Weaker than a Woman — page 262: what you’re looking at

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= WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. — 203 never will be patronized, and he was one; his natural pride and dignity of character quite prevented it. The evening was a very pleasant one. . Lady Chevenix was a charming hostess; she neglected no one. She had the rare gift of making every one feel perfectly at home, and each one separately seemed to be her most favored guest. Felix could not help contrasting that visit with his last, when she had suffered such tortures of anxiety and hu- miliation. Hecould not help thinking of the unhappy man who had died so young, a victim to his own folly—the man who had once been master of all this wealth and had made bad use of it. — It was a pleasant evening. If Helix had been more vain | he must have seen with what great respect and considera- tion he was treated—how Lady Chevenix deferred to him on every point—how she consulted his tastes, his wishes, his convenience. If he had been more vain he would have been more flattered by it—he would have seen it. But he did not. The chief thing that struck him was the coldness and reserve of Mrs. Haye. During the next few days father and son worked hard; they arose early and did not leave work until it was time to prepare for dinner. Darcy Lonsdale declared that Lady Chevenix would spoil him. She devoted herself almost entirely to their comfort; she studied them. At the end of the third day there yet remained three or four hours’ hard work. “We must go to-morrow,” said Darcy; “we must leave the first thing in the morning, let what will happen.” Felix decided to go back to his writing immediately after dinner, and not to pause again until he had finished. That was the only plan. Lady Chevenix smiled thoughtfully when she heard it. “It will be best,” she agreed. “I will see that Felix has — a cheerful fire and refreshments. How good you both are to work so hard over my affairs !” So, when the dinner was ended Felix went back to the library and began to write. Lady Chevenix sent him a cup of her favorite cafe noir. Later on a servant carried in a refreshment-tray, which was placed on a table near him. He heard the sound of music and laughter, which, as night drew on, ceased. His father came in and said ‘“ Good- night” to him, and then silence fell over the house, mn Comicbooks co