Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. AT5 rather be a play-actor than a miserable sham, spending my time trying to secure a rich husband !” Every word that she uttered was as clear and incisive as a knife-thrust. The woman before her quailed beneath the withering scorn in her eyes. ‘*Out of this house this instant!” panted Dot, furiously, carried away by the intensity of her anger. ‘‘ Actress as I am, I would never intrude myself, a/one, intoa sick man’s chamber ; for I believe, my lady, that you have no more right to be at his side than has the sweet young lady whom you have just insulted, and who has helped nurse him for charity’s sake.” For, leal and true, Dot would keep her friend’s secret, which she had guessed—a secret to the last. ‘*No right ?” Lady Venetia’s voice was exceedingly low, but there was a triumphant ring in it. ‘‘No right?” she repeated, slowly; ‘‘then ask Lloyd Vernon, since you are so deeply interested ; ask Lloyd Vernon, I say, what Lady Venetia Chandos is to him.” She swept her silken skirts through the door over the pretty porch, on to the carriage waiting at the gate—a handsome car- riage, with a coronet upon it, and a footmen in gorgeous livery sunning himself outside. A short pause ; then the low rumble of wheels, and the sun came out from behind a pile of black clouds, as though an incubus had been lifted. Pale and stern, Dot Wylde stood watching the unwelcome visitor depart ; then, with a resolute face, she turned and en- tered the room where the sick man lay. ‘‘Mr, Vernon,” she said, softly, bending over his white face, which had somehow grown suddenly whiter, ‘‘ pardon my bold- ness, but I have a good reason for asking you aquestion. Itis this—what is Lady Venetia Chandos to you?” Lloyd closed his eyes, and turned his white face to the wall. ‘‘ Heaven help me!” he muttered, under his breath. ‘‘ Lady Venetia is—my wife /” Eomichooks co