Marion Arleigh's Penance / Everyday Life Library No. 5

nce with an invitation of Lord Ridsdale, came over to Thorpe Castle. Long before he

orture to the girl to think that she was helping others to keep secret from her that which she ought to know. She shrank from Miss Lyster. She no longer cared to be beguiled by long walks in the shrubbery, to hear nothing

had not thought that when she came to contrast his behavior with that of others she would see how deficient in all honor and man

ould advance his cause more than for her to meet him among her

on the morning of the day on which he was exp

shone in Miss Arleigh's fa

he continued. "Ah! Marion, the sight of yo

more of how she could keep such a secret from her good,

of a young ladies' school; but not for the world would he have breathed such a thought to any one living, lest it should injure him. Lord Ridsdale was courtesy itself to his young guest. He pointed

. The gentleman liked him, he thought him clever, gifted and intellectual; Lady R

mine with a frank, clear look; either he has something to

d admired. One gentleman, Sir Thomas Ashburnham, ordered a picture from him; another purchased a series of sketches; and a third in

erned, it was a complete, dead failure. He had expected long interviews with her; he had thought of long and pleasant hours in the grounds; he had pictured to himself how sh

servatory, her answer was always that she was engaged. If he rose earlier than usual, hoping to meet her in the breakfast-room, she invariably remained later than usual upstairs. He could not, contrive as he would, obtain five minutes with her. In vain he asked his sister t

me!" said the mistress of Thorpe Castle

l, with something of baffled rage, that

ther?" asked Adelaide one day, when All

rdians," she answered. "I cannot bear anythin

Brother and sister held a council of war, and it was

to marry you when she comes of age, but do no more. Do not s

e conversation turned upon the elopement of a young lady in the

true gentleman would ever try to persua

her eyes and look

n who would persuade any girl to engage herself to him unknown to he

w deadly pale; almost involuntarily she looked at

an honest man." This hero of her romance, this artist whom she was to ennoble by

usband. She praised Allan's artistic qualities, she admired his talents, but

light of reason, not in the glamor of love, and her judgment condemned them both. The sister had been false to her trust; she had betraye

er life long she would do her best to advance Allan's interest; but

t tact. He took his sister's advice, and would not intrude u

ds to let me go free. He sees that I understand he has acted dishonora

ed to him about his pictures, and the progress he was making. He showed her sketc

t the deepest sorrow. It was not pleasant to leave such a home as Thorpe Castle for the drudgery of

d Lady Ridsdale; they professed themselves overcome with benefits. Lord Ridsdale received all th

terfere in Marion's affairs. I shall certainly advis

good-bye." His last

can possibly excuse my having met you as I did. I loved you, so I forgot prudence, cere

elief to her when they went; it was as though some