Weaker than a Woman — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

80 WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. Ras. should play a part in such a scene. It was a night of tri- umph for her; but she did not forget Felix; all would have been perfect had he been by her side. The guests talked of the morrow’s fete—they had music and cards. Sir Owen gave Violet a lesson in cards; and when the evening was over she went to her mother. “Mamma,” she said, “how delightful it has all been! TI am so sorry that itis over. I wish it would last forever.” Mrs. Haye smiled. _ “It is more pleasant, Violet, than the struggle that falls to the lot of people with limited means.” It was pleasant. The dainty, luxury-loving nature found it wonderfully pleasant. Violet smiled to herself as she sat in her room that night. Aimee was brushing the long, shining, golden hair. She was surrounded by every luxury —hangings of silk and lace, Dresden china, Bohemian glass; the room was a marvel in its way. She smiled as she realized how dear luxury was to her already—how she admired soft velvet chairs and thick carpets—liked to eat from silver plate and drink from richly cut glass—liked to be waited on by well-trained servants—to live in this at- mosphere of splendor—to wear rich silks and costly lace, precious stones and gold. It was an entrancing life, and the other would never seem quite the same again. After all, there was nothing like money. She dismissed her maid, and would have slept, but that a ray of moonlight shone in through the window. One part of the rose silk hangings had been left undrawn. She — went to arrange it to shut out the moonlight, so that she could sleep, and, when she stood near the window and saw the silver light on the trees and flowers, her thoughts went back to Felix—went back to that lovely night when she had stood with him by the lilac bushes. How he loved her! His face appeared so plainly before her—the love-lit, ear- nest eyes and winning lips. After all, love was best; wealth was very pleasant, but it was sweeter to be loved than to be rich. And ghe fell asleep with her lover’s name on her lips. - CHAPTER XVI. A WORD IN PRIVATE. The next morning was bright and warm. There was 2 hurried breakfast—every one seemed to have so much te comicbooks.co > a ° Mes }>, "by al? 89 ee | al a eae ’ 6 >, — ‘J . : Dood L# Sas > i ees /