The Black Patch

pause ensued. Beatrice did not know what to make of the men: Paslow's averted looks, and worn paleness; Durban's curse for Lady W

ing from one to the other; bu

Durban, recovering himself som

hing else," said Beatrice, her

e thought the foul old thief would have squandered his gold on her silly face? I could----" Here he caught sight of the frightened looks of Beatrice, and let his h

tell her all, do you

or. The two were alone--she eager to know the worst; he silent, and tortured with much that he could not explain. "Vivian, Vivian," she continued, and l

ve called me so when we stood under the Witches' Oak, but n

roposal of marriage?" as

is life to take her in his arms--as was, indeed, the case. "If I did not love you so m

f it?" she a

I may tell

s He

" said Paslow sadly. "I told you of a bar w

aid that it had

not removed. I had

is thi

ave sinned, and bitterly I am paying for my sin. When I spoke to you under the oak, I was then able to be your true lover, and hoped to be your loving husba

ted," she panted, red with shame and ange

ugh. "Were you and I on the other side of the world, we might be happy--and yet, e

d Beatrice sharply, and tried to resolve some sense out

n to hate him, but I never laid a finger on the poor wretch. I did not kill him myself, nor can I tell you who killed hi

t he sa

t is a bar to divide us. I could face that out; but ther

u a mast

be the knowledge that I am the sport of thieves and vagabonds. How it will all end I do not know--for me, that is. But for you, my

fter what you have s

nah and with Mrs. Lilly for a time. Then Durban and I will see if

e it to me?" asked

then ended abruptly

m hand on his shoulder--"I do not understand all this.

d Vivian, turning his hagg

mly. "I love you t

ear dropped on the h

u are not honest with me. If you have troubles, I h

are not. All I can say is that the barri

ier to do wit

ome w

e death of C

w of that?" aske

but Mrs. Sno

hief if she can. Don't trust

she? I hardl

in what it all means would be to tell you much that I w

ot a ch

not allow your mind to be tainted with--with--wit

lpenny's rogueries--which it seemed he was. And then his--but she gave up trying to solve the problem on such evidence as was before her. It only remained that she should use her own eyes, her own intelligence, and maybe, sooner or later, she would arrive at an understanding of things. Then, perhaps, she would be enabled to remove this barrier which stood between them. Strange thoug

e a few questions?

he replied

respect your secret, whatever it is--for the present, that is. Mean

u before that

u any su

ankly, and he looked at her as he spok

me about Colone

ld at the time. Mrs. Lilly can tell you a

that the first murder of Colonel Hall is con

that," muttered

re committed by the man with the bla

ds to frighten Alpenny, and found

who laid that

. Any one could have passed the paper through the window. I asked Dinah an

the words you used unconsciously were a warning. Twice he was warned, and on the third warning he expected to be killed. That was why, I bel

have been

he felt her breath on his cheek, "if you really an

n, turning red. "Then your secret ha

zled as you are

of her bedroom as he spoke--"I intend to go to the Grange, and I do not care wh

at I do," he

e what crimes you have committed, or what stops you from again ask

atr

the mystery of these murders myself. The two are connected; and when I find

ly--tha

come to the Grange this evening. For the presen

love--my love--my heart!" he murmured; "what a dreary, weary way you have marked out for yourself. But

cked at the door sharply. Durban appeared. "I heard ev

say, knowing wh

be that God intends her to lea

has the money," V

s did have everything." Then, with an afterthought, "B

hat wa

l tell missy nothing, and you must hold your t

here is danger f

no matter. Let her go her ways. It may be that s

em straight for me,"

missy go to the Grange. I go to L

m as he turned to go

n, while Vivian, full of sore thoughts and yet with a certain glimmer of h

penny was to be buried on the morrow, but it was just as well that Miss Hedge should leave The Camp to-night. But she was not to go yet for an hour, for scarcely had she reached the o

said the girl bitterly, and looked carefully at the woma

o obvious make-up of her face; and the only young thing about her were a pair of sparkling eyes, of a bright brown. At one time she had been--without the aid of art--an extremely pretty woman: even now--with the aid of art--she looked attractive and youthful, providing she was looked at from a safe distance, like an oil-painting. Her dress was ultra-fashionable, and she wore it with the air of a wom

I am to see you at last! That dreadful Mr. Alpenny--he never would allow me to come and see you, although I was your mother's dearest

Beatrice gravely, and surrendering her hands to the eager gr

cious look on the grave young face. "Then y

know you,

Dear old Durban"--she turned a smiling glance at the half-caste, who looked glo

e ground, and Beatrice saw his hands opening and shutting as

ade no reply in words, but, raising his eyes, looked at her meaningly. She shuddered again, this time with genuine terror, and tur

; "you always were, you know, Durban. The Colonel--but there"--as Durban looked at her again--"we'll not talk

so," said Be

ally, you a

tand that he would not leave me any money. You perh

and ages ago, long before I married Sir Reginald. But Reginald is dead, and so is Mr. Alpenny--everyone seems to die--so dreadful

toge

his money, I said I would come down and ask you to be my companion--my child, in fact, if I may put it so. You shall have everything y

to Convent Grange,"

in turned pale. "That horri

it that?" asked

itted there ages ago. I was in

do not tell Miss Hedge anything more. She

adjusted between them without words, and although Beatrice protested that she wished t

"Quite delicious. I shall make this a kind of country-house. So odd, you know, with all these railway carriages. Dear Mr. Alpenny! he was so very queer in

ive at the Grang

atson spoke with some sharpness, as apparently she wa

ce, and Durban nodded his approval; "for a time, tha

allow it. You must enter society on my money--or rather on

ell me what to do, Lady Watson," said

ther's dear

ve, me your address in town, I'll come and see you and talk

y Watson tartly; "that is, I won't

offer; but I go to the Grange, and as I am al

and will come and see you at the Grange. Give me a kiss"; and before Beatrice could stop her, Lady Watson kissed her warmly.