Weaker than a Woman — page 181: what you’re looking at

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

172 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. was saying, ‘pray come and see me; I shall be delighted if you do, and I will show you the very article in the news- paper of which we are speaking.” And in her own mind Lady Chevenix thought that such a thing as an invitation from the eminent statesman would be an honor Sir Owen would never attain. The gentlemen did not linger long over their wine. Lord Arlington saw that Sir Owen was inclined to drink freely ; he made a note in his own mind that it should be some time at least before that gentleman dined with him again. As his lordship had foreseen, the outdoor attractions proved too much for the younger guests. The earl himself and Lord Rayden sat down to chess; Lady Arlington, Lady ~ Rolfe, Colonel Riddell, and Sir Owen made up a whist- table; Lavinia went to the piano; Lady Maude distributed her attentions equally, and most of the younger people went out through the long open WINDOWS on to the wide terrace. The evening was fragrant, calm, and sweet; far away under the trees the glow-worms were beginning to shine, a — nightingale was singing in the gardens, the faint ripple ‘of fountains filled the air, the rich odor of roses and les ascended like a cloud of perfume. One by one the guests went out. Some descended the terrace- -steps into the rose gardens below; some admired the tints in the west left by the sunset, leaning over the stone balustrades; others wandered into the beautiful grounds. Lady Maude walked for a short time with Felix, and then she looked up at him with a smile. “You can amuse yourself,” she said; “you are a man of resource. I must go to that unhappy young lordling who is feebly trying to talk to Miss Lloyd.” She left him, and Felix turned down a broad path where the acacia trees were in full bloom. Lady Chevenix saw him, and followed him. She had been longing for the chance of speaking a few words to him, and it had come at last. He was startled when a shadow fell over his path and a sweet voice said : * Felix—Mr. Lonsdale—will you be friends with me?” He turned round in amazement. Violet stood before him, looking as lovely as a vision, her silk dress and rich lace trailing around her, her beauty deepened because over her white neck and shoulders she had thrown a silvery vail; it fell from her golden head, shadowing the fair face. “T have alarmed you,” She said ; “vou were not think- ing of me,” comicbooks.com