The Baronet's Bride

a sight to see; horror and wonder in every countenance

n was the fi

st not be allowed to go at large. Here, Humphreys, do you and Dawson lift her up and

you not?" asked Lady Helen,

ed, "know Zenith? Great Heav

en exchanged glances. Mr. Carlyon loo

or some one else. If you know her, you have the best right t

I knew her once, years ago. I thought her dead and buried; hence the shock her sudden entrance gave me. A l

h grave, suspicious eyes for a mome

mystery of guilt. This woman is mad, but her wrongs have dri

loud; "that is, if I find this poor creature has

aronet cried, with fierce impatience. "Wh

and up the aisle. "Coward and liar! False, perjured wretch! You are too white-livered a hound even to tell the truth! What should

. And if looks were lightning, the blazing eyes of the young woman might have blasted him where he stood.

y's name?" cried the

to call my mad mother. Yes, Mr. Green, she is my mother. If you wan

I know nothing of you or your fathe

these listeners. We will have your mother conveyed into the vestry until she recovers; and if she ever recovers, no time is to b

seconded the suggestion. That feeble cry and the ment

e startled us into forg

len, take my arm. Mr. C

ightened to death,

ock for a month. It was like a scene in a melodrama-like a chapter of

almost forgotten she ever existed. She was always more or less mad, I fancy, and it

sper? You called her

illainous life and villainous liquor. But, for the sake of the days gone by, when she was young and pretty and told my fortune,

. Carlyon assisted the nurse and little Mildred. Then Sir Jasper gave the order, "Home," and the stately carriage of

her dead and gone; and lo! in the hour of my triumph she rises as if from the grave to confound me. Her daughter, too! I neve

closed, her jaw fallen. By her side, supporting her head, the younger woman knelt, ho

ir Jasper asked,

but the girl looked fiercely up,

Murderer-as much a murderer as if you had cut her throat

he is not dead, Sir Jasper, but she is dying, I think. This young woman wishes to remove her-whither, I

oing with her?" the ba

Dawson for a stretcher; he and Humphreys will carry her. This young w

y mother there," the young woman answered, sullenly. "Wh

I take it?"

half gentlewoman. A mongrel, I suppose, that makes; and yet it is

r words, and the snaky black eyes g

rigid as stone now. He returne

makes you a fit subject for it, mistress! Take care we don't commit you to prison as a pub

suppose a daughter should look upon a father in that light. As to the whipp

door opened, and Dawson

rector said. "Here, Humphreys, this side. Gent

ifeless form of Zenith on the stre

ter Zara

" the rector said; "and it is better so, po

ars but little better.

ires me to fetch y

ector

our carriage gone? I will order o

try road leading to the Court. It was a very silent drive, for the baron

was thinking, gloomily. "Wha

d Lady Helen pretty nearly to death with her crazy language, and had tried to tear away the baby. That was the discreet story my lady heard, and which she was disposed to treat with

nd Court, seated at the head of his table, dispensing his hospitalities

ittle Mildred over a pile of engravings. All the time, in a half-distracted sort of way, his thoughts were wandering to the sexton's cottage and

is crib, and Lady Kingsland had gone to her chamber. But Sir Jasper linger

e. Ere its last chime had sounded

Sir Jasper-sent by t

-com

Dawson entered, pu

me, zur. She be a

antly who th

wishes to

the time, zur. She be

me come and

will do. I will go at once. Thomas, order my

without precedent, this queer proceeding on the part of his master, and, taken

n the avenue and out into the high-road. He almost wondered at himself for complying with

age. A feeble light glimmered from the window out into the blackness of th

bedside, her face ghastly white, her burning black eyes dry and tearless, was

r, at the sound of his entrance, she opened her eyes,

spite of yourself. Come nearer-nearer! Sir Jasper Kingsland, don't hover aloof. Once you could never be near enough. Ah, I was yo

e. She caught his hand and h

said, r

! I hate you, Sir Jasper Kingsland, falsest of all mankind! and if t

tle sounding in her skinny throat. Shocke

or pity's sake, don't s

never he

e! May your life be a life of torment and misery and remorse! May your son's life be blighted and ruined

stern, terrible "Amen!" came from her daughter's lips; then, with a spa

r, with a shudder. "Heaven ha

taggered back

d Cyrus. "I never heard such horrible words! No wonder it

er. Sir Jasper seized and

ed the hands, straightened the stiffening limbs, and composed the humble

e rector suggested. "You look completely overcome. I will see

Sir Jasper arose, quitted the room

hat night, all next day, Zara kept her post, neither eating, nor drinking, nor sleeping. Dr

ched them screw the lid down-calmly she saw them raise it on their shoulders and bear it away. W

ave. No, not quite alone, for through the bleak twilight fluttered the tall, d

over your dead victim, and exult that she is out of your way. But I tell you to beware! Zen

at her with a dar

said. "Whatever wrong I di

, I vow vengeance on you and yours! Her dying legacy to me was her hatred of you, a

sped away like an evil spirit, vani