Weaker than a Woman — page 256: what you’re looking at

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

' > WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. 7 cs “Tt does not ripen as it should,” she replied. “That must be the fault of the sun,” said Helix. “No matter what is to blame, the misfortune is just the same,” returned Miss Lester. “What has brought you here to-night, Mr. Felix? I saw your name in the Loom- shire Gazette. You were present at all the gay doings at Bramber Towers.” “Yes,” he replied, “I was there.” “Then tell me all about Lady Maude’s marriage. It is | not often that one has the opportunity of hearing about such grand affairs; tell me everything that you remem- ber.” “IT came on purpose to do so,” said Felix. “I thought you would be pleased to hear aboutit. But shall we not wait for Eve? Perhaps she would be interested, too.” “No,” replied Miss Lester, ‘‘she would not—unless it were about a marriage in the moon. I tell her always that — she is waiting to marry the man in the moon. Sit down here by these bee-hives. Never mind the bees; they will not sting you unless you interfere with them. As I sit here I can see what is going on around me, and no man is idle while my eyes are on him. Tell me about Lady Maude first. Do you know, I heard a foolish rumor once, Felix Lonsdale ?” | “T am afraid you have heard a great many false rumors in your time, Miss Lester,” he remarked. ‘“‘t seems to me that the world is full of them. What was the one you re- fer to’? “T heard that you were in love with Lady Maude, and that she liked you,” said Miss Jane, solemnly. He laughed so heartily that she felt at once there was no truth in it. Her grim face relaxed at the sound of his mirth. ‘How absurd !”-he said. ‘There is no lady in England whom I hold in higher reverence and esteem than Lady Maude. As for being in love with her, it is sufficient to say that she is an earl’s daughter, and in my own fashion I am as proud asa king. I would no more marry a rich woman, and live on her money than I would cheat or steal.” He marveled why Miss Jane looked so intently at him. “TI wonder if you will always think so?” she said, ear- nestly. -“T am quite sure that I shall. I think independence a noble quality, and one to which Englishmen especially may lay claim. I have a great respect for it, and shall ever exercise it.” ih art Ecomicbooks (ei)