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The Courtship of Morrice Buckler

Chapter 2 No.2

Word Count: 96402    |    Released on: 06/12/2017

ion, Febru

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ition, J

TEN

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N INTERRUP

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AND THERE MAKE

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, AND IN WHAT STRANGE GUI

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, AND HAVE SOME DISCOU

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LEXITIES, AN

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PLAINS, AND SHO

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-WAY HOU

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INVITATION AND

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LUK

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AVILION.

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N. COUNTESS LU

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TIVITY

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TTO. I ESCAPE

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OF MORRI

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between my hands. It lay in my palm, soiled and faded with the dust of twenty years; and as I swept clean its cover and the edges of the leaves, the look and feel of it unlocked my mind to such an inrush of glistening memories that I seemed to be sweeping those year

red roofs of the turrets, the terrace, and the little pinewood pavilion, all were clearly limned before my eyes, and were overswept by changing waves of colour. I saw the Castle as on the first occasion of my coming, hung disconsolately on a hillside in a far-away corner of the Tyrol, a black stain upon a sloping wilderness of snow; I saw it again under

ego m

?ro trist

cantati

s animumq

he afterglow lingers purple on yonder summit rocks when the sun has already sunk behind the Cumberland fells. For indeed that short interspace of time shines out in my remembrance like a thick thread of gold in a woof of homespun. I would not, however, be understood to therefore deprecate the quiet years of happiness which fo

myself had but just returned to our lodging in that street of the town which they call the Pape-Graft. We were both fairly wearied, for the weather was dr

uch nonsense I should be whipped for a heretic. And yet I mu

, "and never played yourself so false as

rofessor in divers humiliating attitudes, with John Larke ever towering above him, his honest f

ef, he lifted a brace of pistols from a shelf, and began industriously to scour and polish them, though indeed their locks and barrels shone like silver as it was. For my part, I plumped myself down before this very ode of

m I, fitted for a roving life under open skies, and pl

n the bench," said

he suddenly turned on me. "And here are you," he said, "who could journey east and west, and

no mind to set him right. The tirade was passing old to me, and replies

olve a knot in Aristotle than lead out the fin

I should be no less afraid o

do verily believe you have naugh

ed, and he, com

d, "had I your fort

nd it a ragged clo

sword at m

ll lack my ski

the Witte Poort. Thither also, by dint of much pertinacity, for which I had grave reason to thank him afterwards, he had haled me for instruction in the art. Once I got there, however, the play fascinated me. The delicate intricacy of the movements so absorbed brain and muscle in a common service as to produce in me

in every bout; and it was, I think, the recollection of this which rankled within him. However, the fit soon pa

rice?" he asked. "A life brimful of

ef die in my

e place they are most fond of;" and then he leant forward upon the table and s

before we had even heard he had raised his flag. And, besides,

e spring I had received a visit from one Ferguson, a Scot, who, after uttering many fantastical lies concerning the "Duke of York," as he impudently styled the King, had warned me that such as failed to assist the true monarch out of the funds they possessed might well find themselves sorely burdened in the near future

than a man, Morrice,

efore, and it ever angered me. I rose quickly from the couc

he. "The Muses are women, and women have no liki

and got me back to my ode. The day was in truth too hot for quarrelling. Larke, howe

ng his head at me. "Horace! Ther

you of them

nt it yesternight for thy special

ellarum cho

this moment, and I thrusting at it with my foot, he tumbled ove

e by fair means for al

than prudence in

od and all. For as Larke still lay upon the floor, a clatter of horse's hoofs came to us through

hman," he cried.

ing faces, and just beneath us stood the reason of the brawl, a short, thick-set man, whose face was hidden by a large flapping hat. His horse stood in the roadway in a lather of spume. For some reason, doubtless the excitement of his manner, our hostess would not let him pass into the house. She stood solidly filling the

" I cried. "

urning to me: "He hath many choice and wonderfu

m tumble heavily up the dark stairway, cursing the country and its natives, and then with a great bump o

aster," he gasped

of him?" I a

rom us. 'Tis strange how clearly I remember that handkerchief. It was embroidered at the corners with anchors

with some sharpness. "Speak, man!

d, heaving great breaths between his word

e tripping run to the table. He clutched at its edge and swayed

k, strangled voice. "Assiz

veins ridged on his livid face like purple weals, and then fell in a huddled lump upon the floor. I sprang

said, clasping a

him gently on my bed. His eyelids were open and his eyes fixed, but turned inwards, so

l die,"

ree watching him helplessly, while those last words of his drummed at my heart. Jeffries! I knew enough of the bloody work he had taken in hand that summer to assure me there would be short shrift for Julian had he meddled in Monmouth's affairs. On the other hand, I reflected, if such indeed was my frie

have disclosed the truth, struck down in the very telling of his story! I began to fear that he

searched his pockets on the instant; they held nothing but a few English coins and some metal c

very deliberate in manner, and magnificent in his dress. Eruditi

mplored. "He hath a message to

advanced towards the bed, pursing his lips and

ely waved his hand, and taking a gilt box from his pocket, inhaled a large pin

severely, "what time the fit took

passed, and he listened with much sage

ow, and hath my inst

rned

ocrates?" Whereupon he mouthed out a rigmarole of Latin phras

inued with a third flourish of his wr

e confidence in that Hippocrates had so

e man's breathing; and now and again the light clink of instruments and a trickling sound as of blood dripping int

y is the fourteenth. Seven days, Jack! I have

sfield's horse was standing quietly in t

Together we stretched out to catch the least hint of a breeze. But not a breath came to us; not a tree shimmered, not a shado

en Larke

is the fourt

back into the room and

he discovered it; "'tis the f

and I took it up, and quite idly, with no thought of what I was doing, I wrote thi

g up his hands. "At the books a

ty I had forgotten everything but this half-spoken message. But, or ever I could

peak now?

s not passe

me, what ails the

ays the doctor, with an

tor," I yelled in a fury, and

ots?" cr

in my shoes,"

pocket, and so clattered downstairs and into the street

rri

k was leaning ou

d with a very winning smile, "'art

anks and so rode out at a gallop b

PTE

AND THERE MAKE

set me over, my lack of equipment--for I had not so much with me as a clean shirt--and my great haste to be quit of the country firing his suspicions. However, I sold Swasfield's horse to the keeper of a t

iness of our voyage, for towards sunrise the wind died utterly away, and during the next two days we lay becalmed, rocking lazily upon the swell. On the afternoon of the third, being the seventeenth day of the month, a breeze filled our sheets, and we made some progress, although our vessel, which was a ketc

erance, I must needs reach Bristol before his trial commenced, the which seemed now plainly impossible; and, atop of this piece

tiguous valleys of the remote county of Cumberland, and thus we lived out our boyhood in a secluded comradeship. Seldom a day passed but we found a way to meet. Mostly Julian would come swinging across the fells, his otter-dogs yapping at his heels, and all the fresh morning in his voice. Together we would ramble over the slopes,

You may find exemplars in the story of well-nigh every battle. But to hang half-way up a sheer cliff in the chill eerie silence, where a slip of the heel, a falter of the numbed fingers, would

an would come down from the Court to Oxford, tricked out in some new French fashion, and with all sorts of fantastical conceits upon his tongue, my rooms see

ndon Bridge. From the ship I hurried straight to the house of my cousin, Lord Elmscott, who resided in Monmouth Square, to the north of the town, being minded to borrow a horse of him and s

hour--a feeble shuffling step sounded in the passage. I knocked again, and as loudly as I could; the steps drew nearer, the bolts were slowly drawn from their

id I, "and I would have a word

shook his he

ere. At White's perchance you may light on him, or at Wood's, in Pall Mall--

nely and noisome plain which I have since heard is named the pest-field, for that many of the sufferers in the late plag

hin?" I asked of an a

ed me over coolly

iness with Lord Elmscott?

eyes, for I was all dusty and begrimed with my five

re astonishment. "Be quick, fellow," I cried, stamping my foot; and with a humble "I crave your pardon," he hurried off upon the message. A d

's wounds, he may

it was carpeted. A number of gallants in a great disorder of dress stood about a little table whereat were seated a youth barely, I should guess, out of his teens, his f

, on my life," he added, surveying me, "I have not the impudence to blame him." Thereupon he addressed hims

in the ill-mannered sally; but I had no time

a service," I

ed. "'Tis a strange service that I

g, and----" A roar of laug

"Why, Morrice, it's all gone--all gone into the devil's whirlpool. Howbeit," he went on, growing suddenly serious, "I will make a bargain with you.

id I, "my busines

. Stand by me! I shall not be lon

reluctantly I consented. In truth, I knew not what else to do. 'Twas plain he

ear! And a great deal of it! Now, gentlemen, you will see. Mr. Buckler is a stud

iment, which methought it hardly merited. But I have noted since that round a gaming-tabl

y a pair of diamond buckles, but no gold, not so much as a single guinea-piec

lder I could see that he held but one trump, the ten, and a tierce to the king in another suit. For a little he remained with

hand to play on, but

o Elmscott's suit. Every one leaned eagerly forward, but

told you,"

d so the play went on; at the finish of each game a stream of gold drifted over to Lord Elmscott. I

his back now," said

atched the hands, though each man, I think, was certain what the end would be. For myself, I honestly struggled against this devilish enchantment, but to little purpose. The flutter of the cards made my heart leap. I sought to picture to myself the long dark road I had to traverse, and Julian in his prison at the end of it. I saw nothing

so long as took the players to play two games, I held the buckles in my hands; and both games my cousin lost. I replaced them on the table, and he began to win once more with the old regularity, the heaps dwindling there and growing here, until at length all the money lay silted at my cousin's hand. You might have believed that a spell had been suddenly lifted from the company. Faces relaxed and softened, eyes lost their keen light, feet shuff

I got no further,

There's my house

use?" I

e manor of

ot lost tha

ick of it

n, "you must win them back as be

n you came in, I had but these poor buckles left. They were all my fortune. Stay bu

t is" I replied, and wrenche

need! But you are no more t

I glanced across the table to his opponent, and I saw his face change all in a moment to a strangely grey and livid colour. And to make the sight yet more ghast

I cried. "H

rilling resonance, and it flashed across me with a singular uneasiness

rown old. The heavy gildings, the yellow glare of the candles, the gaudy hangings about the walls, seen in that pitiless light, appeared inexpressibly pretentious and vulgar; and the gentlemen with their leaden cheeks, their disordered perukes, and the soiled finery of their laces and ruffles, no more than the room's fitting complement. A sickening qualm of disgust shot through me; the very air seemed to have grown acrid and stale; and yet, in spite of all I stayed--to my shame be it said, I stayed. However, I paid for the fault--ay, ten times over, in the years that were to come. For

e," and he sat him down on his chair

Mr. Buckler?" as

" I r

it is now Wednesday morning, and a damned dirty morning, too, if I may judge from the countenances of my friends. We have sat playing here since six by the clock on Monday night, and I am weary. My bed calls for me. I propose then that we settle the bou

magnitude of the stakes. The youth's proposal gained, moreover, on the mind by contras

urteous gentleness. "As I have said, I am very tired. Luck is on your

aused for a second, and t

e dice were brought; he rattled th

ed one of t

ef. His antagonist picked up the dice with inimitable nonchalance, bar

hr

ief. The other stretched his

your house in Monmout

ge to complete the game. I felt, in truth, a personal shame at his indecision, and I gazed around with the full expectation of seeing a li

voices buzzed for an instant and sudden

wo

brandy in his tumbler--it had stood by his side untasted since the early p

mom

weariness had slipped from him like a mask. He bent across the table

k from me to-night--the money, your house, your estate--I will pit my docks in t

cousin's presence-

upted. "'Tis a trivial conditio

ntable way I was much disquieted by his change o

n throws you hold his

of superstition. Nothing seemed too whimsical for belief. Luck had proved so tricksy a sprite that the most trivial object might well take its fancy and overset the balance of its favours. The fierce vehemence o

of such imperious menace at me that I stopped shamefaced like a faulty schoolbo

ain keep to our bargain." Thereupon he came over to me. "Now, Morrice," he exclaim

st horse in your s

burst int

You shall e'en take it as a gift. Only I fear 'twill l

ent struck me as ill-conditioned, "then I shall take the liber

terposed the youth. "Y

se my purpose to that company, and caught up my hat;

ought us into an odd conjunction this night. I have so much of the gambler with

but take it. For a moment we stood with clas

ou believe so, too." And he made me

of his tone had been the perfect voicing of my own forebodings. I did indeed believe that Fortune would some day pit us in a fresh antagonism; that somewhere in t

and I started like one waked from hi

ugh savouring a jest. He slipped an ar

of his hat, he stepped into the outer room. His servant was sleeping upon

wards Monmouth Square, Elmscott chatting loudly the whi

l, and began to breathe fresh air in place of the heavy reek of perfumes and wine, the fulness of my disloyalty rolled in upon my conscien

ired, seeing that I had no stomach for his

ack as he spoke, "that it must be sorely humiliating for a man of your age

exclaimed. "And what age do yo

towards me, and I scanned

would not be fair for me to hazard a guess. Two nights at play may

did the very thing I had been aiming at--he held his tongue. Thus we proce

in such a scur

instance of a friend who lies in dire peril. But that is the whole sum o

quired with something of a sta

said I, and he stoppe

oked on the ground, and s

ell me!" I entreated. "His servant came to me at Leyden six days ago, but was seized by a fit or ever he coul

interrupted, with an air of trium

h there in time. Julian may haply be

, one hundred and forty-five prisoners were disposed of within three days. The man does not try; he executes. There's but one outlook for your friend, and

as no rebel,"

didn't flesh his sword at Sedgemoor, he gave shelter to those that did. And 'tis all

this?" I asked. "Or i

the news hot from Mars

on?" s

smiled at me--"the man who played with me. '

I mean when she was still the Duchess of York. Miss Marston was, in fact, a mere name to me; and since consequently she held no place in my thoughts, it had not occurred to me to connect her in any way with this chance acquaintance of the gaming-table. Now, however, the relationship struck me with a peculiar and even menacing significance.

e broke in upon

y, though harm may, and it will fall on you. 'Twere best to stay quietly in London. Y

hat I should fail him so! Surely never was a man so misused as my poor friend! He is the very sport and shuttlecock of disaster. First his messenger must needs fall sick

however, he turned, and laying a hand upon my shoulder, as I stood below him, said, with a very solemn gravity: "There is God's hand in all this.

with a laugh; though, indeed, the laugh

nd. Why should he send to Holland when his time's so short?" And then he added with more insistent earnestness: "Don't

said I, remembering certain half-forgotten phrases

o a garden at the back. At the far end of this the stables were built, and we crossed to them. "The rascals are still asleep," he remarked

is," said Elmscott, with a rueful smile. "But I

wsy, opened the door. He rubbed h

ed my cousin. "Whom else did you ex

d against the wall, all neatly littered with straw, but to my astonis

om; and we walked down the length of

of Nature, not even in the booths of a country fair. 'Twas of a piebald colour, and stood very high, with long thin legs. Its knees were, moreover, broken. It had a neck of extraordinary length, and a

I deserve better at your hands. 'Tis an untimely jest, an

be," he replied musingly.

that I had some ado to refrain fro

rely this is not a

rses, I lost them all playing basset with Lord Culverton. He took them away only yes

en make shift with her. Sh

en nothing since I had disembarked the night before, and knowing, besides, that I had a weary day in store, I fell to with a good appetite. Elmscott opened the door. The sun had just risen, and a warm flood of light poured into the hall and brightened the dark panels of the walls. With t

a whip!

still set

me a

d me an o

sudden change of manner he laid his hand on my shoulder. "'Twere best not to go," he decl

mare shivered as I mounted, and swung her head around as though she would ask me what in the devil's name I was doing on her back. But I thwack

out, "be kind to her!

