A Woman Martyr

and trotted swiftly homewards. Other riders, glancing upwards, and deciding that the clouds had done their worst, drew up under the trees. Among these w

under a neighbouring tree--she reined in her slender-limbed bay m

wn--biting her lip--as she asked herself again and a

Lord Vansittart--a man who had several times repeated his offer of marriage--an offer she did not refuse because he had not stirred her heart--for she loved him, and passionately--

had appea

led her. Then came a wild, almost uncontrollable impulse just to speak to him--

ersed. She was disappointedly telling herself that as the shower had temporarily subsided she ought to be returning home, when her heart gave a leap. A rider who was trotting towards her was the

cided--they two must once mo

azed sadly, beseechingly, yet with that imperious compelling glance

he rack--to him, wildly panting, yearning to take her in his arms after wea

attempt at a laugh. "I thought you wer

g her as she rode out of shelter--she would not, could not, stay

steed, and it was some moments before the mare's nerves were calm

nsittart?" she asked scorn

y vain as to think that where I have failed, other

a tremendous relief. Thank Heaven, even had she been secretly vowed to the cloister, her conduct since their parting could not have borne c

iously, loved him--she had remained an insoluble problem during the long days of their separation when he pondered on the subject the slow, lagging hours through--and, now again, she bid fair to be as great a problem as ever. Fo

ich he had jotted down at intervals for his future guidance, in his mind. "I s

know is, that I am firmly resolved not to marry--any on

to you, secretly, but entirely--with the absolute devotion of a would-be anchorite or martyr--what then? You would not refuse to give the poor devil a chance? I mean, to give him something in return; if

she bluntly said. "Oh, Lord Vansittart! why will you not, can you not, see and understand that all I want of--of--everyone is t

u wish to lead. Because--well, I will not beat about the bush. Joan! you know I love you! You are my very life! And if I cannot be nearer than

appeal was interrupted. An elderly gentlema

es?" he exclaimed, somewhat breathles

years previously. The admired beauty, whose only flaw seemed to be her adamantine pose in regard to her many suitors, was kno

to have roamed and ranged over the earth, prowling about for some interest, which evaded him from Dan to Beersheba. S

d, as they left the park. "My lady will be delighted

not, or would not see,--he accompanied uncle and niece through the pale sunshine which now bathed the wet streets and shone upon the dripping

e to wait upon his mistress, he wa

ded his help and sprang lightly down

himself bitterly, as he accompanied the very evidently friendly Sir Thomas up the steps and throu