A Struggle for a Ring — page 371: what you’re looking at

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

“THAT SEALS MY FATE!” 367 she could not. ears of disappointment filled her eyes. On other evenings the countess had always sent her here and there with messages to Lord Carsdale and to the dif- ferent guests, but to-night Lady Waldrove had nothing to say ; she was not in the very best of humors. Lady Ethel had that day received an invitation from the Duchess of Harrington, and thought of accepting it. Lady Waldrove was much annoyed. Why could not her son make up his mind, and ask the beautiful heiress to be his wife? b ‘‘Children are a terrible anxiety,” said the worldly mother to herself; ‘*a terrible anxiety.” So she sat silent and thoughtful among her guests, send- ing no messages, listening to nothing except her own hur- ried, anxious thoughts; while the white, beautiful face by her side grew every moment more haggard. Time was passing so quickly, and as yet she had no chance of giving him the note. Hecame up to his mother, by whose side she was sitting, and spoke to her; but the countess an- swered him half angrily; she was so bitterly disappointed ; she had hoped so eagerly that her son would marry the beautiful Lady Ethel. For the first time in her life, she was inclined to be angry with him. | As he was speaking, Ailie saw that his eyes were fixed on her—that they almost asked the question, ‘‘ Had she her answer ?” Then there came one moment, one half moment, while the countess was speaking to some one else, during which Ailie heard him say: ‘‘TDo not forget ; let me have your answer to-night.” She could not tell him it was there ready for him; she could not say, ‘‘I have been carrying this note about all day, and can find no chance of giving it to you;” and all =) ao) GOomic 900