Vashti's Fate — page 151: what you’re looking at

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

: a. > - rns, 2 Se Fe es Be 2 ee SOS + eee > oe <e >, . 3 3s Se Ss Pee os pe ioe Re ah eres =o Bewee Sayre sate. ty * ¢ ' - 4 «. a . an — * ‘ a ~~ —_,* 146 ELIZABETH BRENT AGAIN. had much-rather you would stay, Vashti. Can’t I con- vince you that you were wrong last night ?” 3 ‘““No, ma’am.” ‘“Why not? May I try?” ‘“‘T had rather you would not. You could not convince me, because I do not want to be convinced.” ‘‘A frank avowal, at least; it atones somewhat for your perverseness. You have twice vexed me terribly, Vashti, since you have been here. You are too stormy a spirit for me to control; but I confess to you, child, that, though I do not like your faults, I like you. You have wonderful talents, dear, and a wonderful power of fascination when you are yourself, and choose to exercise it; but this way- ward, imperious spirit you have got obscures all your per- fections. You can never be very happy till you have curbed it. You can go nowhere, you can have intercourse with no one, but sooner or later it will come between you and them, and in the end blast your life. My child, leg us part friends. I shall always remember you kindly. I will inquire to-day for some one who may be going in the direction of Everleigh. I must write that letter, too, to your aunt. You don't like that idea, I see; but you must realize that, looking upon your fault in the light I do, I could not feel I was doing my duty unless I made known so glaring an exhibition of it to your friends. ” Vashti had stood quite silent during the whole time of Mrs. Gordon’s speaking, her face crowded with conflicting emotions. From any one else she would have resented such a pointed discourse upon her ‘‘great fauit,” but this lady’s tone was so gentle, her affection so genuine, that her words moved Vashti as no other appeal had ever done, or would again soon. Perhaps, possibly, if she could have remained under the superintendence of so sincere a friend, . ~ > - - - - -* - 4 a - =” x9 f be. ; . io : » = rn ~, ~ , * 7 ‘y oe: Ws te x - oc . - - ° -- ' me a . ee ae * “* - : - q th oe > = ; - & - : ‘ ‘ . } : * - - — - - ws “oe « => StS: > a ’ < = 7 4 —,