A Heart's Bitterness — page 149: what you’re looking at

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

j * ad tel , Poo ap be‘ ¢ a ee eae SS wake i & A HEART'S BITTERNESS = =——S=«WALA between him and his desire! Her child-like, touching pen- sive beauty made no impression upon him, because near it shone, in a serene splendor, the matchless face of Edna. When Lord Leigh came out of the conservatory, the palms and the ferns, the roses and orchids, had heard his vow, to bend all his powers in reinstating himself in the heart of Edna Ambrose Haviland. ‘This resolve calmed him a little, and then he had time to wonder how his wife had become acquainted with Edna, whose friendship she had lately indignantly rejected. She had called’ her “ her friend!’ What mystery was this? He saw the slender figure of Violet resting in a large gray plush easy-chair, which set her delicate pink brocade and her dark shining head in bright relief. He went to her, bent dutifully over her chair, and taking her fan, began gently fanning her. Violet looked up gratefully. ‘* Are you enjoying yourself, Lady Leigh?” ‘©Oh, much, thank you.” «That is a very pretty friend of yours, in care of Lady — Burton. Where did you find her?” ‘‘ At Lady Burton’s. Lady Burton has a genius for sur- © rounding herself with lovely girls. Is she not exquisite?” ‘¢ Very, indeed.” ** And we are such friends! Do you not think it would be delightful if she would come and stay with us some?” ‘‘ Perhaps, for a little, toward the close of the season, if you like,” said Leigh, quietly, while his heart leaped madly. | . «‘ At least she will be at all our entertainments—at our ball next week. Oh, do, you know she has a studio at Lady Burton’s, and paints. She is to paint me. I will get her to let me bring you there some time, if you like, Norman.” ‘‘Thank you, my dear. If you are rested would you like to go see some wonderful cacti in the conservatory?” | ‘Ihe presence of Edna, for whom his absorbing passion daily grew, turned Norman Leigh’s mind from the dread- ful scene by the Black Pool. His spirit shook off some his wife, who was now constantly with her best loved friend. Pf comicbooks.co . ~ fe ’ _s J \ TS = d ¥ WO’ -- ree : a> » . eat! art a eae, 6 Pes ewes 2 oe im . 2 em ge ~ As —— ry 1. of that clinging, deadly burden of self-accusation, and terror of some discovery that might ,bring crime to his — charge. ‘'T'o see more of Edna, he followed more closely _ ‘Ve = een &