A Struggle for a Ring — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

64 “KEEP MY NAME AND RANK A SECRET.” She was so wise in her sweet humility and gentle sim- plicity, that he could not help being charmed with her character. It was well for him that matters had turned out as they had; his marriage had been so recklessly im- prudent that he had almost sought misfortune. Their visit to Paris was extended; they had gone on to Switzerland ; and at length, after six weeks’ absence, Lord Carsdale pro- | posed they should return to Rudeswell. “You will not forget your promise, Ailie,” he said; ‘‘vou will keep my name and rank a secret.” ‘‘T shall never forget it,” she said. ‘They will be sure to ask you all kinds of questions. You must tell them that your husband is a man of some private means, expecting daily a commission in the army.” She looked up at him quickly, with a colorless face. ‘* Are you really expecting a commission, Vivian?” ‘‘Yes,” he replied; ‘‘1 expect it daily.” He did not understand the pallor of hér face, or the pain in her voice. ‘* What shall you do when you get it?” she asked. ‘I cannot tell; it is possible that I may remain in Eng- land, or go abroad, if my regiment is sent there.” ‘«Should you wish me to go with you?” she asked; and he was blind enough to imagine that the hesitation in her voice arose from the fact that she would not like to go. He laughed gayly. | _ **No, my dear Ailie; I shall make my first campaign alone.” | He wondered why she turned from him so suddenly, and was so quiet all the remainder of the day. The time came when they left fair France and came back to England. She had not been long absent, yet it seemed to Alice that a who!e life-time had passed since the cS GComicboo (ee)