A Struggle for a Ring — page 287: what you’re looking at

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

AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION. 283 with her. She’s very good, and all that kind of thing. She seems to know her place... I can always talk before her, and that is one great advantage.” Lord Carsdale made no reply. Indeed, his lady-mother gave him no chance, for she cried, suddenly : ‘‘Vivian, what time did you go to your room last night? It was your fault that I had such a bad night. I lay awake listening for you until after two. What are you pinahinig for? Why, Vivian, I have never seen you blush before.” He laughed awkwardly, but from the silent figure at the window came no sound. ‘*T must be ashamed of myself for keeping you awake, mother,” he stammered. ‘‘Tt must have been after two when you did find your way in. Where were you all that time?” ‘‘In the grounds,” he replied. ‘‘The night was so fine and the moon so clear. It is long since 1 have seen such a night in England.” | ; ‘‘Humph!” said my lady. ‘‘Your love for nature has ‘wonderfully increased if it prompts you to sit from twelve to three watching the light of the moon. Ah! how care- less you are, Vivian—you have broken my fan.” The delicate ivory handle had snapped in two as his clasp had tightened around it. ..‘*Miss Derwenf, do come, my dear, and see if yon can do anything with this. It is my favorite fan, too.’ She would have given anything to have excused herself. It seemed to her impossible that she should go near her husband; but no one ever disobeyed Lady Waldrove, She came ‘over to them, and as she half stooped to find one piece, Vivian gave her the other. Their hands touched, their eyes ‘met. He drew back with a half- 4 2 (S.. comicboo : _ ae