Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 183: what you’re looking at

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

176 A SEVERE THREAT. CHAPTER XIV, A WICKED WOMAN'S WILES. Lady Venetia’s carriage whirled away down the long green country road, on until mile after mile was accomplished, paus- ing at last before a pair of high-arched iron gates in a grim stone wall. The gates flew open as if by magic; the carriage entered, and bowled slowly up a broad avenue between the rows of whispering limes. Lady Venetia leaned her golden head back upon the azure satin cushions, and closed her eyes. At last the carriage stopped before an irregular, massive building of gray stone. My lady was assisted to alight, and she ascended the marble steps of the mansion and entered a magnificent en- trance hall. An elderly lady, in rustling gray silk, and a point lace cap on her gray puffs, met her with open arms. ‘‘Home at last, my dear Venetia!” she cried, kissing the low white brow. ‘‘I’ve missed you very much.” She opened the door of a pretty blue and silver room near, and entered, followed by my lady. As soon as they were alone, Lady Venetia tossed off her hat, and, throwing herself into a chair, burst into a flood of tears, ‘The elder lady paused before her in consternation. ‘* Venetia!” she cried, aghast. My lady glanced up. ‘“‘Aunt Esther,” she said, slowly, ‘‘I have been to see Lloyd.” Aunt Esther held up her hands in genuine surprise. “‘ Alone?” she queried, reproachfully. ‘‘ Alone !” returned my lady, her blue eyes flashing angrily ; ‘have I not the right? Aunt Esther, he is my husband—my unwilling husband, who hates me as thoroughly as I (fool that (e(@) > Eomicbooks