The Widowed Bride — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

= ee a ewe ees P| eS } be ape 37 » ha — ve ae ee i : : “8 P : , ca “4 a Agta ~ he —, THE WIDOWED BRIDE. 101. CHAPTER XIV. VISITORS FROM LONDON. Rena Percival was sitting at her desk writing a long and circumstantial letter to her sister, Alice, on the evening of the third day after her arrival at Glenhampton Castle, when Lady Blanche came up to her room. ‘The post has just come in, my dear,” she said, throwing herself into one of the pink satin chairs. ‘He has not brought me any letters, I suppose,” said Rena, closing her portfolio, with a little sich, for her friend had evidently come with the intention of having, what Miss Hartford’s pupils termed, ‘‘a good, old-fashioned chat.” ~- But he has me, Rena; a nice, long one, from Ernest.” Lady Blanche’s cheek was flushed with innocent pleasure, and her soft eyes sparkled like dewy stars. ‘And what does Captain Evelyn say?” asked Rena. ‘That he will be here to-morrow, without fail, with Mr. Alkenard and Lord Vere Temple.” ‘“‘And which of them is it in whom you are so vitally interested?” asked Rena, mischievously. The rose on Lady Blanche’s cheek fired into a vivid car- mine. ‘What makes you think I am interested in either of them?” asked she, laughing. “Your own tell-tale face, my Blanche. Come—out with it—you know you are hiding a secret away from me, and that is point-blank against the rules and regulations of our friendship!” ‘“T believe you are a witch, Rena! “Of course I am—the only wonder is that you haven b found it out before. Isit Mr. Alkenard?’’ ‘““No—it is Lord Vere Temple,” said Blanche, coming close to Rena and leaning over her shoulder with caressing touch, so that Rena’s penetrating eyes should no longer de- cipher the sly secret of her heart. ‘Are you engaged?” ‘“Yes—no—I can hardly tell which. It was only a ‘toy and girl love affair when we were both children, but mam- 129 ma is pleased with him, and I believe Lord Temple, his EO m Eomicbooks