Vashti's Fate — page 148: what you’re looking at

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

ELIZABETH BRENT AGAIN. 143 *‘Your pardon I ask now. I should have restrained myself in your presence. Even as regards the school, though it has only outraged me ever since I have been here, I will obey you; but for Elizabeth Brent, shall I ask her to pardon me for what I would do every hour in the day, under the same circumstances? Never! Mrs. Gordon, I will not doit. I will go back home first.” ‘‘Very well; since that is your decision, you will go back home, then. I leave you to think of it tll morning.” Vashti bowed, and closed the door. Poor Violet heard enough of the conversation to under- stand that there was danger of her losing the best friend she ever had. ‘‘How I wish I had never told you a word!” she cried, sobbing upon the carpet. ‘‘I would never, never have told you, if I had thought it would come to this.” “‘Somebody would have told me, Violet. You are not the least in fault. Come, dear, it is time you were in bed. On-the whole, Iam not so very sorry. You know I have suffered much that is hard to bear since I have been here. Certainly Elizabeth Brent and I could not . possibly continue to meet daily as we have done. Yes, it is best that I should go.” Violet suffered her to get her ready for bed, a little duty . it pleased Vashti to attend to, every night. Vashti brought her book and the lamp to the beside, and holding Violet's hand, pretended to be studying, till the child, after a long time, cried herself to sleep. Presently she rose softly, placed the lamp where its light would not fall on the sleeper, and proceeded with guarded movements - to pack her trunk. Afterward she lay down, but though it ==>) Eomicbooks v~ » F . : _ 4 Bz ‘ba ; , 9 » + ; - : ab ek nie in sr . 7 ee | «oe + ae P yrs ~> ~ oe iy a 4 . a4 a + . x £ . al - . . 4 Po 1 . ‘ta wa, et} Are gO & ‘ 7a oe ee Dail taede co ee ey OP Pol SY ~ s ol as > ee Vet ce Ts te CO