A Struggle for a Ring — page 293: what you’re looking at

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

- A CRUSHED FLOWER. 289 — “‘T always think of her when I see them: Take this, Vivian, the finest, the whitest, and most fragrant. Never mind the gardeners; as | always tell your father, they are our servants, zof our masters. Take this one.” He complied; then taking it from his hand, she gave it to Ailie. ° ‘‘ Miss Derwent,” she said, ‘‘I know you do not mind a-trifling commission ; will you take this to Lady Ethel? Give it to her with Lord Carsdale’s compliments ; and add to that—I hope to see her wearing it at dinner.” She held out the flower, and Ailie turned to look at her; the beautiful, passionate face flushed hotly, her eyes flashed. Lord Carsdale was alarmed ; he spoke hastily : ‘‘Nay, mother, do not do that; she will not like it, indeed.” | ‘“Nonsense! I know best what she will like,” said the countess. ‘*‘ You never needed reminding of such acts of politeness before you left England.” ‘‘Miss—Miss Derwent,” said Lord Carsdale, and his voice trembled so that his mother looked at him in won- 3? der—‘‘ Miss Derwent—stay—l - But the countess laughingly touched Ailie’s hand. ‘Go, and give my message,” she said; ‘‘then come to my dressing-room, if you please, Miss Derwent.” : She did not look at her husband—she dare not; but the temptation was strong upon her to fling the beautiful hyacinth on the ground and trample it to death. But she ‘must obey. ‘The passion deepened on her beautiful face. Was it to be borne or to be endured that she should carry flowers from him to he on the golden hair or the white | breast of a woman whom she was beginning to suspect loved him? Yet she must obey. ee tin ~ ~— (@ co . 4 r » - a! , ‘ 3 v ~ : Sia ba fo *< ¢ i VEN “qe? vy . > a PJ CS