The Widowed Bride — page 114: what you’re looking at

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

ey aS Ay ae liz THE WIDOWED BRIDE. | 105 which it is? It’s always useful to be in possession of other people’s secrets.” He walked with her as far as the foot of the terrace, mak- ing himself exceedingly agreeable in spite of the first im- pression Miss Percival received of his presence. But Rena believed in first impressions—she was not often mistaken in them, and she was a skillful reader of the faces of others. “‘He talks well,” she thought, as she entered.the house, - “but Ishall not like Mr, Poynings!” She took the opportunity to ask Blanche about him when next they were together alone. “Mr. Poynings!’ cried Blanche. ‘‘How funny that you shouid have come across him in that romantic sort of a way! Don’t be vexed, Rena dear; but suppose—only suppose he should be your future fate! The young people always meet in that fashion in novels, you know!” “As if J would stoop to a village lawyer!’ said Rena, haughtily. “But he’s very nice, Rena, and has a very respectable in- come, and is one of mamma's prime favorites. He was poor Mr. Hunsworth’s clerk or partner, or something, and ‘suc- ceeded to the whole of his business, and namma has recom- mended him to a great many of the county families.” ‘“‘He cannot be very young,” said Rena, still disdainful. “But he is very gentlemanly and intelligent!’ persisted Blanche. ‘‘Darling Rena, I hope [ have not vexed you.” ‘(What a ridiculous idea!” said Rena, laughing, and fully recovering her equanimity. ‘‘Yes, he is gentlemanly and intelligent, and he is coming to call on you. Now tell me about the people you saw and the places you went to.” But while Blanche talked, Rena’s wandering thoughts were busy with the future visitors—what they would be like, whether they would admire her own piquant beauty, whether — their presence would but infuse new brightness into this beautiful life at Glenhampton Castle! And she answered Bianche at random, and hardly knew when the young daughter of the house went back into her own rooms. She made Marienne arrange her hair over and over again the next afternoon, until that damsel was nearly in despair, and finally tore it all down itself, brushed and coiled it back, alter the simplest fashion, with a cluster of natural curls hanging on one side, ) | m Gomilcbooks:. co