TER

, AND IN WHAT STRANGE GUI

a wide miry gap, wherein my horse sank over the fetlocks. Some blame, moreover, must attach to me, for I chose a false turn at the hamlet of Colnbrook, and journeyed ten miles clean from my path to Datchet; so that in the end night found me blundering on the edge of Wickham Heath, some sixty-one miles from London. I had changed horses at Newbury, and I determined to press on at least so far as Hungerford. But I had not counted with myself. I was indeed overwrought with want of sleep, and the last few stages I had ridden with dulled senses in a lethargy of fatigue. At what point exactly I wandered from the road I could not tell. But the darkness had closed in before I began to notice a welcome ease and restfulness in the motion of the gallop. I was wondering idly at the change, when of a sudden my horse pops his foot into a hole. The reins were hanging loose on his neck; I myself was rocking in the saddle, so that I shot clean over his shoulder, turned a somersault in mid-air, and came down flat on my back in the centre of the Heath.

a frame of darkness. I saw an honest scorn kindle in his eyes, and his lips shot "woman" at me. The visionary picture of him braced me like the cut of a whip. At al

tar, for the Heath at that point was ridged up against the sky. But it shone with a beam too warm and homely to match the silver radiance of the planets. I turned joyfully in its direction, and quickening my pace, came at length to the back of a hou

n a bank which overlooked the road. I scrambled down the side of it and knocked lou

ung sir," said he, h

ed. "I should have been i

thought suspiciously. "I caught no sou

ndown, and have been wandering since on the Heath. I saw the light of your house so

he 'Half-way House,' and it has no neighbours. In another hour we should have gon

back against the wall, and

took you. I have never held truck with the gentry of the road, though, indeed, my pockets suffer for the ease of my

I would fain continue my way to-

ad. "I have but one horse here besi

or less than a day. I could reach Bristol in th

fob, and pulled out a ha

se is not mine. 'Twas left here for a

you again to-mor

while," said he. "It may be n

t they fell clinking one on the top of the other. For a second he stood

me in trust--in trust. Moreover, I was we

"You should think shame to tempt poor folk. Yo

moved away with the horse. It limped worse than

d out. "The wife shall make a poultice for it to

the fire while my ham was being fried, and after it, was almost carried upstairs in the arms of my landlord. I had not lain in a bed since I left Leyden, and few sights, I think, have ever affected me

ade my way to the stables. The innkeeper had preceded me in order to have

e said. "You must e'e

uth of his words, for it limped yet worse than the evening

"The poor beast must b

the stable, and in

ut two stalls in the building, and I had just caught a glimpse of the horse which was tied up in the second. It was of a light chestnut in c

od's horse," I cried, leaping t

rise, "that was the name--Sir Julian Harnwoo

sh the truth

ick, man, saddle it! Sir Julia

himself sturd

n. 'Tis Sir Julian's horse, sure enough, and it waits its rider, sure eno

t is Buckler--Morrice Buckler. Sir Ju

Yes, sir, that may be your name. I have nothing against it beyond that it is unfamiliar i

struggle; and a sickening feeling of impotence and futility surged up within me. At every turn of the road destiny had built up its barrier. I understood that the clue to the matte

n very truth it waits for me. Doubtless I should have some proof of that.

the explanation sounded weak enough to me, who was witness of

an extremity of despair, "can't you f

lowly, shaking his head, "I

bumpkin air threw me

ears; there's no gainsaying it. And I claim the fulfilment of your trust. Understand, fellow!" I went on, shaking my hand at him, for I

ssion with a great gust of mirth

e device by which I might outwit his stubbornness. Not the smallest seed of a plan could I discover. I sent my thoughts back to the morning of the fourteenth, and cudgelled my memory in the hope that Swasfield might have dropped some hint which had passed unnoticed. But he had said so little, and I remembered his every word. Then in a twinkling I recollected the charms which I had found upon his person. Perchance one of them was the needed token. No idea was too extravagant for me to gr

ket as I drew the weapon out. I heard a startled cry behind me, a rattle of the corn-bin, and a clatter of heavy shoes on the ground. I took one spring out of the s

commanded, "and bring

d entreat, but I had no taste a

sted time enough. Be quick, else I'll

I stood in the doorway and railed at him. Fo

should have pained him I know not. But so it was; "Potatoe" grieved him immeasurably, and noting t

alked backwards to the road

ook back. My host was standing in the centre of the way, his legs firmly apart, and a huge blunderbuss at his shoulder. I flung my body forward on the neck of the horse, and a shower of slugs whistled through the air above my head. I felt for

arer I came to Bristol the more lively did my anxieties become. I began to ponder with an increasing apprehension on the business which Julian might have in store for me. The urgency of his need had been prove

d greater authority than mine to rescue him from Jeffries' clutches. I realised that there must be some secret troubl

mscott's forebodings recurred to me w

n all this. He doth no

re me; fear whispered it at my heart, and the very hoofs o

pulse to outstrip my cowardice I drove my heels into my horse's flanks, and an hour later rode through Lawford's Gate into Bristol town. I inquired of the first person

street, but as nearly opposite to the entrance as I could force my way. In front of the building stood a ca

e shadow of the vestibule shot a gleam of scarlet and white, and at once a deep hush fell upon the crowd. Preceded by his officers, my lord Jeffries stepped out to his carriage, a man of a royal mien, with wonderfully dark and piercing eyes, though the beauty of his face was much marred by spots and

ovements he had knocked up against a passer-by, and the pair straightway fell loudly to argument, each one accusing the other of clumsiness. I turned in my saddle to watch the quarrel, and immediately the little man, with profuse apologies, took the blame upon himself and continued his way. I followed him with my eyes. He had proceeded but ten yards when his pace began to slacken, then he dropped into a saunter, and finally stood still in a musing attitude with his eyes on the ground, as though he was debating some newly-remembered question. Of a sudden he raised his head, shot one quick glance towards me, and resumed his walk. The street was thinning rapidly, and I was able to pursue him without

uckler?" he

ered. "What n

but just

I rode through Law-ford's

sharp, sne

he stepped out from the shadow of the house. "Sir Julian?" he

ses spun round me. I felt the m

fault?" I

m his attorney. Maybe I spoke too harshly, but this last week he has been eating his heart out for the sight of you,

words which stung me inexpressibly. I sat up erect, and

es Sir Ju

here in this plight," he added quickly, for I was

y up and down the

he. "Go to the 'Thatched House Tavern,' in Lime Kiln Lane. I will seek you there. Wait for me; and, mind this, let no one

led carelessly away. I gave him a few moments' grace, and then hurried with all despatch to the tavern, asking my directi

n the ground, raised it with a quick jerk and pointed twice over his shoulder behind him. The movement was full of significance, and I drew back into the shadow of the curtain. Mr. Vincott mounted the steps of a house, knocked at the door, and was admitted. No sooner had he entered than a man stepped out from the passage. He was of a large, heavy build, and yet, as I surmised from the litheness of

ook a pinch of snuff with great deliberation, and blowing his nose with unnecessary noise and vehemence, walked down the street. He had nearly reached the end of it before his pursuer lounged out of the inn and strolled in

s in his cell, adding to the torture of his last hours the belief that his friend had played him false. The thought stung me like Ino's gadfly. I paced up and down the room with my eyes ever on the street for Vincott's return. My heart rose on each sound of a nearing step, only to sink giddily with its dying reverberation. The daylight fell, a fog rolled up from the

ut curse me if it's lawyer's work. We live too sedentary a life to

king my hat. But he struck i

your stupid yellow head out of the window as if

t!" I excla

bout the man. "It may not have escaped your perceptions that I have some desire to conceal your vis

g politeness, and wait

replied; "but I am in the

m," said he, "is

ng for my hat. "'Tis not worth the

so long. Let me see! It must be full eight days since Swasfield cam

to gratify you at a more seasonable time. But I cannot wrangle over the body of my friend. I came hither with al

tice. And, after all, I am not sure but what your late coming is for the best. It has caused

rom the floor, and pl

s an unbusinesslike quality, and I trust to be well ashamed of it in a week's time. At the present, how

be not observed and marked as a visitor to Sir Julian. Therefore 'twere best

ise?" I

iced from that window that there a

andles--for the dusk was filling the room--and drew the curtains close. All at once the dizzy faintness which had come over me in the side-street near the Guildha

you dine?"

fast-time

l which stood on a side-table. "Lu

nswered the summons, and he bade her coo

ol milk. You have never tasted that, Mr. Buckler? I would that I could say t

ne, singularly luxurious and palatable. Mr. Vincott held up his

ody, wealth to the blood, and lightness to the heart. The true

nch," said I. "She must be o

me. "Ah!" said he drily, "a wo

ng of something

ing hot, and we sat down to it, though in

's calamities." I think that my voice broke somewhat on the word, for he laid his hand gently upon my

r a time, drumming with

will save much valuable

the motives and passions which have ordered their sequence--I may have surmised something" (here his eyes twinkled cunningly), "but I have

upon the table, and, with a certain warines

l. One night, during the second week of August, came two fugitives from Sedgemoor to his door. Sir Julian had some knowledge of the men, and the story of their sufferings so worked upon his pity that he promised to shelter them until such time as he could discover means of conveying them out of the country. To that end he hid them in one of his cellars, brought their food with his own hands, and g

t of her," I brok

e was indeed so put back in her health, that her physician ad

, and our eyes crossed. It seemed to me that he coloured slightly, and sent his gaze travelling idly

s deserted Julia

deed anything whatsoever," he returned blandly. "As

after a moment's thought, "on

specify if you please. I will sati

I shall play i

s head sorro

y of Leyden. You are speaking, not of a fact, but of an hypothesis. The part which you

estioning; there could be but one result to a quibbling match

you bear that in mind, Mr. Buckler. The first is this: it has never been disclosed whence the information came which led to the disco

nts, most like,

devotion to their master. 'Tis doubtful even whether they were aware of Sir Julian's folly. 'Tis most certain that they never betrayed him. Besides, my lord Jeffries rated the

ould gathe

bad me to pursue my inquiries. 'Tis strange that, eh? 'Tis

himself must

u will pardon the hint, you discover wh

rejoinder upon myself by my interrup

'clock in the morning, not in his house, but something like a mile away, on the King's down. 'Tis a quaint fancy for a gentleman to take it into his head t

of my tongue. But I remembered the fate of my previous

fer a remark," said Mr.

tone of indiffere

peak quickly, rapping with his fist upon t

ight a duel, and his antagonist was Count Lukstein, who came over to England si

. "I know of hi

friends,

some while ago in Paris, and has, I be

l, by St. Vincent's rock, and has resided there for the last three months. 'Twas a trumpery dispute, but nought would c

. Vincott leaned back in his chair, a

e second fact I have to

e point on him, "the first is that no

ing my gaze with a mild rebuke, "that betwe

ring after his fashion the innuendo which my words wrapped up. He took out his snuff-box as he spoke, and

up in my excitement, "it was a foreigne

es returned); and, as though he were continuing the sentence: "I may t

hen, a new thought striking me: "Eleven days ago! T

he, "you appear to m

ur facts," I answer

house." And with that he rose from his chair. "'Tis close on eight by the clock, and we must hit upon some disguise. But,

er device than

an, out

h hesitation, f

st the peopl

ded hi

y are bound to me in gratitude. I saved them

y--what

landlord's

my plan--that I would mask my p

"I misliked your face at first, but I begin to love it

the business which we had in hand. I stripped off my coat, and with much lacing and compressing, much exercise of vigour on Vincott's part, much panting on mine,

hide them." And she whipped out of the room and fetched one. My feet did

ached, which could be drawn well forward

within my heart; the old dreams of a linked future voiced themselves again with a very bitter irony. 'Twas the last time my eyes were to be gladdened with the sight of my loved friend and playmate. I looked upon this visit as the sacre

st never walk like that. Your firs

ludicrous, the little attorney minced across the room on the tips of his toes.

, lass?" said

n bubbles of laughter, "I think you have

my impatience mastered me and I haled him from the room. The girl let us out by a small door which gave on to an al

hispered Vincott. "I will m

nge lonely sound. In a minute or so a low

r come when I should bless his late Majesty King Charles for

Vincott stopped before a large building. Lights streamed from the windows, piercing the

. "Keep your face well shrouded, a

he same, and we crossed the ro

PTE

LIAN H

n the arch, and we were presently admitted

rd and into a long room clouded an

!" whispered my comp

songs and coarse merriment, and, mingled with that, a ceaseless rattle of drinking-can

esence served to redouble the uproar, and each moment I feared that my disguise would be detected. I felt that every eye in the room was centred upon my hood. One fellow, indeed, that sat talkin

. "'Tis an uncommon wench that wo

anding above he halted before a second door of a more solid make, the panels being strengthened by c

roke from the inside, I heard a sharp clink of fetters, and Julian confronted me thr

he asked, in a hoarse, tremblin

inting man. Vincott pushed me gently within the room, and I heard the door clang behind me. For a moment I cou

a sad familiarity like the echo of our boyhood. "I mistook you for ano

He uncovered his face and stared at me in sheer incredulity. Then with a cry o

ut it, such thoughts could not beguile one long; and a strange, unaccountable fear began to creep up in my mind like a mist. It seemed to me that the chain pressed ever tighter and tighter about my wrists, and grew cold like a ring of ice. The chill of it slipped into the marrow of my bones. I came almost to believe that I myself was manacled, and with that I felt once again that premonition of evil drawing near, which had numbed my spirit in the grey dawn at London. No

come," said my friend, an

yden," I replied; but Juli

ted you. We have but half an h

nch, which was broad and had a rail at the back

d you the histor

ht fell full upon his face, which had grown extraordinary thin, with the skin very bloodless and tight about his jaws, so that the bones looked to have sha

orrice," he said. "It has t

prang to his feet like one dazed, brushing against the bracket and making the flame of the lamp spirt

ice that man ever heard of. The tale, in truth, seems well-nigh inconceivable. Even I, who have sounding evidence of its truth," and he kicked one of his feet,

unt Lukste

t that? Vincott coul

me, but yet he ga

d he knew it. The duel was arranged secretly on the afternoon of Saturday, the ninth; the spot chosen--a dip in the hill, solitary and unfrequented even at midday, for

ems littl

or mine. The dispute was the mere

unders

s which Mr. Vincott had intended to impart to me were

his life or mine, and he knew it, so deemed it prudent to

u trust your seconds? They k

as sheltering Monmouth's f

told

N

from my face to the ground. And then

e the less sure

ed together upon his knees. I noticed that the tips of his fingers were presse

and took him ge

. For I began to have a pretty sure inkling of t

o my face and then ba

." And as I held my peace wondering, he flashed on me a tortured face. "Don't force me to give

me enter, and my gorge rose against this woman who could make such foul sport of her lover's trust. He read m

a new fashion, a new dance, were our studies, cajoling women our work. The divine laws were sneered at, trampled down. They were meet for the ragged who had nought but hope in the next world to comfort them for their humiliation in this. But we--we who had silk to wear and money to spend, we needed a different creed. Sin was our God, and we worshipped and

t flow abruptly, and c

loved her, with a sweet purity in the love, and a humble thankfulness for the knowledge o

bitterly, "she betraye

and sat down ag

hy

n of the consequences of her words," he sa

I rep

t me, implo

rstand,

I think so," and again with a curiously pleading voice, "I thi

middle of the sent

e, I see that. Only the shame o

beads of sweat broke

d from a sachet there, a certain guarded hesitation she evinced when Lukstein and I were both with her, a word carelessly dropped showing knowledge of his movements; all trifles in themselves, but summed together a very weighty argument. So on the morning of the ninth, worn out with disquiet, I resolved to bring the matter to an issue, and I rode over to St. Vincent's rock. Lukstein was seated at an escritoire as I entered the room. I saw his face blanch and his hand fly to an open drawer, close, and lock it. He ros

for this,' says

s will pay

the gums of his teeth on both jaws. If only I had known what he meant! I

iven it but a fortnight agone to--to----you will understand; and it contained my miniature. The box fastened with a lock, and I forgot to ask him for t

He slipped his hand into his pocket, and brought it out and pl

I tried the lid, but

key," I answered, a

he said simpl

d, and this poor, belated adjustment of his wrong seemed the very right and fitting function of th

d to leave no fissure in this wall of evidence throug

d. "The proof that she

. She came to me here on the even

ndering what it might be. 'Twas the small copy of Horace which I had thrust there unwittingly when

n has left Bri

hat he feared I might reveal it to some friend if the trial went against me, entrust to him the just work I am forced to leave undone. Perchance he had some hint of Swasfield's departure; I know not. This only I know: Krax has been at V

s in the

orrice, he is master there. The spot is remote, there's no one to gainsay him. You must n

g in his tone that the shadows a

must match him in cunning. Nay, over

visited th

wer; a window opens on to the terrace from a small room in this tower. There are but two doors in the room; that on the left gives on to a passage which leads to the main hall. Th

nd the entrance

y be contrived. I discovered the way by chance. The climb is hazardous, yet not more so than some that we attacked out of mer

dow of the entrance the sombre figure of a priest. He was tall, and the cassock which robed him in black from head to foot made him show yet taller. In hi

cked once or twice, and then crashed to the ground. In the darkness no one

ible for us to renew our discourse. In rising, however, I had let fall the Horace on to the floor, and the book lay open at my feet. Julian caugh

ke all clear,

him, and we clasped h

. At this hour to-morrow! It seemed incredible. "Morrice!" he cried, clinging to me, and his voice was the voice of a child crying out in the bl

s out, but I noticed that he fumbled with his keys which he carried upon an iron ring. He tried first one and then another i

m that I let the volume of Horace fall from my fingers to the ground. On the instant he ran forward and picked it up. I snatched it from his hand before he could do more than glance at its cover, whereupon he made me a polite bow and returned to the embrasure. At last the porter succeeded in opening

however, Vi

!" he w

there holding our breaths. The footsteps slid nearer and nearer. Never since have I heard a sound which so filled me with terror. The haunting secrecy of their approach had something in it which ch

ront of us," I said, "I

said he, "I should

further on, Vinc

istake," he exclaimed i

eps were returning swiftly, b

Vincott, "agai

ing along the side of it.

e man stopped as soon as we had gone by, turned, and came after us

as wearing ripped at the shoulder as though you had torn a sheet of brown paper. My blow by good fortune caught him in the neck at the point where the jaw curves up into the cheek, and he fell heavily to the ground, his head striking fu

h me and recruit his energies wi

late already, and you have to

e ceiling,"

ghed s

d I fear me if I went in with you I should be forced to

ch we might speak frankly." For a change had come over my sp

nd our tongues wo

but stood scraping a toe between the st

ted you with the strength for it. The man has been a plaguy nuisance to me, and the blow was a very soothing compensat

ou believe

Lucy will need a new Sunday gown;" and he tur

had rested in the house for so little as an hour, and, not content with that asseveration, she must needs go on to enforce her point by assuring him that the inn had given she

PTE

AND HAVE SOME DISCOUR

te into the gold of the rising sun. But behind! On the top of St. Michael's hill, outlined black against the pearly western sky, rose the gaunt cros

deficiencies of my dress, since my very linen was now become unsi

so much the wariness that Julian bespoke which would procure success, as the instinct of opportunity, the power, I mean, at once to grasp the fitting occasion when it presented, and to predispose one's movements in the way best calculated to bring about its presentment. I

lian some while ago, I knew nothing but what he had told me in the prison; and that knowledge was too scanty to serve as the foundation for even the flimsiest plan. The region, the Castle, the aggregate of servants, and their m

, and he read his works with perpetual interest and delight. "This is the book of deeds," he would say, smacking a fist upon t

ime?" he asked, springing

moment too soon," I

ulian Harnw

as never a h

is lips; the old envy looked out from his eyes. I, of course

e telling; for I read upon his face his poor estimation of my powers, and I dreaded the ridicule of his comments upon my unfitness for the task to which I had set my hand. I had sufficient doubts of my own upon that score. Indeed, since I had entered the room, they had buzzed about me importunate as a cloud of gnats; for

se I kept secret to myself. And to this self-distrust, trivial matter though it was, I owed my subse

e ever fond of adventure

kind?"

