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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/16682-8.txt b/16682-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e70717f --- /dev/null +++ b/16682-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8838 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Adrien Leroy, by Charles Garvice + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Adrien Leroy + +Author: Charles Garvice + +Release Date: September 11, 2005 [EBook #16682] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIEN LEROY *** + + + + +Produced by Julie Barkley and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ADRIEN LEROY + + + + CHARLES GARVICE + + + LONDON + + GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. + + + + CHAPTER I + + +It was a cold night in early spring, and the West End streets were +nearly deserted. The great shutters of the shops were being drawn down +with a dull rumble, and every moment the pavements grew more dreary +looking as the glories of the plate-glass windows were hidden. + +Tired workers with haggard faces were making their way homeward; to them +the day was at an end. But to the occupants of the whirring taxis and +smart motors, as they sped westward, the round of their day was but +half-way through; for them, the great ones of the earth, the +all-important hour of dinner was at hand. + +At the entrance of one of the most luxurious clubs in Pall Mall two men, +in immaculate evening dress, stood carelessly surveying the hurrying +throngs of people. + +"Seven," said one, as the hour struck from the nearest church. "I +thought Standon said seven." + +"Yes, and like a woman, meant half-past," returned the other, hiding a +yawn. + +"Stan's too young to value his dinner properly, but Leroy ought to have +been punctual. Oh, here _is_ Stan!" as a slight, well-dressed man sprang +hastily from a smart motor and came towards them. + +"Hello!" said the new-comer, shaking hands, "you two fellows first? I +hope I'm not late, Shelton." + +"Of course you're late," growled Shelton, with characteristic pessimism. +"You always are, and Leroy is worse. Come along, we may as well wait +inside as in this beastly draught." + +In the great dining-hall the snowy-covered tables were being taken +rapidly by members about to dine; silent-footed waiters were hurrying to +and fro, carrying out their various duties, while intermittently the +sound of opening champagne bottles mingled with the buzz of conversation +and the ripple of laughter. + +The three men, Mortimer Shelton, Lord Standon and Frank Parselle, seated +themselves at a table in a comfortable recess and took stock of the +room, responding to numerous nods and smiles of recognition, while +grumbling at the unpunctuality of their friend. + +"Ten past seven!" groaned Shelton, looking at his watch. "I might have +known that Leroy would be late. Shall we wait?" + +"Oh, yes!" said Parselle; "Adrien might not like it, you know. It is a +bore, though! The soup will be as thick as mud!" + +"By Jove! I'd forgotten," interrupted Standon suddenly. "I met Leroy +yesterday, and he asked me to tell you he might be late, as he was off +to Barminster Castle last night. We were not to wait. He gave me a note, +and--if I haven't left it in my other coat--" He fumbled in his pocket. +"No; here it is." He produced the note with an air of triumph, and +Shelton, with a muttered exclamation of disgust, ordered dinner to be +served before he opened it. As he did so and ran his eye over the +contents, he frowned. + +"Just listen to this," he said irritably. + + +"'MY DEAR MORTIMER, + +A letter from Jasper takes me down to the Castle. I will return in time +to join your little party and, with your leave, bring Jasper along too; +but don't wait on any account. + +"'Yours, + +"'ADRIEN LEROY.'" + + +"Jasper--always Jasper!" commented Standon. "I'd like to know by what +means Jasper Vermont has obtained such influence over Leroy." + +"Ah, that's the mystery!" said Parselle, frowning. + +"It's as plain as a pikestaff," growled Mortimer Shelton. "Leroy saved +Vermont's life years ago--at Oxford, I think. That's enough for Adrien. +If a cat or dog, or even a one-eyed monkey, placed itself under his +protection, Adrien Leroy would stick to it through thick and thin. You +know his little way; and this Vermont is no fool. He intends to make +full use of his friend." + +"And yet Leroy is not easily taken in," remarked Parselle thoughtfully. + +"Every man has his weak point," retorted Shelton with a shrug, "and +Jasper is Leroy's one vulnerable spot. He will believe nothing against +him." + +"He's a lucky chap, Vermont," said Standon pensively. "No one really +knows what he is or where he springs from; yet he always seems to have +plenty of money, and apparently the whole of Leroy's passes through his +hands." + +"Something near a million," put in Parselle enviously, "and with the run +of a castle like a palace. No, Vermont's no fool!" + +Mortimer Shelton nodded. + +"The Castle's all right," he said curtly. "You can trust the Leroys to +have the best of everything. They treat money like dirt, and bow before +nothing but Royalty and women. Yet, with it all, there's no stauncher +friend than a Leroy." + +"As Vermont knows only too well," muttered Standon dryly. "By the way, I +saw Ada Lester in the Park this morning. Jove! Such furs!" + +"In that quarter Adrien certainly treats his money like dust," said +Parselle, with a short laugh. "I can't think what he sees in her; to me +she seems an insatiate animal--and about as difficult to satisfy. It's a +jolly good job for Leroy that, thanks to his father's generosity, his +income runs into five figures--nothing else would stand the strain." + +"Do you know, some one told me at the Casket the other night that Leroy +had made the theatre over to Ada entirely, and settled a thousand a year +on her into the bargain," said Standon, leaning forward. + +"I daresay," Mortimer commented dryly. "He's fool enough for anything. +The place runs him into eight thousand a year as it is--not including +Ada Lester, the lady manager--so he might just as well hand it over to +her altogether. I wish to goodness the wretched building would burn +down! 'Pon my word, I shall set it alight myself one fine night----" + +"Hush! Here he is," said Lord Standon; adding quickly, "with Vermont, of +course." + +The others looked round towards the new-comers. One was a dark-haired +man of about forty years of age. His face was pale, with an almost +unhealthy pallor, from which his small dark eyes glittered restlessly; +his thin lips, tightly closed, were set in an almost straight line. +Clean-shaven, sleek of hair, he wore an expression of cautious slyness +that implied a mental attitude ever on guard against some sudden +exposure of his real feelings. Such was Jasper Vermont. + +His companion was of a different calibre. Still apparently in the early +thirties, tall, and with clear-cut aristocratic features, he was +decidedly good to look upon. His face, fair as that of a woman, was +perhaps slightly marred by the expression of weakness which lurked round +the finely-moulded lips; but for all that it was stamped with the latent +nobility which characterised his race. + +The Hon. Adrien Leroy, only son of Baron Barminster, was one of the most +noted figures in fashionable society. His father, who since the death of +Lady Barminster had lived almost as a recluse, spent the days in the old +Castle, and had practically abdicated in favour of his son. So that the +colossal income accruing from the coal mines of Wales, the rentals of +the Leroy estates in the Southern Counties, and the ground rents of a +considerable acreage in one of the most fashionable parts of London, all +passed through the hands of Adrien, who, in his turn, spent it like +water, leaving Jasper Vermont--his one-time college friend and now his +confidential steward--to watch over his affairs. + +Leroy, with a genial smile of greeting for all, but a grave, almost +weary expression in his blue eyes, parried the numerous questions and +invitations that beset him on all sides, and, taking Vermont's arm, drew +him towards the table where his three friends awaited him. + +"I'm sorry we're late," he said in a pleasant voice, which was clear and +unaffected, in strong contrast to the chatter which buzzed round him at +their entry. "Blame Jasper, who, if he is as hungry as I am, is punished +already." + +His good-humoured laugh as he seated himself drew echoes from his +friends; Leroy's popularity was never more apparent than in a gathering +of this sort, composed exclusively of his own sex. + +"So, have just come up from Barminster," said Shelton presently, "How is +the Castle looking?" + +Adrien, busily satisfying a vigorous appetite, merely nodded and smiled +in reply; but Jasper Vermont answered for him. + +"Beautiful!" he said, with a smile which showed his white, even teeth. +"Beautiful! It's a charming view; but we saw little of it this visit. +Ah, Shelton, you are really an epicure! We don't get clear turtle like +this at the Pallodeon--eh, Adrien?" + +"No," replied the young man, looking up. "We ought to have Shelton on +the committee. No wonder they love you here, Shelton! And so the colt +has lost the steeplechase? I saw the news as I came along." + +"And you have lost, how much--two thousand?" queried Parselle. + +"Five," said Vermont, not quickly, but just before Adrien could speak. + +"Is it five?" asked Leroy indifferently. "I thought I'd backed 'Venus' +for more." + +"I backed her myself for a couple of hundred," put in Lord Standon +ruefully. "She's a beautiful creature, though, and I'd like to buy her." + +"You can have her, my dear Stan, for a mere song," said Leroy cordially. + +"I'm afraid that's impossible," interposed Jasper with suavity. "She's +sold." + +Adrien looked up in surprise. + +"Sold! To whom?" he asked. + +"To the knacker," was the calm reply. "Don't you remember, Adrien, that +she threw Fording and broke her leg over the last hurdle?" + +Leroy's race resumed its usual air of bored indifference. + +"Ah, yes, so you told me. My dear Stan, I'm awfully sorry! I had +completely forgotten." He looked round the table. "Any of you seen the +papers?" he inquired. "Last night was the first of the new comedy at the +Casket--how did it go?" + +Frank Parselle laughed. "I was there," he admitted. "Ada played finely, +but they hissed once or twice." + +"Lost on my horse and on my new play. That is bad luck!" exclaimed +Adrien, looking, however, very little disturbed by the news. "It must be +withdrawn." + +"Certainly," agreed Vermont amiably. "Certainly." + +"By Jove! what did you tell me the mounting cost?" asked Parselle, +addressing Vermont, but glancing significantly at the others. + +"Three thousand pounds," answered Vermont glibly, while Adrien ate his +fish with the most consummate indifference. + +"Three thousand for four nights, that's about it. The public ought to be +grateful to you," said Shelton with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice, as +he nodded across at Leroy. + +Adrien laughed. + +"Or I to them," he said cheerfully. "It's no light thing to sit through +a bad play. But how is that, Jasper? You said it would run." + +"I?" protested Vermont, with a pleasant smile. "No, Adrien, not so +certainly as that. I said I thought the play well written, and that in +my opinion it ought to run well--a very different thing. Eh, Shelton?" + +"Ah!" replied Shelton, who had been watching him keenly. "So you were +out in your reckoning for once. It is to be hoped you didn't make the +same mistake with the colt. I think you were also favourably inclined to +that, weren't you?" + +"Yes," admitted Vermont, leaning back with an admirable air of content. +"I laid my usual little bet, and lost--of course." + +"You