Heavily Handicapped

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1882. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VI. AN ORDEAL. From darkness to light; from Purgatory to Paradise; from Maud FitzAlleyn to Mabel Ainsworthy; to Miss Ainsworthy, who, since Cecie's wedding, had been pursuing her way in much her usual peaceful fashion. She was kind to her pupils, lively amongst her friends, clever and busy with her pen--to outward seeming the same as ever; but in her heart there was a great change. Everything was the same even to her, but with a thick gray veil over it that hid all the brightness, and made life sad and weary. Mabel had found her treasure only to have it ruthlessly torn from her--her heart had become human only to be wounded past healing. At her age, with her powers of loving, she had learned the bitter lesson of first love; and it had done for her, as for so many of her younger, more trusting, and less experienced sisters--taken all life's sunshine away and left her blank and desolate. She was a true woman; she had made an idol and worshipped it; and when she found her god but clay, she but loved it the better for its defects. She told herself daily and hourly that Hugh Stapylton was false, that he was not one whit better than Mr. Challoner; and yet she could not tear the one from the dearest place in her heart, while she detested the other with the passion of a woman who feels herself insulted beyond forgiveness. Women are kittle cattle. Never was a truer aphorism. She had heard nothing of Sir Hugh since the wedding, beyond a stray word or two dropped by Mr. Challoner in his frequent visits. Never a week passed without the Hon. Eichard presenting himself at her door, sometimes with his wife, sometimes with Louise, but more often alone. He would come; he utterly disregarded the coldness with which Mabel would receive him, took no notice of the persiste...