Faithful Margaret

t of her ancestors, and Mr. Davenport held in his hands the last will of her whose will h

waiting to hear the reading of the will with that de

se his departed friend h

l sunlight; the glass door was opened upon the perfumed garden walks; and the twitter of

ham? Shouldn't she be

l come down, sir," s

rt cleared

her, eh?" said he

dark face, disfigured by i

he answered, dryly. "She can h

" retorted the lawyer, with unexpected heat; "and I refuse

O

level brows and subsided

Walsingham's room, and carried down again a message

e captain beat the devil's tatoo on the table, and d

the struggles of a sparrow caught in the wire framework which protected the espaliers; so that there was no one to welcome Margaret Walsingham

. George and the dragon, where the deepest shadows lurked, and kept the giant

his throat, adjusted h

AND TESTAMENT

Waaste, Sur

undred and sixty-two, in infirm health, yet in possession of sound mind and memory, and all my natural faculties, hereby declare this to

ing dead, I bequeath the whole of my personal property, estates, houses, and moneys as held by me and i

l mistress of Castle Brand, my beloved and faithful friend, Margaret Walsingham, who held the cup of love

ise, I bequeath all my property, lands, houses, and moneys as above mentioned, to Margaret Walsingham,

lsingham die within the year, the pr

able schemes, and annuities to the old servants o

lawyer, to be the executors of this, my Will, bequeathing to each the sum of five thousand pounds, as an humble tok

ixing this my signature, in th

el B

s Gay

nport, Attor

e principals. Again he cleared his throat, which had grown husky at the last clause referring to

rising nervously, "no one has pres

attention for a moment," cri

hed, with the reckless tread of the desperado going to the cannon's mouth, up to the group, an

, my dear, this

from her shadowy nook; and the rich gold li

edusa!" muttered t

d, her wild gray eyes burning with red heat, and meeting his sne

Ha! ha! ha!" burst

devilish with malice, incredulity, and fury, turne

autiful figure of Margaret Walsingham-her one charm, and a perf

executors when the door had closed. "Who says a woman can't sche

enport, slapping it loudly, "is bound to do-to apologize to the you

ith the scowl of a baffled demon, but at the plucky lawyer's proposition, he threw ba

ults, as you call them, to turn her venom against me. Did I not read it in the loathing eyes and shrinking figure before ever I opened my mouth? Am not I the one obstacle between he

chemed for this disposition of your grandmother's property. On the contrary, to my extreme surprise and disapprobation, she vehemently implored that she might be left out of t

ch you direct my lover-like regards, but whet my appetite like that of the ravening wolf.

e, that you will submit to

od sir. To the infernal shades I c

of laughter, and dashing open the glass door, stepped out upon the gravel walk to s

It wavered between leafy banners on his angry face, so dark with

es of a thousand passions had graved these deep curves of bitterness, and marred the once

deliberately slashed down lilies with his cane, shuddered when th

cruel, insulting laugh still rang in her ears. Her cheeks flamed with shame; her eyes were suffused with hot tears. She could

eyes to scorn her, to see the wicked mouth sneer-the reckless head thrown back-to hear the muttered "Ye gods! what a Medusa!" to be stunned by the loud "ha! ha!" to be consorted with a monster of dissipation, such

ose to her, she could scarcely in honor refuse him, and keep him out of his property. She also saw, with v

rgaret, who, with her door securely locked, sped about with motions of nervous

appearing alike from friend and enemy, and hiding herself in some far distant corne

putting her out of the way before the twelve months were over, provided that St. Udo Brand was villain enough t

her valise under her cloak, and stole out of the library glass door, under the very

stood one by one like specters, and Margaret sharply scr

is is Miss

, y

from Regis, and held a w

ad of waiting for to-morrow's batch, for, says I to myself

ank you for taking so much

bossed seal of the letter. It seemed to be the Brand coat of arms; an

y the great gates, and she hung her valis

?" she asked, putting in

eper, pushing his horn glasses upon his forehead to lo

rier, he gave me a letter, which I cannot

opened her letter. Yes, it bore the Brand crest with its fierce inscription. Ther

mentioned. I have withstood the exquisite temptation of sharing your bliss, lest I should revive the pretty drama of 'Paolo Osini,' who strangled his wife in his first embrac

, admi

Udo B

terrified tears washing her cheeks, Margaret Walsingham