A Struggle for a Ring — page 98: what you’re looking at

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

94 A PROUD FAMILY. Wedgewood, beautiful little carvings in ivory, were scat- tered over the tables; books in rare and beautiful bindings. The Countess Lucia, Lady Waldrove, reclined on a couch of amber satin, toying negligently with a little King Charles spaniel that lay on a cushion by her side—the very picture of elegance and luxury; the atmosphere seemed filled with it; one could not imagine vulgar cares presuming to enter here. Lady Waldrove was a tall, stately brunette. She had been exceedingly handsome in her youth; even now she was considered one of the finest-looking women in the peerage. Lady Waldrove wore a morning-dress of white muslin, with maize-colored ribbons; on her luxuriant hair she wore a morning-cap of rich Valenciennes lace ;_a cup of chocolate stood on a silver tray by her side. But the countess had little thought for her chocolate; she was thinking of, to her, the most important person in the whole world—Vivian, Lord Carsdale, heir of Roseneath. The door of the morning-room opened slowly, and a young girl entered, tall and dark, as were all the Cars- dales. The countess had a supreme contempt for fair people; to her idea, fair complexions and weak minds always went together. Lady Linda, the eldest of the Ladies Carsdale, cautiously, almost timidly, entered her mother’s presence. People, as a rule, were very fearful of disturbing her ladyship’s repose. She looked up quickly. ‘“‘Is that you, Linda? Come in; I was just sending for you.” Lady Linda went up to her mother, and bending grace- fully, she kissed the white, jeweled hands that lay on the little King Charles dog» It was seldom that Lady Wal- drove’s daughters, unasked, kissed their mother’s face. ‘“Good-morning, dear mamma,” said Lady Linda. ‘* How is Floss?” . comicbook