should have hedged," said Shelton, who knew as a positive fact that +Vermont had done so. + +"I have no judgement," Vermont responded deprecatingly. "I am a man of +no ideas, and I admit it. Now Adrien is all acuteness; without him I +should soon go astray. I am supposed to look after his interests; but, +by Jove! it is he who supplies the brains and I the hands. I am the +machine--a mere machine, and he turns the handle!" He laughed gently at +his own joke, and held up his glass for replenishment. + +"A pretty division of labour," commented Shelton, with a faint sneer. +"Now _we_ give _you_ the credit for all the tact and business capacity." + +"Ah, what a mistake!" replied Vermont, spreading out his fat hands with +a gesture of amusement. "Well, since you give me credit, I will assume +the virtue, though I have it not." + +He changed the subject adroitly to one of general interest; and as the +wine came and disappeared with greater rapidity, the talk ran on with +more wit and laughter, Vermont always handling the ball of conversation +deftly, and giving it an additional fillip when it seemed to slacken. +Adrien Leroy spoke little; though when he did make a remark, the rest +listened with an evident desire to hear his opinion. + +At length Vermont rose, with a lazy look round. + +"Well, I must be off," he said smoothly. "Good-night, Adrien. I shall be +with you to-morrow at twelve." + +Having bade the rest of the company a hasty adieu, he turned once more +to his host. + +"Good-night, Shelton," he said smilingly. "Thanks for the excellent +dinner. Rome would not have perished had you lived with the last of +Cęsars." + +"And Adrien Leroy would not go to the dogs so quickly, if you did not +show him the way," murmured Shelton inaudibly, as Vermont departed, with +the bland smile still hovering round his thin lips. + + + + + CHAPTER II + + +Outside the club door, Vermont's motor was drawn up at the side waiting +for him. He looked at his watch, and was surprised at the lateness of +the hour. Stepping hastily into the vehicle, he held up two fingers to +the chauffeur, who apparently needed no other instructions; for the car +glided off, and Vermont, as he passed the club, looked up at the windows +with an ugly smile. + +As Lord Standon had said, few knew his origin or his business; but, in +reality, his antecedents were of a very ordinary nature. He was the son +of a solicitor who had lived with but one object in his sordid life, +namely, the desire to make his son a man of position with the power to +mix as an equal among that portion of society which only came to Malcolm +Vermont when it wanted its scandals glossed over, or to obtain money. +Ill-natured people were apt to hint that he had amassed his wealth by +means of usury and the taking up of shady cases. At any rate, he made +sufficient to bring up his son in luxury and send him to Oxford, where +Jasper had first come in contact with Adrien Leroy. At the death of his +father, Vermont found himself possessed of an income of a thousand a +year, which enabled him to become a member of Adrien's set, +notwithstanding that the amount was a much smaller one than he had been +led to expect, and, in his opinion, savoured almost of aristocratic +poverty. + +The car had rolled silently into a side street off St. James's, where +the chauffeur pulled up sharply at the door of one of the old-fashioned, +though now newly-painted houses. Vermont sprang out and rang the bell +twice. + +"Has Miss Lester returned yet?" he asked of the smart maid who opened +the door. + +"Yes, sir," she answered, and promptly led the way up a newly-carpeted +staircase, redolent of Parma violet scent and glistening with white +enamelled woodwork and plaster casts. The walls were adorned with +pictures in the worst possible taste and the most glaring colours. As +Vermont reached the first floor, a strong, savoury odour filled the air. + +He smiled sarcastically, and sniffed as if the perfume were familiar to +him. + +"Miss Lester at supper?" he asked the white-capped maid, as she threw +open the door on the first floor, and stood aside to let the visitor +precede her. + +"Yes, sir; supper's been served," was the demure answer. + +Vermont passed into the room, which was furnished with the same lack of +taste as the staircase. Two women were seated at the table, apparently +just finishing their supper. + +At first glance they might have been mistaken for mother and daughter, +as the elder woman was clad in a sombre black velvet dress, and had a +pale, thin face, crowned with heavy masses of grey hair. On closer +inspection, however, one perceived that Julia Lester was far from +old--indeed, not more than about forty-five, and with a peculiarly +gentle, almost child-like expression, which at first took one almost by +surprise. + +On the other hand, her sister, though only about ten years younger, +would easily have passed as twenty-five, especially when behind the +footlights, which was her usual environment. + +"Oh, it's you, Jasper, is it?" she remarked carelessly, pausing in the +act of lighting a cigarette. "Didn't hear you come in. You're so quiet +on your pins." + +Like the house she inhabited, Miss Lester combined in her person +prodigality of colours with a fine disregard of taste. Beautiful she +undoubtedly was, with the black-browed, dark-eyed beauty of a Cleopatra, +for there was some Italian blood in her veins. It was given out +occasionally by the Press that she had been a theatre-dresser, an +organ-grinder, and fifty other things; but nevertheless, illiterate, +common and ill-bred, she had yet achieved fame--or rather, perhaps, +notoriety---by her dancing and sheer animal good looks. + +As a matter of fact she owed her success primarily to Jasper Vermont, +who, as a young man and during a quarrel with his father, had lodged in +the same house with the handsome sisters, Julia, and Ada Lester, the +latter then being only about fifteen years of age. He had fallen +violently in love with Julia, then in the height of her beauty, and had +cruelly deceived her. To appease the indignation of the younger sister +he had got her an introduction to the manager of the Rockingham Theatre, +who was about to put on a new Egyptian ballet, and from that time +onwards it had been plain sailing for Ada. Later on came a meeting with +Leroy, planned by Jasper's connivance; and Adrien, attracted by the +woman's ripe beauty, had been blind, so far, to the deficiencies of her +mind and character. + +To-night she looked a veritable daughter of the South. Her dress was of +scarlet, touched with black, and she was wearing diamonds--gifts from +her many admirers--of such intrinsic value as to render many a countess +jealous. + +"Yes, it is I," said Vermont. "Onions and cigarettes! I thought Leroy +objected to both." + +Ada laughed. + +"It's the smell he don't like," she said lightly. "He's so particular. +But he's not coming to-night; leastways, he said he wasn't." + +"Ah!" said Vermont smiling, as he seated himself at the table and took +up a small bottle which proved to be empty, "Is there anything left to +drink?" + +"Have some fizz," said Ada hospitably. "Ring the bell, Ju, and give me +another chop. Well, Jasper, what's the news?" + +"Just the question I was about to ask," he replied, as the maid-servant +brought in a bottle of champagne and glasses on a silver tray. "How did +the comedy go?" + +"Rotten!" pronounced Ada shortly. "I told Adrien it wouldn't go, though +I did my best--didn't I, Ju? The frocks were really first-class--blue +satin and silver, with loads of pearls, and my turquoise armlets. All +right, eh?" + +"Yes," agreed Vermont, adding, with a sneer, "Perhaps the stupid public +got tired of looking at the blue satin." + +"Then they could have looked at me instead," retorted Ada tartly. "But +I've no patience with Adrien. Why can't he get 'em something lively? A +musical comedy now--I could make that go, if you like! Plenty of songs +and no talky-talky business. Besides, I _can_ dance." + +"But can't act," murmured Jasper, with his sarcastic smile. + +"Can't I!" cried Ada furiously. "That's all you know about it. Why +didn't you come last night?" + +"Business," he answered carelessly, sipping his wine; adding, as he saw +her about to question him, "With which I won't trouble you, my fair +Ada." + +"Oh won't you!" was that lady's retort. "You're mighty polite, I must +say. I suppose you were down at that old Castle again, and Adrien too! +What were you doing there?" + +"Minding our own business," he replied smilingly, as he lit a cigarette. + +"Close as a fox, you are," she declared, with a short, disagreeable +laugh. "Where's Adrien? Down there still?" + +"No; at the Thessalian. I left him there with Mortimer Shelton." + +"I hate that man," said Miss Lester viciously. + +"So do I," agreed Vermont, "but I don't say so. Anyhow, Adrien's safe +there for another hour, and I came on to give you a word of warning." + +He turned to her companion, who had been quietly finishing her supper as +if unconscious of anyone's presence. + +"Julia, you look tired; you'd better get off to bed." + +She rose and hesitated for a moment, looking from him to Ada; then +quietly left the room. Vermont gazed after her, much as he would have +watched a useless piece of furniture in course of removal; then he leant +back in his chair, and, before resuming, regarded fixedly Ada's flushed, +handsome face. + +"Well?" she queried, impatiently striking the table with her fork. + +Jasper leant forward and spoke with calm, unpleasant deliberation. + +"Ada," said he, "there was once a person who killed the goose that laid +him golden eggs; there was another who beat his horse till it pitched +him into the ditch; but neither of these attained such a height of folly +as Miss Lester bids fair to reach, if she persists in worrying her prize +donkey into kicking her to the ground and leaving her in the mud." + +"Oh, don't be an idiot, Jasper!" she exclaimed irritably. "Speak out +plain, can't you?" + +"I certainly can, and will, my dear lady. To put it plainly, then, you +are going the quickest way to make Adrien tired of you. After all, if +you happen to possess a goose with the propensity to lay golden eggs, +surely it is wise to humour him. And if the said goose happens to +dislike the smell of onions, why fill the house with that particular +perfume, sufficient to suffocate an elephant? Again, is it not the +height of folly to stick plaster statues on the staircase which he +ascends daily, when you know this particular goose detests imitation +art? In short, my dear Ada, if you persist in thrusting vulgarity down +his throat, you will find yourself very soon out of the graces of our +friend, Adrien Leroy." + +Ada, who had been beating a loud tattoo with the fork which she still +held in her hand, sprang to her feet and struck the table with a force +which set the glasses jingling. + +"Jasper!" she almost shouted. "You'll drive me mad! Why don't you speak +out and say what you mean? What's the matter with Adrien? What does he +want? Aren't there a hundred men who'd be glad enough to furnish a house +for me as I like? And can't I even eat what I choose without Adrien +Leroy's delicate nose being turned up in disapproval?" + +"You can go to the deuce, if you like, my dear," declared Jasper with a +calm smile. "I merely warn you that you are on the way to finding +yourself in the street, if I may be allowed to speak out. Have another +cigarette, and spray some patchouli about the room. There are more geese +than one, as you say; and, after all, it is hard if you can't indulge in +onions in your own room at one o'clock in the morning." + +Goaded almost to desperation by the sneering sarcasm of Vermont's words, +the woman threw down her fork, thereby smashing a champagne glass, and +thrust her angry, flushed countenance