A Heart's Bitterness — page 104: what you’re looking at

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

96 A HEART’S BITTERNESS. that if he did not seem to take the path of honor he must no more look on Edna Ambrose. And his whole soul cried out that he could not live away from her blessed presence —that rather than part from her he would die at her feet. ‘“Make peace with your wife, drop me from your discus- sions, and leave me to meet, and know, and win the love of Lady Leigh in my own fashion.” | Under bonds of his instruction, Leigh met Violet at din- ner. She was pale and subdued, resolved but remorseful. He took the initiative. ‘‘ Have you written those invitations, Violet?” ‘“No; I did not know they were concluded on.” — €* Let us write them after dinner, in the library?” ““T know I spoke too hastily this morning. I should _ have refused in some better way. I was very unamuiable.” “‘So it appeared to me. but, of course, | don’t wish to govern your invitations. I don’t care a rush who comes or stays away.” : Violet felt intensely ashamed. This remark set her clearly in the wrong. She blushed and faltered: ‘‘] have been spoiled, I fear, Norman. I speak too hastily.” ) _ "Well, never mind. I dare say we are not of natures to live like two doves.. Most matches have such differences in them. People, I fancy, don’t usually marry the ones best suited to them. We’ll rub on as easily as we can.” The invitations were written; but heavily on Violet’s soul lay Lord Leigh’s estimate of marriage, and the assu- rance of her own irreparable mistake, and her own forlorn condition. CHAPTER XXV. ‘YOU ARE THE HAPPIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD.” A gray, elderly man, bowed as much with care as with age, was walking along a lane of the village of Leigh, when he heard the sound of a step on the turf behind him, and turned to see a gracious figure in blue cambric, a wide faille hat, trimmed with grass and daisies, and carrying a little | basket. Recognition was mutual. _. “Why, Adam!” cried the girl. GEomMmicbooks.co