In Sight of St. Paul's — page 235: what you’re looking at

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

230 ATONEMENT. given her long ago by an admirer, who had purchased it in Florence. She pressed a tiny spring, and the jewel which was the ring’s chief ornament flew back. ‘“How sweet it smells!’’ she thought to herself, as she raised it to her nostrils. ‘‘Like the almond trees in spring!’ Then, shuddering, she closed the ring with a snap. No! The time, although approaching, had not. yet come. The cry for justice which arose from the grave which she and others had dug, had yet to be an- swered. ‘The blame was hers. Well, she had taken all the blame. She had told all, and yet, no, not quite all. She had spared Gridston. It was she who had prompted him, it was she who was guilty. She threw up her arms with a wild, appealing ges- ture. “Heaven knows my punishment!’’ she murmured, aloud. ‘‘My remorse has been a heavy one. ‘Thank Heaven, it will soon be over!”? She put the ring back upon her finger, as the door opened and Rose appeared. ‘He is here, madame!’? Cynthia uttered a slight cry and sank back, half fainting, upon the cushions. ‘“Give me some drink, Rose! Brandy!?? Rose obeyed. The stimulant roused her mistress and gave her the GComicbooks (EO) im