A Struggle for a Ring — page 173: what you’re looking at

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

‘a A STRANGE PARTING. 169 Look at Alice, so young, and really, though I say it my- — self, so pretty ; then look at me.” But as the recital of his wife’s woes was the last thing on earth that the dancing-master could endure, he abruptly quitted the room, while his wife continued, in the most languid tone of voice, to relate the history and experience of her married life to her two daughters, Rose and Har- riet. Hettie wearied first; it was time, she thought, to seek her sister and find out how she bore the pain of parting with her husband. ‘« For,” said Hettie to herself, ‘‘she is so absurdly, so idiotically fond of him, that she will be breaking her heart over him, instead of feeling thankful that he is out of the way. I know1 should be glad if all the men in the world had a holiday at times, and kept out of the way.” Hettie went up to her sisters room and opened the door. She started back aghast at the sight of the white, tortured face, the pitiful, weeping eyes. Alice sprang forward. ‘<Does he want me, Hettie?” she cried. ‘‘ Has he sent for me?” Hettie looked up with wondering eyes. ‘‘He! Who do you mean, Alice?—what he?” : ‘““My husband,” said the girl. ‘‘ Has he sent nelle Then Hettie went up to her, fearing that he at sorrow had driven her mad. She threw her arms round the trembling figure; she tried to still the quivering of the lips and the hands; she spoke in a tone strangely gentle for her. ‘Your epand, Alice!” she repeated. ‘‘Why, my dear, he’s gone.” - Hettie never forgot the scene . that followed—the wild cry that came from Alice’s white lips as she rose from her €=) (eo) 5 il cGomicboo