A Struggle for a Ring — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

i 142 A DREAM BY THE SEA. ‘“Oh, that is what you mean, Lord Carsdale. May I ask if you suppose that Iam in any great hurry to marry?” She spoke so coldly, so proudly, that he looked at her in wonder. ‘‘Lady Ethel,” he said, ‘‘I am offending you, I am displeasing you, though I cannot for the whole world tell why. Iam so sorry—forgive me. I have unintentionally done wrong. You know that I would rather die than dis- please you.” ‘‘T know nothing of the kind,” said the petulant young beauty; ‘‘Il only know what is quite true, that.men are the most stupid creatures in creation. Iam sorry to say anything rude, but it is really true.” He looked so astounded at this sudden attack, that Lady Ethel laughed in spite of herself; and looking up at the lovely face, he saw that the dark eyes were filled with tears. ‘¢ Lady Ethel,” he cried, ‘‘ you are an enigma to me!” ‘“‘Am I? It is not worth while trying to solve me, then.” He took her hand in his; it was the only time, and the touch of that white, soft thin remained with him ior years. ‘* Lady Ethel,” he said, ‘‘I feel that in your presence I am but as a slave before a queen. I look up to the heights on which you stand, and my eyes are dazzled ; you are as far above me as the stars are. Iam ata loss what to say to you, but I can see that I have most unfortunately offended you, and I grieve for it. Forgive me. It is the last time we shall ever watch the stars shining on the sea together; do not let us quarrel.” When te first began to speak her face had flushed, then had grown quite pale; now it grew paler still. | comic ,00 | m