Weaker than a Woman — page 91: what you’re looking at

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

a te av { Yagi? We VO ue te .™ . — a re =T" / . Ps ® | - e : 82 _ WEAKER THAN A WOMAN. of another man—she had no right to be queen there, with Sir Owen by her side. It was a brilliant fete—she had seen nothing like it in her life. The fete at the vicarage, which had always seemed to her the very acme of aristocratic gayety, dwindled into insignificance. The sun had seldom shone on a more brilliant scene; flags and banners waved from the tall trees; there were numerous evergreen arches, mar- quees, and an infinity of amusements. The music from the bands echoed through the park.. “It is very beautiful,” said Violet, as she stood with Sir Owen, watching the various groups. | “Tf you are pleased, I am well repaid,” he said. “Do you not know that I would give all I have to please you? I would do all this over and over again to win one smile from you.” Suddenly, standing there, she remembered her promise to Felix that she would tell Sir Owen she was to be his wife. How was she to do it? She could not turn round to him abruptly and say, “I am going to marry Felix Lons- dale.” She was tempted to do so, but it would be too brusque. “I shall find an opportunity during the evening,” she thought—" I can easily make one, but not at present. I will enjoy myself now.” Then Sir Owen conducted her through the grounds. It was a veritable triumph. Her exquisite beauty, her superb dress, her radiant face, the evident admiration of this wealthy baronet by her side, were the sole themes of con- versation. People bowed to her who had never seemed to be aware that she existed before; ladies pleaded for an in- troduction who had passed her with haughty insolence ; men crowded round her, and none seemed content until he had won one smile from the sweet lips, one glance from the lovely eyes. They passed on, Sir Owen talking eagerly to her; but she hardly heard what he was saying, she was so engrossed in the brilliant scene. He led her past the front of the Hall, and through the superb gardens. It seemed to her that they passed acre after acre of glass-houses, then they came to a little hill, At its foot was the river-bank, and its summit was crowned with a group of silver larches.. A seat had been placed under them, for from the summit of that hill there was to be seen one of the leveliest pictures in England. “Where are we going?” asked Violet, as they left the Hall and the grounds.