A Heart's Bitterness — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

— ios ~ A HEART’S BITTERNESS, Three days passed—days in which Leigh was sullen and retired, because he learned, through Adam’s chat, about the - loss to the eottage people, that Miss Ambrose had gone away, not expecting to return. “And they do say,” continued Adam, ‘‘though, she’s - not married, her name is changed, and she is Haviland, taking her uncle’s name, with his fortune.” During these days Lady Clare arrived, and Colonel Hartington began to pay her attentions, which were amiably received. “1 don’t believe Leigh will live three years,” said Lady Clare, calmly regarding her former suitor, and summing up his life chances. ‘‘He looks consumed by some inward e ; 4 : +, U , : Faery tp tle fury or fever. ‘I may be Countess Leigh yet.” Grace and Sir Tom were also absorbed in each other. Grace had said ‘‘ Yes,” and she and Sir ‘l’om seemed float- ing round in a heaven of happiness, like a pair of triumph- ant gods borne on rosy clouds. Volet was left usually to Kenneth Keith, with the sim- _ pering, undiscerning Anna for a third, about like a dummy at a game of cards. Very often Violet fled away, and left Keith to endure Anna's smiles, and platitudes, and serene silences, alone. On such occasions she walked in the plantations by herself; a and Keith, in terror lest some evil overtake her, would fol- low her ignorantly, and he himself her greatest danger. He - found her so one day, sitting on a mossy bank, from which a beautiful wood-path opened. The pain she felt at seeing him stung Violet to brief anger. | , ‘‘Why did you follow me? Why do you always follow me? I love to be alone.” ““TIt seems so lonesome, and perhaps hardly safe for eyou.”’ fa Bayo safe? Surely there can be no danger here and by day?” ) rs 5 Certainly not,” admitted Keith, “but it looks—so forlorn !” | “And if I wish to be forlorn?—if it is my destiny?” eried Violet. ‘‘I hate being always followed. My aunt, and grandmother, and governess, always did it. Why are Hs yen acting just like them? Stay with Anna, and let me alone.” : (E(@) ren comicbooks