The Widowed Bride — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

144 rae THE WIDOWED BRIDE Lord Balfour stared at the speaker, as much astounded as aman might be who was told that the sky was scarlet instead of blue. ‘‘Miss Percival?” he repeated, slowly. ‘‘Pardon me, Lady Glenhampton, but that must be impossible. This young lady is Lady Blanche Arden, whom my mother had the honor of presenting at court a few days ago.” Lady Glenhampton shrank back slightly. ; ‘“He is insane!” she exclaimed, almost before she knew that she was speaking her thoughts aloud, But at this instant Rena rose, full restored to the pres- ence of mind that had momentarily deserted_ her. “JT beg your pardon, Lady Glenhampton,” she said, coolly; ‘‘he is not insane, and to a certain degree he is speaking the truth. You may call it an act of impostorship if you like, or you may phrase it a simple masquerade—the truth is this: I was presented at court by Lady St. Burgoyne, under the name of Lady Blanche Arden.” The Countess of Glenhampton’s smooth skin turned almost livid with rage; her black eyes literally blazed with jetty fire as she advanced a step or two and then stood still in front of Miss Percival, who boldly confronted her, secure in the belief that she had friends enough to aid her to weather the gale. / ‘‘Miss Percival,” she gasped, ‘‘do I hear aright? Is it possible that you have dared to assume the name of Lady Blanche Arden—to deceive the Duchess of St. Burgoyne— to appear in the presence of your sovereigns under a false name? No; I cannot believe it!” ‘You may believe it,” Rena answered, calmly, ‘‘for it is every word of it true!” : As she spoke she lifted her soft, liquid eyes appealingly © to Lord Balfour’s shocked face. «You will not judge me for a childish freak which has done no actual harm?” she murmured, softly. ‘‘I know it was wrong, but—but I could not resist the temptation. Only say that you forgive me.” ‘Tt is not necessary to say it,” he answered, frankly, as he pressed her hand, and she knew that, as far as he was concerned, she was safe. ‘‘Rena!l” Lady Blanche questioned, drawing near to her friend and looking at her with surprised eyes, ‘‘is it true?” “Tt as true, Blanche. Have I forfeited your love?” | comicbooks be Y a’