close to his. + +"What's your game?" she hissed. "Are you playing with me and Adrien? Are +you setting him against me? I know your artful tricks; but don't you +play 'em on me, Jasper! What are you doing up at the Castle so often? +Making yourself pleasant to old Lord Barminster's niece there, I'll be +bound. P'raps she ain't fond of scent or a pork chop or two, and she can +have real statues if she likes. You don't remind him of that, do you? +Oh, no, of course not! But you mind your skin, Jasper, for you can't +play fast and loose with me. Shuffle him on to that Constance girl, and +I'll make you pay for it. I know something you wouldn't like my lord to +hear about; so, if you don't want me to open my mouth and split on your +little games, don't you play me any of your tricks, that's all, or I'll +go straight to Adrien and tell him all!" + +She stopped, out of breath, and Jasper Vermont, springing to his feet, +glared down at her in impotent fury. But she only laughed at his angry +face. + +"Oh, no, you wouldn't like Adrien to know how you fooled poor Julia, +though it is over twenty years ago. I haven't forgotten, if you have, +how you took her over to Paris while I was away on my first tour, and +went through some form of marriage with her. You wouldn't like him to +know how you told her what you'd done, when there was no longer need to +keep it dark from your father, and of the attack of brain fever it +brought on, poor dear! You were a nice brute to her, you were, Jasper +Vermont; and it's a lucky thing for you and her too that when she +recovered her memory had gone, and she forgot you as well as the child." + +Jasper stirred uneasily. + +"I didn't think she would have cared so much," he said. "Besides, she's +all right now; she only forgets those few years." + +"Lucky thing for you," repeated Ada dryly. + +"What have you done with the child?" he asked suddenly. + +His companion's face lighted up with malicious triumph. + +"I've put her where you can't find her, anyhow," she said. "You shan't +break her heart, as you did her mother's." + +"Oh, nonsense, Ada!" said Vermont contemptuously. "Don't begin to +rant--you're not on the stage now. I kept all my promises to you, at any +rate. I got you on at the Rockingham and I introduced you to Leroy; and +if you had only played your cards properly you would have hooked him by +this time. As it is, he'll marry his cousin, if you're not careful." + +"If he does, it'll be your fault," she snarled. "And I'll tell Adrien +all, and how you're fooling him in other ways as well." + +Jasper sprang across the room, his face working with anger. There was +something so deadly in the light of his dark eyes, such murderous hate +in every line of his face, that the woman shrank back and uttered a cry +of fear, instinctively glancing at a knife which lay on the table close +to Jasper's other hand. + +How far Vermont's anger might have carried him she did not know, for, to +her intense relief, the door opened and Adrien Leroy himself entered the +room. He gazed in surprise at the two occupants, and in an instant +Jasper had regained his self-control. He did not release Ada's wrist, +but, smoothing his scowl into a sleek smile, he said with a careless +laugh: + +"No, Ada, your arm is as slim as ever. The bracelet will just fit you." +He relaxed his grip as he spoke and turned to Leroy. "Ada has bet me +that the new bracelet you bought her is too small, Adrien," he explained +glibly. "She thought she was getting stout." + +Adrien nodded indifferently; while Ada, with a little cry of relief, ran +towards him. + +"Adrien, how good of you to come!" she exclaimed. "I did not expect you +so soon." + +Leroy did not seem to notice her, but looked round the room with evident +displeasure. The table, with its remains of supper; the stained cloth; +above all, the undesirable odour of food and stale tobacco; all seemed +to fill him with disgust. Gently, but firmly, he put Ada from him. + +"Jasper," he said, turning to Vermont, "you know why I came. Give Miss +Lester the deeds of the Casket Theatre. I am tired and am going home." + +With a courteous good-night to Ada, who, without attempting to thank him +for his gift, stood scowling and sullen, he passed out of the room; +while Vermont leaned back against the table with folded arms and his +inevitable, but significant, smile on his face. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + +The night was bitterly cold; but, disdaining a taxi for so short a +distance, Leroy buttoned up his coat and strode swiftly along towards +his chambers in Jermyn Court, W. As he turned the corner of the square, +he stumbled sharply over the slight figure of a girl, crouched near one +of the doorsteps, and, with his habitual courtesy, he stopped to see if +any harm had been done. + +"Have I hurt you?" he asked gently, placing his hand on her shoulder. + +At his touch the girl started up with a cry of distress; and, as the +shawl fell back from her head, Leroy was almost startled by the vivid +freshness of her beauty. + +"Oh," she exclaimed in terrified accents, "I wasn't doing any harm! I +will move on--I--I was only resting." Then, as she saw the kindly face +looking into hers, she subsided into silence. + +She was quite young, not more than about sixteen, and so slenderly +formed as to appear almost a child. Her features were clear-cut as a +cameo and she had a slightly foreign air. Her eyes were brown, but as +the light of the gas-lamp fell full on her upturned face, they showed so +dark and velvety as almost to appear black, while masses of dark hair +clustered in heavy waves round her forehead. + +Unconsciously Leroy raised his hat as he repeated his question. She +shook her head at him as he bent over her, but made no reply. + +"How is it you are out on such a night as this?" he asked. "Have you no +home? Where do you live?" + +"Cracknell Court, Soho," she replied, in tones singularly free from any +trace of Cockney accent. + +"With your parents?" queried Leroy, feeling for some money. + +"No," said the girl, her red lips quivering for a moment. "Haven't got +any--only Johann and Martha--and _they_ don't care." + +"Who is Johann?" said Leroy, with an encouraging smile. + +"I don't know," she answered listlessly. "He's Johann Wilfer, that's +all." + +"Why have you run away, then?" + +"Johann came home drunk and beat me--so I ran out." + +She pushed back her ragged shawl and held up her arm, on which bruises +showed up cruelly distinct. Leroy uttered an exclamation of anger. + +"You poor child!" he said almost tenderly. "What can I do for you? If I +give you money----" + +"Johann will take it and make me beg for more," she interrupted; and +Leroy withdrew his hand from his pocket, fearing this to be but too +true. + +"Will you go home, if I take you?" he began. + +The girl shook her head, and dragged the old shawl closer round her +shivering body. + +"Not till morning," she said decidedly. "I shall be all right then." + +"But you'll freeze to death here!" + +She laughed harshly. + +"I wish I was dead," she said, with an earnestness that made Leroy's +heart ache, as he thought of her extreme youth and saw the bitter +despair in the great dark eyes. + +He drew himself up sharply as if he had decided on his course of action. + +"I cannot leave you here," he said quietly, "and money is of no use to +you to-night. Will you come with me?" He held out his hand as he spoke, +and, without a word, the girl rose wearily and laid her own cold one in +his. They proceeded thus, in silence, for the length of the square; but +Leroy soon saw that, whether, from cold or from hunger, the girl's steps +were growing feebler and more uncertain. Without further ado, he picked +her up in his arms, wrapping her shawl more warmly round her. + +"We are nearly there," he said reassuringly, "and you are as light as a +feather." + +She lay back, perfectly content, her head pressed against his broad +shoulder, her dark eyes closed trustfully. + +Adrien Leroy hurried on, for the wind cut with the force of a knife; but +his face was very thoughtful as he approached his chambers. + +"What else can I do?" he asked himself. "She is such an innocent child. +Can I take her to my rooms without injury to her poor shred of +reputation? Yet no houses are open at this hour, and I cannot hand her +over to that drunken brute. There's no help for it!" + +It evidently never occurred to him to turn back and deliver her into the +charge of Miss Lester. Indeed, he thought that would have been greater +cruelty than to have left her in the streets. + +Having reached the block of buildings in which were his own rooms, +Adrien walked up the stairs and opened a door on the first floor. In the +hall a light was burning, held by a statuette of white marble; and +Leroy, after gently setting the girl down on her feet, led her into his +study. + +The room in which she found herself was not lofty, but the ceiling was +exquisitely painted, while from the four corners hung electric lights +'neath delicate shades. The furniture was rich in colour, solid as +befitted a man's room, while on the walls were a few rare engravings. A +couple of gun-cases in one corner and a veritable stock of fishing +implements in another showed that Leroy was not unaccustomed to sport; +it was one of his man Norgate's complaints that he was not allowed to +pack them away, but must leave them there, close at hand, just as Leroy +might want them. + +It was not these, however, that held the girl's attention so fixedly, +but the cut Venetian glass on the inlaid cabinets and the gold ornaments +on the carved Florentine mantel. + +"Home at last," he said with a smile; and, opening another door on the +left, he led her unresistingly into a second room. + +But here the girl seemed as if struck dumb with astonishment. She was +evidently overwhelmed by the magnificence and luxury on which her eyes +rested, and Leroy smiled in amusement at her unspoken admiration. + +"Come and warm yourself," he said kindly, drawing one of the divans +nearer to the fire. + +Lightly she trod over the rose carpet, and dropped with a sigh into the +chair. + +"Give me your hands. Don't hold them near the fire yet," he said, and +began to gently chafe the poor blue fingers, for he knew the danger of +too sudden heat. "That is better--they will soon get warm. And now we +will have something to eat." + +He crossed over to the bell; and in a few moments the door opened +noiselessly. + +"Let us have some supper, Norgate," said Leroy; and the dignified +man-servant disappeared as silently as he had entered, while his master +returned to the fire-place, and stood looking down at the girl he had +rescued. + +As yet she had not spoken; but her eyes had been wandering over the many +splendours of the room. Suddenly she lifted them to the handsome face +above her, and said in a low, awe-struck whisper: + +"Is this the king's palace? And are you a prince?" + +Adrien Leroy smiled. + +"By no means," he said. "Ah! here comes something you require, I know," +he added, as the door opened, and Norgate entered, bearing a large +silver tray. + +Having set the chairs to table, and placed the wine and glasses at hand, +the man announced respectfully that supper was served. His master +dismissed him, guessing that the girl would be less embarrassed if alone +with him; and Norgate retired with a face as expressionless as if the +entertaining of "street waifs"--as he mentally termed the young +visitor--were of nightly occurrence. + +Adrien placed a plate of cold chicken on a low table beside her. + +"You are warm there," he said, as he poured her out a glass of wine. + +The girl looked up into his face with a mute, questioning glance; then, +taking courage from the kindly eyes, she picked up her knife and fork +with long, thin, but well-shaped hands. + +Leroy turned to the