The House of Whispers

th hair disordered, and in some cases with flimsy skirts torn in the mazes of the dance. Yet all were merry and full of satisfaction at what one young man from town had declared to be "an awful

away from the others, and now stood together in the library, int

heralded the sun's coming. Then, returning to where stood the young and attractive woman in pale pink chiffon, with diamond

his, but made no repl

looked five years younger; while her husband was twenty years senior to herself. She still retained a figure so girlish that most people took her for Gabrielle's elder sister, while in the matter of dress she was admitted in society to be one of the leaders of fashion. Her hair was of that rare copper-gold tint, her features regular, with a slightly protruding chin, soft eyes,

Henry; but, after all, he was blind, and preferred his hobbies of collecting old seals and dusty parchment

nds. Younger men declared her to be "a real pal," and with some of the

tially a country cousin. Her beauty was, however, remarked everywhere. The Baronet was struck by her, and within three months they were married at St. George's, Hanover Square, the world congratulating her upon a very excellent match. From the very first, however, the difference in the ages of husband and wife prov

very soon the tie bored her, and the attractions of society once again proved too great. Hence for the past nine years-Gabrielle being at school, first at

town. People living in Bedford recollected that the parson's son had turned out rather badly, and had gone to America. But a year or two after that the quiet-mannered old clergyman had died, the living had been given to a successor, and Bedford knew the name of Flockart no more. After Winifred's marriage, however, London society-or rather a gay section of it-beca

bitter cause to hate both him and Lady Heyburn. It was her own secret. She kept it to herself. She hid the truth from her father-from every one

t-front and white waistcoat smeared with cigaret

othing," was he

y fool," he urged. "You've sur

I hav

what have you to fear?" he

shoulders. "How can you pr

example. Why, she wouldn't come to Connachan, even though she knew that W

ink; "but perhaps it was as well that she didn't come. I hate t

harper than we think, and, by Jove! if ever she did know what was in pr

declared her ladyship with a sudden hardness of

, eh?" he ask

for

here are other people in the world who are not. Recollect, Gabrielle is now nineteen, and she has her eyes open. She's the eyes and ears of

quickly; "do you

calmly, both hands in his trouser-pockets, as

things which his daug

know? What can sh

t nothing. I am, however, suspicious, because s

hy

now something, and

g was apparent from the wry face she pulled at his remark. He did not tell her how he had, while she had been dancing and flirting that night, made his way back to the c

is-one which might easily result in his downfall. He feared to tell the truth to this woman before him

not quite certain as to the actual extent of her knowledge, and was as yet undecided as to what attitude he should

on the previous evening? Such a contretemps was surely impossible, for he remembered they had taken every precaution lest even Stewart, the head gamekeeper, mig

the woman who stood there motionless, gazing

, "then we must act together, quickly and fearlessly. We

hen," he asked, looking st

she answered unflinchingly

so without any suspic

e exclaimed to him with a harsh, derisive laugh.

him. The girl knew something; therefore, to seal her lip

low calm voice. "I am just as deter

ill do it?

r wish," he r

hand. We are agree

ld out to him, and a moment later they ascended t

lle Heyburn-asleep and all unconscious of the dastardly