A Struggle for a Ring — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

AILIE'S PROMISE. 275 voices. I shall see you sometimes when you pass by—in © the morning, when you are going out to drive or to ride; at night, when you are tired, and the hour of rest comes, I shall hear you speak, even though not one word that you utter comes to me. I shall sometimes have to do little things for you. Lady Waldrove will tell me to mend your gloves, to cut your books, to get your papers ready, and it will be heaven on earth to me-—really heaven on earth. .I do not ask you to be kind to me, or speak to -me, or take even the least notice of me—only let me live near you. It is not much, but it will make heaven on earth for me.” ‘‘Poor child!” he said, pityingly; ‘‘it seems little.” ‘‘Ves; but it is so much to me—so much.” ‘¢ Ailie,” said Lord Carsdale, gravely, ‘‘ have you thought of what you are asking? If, as you say, you love me so very much, will it not add to your pain? You will be near me, yet farther off; you will see me speaking to others, and you will not, perhaps, like it.” : Then his voice faltered, and the words died away on his lips. ‘‘T know that,” she said, ‘‘I shall have much to suffer, I shall have some terrible pain; but I have weighed it over, and I say to the pain and the sorrow, ‘welcome, thrice welcome,’ since you came from my love. I will bear it all with a smile, only to be near you, my love, my love !” : | He was touched more than he cared to own. There is yet another thing. ‘*You think you love me so very much. Shall you always be sure of yourself—shall you always be discreet and prudent? Remember that want of self-control, even for one moment, would ruin us both.” | f comicboo 4 ) whe <) com —