Ainslee's Magazine, February 1913 — page 39: what you’re looking at

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

THE POINT OF VIEW 29 And it is to be feared he said to him- self: “It is from that cursed man!” He read it aloud, and it was the briefest and most courteous note, asking for the honor of an interview at what- ever time would be most agreeable to Canon Ebley. The nature of the busi- ness to be discussed at it was not stated. “T strongly advise you not to see the scoundrel,” Mr. Medlicott said vehe- mently. “It is far better that we should all leave Rome immediately, and avoid any chance of scandal.” “Before we can decide anything,” Mrs. Ebley said decisively, “I must speak with my niece. If she is quite ignorant of this foreigner’s ravings, then there will be no necessity to alter our trip; we can merely move to an- other hotel. The whole thing is most unpleasant and irritating, and has quite upset me.” Stella, upstairs in her cozy bed, had meanwhile received another note from her lover. Full of tenderness and en- couragement, it made her feel as bold as a young lioness, and ready to brave any attack. That her aunt had not been to see why she was not dressed already was filling her with surprise, and after the waiter had brought the message she guessed the reason why. A firm tap came at the door pres- ently, and her Aunt Caroline’s voice saying sternly: “It is I, Stella—please let me in at once.” Miss Rawson got out of bed, un- locked the door, and bounded back again; and a figure of dignified dis- pleasure sailed into the room. “Are you ill, my dear?” Mrs. Ebley asked, in a stern voice. “It is other- wise very strange that you should not be dressed at this hour; it is a quarter to ten o'clock.” “No, I am not exactly ill, Aunt Caro- line,” Stella answered gently; “but I was very tired, and as I was making up my mind what I should say in my letter to Eustace to break my engage- ment off, I preferred not to come down until I had done so.” The Aunt Caroline could not believe her ears. She was obliged to sit down —her emotion made her knees tremble, It was true, then; something had been going on under her very eyes, and she had not perceived it; the deceit and perfidy of human ‘nature had always been a shock to her. | “You wish to break your engage- ment, Stella?” she said, as soon as she could steady her voice. “But you can- not possibly do so scandalous a thing— and for what reason, pray?” “TI find I do not love Eustace,” Stella answered calmly, although her heart now began to beat rapidly. “I know I never have loved him; it was only be- cause | thought it would please you and Uncle Erasmus that I ever became engaged to him, and now that I know what love is—I mean, now that the time is getting near, I feel that I cannot go through with it.” “There is something underneath all this, Stella,’ Mrs. Ebley said icily. “You cannot deceive me. You have been led astray, girl. It is wiser to confess at once, and I will try to par- don you.” Stella’s spirit rose; she raised her head proudly; then she remembered her lover’s counsel to have no argu- ments whatsoever, and so she curbed her heated words, and continued gen- tly: “T have not been led astray, Aunt Caroline, and there is nothing to par- don. I am twenty-one years old now, and surely can judge for myself wheth- er or no I wish to marry a man; and I have decided I do not intend to marry Eustace Medlicott; I almost feel I de- test him.” Mrs. Ebley was petrified with anger and astonishment. “T am sorry to tell you I cannot be- lieve you, Stella,’ she said. ‘Your fiancé had a most unpleasant shock last night. The foreign person, Count Rou- movski, who was presented to us at the embassy, insulted him greatly, and told him you had agreéd to marry him- self as soon as Eustace should set you free. I almost blush to repeat to you this shocking story, which we had con- sidered the ravings of a madman, but the time has come when we must have some plain speaking.” (E@ oOoO)|K< (E@)