Octavia's Pride; or, The Missing Witness — page 264: what you’re looking at

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

254 OCTAVIA’S PRIDE. | The poor old general’s face was sufficient answer, but he plucked up courage to turn to Lady Mary drearily. ‘“And Ronald is not Lord Falconer at all——” Mathew Merle laughed loud and triumphantly. Lady Mary covered her haggard face from sight! ‘“] have not done with you yet, my lady, nor with you, Geoffrey Wainwright. I-said the heirs of the second son had a better right than this Octavia, or her father. Andso they have. But there isastronger claim behind. Geoftrey’s daughter cannot have Wainwright Slope, nor can Gustavus’ sons, though he was lawfully married, and the Middletons are his legal heirs. or Arthur Wainwright was left the true heir by the codicil of old Hugh’s will. And Arthnr Wainwright was married befoie he left England. The boy who followed him everywhere was his wife; and her son, Arthur Morley by name, came to England, all unknowing of the rich estate which was his right. Arthur Morley mar- ried secretly, but legally, the fair Lady Mary yonder. He was a fool to be so thrust aside, when all those proofs were there to right him. But that is neither here nor there. There was a child! What an innocent visit that was of yours, my immaculate Lady Mary, when you went off to the dear school-friend in Wales, and staid so many weeks!” Lady Mary started up, her eyes fairly blazing. ‘“‘ Be still, man! Meddle not with misery too sacred for - your sneering lips!”’ ‘¢ Arthur Morley started with the child, having full faith that the fair young mother would keep her solemn promise, and come alter him. You best know he bore the news which came instead, that she had risked her fair neck toa halter. and boldly married Lord Falkner. ‘he child was put to a careful nurse, with a birthmark on its arm which prevented any fear of deception. But, alas! it died. Did it not, my lady?” The frozen-looking lips of Lady Mary murmured, stiffly: © _comicbooks.c . iL re TSS 5 dis ‘ Ry FOI iiee! Poy Pic Ee Pe Cir’ F. Cpe Ke St Te ott OE Rd, Ts . S! ° f “AS Sas AC ne AS Rs Oa om. vs +E