y into th

hat pu

u. You must trust

at me do

sked," I urged; "I ca

e Shakespear

do we

r we are prepar

pity to wa

s, we sought the shop of an armourer in the Hout-Straat. From him we bought a long sword and a brace of pistols each, whereupon Larke declared that we were equipped cap-à-pie, and loudly protested against further hindrance. I insisted, however, in adding a pair of long cloaks of a heavier cloth than any w

etarded by grief for that he had not fulfilled his errand. For he was ever lamenting the omission of his message, and more particularly of that portion which referred to the road between Bristol and London. For swift horses had been stabled at intervals of fifteen miles along the whole stretch, and in order to make sure that no one but myself should have the p

ither liking nor aptitude for foreign tongues, a few scraps of French and a meagre knowledge of Dutch forced on him by his residence in the country, being all that he possessed. He would, therefore, have only hindered our prog

am like one who strives to piece together memories of a journey taken in early childhood. An alley of trees recurs to me, the shine of stars in a midnight sky, or, again,

son, so that Julian's sketch was on the page opposite to the date September 14. I append here the diagram which was to enable me to find an entra

ore deadly than a buttoned foil, and you would compel a man of great strength and indubitable cunning to a mortal encounter in the privacy of his own house, that is, supposing you are not previously done to death by his serfs, which is most like to happen." Then would my courage, a very ricketty bantling, make weak protest: "You faced a blunderbuss and a volley of

on on the point of the Count's sword I might hope to hold my own. In the second, I remembered very clearly a remark of Julian's. "The man's a coward," he had said, and I hugged the sen

spects of his character; for while he firmly disbelieved in my ability to captain an expedition, he never once pestered me for an explanation. I had entrusted the purse to his care, and at each town he made the arrangements for our stay, looked after the welfare of ou

joies et to

d'armes e

mpathy which keeps the friend silent when

r, which must needs be delivered secretly if we were to save our lives. We stayed here for two days that we might rest our horses, and early on the 14th set off for Glurns, which lay some eighty miles away in a broad valley they called the Vintschgau. The snow, however, was massed very deep, and though the road was sound, for it was the highway into Italy, we did not come u

e,'" he sang out. "Heaven send there

, huddled on a little plateau at its base, stood out from the hillside like a black stain upon the snow. A carriage-wa

. "We are not the first to v

this track, so that the snow at its entrance was trample

I said, "that the ma

d, "else would the

quiet. For there was the less chance of finding him a

the west corner. At this point the track bent back upon itself and mounted eastwards to the border of the village, turned again, threading the houses at the bottom of the cliff, struck up thence a

road, and the way of ascent, marked by the cross, was to be found on the western wall of rock, and above the open stretch of roa

aimed, and I hande

e answered. "But I see no path. The cliff is as smoo

he path,"

ts ridge jutted out from the summit of the clif

d he. "We should break our necks for

-placed for judging of its incline; for that we should see

ch other for warmth's sake. But 'twas of little use; my body tingled with cold, and I began to think my muscles would be frozen stiff, before the darkness gave us leave to move. The valley, moreover, looked singularly mournful and desolate in its shro

holesome fear of the rib of rock. At last the dusk fell; the lights began to twinkle in the village and in the upper windows of the C

but one street; but that very narrow and busy. Not a moment passed but a door opened, and a panel of orange light was thrown across the gloom, and the figures of men and women were seen passing and repassi

prone to the ground. For barely twenty feet ahead a door had suddenly opened, and a man dressed in the jacket and short breeches of the Tyroler came out on to the path. He stood with his back towards us and exchanged some jest with the inmates of the house, and I recognised his voice. I had heard it no more than once, it is true, but the occasion had fixed the sound of it for ever in my memories. It was the vo

ced to sputt

d, for the man was

. "Tis easy enough to say quiet, but

pressed into the snow, so that he could onl

s it?"

ukstein's

know

he has seen me. Maybe

night was pure and clean, and appeared to be tinctured with a vague light from the snow-fields. I noticed, too, that on the far side of the valley a pale radiance was welling over

y fingers or a knob for my boot. The surface was indeed, as Jack had said, as smooth as an egg-s

r; above that point it began to slope. It was as though

welve feet and come to no harm, but once at the bottom he must bide there. There

back," I said. "I wil

rock, with his legs apart, and I cli

rcy to my horse,

my thighs and stood on them," he replied in a matter-of-fa

and shallow, and underneath it the rock loose and shattered. I should most surely have been pulled over had I made the attempt. I ascended the ridge in the hope of discovering a more stable position, whence I could lower my cloak to my companion. But 'twas all sl

ive you a helping hand. It

orrice--very little," he ans

you that. The rid

l these miles to be turned back by a foot or two of rock

s disappointment, and gauging it, could pardon h

rice, this is no time for d

st part company. I must win t

ke a sob; it was the

a moment longer! If I am not with you then--well, 'tis the long goo

a fury, and I craned my head over the rock, so that I could look down int

eak to him. We had been good friends, and I would not have him p

s me, but it was too dark fo

was no resentment in his tone. "I will wa

avy step he walked

gap of the hills--I dared not venture it, and crept up on my hands and knees, testing carefully each tooth of rock or ever I trusted my weight to its stability. Towards the summit the rib thinned again to a sharp edge, and I was forced

for security's sake I got me again to my hands and knees, flogging a path before me with the scabbard of my sword. I began to fear that I might be foiled in my endeavour for want of a companion; for again I bethought me, Julian only descended, and a man might drop from any portion of the wall, whereas the scaling of it was a different matter. I proceeded in the opposite direction to the

ulged out from the line, and made of this angle a sort of crevice. Into the corner I thrust my back, and working my elbows and knees, with some help from the roughness of the stones, I managed to mount on to the parapet. The Castle lay stret

hone a faint gleam as of a lamp ill-trimmed. But all the other windows in the chief fa?ade and the more distant part of this wing blazed out into the night. I cou

the cold froze the sweetness from their talk. They were plain to me, for the moon was riding high, and revealed even the nooks of the garden. Indeed, th

visible in the lawn's centre, and yet been asked no question. For such as braved the frost ca

. The revels of the village wer

coming during the hour or so we should have to wait, and to draw some solace from his companionship. Now, however, I was planted there alone with a message of deat

e consolations to be drawn from the classics in moments of distress. Now I sought to practise the precept, and to that end lowered a bucket

plates of steel. Moreover, my hands were swollen and clumsy with the cold, and I dreaded lest I might lose the nervous flexibility of their muscles, and so th

e murmurs grew louder from the village. I heard sledges descend the road with a jingle of bells, first one, then another, then several in quick success

riously furnished, the roof, panels, and floor, being all of a polished and mellow pine-wood. Warm-coloured rugs and the skins of chamois were scattered on the floor, and four candles in heavy sconces blazed on the mantel. Sunning himself before the log-fire sat Count Lukstein. I knew him at once from Julian's account: a big, heavy-featured man with a loose dropping mouth. He was el

ll--and in particular a small writing-table which stood against the wall facing me. For a silver bell upon it caught

ily into the shadow of the wall. One minute passed, two, three; the window darkened, and the Count, lifting his hands to his temples to shut out the light at his back, laid his forehead to the pane. Instinctive

cried; and yet a

m into the room, and turned about. The two do

of his sword. But before he could draw it he raised his eyes to

's name," he aske

ster might to an impudent schoolboy, and it was wit

orrice

, bending his brows suddenly;

I replied meekly. I felt as i

of Cumberland," he began, with an exagge

id, with as much bravado as I could muster. But 'twas no gr

nough for me to perceive it, a startled look of fear flashed into his

ame yo

lian Harnwood tol

a finger towa

ed in a low

a lively satisfaction that the quave

remember that. There are reasons why I would have no disturbance here to-night. There are reaso

time, Count Lukstein, that some one

saw that he was going to shout, and I

"the crack of this will

th you if you fired

t worse with yo

ach seeking to overcome the other by a wordy braggadocio. Indeed, my forefinger so tremble

himself to a note of passion. "What does it

ve much to be desired," I conceded. "But

ch. You see that yourself, Mr. Buckler. So, to-morrow! Return by the way you came,

ill be abroad in the house tomorrow, and, as you were careful to remind me, I am not in England. I have waited

he room; but ever they returned t

laugh that rang flat as a cracked guinea, "one must needs listen when

the one from which he had risen, drawing it closer to the fire. A little table stoo

I, "upon Sir Julia

ou will oblige me by speaking E

twas all one to me what language

re in the quarrel which he had with you, and to complete

perplexity, "the quarrel was a private one. Whe

"He knew the love I bore him, and laid

You say Sir Julian laid this errand upon you. But I have your bare word for that. It is not enough. And ev

posure, and spoke with a

t the better of that scruple, as I have of one far more serious,

been struck. I seized the butt of my pistol, fo

" said I, nodding at him, "a

is knees. His hands darted at it, and he turned it over an

and then remembering himself, "I know

aid I. "I visited him in his prison o

repeating "the 22nd Septemb

I, "the 22nd September. I

h an indescribable air of relief, flung the box carele

h time had you mentioned the date earlier. How much?" a

stein!" I

driving at, and the surprise which his change

with a wave of the hand. "How

of those which are best played serio

e. I have no wish to cheapen your wares. That you have picked up some fragments of the truth I

was fast losing my temper, and feared lest I might ra

were Sir Julian's friend. I would not hurt your feelings, Mr. Buckler, but both those statements are, to put it coarsely, lies. You were never Sir Julian's friend, or you would have known better than

are beginning to un

d a seco

n, my lord," said I, "though

des of the little table. The smile died off his face; he leaned his hands upon

n?" he asked in

How else should I

fact tone of assent. All his feeling and p

y eye I saw his fingers working stealthily across the table. I dropped my hand on to the butt of my pistol. With a ready cunning he picked

at length, "you wo

ase you, y

than I knew of," he returned, with a cunn

but admire the nimbleness of his wits. Not merely had he recovered his easy demeanour, but he wa

s Marston," said I. "I

g disbelief. "Come, come, Mr. Buckler! Not for your friend! We are both men of the world. Be frank with

o blame for that? And as for the honest blood, I have

a light sound which became distinctly audible in the silence. It descended from the room above. We both looked up to the ceiling, the Count with a sudden softness on his face, and I understood, or rather I thou

ame down into the room, it was all over with my project and, most likely, with my life, too, unless I was prepared to shoot my opponent in cold blood

ning. Let them come like men to the door and give me assurance that I

aid I, "that the matter mus

red at me incredulously. "Mr

er, and would soon vanish if it were left to stand. The Count began to pace the room between the writing-table and the window. I set my chair agains

take too little thought of my side of the case. To fight with one whom I have never so much as set eyes on befor

kstein, and you raise your voice," I bro

d a clenched fist to his shoulder, glaring at me.

y I would have no disturbance here tonight. You got som

ered him. I took a leaf from his book, as the sayi

with your attentions now must wait until t

with a sinuous movement of his body

body. I saw the steel flash in a line of light and sprang on one side. The sword quivered in the wood level with my left elbow. My leap upset the table, the pistol clattered on the floor. I whipped out my sword, Count

PTE

KE UP THE

must have been open before, I argued to myself, but I knew the argument was false. The door had been shut; I noted that from the garden, and it could not have opened so silently of itself. I renewed my attack upon the Count, pressing him harder and harder in a veritable panic. I snatched a second glance across his shoulder. The door was not only ajar; 'twas opening--very slowly, very silently, and a yellow light streamed through onto the wall beside the door. The sight arrested me at the moment of lunging--held me petrified with horror. A savage snarl of joy from Lukstein's lips warned me; his sword darted at my heart, I parried it clumsily, and the next moment the point leapt into my left shoulder. The wound quickened my senses, and I settled to the combat again, giving thrust for thrust. Each second I expected a scream of terror, a rush of feet. But not a sound came to me. I dared not look from the Count's face any more; the hit which he had made seemed to have doubled his energies. I strained my ears to catch the fall of a foot, the rustle of a dress. But our own hard breathing, a light ratt

feel her eyes burning into mine. I was certain that some one was behind me, and I experienced an almost irresistible desire

gainst the window-pane, clutching at

A couple of paces more, and she must have touched him

in a hoarse whispe

hour must have passed since I had seen her first, and yet so brie

and white slippers on her naked feet. Her face even then showed to me as incomparably beautiful, and her head was crowned with masses of waving hair, in colour like red corn. She passed between us without check or fal

rd we stepped side by side to follow her. Our dispute appeared to have been swallowed up in t

ld," said he, and as I looked at him inquiringly, h

thrust home. The blade pierced through his body until the hilt rang against the buttons of his coat. He fell backwards heavily, and I let go of my sword. The point stuck in the floor behind him as he fell, and he slid down the blade on to the ground. Something dropped from his hand and rolled away into a corner, where it lay shining. I gave no thought to that, however, but glanced through the window. To my horror I saw that Countess Lukstein was already returning across the lawn. The Count had fallen across the window, blocking it. I plucked my sword free, and lugged the body into the curtains at th

ugh I held the Count within my arms. Then from the floor of the room above there came once more the light tapping sound of a woman's heels. I looked about me. The table lay ov

ght grey upon the garden, with the

Castle--how quietly it slept, and how brightly burned the lights in those

ot fear that I felt; 'twas not even pity. The cry spoke of suffering too great for pity, and I stood aghast at the sound of it, aghast at the thought that my handiwork had begotten it. 'Twas n

whence came a murmur of voices, and a red beam of light slipped through

nding the ridge, and the Castle loomed vaguely above me as though at that spot the night was denser than elsewhere. 'Twas plain that no alarm had been taken, that the cry had not been heard. I understood the

to which we had tethered our horses. I dared not call out to Larke; I feared even the sound of my footsteps. Every rustle of the bushes seemed to

joies et to

d'armes e

" I wh

ckled as he crushed

that you? W

gainst my arm and tighte

? Oh, my God! I though

e heard

thi

nd? Not--n

thi

I. "We must be mil

od, and we untied them and thread

mount, Jac

brandy, but I gulped a draught of it as though it were so much water.

ked, "what have you d

bering. "I left my spurs, my pistol, and--a

ht that "something else" with me, or at least

s, each one alive with a tossing glare of links. It seemed to me that a hundred angry eyes were searching for me. I drove my heels into my horse's flanks and galloped madly down the road in the direction of Ital

TER

D HEAR NEWS OF C

ch frequented by travellers, and neither my spurs, nor my pistol, nor the miniature of Julian bore any marks by which Jack or myself could be singled out. At Verona an inflammation set up in my wound

, in the year 1686, the fulness of the spring renewed my blood and set my fancies in a tide towards home. Jack accompanied me to England and took up his abode

d I--God knows I need a friend." And wit

dimmed, I could not bring myself to the point of speech. Had it not been for the appearance and intervention of the Countess, doubtless I should have blurted out the tale long before. But with her face ever fixed within my view, I coul

d that they did so I understood from a certain speech Jack once made me. 'Twas when I was yet lying sick at Verona. One mornin

ats the remark, shifting a foot to and fro on

ce, if ever trouble comes to me!" says h

ve that 'twas very little; just enough to assure him that I had not flinched from

and my house at the base of it, its grey tiles shining in the sunset like glass; and a homely restfulness settled upon my spirit, and

e in the pleasures of the field. Hawking, hunting, and climbing--for which somehow my companion never acquired a taste--filled out the hours of daylight We chased the fox on foot along ridges of the hills

w gigantic in size, and swing back across the world as though it was hinged betwixt the poles. Most often, however, it would be Count Lukstein's wife. I beheld her now, tall and stately, with her glorious aureole of hair and her dark, unseeing eyes eating through me like a slow fire as she advanced across the room; now I follow

e conversation which preceded it, the last cowardly thrust, and the dead form huddled up in my arms among the curtains--of these things I had not even a hint. They became erased from my memory the moment that I fell asleep. Then 'twas always the woman who w

ure of my fingers with a friendly welcome; now I applied myself straightway to the text as to a laborious and uncongenial task. I had looked so deeply into a tragic reality that these printed images of life appeared false and distorted, like reflections thrown from a convex mirror; and I understood how it is that those who act are b

me down, with my limbs unrefreshed and aching, before the "Religio Med

stion of the library of Alexandria. For my own part, I think there be too many in the world, and could with pati

d fell some twelve feet into a deep bason. A group of larches overhung the pool, and the sunlight, sprinkling between the leaves, dappled the clear green surface with an ever-shifting pattern. Into this bason I dropped the key, and watched it sink with a sparkling tail of bubbles to the bottom. 'Twas of a bright metal, so that I could still see it distinctly as it rested on the rock-bed. A large stone lay upon the bank beside me, and with a sudden, uncontrollable impulse I stripped off my clothes, picked up the stone, and

at windows were open, and the sunny air streamed in laden with fresh perfumes. I can see Jim Ritson now as he rode up the drive--'twas part of his duty to mee

brood of children. But whenever I pass him in the lanes and fields I ever exper

rd Elmscott and urged m

eover, a new beauty hath come to Court. There is nothing very strange in that. But she is a foreigner, and her rivals have as yet discovered no scandal to smirch her with. There is something very strange in that. Such a miracle is well worth a man's beholding.

nd he perused it silently and tossed it back. All that evening I sat smoking my pipe and pondering the proposal. An overmastering desire to see her features alive with the changing lights of expression, began to possess me. The more I thought, the more ardently

, knocking the ashes from my

ly, springing up and facing me. "

and he gazed into my face with a look of be

roken whisper, and took a step or two ba

, I soon shall be. He may be helping me now.

