Bonny Jean, and A Severe Threat — page 240: what you’re looking at

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

A SEVERE THREAT. 233 you that I intended to apply for a divorce on the ground of in- compatibility of temper, since that plea is recognized in some States of America, and I cared not upon what ground of com- plaint I founded my attempt, so that I could honorably procure ~ my freedom. A notice of the application was sent you long ago. I have just returned from America; a judgment has been rendered, giving us both our freedom, with the priv- ilege of marrying again. The former marriage is a dead secret here. You can wed whomsoever you please, and no one will be the wiser in regard to your first matrimonial venture. I care not what becomes of you, my lady, so that you never cross my path again.” She had stood quite still while he was speaking. Her pallid face was unaltered ; but there was a curious gleam in the depths of her beautiful eyes. Until now she had never believed that the divorce would be granted. Suddenly she sprang forward, and falling upon her knees be- fore the two who watched her with strange emotions, she lifted her white face toward heaven. Her long golden hair, falling loose, fell over her shoulders, reaching to the ground; her face could be no whiter—it was absolutely corpse-like. She lifted her two small, jeweled hands, and tore the wedding-ring from her finger. . _ **Here!” she panted, tossing it upon the green grass at his feet, ‘‘‘with this ring I thee wed.’ ‘Those were the words, Lloyd Vernon! See! I give it back to you! Go! marry the woman of your choice if you dare! But listen! You and the serpent yonder, who stole from me my very /opes of Eden ; hear me swear once again the oath that I have already sworn. So help me, Heaven! if you wed that woman at your side, you shall rue it to your dying day! I will make her existence a hell ; and when I am ready, I will take her life! I care for nothing in this world ; and, as for a future life—ha! ha! what can be worse than existence here? Do you understand me? Do you believe me? While I live, Lola Gordon shall never be your wife !” | And Lady Venetia Chandos kept her oath inviolate. A loud cry from within the court-room startled them ; and as Lady Venetia arose and swept past them, with superb dis- dain, Lloyd and Lola put their own griefs aside and entered the building, making their way into the still crowded court-room. A strange scene was taking place; they paused in consternation and alarm | Pe GDS SS Ole Eomichbooks:.co