Thrice Lost, Thrice Won — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

C How ies I ‘wiset him?” she thought, hiding hae burn- ing face in her hands. “Oh, how shall I meet him, when T ~ love him so dearly—so dearly—and he knows it?” She heard him pass into his apartment—she heard Aine Helen give him half an hour. to change his dress before dinner. “We dine late, out of compliment to you, Alwyn,” Miss | | Mallory said. “You are accustomed to late hours, of course; so don’t spoil Norah’s temper and broiled birds by keeping us waiting. Flow do you ane your room? KEstella arranged rt.” “It is “perfect! i dani deli’ s taste is exquisite. Where 1s she, pray 2” | e°®In shee room. Don’t stand talking! estoaat yourself, and come down.” Miss Mallory descended. Estella went over to the mirror for a parting peep. How would he think her Heoking t she wondered. She had _ taken such pains with her toilet; she wore all the colors he had told her she should wear, and the mirror certainly re- flected back a bright little image. | The silk dress of brilliant blue set off the fair complexion and shining brown hair. The thin, pale cheeks were flushed, - the yellow-brown eyes full of str eaming hght. Yes, she was-pretty; but the image of that pictured face - arose before her—the darkly beautiful face of Leonie—and she turned away in cold despair. “What does it matter?” she thought, bitterly: “hat does _ it signify whether I look well or ill? He will never glance at ; me twice !” She went down to the drawing-room, and, seating herself at the piano, began to play softly in the fire-light. ay She had a natural talent for music, and already her sing- ‘ ing and playing were the pride of Helen’s heart. That fond & protector looked at her now with kindling eyes. om 3 “ow pretty she is! how pretty—how pretty!” she said, to herself. “Surely, Alwyn Bartram must be stone-blind if he does not admire my brown- eyed darling. Only, unhappily, 4 admiration i is not love.” 4 Alwyn Bartram entered as the fancy crossed Hes mind, and q walking over to the piano, held out his hand to Estella. __ “We meet sooner than we thought last September, Miss Essie, ” he said. “Tell me you are glad to see me again.” She laid her hand im his, her fingers turning cold in his wea’ on ) ¥ an inarticulate murmur came. OH Dhctorsias aa: 127 Rega hee voice quite gone. She tried to say a mai but : @ | , E(0) Gomi ,OO0KS