Weaker than a Woman — page 213: what you’re looking at

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

— —— >. ~~» > "sa = ;. a4 fl * ey ; oe are . oe rp S & <> -%, x i . on > af ~ : ~~ sed ee - > . y ; O04 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. leaf. Had there been no other attraction the beauty of the — grounds alone would have been one. | Sir Owen looked proudly around; it pleased him to see such great and noble persons his guests. The one whom he cared most to honor was Major Rawson, the great Victoria Cross hero of whom all England and even all France had been talking—Major Rawson, who was heir to a baronetcy, and one of the most popular men in England. Sir Owen was very anxious to impress him in every possible way. He was visiting at one of the houses in the neighborhood, and was received by Sir Owen with great empressement. “I do not see Lady Chevenix,” said the major; “I am unfortunate in arriving so late.” “We shall find Lady Chevenix somewhere in the grounds,” said Sir Owen, and he proudly introduced him to the county magnates. Suddenly the major touched his arm. “Who is that beautiful woman yonder?” he asked, in wonder. “Which?” said Sir bres. “The one in blue and white there, talking to that dark, handsome man.’ Sir Owen’s face brightened with pleasure. “That is my wile, Lady Chevenix,” he said. “Come, and I will introduce you.” “T had heard that Lady Chevenix was beautiful,” he re- phed, “but I had not expected to see such perfection. And the gentleman—who is he? His face is a striking one.” He is my lawyer and agent; his name is Felix Lonsdale. It is strange that on the first occasion of meeting them you should see them together. He was a great admirer of my wife years ago.” Major Rawson was not surprised to hear it; such a woman as that might have any number of admirers. _ He looked from the handsome face of the young lawyer to the dark, evil, dissipated countenance of the baronet by his side, and wondered in silence how any woman could have chosen between the two men, and have chosen s0 badly. , Later on in the afternoon he stood by Lady Maude, Hen they were both watching Lady Chevenix. The brave soldier who had won his cross by acts of valor worthy of a here was wonderfully impressed by Lady Chevenix. “T shall never forget that face,” he said, “although I may never see it again! How beautiful it is, And yet there is