By Right of Sword

time to think of the old troubles and disappointments which had so soured Hamylton Tregethner, and emptied life for him. They had already faded into little more than

during the next few days, in the form of invitations to houses which had hitherto been closed to m

e it to compel her to leave Moscow. I questioned her as to her own connections with the Nihilists, and from what she told me I saw that though they were slight in themselves, they were enough to put her i

leasant one. She met me with a smile and begged

en swear a little. But I'll admit you are improving-in that respect; though I am afraid you are as dogged as ever. But I can be dogged, too: and if I speak frankly now, it is to tell you th

id it in your letter; and I shall not forgive that

our forgiveness, you can't help that now. You've given it. Besides, on re

othing to do with

ha

I will not press you to go away, unless I thin

ng out her hand to make a bargain of it, as she

laughing, as I pressed her hand and saw a

surprise for you. I have a letter from a

friend of your brother's, you mean. Well, w

er." She laughed merrily as she stumbled over the old Cornish syllable

the lif

n frontier without the least difficulty. He has gone to Paris by way of Austria. When shall you go?" She did not look up as she asked this, but stood rummagin

ssed in this way because of the difficulties in the road of my leaving. I did not wish to appear to force m

lease. You see, I didn't come into this-I mean, I took up the part and-well, I'm hanged if I know what I do mean; except that of course I'm sorry to seem to force myself on you longer tha

irst grave, until the light of a smile in her blue eyes began

ust manage to put up with it as best I can. In the meantime as we have to continue t

," I answered, catching her d

asion remark if our afternoon rides were broken off quite suddenly, do

r told me before," said I, rising to go and get ready, "th

"In fact, it's more than a year since the last ride, but the princi

us rider-and as soon as we were free of the city we had two or three rattling spins. As we rode back we discussed the question of the best course for us to take. We were both too mu

know he was back in Moscow, though I knew he had been away. I had been at drill that morning-I had quickly fallen into the routine of the wor

d changed my riding things, he was announced. He came in smi

e that can induce you to

derstanding,

vitch, if you ple

," he answered lightly. "But there's really no need for

as he

quite understood eac

last few days," I re

d it I'll pay you the compliment of saying you're devilish neat and clev

interrupted, with a wave of th

my suit for your sister's hand. I wa

s not mine to give.

that this was only the preface to something else-the real purpose of his visit. Gradually he drew nearer and nearer to the point, and I saw him eyeing me furtively to note the effect of his words, which he weighed very carefully. He spoke of his family influence; how he could advance my interests;

itous suggestions, "that you want to buy my consent and assistance. I told you at the star

me as if to judge whether I was in

an easily bau

asily bribed

fortune behind you. With skill like your

ter declines absolutely to be your wife. She dislikes you cordially-as cordiall

es," he muttered, with an angry sneer. I didn't un

is. "If my sister could by any art or persuasion be induced to be your wife, I would never consent to exchange another word with her in all my life. As for the veiled bribe you have offered, I allowed you to make it,

en, if y

her relationship to me, I will retire in your favour. But you will do we

repent this, Lieut

and he seemed as if fighting to keep back the utterance of some hot insult that rose to his tongue. But hi

edge that this was no longer possible, that in some way which of course he could not understand I had broken his influence

e of seeing her daily if possible, lest anything should happen that needed explanation by

en I did mention it, however. She was

thing that may perhaps surprise you," I said, when w

ace wrinkling

e head of the family," and then without much beating about the bush

ntemptuous and passionate refusal. But her attitude was simply a conundrum. She heard me out to the end with

, and asked as she sent

I ought to mar

e could be a moment's hesitation about her answer, especially after all she had

ionship between us," I said. "But I don't see how you, knowing everything, can look to me for the

nced curiously at me and then smiled, as I thought a

iage is a very seri

o people of

al. He is right when he says that his wife would

ppiness with him,"

ry handso

She disappoint

ooks. You're very moody," she added, afte

jor Devinsky," I s

wished I had found the laugh less musical. Next, she looked at me again

ur advantage, too, Alexis,

en I cannot climb or stand without it, I'll fall, and quite contentedly, eve

nything, for she smiled as her nag cantered easily at my side. But I would not look at her. If she meant to marry Devinsky I meant what

y and had given place to a thoughtful and rather stern expression. "Making up her mind," was my thought; and then havin

cheeks were all aglow with ruddy colour and her eyes dancing with the excitement of the gallop. S

last bit of dialogue, and now she manoeuv

ing that proposal t

ing that proposal t

ly a question I cou

sion that at another time I should have read as reproa

ws," I said, remembering what sh

ext, willing to marry an utterly despicable wretch because he has money and influence and position. Do you mean to tell me that y

did nothing but utter protestation after protestation of her hatred and contempt of Devinsky: while her hits at me for having been the mouthpiece of the man were many and hard. What angered her was, she said

s when her mood changed again,

tween him and-my brother; or rath

ever speak to you aga

rother," and with that she pricked up her nag and we rattled along fa

ly glad she had decided to have nothing to do with Dev