Weaker than a Woman — page 236: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN, 227 CHAPTER XLI. “WEAKER THAN A WOMAN.” Seven o’clock struck, and then half-past, and Felix per- suaded Lady Chevenix to take some dinner. If anything had happened, he thought to himself, she would be better able to meet it after dining. She was very unwilling at first, but after a time she consented, and dinner was served. “T know what Ithink myself,” said Felix. ‘Sir Owen has called in somewhere, and they have persuaded him to stay. Try to imagine that; it seems to me not unreason- able.” They sat alone at the stately dining-table, where the sil- ver plate and the richly cut glass looked so brilliant—the table where Lady Chevenix had undergone so many hu- miliations. It was but a farce; neither of them could eat. Kight o’clock chimed, and no other sound broke the sum- mer silence. “T cannot sit here any longer doing nothing,” said Lady Chevenix. “I am quite sure now that something has hap- pened; I must send out a few of the servants.” “T have done that,” Felix told her. ‘ All that is possible has been done; they will return together soon.” His words were prophetically true. Even. as he spoke ._ they heard a confused noise at the grand entrance-hall— the rush of many feet, the cries of women, and the deep voices of men. Felix never forgot Violet. She arose from her seat, and stood hesitating for one moment pale as death. - Then she turned to the door. But Felix was before her. That which was happening in the hall was most assuredly something which she must’not see. “Sit down, Lady Chevenix,” he said. “ You must not go out there. Let me see what is wrong.” She did not seem to understand him, but he placed her in a chair, and then opened the door. There was a rush of terrified servants, and women’s voices cried, ‘Oh, my lady —oh, my lady !” He held up his hand with an imperative gesture. * You will kill Lady Chevenix,” he said, “ with this noise. ~ Let no one go near her.” Gomicbooks (elo) mn