Weaker than a Woman — page 73: what you’re looking at

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

bhi WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. oy a tended to come to see him, and Francis Haye had looked up in bewilderment. “Coming to see me!” he cried. ‘ What is that for?” He did not see the hot flush on his daughter’s face. She knew well enough why he was coming. “If it is about that right of road,” he continued, “he may save himself the trouble, for I shall never give in— never.” . ; “You will see what he is coming for when he comes,” said Mrs. Haye; “there is nothing so absurd as guessing. I shall not believe it until I do see him.” Then after talking eagerly of his boundless wealth, the beauty of his estate, the number of his horses, Francis Haye exclaimed : | ~ And to think that he should come to see us!” Violet remembered her promise; she knew that Sir Owen would probably call about one o’clock. Soon after noon she put on her garden hat, and, without saying a word, went out into the woods where no one could see her, and no servant could be sent after her. She sat there thinking— thinking of how Felix loved her, and how sweet it was to be loved—telling herself that she would not exchange his love for the world. rf Why did he dislike Sir Owen so much? Whv was he so anxious for her to be away during the baronet’s visit? She had never loved Felix better than she did that morning, as she sat thinking of him; her heart warmed to him—his great love had touched her at last. She would not go back home until after two; the baronet could not prolong his visit beyond an hour, she thought. As she entered the house she saw her mother watching eagerly for her at the dining-room window. She went to her at once. The moment she opened the door she heard the baronet’s voice. “Good-morning, Miss Haye. I was just saying that, alter my long ride over, I would not go away without seeing you, if [ had to stop here until midnight.” She looked up at him in simple surprise. “I thought that it was my father you wanted to see, Sir - Owen.” | He laughed; he was somewhat disconcerted at her an- swer. “Did you not see that that was my excuse for coming to see you?” he said. | Violet turned away, while Francis Haye and his wife looked at each other. The baronet sat down again; nor- . (ele) ze! — “> =~ ‘ ro oa * ¥ _ ~ . ~* -, eek ca _ . ’ f + VRS One oe Ae i - WP" EO? ae Bie