Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/147

 unhappy. I am opening my heart to you, child, though it hurts me more than you can guess, because I would warn you from the mistake which has made my life cold and empty, my nature hard and the world says selfish. You know I always am ready to keep my promise of giving you the trousseau and the wedding. I should so like to give a house-warming and wedding at once. The house will be ready in a fortnight, when I shall take possession of it."

This letter seemed to change the face of nature to Gladys. She saw no beauty now in sea or sky, the sunshine even seemed to have grown cold, and she began to dress slowly and absently.

She sat down at her toilette glass,, placed where the most searching light fell upon it, and, leaning her head upon her hand, proceeded to study with great care the image which the faithful mirror showed her. She looked older, ten years older, than she had done when she stood on the balcony with a smile on her lips. The thought which drew hard lines about her mouth, and marked her