. The amusements of a man of fashion . to retire. And with a slight inclination of the headshe swept out of the room. As he came back to the table Mortontook up the miniature, which, untouchedby Marion, still lay where he had left it. 174 AN UNEXPECTED DENOUEMENT. For a moment he looked as if he would liketo crush it into atoms, then throwing itfrom him with a muttered exclamation thatsounded very like an oath, he paced im-patiently up and down the room, in a state ofexcitement that augured ill for the originalof that fated picture, should he ever chanceto cross his path. But passion, like eve
. The amusements of a man of fashion . to retire. And with a slight inclination of the headshe swept out of the room. As he came back to the table Mortontook up the miniature, which, untouchedby Marion, still lay where he had left it. 174 AN UNEXPECTED DENOUEMENT. For a moment he looked as if he would liketo crush it into atoms, then throwing itfrom him with a muttered exclamation thatsounded very like an oath, he paced im-patiently up and down the room, in a state ofexcitement that augured ill for the originalof that fated picture, should he ever chanceto cross his path. But passion, like every-thing else in this w^orld, is worn downby excess. Presently he became more calm,and feeling that the hateful souvenir washardly safe in his presence, he sealed itup in an envelope and directed it to MissHayes. On the landing he met the person ofwhom he was in search, Elise, MarionsFrench maid, and charging her to deliverthe packet to her mistress, he sent a messageto Lady Morton that he wished to see herin her boudoir. CHAPTEE THE SOONER A DARK PAGE IS TURNED OVERTHE BETTER. IxlEION went upstairs with thesame even step and haughtybearing. Not a muscle ofher face quivered. The handthat held the small silver night-lamp wasfirm and steady; and, as her rich dress sweptthe ground, she gathered her scarf aroundher with the air of an empress. But oncewithin the shelter of her own room, withthe door locked against the possibility ofintrusion, a change passed over her features,dark and sudden as when the sunlight iswithdrawn from a picture. She placed the 176 THE SOONER A DARK PAGE lamp on a table, stood still for a moment,then slowly and methodically drew off herbetrothal ring, removed the rich circlet fromher neck, and undid the fastenings of thebracelets that clasped her rounded arms, Idsgifts, to be worn no longer. Unlocking herwriting-case, she took thence several letters,hesitated, as if tempted to read them, then,with an effort, placed them unopened bythe side of the gli
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookidamusementsof, bookyear1873
