Weaker than a Woman — page 168: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 159 tate Haye had many little facts to relate about all of them “Mamma,” said Lady Chevenix, with a slight flush on her face, “ what do they say in Lilford about my marriage and me ?” “What can they say, my dear? Every one envies you, every one talks about your wonderful marriage.” Violet took up the rich tassels of her dress and played with them. She never raised her eyes to her mother’s face. ‘But do they—I mean, have they said that I did wrong ?”’ “Wrong!” cried Mrs. Haye. “Why should they? Which of them would not have done the same thing? Which of them would not-be pleased to do the same wrong ?”’ Lady Chevenix looked relieved. “T was afraid they would say I had acted unfairly,” she said, slowly. ‘‘Mamma, how are the Lonsdales? How is Felix ?” There was a brief silence before the question was an- swered, and then Mrs.-Haye told her wonderful story. “You have never heard of such a change of fortune, Vio- let,” she said; “it is almost as wonderful as your own; I can hardly understand it. The Lonsdales seem to have all the business of the town now, and of the county, too. They have—I cannot tell how many clerks; they give grand din- ner-parties ; and, what seems to me stranger still, they are frequently invited to Bramber Towers.” “We shall visit there, I suppose,” remarked Lady Cheve- nix. “Iam very pleased, indeed, to hear all this, mamma; if any family ever did deserve good fortune they did. They are recognized by the county now, I suppose ?” “Yes, quite. Lady Rolfe has taken them up. I hear nothing but the Lonsdales.” There was silence again for some minutes, and then Vio- let said, slowly : “And Felix, mamma—have you seen him since my mar- riage ?” “No, not once, my dear,” was Mrs. Haye’s reply. “I need hardly say that he has never been here.” “Do they say—do you know, if he thought much of it? Did he make a great trouble of it, mamma?” she asked. “IT cannot say,” replied the cautious mother; “I have never heard the subject mentioned.” Lady Chevenix was silent again. After a while aie said, quickly : “T should like to ask you one question more. Does Fehx —has he found any one else to care about yet ?” Eomicbooks (Ele) mn