The Red Window

the early part of the Victorian epoch, the old man had been a spendthrift and a rake. Now, he never looked agreeably upon a woman, and the prettier they were the more he frowned upon

with his ill-humors. Only Mrs. Gilroy succeeded in extorting civil words from him, but then Mrs. Gilroy was necessary to his com

e absence of the clerical element at the Hall troubled him little. He was a typical miser in looks, being bent, withered and dry. As a young man he had bought, in his spendthrift days, a great number of suits, and these he was wearing out in his old age. The garments, once fashionable, looked queer in the eyes of a younger generation; but Sir Simon minded no one. He was always scrupulously dressed in his antique garb, and looked, as the saying goes, as neat as a new pin. His health was tolerable, although he suffered from rheumatism and a constant cough. Owing to his total abstinence, he was free from gout, but cou

twardly-as penurious as her master, so he trusted her as much as he trusted anyone. What between the grim old man and the silent housekeeper, poor Lucy Randolph, who was only a connection, had a dreary time. But then, as the daughter

railings, were devoid of flowers and filled with ragged elms and sycamores, suffered to grow amidst rank grass untrimmed and unattended. The roads around were green with weeds, and the houses appeared to be deserted. Indeed, many of them were, as few people cared to live in so dull a neighborhood; but others were occupied

up-to-date. But the house was small, and, although furnished in a gimcrack way, was good enough for a month's residence. Moreover, since he paid no rent, this enhanced its value in his avaricious eyes. It may be mentioned that the servants of the owner-

d looking like a character out of Dickens as delineated by Phiz, was seated beside a comfortable fire supping a cup of plasmon cocoa, as containing the most nut

table to anyone who could appreciate art. The scheme of color was garish, and, but that the blinds were pulled half-way down, so as to exclude too searching a light, would have jarred on Sir Simon's nerves. Lucy Randolph, who sat reading near the window, shuddered at the newness and veneer of her surroundings and thought

pressed their opinion that she was one, and she certainly had a somewhat feline look. But, with all her softness and nun-like meekness, an occasional glance from her light eyes showed that she could scratch when necessary. No one knew who she was or where she came from, but she looked like a woman with a history. What that was only she and Sir Simon knew, and neither was communicative. Lucy Randolph hated

talked something like George III. in reiter

ain of the house

t to bother me with their goings-on. Well! well! well

ier-one of those new young m

ut in Miss Randolph, lo

ng round. "Cook tells me the young man comes

l the hussy to go at once. Love?" This in a tone of scorn. "As thoug

an't dismiss her, sir. She belong

t allow such things. A soldier-eh-what? Turn him out, Gilroy,

be out to-

Do you think I come to town to

nsequently, all the influence of Mrs. Gilroy would be put forth to help the exiled heir. Lucy was fond of Bernard, but she was engaged to Julius, and, dragged both ways by liking and duty, she was forced to a great extent to remain neutral. But she did not intend t

," said Lucy

y. "Tell him to wait, Gilroy. I can't see hi

But she knew when she was well off and kept her temper in check for fear of Sir Simon turning her adrift. He would have done so without scruple had it suited him. Lucy

he room. "What about Bernard?" he a

n innocent smile. "De

the baronet, taking no notice of

s not writ

o that girl.

ak to me about Bernard. You see," said Lucy, pensively, "I

in for my mone

iss Randolph, frankly, "but

haved so badly, Julius shall be my heir. The one can have the title, the other the money. All the same I don't want Bern

her feet and clasping her han

Sir Simon, eyeing her. "The Red Window! Are you thinking

iss Randolph, "an

to do with

relenting, to put a light in the Red Wind

eased. "Then you can put the light in th

ll forg

"I have been hard on the boy. He is young, and, like all fools, has fallen in love with a pretty face. This Miss Mall

nterposed quickly, and came tow

for tastes. I think Bernar

," said Lucy, "and Julius has neve

on the fire. "I don't believe Julius is so g

relative by this name, "why don't you make it up with Bernard? I

old man looked

hitect to live very comfortably. Let me marry Julius, dear uncle, and we will

es another," said Sir Simon, dryl

autiful an

or Miss Randolph's face was as innocent as that of a child. "She is no doubt a paragon, my dear," he said; "but I won't

may no

money he will keep

ucy, impetuously. "Ah, uncle, how ca

n't kno

yoursel

. Gilroy that Julius could be shown up. "If he doesn

Bern

defied me! He offered to pitch me out of the window if I said

gaged to

d the other. "Well, then, Mi

n as Alice i

h Bernard unless he does what I tell him. He must give up Alice and marry Miss Perry. Try the Re

"Bernard comes down at times to the Hall to watch

esn't know

he inherits from his father, and Mr. Durham may have told him you are here. Then

brown. He was irreproachably dressed, and did not appear to have much brain power. Also, from the expression of his eyes he was of a sly nature. Finally, Mr. Beryl was guarded in his speech, being quite of the opinion that speech was given to hide thoughts. He

ff," he said, extending a packet to

op. A very good one! Do you g

orrected the good

anything manly," he said contempt

e theatre on Friday," said Mr. Beryl. "Mrs. Webbe

ty, flirting little cat of a woman," said Sir

on't mind

snarl. "How good you two are.

d. The Curta

two streets away.

Like I

man. "Don't you think I know my Shakesp

n in the carriage

own ca

ing. "Mrs. Webber's carriage, uncle. We will call for L

I don't approve of Mrs. Webber tak

t, uncle," said Lucy, deli

ungraciously. "You can go, Lu

o, and then Lucy left the room. When alone, Sir Simo

se, but this astute young gentleman answered at once. "He has enli

not-he must not," he said, considerably

us coolly-"you have disinherited

in and with a pale face; "but I did not think he would enli

now," said Beryl, dryly. "I don't fancy

less hard than he looked. "It is your

e, u

d me about Mi

approve of the match,"

to cut off Bernar

lius, calmly. "You need not le

he money? It's te

ed Beryl, frankly; "but I do not wan

d to meet craft by craft. He bore a grudge against this young man for having brought about the banishment of his grandson, and felt inclined to punish him. Yet if Julius di

one can be my heir. You will have the money without any loss

said Julius, quietly, although

k of him la

en he went out to select a special four-wheeler instead of sending the page-boy. When he was absent,

rl Jane has described the young m

well!

only since we arrived here. Jane met him a week before our arrival, a

s to do with me?"

s of the soldier. Miss Randolph

"Has Miss Randolph

ut the description, Sir Simon-" Here Mrs. Gilroy sank he

chair to steady himself. "Why-what-yes.

see the housemaid," sa

to learn how I am disposed-if I am ill. The money-the money-all self-self-self!" He clenched his hand as the front door opene

aven and caught sight of Lu