A Struggle for a Ring — page 131: what you’re looking at

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

“GIVE ME LOVE, OR HATE.” 127 that is understood. You will see her for the first time in some marvelous combination of silk and lace that will astonish you. Wait until you receive a,state summons.” He did wait, but it was in a fever of impatience. He could not play. The Duke of Claverdon laid down his cue. ‘‘A man requires his wits about him for billiards, Vivian,” he said; ‘‘yours are gone.” Lady Linda looked up with a quiet smile into her brother’s face. ‘‘T understand,” she said, quietly; ‘‘it is of no use, Vivian,” He gave up all attempts at playing and went out into’ the grounds, wondering what had come over him. ‘*T shall make a grand soldier,” he said to himself. ‘‘I may have to face a regiment with drawn swords, and I am afraid to face a young girl whose only weapons“are her beautiful eyes.” | He waited patiently enough, but the expected summons did not come; then his heart sank again, so little did he understand the maneuvering of women of the world. He thought to himself ‘‘evidently Lady Pierpont does not include me in her list of eligible men, or she would be in a greater hurry to introduce me to her daughter.” | The dinner-bell rang, and as yet there was no summons for him. There was to be a grand dinner-party.that even- ing at Roseneath; the bride-maids and visitors all assem- bled in full force; most of the influential country people were invited, and dinner was prepared in the grand ban- queting-hall. The costly family plate was all laid out— there had not for many long years been anything seen like it in Roseneath. As Lord Carsdale was crossing the hall “* Ecomichoo CS (E(0) m