?" he repeated. "Swear

as he

her to Englan

bout Italy?" I answered.

d he. "She wears no mou

Austria, I slept dreamlessly. In the morning I was yet more determined to go. I felt, indeed, as though I had no power to st

he steps of the porch, "don't stay with

asked, in

red you would wake the house. I rushed into your room. You were crouched up among the bed-curtains

is words, and he aske

s never seen you

d I shook him by the hand,

TER

W TO COUNTE

my cousin in Monmouth, or rather Soho, Square--for the name had been altered since the execution of the Duke. 'Twas some half an h

t languidly. "How do ye? Lord Culverton,

n a laced coat, and powdered periwig which hung so full about his face that

r if you remember, Morrice, it w

uth the pretty creatures pester one so impertinently that burn me

ravely, "and needed cudgell

d her," added Elms

here must be some mistake. I have met many women who needed cud

d then, with some timidity, I began to i

cousin. "Faith, I knew not I had

eady. Egad! I'm half-soused in love myself, split my windpipe!" and he flicked a speck of powder from his velvet coat, and careful

discarded the we

most supercilious eyebrow. However, time may do much with the obstinate dear--time, a tolerable phrase, and a je ne s?ay quoi in one's

om laughing, the more especially whe

as little ignominy as we can. They say that every pretty woman has a

with delight. "You positively flatter me. The ladies use me--no more. I am on

this gossipy tittle-tattler, and with no more consideration than she showed to the humblest of her servants. However, he

success," says Elmscott, pouring

rton. "'Tis a most villainous habit, and ruins

h on the subject of mine, an

me to Lond

s charms. Her eyes dethroned the planets, the brightness of her hair shamed the sunlight; for her mouth, 'twas a Cupid's bow that shot a deadly arrow with every word. When she danced, her foot

nterrupted him, "to become

resent you!" s

he has such solid grounds for confid

, she has a passio

ed!"

brings a stranger to her side. For that reason," he added na?vely, "I would fain present

he said, "you must firs

est suit, and though 'twas something more modest than my Lord Culve

y character would never survive the imputation, strike me purple if it would! 'Tis a very yeoman

Lockett's, and I will take you to the Countess' lodging in Pall Mall afterw

ave speech with her no later than that very evening, engendered within me an indescribable excitement. I got free from my companions as speedily

and at first I could get no glimpse of the Countess. But I looked towards the spot where the throng was thickest, and the tripping noise of pleasantries most loud

re in such a tragic conjunction in that far-away nook of the Tyrol, should now be presented each to the other like the merest strangers, amidst the brightness and gaiety of London town. I almost expected the candles to go out, and the company to dissolve into

g hither my cousin, Mr. Morrice Buckler, who is anxious

ce that was exquisitely sweet, and she let her eyes

owever, the alertne

ppointment in her tone, and maybe a touch of weariness. If, indeed, what Culverton had said was tr

e full of my sober, sad-coloured clothes. I looked about me. Coats and dresses brilliant with gold and brocade mingled their colours in a flashing rainbow, jewe

in my body seemed to run tingling into my face. I half turned to flee away and take to my heels, but a second glance at the sneering countenances around me stung my pride into wakefulness, and resolving to put the best face on the matter I could, I attempted a sweeping bow. W

nders, "don't disturb the gentl

eet in the gre

lier than the rest of your acquaintance. Only bei

riendliness which lifted me s

Buckler," she said, "more than aton

xcessive earnestness, "the simile does me some injusti

some surprise and mor

woman's antagonists

her chance phrase. I remembered, besides, that I had stumbled to the ground in mu

the throng, whence I could observe her motions and gestures undisturbed. And with a growing contentment I perc

ashion, and below it her face shone pale, pale indeed as when I saw her last, but with a wonderful clarity and pureness of complexion, so that as she spoke the blood came and went very prettily about her cheeks and temples. The two attributes, however, which I noted with the greatest admiration were her eyes and voice

ing disconsolately by myself. I looked around for Elmscott, being minded to depa

she asked, "y

le of either cards or dice, and that l

services, for the room is hot, and

wished that she had laid her hand less delicately upon my sleeve. Indeed, I should hardly have k

l. The window stood open and showed a little balcony with a couch. The Countess seated herself upon it

," said she, holding

er of the aconite p

nd you of

ave travelled there." She turne

t much of bot

ckler," she said after a pause; "for we are both str

ave lived amongst these gallants all your days, whil

like you the better for

gan, "such wor

me with a whim

e few minutes we are together you would style me neither nymph, divinity, nor angel, but would treat me as just a woman. The

the words conveyed not so much a rebuke

their grace of bearing and the nimbleness of their wits, whic

d, and made room

these two months since, and I be

nd of the sentence, and leaned

e amongst the hills," and there was a certain

nd between us, for I live

cond she laid a hand upon my sleeve. It seemed to me that no man ev

estioned eagerly, "you will st

o back, I hope, but when, I know not. It might be in a week, it might be in a year, it might be never.

nt. The Countess appeared to grow all unconscious of my presence, and gazed steadily down the quiet street as though it stretch

here she and I were alone in the starlit dusk of a summer night. Her very silence was sweet to me with the subtlest of flatteries. For I looke

my nostrils, and every now and then her warm breath played upon my cheek. A fold of her train had fallen across my ankle

ke again--'twas a

told to any one since I came to England. It i

rth. In Cu

d, with a little catch of her br

that time and this year's spring I have been a stranger to the countrysid

with her hand, and leaned over the balcony, resting her elbow

a town of great beauty, they tell me,

during the months of my residence," said I.

husband? If she did know, and if she attributed the duel in which her husband fell to a result of it, why, then--Cumberland was Julian's county, and the name might well strike with some pain upon her hearing. But who could have informed her? Not the Count, surely; 'twas

eways upon her palm, and was quietly looking me over from head to foot. Then she

d beguiled me to forget the rest of my guests. However, if I have s

pity on me! The statement would

o perilous near to a compliment;" and we went b

ve missed you t

ould say, forty years who bus

cal reproach. "You must blame Mr. Buckler, Clemence, and

oorest company, for I paid little heed to what she said, and carried away no recollection beyond that her chatter weari

hand, and I bent over and kissed it. 'Twas only the glove I kissed, but the hand was within the g

u to pay me," she said, "and th

ts," I exclai

den to you," says she, and

ace, as he had looked at me in the archway of Bristol Bridewell, I saw Otto Krax, the servant of Count Lukstein. The unexpected sight of his massive figure came upon me like a blow. I had forgotten him completely. I staggered back into the angle of the wall. He must know m

of relief, and was about to step down to hi

d, with the light from the hall-lamp below streaming up i

was there to let you out" Sh

o, I understood whence she might have go

dering how much 'twould cost to buy it up. For I believed that it would be

tes Elmscott

ukstein before?" he asked, an

's name makes y

ks. Your eyes went straight to h

e than the merit of

exaggerate? W

cription I could give. There were no wor

," said Elmscott,

cried. "I need a

out int

servants shall be with you in the morning with a complete list of my tradesmen." And he swung off in the direction of Piccadilly, laughing as he went, while I, filled with all sorts of romanti

a momentary pang of misgiving, I observed, lyi

nquired sharply of Udal, t

and examined that the merest fingering of the cover served to make the book fall open at this particular page.

ain, and, newly come as I was from the presence of Countess Lukstein, I felt no gratitude for his interference. I to

air and quiet in the soft light. What nonsense does a man con over and ponder at such times! Yet 'tis very pleasant nonsense,

PTE

N ACQUAIN

e wares were too plain and insignificant; there too gaudy and pretentious, for while I was resolved to go no longer dressed like a Quaker, I was in no way minded to ape the extravagance of my lord Culverton. At last I determined upon a dozen suits, rich but of a sober colour, and being measured for them, went from the tailor's to the ho

special interest not merely in my present comings and goings, but in the past history of my uneventful days. Surely there is no flattery in the world so potent and bewitching as the questions which a woman puts to a man concerning those years of his life which were spent before their

at she evinced to the rest of her courtiers and friends a certain pride and stateliness w

Kew; on another we would visit the new camp at Hounslow, which in truth, with its mountebanks and booths, resembled more nearly a country fair than a garrison of armed men; or again on a third we would attend a coursing match in the fi

packed company in the pit, the orange-girls hawking their baskets amongst them, the masked women in the upper boxes and the crowd of bloods upon the stage, who were continually shifting their positions, bowing to ladies in the side-boxes, ogling the actresses, and airing their persons and dress to the great detriment

d across the theatre. The Countess Lukstein and Mademoiselle Durette had just e

it?" I

intance o

f Ilga. He was young, with a white face and very deep-set eyes, and though his appearance was in

that night at the H.

sh I rec

and then after a pause: "

you do; ma

I have never seen h

We all thought that he had received his dismissal. It

sorbing talk with their heads very close togethe

has never mentioned h

discarded suitor we imagined him, then yes--you might expect her to boast to you

ndered, which he had foretold in the chill dawn at the tavern? Were we to come to grips with Ilga for the victor's prize? On the heels of

beauty, little of its wonderful purity of outline; but I seemed to see more clearly than ever before the woman that lurked behind it, and I felt a new strength, a new courage, a new life, flow out fro

rk, and I saw her face change. She gave an abrupt start of surprise; there appeared to me something of uneasiness in the movement She looked apprehensively at Marston, and back again a

some reason, b

ompliments to the

of the theatre. At the do

m you of my journey to Sir

. But for my part, I have never breathed a word of the matter to a living soul.

ered?" she said,

gnise, as I should never have dared to do myself, that I had a right to be jealous, and her words almost granted me a

is chair as we entered, and s

," she said. "I must make my

y since she laid some emphasis upon it. It undid some portion of

e," said Marston,

had not hea

mbling-match, but she listened with no appar

no taste for cards or dice," she

om Leyden in a great fluster without any money in his pockets, and so must needs wai

eal towards Elmscott, a

rton lent him the

herself, to my great relief, br

e I am as yet so far out of the fashion as to feel some slight interest in the

. For my part I remembered that Ilga had shown no great interest in the comedy while she was alone with Marston, and I began to wonder whether ou

however,

ton!" and she bowed to h

ay, "'Tis an every-day affair with me," immediately left his station, and disappearing behind the scenery, made his way into the box. The Countess received him graciously, and kept him behind her chair, asking many questions concerning the players, and laughing he

ich I had noticed on the evening that we sat together in her balcony. It was as though she was taking curious stock of my person and weighing me in some balance of her thou

of the sentime

once I am in the fashion,

ich I was in such great hurry to reach. Not that I had any solid reason to fear she would discover me on that account, for many a man might have ridden from London to Bristol at the time of the assizes

or his friend than for his mistress,"

rthy author has n

ve that?"

that it should be so; but, alas! my own experience has proved it. It need

asked with some hesitation, looking down on the g

isper. "I wait for the woman's finge

hand fell lightly upon mine. I believed, indeed, that 'twas no more

from he

des, Mr. Buckler convinces me the playwright has never be

from one to the other of us as though in doubt, and we stood glaring across her. Elm

will honour me," su

favour accorded to him, and with a pea

ed monkey!" said Mars

hat and cloak, departed without a word. His precipitate retreat only made my cousin laugh the more heartily; but I chose to make no remark upon this merriment, believing that Elmscott i

o stood gathered within the light of the entrance, he beckoned to me to follow him, and stepped quickly across the square into a deserted alle

of the table again, Mr. Buckler. But the game h

ner fairly staggered me. I had not expect

essing his advantage, "and call for a

, meeting his gaze squa

ilently for a second, and then with a calmness

?" he asked slowly. "Think!

l the win

it on the ground, and stamped out the sparks with his heel. 'Twas too dark for me to see his face,

et your hand;" and I heard his footsteps ring hollow down the street. He had

PTE

EXITIES, AND

with a great longing, deeming that her presence would in a measure consecrate the rooms, and that t

at a hostelry in the neighbourhood, had returned by water. We disembarked at Westminster steps, an

lying along the front of the house, and the second, an inner chamber, giving upon a little garden at the back. Ilga,

one's friends. Conversation is but the pretty scabbard that hi

t your frien

her eyes upon me, and she paused in expectation of an

I felt the blood

ou tell it me," I ma

day; the time is inopportune. For it is brimful of so

onate tension in her voice, filled me wit

ained softly, "and so count on your symp

ion that she could count on

, the whole story of woman might be written in one ph

teel for lat

t error out when the steel cuts us. So either way are we unfortunate. Therefore, I will e'en pur

ve you discove

ler. A student from the University of Leyden should line his walls with volumes and folios, and

eflected, however, that the plan was a mere diagram of lines, without even a letter to explain it, and with only a cross

table before her, and beside of it a letter in E

ase is this?" she a

se, and I gather from the inscription

, "and you must blame my se

ness implies an interest in the objec

fault that ever I met with," she laug

mscott's letter while

y belong of right to you, and since it seems your turn has come to need luck's servic

diamond buckles from it flashed with a thousand rays, and she

iking for you," she said. "For i

, "with all a gambler's superstiti

usin's last stake, Mr. Marston related," she sai

ave no more courage than suffices me

all her attention to the brilliant jewels in her

tle nervous laugh, "you are copying my bad examp

an idea in my mind. My guests were amusing themselves without any need of help from me. Some new scandal concerning the King and the Countess of Dorchester was being discussed for the tenth time that day with an enthusiasm which expanded as the story grew, so that I was presently able to slip back unnoticed. The inner r

I have discovered how best to dispose of t

indifferently. "An

d precious jewels go best together." With that, and awkwardly enough, I dare

pace as though she had n

kled through the air in two divergent arcs, and dropped some few feet away into the grass. She rose from her seat and drew herse

her by a gift which she plainly admire

and with a great effort she reco

ts me sorely, even though--nay, all the more because, it comes from you. It is the fashion, I know well, to believe t

re was something extravagant and unreasonable in her anger. For, said I, the gift was no bribe but a tribute, and, I continued, with greater con

pardon, I suppose," she crie

my pardon? What makes you suppose I need you should, unless it be your own proper and fitting compuncti

with the sentence

al demureness as sudden and inexplicable as her wrath, "only '

tions of a woman's humours have ever been confusing, and now I stood stockish and dumb, gazing at the Countess open-mou

ed, "now I have shocked

efinite reason that I could name I found myself laughing to her tune and with equal heartiness. 'Twas none the less a wi

little spirts of laughter, as now and again she looked at my face, until we

to the Park?

all we s

d back at

ardly run away

ne in the room

? 'Twould look stra

o one there, for it

the handle doubtf

s loc

n the mantelshelf

s littl

the larger

nough remarked as it is. Clemence will read me

ok her leave shortly with the rest of the company; but as

uld be angry more often," and so

she had offered to account for her anger. She set a value upon my esteem, and no small value either; so much she had told me plainly. Now it had been my lot hitherto to meet with a half-contemptuous tolerance rather than esteem; so that this unwonted appreciation shown by the one person from whom I most desired it filled me with a deep gratitude, and obliged me in her service. Yet here was I requiting her with a calculating and continuous deception. 'Twas no longer of any use to argue that Count Lukstein had received no greater punishment than his treachery merited; th

actions and purposes by imagining the judgment which she would be like to pass on them, and, indee

, practising my duplicity; or, again, I might pack my trunks and scurry ignominiously back to my estate; or I might tak

, my natural timidity cried out against this hazard of all my happiness upon a single throw. Then, again, how could I tell her the truth? For it was not merely myself that the story accused, nor indeed in the main, but

understanding of this story. For on the very next day, while I was still debating the matter i

that a vigorous gallop might help me to some solution of my perplexities, and returning

le that he talked. In the middle of a sentence he stopped before the window which, as I have said, overlooked the Park, and broke off his speech with a sudden exclamation. I crossed to where he stood, wishing to see what had brought him so abruptly to a stop. The walks, however, wer

he wall of your garden hi

ter and walked into the open. I gave a start a

, "are you in s

ily dressed in a scarlet coat, an instinct of jealousy told me was Hugh Marston. Their backs were towards the house, and I waited for them to turn, which they did after they had walked some hundred paces. Sure e

" I cried.

burst int

"would be more discreet did sh

e knows that I lodge in the house; s

n a tone of comprehen

k than yesterday that she dis

in they disappeared within the shelter of the wall; again they emer

e muttered; "'tis

hat his w

it? One might have imagined she would not have had you see her on such close terms with ou

hrough the evening. For such in truth had been my

the box, before I pointed her out to you. For she looked straight i

upon mine, and the musical sound of her words--"the occasion may come, to

w the incidents fit together. Yesterday she finds out your room commands the Park, to-day she walks in Marston's compan

ied passionately. "What

shrug of his shoulders. "It is of a wo

serve how the Countess would take our discovery of her interview. But she paid

he cried over

some fingers should pry into the matter. I was too late, howeve

is the oddest th

er the fan, and they resumed the promenade. But they took no more than half a turn before the Countess signalled to the porters, and getting into the chair, was carried off. Marston waited unt

ass!" I cried,

ndow open after a

ton, he titte

y oddest thing! Strike me purple if I kno

e his work, and she had no further use for him. She is a woman--there's the top and bottom of it. A couple of men to frown at each other and grimace pre

, one would hear less concerning Mr. Buckler from her raptu

that?" I as

me to lead her to her carriage at the theatre, 'twas but to question me concerning you, and whether you gambled, and the horse of mine y

of the business, unless, Morrice, she would bring you on by a little wholesome jealousy." He looked at me shrewdly, and continued: "You are a tim

nother," said

all experience of ladies' whims," interposed Culverton, "and som

llowed your advice before, and

it; stap me, but they loathe it! A scarlet coat, like our friend wears, a full periwig, an embroidered stocking, makes deeper

n conveyed a particular meaning. He had, indeed, ingeniously classified the various coats, hats, breeches, vests, periwigs, ruffles, cravats and the other appurtenances of a gentleman's wardrobe, with the modes of wearing them, as expressions of feeling and emotion. The l

hould be leaving a free field for him, and that I was obstinately minded I would not do. On the other hand, however, this promenade in front of my windows, whether undertaken of set purpose or from sheer carele

dour and haste I might, and to unbosom myself of

ould ridicule my conversation, my person, and my bearing, and that, too, before a room full of people, so that I was filled with the deepest shame; or again, she would shrink from me with all the appearances of aversion. Mademoiselle

er voice as though she subdued herself to a distasteful practice, and something hysterical in her merriment; an

so that at last, being fallen into a most tormenting despair, I made shift to follow Elmscott's advice, and c

PTE

PLAINS, AND SHO

nd moderate her scorn. I had besides taken to heart Culverton's advice as well as that of my cousin. For I was in great trepidation lest she should take me at my

. How many times did I walk up and down before her house, or ever I could summon courage to knock! How many phrases and dignified reproaches did I con over and rehearse, yet never one that seemed other than offensive and ridiculous! What in truth emboldened me in the end to ente

teps, Mademoiselle Durette came from th

she said, "I will a

scended the stairs, and then tu

e. Take her

uld enable me to slip through. I heard the voice of Ilga singing sweetly in a low k

ey go a-wooing. Haven't you learnt that? Ridicule her, if you like, as she does you--abuse her, do anything but

nd had a strange and outlandish melancholy, the voice now lifting into a wild, keening note, now sinking abruptly to a dreary monotone. It oppressed me with a peculiar sadness, making the singer seem very lonely

stily forward with outstretched hands. At the sound she spra

my intrusion lacks ce

ations. For with a sneer upon her

fusion, and not knowing what to say or do, remained foolishly shifting from one foot to the other, the while Ilga watched me with a malicious

Mademoiselle Durette had

e Durette to me!"

n, and busied my wits in a search for a plausible exc

tein repeated

ir from me to her mistress, and back again from her mistress to me. Remembering

lt is in no wise your companion's.

