Weaker than a Woman — page 61: what you’re looking at

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

52 ce WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. his presence. Then Captain Hill joined them, and the vicar went away, leaving the two men together. The new-comer, Sir Owen Chevenix, turned to his friend with a smile. “It is not bad,’ he said, “but I see nothing that repays me for the trouble of coming.” Captain Hill turned slowly, and motioned to the great elm tree. “That is the prettiest sight in the grounds,” he re- marked; and a curious light came over the heavy face of sir Owen Chevenix as he gazed. At the same time some — keen, subtle instinct which he could not understand told Captain Hill that he had acted cruelly. “You are right,” agreed Sir Owen Chevenix, looking in- tently at Violet—“ that is by far the prettiest sight in the erounds. Who is that young lady?” ‘Miss Violet Haye,” replied the captain. An honest im- pulse prompted him to add, “She 1s engaged to Felix Lons- dale,” but a subtle sense that such a statement would be displeasing to Sir Owen restrained him. ‘Will you introduce me to Miss Haye?” asked the baro- net. The lightin his eyes had grown lurid; the captain did not like it. “Tt would be better for Mrs. Hunter to do that,” he re- plied. “Iam not one of Miss Haye’s friends.” Sir Owen walked quickly away. There was a look on his face as of earnest purpose, when he saw Mrs. Hunter. She listened to his request, and she wondered at the strange light on his face. ‘Introduce you to Miss Haye?” she said. “Of course I will, with the greatest pleasure.” Then, oddly, some subtle doubt crossed her mind; but she would not think of it for one moment. Sir Owen Chevenix was the great personage of the entertainment, the great attraction of the fete. She must certainly do as he requested. Why not? Violet Haye was a beautiful girl, and it was only reasonable that every one should admire her. So she walked across the lawn with Sir Owen, who was the observed. of all observers. The sun shone just as brightly, there was no cloud in the blue sky, no wail in the sweet western wind; the flowers did not droop or tremble, the leaves did not quiver, as they might have done could they have known what was draw-— ing near. Neither Violet nor her lover saw the two until Mrs, FLU: : ter spoke, ‘. + * "ee * eS AEe = =. eh ms va 3 - Ga2 < ¢ > \ at Lida, oat bat Eine Whar ise not rat “aie |