Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall

Chester, and thence to ride down into Wales, hoping to find on the rough Welsh coast a fishing boat or a smuggler's craft that would carry me to France. In truth, I cared little whether I

when I parted from her were but the promptings of a tender heart stirred by pity for my unfortunate situation, rather than what I thought when I said farewell to her. The sweet Wye and the beautiful Lathkil whispered to me as I rode beside their banks, but in the

t I might follow the fortunes of a woman whom I thought I loved. Before my exile from her side I had begun to fear that my idol was but a thing of stone; and now that I had learned to know myself, and to see her as she really was, I realized that I had been worshipping naught but clay for lo, these many years. There was only this consolation in the thought for me: every man at some time in his life is a fool-made such by a woman. It

n. My horse, refusing the responsibility, stopped. So there we stood like an equestrian statue arguing with itself until I saw a horseman riding toward me from the direction of Overhaddon. When he approached I recognized Sir John Manners. He looked as woebegone as I felt, and

Sir John, that you look so down

cheerfulness into his face, "Sir Malcolm,

eing his sweetheart," I responded, guess

re missing her could not have

ried. "She was detained at Haddon H

began Sir John, growi

mischief for me of which I cannot see the end. I will tell you the story while we ride. I am seeking my way to Chester, that I may, if possible, sail f

o Chester. But tell me, how comes it that you are leaving Haddon Hall? I thought y

gether, and I will tell

oncealing nothing save that which touched Madge Stanley. I then spoke of my dangerous po

id Sir John, "the guard at the ports is very strong and strict, and your gre

ded; "but I know of noth

l such time as you can go to France. I will gladly furnish you money which you m

did not see my way clear

e of my name. I would not, of course, consent that my identity should be concealed from him. But to be brief-an almost impossible achievement for me, it seems-Sir John assured me of his father's welcome, and it was arranged between us that I should

I was convinced ere I had passed an hour under his roof that t

hers; but for convenience in telling I shall speak of them as if I had seen and heard all that to

itself, but large in its effect upon that ardent young lady. Will Fletcher, the arrow-maker at Overhaddon, had observed Dorothy's movements

a young man who does come here every day or two to meet her, and I do intend to tell Sir George if she

,-the gate east of Bowling Green Hill. This gate was part of a wall on the east side of the Haddon estates adjoining the lands of the

d not go to Bowling Green Gate to meet Sir John. Before I had learned of the new trysting-place John had ridden thither several evenings to meet Dorothy, but

wrath could be stormed only by gentleness, and an opportunity was soon presented i

rbyshire or in any of the adjoining counties, possessed so great an estate or so be

title and to the estates of his father. The son was a dissipated, rustic clown-almost a simpleton. He had the vulgarity of a stable boy and the vices of a courti

ckly as possible, and to place the heavy responsibility of managing her in the hands of a husband. The stubborn violence of Sir George's nature, the rough side of which had never before been shown to Dorothy, in her became adroit wilfulness of a quality that no masculine mind may compass. But her life had

the match, but the heiress-well, she had not been consulted, and everybody connected with the affair instinctively knew there would be trouble in that quarter. Sir George, however, had determined that Dorothy should do her part in case the contract of marriage should be agreed upon between the heads of the houses. He had fully resolved to assert the majesty of the law vested in him as a father and to compel Dorothy to do his bidding, if the

to obey if you and the earl eventually agree upon terms," she said tear

"Try to obey me! By God,

for years. I do not want to leave you, and I have neve

o oppose his will, grew violent and threatened his daughte

d rare D

cross the room with head up and with dilating nostrils. The truth was, she desired to gain her liberty once more that sh

ountess," said her father, laughing. "Yo

ned Dorothy, fearing that her father might

wered Sir George, half in c

untess." She then seated herself upon her father's knee and ki

who does not know

r's kindly humor

wish me to remain a

dient daughter," returned Sir Geo

ather had taught her deception by his violence. You may drive men, but you cannot drive any woman w

regaining liberty was to send a letter

and again at his horologue. He walked about the castle like a happy wolf in a pen. He did not tell me there was