table, and by dint of helping himself from various +dishes, under a pretence of making a hearty meal, he gave her +confidence; and presently he saw that she had commenced to eat. Adrien +rose from time to time, and waited on her with a delicacy and tenderness +with which few of his friends would have credited him; till, with a sigh +of content, she laid down the knife and fork. + +"Are you better now?" he asked as he took her plate. + +She looked up at him in speechless adoration, and her eyes filled with +tears. + +"How good you are to me," she said. "I never dreamt there could be such +a beautiful place as this. Do you often bring people in out of the +cold?" + +His face became grave. + +"No," he said evasively--"not as often as I should, I'm afraid. And now, +suppose you tell me your name." + +"Jessica," she replied simply. + +"And have you no relatives--no friends to help you?" he continued. + +She shook her head sadly. + +"Only Martha and Johann," was the hopeless reply. + +"You poor child! And what does friend Johann do for a living?" + +Again she shook her head. + +"I don't know. He gets drunk." + +"An overfilled profession that," said Leroy, with a sigh. "And now, what +are we to do with you, little Jessica?" + +She looked up with frightened eyes. + +"Oh," she cried breathlessly, "are you going to turn me out into the +cold again? Must I go? Oh, I knew it was too good to last!" + +In her terror she had started up; but Leroy put her back gently into the +chair. + +"No, little one, we won't turn you out to-night," he promised. +"To-morrow, we will see what can be done to make your road softer in +future." + +She did not understand half his words; but as with an almost womanly +tenderness he placed a silken cushion beneath her head, she nestled +down, smiling into his eyes with the gratitude of a child that neither +questions nor doubts. To her he appeared like a being from another +world--a world or which she had scarcely dared to dream, and her eyes +were eloquent. + +Adrien Leroy stood for a little while watching her, till her gentle +breathing showed him she had fallen asleep. + +"A beautiful child," he said under his breath. "She will be a still more +beautiful woman." He sighed. "Poor little thing! Rich and poor, young +and old, how soon the world's poison reaches us!" Then, throwing a +tiger-skin over the slender body, he turned out the lights and left the +room. Summoning Norgate, he gave instructions that his nocturnal visitor +should not be disturbed in the morning by the housekeeper, but should be +allowed to sleep on. Then he made his way to his own room, not long +before the dawn broke. + +He had befriended this young human thing as he would have rescued a +wounded bird, and with as little thought for the consequences; yet the +day was to come when he should look back on this action as one inspired, +in very truth, by his guardian angel. + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + +The sun had risen cold and bright when Adrien Leroy awoke, and his first +question was for the child, Jessica. But here a surprise awaited him, +for the bird had flown. Norgate and the housekeeper had found the room +tenantless. For some inexplicable reasons of her own she must have +stolen noiselessly out while the other occupants of the flat were still +sleeping. + +Adrien made no comment, but proceeded to undergo the labours of the +toilet. A cold bath is an excellent tonic; and when Leroy entered the +dining-room his calm face bore no traces of his comparatively sleepless +night. He sat down to breakfast, waited on by the attentive Norgate, and +turned over the heap of letters which lay beside his plate. During his +leisured meal he opened them. They were principally invitations, though +a few of them were bills--big sums, many of them, for horses, +dinner-parties, supper-parties, jewellery, flowers--all the +hundred-and-one trifles which were as necessary to a man in his position +as light and air. + +With a gesture of weariness, he pushed the pile from him, and throwing +them carelessly into the drawer of a buhl cabinet, left them until such +time as Jasper Vermont could attend to them. + +"Where do I dine to-night?" he asked presently. + +"At the Marquis of Heathcotes', sir--at eight," replied Norgate, who +knew his master's engagements better than did the young man himself. + +Leroy nodded absently. + +"Order the new motor for four o'clock. I want to see how it goes." + +"Yes, sir." The confidential servant coughed and looked slightly +embarrassed. "I may mention, sir, that Perrier has sent in his account +for the costumes made for the Fancy Dress Carnival at Prince's." + +"Refer him to Mr. Vermont," was the calm reply. "I have sir, several +times, but he wants to see you personally. It's a matter of +discount----" + +"Send him to Mr. Vermont. I know nothing of his bill or his discount. +Surely you know that, Norgate," Leroy interrupted impatiently. + +The discreet Norgate retreated silently; and ten minutes later Leroy +started for his morning canter in the Row. Here, meeting and chatting +with his numerous friends, the morning passed quickly enough; and when +Leroy returned to his chambers again, Norgate was putting the finishing +touches to the table already set for lunch. + +"Covers for four?" said his master, as he entered the room. "Who is +coming?" + +"Mr. Shelton, Lord Standon, and Mr. Paxhorn, sir." + +"Ah, yes, to be sure," replied the host, who had completely forgotten +the invitation. "I thought it was for to-morrow." + +The loud hoot of a motor outside told him that his visitors were +arriving; and in another moment the door was flung open, and Mortimer +Shelton, followed by Lord Standon, entered the room. + +"Well, Leroy, old man," exclaimed the former cheerily, as they shook +hands, "you look as fresh as if you had awoke with the dawn!" + +"Nothing new in that," said Lord Standon, laughing. "Nothing upsets +Leroy." + +"Except a bad dinner," murmured Algernon Paxhorn, the fourth member of +the party, who had just entered the room. He was the latest literary +lion, and a fast friend--in more senses than one--of Adrien and the +members of his set. + +With jest and laughter they took their places at the table. + +"Well, how's the steeplechase going?" asked Leroy, turning to Shelton. +"What do you think of my 'King Cole'? Does he stand a chance?" + +"A chance!" echoed all three. + +"The odds are four to one on him, and few takers," announced Shelton. + +Lord Standon set down his glass. + +"Ah, that was yesterday," he said. "I was there later, and the odds were +being lifted. You can lay what you like on him, my dear fellow, and you +will have no difficulty in finding takers." + +"Oh!" commented Adrien, almost listlessly. "Something better in the +field, I suppose? I thought the roan was not to be touched." + +"And I, also," said Mortimer Shelton; "I can't understand it! The only +new entry was a weedy chestnut, listed by a Yorkshireman in the +afternoon. 'Holdfast' they call him." + +"He'll require more hustling than holding," returned Paxhorn +sarcastically. + +Lord Standon finished his wine. + +"I'll back the roan while there's a penny to borrow," he said with +sublime confidence. "There's nothing can touch him." + +"That's what Jasper said," remarked Leroy, "and he ought to know." + +"Oh, yes, he's a good judge of a horse," grudgingly admitted Shelton, +who frankly hated him; "and of men too--when it pays him." + +Leroy's face darkened slightly. Vermont was his friend, and he resented +a word spoken against him far more than he would have done one against +himself. + +"You misjudge him, Shelton," he said briefly. + +"Possibly," retorted the other, unabashed. "What you find so fascinating +in him I can't imagine. Still, my dear fellow, setting Vermont aside, +there can be no two opinions respecting your chef. Sarteri is a +possession I positively envy you. There is not another chef in England +that understands entrees as he does." + +"None," echoed Lord Standon. "Leroy will be famous for one thing, at +least, if it's only for his cook." + +The meal came to an end, and the table was cleared by the silent +Norgate. Cards were produced, and the four were soon deep in the +intricacies of bridge. They played high and recklessly; and after little +more than an hour, Shelton and Leroy had lost over five hundred pounds. + +"A close run, eh, Shelton?" laughed Leroy as he took the notes from an +open drawer. "Had they played the knave we should have won. Time for +another round?" + +"Not I," replied his friend, with a regretful shake of his head. "I'm +due at Lady Martingdale's." + +"Picture galleries again?" laughed Standon, who knew that lady's +weaknesses. + +"Yes," Shelton confessed, "and with Miss Martingdale too." + +The others laughed significantly. + +"Say no more, Mortimer," begged Lord Standon, with mock grief. "Your +days are numbered. Already I see myself enacting the part of chief +mourner--I should say, best man--if you will allow me." + +Shelton rose, laughing good-humouredly. + +"Thanks, I'll remember--when it comes to that!" + +"You're incorrigible, Stan," said Leroy, as his guests were taking their +leave. "You'd better settle down yourself first, and leave Shelton +alone." + +When they had all gone, the host stood looking at the empty chairs. They +seemed, as it were, typical of the weary, empty hours of his life, and +for the first time a wholesome distaste of it all swept over him. Day +in, day out, an everlasting whirl--wherein he and his companions turned +night into day and spent their lives in a hollow round of gaiety, in +which scandal, cards, women and wine were chief features. And, at the +end! What would be the end? + +Then he shook himself from his unaccustomed reverie; Adrien Leroy, the +popular idol of fashionable society, was not given long to +introspection. + +"What next?" he asked himself. + +It was Norgate who answered the unspoken query, by announcing that the +motor was at the door. + +As Adrien descended the stairs, Jasper Vermont entered the hall below +him. + +"Ah, just in time!" he said with his amicable smile. "You're off to the +Park, I suppose?" + +"I don't know yet," returned Adrien evasively. "What do you think of the +motor?" + +"Worthy even of Adrien Leroy," replied Jasper, with the faintest +suspicion of a sneer, which, however, passed unperceived by his friend. +"By the way," he continued, as they walked to the door together, "I have +just left Ada in tears, poor girl; repentance followed closely on +repletion. She vows solemnly to refrain from onions and patchouli for +the future, and begs for the return of your favour." + +Leroy smiled gravely at his companion's flippant tones. + +"You make an eloquent advocate; but there's little need for pity in her +case; her tastes are natural to her class. I was to blame for not +realising it before; but she'll be well set up for the future," he said, +and forthwith dismissed the subject from his mind. "But Jasper, what of +this chestnut entered the steeplechase?" + +Vermont's dark, restless eyes dropped for a moment; then he said +lightly: + +"Do you mean that Yorkshire screw? Oh, he is all right! Can't run the +course, I should say, let alone the last rise. Nothing can touch the +roan. If I weren't a beggar, I'd cover 'King Cole's' back with guineas." + +"Do it for me," said Leroy carelessly, as he settled into the waiting +Daimler, which was his latest purchase. + +"What, another thousand?" asked Jasper almost eagerly. + +"Two, if you like," said his friend, as the chauffeur started the car, +and with a smile to Vermont he took his departure. + +Vermont stood looking after him, his gaze almost still in its fixity; +then he turned and passed up the stairs. In the dining-room he found +Norgate, clearing away the cards and glasses, in no very amiable humour. + +"Has there been a