ds. "I believe," she exclaimed in a mock excitement, "that Mr. Buckler is going to make

ent, as well she might, a

ou count too readily upon Mr. Buckler's gift. Mr. Buckler has come

fied bow and stepp

mean?" she

homewards thi

iselle Durette, who slipped

innocent assumption of surpr

her straight in the face. "Surely

"My ingenuity? Mr. Buckler, you take a tone----" She came so

uttered it, well-nigh disarmed me; but I felt that did I answer her, di

h a show of indifference

ke with lowered eyes. "Are the

got m

rew back a step, and picking up her fan from a little table, began to pluck nervously at the feathers.

ven those whom I counted my friends find

ry proof and attribute of indifference--the crust one toss

ting even for

ance at me. "Not always, Mr. Buckler; and have

inst her and vouchsafed no answer. For a little whil

fan on to the table. The table was of polished mahogany, and the fan slid across it

ng again to me, "you condescend to kneel. Sur

to her had been my chief occupation this many a day, and I replied hotly,

ot seen you drop your fan in order to deceive the man who picks

y red, and excl

can be e

d. "I have never doubted the s

p with great pride

h I had so worshipped. It was very white; even the lips were bloodless, and oddly eno

, and stepped b

e of it her voice

the sword to be

e stairs, slowly and yet more slowly. Fo

plained," she had said. What if it could? Then the sword would be proved lath indeed! Just to salve my vani

or a test--a woman's test and touchstone to essay the metal of the sword, a test perhaps i

st brought me to the house. But there was no stir or movement from garret to cellar. I might have stood in the hall of the Sleeping Palace. From a high window the sunlight slanted athwart the cool gloom in a golden pillar, and a fly buzzed

fore I understood. Then I rushed back to the entrance. The door stood open, but the hall was empty and silent as when I left it. I sprang up the stairs, and in my haste missed my footing about halfway up

paid no heed to me, keeping her head bent over her work until I had app

e asked, in a mock

ow," I repl

more over he

prerogative of

ou apart

cannot trust me

. Then she laughed again, bending closer over her frame, in a low joyou

g, "and yet, are you a child? Would God I knew!" She ended with a passionate cry, clasping her hands together upon her breast; but before I could make head or tail of her meaning she was half-

e!" I

with a pretty imperious stamp of the

some difficulty, for

It sticks in the throat at times;" and crossing to a sideboard, s

dge me first,

and she balanced the cu

will." She raised it slowly to her lip

whipping out of the room again, but Ilga called to her. The astonishment of the Frenchwoman made one point clear to

with regret, "will you bid Otto come to me? I ransacked Mr. Buckler's room

ood in a corner. He drew out a tray heaped up with curiosities, medals

came to London. You shall tell

" said I, "for these ornaments tell me nothing

she tossed and rattled them hither and thither upon the tray with rapid jerks of her fingers which w

vents, affords a lesson

trustful to learn, and your

s ready to forgive it. Had we been alone I believe that I should have blurted the whole truth out; only Otto

had discovered them. But I paid small heed to her words; that question--did she know?--pressed too urgently upon my thoughts. A glance at the stolid

at she should have spoken so gently. I dismissed the suspicion

k hair, the nose a trifle tip-tilted, and the lips full and red, but altogether a face very alluring and handsome. I was most struck, however, w

y, "you stand between Mr

ed obediently f

ppearance of antiquity than

," she replied. "Th

arefully at the miniature, and thence to Ilga. She was gazing closely at me with parted lips, and an odd intentness in her expression. I noticed t

se. "One might think you fanc

eart, "what if I did--fancy that?" She stress

"the face is

sked. "Look again! Lo

upon a closer scrutiny I began gradually to recognise it; but in so vague and dim a fashion, that whether the fami

which had nothing amiable or ple

I know not what to say. It may be that I have seen t

cts an opponent after much debate, and then, in a

niature as the cause of her recent resentment and scorn. "For I have only seen this fa

ne. "Look yet a third time, Mr. Buckler! Fo

nd "Otto!" she cried ster

, and I swung round and eyed him. He came a ste

e tray in t

ing ever from it to the Countess and b

have never had speech with

eyes as though she

God's

the servant, and I thought that I had never fallen in with any one

mained stock-st

id, nodding her head with each wor

, a miserable calumny. I understand! 'Tis tha

ith a slight shru

en. Look at the picture yourself!" and I forced it into her hands. "What do you read there? Vanity and the love of conquest. Gaze into the eyes! What d

my vehemence; "women are capricious. You yourself have been complaining this morning

re the painted figure there with

shoulders as I knelt, and bent

ady was so dear to you that for her sake

ncredulity; and then a flame of rage against my t

told

disclose

erefore no consideration or respect. He has lied concerning me. I have a clear right to know his name, that I may co

he held out h

need no other proof, and I cra

viction or the joy which it occasioned her. I saw a light in her eyes, dancing and spar

ok her hand, "I would fa

ot trust m

ide of the right, and before I could find a suitable reply she slipped o

h she did very prettily, and handed the cup to me. As I

refuse to pledg

ined the cup. "But I have jus

perplexed f

o----" she began, in

the picture,

t me in pure

guessed accurately,

ver the giver. I know but one man in London who

t, and I was minded to open my heart to her. Indeed, I began the preface of a love-speech in spite of her preoccupation, but sticking for lack of encouragement after half-a-dozen words or so, I perceived that she was not even listening to what I said. Consequently I took my leave with som

nd, for Ilga came out on to the landing

icture," she said, entreating me;

g strange if I did no

k him out and-

ind," said I, mount

y you do not! There could be

ough the hall; this time we took t

ontinued, "for

odd

true ordeal. Skill--it is skill, not

ded the cause of her fear,

mongst those few you may reckon some profic

change of tone, "you are skilled in the

inner part of the house

qualification

the two steps down, I deemed

her tone o

y outwit skill

the door as Krax unfastened i

and in a whisper she added:

eps between us. I took

is it?" and I

eched in shaking tones. Then she drew back quickly, and leaned against the balustrade. I looked downwards. Otto was usherin

I, "I have forg

down the steps as M

ys I, coming to a hal

he, continui

ght and clear," said the Counte

TER

Y T

come to the house in Marston's company, and now waited his return. My conviction that Marston had handed the miniature to Ilga was, I thought, confirmed beyond possibility of doubt, and I scanned her face with more eagerness than courtesy, hoping to discover by those means a clue to her identity. For a moment or so she returned my stare without giving a sig

familiarity in her appearance, but I was not certain but what I ought to attribute it to my long examination of her likeness. However, since Pro

ssure you that it is no small matter which leads me to address you. I on

h a coquettish laugh, "for it implies that you ar

ne of some moment to me. I should not have had the courage to t

I saw a frown overspread her face, and f

t not? Why not frankly complete the sentence? I hear the sent

nning her fingers through the mane of her horse. I understood that

mpted them. In the old days, when a poor mortal intruded upon a goddess, he paid for his presu

y my adulation, and replied archl

on the words, but the words came first,

ward speech, madam, implies startled senses, and so should be recko

was ever discomforting to me, my flatteries being of the heaviest and causing me

question?" said I, re

collection of your face, and so can speak with no greater cert

Morrice Buc

dle and gathered up the reins

e point," she said hurriedly

nd I knew no reason why any one should fear me, least of all a stranger. But what she did next aston

I gave you credit for horn-

er or her voice?--struck me as singu

dam, it is true. So

ification. "Have you ever been presented

I, still more puzzled, "nor

be satisfied, for

acles. How comes it that you

njustice has been done you. I was told of a homespun student, glum and musty as an old book, and

n," I replied, with a glance at the door; "and I onl

even know that you were acquainted with"--she paused,

face, but I did not stop to wonder at it then. I understood that the indefinable familiarity in her looks was due to the likeness which she

aid I, more to my

way which was unaccounta

For the last year I have been travelling abroad with my hu

incident with the cooler reflection which a lapse of years induces, I marvel at the conviction with which I drew the inference. But although now I see clearly how incredible it was that a man of Marston's breeding and family should so villainously misuse the fair fame of

and;" and a second time she flushed unaccountably. I spoke the words wi

"for marrying so soon after Julian di

e petted child about her; of a trim and supple figure, and with wonderfully small hands. I remarked her hands especially, because her fingers were playing restlessly with the jewelled butt of her riding-whip; and I did not wonder at her power over men's hearts. A small, trembling hand laid in a man's great palm! In truth, it coaxes him out of very pity for its size

ing to her side, "it is in y

to its former flippancy. "Is it the new fashion for ladies to

e warrant for kn

ain into her eyes; now I appreciated the cause. She was a

ly, "when I needed any small services, to meet with gen

upon the last word, and I

e, I think, who lod

replied. "Why? W

ess Lu

ltering cry, and tur

ountess Lukstein, the wife, or rather, the wido

f relief, the colour returning to her cheeks. Then she turned de

sternly, and her eyes fell from my face. "Now, madam,

e answered bitterly, "that I cannot

I returned. "Let me as

w quick

You would not take

en

you," she implored piteously, laying a trembling

brother is there. That guarantees no harm can come to you. But, besides, Cou

unconvinced up

Mr. Buckler?" she a

n I intended if I meant to get my way. "Cannot you guess why? I said the

a moment with a gre

ered. "You kille

e Countess knows so little of the affa

you s

e a-visiting, thin

t to relieve her of appr

u have me speak to he

ve met by chance, for the

a fresh alarm. "Without ground or reason! Your name--for y

ident which has led her to link us together

that she couples us

r, I bethought me that at any moment Marston might take his leave, and I was resolved that Lady Tracy should speak in h

. 'Tis but a little service that I claim of you, and one that may haply

he hand I held out to assist her, sprang lightly to the ground

makes of men!" she said,

at I played but a despicable part in forcing her thus to be

ne instance to the contrary;" and I mou

ed convulsively upon my sleeve; it seemed as though she were on the point of fainting. I bade the fellow, roughly, to wait upon his mistress, and inquire whether she would receive me, and a friend whom I was most anxious to prese

an a minister's servant shows to the needy place-seekers at his master's levée. We stood, I remember particularly, in a line with the high window of which I have alre

d Lady Tracy, in an agitat

ol, for he was Count Lukstein's servant. But it is hardly probable that the Cou

er? How accou

slandered us to the Countess, gave her, a

aimed, clinging to me i

im H

excitement, and his eyes protruding from their sockets. I had just sufficient time to notice that, strangely enough, his gaze was directed at me,

with some difficulty, carried, o

to Otto. "Fetch one of t

ught Ilga ont

?" she asked, lean

lied; "nothing more. Ther

nning down the stairs. "Let me look, Mr. Buckle

head upon my arm, and I drew aside, but without remov

er countenance flashing with a savage fury, and her voice so bitter and harsh

one hour that you have never had speech wi

hdrawing my arm hastily,

my breast, and I sought to arrange

"Let the head rest there.

ever so much as set eyes upon this lady before to-day. I know that now. For the first time in my life, I saw her when I left y

," sneered Ilga. "And whom did

replied shortly

laimed. "We'll even te

h she would ascend them. But seeing Otto still post

his sister lies in th

he Countess eyed me triumphantly. But in a moment Marston came flyi

caressing reproach, "Betty!" He shook her gently by the shoulders, lik

ed the bodice of Lady Tracy's riding-habit at the

they said. "She

me with a moment

nuine cordiality that I could not doubt his affection for Lady Tracy; and I

eyes. Ilga was standing in front of her a few paces off, her face set

!" she whispered, risin

d the Countess, but there was no kindliness in her voice to s

madame," faltered Lady Tracy, "b

rew his arm about her waist, clasping her hand upon it to keep it there. 'Twas the frankest confession of fear that ever I chanced upon, and

angered for that she had not believed me when I informed her Lady Tracy was Marston's sister, and I took up my hat and cane

n giving you offence and the ot

y Tracy, I, poor fool, carried home with me the fancy yet more firmly rooted than before, that h

TER

UKSTEIN IS

e of Lady Tracy so pat upon the discussion of her picture, and to my expressed desire to present her to the Countess within a few minutes of strenuously denying her acquaintance; and I deemed it not extravagant. That he recognised her as the object of his master's capricious fancy at Bristol,

t seemed of a piece with the terror which she had subsequently shown on her recovery. The miniature, I conjectured, had something, if not everything to do with it. Resolving wisely that I had best ascertain the top and bottom of the ma

ut at the cost of denying you the pleasure of a visit. For my sist

Tracy hardly impressed me as likely to find mu

and she thought the countr

d even if I succeeded so far, I saw no means of eliciting the explanation I needed, without revealing to her the unscrupulous use which her brother had made of her miniature; and that I had not the heart to do. The business seemed of insufficient importance to warrant it. There was besides a fin

w when Lady Tracy inopportunely swooned. For when I came to think over the events of that morning, I recollected that after all Lady Tracy had not spoken as I asked her, and tho

; and choosing an occasion when Marston was lounging there in the company of the Countess and her attendant, Mdlle. Durette, I inquired of him pointedly conce

d conversation. She was afraid, I supposed, that I meant to break the promise which I had given her upon the stairs, and tax Marston with

ome in the Tyrol." She laid some stress upon the word "friend." "'

s most elegant bow. "For no spot can be more bea

d Ilga, with a bow, "is

he truth extorted from me, let me die! And yet it hath some wit. I can

hen----" I beg

alled green up the hillside behind it, gentian picks out a mosaic on the grass, and night and day waterfalls tumble their music through the

of her face, and she grew absorbed in

preciate the description better if i

barous no doubt, with a turbulent populace, bu

obvious flattery, but

d in a nook of the world." She seated herself on a chair which stood at the

ss. 'Twould decimate London, let me perish! For never

when I first had talk with her, and the construction which I had placed upon her words; how she would never return to Lukstein until she was eased of the pain wh

is their turn to visit me, and I would not be baulked of requiting them

," said Culverton. "For I have b

hard at him for a second, and then laugh

ing over statues and cold marble figures, but as for a fine woman, rabbit me if he ever knew one whe

Lukstein," said the Countess, "for it h

ve bidden him stop and climb to the Castle as to a holy shrine. The Countess laughingly assured him that n

n her chair, and with the tip of the stick she carried,

y described the character of the village, and marked out the windings of the road from the gates at the back of the Castle down the h

id, "the road runs in a zi

of the second angle, where the coppice runs to a point, with her face p

wisted," and very slowly she drew the final line to join with that w

ought to the matter, being rather engrossed in the strange coincidence of the diagram. It brought home to me with greater poignancy than ever before the deceit which I was practising upon my mistress. For I compared

eing obstinately determined that he should admit before Ilga the tenuity of my acquaintance with hi

uestion, but sat with her chin propped on the palms of her hands gazing with a thoughtful frown at the outli

a clumsy one, for I was never an adept at finesse; but this was the last answer which I desired to hear. "Nay, nay,"

came to my rescue, and in a careless

he remarked, "is an old

moothed the gravel, obliterating the lines. That I expected to see Marston disconcerted and in a pother to evade the question, I need

been abroad all this year, and Mr. Bu

more interested in Lady Tracy t

road," she said. "When

eptem

t I returned," I ex

towards me. "I fancied you

e in September," said I, regrettin

er of la

ast y

Culverton. "There seems to b

eated the Countess wit

ad not such cause to remember it. She was betrothed to one of Monmouth's rebels,

e of the rebel. But she merely remarked in an absent wa

a sad

or his treachery. Betty was ordered forthwith abroad, and she left England on the f

untess; and I, thinking to make out my

ereon I bade goo

rose to her feet. She stood for a moment w

with an odd smile. "I ought not to h

a little on one side,

e Mr. Buckler is acqua

dmire the effrontery of the man in carrying off the exposure of his falsity with so high a head, and I surmised that he had some new contrivance in his mind whereby

tty set out for France," he once

onths later," sniggered Culverton. "As

ntess l

over-constant

s," replied Culverton, "Lady Tr

ntly mooted. For some other of our friends joining us about this time, she proposed for a frolic that the party should take chairs and immediately invade my lodgings. Nee

rden, the door having neither latch nor bolt, but was secured only by the lock. For awhile I lay in bed striving to shut my ears to the sound. But the wind was high, and, moreover, blew straight into the room through the open window, so that I could not but listen, and in the end grew very wakeful. The sounds were irregularly spaced

f the larger parlour, and thus knew exactly where to lay my hand on it, I did not trouble to strike a light, to which omission I owe

more of the door in Lukstein Castle, and to see it open, and open noiselessly across the world. For the first time in the history of my nightmare fancies, that door swung back against the wall. It swung heavily, an

TER

F HIDE-A

d of a night in the pride of strength, and wakes in the morning to see the stains of an old disease upon his skin. I looked back upon those first months of agony in Italy; I remembered how I had dreaded the coming of night and the quiet shadows of evening; how each day,

count that I felt remorse. I had realised that from the beginning. And I determined to seek he

tiring timidity which I had not as yet thoroughly mastered, to wait somewhat slavishly upon circumstances, rather than to direct my wits to disposing the circumstances in the conjunction best suited to my end. Before I spoke or acted, I needed ever "the confederate season," as Shak

d I turned at once to the signature. It was only natural, I assured myself, that Mademoiselle Durette should write; Ilga would no doubt be busy over the arrangements for her departure. But none the less I experienced a lively disappointment that she had not spared a moment to pen the missive herself. Mademoiselle Durette informed me that news had

any interest--the door in my garden wall. For there was nothing whatever amiss with the lock, and on no subsequent night did it fly open. I closely examined my servants to ascertain whether any one of them had made use of i

assing through London on her way. For as I waked that morning at a somewhat late hour, I perceived Marston sitting patiently on the edge of my bed. He was in riding-dress, with his boots and breeches much stained with mud, and he carried a switch in

very well

ou wait

s to speak to you, so

l the truth, I felt exceedingly uneasy at the strangeness of his manner. And

slow smile, and after a pause: "you sleep very well," he repe

ed up i

den fierceness, and with a queer s

ed, with a patronising smi

he concern which I betrayed. He had chosen the easiest way with me. The least hint of condescension in another's voice alwa

st he

ed Count

the accusation by

as natural a tone

returned to Cumberland to-day, and stayed there? Your estates, I a

rd to supervise them. Their master wil

are you unwise in your own interests, but you drive me to a proceeding which I assure you is very repug

his voice began to

his proceeding

ty," he began, and

d, then, that it is re

ed indu

appropriate seasons. It would be my duty, unless you retired obedientl

am in the mind to inform the Countess of the fact myself. Indee

ords were more a question than a statement. I remained silent, and he smile

at he said. The confession must come from me, else was

a race between us which

ere will be no race, for I happen to know where the Countess is a-visitin

g, with so easy a composure that I could not hesitate to credit his words. However, I feigned not to believe him, and telling him a

o think the matter over. As I say, I have no desire to press you hard, and to be frank with you, I am not quite satisfied as to how my information would be received." I turned back towards him, and noticing the movemen

n my mind the only plan I could think of, w

which alternative you prefer. To-day is Monday

sound, chiming appositely to my thoughts, urged me to embrace my plan, and I did embrace it, though reluc

nivelling curs for bett

calmly. "But then the schoolboys have

and did not stir a muscle. I could have asked for nothing that was more like to serve me. I made a mis

you to the extent you wish. In a week's time I shall have the greatest

ery vile epithet I could lay my tongue to. He listened with extraordinary composure and i

e against the matter of your speech. Your voice is, I think, unne

n encounter, combined with the contemptuous insolence

have plotted against me from the outset like a common, rascally intriguer. No

ng that he turned on me

e exclaimed. "

d given to Ilga, and continued hur

d there was such underhan

h he could no longer endure the strain which his repression threw on him. Passion leaped into his face, and b

at!" His voice shrilled to a wild laugh. "I have killed them. Do you think I don't know it's cowardly? But there's a prize to be won, and I tell you"--he raised his hands above his

a very hysteria by his manner.

