Weaker than a Woman — page 167: what you’re looking at

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

158 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN, Seta heart beat as she thought of the pleasure of driving in her magnificent carriage through the streets of Lilford, dressed in her Parisian costume. “I hope that I shall meet Lady Rolfe,” she said, “just for the pleasure of cutting her.” She drove at once to the Limes, and was met with the kindest of welcomes. “T should have gone to meet you, Violet, had I chicane that you were coming,” said Mrs. Haye. But Lady Chevenix thought that under the circumstances it was just as well she had not come. They went to the drawing-room together. Francis Haye was more of an invalid than usual that day, and his daugh- ter, on hearing that he was asleep, would not have him dis- turbed. “Let us havea long talk, mamma,” she said. “I have so much to tell you.” They sat down to exchange confidences, and Mrs. Haye almost trembled with delight as she looked at her daugh- ter. ‘How well you look, Violet!” she said. “ What a superb dress, and how it becomes you! Are you very happy, my dear ?” “As happy as other people, I suppose, mamma. I am very rich, and that must mean that lam very happy. It will take me a whole day to show you my dresses and jew- els.” “Will you stand up, Violet? I feel quite sure that you have grown, or is it the new style of dress that suits you?” Violet stood up. ' “T have grown, mamma,” she answered. “You know I am. only just twenty; I may grow taller still.” “You are quite tall enough to be graceful, my dear,” said Mrs. Haye, and her eyes lingered proudly on the lovely . face with its dainty bloom, so young, so fresh and fair, and on the graceful figure that was shown to such advantage by the costly dress that swept the ground. “You have im- proved very much, Violet,” she added. | In that she was right; . Violet had a grace and refinement. that gave her an additional charm. They talked long and not unhappily. Presently Violet produced her presents. Mrs. Haye went into a rapture about a dress of Genoa velvet and some superb Mechlin lace. After that Violet began to inquire about her old friends. comicbooks - P ‘s a . * bs ‘ <e com an . a8 = ese — . . Te Ot ie @ = Lane nee AID by ea A, Ea TOE Sa Ren ay po Pie phe