luncheon party?" queried Mr. Vermont. + +"Yes, sir," answered Norgate aggrievedly; "Mr. Shelton, Lord Standon and +Mr. Paxhorn." + +"And bridge?" murmured Mr. Vermont inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir; and from what I heard, I believe Mr. Leroy lost." + +"Ah," commented the other softly, "I fear Mr. Leroy always does lose, +doesn't he?" + +"He's made me lose my time to-day with his fads and fancies," grumbled +Norgate, removing the folding card-table; "what with bringing in street +wenches at one o'clock in the morning; and they mustn't be disturbed, if +you please." + +Jasper Vermont was instantly on the alert. He was not above encouraging +a servant to gossip, and, although Norgate was not given to err in this +direction as a rule, upon the present occasion his grievance got the +better of him, and Vermont was soon in possession of such slight facts +as could be gleaned. + + + + + CHAPTER V + + +Johann Wilfer, Jessica's adopted father, was German by birth, and the +son of an innkeeper in one of the tiny villages on the banks of the +Rhine. In his youth he had studied as an art-student at Munich; but, +finally, by his idle and dissolute behaviour, so angered the authorities +that he had been compelled to return home. Tiring of the rural life +there, he finally obtained from his parents sufficient money to come to +London to try his fortune. + +Here he soon obtained some work from the smaller art dealers, which +enabled him to live in comparative comfort, and had it not been for his +unreliability and his love of drink he might have seen to be a good +artist. + +Wilfer was a handsome young fellow in those days, and while on one of +his wandering tours in Kent he met and won the heart of a simple little +country girl, named Lucy Goodwin. Lucy believed her lover to be +everything that was good, and, trusted him even to the extent of her +betrayal; so that, under some pretence, young Wilfer was able to entice +the girl to Canterbury, where, a few weeks later, he deserted her. + +She was the only daughter of a widower, a clerk in the employ of a +country bank, who, broken-hearted at his daughter's ruin, threw up his +situation, changed his name to that of George Harker, and fled to London +with his beloved child. Here he found it extremely difficult to obtain +work. His savings soon evaporated, and alas! further trouble was in +store for him; for one afternoon a smooth-faced gentleman appeared at +their quiet lodgings. This was none other than Jasper Vermont, who in a +long private interview with the unhappy Harker informed him that he had +heard of Lucy's escapade, and threatened to proclaim her shame, if Mr. +Harker failed to comply with a proposition he was about to make to him. +The business which he suggested was one entirely abhorrent to the +ex-bank clerk; but with money running short, and the thought of his +daughter's misery should her secret be revealed, what could the father +do but submit? + +The result of this interview was that, a month or two later, a new +moneylending firm sprang up in a narrow street in the city, under the +title of Harker's Ltd., and none of the numerous clients who patronised +it ever recognised that the manager, Mr. Harker, was speaking the +literal truth when he repeatedly asserted his own impotence in the +business. Every one believed the story to be a fictitious one, invented +to assist him in his extortions. + +Time passed on, and Lucy's pretty face and modest ways, perhaps her very +sadness, which clung to her in never-ending remorse, caught the heart of +a simple-minded man, one John Ashford. He was a flourishing grocer in a +village on the banks of the Thames, and was then staying in London on a +visit. After a hard struggle with herself the poor girl returned his +love, and ventured to become his wife. + +Wilfer, from inquiries made by Mr. Harker, was supposed to be dead. +None, she thought, knew her secret except her father, for Lucy believed +that Vermont had employed Mr. Harker out of friendship and sympathy, and +did not know until long after her marriage that she, and therefore her +husband, were in his power. So she ventured to grasp the happiness held +out to her, thus strengthening the chain which bound her father and +herself in slavery to Jasper Vermont's will. For if they feared +disclosure before, how much more did they dread it now, when Lucy was +married to a man who prided himself upon his good name and untarnished +respectability! + +Johann Wilfer, however, was not dead, nor had he left London. He had +become a member of a gang of ingenious rascals, who lived by imitating +the less known gems of the old masters, and palming them off on the +credulous public and wealthy collectors as genuine. The impostures were +very cleverly manipulated, and quite a little system was instituted to +bring them to perfection. Mr. Wilfer's part of the undertaking was +"toning"; that is, bringing to the imitations the necessary mistiness +and discoloration supposed to be produced by age. + +He did very well at this business; so well, indeed, that he took a house +in Cracknell Court, Soho, and if he could have restrained himself from +the drinking of beer and spirits he would have been in comfortable +circumstances. + +This perpetual intoxication eventually made its mark upon Mr. Wilfer's +countenance, and contorted his face into a caricature--with its mottled +skin and bleary eyes--of the good looks which had won Lucy Goodwin's +heart in former times. His language had also degenerated as well as his +looks. All trace of German accent had been carefully obliterated, in +order that no suspicion should be aroused when selling a faked picture. +He played the part of a Cockney so frequently and so well that that +particular accent seemed, as it were, to be his mother-tongue. + +As the years went by even the gang became tired of his habitual +intoxication, and only occasionally gave him employment, so that he +turned his attention to scenery painting for the stage. In this way, +when engaged at the Rockingham Theatre, he met Martha Feltham, Ada +Lester's dresser, and by means of boasting of his wealth finally +persuaded her to marry him. It was in this manner that Jessica had first +come under his sway. + +When Ada found that her sister would never recover from the mental shock +inflicted by Jasper Vermont when he told her that their marriage was +illegal, she had made arrangements to get the child out of the house. +Naturally the little girl was an eyesore and an encumbrance to her; +especially as Julia--blissfully ignorant that she herself was the +mother--was always worrying her sister as to the reason of Jessica's +presence. Accordingly, when Ada, by reason of her improved position and +higher salary, moved away from the Bloomsbury lodgings into a house of +her own, she gave the child over to the care of her dresser, Martha, now +Mrs. Wilfer, and had always paid regularly for her board and keep. + +Mr. Wilfer did not object to this addition to his income, though he +still worked occasionally for the picture gang; and it was on one of +their jobs that he came within reach of Jasper Vermont. + +One day he had been sent to play the usual proceedings to Mr. George +Harker, presuming, naturally enough, that being a moneylender he was +rich, and hearing that he had a liking for "old masters." + +Johann Wilfer saw Mr. Harker, and notwithstanding the changes which time +brings to us all, and the entire transformation of name and +surroundings, recognised him as the father of the girl whom he had once +so cruelly deceived. + +The old man never having heard the name of Lucy's betrayer--for she had +purposely kept it from him--knew nothing of his visitor, and eventually +purchased the picture, after consulting with Jasper, who discovered the +imposition at a glance, but saw in the impostor a possible new tool. + +He instructed Harker to obtain a written guarantee of the genuineness of +the picture, and Wilfer, being half intoxicated at the time, for once +forgot his usual caution, and gave the required pledge. With that in his +possession, Jasper Vermont had Wilfer in his power, and only left him +undisturbed because he saw no present opportunity of using him. + +But when he wanted him he knew that he had only to exert the authority +which the warrant gave him, and Johann Wilfer would be his obedient +servant, as many better men were already. + +The picture he intended--through Mr. Harker--to compel one of the firm's +wealthy clients to take as part of a loan, a well-known trick of the +worst class of moneylenders. + +Quite unconscious of the sword that hung over him, Mr. Wilfer, after a +bout of hard drinking, went home, and it was in his drunken frenzy that +he had struck Jessica. She, bruised and frightened, fled into the +streets, where Adrien Leroy found her. + +Left to himself--for his wife was away for a day or two--Mr. Wilfer fell +into a deep slumber, in which he remained for the rest of the evening. + +Early for him, on the following morning he was roused by a loud knocking +at his front door. Now thoroughly sobered, he hurriedly dressed, +stumbled down the rickety staircase, and opened the door, to himself +confronted by Miss Ada Lester. Her face was flushed, and the angry light +Jasper Vermont had called up by his sneers at her vulgarity the previous +evening still shone in her dark eyes. + +"Where is the gal?" she asked abruptly. + +"The gal!" he repeated, staring at her in stolid amazement. + +"Yes--Jessica!" retorted Miss Lester, her jewels flashing in a chance +ray of sunlight which had found its way through the dingy court. "Where +is she?" + +"She is not at home," said Mr. Wilfer. "She and Martha 'ave gone out for +the day to Greenwich. If you'd wrote a-sayin' you was goin' to call I'd +have made 'em stay till you came." + +Miss Lester looked at him keenly. + +"If you don't believe me," said Wilfer, "go upstairs and look at her +room." + +Ada ran past him up the stairs, and quickly returned. + +"It's locked," she said. + +"Of course; she's quite the lady--keeps the keys 'erself," sneered +Johann. "Look 'ere, 'ere's her hat and coat; there's one of 'er boots, +so she must be comin' back afore long." + +Miss Lester appeared convinced. She breathed more freely, as if a weight +had been taken off her mind. + +"Here," she said, putting some gold coins in his hand, "is something to +make up for my troubling you. But I was real anxious to know if +everything was right with the gal." + +Wilfer--debauched and demoralised by drink--was disposed to look at the +worst side of things; and from this point of view thought she meant the +reverse of what she said. + +"Would you be very much cut up," he said slyly, "if she wasn't able to +trouble you any more or answer awkward questions, miss?" + +She turned on him with a fierceness that made him recoil. + +"If anything happens to that gal," she shouted, "I'll turn the police on +you. For, mind my words--I mean them--I shouldn't have cared yesterday +very much if I had learnt she was dead, but now I want her. Do you hear? +I want her, and you take care she's alive and ready when I come for +her." + +Then, without vouchsafing any further information, she flounced away, +leaving Mr. Wilfer staring blankly after her, and wishing for once that +he had stayed his hand, instead of driving the girl into the miseries +and dangers of the streets. + +Little did Wilfer or Miss Lester imagine that Jessica had found safety +and refuge in Adrien Leroy's chambers. + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + +Love is the universal epidemic, effectual in all climes and conditions; +there is no inoculation that will secure exemption from its influence; +only given a warm human heart, and there is the natural susceptibility. + +So it is from high to low. The little blind god takes no count of +difference in