Stories with a Vengeance — page 110: what you’re looking at

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

106 OR RUNS YOUR MIND ON ANOTHER LOVE? the garland m her hair was accidentally caught by a ghttering bracelet on the arm of “Summer,” and before she could save it, fell to the ground, and was trampled upon by Lady Clare. The young chételaine shivered. Her heart stood still. How could a worse omen possibly befall P In her recent unhappiness the super- stitions of her childhood had resumed their old hold over her mind. By this time it was the hour for chamber candles and “ good nights,” so the large, merry party presently dispersed. Dismissing her maid earlier than usual, Lucy sat down at her dressing-room fire to think over her position as calmly as she could. It was a clear, cold, moon-shiny night, silent, except for the swish of the waves ; and as midnight struck upon the great clock over the stables, the soumds seemed to vibrate lke living things im the frosty air. Full of good resolutions, Lady Dashwood rose, but just after extinguishing her lamp, she drew up the blind, and stood a minute or two at the window, admiring the silvery sheen of the ivy upon the old walls oppo- site. When in the act of turning away, but still gazing in the same direction, with a start, she observed two persons emerge from the uninhabited buildmg—apparently in earnest conversation—-now stopping, then walking a step or two, then standing again. It was a man and a woman; the latter, with a shawl over her head and shoulders; the former, a tall, stately individual, in a slouched hat and plaid. Their shadows fell across the court lke long bars of jet upon a silver-grey ground. In spite of the roll of the advancing tide, Lucy fancied she could hear her heart beat. The fire in her room was extinguished ; so shrinking behind the lace window- curtain, her presence became invisible from without. : Presently the muffled female, with what appeared to be a whispered “ Good night,” glided back to where she came from. The man, crossing the quadrangle, kept near one side, as if afraid of being seen. He glanced up at the baleony. In the bright moonlight every feature was as plain a3 if it were noonday. It was her husband !- é CHAPTER X. THE ball attracted a brilliant assemblage of rank and beauty and fashion, but the Google youthful hostess was voted the belle of the evening. When Sir Clyffe saw her waltzing with Lord Marston his eyes grew misty. Never had she seemed so lovely, and sweet, and pure. Never had his heart yearned so painfully for reconciliation. | Lady Clare, suave and graceful, ad- vanced towards him like the serpent in Paradise. Playfully tapping his arm, and shghtly shrugging her shoulders, she glanced meaningly at Lord Marston and his beautiful partner. Sir Clytfe’s countenance clouded while she engaged him in what appeared an en- grossing conversation, and instead of again looking in the dancers’ direction, he sat down facing Lady Clare, with his back to the company. . Noticing this, and: filled with chivalrous compassion for the neglected girl-wife, Lerd Marston mentally cursed his sister for a mischief-maker, and Sir Clyffe for a “ deluded, unprincipled ass.” Waltzing in his lordship’s arms to the tune of the “Blue Danu ,’ Lucy very nearly forgot her dignity so far as to burst out crying at Sir Clyffe’s avoidance of her society, and open preference for the hand- some widow. “Oh, why,” she thought, “did he pick up Fido, and be so kind to my pet? If he hadn’t, I should never have known him, and he would have married Lady Clare. I wonder why he didn’t, since they seem so devoted to each other.” Then Lucy’s thoughts reverted tc what had more than once puzzled. her— viz., what Lady Clare could mean by hint- ing that Sir Clyffe had secrets he never would tell his wife P “ Shall we take a turnthrough the conser- vatory P” asked Lord Marston, when the dance was finished. ‘“ Don’t you find it very warm. here P” , “Yes; do let us go!” assented Lady Dashwood, who had observed her husband disappear with Lady. Clare upon his arm. * * * Strolling along a corridor, Lord Marston and Lucy came unexpectedly upon the widow and Sir Clyffein a sort of extempore bower, formed by champing quantities of magnificent Cape heaths and Australian ferns. So The floor was so thickly matted footsteps were inaudible. The Baronet’s back was towards his wife and her partner.. His face was turned towards. Lady Clare, whose eyes were cast down, as she tried to rectify something JOO @ © = a S CO)