A Struggle for a Ring — page 75: what you’re looking at

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

WELCOMING A SON-IN-LAW. nr ‘‘Try a cup of tea, Mr. Nelson,” he said; ‘‘we have some very nice sausages—they are home-made—you may rely on them.” ‘Thank you,” said Lord Carsdale, stiffly. ‘If you would like a little drop of something stronger than tea, sir, having traveled so far?” suggested John Derwent. Lord Carsdale felt almost inclined to be angry, but when he -raised his eyes he met the imploring gaze of Alice; the beautiful face, with its expression of wistful pain, was raised to his, and his humor suddenly changed— he could not be cross; they were her people, and, as he had married her, he must not complain. The humor of the situation grew upon him; he, the heir of Roseneath, invited to dine upon tea and sausages, with a faint prospect of something stronger than tea! He laughed—it was im- possible to help it. Outspoken Hettie said, in her frank way: ‘*T am glad to hear you laugh; you looked so solemn and stately, I thought perhaps you did not know how.” ‘‘Hush, Hettie!” cried Alice. But Lord Carsdale only laughed again. ‘©T shall hope to show you, Miss Hettie,” he replied, ‘that I not only know how to laugh myself, but that | make others laugh.” ” ‘‘T am sure of it,” she said. But her accent was so dubious, he did not know whether the words were meant as a compliment or not. Then the grand tea business began, and, although he had resolved upon taking everything in the best-natured manner possible, it became rather too much for him. The great heat of the room, the steam of hot tea, the rosy, flushed faces, the strong odor of frying—it was an atmo- Eomichboo