ur hands quite clean, my little parson? You kill the husband secretly, and then woo th

entered my head. I had always been too busy upbraiding myself upon that very score. Yet I could not but realise now how plausible the notion appeared. 'Twas plain that Marston believed I had been carefully playing a

each other out. Come, let us be frank! We are just a couple

he had dropped on to the floor. It lay close to the window, a

he said in an altered t

der what he meant. Thinking over the remark subsequently, however, I inferred from it, what indeed I had always suspected,

s hat, and op

e would give me my

said I, awakened to the necessi

thered them in my hand and tossed them into his face. His head went back as though I had struck him a blow; he flushed

iable quality, and I wonder not that it gets you friends. Indeed, I should have rejo

something of sincerity; but it

sregard the in

here are no

the next occasion," I replied, baffled b

about that occasion. Afterw

e; the other, as I had evidence enough, little short of impossible. Four days! The words beat into my brain like dull strokes of a hammer. I could n

eny my acquaintance. Now, when it was all too late, I saw what a mistake my cleverness had been. For not only through Lady Tracy's swoon had I missed my particular aim, but I had presented to my antag

ess Lukstein. The servants, however, whom she had left behind, knew--or rather pretend

had related mine. For even if he was minded to speak the truth, it would make all the difference, as he justly said, which of us twain spoke the first. I felt certain, moreover, that he would not speak the truth. For, to begin with, he would ascribe my timidity to a carefully-laid plan, since that was his genuine conviction; and again

ublic and precise that he must needs put the business without delay to the arbitrament of

been heard of him that day. At the "Spread Eagle," in Covent Garden, however, I fell across Lord Culverton, and framing an excuse persuaded him to bear me company; which he did with great good-nature, for he was engaged at ombre, a game to which he was much addicted. At the "Cocoa Tree" in Pall Mall, I secured Elmscott by a like pretext, and asked him if he knew of another who was minded for a frolic, and would make the fourth. He presented me immediately to a Mr. Aglionby, a country gentleman of the neighbouring county to my own, but newly come to town, and very boisterous and talkative. I thought him the very man for my purpose, since he would be like to spread the report of the quarrel, and joini

he street and gravely informed them that his master had fallen suddenly sick of an infectious fever, and lay abed in a frenzy of delirium. Even as the fellow spoke, a noise of shouts and wild laughter came through the open door. My companions shuddered at the sounds, and with a few hasty expressions of regret, hurried away from the neighbourhood. I ran afte

the nostrils, so that the passers-by walked with a new alertness in their limbs, and a renewed youth in their faces; and as I stood at the door of my lodging, a great home-sickness swept in upon my soul, a longing for the dark fields in the starshine and the silent hills about them. I was seized with a masterful impulse to saddle my horse and r

y, I seemed to detect a certain irony, he gave me his master's compliments, and handed me a little stick of wood. There was a single notch cut deep into the stick. I understood it to signify that one day out of the four had passed, and--so strangely

d without revealing the ground of our quarrel; that Marston had certain knowledge concerning myself which he was minded to impart to Countess Lukstein; that I was fully sensible the Countess ought to be informed of the matter, b

jected, "that Marston

stick of wood, and told hi

ut he locks your mouth. You cannot urge that a man refuses to meet you when h

drumming with his fingers

at Marston knows

st have told h

ed. "Why, you never met

ion that I met her. She was in

d at me

to Sir Julian H

ded a

ist down on the

f yours to Bristol. I warned you harm would com

replied

to fear Count

a moment's thought I added: "But

ng to h

ed. "Three days! We

, with the gre

he would rather you spared him the telling of the story; but there's no trusting him. On Thursday I will come to you here before midnight; so wait for me, unless, of course, Mar

ade of the building towards the Square, and the second in a little side-street which ran along a wall of the house. Few, however, either came in or out of these entrances, for the rumour of his sickness was spread abroad i

and bidding them mark carefully the faces of such as passed out, in whatever dress they might be clothed, I retired to a coign of vantage at some distance whence I could keep an eye upon the house, and yet not obtrude myself upon the n

erving some caution, towards the front of Marston's house. It wore almost an air of desertion; over many of the windows the curtains were drawn, and never a face showed through the panes of the rest. I could see that my men were still stationed at their posts, and I began to think that we must needs prolong our vigil into the night. Shortly after six, however, the hall-door was opened, and the same servant who brought me the sticks of an even

e deliver this into your hand

left!" I gasped, well-ni

ss, I fear me, and for that I would crave your pardon.

ck to the house, leaving me s

instant into the country. There will be no danger, I am assured, provid

ho in any way resembled Mr. Marston had left the house; they had watched most faithfully the day long, without a bite of food to stay their stomachs. Somewhat relieved by their words, I took no heed of their forward demeanour, but gave them to understand t

those who had kept guard before the front-door the task was simple enough. A few gentlemen had called; but of them only one, whom they imagined to be the ph

come out, or a tradesman had delivered his wares. At one time a cart had driven u

ting the speaker. "A bale

hree and four, for he heard a clock chim

ried. "He was i

nly bade me note faces, and I noted them that carried

ter. So I dismissed the men from their work, and rode slowly back to my lodging. Marston had three hours' start of me already; by m

ore it came in view and was mirrored in my imaginings. I followed him through village and wood; now a river would flash for a second beneath a bridge; now a hill lift in front, and I noticed the horse slacken speed and the rider lean forward in the saddle. Then for a moment he would stand outlined against the sky on the crest, then dip into a hollow, and out again across a heath. At last he came towards the gate of a town. How I prayed that the gate would be barred! We were too distant to ascertain that as

art all i

p in a frenzy of excitement. "The Countess Lukstein l

have just ridden thither a

sing in a chair, whilst I ra

PTE

-WAY HOU

uld be kept ready saddled in the stable, and I

comfortably, throwing his legs across a chair

en hours to the good already. He started

imed, starting up. "You knew the road

h the same doubtful look which I had noticed so frequently upon Jack Larke's face. "And as

"order some supper, and if you can lend m

was no less famished than Elmscott, though it needed his appetite to remind me of the fact. Meanwhile, I related in what

promised to choke him. "Gadsbud, but the fellow deserves to win! We

hich could commend it to me, and I asked him abruptly by what means

ith a mouth full of capon. "At present I

or I heard a clock tell that hour as we rode through the village of K

concerned Countess Lukstein. Lady Tracy, you told me, for some reason feared the Countess. I argued then that it could only be this fear which made her write to her brother. But then she had been in England a month already. How was it that she had not revealed her anxiety before? And further, how was it that Marston knew what you and every one else was ignorant of--where Countess Lukstein was staying? Lady Tracy, I was aware, had gone down to

reasonable and clear that I wondered why it had neve

ghed i

ever a damned fool. He smoth

uently full, they had remained but a little while to water their beasts, and had then pushed on towards Hungerford. Elmscott was for breakfasting at the "Golden Crown," but I bethought me that Hungerford was but nine miles distant, and that Marston was most like to have lain the night there. Consequently, if we pressed forward with all speed, there was a good chance that we might overtake my rival or ever he had started from the town; in whi

it?" aske

his own," I replied. "It foll

s I spoke, and

!" I cri

ooked at me in am

tor!" And he dropped the bucket, an

It lags a year behind the time, it's true--Wastwater. So

and answer

he mare was left with me in strict trust, and you were ready enough

ver-night, and we might join them if they had no objection to our company. I asked him at what hour these gentlemen had ridden up to the inn, and he answered about one of the m

ur seats at the table. A guinea-piece will be white in comparison." And he fell

nd ride forward to Bristol. But during these last days the anxiety and tension of my mind had so fanned my hatred of the man, that I could think of not

an hour we strolled up and down, keeping the inn ever within our view. At the end of that time I perceived a cloud of dust at a bend of the road i

arelessly. I looked at the coach aga

ugh an opening in the hedge into the field that bord

asked. "Otto Krax

he carriage. What takes her back so fast, I wonder

hedge, and watched the carriage dw

eat reluctance, "you can let Marston journey to B

nd to settle my accounts with Marst

wonderfully

for the nonce, I deemed it right to mention the alternative--though I should have thought

oor stood half-opened, and peeping through the crack at the

in with the politest bow, "will you a

ipated. He looked at us steadily for a second, and then drained the tankard. His companion--a Mr. Cuthbert Cliffe, with whom both Elmscott and myself were acquainted--rose from his seat and welcomed us heartily. It was evident that he was in the dark as to

evil came

scott smoothly. "Like the Arabia

e logs with the toe of his boot, and laughing to himself in a short, affected way,

the better. If Lord Elmscott and Mr. Cliffe will a

his head, and sauntered out of the ro

ertain matters, of which we need not speak, have brought it to a head. Your friend would fain h

, knowing that the Great West Road was infested by footpads and highwaymen, we had armed ourselves with some care before leaving London--and took my station in the middle of the way. Another minute and I should have been too late; for Marston dashed out of the stable door, already mounted upon his horse.

hot brought our se

the horse. Cliffe loosened the saddle and helped Marston to his feet. Then he drew aside and stood silent, looking at his companio

cowardice in the act," said I

ushing, as he turned sharply upon me. Catching sight

r word we mounted the bank on the left si

rth and south, so that neither might get advantage from the sun. The morning was very clear and bright, with just here and

conds after that he had pinked me, he laid his side open, and I passed my sword between his ribs. He staggered backwards, swayed for a moment to and fro in an effort to keep his feet; his knees gave under him, and he sank down upon the heath, his fi

rapier. Then Marston called me faintly, and I dropped the sword and went to his side.

nd bent my hea

with you after all. This time I

for a minute o

speak with

orted his head upon my knee, he pressi

etween each word, as soon as Cliffe had left u

desires were at stake he disregarded his sister's fears; but no sooner had all chance of gaining them failed, t

hat no harm c

omi

ehow touched by

then, with a smile: "I am sorry I hit you wi

king at the grass with th

r! There is so

ndage which Cliffe had fastened over the wound became displaced with

with a little gasping sob he turned over in my a

d my coat and cravat before the duel commenced. For the cravat was of soft muslin, and might, I fancied,

lie there qu

e body over

swered, "und

the heart. The sun shone hot and bright upon his dead face. Cliffe took

the Continent for yo

some half an hour later, they found

s he?" t

?" s

ng it was before they returned I have no notion. Elmscott brought in my coat, hat, and sword, and I got up to put them on; but the doctor checked hi

, "if you will help, we wi

had occurred. "I made Marston a promise. I mu

scott. "He will be taken here for a surety. I

out my shoulders with my cravat. Elmscott buckled on my sword and led me

said he; "yours is too tir

e while I climbe

known, there will be a hue and cry after you; so fly the country. I would say leave the promise unfulfilled, but that it were waste of breath. Fly the country as so

ning when I rode up to Ilga's lodging. The door, by some chance, stood open, and without bethinking me to summon the servants, I walked straight up the staircase to the parlour, dragging myself from one step to the other by the help of the balustrade. The parlour door was shut, and I could not lay my fingers on the handle, but scratched blindly up and down the panels in an effort to find it. At last some one

Lady Tracy----" There I stopped. The room commen

e. Yet in a strange way she appeared suddenly to come near

he bones of them were dissolved to water, and I sank heavily upon my knees. "Ilga," I cried again, but very fa

TER

INVITATION AND

h his riding-crop, and betraying every expression of impatience upon his face. But I gave little heed to him, for beside me knelt Ilga, a bottle of hartshorn salts in her ha

up of cordial, which Clemence Durette held ready. 'Twas of a very potent description, and filled me with a great sen

t. "You have but to walk down

Tracy could have no grounds for her apprehensions, seeing that the Countess must needs be ignorant of her relations with the Count, whatever they might have been, I felt that the circumstances under which the request was uttered gave to it a special authority, and laid upon me a strict compulsion to obey it to the letter. The reques

very on

ied; "your cous

ere is something else--someth

wering her eyes, "that I could not

ust, "I love you, and you know it." It became so difficult to say, "I killed your husband, and have de

Everything is ready; your cousin's carriage waits to take you to the coast. To-morr

spering; and, indeed, my heart leaped

ill be welcome," and with a quiet gravity she r

on. But whatever the cause, an overwhelming desire to cease from effort, to let the whole world go, rushed in upon me. The one real thing for me was this woman who knelt beside the

kstein!" sh

et. I was still so weak, however, that the violence of the move

"A little courage; 'tis o

er of the room, rigid and impassive, was the tall

untess, "and soon. I leave England to-m

and to-morrow?"

ow!" she

all her fears of danger, would vanish with the departure

d I, and it seemed to me that s

d from the "Half-way House" some two hours later than myself, had ridden straight thither. On learning that my people had no news of me, he had immediat

rvants to pay the bill and return to Cumberland, and we drove off quickly to the coast, jus

keness of his sister, and I began again to wonder at the strange inconsistency of the man. I had been bewildered by it before in respect of this very miniature, when I first observed his genuine devotion to his sister. To-day he had afforded me a second and corroborating instance, for no sooner had he knowledge of his sis

e upon the quay, and declared that if I would keep him informed of my movements, he wou

tell Countess Luks

" I replied. "But sh

on for the encounter. But did you say nothing to

it out. I spoke but two words to her: 'Lady Tracy.

was positive, however, and ran past him up the stairs. The parlour door was locked, and they only gave me entrance when I bawled my name through the keyhole and declar

ng. The cliffs lessened and lessened until they shone in the sunlight like a silver rim about the bowl of the sea; the gulls swooped and circled

TER

ER S

wonder how little I understood of all which it portended. For here was I, accustomed to solitude, with small knowledge of men and a veritable fear of women, plumped of a sudden amidst the gayest company of the town, where thought and wit were

some French merchants, which I had asked Elmscott to procure for me, came to ha

caused much astonishment. Your friends almost refused to credit you with the exploit. The family, however, is r

an over Hard Knott, which in winter and spring is frequently impassable for the snow. I wrote back to him that he should refund to Elmscott with all despatch the amount of the bill of exchange, and relating shortly the causes which kept me abroad, bade him, if he were so minded, join me towards the end of September at Venice. Of m

ukstein, announcing my arrival in the neighbourhood, and asking whether she would be willing to receive me. The next day he returned with Otto Krax, and brought me a message of very kindly welcome. Ott

of my mistress, peeped from the grasses, on either side cornfields spread up the lower slopes to meet the serried pines, which were broken here and there by a green gap, where the winter snows had driven a track. Behind the ridge of the hills I could see mountains towering up with bastions of ice, which had a look peculiarly rich and soft, like

unable to welcome me in person. I was much chapfallen and chilled by this vicarious greeting, since on the way from Glurns I had given free p

or I have heard so much of you from your hostess that I made your acqu

lit by two windows opposite to one another. One of these commanded the little ravine which pierced backwards into the hills beside the Castle, and was called the Senner Thal; the other window looked out on to the garden. Moving towards this last, I perceived, on the left hand, the arbour of pinewood and the parapet on which I had lain conceal

a little room below; but the room gives only on to the

d needed the invitation of the priest to nerve me to cross the threshold! Not a single thing had been moved since I stood there last. But for the clouds of dust, which rose at each movement that we made, I could have believed this day was the morrow of our deadly encounter. The table still lay overturned upon the floor, the rugs and skins were

. "But 'tis unswept and uncleansed of a set purpose. As you see it now, so it was on the fi

h such indifference as I could assume

ne of a family which has ruled here for centuries, and must in a few years make its very name to perish of

ce seemed to have something of exultation

ility that struck me as exaggerated and insincere. "Unless Countess Lukstein marrie

