Weaker than a Woman — page 201: what you’re looking at

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

192 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. Would he ask her to dance? She gave him the opportunity, but he did not take it. He never even thought of it. He’ had taken his farewell of those false hands; he would touch them no more. When she went to partake of an ice with Major Morrison she saw her husband standing by the buffet. He was hold- ing atumbler in his hand, and she could tell by his face that he had drank to much. Her heart almost stopped beating. What should she do if there was a scene here? ~ Pray excuse me,” she said to Major Morrison. She went up to Sir Owen, and laid her hand upon his arm. “We have had avery pleasant evening,” she said, and her poor lips were white with fear. “Very,” he replied, and in the effort to look dignified he spilled some of the brandy on her dress. “Tam tired,” she said, trembling in every nerve; “and, if you will, Sir Owen, I shouid like to go home.” Her one wish was to get him away before any one noticed his condition. “T shall not go home yet,” he said. “Go back to your dancing. When Iam ready I will send for you.” She dared not disobey him. She went back to the hall- room, a deadly fear nestling in her heart. Whether he ever did send for her, or whether it was but the fancy of an excited brain, Violet never knew. She had not ventured to disobey him when he said, “Go back to your dancing ;” she did as he had directed. She had not dared to disobey or to plead with him, or to urge one en- treaty on him. She read contempt for her husband and pity for herself in the eyes of Major Morrison. He made no allusion to the scene, nor did she, but when the dance was ended she asked him to take her back to the same spot. When she reached it Sir Owen was gone. . Felix had been to escort Lady Maude to her carriage—the ~ party from Bramber retired early—and as he was returning he saw Sir Owen assisted into his carriage. Sir Owen called to him. | “Mr. Lonsdale,” he said, in a thick voice, “ will you take a message to Lady Chevenix from me? Tell her that she did not choose to come when I sent for her, and that now she may get homeas she can; she may walk through the mud if she likes.” “Stop, Sir Owen!” cried Felix. But, with great dignity and ferocity mingled, Sir Owen ‘~ Comicbooks.com | 12 i>”