Weaker than a Woman — page 239: what you’re looking at

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

230 | WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. Lady Chevenix went up to her husband, and knelt down by his side. She had never professed any love for him, but, as he lay there, white, silent, and helpless, a keen sense of pity and compassion for him awoke in her heart. She took his hands in her own, and rubbed them. ‘‘OQwen,” she said—' my dear, try to speak to me.” They brought brandy; Felix gave it to him himself with a spoon, and this time they were quite sure he swallowed it. Kelix looked at Violet. ‘He has swallowed it,” he said; ‘‘and see—there is some color coming back to his lips. Lady Chevenix, speak to him again.” “Owen,” she said—‘my dear, can you speak to me?” And this time there was no mistake; one of his eyelids moved, and his lips trembled faintly. “He is getting better!” she cried. “I can see his lips move !” | They redoubled their efforts, and presently the pale lips parted. Helix gave hima little more brandy. They left nothing undone that they could do, the four who stood so anxiously by him—his wife, Helix, the butler, and Mrs. Wardley. At last the baronet gave a deep sigh and opened his eyes. His wife bent over him. ‘“ Are you better, Owen?” she asked, gently. He looked up at her. ‘ Better?” he repeated. ‘Iam all right.” “Tell me what is the matter ?” “T had a nasty fall. I remember it now,” said Sir Owen. “It stunned me. I do not remember how I came home though.” They told him, and he listened attentively. “So Plantagenet fellon me,” he said. “I wonder that he did not kill me. _ As it is, I am not hurt. Iam stunned —dazed a little. Very likely I fell upon my head, but it is wonderful that I am not hurt.” “I am very thankful,” put in Lady Chevenix. “It might have been so much worse.” “Yes, it might. I own now that my conduct was very foolish. Violet, you will give all those poor fellows who helped to bring me home a handsome reward, will you not? Lonsdale, I am glad that you are with me. You will stay, will you not?” I shall be all right to-morrow.’ They asked him if he had any pain. He said “No. ” There was a strange giddiness in his head, and a strange sensation of numbness in his body, but, save for that, he felt all right, comicboo