A Struggle for a Ring — page 397: what you’re looking at

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

“7 WILL NOT. FORGET.” 393 ‘*’That I will promise,” said Ailie. ‘‘And how do I know that you will keep your prom- ise?’ asked the countess. ‘“ Because I make it to you, Lady Waldrove, in the presence of Heaven. I swear to you that, from the time I cross your threshold until my heart grows cold in death, I will, neither by word or by action, seek your son.” ‘‘T suppose that I must be satisfied with that,” said Lady Waldrove. ‘‘I should have been much better pleased if you had signed the paper.” ‘Lady Waldrove,” said Ailie, humbly, ‘‘I wish that I might dare to ask a favor of you?” | ‘* You may ask it,” said the countess, proudly. ‘‘Iam not unjust, I am not cruel. If it be anything that I can reasonably grant, I will do so.” ‘‘T want to ask you,” said Ailie, ‘‘if- you will refrain from mentioning what happened to Madame Roubart? She is so very particular over her house, and very justly so. She was kind to me, and I should not like her to think that I have brought.discredit upon her.” ‘‘I do not know,” said Lady Waldrove; ‘‘I almost think that for her own sake I am bound to tell madame. You may return to her, and impose on her again.” ‘©No,” replied Ailie, gently, ‘‘ there need be no fear. I shall never see Madame Roubart again. I would not re- turn to her for the whole world.” ‘‘T am glad,” said the countess, more graciously, ‘‘ that you have the grace to be somewhat ashamed of yourself; that looks better.” | ‘‘Will you grant me that one favor, Lady Waldrove?” S €said Ailie. ‘I have such grave reasons for asking it, and it is the only one I ask.” | ‘¢Ves I do not mind. — It is not probable that Madame . Gomicbooks.cor