Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 330: what you’re looking at

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

you than the past contains—that you will be even happier than when you dwelt on that island in the sea, 2 joyous, carefree child. I wonld J might econ- tribute something toward such a result,” said the young man, earnestly. “Oh. Lord Hartwell, you have already done so much!” Hazel cried, gratefully, and lifting a frank, appreciative look to him, “vou have been very good to ine; but for you, I fear that I should never have known the exceeding joy of this day, while all my life I shall love her grace, your grandmother, who has been like-a dear mother to me also.” Lord Nelson bent eagerly toward her. “Youloveher, yousay,’ hebegan. ‘Miss Graham— Hazel, I would give a great deal to win a like ex- pression of affection from you only own behalf. J love you, my darling, with the first great love of my life. All these weeks, since you came to us, you have been weaving a spell about ine. and I have longed to lay my heart, my life, and all that if holds. at your feet. Will you accept the offering, my beloved? will you give yourself to me in return, and promise to brighten my future with your presence in my home?” Hazel sat speechless and frozen before him. She had not dreamed of receiving such a declara- tion from him. She had regarded him only in the light of a kind and genial friend who, at first, had tried to make life a little pleasanter for a poor governess, and who, later, had desired to help and comfort herin her trouble and friendlessness, She had accepted his attentions and hissympathy frankly and gratefully, withont suspecting they were the forerunners of more tender sentiments. She threw out: her hands in a pained, appealing gesture. He seized them in his own, ing with a sudden fear as he caught Lighvee Nee ete,