Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

| } | tt we ad a one ee eee Se eos. OT” ee ee ee ee ee ee a en about her. More than once during the evening, even in the midst of her enjoyment, there had come into her heart a wish that she was the cherished daughter of fond parents, and could enjoy, unrestrained, the de- lights of social life—at least fora while. But Hazel’s nature was not a jealous one, “It has been very pleasant, thus far,” she said, quietly, ‘but even if it had not been, one eannot always choose what one likes best.”’ “But you enjoy this?” and Mrs. Earlescourt’s glance wandered for a moment over the brilliant company, and then came back to the lovely face beside her. . “Oh, yes, thisis delightful,” Hazel returned, with gleaming eyes. “Still, it might not be the best kind of a life for me.” “Why not?” “It might make me selfish and worldly if I were to give myself up wholly to it. I do not believe that a fashionable lifeis the noblest life tolead. I have my own living to earn, and I am not sure that I ought to indulge much ‘in social pieasures—they might make me discontented with my lot.” “Itis very sweetof you to accept your condition so patiently and cheerfully,” Mrs. Earlescourt said, gently, while she laid her hand almost affectionately upon Hazel’s arm. “I wonder,’ she continued, “if you have met mydaughter this evening.” “T do not et, having been introduced to Miss Earlescourt,” Hazei replied. “Come, then. and lef me make you acquainted; I would like Marie to know you.” | The gracious lady linked her arm within that of her young companién, nd, leading pein : room, introduced her to Marie and tna ae nee ae