A Struggle for a Ring — page 120: what you’re looking at

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

~ A HUSBAND’S CAUTION: this conclusion, that the love which comes after marriage is better than the love that comes before.” ‘‘Those are words of wisdom,” he said. ‘‘ Does love come after marriage, mother?” _**Most certainly, the best kind. But why this long catechism, Vivian? You are not thinking of love?” ‘*No,” he replied ; and he wondered at the bitter pang in his own heart. ‘‘No; 1 was thinking of marriage.” The countess looked at him with those grand, serene eyes of hers. ‘¢There is a sublime state of things,” she said, ‘‘ which few of us reach—that is where any one falls in love with the very person that one ought to love. And marriage and love are one; for instance, if Linda has fallen in love with the duke, so much the better. Any one falling in love with Lady Ethel Pierpont would be very happy, because every earthly advantage is combined in such a love.”’ He turned abruptly away, wondering at the pain he felt. What caused it? What did it mean? The countess continued : ‘‘Your father and myself intend to have Linda’s mar- riage celebrated in all state and ceremony. ‘The first mar- _ Tiage in a family is always a great event. I used to fancy that yours would be the first, Vivian.” ‘*So it was,” he thought to himself, with a bitter sigh; ‘‘it was indeed the first marriage. Never mind, it was for honor’s sake.” : ‘‘T have been thinking,” continued his lady mother, ‘*that Linda must have beautiful bride-maids. I wish—I should like to invite the Pierponts,” There was a dead pause; neither mother nor son broke it for a few minutes. She was watching him; he was looking gloomily away. (e(e) comicbooks