Weaker than a Woman — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. — 941 said 1t was her express wish that Darcy Lonsdale should continue to act in every way for her, but as he would have more to do, she insisted on doubling the salary Sir Owen had paid him. Lord Arlington was very pleased about it, and the interview ended satisfactorily. Meanwhile Darcy Lonsdale spent whole days at Gars- wood, and it was strange that he never once mentioned Felix to Lady Chevenix—nor did she inquire about him. But one day, when some protracted business was coming to an end, she looked up suddenly, and said : “Your son was very kind to me in my distress, Mr. Lonsdale. I can never forget how kind he was. But for him I do not know what I should have done.” “T am sure that he would be pleased to be of service to you, Lady Chevenix,” he replied. .*“It was doubly kind of him. He heaped coals of fire on my head,” she declared, warmly. After a few minutes she added, “I should like very much to make him a present, Mr. Lonsdale—just as a slight acknowledgment of his kind- ness tome. I should like to present him with a diamond ring. I thought I would consult you first. What do you think of it?” She saw Darcy Lonsdale’s face flush. He did not answer for a.few minutes; then he replied: “T will speak to you quite frankly, Lady Chevenix. Ido not think that he would like it.” She bowed to him. 4 “Tam glad that I asked ae she replied. “You know est.” “T am quite sure that the fact of his having been of ser- vice to you will be far more to him than any diamond ring, or anything that could be given to him,” said Darcy Lons- dale. “ How is your son?” she asked. “Is he well? He never comes here.” “He is quite well,but so busy that we see little of him at home. He works without intermission.” She looked as though she would fain ask some other question. She played for a few minutes with the strings of her widow’s cap, and her beautiful face flushed. What- ever the question might have been that she wished to ask it remained unspoken. On that same evening her mother was at Garswood. Lady Chevenix seemed restless. She changed her seat con: tinually, and then, tired of sitting, she walked up and down the room, (e(oypayicel exoKoy es (a(o)