Weaker than a Woman — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

=_—~ - earn » fee a SS. = in, = = SY Se ~ 2s | » ” a gaa CT-_ ™* > Py > ad “—- « - wo Sr ™ rs _ Ce ms = - *_ 4 & § et ‘ ag Z = As = a . + = -* es ae f ; - * 7 - ’ ear ~~ WEAKER THAN A WOMAN, 7 CHAPTER XV. “TOVE WAS BEST.” Mrs. Haye declared that it was fortunate rain fell two. days before the fete; it cleared the air, it freshened the grass, it washed the dust from the trees and hedges, it made the whole face of nature so sweet, so fresh and fair, that it was a pleasure to breathe. The air was odorous with the scent of flowers and of green leaves. Sir Owen appeared to time; his sumptuously appointed carriage, with the magnificent roans, drove up to the Limes. Nothing could have exceeded his kindness—he was: so at. tentive to Francis Haye, so kind to Mrs. Haye, so deferen- tial to Violet. Again she felt how pleasant it was. She saw deep satisfaction on her father’s face, great pride on her mother’s. She was young and heedless, and on such an exquisite June day how could she help feeling bright and happy? Moreover, she held something in her hand which gladdened her heart. Just as she was starting, while Sir Owen stood hatin hand waiting for her, a messenger came with a note from Felix—only a few short lines hur- _riedly written, but which went straight to her heart. “My Dariine VioLet :—I send a few words to greet you as you are starting, and to wish you a very pleasant, happy visit. You will not forget me, sweet? You will say to yourself over and over again that you are pledged to me? [ trust youimplicitly. You love me, and I am content. I kiss your sweet hands, and leave my heart in them.”’ How he loved her! She repeated it again and again. How he loved her! The little note pleased her. She drove away, with Sir Owen whispering all kinds of compliments to her; but her lover’s face was before her eyes, and his words were in her heart. They drove through the magnifi- cent park with its herds of antlered deer, through the superb grounds, to the grand entrance, and then Violet looked up in wonder. The afternoon sun fell upon the grand old building, show- ing the towers and turrets, the deep oriel windows, the Venetian balconies, bringing out the picturesque outlines of the noble edifice. There was a flight of broad marble steps, and then the great door opened into an entrance hall the first glimpse of which bewildered Violet. She hardly comicbooks col