Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 396: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Stewart had begun to understand pretty clear- ly by this time that rd Nelson would look else- where for a bride. while she had not been able of late to ascertain Helena’s feelings with reference to Dr. Morton. Lord Nelson went to Osterly the day following his rejection by Hazel, with the understanding that he ight not return to Brighton until her grace was ready to repair to London for the season. It had been a great disappointment to her that he could not win Hazel, for every day that she had gp with her had revealed something more to love in her, Mrs. Stewart was nearly ready to return to the metropolis. She had succeeded in securing a house not far from Mr. Harlescourt’s residence, where she could be near Marie and the girls could exchange visits whenever they felt inclined to do so. But before flitting from Crescent Villa she deter- mined to give a brillant reception. Invitations were at once issued, and preparations instituted to make it the most elaborate affair of the season. It was also to be tue occasion of Hazel’s first introduction to society, as the daughter of Mrs, Earlescourt, and conseqently it was anticipated with great interest by the three girls, Mrs. Karlescourt resolved that Hazel should make an appearance worthy of her future position, and so, one afternoon, she took her two daughters to London on a shopping expedition for that purpose. To Hazel it was an experience of rare enjoyment, and her very first. also. in being able to gratify her exquisite taste to the utmost. She both 2S rere prong ag her mother by her careful regard for the cost of things, “This is perfectly lovely, and I like it” FOIE