Weaker than a Woman — page 193: what you’re looking at

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

184 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. children had most of them gone to college and school. The house had been beautifully furnished; there was a general air of prosperity about it that was pleasant. Darcy Lonsdale seemed to have recovered more than his usual health and strength; he had never been so happy, so prosperous, and contented. Over and over again he said to himself that his misfortune had been a blessing. He attended almost entirely to Sir Owen’s business— Felix very seldom interfered with it, but he in his turn at- tended entirely to Lord Arlington’s. The firm was emi- nently prosperous, and it was fast taking the place of one of the most eminent in the county. A great change had come to Felix. These five years had wonderfully improved him. He was looked upon as the rising man of the day; his society was courted; his opin- ion was sought upon every leading question. He had not arisen, however, without effort on his own part. No one but himself knew how he had worked, how he had studied far into the silent hours of the night, how he had spent in reading the hours that other men give to amusement and recreation. He was likea king among his fellow-towns- men; he had made for himself a reputation far beyond Lilford ; he was known as a clever writer, as the author of some of the most brilliant essays and articles published. He retained all the simple habits of his boyhood; he rever- enced and loved his father, he loved Kate and the little ones. He might have set up a separate establishment for himself, but he was quite content with the old home at Vale House. The only luxury in which he had indulged was the purchase of a spirited thoroughbred. When he had worked until eye and brain and nerve were exhausted, he would ride through the green lanes, gallop over the breezy commons, and return with renewed vigor. They asked themselves, those who loved him best, if he had forgotten his unhappy love-affair. It was impossible to say; those who watched him most keenly and most kindly—Eve and Katie—could not tell. They could see that he devoted himself to business and to study, to kindly interest in his home; he seemed to care for nothing else. Had he forgotten the past? He never mentioned Lady Chevenix ; he never made any of those half-bitter, half-cynical remarks in which disap- pointed men.so often indulge. If any one spoke of her in his presence, he listened, and replied if necessary; but there was nothing revealed in his manner. Kate said to herself proudly that he had forgotten her, that his heart’ ai ® ety ° done? a. , ’ » ‘.™ «et > . — Comic 900! <s com f Levee