A Heart's Bitterness — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

A HEART’S BITTERNESS. 15 *¢ Would she be a happy countess?” thought Lady Burton. It was idle to stay and hear Mrs. Ainslie talk longer. The best-natured creature in the world. she had attained the nearest summit of her hopes, and saw before her, in joyful near existence, pinnacles of coroneted glory for her troop of plain, jolly, honest-hearted girls. Mrs. Ainslie kept Violet in a tumult of splendid prepara- tions. Gifts poured in. Ainslie and Leigh jewels were re- set to grace the wealthiest bride that ever had entered the ever fortunate house of Leigh. As for Violet, hers was an hour of bewilderment. Her aunt’s approbation shone on her; the congratulations of all the family greeted her; peace was proclaimed between the Montressors—her mother’s pa- triclan house—and the rich Ainslies, who had been left guardian of her person and property by her father, She drifted on this favoring tide. Lady Burton spoke again to Violet upon the subject of her marriage. ‘‘My child, if you have any hesitation or objection, it is not too late. Better be called a coquette, than de a love- less, reluctant wife. Leave all, and come with me. I will take you to America, to Egypt, anywhere, until the com- ment has passed.” ‘<No, Lady Burton, I think I am right, and shall be - happy. Ithink I am loved for myself alone. The only time any one seemed to care for me, not knowing I was rich, that one forgot me at once—/forgot me !” ‘“‘ Violet, is there any one whom you love, whose image lies in your heart?” ‘‘ Indeed, no—a thousand times no! I hate him!—the mercenary wretch!” : ‘‘ Why, Violet!” said Lady Burton, ‘‘ I am surprised!” She could say no more, for a secret feeling of honor held her bound. By her first marriage Lady Burton had a son— - Lord Kenneth Keith—and she had hoped, solely because she loved Violet, that some day Violet and Kenneth might meet and love. Violet’s singular whim—fostered, yes, 1m- planted by her grandmother, that all who sought her sought her for her fortune—had kept Lady Burton from speak- ing of her son, who was abroad, and from bringing him home to introduce to Violet. She had wished Violet to have experience and freedom of choice before they met. But this, her secret wish, held her from opposing this mar- (E(e) iCOmMmIcboOoKsS