A Struggle for a Ring — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

MADAME ROUBART’S PUPIL. 84 Madame Roubart occasionally took a pupil who did not belong to the higher ranks—one who had more money than high birth. It was not often that she did so; but — when she did, the money advantages gained amply com- pensated for it. Madame Roubart was herself a comely-looking lady of forty, but looking decidedly ten years younger; she had the dark eyes and quick, bright face of a Frenchwoman ; she was graceful, bland, serene, and dignified; her pupils adored her; they never heard a disagreeable word from her; if she had anything of that kind to say, any fault to find, any objection to raise, it was done always through her head mistress, Mrs. Howard, a widow lady of great accomplishments, who was happy enough in finding so comfortable a home. Madame Roubart had a luxurious little boudoir, where she was accustomed to repose after the labors of the day, and where her favorite pupils were called. for a private se/e-a-/efe, and madame sat there one evening, with an open letter in her hand. Mrs. Howard, her faithful aide-de-camp, was with her, and they were dis cussing its contents. ‘‘Derwent,” said madame; ‘‘the name does not strike me as familiar; I do not remember it. She cannot be related to Lady Derwent, that is evident, or she would not say that she is unknown; still, Derwent is a good name, and two hundred per annum for just the elegancies of life is not to be despised. What do you say, Mrs. Howard?” ‘“‘T have not read the letter, madame,” replied that faithful auxiliary ; and Madame Roubart placed the letter in her hands. She read: ‘¢ DEAR MADAME :—I should be glad to know if you could receive me as a boarder in your establishment. I have received a good edu- cation, but, owing to my ‘having been abroad for some years, I am comicboo ‘S