Witch Hazel; or, The Secret of the Locket — page 378: what you’re looking at

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

Mrs. Stewart felt sure that she would not, and yet she felt impelled to ask the question. This was too much forthe alinost bursting heart, and, dropping her head upon Mrs. Stewart's shoulder, she burst into tears. “Oh! T wish to do what is right,” she sobbed; “but you cannot blame me. I love mamma dearly— dearly.” “Of course you do, darling. I should surely blame you if you did not, andlam ready to worship her myself; but you shall do just what your own heart dictates. IT only want you to feel how glad I am to have found you again, and that Ll would joyfully re- ceive youin my home. Still, I could never take you against your will from those who have so long stood in the dl of own parents to you, only yon must try to love mea little, for the sake of the natural bond between us.” “Oh, yes, indeed, I will,” Marie replied, greatly re- lieved, while she lifted her fair face and kissed Mrs. Stewart rratefully. It was Marie Earlescourt’s nature to love every- body, aud she would have loved for this assurance, | if for nothing else. | Ten minutes later the trio were on their way to the. home of the duchess, for an interview with Mrs. Earlescourt and to have all the strauge developments of the day more clearly explained, comcbgeks coin