Thrice Wedded, but Only Once a Wife — page 152: what you’re looking at

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

eA, mademoiselle, there are seven as lovely ladies here as ever the sun shone upon.” ‘‘Oh, heavens! and how long have they been held captive in sucha place?” “Some have been here three or four years; some not as THRICE WEDDED. i 143 long, but one has lived here many years. But I must not — tell you more, lest I be overheard; only do not blame me for what you suffer,” she entreated, heaving a deep sigh. ‘“My poor child!” said Madame Alroyd, soothingly, while a shudder quivered through her frame. ‘‘We cannot re- gard you with any other feeling than that of pity. And rest assured, should kind Providence send friends to our res- cue, we will not forget you and your poor mistress.” The grateful girl seized her hand and kissed it passion- ately, and immediately glided from the room. The two terror-stricken ladies then made a hasty toilet, and sat down with fear and trembling, to await the appear- ance of the much dreaded chief. Presently Nina returned and said: “The chief desires that you will atPala of your break- fast, which 1 is waiting; after which your request shall be at- tended to.2 She parted another set of curtains, and revealed beyond an elegant breakfast-room, in which a table was daintily spread for two. Dora walked proudly within, without uttering a word in reply. Madam timidly followed, and they seated them- selves, going through the ceremony of eating, being atten- tively waited on by the faithful girl. When the repast was ended, Nina seized a tiny silver whistle that lay upon the table and blew it, and instantly a page entered and removed the service, followed by the girl. Not many minutes elapsed, and Dora saw the draper y. which hid the entrance move; then there was a sound, as of persons whispering. he held her breath—she felt that the decisive moment had arrived. A fair, white, shapely hand parted the curtains; a trini, finely formed foot was upon the threshold, and for an in- stant our heroine’s head grew dizzy, while a mist vailed her eyes; but with a mighty effort she conquered the faintness, (ele) Eomicbooks