The Widowed Bride — page 176: what you’re looking at

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

THE WIDOWED BRIDE. 167 ‘You are the dearest old mamma in the world,” said Lord Balfour, with a warm Caress. And thus strengthened in the cause in which he was already so determined, Lord Balfour set out for Glenhamp- ton Castle, resolved to strike at least one doughty blow for the guerdon of Rena Percival’s love. The servant whom Lord Balfour met in the hall directed bim at once to Miss Percival, who was arranging some flow- ers in the west drawing-room. At the unexpected sound of a man’s footstep on the thres- hold, she glanced up and colored deeply as she recognized the Marquis of Balfour. : “T will call Lady Glenhampton directly,” she said, drop- ping a bunch of wax-white orange blossoms as she returned his greeting. ‘‘I believe she is in the conservatory.” ‘But I did not come to see Lady Glenhampton,” said Lord Balfour, composedly. ‘Lady Blanche is playing croquet —she “I know it—l saw her as I came in,” answered Lord Bal- four. ‘“‘It is you that I called to see this morning, Miss Percival. Will you allow me to bring you a chair?” Rena perceived but too plainly that there was no outlet of escape for her this time. She sat down in the light chair Lord Balfour placed for her with a sort of resigned despera- tion, and began nervously to twist the stem of a half-blown rosebud between her fingers. “You see | am determined not to be evaded any longer, Miss Pervival,” said the young man, calmly; ‘‘or is it all my own imagination, that you have systematically avoided me of late?” “Tt is not your imagination,” said Rena in a low tone. ‘Then may I ask 1f my presence is so disagreeable to ou?” “Tt is not that.” ‘Do you really wish to escape my Soman aian ee he asked, looking as intently at her as if her fair face were an enigma which he was determined to read. *Y es.7? The answer came in a low tone, but it was firmly spoken, “Yet you assert that itis from no personal dislike or an- tipathy. Miss Percival, I cannot understand you.’ Rena was silent, but the carmine blood still glowed. be- neath her transparent skin, and he could see that the rose- m (eoy payicel exoKoy ,<S