open air to send me to sleep.” ‘¢ Mind you do not take cold, Vivian,” said the countess, anxiously. ‘‘Il am always afraid of the night air.” He laughed. : —**That is capital advice to give a soldier, mother. I never think of heat or cold.” ‘‘It is a great blessing to be so strong,” murmured the countess, languidly. ‘‘I envy you, Vivian. Good-night, my dear; a‘hundred welcomes home.” Then the countess retired with great state and solemnity. ‘‘ Miss Derwent,” she said, ‘‘ bring a three-volume novel to-night; I feel as though I should never go to sleep at all, 1 am so pleased. It has done my heart good, it has made me feel young and strong, to see my son again— three volumes, if you please.” Alice sighed, the dreary, hopeless sigh of despair. If she had to wade through even half a volume, there was not much chance for her that evening. She stood by, quiet and sick at heart, while the maid removed the jewels and the costly dress, while she found the hundred and one little luxuries that the countess thought essential. Once, under the pretext of straightening the blind, she went to Saal (E(0) aalke oyo\e) CS co