, and I wondered whether he meant his u

f the Church?" I hastened to answer. "Woul

ge of the world. But 'twas of the room that we were speaking. Until tha

n, to discover

covering of dust; it is rather a plant that each day throws out fibres towards the sun, bury it deep as you will in the earth. Surely, surely

himself, and led the way

mmon justice. But although the household, apart from the servants and retainers, who made indeed a veritable army, consisted

and at times, when she thought I was interested in some talk and had no eyes for her, I would catch a troubled look upon her face wherein anger and sorrow seemed equally mixed. Nor, indeed, could I ever come upon her alone, and such hints as I put forward to bring such a consummation about were purposely misunderstood. In truth, the pri

te. But there is something of the kind afoot, I fear, for Father Spaur is continually with he

the Countess, he would dance indefatigable attendance upon me, devising excursions into the mountain

icular of the great ice-clad mountain which blocked the head of the ravine. For the chase led us many a time high up the slopes above the trees to where the ice lay in great tongues all cracked and ridged across like waves frozen at the crest; and at times, growing yet more adventurous with the he

amentation. It may be even as they held; but I was spared the manifestation of their presence when I invaded their abode, and found no denizens of that solitary region more terrible than the eagles which built their nests upon the topmost cliffs. Towards the ravine the "Wildthurm" towered in a stupendous

her Spaur himself would bear me company. In fact, I never seemed to journey a mi

rule an uninterested bovine expression, as of one whom neither trouble nor thought had ever touched. One afternoon, however, as we were riding up the hillside towards the Castle, I chanced to make mention o

fe. Nay, more, for with that word the wicked stigmatise the law of God. Never a spring comes upon these hills but it buries numbers of our villagers beneath its slipping snowdrifts. You have seen the crosses on the slopes yourself. They perish, and through no foolhardiness of their own. Is not that what you term cruelty? Take a wider view. Is there not cruelty in the very making of man? We are born with minds curious after knowledge, and

g voice of exaltation, and thereafter my thoughts

ted me with impatience and despondency. I was minded to go down into Italy, and taking Jack with me to set sail for the Indies, and ease my heart, if so I might, with viewing of the many wonders of those parts. So choosing an occasion when we were all dining together in the great parlour on the first floor of the

urtesy, Mr. Buckler, since you leave us so abrup

I had been so hedged in by attention and ceremony that

f we bring guests so far to visit us, we cannot speed them away so soon. Do

bear me out that I have little liking for town pleasures." I turned towards her, but she made no sign or movement, a

you," said the priest slowly. "Y

about, her eyes wide open an

exclaimed i

ny inclination to prolong it." He spoke with a meaning glance in the direction of the Countess, who had turned away again. "The heart says 'stay,' prude

e against encouraging any passion for Ilga, and his conduct since in disparting us had assured me that I had rightly guessed hi

ghbours will join us, and Otto informs us that you have great partiality for the sport, and extraordinary skill and nimbleness upon mountains. In a week, moreover, the headsman of our village

ess was my hostess, and she had said never a word, but had turned back again to the window as though she would not meddle

d remain with us this week? As Father Spaur says, the marriage will be well wo

n; the words dropped reluctantly from her lips, as

iest, starting up. "Send your man to V

ssion, I rose from my seat and walked away to the end of the apartment, where I busied myself over some weapons that hung upon the wall. In a minute or so I heard the door c

at gentleness. "I have no thought to--to part with you so soon. Stay out t

gerly at her hand, "you also t

held it outspread close before my face to check my words. "Not now. I could not be

: never have I seen features so wrung with su

ch I have never hearkened to before or since. 'Twas the most pitiful sound that ever jarred on a man's ears. "On the night of the marriage the villagers will come to the C

to succumb." Doubtless the words would have bewildered me, like the oracles of old Greece, but for what I suspicioned in the priest Now, however, in the blindness of my thoughts, I construed them as the confirmation of my belief that he was practising all his arts upon Ilga t

y do a lover's reflections seek to enhearten his love, I could not but feel a

TER

UKST

arred knees, tangled black hair, and gaunt, weather-roughened face, seemed more fitted for hewing wood upon the hillside than for the neater functions of a valet. The priest, however, pressed his services upon me with so importunate a courtesy that I thought it ungracious to persist in a refusal. Indeed, Michael Groder, though of a slight and wiry build, was the unhandiest man with

l the eve of my departure. By this time my anxiety as to the answer which Ilga would make to my suit when she knew all that I had to tell her, had well-nigh worked me into a fever. I was for eve

and to add to them those others which my friends attributed to me. I could not shut my eyes to the disparity between us; I could not believe but that she must be sensible of it herself. Such a woman, I conceived, shou

nd since my anxiety grew with every hour, by the time we came back to Lukstein--for many of them returned thither instead of to their own homes,

itched and plucked at the cloth. I inferred from her manner that she had not yet decided on the course she would take, the more particularly because she sedulously avoided speech with me. If I spoke to her she replied politely enough, but at once drew those about her into the conversation, and

some bat came flapping blindly about my face. I became the more curious, therefore, concerning a bush some twenty yards below me, which now and again shivered and bent as though with a gust of wind. I had been lying on the grass some ten minutes before I noticed this movement. The dwarf oaks and beeches which studded the slopes about me were as still and noiseless as though their leaves had been carved from metal; only this one bush rustled and shook. In a direct line with it, and within reach of my foot, a small boulder hung insecurely on the turf. I stretched out my foot and pushed it; the stone rocked a little on its base. I pushed again and harder; the stone tilted forwards and stuck. I brought my other foot to help, set them both flat against the stone, slid down on my back until my legs were doubled, and then kicked with all my strength. The bould

nings they had vouchsafed to unheeding ears. In particular, they dwelt much upon a bell, which they declared rang out from the Wildthurm when good or ill-fortune approached the House of Lukstein, tolling as the presage of disaster, pealing joyously in the forefront of prosperity. One, indeed--with frequent glances across his shoulder into the gloom--averred that he had heard it tolling on the eve of Count Lukstein's marriage, and from that beginning the talk slid to the manner of his death. 'Twas altogether an eerie experience, and one that I

n hour's sleep thereby, for the thought of the morrow, and all that hung upon it, kept me tossing from side to side in a turmoil of unrest. It must have been nea

the handle cautiously, opened it. The sound was louder now, but still muffled, and I knew that the door at the bottom of the staircase was closed. For a little I remained propped on my elbow, and straining my ears to listen. The mourner must be either Cl

tep I paused and listened again. Then very gently I groped for the handle. I had good reason to know how noiselessly it turned, and I opened the door for the space of an inch. A feeble light flickered on the wall of the room at my side. I waited with my

bound and rippling about her shoulders. From head to foot she was robed in black. It broke upon me suddenly that I

ts general aspect of neglect. Thus Ilga lay, abandoned to--what? Grief for her husband, or remorse at forgetting him? That black dress might well be the fittin

and praying for the morning to come and for the day to pass into night, that I might say my say and either bring he

eary, dragging step, and a head adroop like a broken flower, she walked to the parapet of the terrace, and hung on it for a little, gazing down upon the roofs of her sleeping village. Then she turned and fixed her eyes upon my window. I was hidden in the curtains so that she could not see me. For some minutes she

e sun. The one day of my life had come. By this time to-morrow, I thought, the world would have changed its colours for me

he had failed me

well," he

iness. "You got a heavier load upo

uld have made; for Groder's ill-will tow

TER

VILION. I

hich Father Spaur promised; but, to speak the truth, the whole ceremony wearied me beyond expression. My thoughts were set in

errace. They aimed at a display of agility rather than of elegance, leaping into the air and falling crack upon their knees, slapping their thighs and the s

hair, which was coiled in a coronal upon her head, and the white beauty of her arms, that for all my fears I could not but think she had never lo

ntage; indeed, even at this distance of time, I fairly laugh when I recall the extraordinary pains I spent that evening upon my adornment. My Lord Culverton could never have bettered them. A coat of white brocaded velvet, ruffles that reached to the tips of my fi

compliment; but 'twas not his favour that I sought, and

in waiting for you at eleven, if

easure made a break in the boisterous revelry, she moved continually from one to the other of her villagers with a kindly smile and affable word for each in a spirit of s

nine, a man burst wildly into the room, faltering out that the

n clung in fear to men, and men crossed themselves with a muttering of tremulous p

the sound. Many, I know, will scoff at and question what I relate. Many have already done so, attributing it to a delusion of the sense

olemnly put my name. 'Twas not I alone who heard the bell; every man and woman who danced that night at Lukstein Castle heard it. The sound was faint, bu

ukstein," said Father Spaur w

I just loo

!" sh

he empty echoing Hall, and a

sky, and the valley lay beneath us with all its landmarks merged by the g

ly sprinkled its radiance through a tracery of boughs, and drew a dancing pattern about our feet. As I leaned upon the parapet there came b

tful, Mr. Buckl

ale," I replied, "and of a carrier's c

asked curiously, and yet with something more than curiosity i

was emboldened to the words by the tone in which she had spoken. "A few weeks ago you were here at Lukstein in

was certain you and I should m

hich leaned against the Castle wall, and Ilga opened the door

utters, but no glass. The shutters were open, and through

her silently. The time h

r voice was very calm, "

of my head like birds startled from a nest. I for

id humbly, looking

yes to her face. She stood in the pillar of moonlight, her eyes glistening, but with no expression on her face which

d, and I made a step toward

dded h

care you shou

f the speech. My desire construed it without

I threw myself down on my knee at her feet,

ment, but replie

d it. How else could I hav

t choking. I lifted my face to hers, and, taking cou

cry, and plucked at my finge

ame to my lips, but it summed the whole world f

h her gloves. Then a shadow darkened for an instant across the window, the moonlight faded, and her face was lost to

es swinging in the w

y chest as if to repulse me, but she said no word, and I saw the neckl

sounded without the pavilion, an

he terrace," she whispered, and I lo

forward until her hair touched my lips. I could feel her heart beating on my breast. Gently I turned her

elease. I groped my way to the window. The shutters opened out

gave a little at first, and I heard a whispered call for help. The pressure from without was redoubled; I was forced back; a bar

ad not spoken. "

he blackness of the pavilion co

lg

he pavilion, within a few feet of me. There was something horrible in her quietud

" I cried, and I drew my swo

burst from the

open it, you w

in numbed in a common inaction. I coul

ife's." Her voice steadied and became even as she spoke. "From the

my grasp, and it clatte

would speak those words. And 'twas no longer fear. Nor did I as yet wonder how she came by her knowledge.

ago, you were tricking me! Tricking me into

ice of some deep feeling. Then she broke off, and said, in a hard,

ad none to make. She resumed, with a flash

no trickery on

me, and I imagined that they conveyed the same charge. However, it se

ed to tell you my secret? 'Twas no crime that I committed. But since I loved you, I was bound in very truth to speak. I have known that from the first, and I pledged myself to speak at the moment that I told yo

pleading my passion before disclosing the story of the duel. I should have begun from the other end. "And no dou

no woman, but

hardest, most biting l

our fine s

feeling strangely helpless

oing," I repeated, more

said again; "my doin

tary curiosity. "What was it you had neither the

as though she suddenly put out a hand

ing there in the darkness, unable to see my mist

in; but I killed him in open encounter

rupted. "Without witness

on doggedly, "and that blood was mine. I fought him fa

your--c

word with an extr

"What know you of my companion? My com

asing from her contempt, and suddenly lif

the t

and then, with a stamp of her foot, and

them stood Father Spaur, holding a lighted torch above his head. The Tyrolese servants

his back against the panels. All three looked at the Countess, waiting her orders. 'Twas plain, from the priest's

ite to me, meeting my gaze, her face stern and set, as though car

with folded arms. I did not even stoop to pick

ther Spaur. "Perhaps a little more humility might becom

der's sword and stood it with his own, b

now I would have spared you had you told me the

rd; 'twas quite another to be handled by her servants, and I fought against the indignity with all my strength. But the struggle was too unequal. I should have proved no match for Otto had he stood alone, and I before him, fairly planted on my legs. With the pair of them to master m

thin my reach, and struggling violently with my left arm, in order to the

to set a huge knee calmly upon my chest, and pressed his weight upon it until I thought my spine would snap. Then he seized my arms, jerked them upwards, and held them outstretched above

d then, seeing that I was assisted in my struggle by the pressure which

oder!" s

d Michael, as he tied the kno

d. 'Twas the girdle of the Countess, w

me, and bound the girdle round and round my ankles un

, and the two men went back to t

o where I lay, rubbing h

a silky voice, "so the cockat

eart in my hopes, so stung me that, tied as I was, I struggled on to my feet, and

eavily forward upon his breast. He burst into a lou

d towar

ou not told

dly. "I, at all events,

d from the pavilion. Ilga followed last, but she did not turn her head as she went out. Through the open doorway I could see the shadows dancing on the terrace, I could hear the music

PTE

N. COUNTESS LU

r me that oppressed my mind, though God knows I do not say this to make a boast of it; for doubtless some fear upon that score would have argued me a better man;

mind did I fall, that I did not trouble to speculate upon the nature of the story which Countess Lukstein believed to be true. That she had been led by I knew not what suspicions into some strange error that she had got but a misshapen account of the duel between her husband and my

rds about my ankles and wrists bit into my flesh like coils of hot wire. "A sequestered nook of the world," so I remembered, had Ilga called this corner of the Tyrol, and for

c or a noise of laughter would drift through the chinks into the pitch-dark hut,

red shortly afterwards. At first, the steps falling light as they approached, I bethought me my visitor was either Otto

the gloom of the room, but she said no word; neither did I address her. So she stood for a little, and then, stepping again outside, she unbarred and opened

nted its beams, so that the Countess was bathed in them from head to foot, while

voice, she began to croon over to herself that odd, wailing elegy which I had once heard her sing in London. The tune had often haunted me since that day from its native melancholy, but

mistook the reason of my restlessness, for a slow smile came upon her f

e better inclined to speak the truth, since n

t matters little to me, nor can I see, since you have reached the end for which you worked,

she asked, with an ironic smile. "Am I to

"'tis the key to the

ch I did not comprehend. "You have drawn some

end, Sir Julian Harnwood, as, indeed, Otto must needs ha

s of a woman," she

at her in

man!" I

d with a q

ed. "I showed it you in

possible!" I cried, starting up. "Why

ver told you so. 'Twas you who pretended that. You pretended you believed it, and like a weak fool, I let your cunning deceive me. I was not sure then

ocked," I said, "an

w not

t refrained, bethinking me that the knowledge might onl

hat I should not tax Marston with the giving of i

e than a corollary of my original thought that the Countess had been pl

guiltless, and I knew Mr. Marston and yourself had little liking for each o

ston had given you the miniature, and had I spoken of the mat

to make up for having given ground. "You knew how the miniature came into

her seat, and continu

her; and fresh from accounting to him for your conduct, you must needs stumble into my p

ight, but you would not hear me. You bade me come to Lukstein. I know now why, and

s I mentioned

s will I compelled him to fight, as Lord Elmscott will bear out. He had learned by whose hand Count Lukstein died, a

ing it," she added, with a sneer. "But

r husband, Lady Tracy, and myself to be bound together by some vulgar

out?" she repeate

rmed him," I ans

mit that Lad

y morning that I first met her--on the mor

carry the news

, and again she pr

lead against me. "I understand now why she was afraid. I did not know her miniature was in that ca

e Countess, "she had

e, I was resolved to spare her the knowledge of her husband's treachery. 'Twould not better my case--for in truth I cared litt

othing to

ht explain how it came about that Lady Tracy's portrait and not Julian's was in the box, when she be

woman's footsteps that kept side by side with yours from the para

g my feet to the ground, ra

n the snow? They

hen I saw the horror growing in her eyes,

s one of Monmouth's rebels, he charged me to take the quarrel up. In furtherance of that charge, I forced Count Lukstein to fight me. In the midst of the encounter you came down the little staircase into the room. I saw you across the Count's shoulder. The curtain by the window hangs now half-tor

e asked br

ad indeed nearly blurted out the truth about his final thrust. "And when you came back into the ro

ing cry. She covered her face with her hands, and sway

God's sake! For if you swo

oked at me with a strangely softened expression. She rose from her seat, and too

o do with this quarrel, and yet her

Lady Tracy had given to Count Lukstein, and doubtless she had substituted

might show to Count Lukstein, that I came on his part, telling me his portrait was within i

ocked, and you had not th

plied, being thrown fo

d, Sir Julian Harnwood. Lady Tracy was betrothed to Sir Julian. The case was given to you as a warran

fear, perceiving how near she was to the truth. There was, however, one link missing to make the chain complete. She did not know tha

said quickly, with a curi

ence. I was able to say so honestly, for I remembered how his

o break into this house at midnight, and, on a friend's be

ue, urged me well-nigh out of all restraint. Why should I be so careful of the reputation of Count Lukstein? 'Twas an unworthy thought, and one that promised to mislead me; for after all, 'twas not his good or ill repute that I had to consider, but rather whether Ilga held his memory in such esteem and respect that my disclosures wou

weeping. It rose from the little room beneath me; from the room wherein I fought Count Lukstein. 'Twas the most desolate sound that ever my ears have h

e interposed, very sharp a

oke in me a strange and morbid jealousy of the man. I longed to cry o

g again. "The morning I came to you

nness. "But we will keep to the question we have in hand, if

not tell

on that account most like I helped t

"They are brave words though unbravely spoken. Yo

Your servants can bind me hand and foot, but t

she suddenly rose from the stool in a whirlwind of passion.

