The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1898-10-22
CHAPTER Y.

often, and in how many different shapes
that idea came to him-wishing his wife
was more like Beatrice Leigh. The Lady
\iolante was sweet, gentle and of a mos;
loving disposition. She was gifted with
a refined mind, a cultivated and poetica
taste; but there was no mistaking the fact
she was not, and never would be, a
woman of the world
They were sitting alone in the pretty
breakfast room of Thornleigh House,
| room gay with rose-colored chintzes, and
stands of fragrant flowers. They had
been braakfasting together, for neither
Mrs. Selwyn nor Miss Leigh were down
The windows were open. and through
them came soft, western wind, perfum-
cd with the breath of mignonette.
Il never can do it, VIVIAN she cried
Il am only just twenty, and never even
arranged dancing party in all my life
What shall 1 dot"
His face grew dark with anger
Niolantc.' he asked, do you intend a l.
ways to remain a child? When do you
purpose to assume the duties that belong
to You as my wife,
DO not he angry she said piteousiy
i will do my best: but, indeed, | have
10 notion, no idea even how to begin
1T is nonsense" said Lord Vivian;
you arc young. graceful, clever quick to
learn, apt to initiate. Why can you not
learn to fulfill your duties they seem to
RE simple enough
Perhaps after all, it had been a terrible
mistake, and if so, there was now no
remedy. SO he looked blankly into the
beautiful. sorrowful face, q dreadful con-
viction dawning upon him that he had
made a foolish mistake.
DO not look 50, Vivian" said Lady Sci
wyn: Il will do my best Mrs. Selwyn
will help me-"
That is the very thing" said Lord Wv
IAN; Il want you to learn self reliance
on will not always have my mother and
Miss Leigh TO help you. Miss Leigh will
marry some day, then what will you do 2
Il am heartily glad of it, replied Nio-
lantc abruptly; and that answer did not
quite please Lord Vivian. He had not the
faintest idea that his wife was in the
least degree jealous Of Bentrice Such a
thought had never occurred to him. He
imagined her slightly envious, perhaps. of
Miss Leigh's social qualities; but that
\loante should be jealous of her never
occurred to him.
Well you will do the best you can,
Nioiante," he said, as he rose to leave the
room. on must come to me, if You find
yourself in dfficulties''
hen he had gone she cried to herself
III Il passion Of despair 1t was such
scenes as these she had foreseen when
Lord Vivian first asked her to be his wife,
and now her fears were all verified She
was not equal TO her duties-never would
he, and her husband was disappointed in
her
The evening OF the ball came. Thanks
To ygiiant and Hell-trained servants ev-
erythinS was il perfect order and Lady
Niolante, as sic looked round the mag
niiicent suite of rooms. felt her heart light
cned of Il heavy load. Carriage after car
rage drove up to the hall door; one group
after another of fair guests entered; ev-
crytning seemed promising and fair.
Lady Niolnnte went crcditahiy through
the reception Of her guests. even the ter
rihle duchess did not awe her. But as
the evening wor" on. she grew physically
fatlgued and exhausted. Tine difficulty
of inventlng civil speeches to so many
people overtaNed her strength Lord Wv
ian had wished. too. that she should dance
with his most honored guest Lord Ions
dale
She did wonders. She found partners
Cor those who had none, she made up
capital qnartett"s for the whist table she
iaikcd tlmldly. It IS true-tO the ladies
aud, hut from a malicious remark she
overheard from the duchess. the chances
are that she would have gone through the
evening successfully.
Her Grace Of Roxminster was talking
busily to Lady Seftone-and tho two to-
setner could get through more gossip and
scandal than any other two women in
England. Lady Niolante saw them sit
ting apart. talking in low voice. aud the
idea unlnckiiy occurred to her that she
ought TO 90 up to them and see if they
required amusement i'll any livelier shape.
She went 10 the hack of Lady Seftone's
chair and was IN time to hear the duchess
sag:
All, poor Lord Vivian, he must have
had great taste for what Lord Byron
would cal bread and butter. when he
married an uniformed girl like that"
She VAS a mere nobody" reioinpd
Lady Seftouc, THE daughter of some
conntry attorney. No one can imagine
what he married her fer. She has but
Il "a>hcd-out kind OF beauty. after all"
Poor Lady Niolantr. She did not know
that was the common language of the
fashionable world: she did not know tina.
envy has no pity, no liking; that elderly
beauties who have lost MI their own
charms nave 10 occupation better than
decrying The charms of others. 4 woman
Of the worlt! overheariug such Il converse.
ton would have smiled to herself, and
fr.t that she was beautiful enough to oy.
cite envy. TO Lady Niolante the words
brought = sharp. keen pam. They haunt
cd her; she could not forget them,