, he resolved again and again that the interview toward which he was hastening should be the last he would have with Dorothy. But when he pictured the girl to himself, an

gged on and she did not come, a hundred alarms tormented him. First among these was a dread that she might have made resolves such as had sprung up so plenteously in him, and that she might have been strong enough to act upon them and to remain at home. But he was mistaken in the girl. Such resolutions as he had been making and breaking had never come to her at all. The difference between the man and the wom

pulsing, beat! for the fairest creature of His hand is hastening to greet you. The wind had dishevelled her hair and it was blowing in fluffy curls of golden red about her face. Her cheeks were slightly flushed with joy and exercise, her red lips were parted, and her eyes-but I am wasting words. As for John's heart it almost smothered him with its beating. He had never before supposed that he could experience such violent throbbing within his breast and live. But at last she

did come," said t

. I do not deserve-" the heart again asserted itself, and Dorothy stood by the gate with downcast e

" said John, again thinking, and w

-mother. After all, the difficulty, as John subsequently said, was that Dorothy's beauty had deprived him of the po

atigue," rep

hill you had lost your breath

she gave a great sigh and sai

e the flitting lights of the north in midwinter. All are "all right" b

she had made the advances at their former meetings, and as she had told me, she "had done a great deal more than her part in going to meet him."

ntended expressing to Dorothy; but when the opportunity came for him to speak, the weather, his horse, Dorothy's mare Dolcy, t

and although in former interviews she had found those topics quite interesting, upon that occasion she had come to Bowl

my liberty but yesterday, and father will be suspicious of me during th

im, and they all dictated that he should cling to the shreds of his resolution and not allow matters to go too far between him and this fascinating girl. He was much in love with h

you," said Dorothy, as

oon see you aga

is seldom I can leave the Hall alone, but I shall try to come here at suns

how greatly I tha

and when she had withdrawn it there seemed no reason for her to remain. But she stood for a moment hesitatingly. Then she stooped to r

d come to-to this side. I had great difficulty in taking it from the fo

to her pocket, made a courtesy, and

ed John, "I beg you to

ith downcast eyes. "Darkness is rapidly

, but she stopped him. He ha

hn," said she, still moving back

e moment," p

t me this evening." She courtesied, and then hurried away toward Haddon Hall. Twice she looked backward and waved her h

she feels toward me as I feel toward her? Surely she does. What other reason could bring her here to meet me unless she is a brazen, wanton creature who is for every man." Then came a jealous thought that hurt him like the piercing of a knif

man in England. He had made perilous strides toward that pinnacle s

with Dorothy and extolled her beauty, grace, and winsomeness which, in truth, as you know, wer

letter asking you t

s," retur

"has she not from th

ht be-you know, well-it might be called by some persons not knowing all the facts in the case, immodest-I hate to use the word with reference to her-yet i

quarrel with you; and if you desire it, I will freely avow my firm belief in the

suit him at all; but I laughed at him, and he cou

rds, I do not like the tone in which you speak of her. It hu

ld not," I ans

hn continued, "has been gracious. There h

ht: Dorothy is modest and pure. As for her conduct toward you, there is a royal quality about beauty such as my cousin possesses w

resolution not to see Dorothy, rode every evening to Bowling Green Gate; but during that t

my room bearing in his hands a letter which he said Je

e to Derby-town to-morrow. They will go in the Haddon Hall coa

R JOHN

worst day will be upon the morrow, in which case she could not accompany Lady Madge and me. I shall nurse my good aunt carefully this day, and shall importune her to take plentifully of physic that she may quickly recover her health-after to-morrow. Should a gentleman ask of Will Dawson, who will

HY VE

us concerning Lady Crawford's health to-m

ord's health," answered John, laughingly. "Was there e

ness, being, as you know, entirely free fro

Mistress Dorothy bold fo

uld you really wish poor Lady Crawford to be ill t

e her, to look upon her face, and to hear her voice. For her I believe I would sacrifice every one who is dear to me. One day she s

at you really have som

xtent that I sometimes hope; but her father and mine would never consent to our union, and she, I

he should be yours s

returned John,

wn heart beating with an ardent wish and a new-born hope,

not know how she will arrange matter

othy was possessed of that sort o

Perhaps I may be able to entertain Lady Madge while you ha

, Malcolm, I shall than

Derby-town for the purpose of inquiring about Lady Crawfor