Weaker than a Woman — page 67: what you’re looking at

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

58 | WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. by other women; she might never see Sir Owen again, while all her hfe was to be spent with Felix. Surely he might have waited a few minutes longer; but no, he was coming to her, and her triumph was ended; she had no idea of resisting his will, and arose from her seat. Sir Owen looked at her in amazement. “Are you going?” he asked. “Iwas just about to pre- sume to ask if you would go with me to see the flowers; they have some very fine ones here, I am told.” She looked helplessly from one to the other. She did not know how to refuse such a tempting offer from Sir Owen; it would be an unequaled triumph for all the guests to.see her—to see how proud and pleased he was to escort her through the grounds; but it seemed equally impossible to leave Felix, who had looked forward with such delight to this holiday with her. So the beautiful eyes glanced first at one and then at the other, while the white fingers toyed with the pretty flowers she held up until their scented leaves fell on the ground. Felix cut the Gordian knot for her. “ Pardon me for the interruption,” he said. ‘“ Miss Haye was kind enough to promise me that honor.” He took Violet’s hand, placed it on his arm, and led her from the tent. The baronet stood looking after them with more than amazement in his face. “What unequaled impertinence!” he said. “The father of such a man as that would be capable of forging half a dozen wills.”’ “Oh, Felix,” said Violet, “I am afraid you have offended him !” , “I do not care if I have, Violet. You are mine. What > right has he to monopolize you? I know we are not mar- ried; but it is almost the same thing. You are my prom- ised wife, and no one shall take you away from me even for one hour. Come away from all these people—I want to talk to you. Come down this avenue of chestnuts.” He mastered her by his stronger will; she went without one word. They walked slowly down the avenue of chest- nuts, the sunlight glancing on her golden hair and white dress. , “ Let me look at you, Violet,” he cried, with the passion- ate impatience of a young lover. “It seems to me that that man’s presence near you must have dimmed your beauty as poisonous air kills a delicate flower. Let me look at — you, my darling.” . . . / 4 * a (elo) I | P ‘s cr mre a Me 7 % . \ a . - - ne | : ee” A” ' * * ’