Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 153: what you’re looking at

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

THE BALLET-GIRL’S REVENGE. A 147 SS SS ee “ His friends ?” _ “Well, yes—if you can call them by so cold a name.” “* What mean you ?”’ “JT mean that the ladies in whose company I left him appeared something nearer to him than mere friends.”’ The girl turned pale, and then a blood crimson. “Do you mean to say that you left Arthur in the company of some vile women ?—of—of—oh ! I cannot speak the word.”’ Mermet appeared greatly surprised at this out- break. “* Not at all,’’ said he, with fiendlike duplicity. ‘I simply mean that I left him in the company of one lady (amongst others, it is true) who appears to me to possess a very great right to his company, and. not alone to his company, but to his affections.”’ “T do not understand you. Speak more plainly.” *T mean his wife.’’ ce Ah 1»? The girl staggered back, clasping her hand to her heart. “ His wife ?”’ she ejaculated. ven! I’ll not believe it.” *‘ Not believe what?’’ said Mermet, with a look of great surprise. “That Arthur can be so false.” “No, no. By Hea- “Ts it possible, Miss Chepstow, that you were not. aware that Arthur Brownbill is a married man ?”’ » *" Never, never! ” exclaimed the girl, in faltering accents. ‘‘ It is not possible.” “Not only is it possible,” said Mermet, “ but it is the fact.” *¢ Give me proofs.” ‘‘That is easily done. writing ?” (44 WiGRic2 “Tt is here.”’ The necromancer handed her a letter which she hastily read aloud. Do you know his hand- “My dear Louisa,—An important business en- gagement will call me to Manchester to-night by the mail train. Unfortunately I had not even the time to come and let you know of it personally. TI shall return to-morrow, without doubt. “* Your affectionate husband, “ARTHUR BROWNBILL.” The letter fell from the girl’s hand, and she re- mained for some minutes as if stricken with a sudden paralysis. - Mermet took advantage of the silence to address a few hasty words to her. ** Although I am grieved to see you thus moved, Miss Chepstow,’’ he said, ‘““my sorrow is not un- mixed with satisfacton.” “¢ Satisfaction ?”’ iterated the poor creature, with a start. “‘ Ay, satisfaction. necromancer. “Man, man, what do you mean? Why do you come hither at this unearthly hour tq tell me this hideous lie ?”’- ‘* Miss Chepstow !” “Your pardon; but what proof have I?” ‘¢ This letter.”’ “¢ May be a forgery.” “Then I can give you a further proof if necessary.” *‘ Do so.” ‘T am here to anticipate the visit of a truant hus- band.’’ *¢ You knew, then—” ‘That Arthur Brownbill was to come here to see you by appointment ? Alas! yes.” That is the word,’’ said the si Habe ag is eagles pose of this visit ?”’ come to sue for mercy upon m reg behalf.” diintiapee aes Reoe ee § a4 Whom? 929 “My daughter—his wife’s.” ** You; then, are his father-in-law.” 74 ic am, be) “And you come to me to supplicate for the happi- ness of your daughter ?”’ “IT came for “that, ” said Mermet. ‘But now I am happy to find that you at least were ignorant of the villain’s duplicity—devilish duplicity—believe me, I speak the truth—for while feigning a love for you, which can be no pure passion of course, he also pretended to love his wife most passionately.” Miss Chepstow burst into a flood of tears. “‘Oh! man! man!” she cried, “why do you so cruelly wrong the hearts that love you so tenderly ? Why, why? 0 Heavens! my heart will burst!’ ~ “* Calm yourself, Miss Chepstow,” said the necro- mancer. ‘‘ This man is unworthy of such tears as these.’” “‘ True,’’ said the girl with a proud look. “It is an “unworthy weakness, but oh! it is hard to teach the hous to turn from what it has so willingly learnt to ove.” “True, but call in pride to your aid, and I’m sure that you will not suffer yourself to "be so led away.” After a few minutes Hee old doubts suddenly re- turned, “How am I to Hie that this is true ?’’ she de- manded. 74 How ? 999 “Ay. Your whole story may bea fabrication.’ ‘¢ For what purpose ?” “That I cannot divine—for some cruel deceit perhaps. How learnt you all this ?”’ She eyed the necromancer sharply as she put this question, but he met her glance unmoved. “ If you would know,” he replied, ‘‘ I may as well inform you that his hopes with you are no secret.” ‘No secret?” gasped the girl. “No. I learntit from a member of his club. He was boasting over his wine with a member that he would make you his.’’ “‘ Hold !’’ ejaculated the girl indignantly. ‘If it is true that I have fallen so low as to become the scandal of a clubroom, then I will at once learn the whole truth. He will be here shortly, I doubt not.”’ ‘* He will.” “You shall confront him.” cé I WZ This was more than the necromancer bargained for. “Yes, you. If your tale be true—” ‘Tf? Jt shall prove itself clearly to you inhis con- duct to you this night.” ‘‘Be it so. You seen strangely informed upon the matter, and your air is truthful. Hitherto his con- duct has been respect and consideration itself. I do not deem it possible that my heart could so err in its choice.”’ : ‘¢ Beware of my warning,’’ s now I must begone.”’ ‘*You must not leave me,’’ said Miss Chepstow. “¢ Wherefore ?”’ She coloured deeply before replying. *‘T am alone in the house.”’ Mermet frowned. ‘‘ Ts it possible, Miss Chepstow ?’’ he said. is something more than ordinary imprudence.” ‘¢ T deserve it I know, but if you knew all—”’ A knock at the street door—a low rap—inter- rupted her at this moment. Mermet was a little bit annoyed at this, said Mermet. ‘‘ And ff, This —— G@nnea©e® aed