Weaker than a Woman — page 64: what you’re looking at

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

WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. — 55 I am afraid, if I see his hand touching you, I shall strike it aside.” | | She laughed again as a child laughs who points a leaded. gun for mischief, never dreaming that it may cause sudden death. “TI feel that I ought to have danced that quadrille with you, Felix,” she said, “but really I did not know how to refuse. I was quite embarrassed—you must have seen it. ' How jealous all the other girls willbe! How Lady Rolfe will watch me! She said the other day that her daughter, that insipid-looking girl, was far more beautiful than I. She is not, is she, Helix ?” The lips that asked the question were of the loveliest crimson, the eyes that looked into his were like violets steeped in dew, the face smiling before him was like a Bo: that the words were foolish never occurred to im. | “My darling, you are more beautiful than any one else,” he said. “Violet, you must dance this quadrille with Sir Owen, I suppose ?” “Yes, I must, indeed,” she replied. “Tt drives me half mad to think of it. Violet, do not look at him as you look at me—do not, do not let him know how Sweet your smile is. Oh, Violet, I shall go mad if you do !” Again she laughed. “ You will have to go mad then, Felix, for I cannot dance with him like a stoic, can I?” “You are mine, Violet. If I had a lovely, rare, and prec- ious lily, should I like every one to touch it and inhale its sweetness? You are my own—you belong to me.” “Here comes Sir Owen,” said Violet, cutting short the passionate words. “I shall not be long away from you, Felix,” and, laying her white hand on Sir Owen’s arm, they went away together. CHAPTER XI. “T BELONG TO YOU, FELIX.’’ As Violet had foreseen, glances of wonder followed her and her companion. Lady Rolfe was bitterly annoyed; here was this girl chosen by Sir Owen, while her own daughters sat unnoticed. Mrs. Hunter did not know whether to be glad or sorry; of course it was a great thing to have Sir Owen there, and to see him enjoy himself and __ evidently feel so perfectly at home, but Sir Owen should Eeomicbooks (Elo)