Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 395: what you’re looking at

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

own room most of the time, behavior which made her mother very indignant; but neither arguments nor the exercise of her authority had any influence upon her, and she finally was forced to leave her to her own devices. She could not seem to do enough to atone to Hazel for the coldness and lack of sympathy which she had exhibited at the time of her trouble, and she con- ceived a fondness for the girl. during this visit, which she would not have believed possible six weeks pre- vious, To Hazel these delightful days seemed like a beau- tiful dream; to be free from care, to be allowed to enjoy life as other young girls enjoyed it, was some- thing new and charming. She saw her mother every day, eveu while she was with Mrs. Stewart, for neither felt that she could do without the other long at a time. Both parents—tor it was not very hard to recognize a fatherin a genial man like Mr. Earles- court—showered gifts upon her, and testitied by every effort in their power to their delight in this reunion, Mrs. Stewart expressed considerable surprise when Belle told her of her meeting with Chester Osborn, and the gratifying changein his fortunes. Helena was present at the time, and remarked, in a casual way, that he had called the evening that they were on a Visit to the duchess. “T wonder, Helena, if Mr, Osborn hasn't some special object in view in coming to Brighton,’ Mrs. Stewart remarked later, when they were alone ; “he used to be quite an ardent admirer of yours before we left New York, I think you had better make up your mind to something pretty soon, my dear, for the years are passing, and your opportunities. sith them.”