Stories with a Vengeance — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

ORB RUNS YOUR MIND ON ANOTHER LOVES 107 that had gone wrong with one of the spokes of her fan. A saucy smile played upon her full red lips, and, to do her justice, she looked supremely handsome. “But,” she was saying, “only imagine the gossip it would cause if-———” “Jam past caring for that. Away she must go. Of course I am sorry for the poor girl; but-——” | pd dragged her companion silently by t arm. “Will you kindly,” she said, “take me to the west wing. If anybody remarks my absence, say, please, that I was very tired, and have gone to my own apartments.” What could he do to help the poor ill- used little foreigner P His sister, besides being utterly fearless, was old enough to take care of h > only two days before had laughed heartily when he objected to her conduct—cleverly turning the tables by taunting him with showing so much attention to Lady Dash. wood. Without a word, he politely and kindly led Lucy away. : She trembled so violently that, but for the support of his arm, she would have The simple integrity of her character inspired him with more chivalrous respect than he ever felt for a woman before. Fortunately they reached the door of her room unnoticed; and feeling that words of condolence would almost be adding insult to injury, witha polite bow, Lord Marston left her. Alone in her dressing-room, the wretched girl fell on her knees. Her conflicting emotions were too strong for articulate speech, as, with clasped hands and streaming eyes, she gazed upward. The tide was full, and a solemn, mur- muring monotone sounded from the mighty waters as they washed up against the rocks; while, mingling with this, came the strains of the band from the ball-room. She rose from her knees, looking lke a wandering angel in her glistening silver. robe. The door opened, and in glided so strange @ visitor, that, never, doubting it was a spirit, she shivered with terror. | It was a girl; deathly pale, with large, bright blue eyes and clouds of beautiful pale gold hair falling as low as her ankles. She wore a curious short-sleeved robe, of pale sea-green taffetas, and scariet morocco shoes. “Who are you?” she saad, addressing Lucy, in a soft, low voice. Google erself, and: “Va ten, Satan,” gasped poor Lady Dashwood, launching the formula against ghosts taught her long ago by old Nannie, and. cowering backward till stopped by the wall. ‘“ Va-t’.en—Va-t’-en.” “Va-t-enP Well, that is certainly a droll name. Mine is Lady Dashwood, and this is my husband’s house! My own rooms are over at the other side of the court. Clyffe thinks it safer for me to live there, as there’s another woman pretends she is his wife, and is so jealous, she might murder me! Only fancy! he is obliged to come and visit me hiddenly, poor fellow, for fear of her, although I am his real wife, and this is our own castle! Will you come and see my rooms some day? They are so pretty; and my husband brings me such, nice ornaments when he goes from home. He brought me a pair of lovely hand. screens from France when he was there, not long since. Ah, heis such a darling, and so tall and handsome, and he loves me better than all the world beside! you a husband ?” Have “Mercy on us!” cried Gertrude’s at- tendant, entermg hurriedly; “ how, in the name of wonder, did you escape? Come along with me this instant !” “Indeed, I shall do nothing of the kind; Iam waiting for my husband.” “Good gracious!” exclaimed the woman, now, for the first time, observing Lucy stretched senseless on the floor, but afraid to leave hold of Gertrude either to assist Lady Dashwood or to summon aid. ‘My lady !—my lady!” she cried, loudly, tight- ening her grasp of her charge, for fear she should make off to the festive scene she herself had been taking a sly peep at, and, in her anxiety to see which, she forgot to turn the key of the insane girl’s door. “My lady!—my lady!” she again shouted, “Oh, that’s va ten,’ said Gertrude, glancing at Lucy’s recumbent re, and struggling to free herself from Mrs, An. drews’ firm grip. “if you don’t leave hold of me, I shall scream till Clyffe comes.” And, with that, she began shrieking so violently as to bring the housekeeper and Lucy’s maid as fast as they could hurry ; and while they endeavoured to. revive their mistress, Gertrude’s attendant took her away. | Meanwhile, Sir Clyffe had. been sum. moned, and was almost frantic at the pene of his wife, apparently dead, on. the oor. In a passion of tender remorse, he flung himself on his knees beside her, calling her by every endearing name in love's vocabulary. CY, JOO S CO)