fortune or rank in life. Dynasties fall, thrones totter to +the ground, crowns tumble to dust on kingly heads; but love rules and +lives on, immortal, triumphant, unconquerable. + +Jessica had never heard of Romeo and Juliet, of Faust and Marguerite, or +King Cophetua and the beggar maid. All she knew was that she loved, was +conscious only that for a kind word from the lips of the man who had +befriended her, for a glance from those dark eyes; she would gladly have +given up all the other glories the world could have put before her. + +Poor Jessica, how sweet and yet how bitter had been the awakening in +that gilded cabinet. How sweet to find herself there in reality, and not +only in a dream; how bitter to know that she had no right there and that +she must go! + +That splendid golden room, with, all the wonderful undreamt-of things, +was not for her. She looked down at her wet, dirt-stained dress, at her +worn, ragged shoes, at her cold, red hands, and shuddered. She had no +right there. Should she take advantage of his goodness to remain and +sully the beauty of his palace--for to her it seemed little less--by her +unworthy presence? No, woman-child as she was, she shrank from the +thought; then caught up her hat and arose, resolute. + +"He will think me ungrateful," she murmured with half-closed eyes. "He +will think--no matter, he will forget me before half an hour. I will go +back to Johann and chance the beating. This is no place for one like +me." + +With a little graceful gesture she bent over the mantel and pressed her +lips to the spot where Adrien had rested his arm; then with noiseless +steps she stole from the room. + +The sun was breaking through the morning mist, but she shivered as its +warm rays touched her, and with a weary sigh turned towards Soho. + +It was all over, the little patch of fairy-light in the dreary darkness +of her existence, and as she reminded herself of this fact she shuddered +again. + +Looking back, she remembered but little beyond the days she had passed +with Johann and his shrewish wife. This strange adventure had been the +first ray of sunshine in her poor existence. No wonder that she was +unhappy at parting with it. + +Suddenly as she passed into Oxford Street she stopped, struck with an +idea that sent her blood flowing into her pale cheek, flushing it into +living beauty. Her large eyes grew thoughtful and full of a strange +light. + +"Why should I go back to Johann?" she murmured. "Can't I follow him--the +kind gentleman? Can't I be his servant?" + +The answer came quick enough from her inner consciousness. No, she must +go back. Of what service could she be to such a man as Adrien? There was +nothing for it but to return to Cracknell Court. So, wearily, but still +with that grace which Southern blood bestows, even though it runs in the +veins of a gipsy, or such a street waif as Jessica, she walked on and +reached Johann Wilfer's house. + +Jessica knew that the man was not her father, but she knew little more +than that. She had never asked him or Martha for any information about +her parentage--indeed, had scarcely wished for any; it was enough for +her than Johann gave her sufficient bread to keep life within her. + +That gentleman was, at the moment of her arrival, absent, engaged on +business concerning the sale of the faked picture to Mr. Harker, and +Martha was still away; so Jessica, pausing at the door of the +living-room to ascertain that it was empty, softly ascended the stairs +leading to the garret which served as her special apartment. + +It was as small and as squalid as all the other rooms in that crowded +court; but it was different from them in one respect--it was clean. + +A miserable chair bedstead of the cheapest kind, covered with a +threadbare quilt; a chair with the back broken off; a washstand on three +legs, and a triangular piece of silvered glass, the remains of a cheap +mirror, composed the furniture. + +This peculiarly-shaped piece of common glass reflected the girl's +beautiful face in all manner of distorted forms. The quilt just kept her +from perishing with the cold. But yet the mirror, the bed, and the room +itself were precious to her, for they were her own. Beyond its sacred +threshold Johann or Martha never passed. She had a key to it; and to +enter now she unlocked the door. + +After the luxury of Adrien's rooms the mean quality of her own apartment +struck the girl more forcibly than usual, and sinking upon the bed, she +covered her face with her hands and gave way to a flood of tears. But +the weakness did not last long; and after a moment of two, with a sudden +gesture, almost Italian in its intensity, she flung back her head and +rose from her crouching position. + +"I will not think of the beautiful place. I will not think of him, she +told herself passionately. + +"But oh! will he be sorry that I ran away, or will he laugh, and ask +that proud servant to see that I haven't stolen anything?" + +She shook her head mournfully at her own distorted reflection in the +cracked mirror, then she sighed and went downstairs. + +Johann had returned, wonderful to relate, still fairly sober; but this +was probably due to the necessity of maintaining at least the appearance +of sobriety in his transaction on behalf of the gang concerning the sale +of the picture. + +He was counting the coins on the table, some of them gold--for Jessica's +quick eyes caught the shimmer of it--and he looked up half fiercely, +half contemptuously as the girl entered. + +"Well, where have been? You're like a cat or a policeman--never to +be found when you're wanted. There was a fine lady came to see you this +morning--a real swell, my girl." He laughed coarsely. "But of course, +you were out of the way. Where had you got to?" + +"Anywhere, nowhere," replied Jessica, who did not fear him when he was +sober, though she hated him always. + +"Ah, that's the style! The swell lady ought to have heard you talk like +that. She'd say I was bringing you up well. Come here and let's have a +look at you." + +Jessica did not move, but stared at him steadily. + +"What! You won't come?" he said with a grin. "Well, there's something +for your obstinacy, you little mule!" + +He flung a half-crown across to her, and Jessica took it up, then looked +him questioningly in the face. + +"You're thinking I'm mighty generous, eh? So I am, my girl--foolishly +generous." He laughed mockingly, "Well, what do you say if all the lot's +for you, eh?" + +"All for me!" repeated the girl, stopping short in her task of making +the mantelshelf neat; "all for me!" + +"Yes, when you get it, little cat! All for you, indeed! No! it's for me; +and I've a good mind to take the half-crown back. A fool and his money's +soon parted; but he's more idiotic to part with other people's. I'm +going out. I shall want some grub when I get back--'arf a pound of +steak, an' a pot of porter, an' don't forget the gin. Mind you remember +now, or I'll break every bone in your body." With which forcible +admonition the man shuffled out. + +After a few hours he returned, not blindly drunk, but spiteful, +ill-tempered, and stupidly brutal. + + +About the same time on that day Adrien Leroy was making his way in the +new car through the crowded thoroughfare of Oxford Street. + +"Soho? Yus, sir. Crack'ell Court, fust turnin' on the left. I'll show +yer, sir," piped the ragged urchin, whose heartfelt interest Leroy had +purchased, along with his query, by means of a shilling. + +Cracknell Court was small, evil-smelling, and teeming with children. +Bidding the chauffeur wait at the entrance to the court, Adrien, to whom +dust, noises, and evil smells were things of absolute pain, entered one +of the dens and asked for Mr. Wilfer. + +"There he is," said another urchin; and Leroy turned to face that +individual, who was leaning against an open door. + +"Am I speaking to Mr. Johann Wilfer?" he asked courteously. + +"You are," returned Wilfer, taking the begrimed pipe from his mouth, and +staring with bloodshot eyes at the handsome, high-bred face before him. + +"Can you tell me if a young girl named Jessica returned to you safely +this morning?" Leroy enquired. + +"My niece, Jess, d'ye mean?" replied Wilfer, eyeing him suspiciously. +"Ain't seen 'er fer months; run away last June, after 'elping 'erself to +some of my cash, an' ain't been back since. 'Sides, what's it got to do +with you, Guv'nor, I'd like to know? You mind yer own bus'ness." + +He leered drunkenly at Leroy, who turned away with a look of disgust. He +knew how useless it was to expect truth from such a quarter. + +As the gentleman stepped out into the dirty court and returned to his +car Johann Wilfer blinked his eyes in relief; then with an oath he +stumbled up the rickety stairs into the living-room, and confronted +Jessica, who was standing near the window. + +"So that's yer little game, is it?" he said with a sneer; "you're goin' +in for swells right away, are yer, my gal? Got your name as pat as a +poll-parrot. Knows all my private business, I dessay; I'll break every +bone in yer body!" + +He stumbled towards her where she stood--her face still transfigured +with joy at the sound of her benefactor's voice--and made a sudden grab +at her hair. But, alert and lithe as a leopardess, she bounded over the +table, and slipped past him down the staircase, from the top of which he +launched forth a long volley of curses. + +Quivering and shaking, both with fear of Wilfer's violence and her sense +of injury at his denial of her presence to Leroy, Jessica ran, as fast +as her frail body would permit her, through the intricate smaller +streets and passages which abound in the Soho district. Having gone far +enough, in her opinion, to be fairly safe from any danger of Wilfer's +pursuit, she stopped to consider whether she should endeavour to find +Leroy. + +"After all," she thought, "perhaps it is best as it is. He would give +me money, or perhaps a few kind words, and only make me long for him +more. Let him go, believing Johann's falsehoods." + +As she walked wearily along dim remembrances of earlier days thronged +her brain; of two women--one whom she knew she had called Auntie--and +who had treated her kindly enough, before Johann had got her into his +power. Mingled with these thoughts came those of the man who had +befriended her and even sought her out this day. When she remembered how +he had rescued her from cold, hunger, and the dangers of the streets her +eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Yet, though knowing how quickly he +would aid her were she but to return to the beautiful room from which +she had fled that very morning, she could not bring herself to seek his +charity or ask his pity. She realised well enough that one such as she +could never hope to win a look of love from him; but like the moth that +hovers round the flame which brings it danger she nevertheless +determined to see him again. + +With this object in view she slowly wended her way to Jermyn Court, +wherein was the room in which she had supped and slept so delightfully. +Afterwards she thought she would try to gain some work that would at +least secure food and lodging, however poor, where she could be safe +from the cruelty of Wilfer; surely in all London there was something she +could do. + +When darkness came, worn out by watching and waiting in vain for Adrien, +she again found herself without a home and without shelter; so, +crouching on a doorstep, as she had done the previous evening, overcome +with fatigue, she fell asleep. + +In the course of the night a dark-robed woman, passing on the usual +round of duty assigned to her, stopped and looked at her. She was one of +the band of Good Samaritan Sisters of Mercy established in some of our +London suburbs, who seek out the helpless and downtrodden in the race of +life--with healing in