Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 132: what you’re looking at

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

THRICE WEDDED. 123 desire. We always assemble .in the drawing-room, and sometimes we have dancing, and sometimes merely conver- sation. ‘Though we know that we are associating with the worst characters the world affords, yet at these times a stranger would think he was among the very first people of the country. The conversation is refined and elevating; no word or act is ever allowed that could wound the most deli- ‘cate or fastidious. ‘This 1s the way I have managed to euard and protect my sisters, as I call them. Nearly all of them are of noble birth, and would prefer death to dis- honor. I live in the hope that I may yet be the means of returning them pure and spotless to their mourning friends.” ‘You are an angel,” burst involuntarily from Robert’s lips as she finished speaking. ‘‘Now please tell me your name. That I consider an important omission in your stor : ie enough,” she laughed, ‘‘though you already know it, for I was named for my mother. I am called Vivien Lamerack, but I suppose my true name is Vivien Moulton. They tell me I am very like my poor mother.” Robert’s eyes plainly said that he thought her mother must have been a very beautiful woman, but he asked: was playing with a pet kitten?” ‘Ah! you noticed her, did you?” said Vivien, with a smile, «Who was that dark- eyed little fairy in yonder room, who “She is my darling, my pride, my second self. Her name — is Enid Chichester, an English lady, who was taken from a ship that fell into the hands of the band. Her father was killed in helping the crew defend the vessel. He was her only relative, and she is left all alone the world. Mr. Chi- chester was very wealthy, and she is, of course, his heiress. The band have long been trying to get possession of her wealth, but unsuccessfully as yet. Could my darling but regain her liberty she would be one of the richest ladies of her country.” ‘‘Poor, unfortunate girls! I little imagined such wicked- ness was going on so near our quiet institute, or I should not have enjoyed my years of study so fully. It is very strange this retreat has never been discovered,” said Robert, a eae ‘‘People do mistrust that the smugglers have a den, but — <S) co GOomMmileboo