head forward, listening. The creak

stand? The carriage takes you to Meran; you will not be the first traveller who has disappe

he hill, and we both listen

So shall you live, and so shall you die, for the wrong which you have done to me." She towered above me in her outburst, her eyes flashing with anger. "And you dared to charge me with trickery! Why, what else has

ng me into a fury, and, forgetfu

I proved the contra

. I felt somehow that I was her master, and exulted in the feeling. Whatever happened to me in the future, whether or no I was to labour as her bondslave for all my days, for that one moment I was her master. She could never hold me in lower esteem, in greater scorn than she did at this hour, and yet I was her master. Something told me indeed that she would never hold me in contempt at all again. She stood before me, her face dark with shame, her attitude one of shrinking humiliation. Twice she

case to my bedroom. There they flung me on the bed and locked the door and left me. Through the open window the dance-melodies rose to m

joies et to

d'armes e

the lilt of the music. Well, I had made essay of both arms and love, and I had got little joy and less honour ther

open, and Groder entered, bearing a candle in his hand. He set it down upon the table, and drew a long knife from a sheath which projected out of his pocket. This he hel

girdle which

h!" s

ce. Father Spaur ordered him to chafe my limbs with his hands, which he did very unwil

leasantly, "I beg you to console yourself with certain reflecti

ts and Groder's insolence I had endured in silence. What they had bidden me do, that I had done; for in the miscarriage of my fortunes I was minded to bear myself as a

ndliness and gratitude for the withered little Frenchwoman, Clemence Durette. Alone of all that company she showed some pity for my plight. None the less, however, my eyes went wandering for another sight. What with the uncertain glare of the torches, that sent waves of red lig

ssed within a yard of Countess Lukstein, but she made no movement; she never even raised her eyes. A carriage stood in the courtyard, and I got into it, and was followed by Michael Groder and Otto. As we drove off a hubbub arose

twards in the direction of Meran, and thence again to the left, ascending an incline; so

civilly enough to descend. Then he took me by the arm and led me acro

feathers!" laughed Groder, an

eived that I was in some rough cottage. An old woman stood gaping open-mouthed before me. Groder sharply bade her go and pre

s from their long confinement. Indeed, but for a threat which Groder shouted through the door, sayin

ge on my eyes, and we set out, mounting upwards by a rough mountain track, along which they guided me. About noon Otto called a halt, and none too soon, for I was ready to drop with fatigue and pain. There we made a meal of some dry coarse bread, and washed i

r supported me upon either side. At the top we dipped down again for a little, crossed a level field of heather, but in what direction I know not, for by this I had lost a

said he; "but what matters th

TER

TIVITY

been built by the order of Count Lukstein for a shelter when the chase brought him hitherwards. For the hillside was covered with a dense

nd went to sleep. I followed his example in the matter of making my bed, but, as you may believe, I got little sleep that night. For one thing my arms and legs were now become so swollen and painful that it tortured me even to move them, and it was full two days before I was sufficiently recovered to be able to descend from the loft. By that time Otto had got him back to the valley, and I was left under the authority of Groder, which he used without scruple or intermission. Each morning at daybreak the ladder was hoisted to the loft. We descended and despatched a hasty breakfast; thereupon I was given an axe, and the four of us proceeded into the forest, where we felled trees the day long. Through the gaps in the clearings I would look across the valley to the bleak rocks and naked snow-fields, and thoughts of English meadows knee-deep in

ed all but my bodily faculties. Moreover the long and arduous labour, to which I was set, wearied me in the extreme, and each evening I came back so broken with fatigue that I wished for nothing so much as

d, with an apprehension which quickened speedily, as I dwelt upon it, into a panic of terror, the singular prophecy and sentence which the Countess had flung at me. I began to s

ok to divert me, labouring with my hands from dawn to dusk, and guarded ever by ignorant boors who reckoned me not

looring upon every side. This roof consisted of a thatch of boughs, and of large sheets of bark superimposed upon them, and weighted down by heavy stones. One night, indeed, when Groder lay snoring, I endeavoured to force an opening through the thatch; but I had no help beyond what my hands afforded

ime. We all worked in the same clearing, and at

lment of my desire. For I knew not so much as the direction of Lukstein, and I should only have wandered helpl

ith a great roaring noise, and I gathered from this that it fell pretty sheer. I was the more inclined to this conjecture, since had the gully afforded a path it would have been the natural entrance into the ho

it. Here and there great masses of ice bulged out from the incline, like nothing so much as the bosses of shields. I was rather apt to underrate the size and danger of these, until one day a fragment, which seemed in comparison no greater than a pea, broke away from one of these bosses and dropped on to the slope beneath, starting, as it were,

these observations that I had been carried into this prison by some track through the pine-forest, and I set myself to the discovery of it. But whether the wood-cutters kept aloof from it, or whether it was in reality indistinguishable, I could perceive no trace of it.

lleys. On this occasion I took such notice as I could of our direction, and from the diminishing sound of the waterfall, I understood that we marched for some distance towards the head of the valley, and then turned to the right through the pine-forest. Evidently we were making for the gap in the ridge of the hill, and I determined to pay particular heed to the course which we followed down the other side. Again, h

o go there myself--nor, indeed, had I any inclination that way--my guardians frequently brought back upon their tongues and in their faces evide

eady to fill their place; though, indeed, there was but little necessity for their zeal, for the snow lay many feet deep upon the ground, and the only path along which one could travel at all led down to the more popu

it, until I hit upon a plan by which I might exercise my mind without hindering the work of my fingers. 'Twas my terror lest my wits should wither for lack of use that first set me on the device; since, indeed, it mattered little how or when Countess Ilga disco

d Lady Tracy knew--what I could not know--that Ilga held a proof of her acquaintanceship with the Count, and would be certain to attribute it as the cause of his death. It was doubtless, also, that piece of knowledge which drove her to such a pitch of fear

rse was significant to me which I had disregarded, as, for instance, the journey of Countess Lukstein to Bristol, the diagram which she had drawn on the gravel under the piazza of Covent Garden, the perplexity with which she had regarded the diagram, and the sudden start

he solving of that first question as to what directed her thoughts my way. It seemed to me, indeed, as I looked back upon the in

ght her to my rooms, where she saw the Horace; of my own free choice I joined her in the box at the Duke's Theatre, and so led Marston to speak of my ride to Bristol; and again of my own free choice I had persuaded Lady Tracy to enter the house in Pall Mall and confront my mistress. Even in the matter of the diagram, 'twas my anxiety and insistence to prove that Lady Tracy and I were strangers which induced me to dwell upon the date of my leaving Holland, and so gave to the C

man which set him apart from these rude peasants, and made his companionship very welcome. He showed his good-will towards me by recounting at great length all that happened at Lukstein, and on the eve of the Epiphany, which 'tis the fashion of this people to celebrate with much rejoicing, he brought me a pipe and a packet of tobacco. No present could have been more grateful, and it touched me to notice his pleasure when I manifested my delight. We went out of the cottage together, and sat smoking in the st

ost like to effect my escape. At any cost I was firmly resolved to venture the attempt, and during this summer

until we were well into the first days of June. Meanwhile I had turned over many projects in my mind, but not one that seemed to offer me a possibility of success. I realised especially that if I sought to escape by the way we had come, I should, even though I were so lucky as to hit upon the right path, nevertheless, have to pass through the most inhabited portion of the district. And did I succeed so far, I should then find myse

floating down thus, stuck in the narrow defile, through which the water plunged out of the hollow. The barrier thus begun was strengthened by each succeeding log, so that in a

ith here and there a dwarf-pine clinging to it, ran down to a rough platform of rock, only twenty feet or so above the surface of the current. To one of these trees we bound a couple of stout ropes, and two men we

h me the torrent leaped and foamed in a mist of spray, here sweeping along the cliff with a breaking crest like a wave, there circling in a whirlpool about a boulder, and all with such a prodigi

hat the end face of it was a gigantic wall of rock. I saw this wall in profile, as one may say, and for that very reason I recognised it the more surely. 'Twas singularly flat, and unbroken by buttresses; not a patch of snow was to be discovered anywhere upon its face, and, moreover, the shape o

hence make my way to Innspruck. If only I could cross it! But I gazed at the slope, and my heart died within me. It rose before my eyes vast and steep, flashing menace from a thousand glit

I eagerly scanned the upper end of our ravine, for at that point the slope of the Wildthurm dec

ngth--it was not Groder. "Come, u

escribed, a long, narrow ridge. 'Twas neither of ice nor snow, and in colour a reddish brown, so that I imagined it to be

either to me or to his comrades, and kept muttering to himself concerning "the Cold Torment." I knew not what the man meant, but 'twas plain that he was shaken

am first, and laboured at it with saw and axe for the greater part of the morning. About noon, however, I took my turn upon the platform, and after I had been standing some l

behind the stone. I pretended to have noticed nothing, and so stood looking everywhere except in his direction. The expression upon his face left me no doubt as to his intention. He was minded to take a leaf from my book, and precipitate the boulde

oke an open conflict, and I doubted not that the other peasant was within call to help him to an issue if help were needed; and even if I

ude it. And so it proved. I heard a dull thud as the boulder fell forward upon the turf. I sprang quickly to one side, and not a moment too soon, for the boulder whizzed past me on a level with my shoulder, leaped across the stream, and was shattered into a thousand fragm

with one foot planted against it, the other upon the platform, his body all gathered together for a leap. His teeth were bared, his eyes very bright, and in his hand he held a long knife. I ran for my hatchet, which lay some yards distant, but he was upon me before I c

ter was bursting the timber, and the peasant would of a surety be crushed and ground to death between the loosened logs. But I dared not relax my grip. Groder's breath was hot upon my face, his knife ever qu

sprang into Groder's face. He redoubled his efforts, and I felt my back give. Involuntarily I closed my eyes, and then his fingers loosened their hold. He plucked himself free with a jerk, and stood sullenly looking up the slope. I followed the direction of his gaze, and saw Otto Krax standing above me. Gradually the torrent became audible to me again; there was a rustl

me down

n nearer your death

latform, and the thought of what dangled and tossed in the water at the tag of it turned

the struggle," said h

riefly what

he said, with a laugh; "and he bor

ught you so p

ied. "'Twas thought b

ollow whom

o my question, and

nd he directed me here--not a minute too soon ei

l d

roder

remained

ave a

?" he

ied. "The other

last hour the possibility of my attempt had grown immeasurably real. Groder, I was certain, I should see no more. 'Twas equally certain that Otto would not remain to fill his place, and one of the peasants had been battered to death in the breaking of th

s to the Turk, I let them roam idly this way and that as we strolled forward over the turf. Hence it chanced that about twenty yards from the door I saw something bright winking

ever heard of th

crossing hims

see the peak that stands apart like a silver wedge. On its summit is buried an inexhaustible treasure, and night and day through the ages seven gu

r. "'Tis the text for a persuasive homily, and F

some fear, as though he half expected t

what you say,"

you to f

upon Father Spaur. We know not that he h

e gold cross, a

t you af

im. I was bidden to com

ther Spaur, and with it my most grateful thanks. He has

should add that my speculations during the winter months had in some measure prepared me to entertain this notion. From constantly analysing and pondering all that she had said to me in the pavilion, and bringing my recollections of her change in manner to illumine her words, I had come, though hesitatingly, to a conclusion very different from that which I had originally formed. I could not but perceive that it made a great difference whether or no I had been alone upon my first

me back

e. "Father Spaur has gone

t to your mistress. She ha

lept in the loft

at no one remained behind wit

e," s

trap if I were you, and 'twere wise to

each night," I replied eag

there's no ca

e ready to my hand, 'twould be a strange thing if I could not find a way out by the morning. Thereupon we fel

r nearer your

that once?" I

replied; and with his first sentence my drowsiness le

n London that your garden do

aid I, st

from the mantelshelf, and went out into the gar

open again in the morning. I had a locksmith to it. There was

hed again

he room, and I was

ss was with

h?--with a date on one page, and a plan of Castle Lukstein on the page op

upting him. "She propo

ning the book then. But she unlocked the garden

ad done so on the occa

yourself were in the room when

n to chuc

didn't stumble over us. Lord! I thought that

story; how your suspicions set to

I will; for my mistress consulted me t

less if you d

a mo

away days in London. To me, lying back upon the boughs which formed my bed in the dark loft, it seemed like the weaving of a

ils, and I had but to raise my arm to

TER

TTO. I ESCAPE

me behind there to keep an eye upon the old attorney and Sir Julian Harnwood's visitors. There's only one thing I need tell you. The night you came from the Bridewell, after-

was a good

wyer man as he was coming back alone, and remembering that I had traced him into Limekiln Lane in the afternoon, I returned there the next morning. The 'Thatched House' was the only tavern in the street, and I inquired whether a woman had stayed there ove

aid, interr

resolve, and I thought I should never get so

othed at the time that h

nge madness which should lead a man astray to chase a pretty fac

sumed h

of peril. My mistress broke open the gold case which you had left behind, and asked whether the likeness was the likeness of Sir Julian's visitor. I assured her it was not, but she was convinced that this Bristo

inclination to argue my innocence in that respect wi

e had seen you go. But my lady was set upon discovering the truth and punishing the assailant herself. S

y jumped into th

ou set the trap yourself

t he uttered, and I aske

niature, and so get at the man who was with her. But we had not to wa

ir of spurs and a pistol, but I

one pair of spurs is like another. For the pistol, however--that was another matter. It

?" I ex

the name

ng when Elmscott presented me to Ilga, and

everything which concerned that city seemed to her to have some bearing upon her disaster. But she soon abandoned that idea, and--and--well, I know not why, but Mr. Marston left London for a time. Then you were brought to the house, and on your first visit you told her that your home was in Cumberland, where Sir Julian Harnwood lived; that you had been till recently a stud

ory, and how her questions had delighted me, flattering my vanity and lifting me

back to London. She learnt from him that you had passed through London in a great hurry one night, and from Lord Culverton that the night was in September and that your destination was Bristol. I wa

ed me so waywardly, and I coupled Otto's remark and my remembr

I recognised Lady Tracy as the original of the miniature. Well, I looked at her carefully, wondering whether I could have made a mistake, whether it was she whom I had seen at the Bristol prison after all. I felt certain it was not, but all the same I kept thinking about it as I went upstairs to announce you. Lady Tracy was dark; the other woman, I remembered, fair and over-tall for a woman. So I went on comparing them, setting the two faces side by side in my mind. Well, when

ld her of his sister's be

that the Countess was tracin

rooms convinced C

he had traced the diagram, and my mention of the

s true your mention of the date told her where. But the plan which my lady drew on the gravel was different from y

el

t line yourself whil

" I exc

how Ilga had suddenly stooped forward and obli

u spoke truth indeed. I

coins wormed the truth from the chambermaid. She had told me before that a man had stayed at the inn on that

and was for settling to sleep. But

tein's apartments, he was informed I was not there,

t very night. 'Twould indeed have saved much trouble had Lord Elmscott been de

more convinced that this deed had been brought home to me through no cunning of the Countess, through no great folly of mine, but simply because Providence had so willed it. As Otto said, I had set the tr

ion of bread, so that I had now a good number of such morsels hidden away among the leaves of my bed. These I gathered together, and fastened inside my shirt, and then sat me down, with such patience as I might, to wait until the peasants beneath me were sound asleep. The delay would have been more endurable had there been some window or opening in the loft. But to sit there in the darkness, never knowing but what the sky was clouding over and a storm gathering upon the heights, 'twas the quintessence of suspense, and it wrought in me like a

beset me, but rather of Ilga in her Castle of Lukstein; and walking forwa

it terminated in a ridge of rocks which again rose upwards, and circled about the head of the ravine. I had nothing to do but to descend; so I lay down to rest myself for a while, and take my last look at Captivity Hollow and the hut wherein I had been imprisoned. The descent, however, was not so easy a matter as I believed it would be. For some distance, it is true, I could walk without much difficulty, kicking a sort of staircase in the snow with my feet; but after a while the incline became steeper, and, moreover, was inlaid with strips of ice, wherein I had to cut holes with my hatchet before I could secure a footing. Indeed, I doubt whether I should have come safe off from this adven

f my bread left over to serve me for breakfast in the morning, and since there was no water to be got, I made shift to moisten my throat by sucking lumps of ice. Late that afternoon I came down into a desolate valley, and felt the green turf once more spring beneath my feet. 'Twas closing in very dark and black. In front of me I could see the rain stretched across the hil

eremoniously closed the door upon my entreaties. Nor, indeed, could I wonder at their behaviour, for what with my torn peasant's clothes, my bare, scarred knees, and my face, which was burnt to the colour of a ripe apple, I looked the most unlikely tutor that ever ruined a boy's education. At one school--'twas the last at which I sought employment--the master informed me that he "did his own whipping," and wandering thence in a great despondency of spirit, I came into the Neustadt, which is the principal street of the town. There I chanced to espy the sign of a fencing-master, and realising what little profit I was like to make of such rusty book-learning as I still retained, I crossed the road and proffered him the assistance of my services. At the onset he was inclined to treat my offer with no less hilarity than the schoolmasters ha

my wages until I had accumulated sufficient to carry me, if I practised economy, to England. In the beginning of September, then, I gave up my position; a pupil, on hearing of my pur

TER

LA

n by Leopold, the late Archduke of Styria. Opposite to the gates of this garden stood the "Black Stag," at that time the principal inn, and I n

o heed to them as I passed. And this I began to do, walking my horse slowly, so that they might not think I had any fear of them. Otto was stationed at the head of the troop, a few paces in advance of the rest, and I was well-nigh abreast of him before any o

ant I stopp

d flinging the reins to h

e, and so steadying herself looked at me for a little without a word. I bowed low, and took another step towards her, whereupon she turned again to her companion and began to speak very volubly, the colour going and coming quic

he asked of me at length, and added,

hs, madame,

u are l

olding. A small valise, containing the few nece

to England

'Twas enough for me to hear the sweet sound of her voice; as, when a singer sings, one is charmed by the music of his tones, and

eemed to me, she added, "I would ask Mr. Buckler to come, too,

simply, "if you as

r eyes bent upon the ground. Then, raising her face wi

Buckler"; and after anot

ahead, and thinking that she had no wish to speak with me, I rode some paces behind her. Behind me came Otto and the servants. Otto, I should say, had resumed his old impenetra

it brought was always fresh and sharp. But now, since I saw Countess Lukstein again, since she rode in front of me, since each moment my eyes beheld her, this regret grew and grew until it

ught sight of you on the Hofgarten; they have been in my heart for the weariest span of days. When I told you that I entered Castle Lukstein alone, God is my witness that I spoke the truth. No w

nd her. It may be that she noticed the movement of my hands. I know not, nor, indeed, shall I be at any pains to speculate upon her motive. 'Twas her action which occupied my thoughts then and for hours aft

further afield to-day," and she drew

in the afternoon. Howbeit, there we stayed, and the Countess retiring privately to her room, I saw no more of her until the night was come. 'Twas about eleven of the clock when I heard a light tap upon

"why I asked you to return with me t

plied, "I gave no though

nd faltered. "Even after all you had suffered at my hands, even in

tone, and with a queer feelin

e, you would understand that th

at your cousin suspected something of the trouble that stood between you and me, but until he met Mr. Larke he believed you were travelling in Italy. Mr. Larke gave him the account of your first journey into the Tyrol. They found out Sir Julian's attorney at Bristol, and learned the cause of it from him. They came to Lukstein two

ith so keen a self-reproach in her tone that I c

a month searching f

heed of my i

whole truth. I know, too, that you hid the

to her by Otto's hand. It hung on a long chain a

othing more you

is it possible?" And then she raised her eyes to mine and laid two tremblin

I asked in s

it out. That is why I stopped our horses i

. I realised what it would cost her to carry me back a

ut upon the floor. 'Twas the only light in the passage, and the house was still as an

at of L

reaching out a hand to me she blew out the candle. I gui

r that," said I, "f

too," and I felt her arms tighten about my ne

name than 'la belle da

ay to the right of the inn, and leaving Ilga where she stood, I crossed over to them and rapped quietly at the window. The ostler let me in, and we saddl

lga into t

ked through her eyes, "the lath was steel after al

a snatch of song, and I knew indeed that Jack Larke was waiting for me

joies et to

d'armes e

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