Stella Fregelius: A Tale of Three Destinies

did the Colonel look solemn when he came down in the morning, and no longer was he cross after he had read his letters. Now his interviews with the steward in the study were neither prolonged nor anx

e of the bank manager in Northwold. Once there was a meeting, but, contrary to the general custom, the lawyer and the banker came

it, especially as he knew from previous experience that such investigations would not be well received? It was one of the Colonel's peculiarities to keep his affairs to himself until they grew so bad that circumstances forced him to seek the counsel or the aid of others. Still, Morris could well

han a resurrection of credit, vivified by the news of his engagement with the only child of a man known to be wealthy. His uncle Porson, with a solemnity that was almost touching, had bestowed upon Mary and himself a

s to the erection of houses, affairs of business, and investments. In the course of these interviews Morris was astonished, not

explanation; "so it is best that you should know something of these

othing to do with it for man

though to push something from him. Then, to all appearances overcome by

r ravaged by that desire of the moth for the star which in some natures is almost a disease. His outlook upon the world was healthier and more hopeful; for the fi

with a confidence that a while ago he would have thought impossible. Moreover, as good fortunes never come singly, his were destined to be multiplied. It was in those days after so many years of search and unfruitful labour that

s discovery by pure accident, or whether, as seems possible, she had thought the problem out in her own feminine fashion with results that proved excellent, does not matter in the least. The issue remains the same. An apparatus which before would work only on rare occasions

ss after years of failure. And-that was the strange part of it-this realisation and success he owed to no effort of his own, but to some chance suggestion made by Mary. He told her this, and thanked her as a man thanks one through wh

ped them about-like the sound of a passing bell at a child'

he only one for which she chanced to care, perhaps because it did not involve much exertion. Morris, who engaged in the pastime with the same ea

he asked affectionately, after a while. "I d

s are the badge of advertised inferior

" said

't bad enough to be beaten at all

too proud to accept them, and next that you won't accept them b

humanity you wouldn't beat me," replied Mary,

it if you won't

eature like you tact? My dear Morris, I assure you I do not believe that your efforts at deception would take in the simplest-minded cow. Why, even Dad sees through you, and the person who can'

t the footman st

e master," he beg

a slow, quiet voice. "Do

or something, and the doctor thought you had bet

, dropping the croquet mallet, she f

. In the hall they met Mr. Charters, t

ir looks; "the danger is past. H

ught struck her, and she looked up shar

is straightf

he

periods. But in its fatal shape

have been worse,

e time. Morris," she went on, turning to him with an energy that was almost fierce,

eption. By all means let him live with us-if he

e-like-a toad under a harrow. So please be sympathetic, and don't misunderstand me, or I don't know what I shall say." Then by way of making amends, Mar

she might go up to her father's room, an

e habit of spending the spring months, more, perhaps, because of the associations which the place possessed for him than of any affection for foreign lands. Now, however,

lonel Monk found this change of plan-it had been arranged that the Porsons should stop at Seaview till the New Year, which was to be the day of the marriage-

no opposition to fear in this quarter provided that Mary and her husband would join him at Beaulieu after a week or two of honeymoon. Then he spoke to Morris, who

le been content to leave his son or Mr. Porson to ask it of her. As it chanced, this he was not willing to do. Porson, he was sure,

to her father or her lover, something in her uncle's manner, or it may have been his very personality, always aroused in Mary a spirit of opposition. On this occasion, too, th

Morris could really wish this hurried marriage, since had they done so one or other of them would have spoken to her on the subject. When pressed, she intimated very politely, but in language whereof the meaning could h

sire it," expostu

e so," Mary answered,

will tell you so soon

e been directed to do so, but t

ad made a mistake, and to

's state of health is preca

ns to the possible, and, indeed, the certain end of h

hese I might not be able to give if I were already married. I love Morris very dearly. I am his for whatever

nel curtly, for opposition and argument bred

lth makes it convenient. If not, Uncle Richard, to wait till a more fitting season." Then she rose-for

ing once been driven into announcing her decision in terms s

were the arguments of Colonel Monk. Therefore she hardened her heart and put the matter by, refusing, indeed, to discuss it at any length. Yet-and it is not the first time

her to Beaulieu, there to await the development of events. It was arranged, moreover, by all concerned, that un