A Heart's Bitterness — page 182: what you’re looking at

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

~y jae. A HEART’S BITTERNESS. We have kept all from Lady Burton, for fear of retarding her recovery. Only your husband, Adam and Lord Keith, and I, know it. Do not let that thought worry you.” «< And—what did they say—or do?” faltered Violet. ‘<They resolved to look quietly for you, for a week. They were in terrible distress for you, but I left a note saying to cease search—all was well.” | «You and—Kenneth are very good to me, Kdna.” - Edna was startled at something in the child’s tone. She put her hand under the round chin, and turned Violet’s face to look into her eyes. ‘Do you think there is anything particular between Lord Keith and me, Violet?” : ‘“] think,” burst out Violet, passionately, ‘‘ that you are both the best people in all the world—and I wish, yes, I do wish, you might love each other, and be married, and be happy forever.” ‘‘Poor child; this is self-conquest,” said Edna, as she bent down and kissed her; ‘‘ but Kenneth has told me all. He has buried his heart and his love, since God wills it so. But as for me, Violet, Keith will only be to me a brother, and I to him a sister. I think I am otherwise attracted, dear!” , ‘< Don’t you just despise me for a weak creature?” sobbed Violet. <‘‘I don’t wonder Norman can’t love me.” “Oh, my dear, but he does love you!” Kate and Dame Magery having finished their crying, had amicably united in preparing a breakfast. Magery was cooking dainty dishes in an out-kitchen, and Kate was setting the table in the large room, making various errands out to the dame, while Miss Ambrose and Violet talked. One of Kate’s conferences with Magery was longer than the others, and she rushed back from it with a face full of im- portance and radiant with joy. | | Oh, my dear little mistress, to think it should ever be?’ cried Kate, seizing Violet’s hands, and covering them with kisses. ‘‘ You’re made now, my dearie, and all will go well with you, and my lord won’t know how to do ; - enough for you when we have a fine little earl to show for - ourselves!” | “What!” eried Edna. ‘‘ Oh, Violet is this true?” “Yes!” said Violet, again having recourse to her usual refuge, tears; ‘‘and now I’m frightened to death for fear . eit a ay LP - he r 4 ~ »< . -* d . - de - : . (e(0) GEomicbooks