Vashti's Fate — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

. 5 LS : ie, 4 “Vie ; * : . 7 » ‘ ‘ * ae Se eee wd, bee, eS ee A ay Tee eh ee, a 2 at <. ae, * — a . a. " me = ft Sa! ? P ss : os % , . - ~ ie) ’ . : A STRANGE VOW. 25% science, or something of that sort, in the city—a man widely known and esteemed for his talents and learning. He had never been a gay man before, but he became one suddenly—threw himself, as it were, in the giddy whirl of folly and fashion, of which Vashti had become the center. Wherever she went he went; not always nor often ap- proaching her, but dropping brief, sharp, meaning sen- tences in her ear whenever he did approach her. Always observant, but never watchful—a votary at her shrine, but only covertly devoted, he never suffered her for an instant to forget that he loved her. | At first she was indifferent as with others, then scornful ; then followed anger at his persistence, and words so bitter and resentful that he yowed never to address her again un- less she made the first approach, which she did ere long, for she was one of those who acted recklessly, according to her mood. She was variable and shifting as the wind ; one hour shy, silent, soft, and yielding, almost letting him fancy that he had power to flush that peerless cheek with faint crimson; the next she would seem to be unconscious of his presence. | The winter passed. Summer took the brother and sister, not home, but one to a gay watering-place, and the other to a race-course, jockey club, and similar diversions. With returning winter the mansion in the city, dignified with the title of home, was refurnished and regarnished, and the old round of party, rout, and ball commenced again. One evening as Vashti was sauntering with that indolent hauteur that so well became her through a brilliant as- sembly room, she met Professor Thorpe, with a lady on his arm—a very lovely lady, strikingly so. After the two had passed, she asked the gentleman on whose arm she leaned who the lady was. EComicboo cS co! aa