Weaker than a Woman — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 239 wanted a long rest. Iam very tired; no one can tell how tired I am.” “Your income will be over thirty thousand a year. Only think of that. And it was so good of your dear husband to leave your father and myself five thousand pounds; 1t showed such a kind feeling. It seems strange that so much good fortune should have fallen to your lot.” The young*widow looked around her sumptuous room. “Yes,” she said, “it seems strange to remember that I was once Violet Haye.” “ ‘Beautiful Violet Haye,’ all the young farmers called you,” rejoined Mrs. Haye. Then she saw the golden hair lying on the folds of crape. An expression of horror came over her face. ‘My dear Violet, how can you beso care- less,” she cried, ‘and after such a will as that? Puton your cap, my dear child, at once. Only imagine my feel- ings if one of the servants saw you. I should never forgive myself.” “T did not think of what I was doing,” said Lady Cheve- nix, languidly. “But you must think of such things. You must study appearances. It is a duty.” | Mrs. Haye hastened to her daughter’s side, and with her own hands wound the golden hair into a large knot, and placed the cap securely on her head. “Do not take it off again, Violet,” she said; “after such a will it seems quite heartless.” She wondered why her daughter laughed with a tired, hopeless expression—she who was mistress of thirty thou- sand a year. CHAPTER XLITI. “WHAT IS IT?” Long months had passed since Sir Owen was laid in his grave, and now August was come round again, with its ripe fruits and yellow corn. Lady Chevenix, every one agreed, was a model widow. During the interval that had elapsed since her husband’s death, hardly any one had seen her. Visitors had called, but had never been admitted ; they had left cards and condolences, and- had each approved of the fact that Lady Chevenix kept her- self quite secluded. Mrs. Haye spent a great deal of time with her daughter. It was; indeed, that most estimable lady who had advised Eomicbooks (ele) ry.