The Widowed Bride — page 157: what you’re looking at

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

148 THE WIDOWED BRIDE CHAPTER XX. REJECTED LOVERS. Rena Percival returned to Glenhampton Castle, and the countess, inwardly disliking—nay, almost dreading her— found herself obliged to preserve an outward semblance of courtesy and sweetness. They had been scarcely ten days at the castle when, one sunny April afternoon, Lord Balfour rode up tothe door on his beautiful milk-white horse Rajah. Rena, who chanced to be sitting alone in the shadow of the budding linden trees, burst into a joyous exclamation of surprise. «So you did not expect to see me?” said the marquis, his face brightening at the earnestness of her welcome, as he sprang from his horse and threw his reins to the solemn — groom in blue and buff livery, who was riding behind. “No,” she answered frankly, as she extended her. hand, “T did not think I should ever see you again, Lord Balfour.” ‘Why not?” “‘Because,” and the carmine glow spread over her cheek, beneath the downcast lashes, ‘‘I feared I had forfeited all right to your kindly-recollection or friendship.” ‘As if I were such a stern judge as that! No, Miss Per- cival; I extend no such severe censorship over a young girl’s frolic.” He sat down beside her on the long carved settee. Rena hesitated a moment. «The countess and Lady Blanche are within,” she said. “We will go to them presently,” said Lord Balfour. ‘‘Meanwhile the spring air and the fine view of yonder bud- ding copses are quite worthy of our enjoyment.” ‘<I hope the duchess is well,” said Rena, hesitatingly. ‘She is well, thanks.” ‘‘T_ am sure she has not forgiven me!” said Rena, picking ruthlessly at a branch of faintly-odorous heliotrope that was pinned in her belt. “She was a little vexed at first—no one likes tofind them- — selves willfully deceived you know—but she has reached such a pitch of philosophy at present that she can laugh as heart- ily at the burlesque as you yourself.” ~- €omicbooks.com — at