their hands and pity in their hearts--striving to +raise them up from their hopeless position to something better. She +stopped, bent down, and, drawing her veil aside, looked closely at the +motionless face. Then she sighed and turned her head away. + +"So beautiful! So young! Can it be possible? Sister, sister!" + +Jessica awoke at the gentle touch, and sprang to her feet. + +"Johann! Don't strike me," she exclaimed, with her eyes half closed. +"I----" + +"My poor girl, no one shall beat you. Will you come with me?" + +"With you?" repeated Jessica, now fully awake, but still eyeing the +Sister with some suspicion. "Where? Not far?" + +"No, not far. But why do you say that? Is there any one you particularly +wish to be near?" + +"No," replied Jessica, adding to herself, as the sister of Mercy took +her hand, "but she shall not take me far away from him." + +"A roof of thatch is better than that of heaven," is an old Spanish +proverb, and means, doubtless, that the poorest accommodation is better +than none, or that which the streets provide. Jessica, clinging to the +Sister of Mercy's succouring hand, was gently led from the silence of +the streets to the still greater silence of an attic in a quiet byway. + +Here, seated by the remains of a small fire in a narrow grate, she +watched with awkward interest, that was much like indifference, the +efforts of her rescuer to revive the dying embers. Soup was warmed for +her, but for a time she refused to take it. + +"I am not hungry," she said. "Only tired--so tired! Why did you wake me, +lady?" + +"I awoke you because you were unhappy, and it was dangerous for one so +young as you to lie asleep in the streets," replied the meek-eyed woman. +"But you must not call me 'lady'; I am not a lady. Call me 'Sister.'" + +"But you are not my sister," said Jessica petulantly. "I haven't any +sister or brother, or father or mother." + +"Poor thing!" said the woman, who by this time had made up a bed, plain +enough it is true, but luxurious after the cold doorsteps, and she now +helped Jessica to undress. "Poor thing, you are quite cold; and what are +all these bruises? Ah! why will men be so cruel, when Heaven is so +kind?" + +"I don't know," said Jessica, who took the question as directed to +herself. "I don't know anything. Besides, all men ain't cruel. _He_ +wasn't; he was kind--oh, so kind!" + +"He--whom?" said the Sister. Then, as the girl did not reply, she looked +hard at her and sighed again. + +"Now you will sleep," she said, "Will you kiss me?" + +With the impulsiveness of girlhood Jessica threw her arms round the +linen-banded neck and kissed the Sister's pale face." + +"Good-night," she said. + +The Sister smoothed the coarse pillow, covered her up, and went softly +from the room. + +When Jessica awoke the woman was again beside her with a cup of tea, and +some bread-and-butter. But the girl refused to eat. + +"I am not hungry. I am not tired now, either, and I will go." + +The Sister put her hand on the girl's arm. "Not yet," she said. "Where +have you to go?" + +"Nowhere," Jessica answered listlessly. + +"Then stay with me," said the woman kindly. "See"--she brought a basket +to the bedside--"here's some work. I will teach you to do this, and we +will live together. Will you not stay?" + +Jessica looked at the work, and silently nodded acquiescence. But +nevertheless she sighed. To a nature such as hers freedom was life +itself, and she was bartering it away for mere food. Besides, how could +she now follow the one who had been so kind to her? + +But she stayed, and patiently worked all day, striving earnestly to +catch the knack of the needle, and emulating the tireless industry of +the Sister, who worked thus during daylight that she might pursue her +mission of mercy and succour at night. Thus passed some days, and then +Jessica's blood grew restless; the narrow room seemed to her stifling +and unendurable, and she pined for the open air, as a caged blackbird +longs for its native woods. + +The longing grew so irresistible that at last she succumbed to it; and +one day, finding herself alone, she threw down the piece of work on +which she was employed, and rising, snatched up her weather-stained hat. + +"I can't stay," she sobbed; "I can't breathe here! I must go, or I shall +die. I'll leave before she comes back. Oh! I wish she had not been so +kind to me. I feel a worthless, miserable, ungrateful creature!" + +Then she stole down the stairs, very much as she had slipped away from +Adrien's residence, and gained the streets anew. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + +It was the night of the great ball at Lady Merivale's town house. A Blue +Hungarian Band was playing dreamily the waltz of the season, to the +accompaniment of light laughter and gaily tripping feet. The scent of +roses filled the air. Masses of their great pink blooms lurked in every +small nook and corner; while in the centre of the room, half-hidden by +them, a fountain sent its silver spray into the heated air. + +If wealth and luxury alone could bring happiness, then surely Eveline +Merivale should have been the most envied woman in the world. A renowned +beauty, a leader of fashion, with every wish and ambition +gratified--save the one which, at present, the chief object of her +life--to enslave and retain, as her exclusive property, Adrien Leroy. + +Her husband, the Earl of Merivale, she regarded as a necessary +encumbrance, inevitable to the possession of the famous Merivale +diamonds. His hobby was farming, and he detested Society; though quite +content that his wife should be made queen so long as he was left in +peace with his shorthorns. + +Certainly Eveline Merivale was not in love with her husband; but, on the +other hand, neither was she in love with Adrien Leroy. It simply added a +zest to her otherwise monotonous round of amusements to imagine that she +was; and it pleased her vanity to correspond in cypher, through the +medium of the Morning Post, though every member of her set might have +read the flippant messages if put in an open letter. There was a spice +of intrigue, too, in the way in which she planned meetings at their +mutual friends' houses, or beneath the trees of Brierly Park, or at +Richmond. + +Not for worlds would her ladyship have risked a scandal. She prized her +position, and loved her diamonds far better than she was ever likely to +love any human being under the sun. Still, it was the fashion to have +one special favourite; and it was a great thing to have conquered the +handsome and popular Adrien Leroy. It was little wonder, therefore, +that, when midnight had struck and still Leroy was absent from her side, +Eveline Merivale beneath the calm conventional smile, was secretly +anxious and inclined to be angry. + +She was looking her best to-night; and although she had already been +surfeited with compliments from duke to subaltern, she yet longed to +hear one other voice praise her appearance. There was, indeed, every +reason why Lady Merivale should be lauded as the greatest beauty of her +time, for she carried all before her by the sheer force of her +personality. Dazzlingly fair, with hair of a bronze Titian hue, which +clustered in great waves about her forehead; her eyes of a deep, +lustrous blue, shading almost to violet. To-night she would have borne +off the palm of beauty from any Court in the world, for her dress was a +creation of Paquin, and enhanced to perfection her delicate colouring, +which needed no artificial aids. + +Diamonds glistened round her perfect throat, upon her head rested a +magnificent tiara of the same stones, her hands flashed as if touched +with living fire. She might have stood as a figure of Undine--as +beautiful and as soulless. + +All around her the little band of courtiers thronged ever-changing, and +passing on to the ball-room as others eagerly took their place. +Half-past twelve struck, and she grew more impatient; the blue eyes +sparkled frostily, the red lips became more tightly set. + +"Lady Merivale looks riled," Mortimer Shelton said to his partner as +they passed her. "You can see that by the sweetness of the smile with +which she has just favoured Hadley. She wishes him anywhere--I know. +Funny thing about you ladies! the madder you are with one poor +dev--fellow, the sweeter and deadlier you are to the rest of us." + +His partner laughed; she was a bright little brunette, flushed with the +dance, and thoroughly happy. + +"Why should we wear our hearts upon our sleeves for cynics such as you +to peck at?" she replied. "The art of dissembling is one of our few +privileges. But do you think the Countess is angry? She is so +beautiful." + +"Marvellous!" exclaimed the cynic, raising his eyebrows. "Dear Lady +Chetwold, is it possible that I hear one beautiful woman praise +another's looks?" + +The little lady flushed. + +"It would be a greater marvel still if you men gave us credit for just a +_little_ generosity. But, tell me Mr. Shelton, where is Adrien Leroy?" + +"My dear lady," said Shelton, with a wicked twinkle in his eyes, "if I +knew that Lady Merivale would be down on me like the proverbial load of +bricks. He was to have been here; but his movements are as uncertain as +her ladyship's smiles. See, she has fairly extinguished poor +Hadley--drowned in sweetness!" + +"You are a horror," laughed his companion as the waltz came to an end. +"I shall be quite afraid of you in the future--I'd no idea you were so +cynical." + +"I could never be cynical with _you_," he said gallantly. "By the way, +have you seen Prince Pfowsky to-night?" + +"Yes," said Lady Chetwold, "I am engaged to him for the next dance--if +he remembers it. He is always so forgetful." + +"'Put not your trust in princes,'" quoted Shelton. "But if his Highness +should be so ungrateful, perhaps you will allow me the pleasure----" + +"Certainly not," she retorted brightly; "Cęsar or nothing!" + +"And here he comes," laughed Mortimer; adding softly, as the Prince came +up to claim his partner, "and here is some one even more +interesting--look." + +Lady Chetwold followed the direction of his gaze and saw Adrien Leroy +advancing up the rose-decked room. As usual, his appearance created +something like a stir, for he was popular with men and women alike, and +no smart gathering seemed quite complete without him. But the young man +appeared totally unconscious of the interest he was evoking as he bent +over his hostess's hand with a murmured greeting, then turned to make +his bow to the Prince, who, as firm an admirer as the rest of Society, +had paused to exchange a word before the dance commenced. + +Adrien sank on to the velvet lounge beside the Countess. + +"Don't scold me, belle amie," he said in his soft tones; "lay the blame +on Mr. Paxhorn. I dined with him at the club. You know what Paxhorn +is--there was simply no getting away. But, now, have you saved me a +dance?" + +"You do not deserve one," she said, all the irritation melting beneath +the magic of his smile and the music of his voice. + +"It's a mercy," he retorted lightly, "that one does not get all one's +deserts in this world!" + +"I saved you the next," she said, giving him her programme. "You see, I +am as foolishly forgiving as ever." + +"You are gracious and sweet!" he murmured in her ear. "How could you +ever be otherwise?" + +The soft phrase passed unreproved. + +"You have been down to Barminster again?" she inquired. + +"Yes," he replied, as he settled himself more comfortably. + +"You have been very attentive to your father lately," she said a little +suspiciously; "I thought filial affection was not the Leroys' strong +point." + +"Nor is it," he said with a laugh; "but it is business, my dear Eveline, +odious business, into which Jasper inveigles me." + +"I thought Mr. Vermont was the new machine that was to save you +trouble?" + +"Yes, that's what I thought," was the languid reply. "But one has to +turn the handle, even of machines. There are signatures, and leases, and +Heaven knows what besides." + +"How is Lord Barminster?" she inquired. + +"Splendid." + +"Lady Constance also well?"