The Widowed Bride — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

154 | THE WIDOWED BRIDE, — I imagine why you should desire any such unprofitable way of spending your time.” | ‘‘Perhaps, Miss Percival, if you were to hear me out 5 “‘But I do not wish to hear you out!” interrupted Rena, with a vehemence that only gave additional charm to her piquant manner. ‘‘Whatever you wish to say to me had better be said in the presence of the other guests at Glen- hampton Castle, and any private interviews you may have, must be with Lady Blanche Arden rather than with Rena _ Percival.” “‘Miss Rena Percival, you are exceedingly frank,” said Lord Vere, with an air of undisguised chagrin. ‘‘And I intended to be. Have I offended you, Lord Vere?” : : “I suppose I ought to be offended,” he answered, after a second’s hesitation. ‘Not at all,” said Rena, changing her voice from its cold, hard ring to a deliciously. coaxing intonation. ‘‘We have always been excellent friends, Lord Vere—we are not going to be enemies now.” “Friends ?” he asked, meaningly. ‘*Yes, only friends. Do we part thus?” - She held out her hand. He took it as frankly as it was offered, and so Lord Vere Temple’s love-making was nipped remorselessly in the bud. Blanche Arden did not see her friend until late that night, when Rena came into her room. | ‘Well, my dear Blanche,” she asked, pressing her cool lips to Lady Blanche’s forehead, ‘‘what sort of an evening have you had?” ‘‘A delightful one!” answered Lady Blanche, enthusiastic- ally; ‘‘but where were you?” “Oh, wandering about in.the starlight like a lost spirit! And how did you amuse yourself?” ‘Singing to Vere, most of the time, I believe,” the young girl answered, shyly. ‘‘Dear Rena, you can’t think how delightful it was—he seemed to have resumed his old tender manner. I think he does like me a little after all!” ‘“‘A great deal, I should judge,” said Rena. ‘‘Remem- ber about the bridesmaid promise, Blanche!” “TY will not forget,” whispered Blanche. ‘‘And Rena— - you will let me tell you, won’t you, for it was such a wicked “comicbooks.co