Archibald Malmaison

boring squires, never seeking to please a friend or to conciliate an enemy. Few people liked him; many stood in awe of him. He seemed to be out of sympathy with his race; his strange, amb

rs. Pennroyal herself, while she was yet a young maid, borne testimony to the fact--that he had suddenly stood before her, in broad daylight, in a room which had the instant before been empty? That room had always had a queer reputation; it was there, or thereabouts, that most of these strange goings-on took place. A servant, who had once wandered in there to announce to Sir Archibald that one of his lawyers had arrived, and was waiting to see him, had found the room vacant, though he had seen his master enter it only ten minutes before. Thinking that he must have gone out by the other entrance, through the stable, he was about to follow, when he noticed that this door was bolted on the inside. In some bewilderment, he was on the point of retiring, when he was startled by a burst of laughter which continue

g in this room?" de

ltered out

purpose in his mellow voice that seemed to stamp the words into the hearer's soul. "No one may enter this chamber

y one to venture into the room on any terms. It was believed to be haunted, and that Sir A

tions were he confided to no living soul--indeed, there was no one who could have served him as a confidant. His life was a lonely one, if ever a lonely life there were. Whom had he to love, or to love him? Even his mother, now enfeebled both in body and mind, felt fear of him rather than fondness for him. She spent much of her time playing ca

arriage. I have not gone into the details of this case, and should not detain the reader over it if I had; he may, if it pleases him, read it at full length elsewhere. It is enough to observe that Pennroyal brought forward evidence to show that he, and his father before him, had always had cognizance of the will or other document which entitled him to the property in dispute in the event provided for; and had only been withheld from putting in their claim thereto by the repeated and solemn assurances of Sir Clarence that no such irregularity as was suspected regarding his birth had in fact occurred. Latterly, however

mate son was familiar to him, and to the rest of the family, in all its details. It was not, of course, an ordinary topic of conversation, but it was an acknowledged piece of family history. Sir John had been wild in his youth, and had made a good many loose connections before acceding to the baronetcy--his father, Sir Charles, the same who ate the venison pasty, having lived to see his heir a man of thirty. One of these connections had been with the daughter of a tenant; during its progress a marriage had been arranged between John Malmaison an

the affair, but explicitly and emphatically washed his hands of it. But this did not deter Richard; he had got his materials, he had decided upon his plan of action, and he was bound to go through with it. He entertained no doubts of

nly by his habitual haughtiness. He had interviews with his lawyers, seemed neither flurried nor helpless, and altogether behaved as if his victory over his opponent was placed beyond the possibility of a doubt. And yet, what could be his defence? Was he going

elf approaching the pond, which, as has been already stated, lay on the border-line between Malmaison and the lands of Richard Pennroyal. As he drew near the spot, he saw at a distance the figu

hen he looked to see whether that were her impulse likewise. But she held on her course; and he, smiling in a defiant way, sho

w it, and ground his teeth with a kind

Mrs. Richar

ay, Arc

et familiarity from her lips, made his blood

rd to the honor of meet

Archibald now looked back as does an exile upon home. His horse moved forwar

hen I look at you, I could almos

ain intentness. This was true enough, physically speaking; the handsome boy was now a superb

t that little in you has caused

e? I had hoped otherwise," said Mrs. Pennroy

face flushing. "Has it been a desire to kee

enemy, please yourself, and perhaps I may learn to become yours." And she turned her horse as she spoke. But Archibald, thus seemingly put

think? You will not deny that your--that Richar

ge against me, sir," rejoined the lady, still

were her husband; and from this thought to thinking that she might, perhaps, be inclined to sympathize against her husband and

t us talk a little

chibald Malmaiso

me 'Archibal

e 'Mrs. Richa

are!" said he, b

e asked, turning her brown eyes on hi

at

gh his mind. But Mrs. Pennroyal, having gained her immediate end (which, to do her justice, was probably nothin

e not been friends--have we not been together from the fir

but you m

sked you to marry me first

asked

strange, you see. I hardly know, even now,

trying to ruin me. Kate," he broke off suddenly, "how did Richard know that those papers were

o be asked this question. But since it was asked,

to blame, Archibald; but it was ignorantly. It was long ago--before all these trou

ld him,

ected it; and I merely added my confirmation. Afterward, when I found how things were going, I begged him not to u

Unfortunately, such was not the case. He believed it because he ardently wished to do so; and he

at peace again, I should be happy,"

ar, or for me?" inqui

urs," she answere

your anxiety, Kate. There is no danger fo

Pennroyal tad never been passionately fond of her husband; and, on the other hand, she had certainly liked Archibald very much. In the present quarrel she had felt that the propriety of being on the winning side was not diminished by the fact that it happened to be her husband's; but if it should turn out that her husband's was not the winning side after

uld never have endured to take your name and estates away from

ng more," replied Arc

forgiven me--you

nd me, I should hate you more than I hate him; and then ... I should be capable of any crime. Well, I will not put it in your power. You will know all soon enough. Me

ise, but she did not see why she should not ma

no secrets from her

had a secret f

no right t

e you as happy with hi

es met. "The days seem very long sometim

demanded, ben

know," she said, smiling a

en ride out

y husband is away from home

our pr

as the stronger spirit, and she felt his power--felt it, and liked to feel it! And he, as he held her warm and delicate hand in his own, was conscious of a strange tumult in his heart. Was fa

pposite directions. This was their first