Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 198: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 191 cautiously into his face. ‘Come into sis library,” she added, hastily, ‘‘ I have something to say to you.” They passed into the great, gloomy library, and the door closed behind them. Left alone in the sick-room the nurse darted forward and turned the key in the lock; then, with eager haste, she tore open the bosom of her dress, and dragged forth eagerly, fran- tically, something concealed there. A man’s gold sleeve-button, set with gleaming emeralds; on the reverse side a coat of arms, She held it up and compared it with the one above the door. Two mailed hands grasping a bleeding heart; over all, the ominous legend ‘‘ Ve Vics.” She set her teeth hard together —remarkably strong, white teeth for an old woman to possess— and tossing the disfiguring spectacles aside, raised her right hand toward heaven. | ‘* At last !” she panted, and in her excitement and agitation her voice rang out loud and clear. ‘‘I am on the track, I have penetrated John Gordon’s secret. I stand here under my own father’s roof; and now—woe to you, Sir John Sydney !” A stifled exclamation fell upon her ears, and turning quickly, the old woman saw Geraldine sitting up, wan and white, among the dainty pillows. } ‘« Say it again !” the sick woman faltered, feebly. ‘‘ It sounds like music to me. ~ Tell me, do you hate him, too?” The delirium had vanished. Geraldine was in her right mind. The nurse comprehended the situation ata glance. She darted to the bedside. ‘‘TLady Sydney,” she panted, bending over the white face, whose dark, beautiful eyes now held the light of reason in their depths once more, ‘‘ Miss Geraldine,” she added, correcting herself as she caught sight of the look of aversion which crossed the sick woman’s face at the sound of that hated title, ‘‘ listen ! I have come here to nurse you, but, for a reason of my own, which I will soon explain, Iam in disguise. Iam a wronged and suffering woman,” she went on, wringing her white hands — (ee) Eomichooks