Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 279: what you’re looking at

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

“But I sent dt: at the same time thatthe others were dispatched for the family,” said her grace, un- able, however, to comprehend what this circum- stance had to do with Helena Stewart’s character. “T aim aware of that fact,” replied Lord Nelson. “TI am also quite sure that Miss Stewart intercepted it.” ‘“Tmpossible!”’ exclaimed the duchess, astonished, “and yet,” she added, gravely. “I know you would not make such a statement unless you believed you had ample proof of the fact. How do you know she did not receive the card ?”’ “She told me so.. I asked her on the way hither, to-day, why she did not come last night, and she looked up at me astonished, **Of course I could not come,’ she said. * ‘Buta eard was sent you, I addressed it myself,’ I told her. “She colored crimson, and, after thinking a mo- ment, said: “There must be some mistake, for she had re- ceived none.’ ” “But the footman may have lost it on his way to deliver the invitations,” objected the duchess, un- willing to believe that those whom she had learned to regard as dear friends could be guilty of anything so dishonorable. “No, I am sure that Miss Stewart is the one to be blamed,” persisted his lordship, “for I inquired par- ticularly for Miss Gay when the family arrived last night, and Belle began to explain that ‘she did not have' something, when I saw her sister give her a warning nudge; and then Helena herself said that ‘Miss Gay was not able to come.’ ”’ “Yes, she told me the same, andit is very strange,” said her grace, looking very serious. micheekatc on this unfortunate young girl, my son, eure vee py