--with the slightest tinge of restraint in +her voice. + +"Yes," he answered indifferently; adding, "but you haven't asked after +'King Cole.'" + +"Ah, no, but you would have told me at first if anything had been wrong +with him." + +Leroy smiled. He knew that to be true. + +"He will win, you think?" she asked anxiously. + +"Oh, yes!" was the careless reply. "Vermont says there is nothing to +touch him." + +The countess raised her eyebrows. + +"You trust this Vermont with a great deal, Adrien. Your horses, your +wine, and your legal business. He must be a wonderful man." + +"Yes," he answered confidently. "Jasper's a treasure. Nothing comes +amiss to him. I should be in my grave if I had to face half the worries +he wrestles with daily. Come," he added, as the first bars of the new +waltz floated from the gallery; and with a sigh of enjoyment she rose +for the promised dance. + +"No one's step suits me like yours," she breathed, when they paused for +rest. "Adrien, shall I back 'King Cole' for another two hundred?" + +The two sentences were, perhaps, rather incongruous, but curiously +characteristic of her ladyship; for, in addition to a natural love of +intrigue, she had a partiality for betting on the turf and speculation +on 'Change--both, of course, sub rosa. + +"Oh, yes," he said, as they started again. "Jasper has put two thousand +more of mine on to-day. There he is," he broke off, as the sleek, +carefully dressed figure of Mr. Vermont entered the ball-room. + +"Talk of angels," murmured Lady Merivale, but with a glance implying +that she meant a being very far removed from that celestial grade. + +Jasper Vermont did not excel at dancing; yet, strange to say, he was +invariably invited to every big function of the season. Indeed, the +hostesses of Mayfair would almost as soon have omitted the name of +Adrien Leroy himself as that of his friend. + +It was difficult to explain this other than on account of his engaging +amiability. Probably Vermont would have transformed the famous advice of +Uriah Heep to "Always be obliging." Certainly, no pleasanter company +could be found, whether for man or woman; whatever the hour, however +mixed the company, Jasper Vermont had always a smile, a jest, or a new +and piquant scandal. In the smoking-room he would rival Mortimer Shelton +in apparently good-natured cynicism. In a duchess's boudoir he would +enliven the afternoon tea hour with the neatest of epigrams and the +spiciest slander of her Grace's dearest friend. Nothing came amiss to +him; as Adrien Leroy had once said, he was "a walking encyclopędia." + +Yet with all Mr. Vermont's charm of manner, he could resent, smiling +still, an impertinence or a snub, and deal back a tongue thrust that +would effectually put his opponent hors de combat. Truly of him might be +quoted, "I smile, and murder while I smile." + +To-night he was apparently enjoying the gay scene before him. His sharp +black eyes were like little snakes, darting here, there, and everywhere, +while he wagged his smooth head to the time of the music, as if in keen +enjoyment. + +Mortimer Shelton noticed him; "gloating over his future victims," he +commented, almost audibly, as he and his partner passed close to where +he was standing. Vermont, however, apparently did not hear him, but +continued to smile, amiably as the dancers whirled by. + +It was nearly daybreak when the carriages drew up outside the great +house to take the guests to their respective homes; and, having +successfully steered a young marchioness into her electric brougham, +Leroy found himself standing close to Vermont, not far from where his +own motor awaited him. + +"They call this pleasure, Jasper," he said, almost scornfully, watching +the struggling, aristocratic crowd with a half-contemptuous smile on his +lips. "Why, it's hard work. They fight and push for the sake of a few +hours spent in a crowded, poisoned room; and there's no prophet to rise +up and proclaim it madness." + +"No," laughed Vermont cynically; "prophets nowadays have no liking for +being stoned; and, after all, life would be unendurable, were it not for +its pleasures. Let me remind you that it is nearly four o'clock, and you +are due at Lord Standon's rooms." + +With a sigh Leroy turned and jumped into the motor, followed by his +faithful squire; and the powerful car hooted its way through the +twilight of the dawn. + +They reached Lord Standon's chambers, to find the finish of a theatre +party. The room was filled with beautiful women, mostly stars of the +musical comedy stage, including Ada Lester, who was evidently on her +best behaviour. + +Here, amidst light and laughter, the goddess of pleasure was being feted +by her youthful worshippers, and none appeared a more eager votary than +Adrien Leroy. Yet, as he stood, champagne glass in hand, propounding the +toast of the evening--or rather morning, for the dawn was breaking in +the sky--there was none to tell him of the impending cloud of treachery +that hung over his head. None who dare warn him to beware of the +friendship of--Mr. Jasper Vermont. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + +High up in the woods of Buckinghamshire stood Barminster Castle, so old +that one-half of its pile dated back to Norman times; while the whole, +with the wings and parts added by the successive generations of Leroys, +might have passed for a royal palace by reason of its splendour and +magnificence. + +Needless to say, the Leroys were proud of their ancestral home, for +there had been Leroys since William the Conqueror had calmly annexed the +land on which it now stood, and had given it to his faithful baron, +Philip Le Roi. But they valued still more the love and respect of their +people, who in hamlet and village surrounded the castle as naturally as +did the woods. + +Yet the present Lord Barminster had done little to keep the flame of +loyalty alight in the hearts of his tenants. He was an old man, nearing +seventy, tall, white-headed and haughty--every feature clear-cut, as if +carved from marble. Few people had ever seen the stern lines of that +face relax in light-hearted laughter since the death of his young wife, +which had occurred a few years after the birth of Adrien. None, outside +his immediate family circle, had ever known the curtness of his speech +to be softened unless in sarcasm; and his habitual expression was one of +haughty tolerance. + +His friends feared him, even as they respected him, for if he had the +faults of his race, he also possessed its great virtue--justice. No man, +prince or peasant, friend or foe, ever appealed to Lord Barminster for +that in vain. + +Now, in the clear brightness of the spring morning he paced to and fro +on the south terrace. + +Behind him glittered the long French windows of the morning-room, one of +which stood open, revealing the luxury of the room beyond; the table +with its silver and delicate china service, and the purple hangings of +the walls. + +Presently he stopped in his stroll and turned his stern eyes towards the +landscape stretching beneath him. Through the confusion of the dark +woods there lay a long line of turf, cut here and there by formidable +hedges, and divided by a streak of glittering silver, which was in +reality a dangerous stream--indeed, higher up it became a +torrent--forming the final obstacle of the Barminster steeple-course. +All the Leroys had been fond of horses. The Barminster stables had sent +many a satin-coated colt to carry off the gold cup; and this race-course +had been carefully kept and preserved by the family for many +generations. + +While he stood gazing on it a light footstep sounded behind him, and a +slender hand was laid on his shoulder. He turned slowly, and with a kind +of kingly courtesy kissed the long white fingers. + +"You are early as usual, Constance," he said approvingly. + +Lady Constance Tremaine smiled as she turned with him and walked along +the mosaic pavement of the terrace. She was little more than a girl, +with a slim, graceful figure, and clad in a simple white morning gown, +which served to enhance her youthful beauty. Her face was a pure oval, +with clear-cut features and an exquisitely curved, sensitive mouth, +while her grey-blue eyes gazed from beneath their thick lashes with a +calm serenity that bred faith and confidence in those who looked upon +them. Crowned with a wealth of pale golden hair, together with her +delicate complexion, she looked as if she had stepped from one of the +old Florentine pictures of the saints. + +As the two so typical of youth and age stood side by side in the clear +morning light, the resemblance between them was marked. Indeed, they +were related, for the Tremaines were a distant branch of the Leroy +family, and the same proud blood ran in their veins. Lady Constance had +been brought up in the Barminster household, and Adrien had grown to +regard her in the light of a loved and trusted sister; but, as yet, +nothing more. + +"Won't you come in to breakfast?" she said, as they reached the end of +the terrace. "Aunt Penelope is not coming down; her nerves are bad this +morning." + +Miss Penelope Leroy, Lord Barminster's only sister, was not strictly +speaking Constance's aunt, merely a distant cousin; but as a child +Constance had been accustomed to call her so, and the habit had grown up +with her. + +Lord Barminster smiled grimly. + +"I advised her to let the cucumber alone last night," was his only +comment as he turned towards the breakfast room. + +Constance smiled too, for she knew that when Miss Penelope complained of +her nerves, it was in reality nothing but a case of indigestion. + +"How bright the course looks this morning!" she said, with a charitable +wish to change the subject, for Lord Barminster was apt at times to wax +caustic over his sister's small weaknesses. + +"Yes," he said grimly; "like all things dangerous, it is pleasant to the +eye. I hate that strip of green--it is the grave of many a Leroys' best +hope. The turf has always been a fatal snare to our race. But, come," he +broke off, "let us go in. Thank goodness, Adrien arrives to-day." + +"To-day?" repeated Lady Constance, a delicate flush rising to her sweet +face. "I thought he was not going to arrive until the morning of the +race." + +"The race is to-morrow, but he comes to-day," answered Lord Barminster. +"I had a note from him last night saying he would be here by lunch time, +and was bringing a few friends down with him." + +"And Mr. Vermont, too?" inquired Lady Constance almost timidly. + +The old man's face darkened and his thin lips set in a hard line. + +"Yes," he said fiercely, "I suppose so. Adrien is as much in love with +him as a young fellow with his first sweetheart. I know that he's a +scoundrel and a rogue--but there, what would you? Times have changed +since my day; we have replaced horses by motors, to spoil our roads and +ruin our lands, and gentleman friends by base-born, scheming +adventurers." + +"Oh, but, uncle," Lady Constance timidly remonstrated, "surely Mr. +Vermont is a gentleman?" + +"Yes, by Act of Parliament!" snapped the old man, in whose aristocratic +eyes a lawyer was but little removed from the criminal whose case he +defended. + +"Certainly it is strange that Adrien should be so attached to him," the +girl said musingly; she, herself, had little liking for the gentleman in +question, though her sense of justice had made her speak a good word for +him. "But he is a clever steward, at least." + +"A rogue's only virtue," said Lord Barminster dryly. + +"Amusing, too," she suggested. + +"We've no longer need of a court jester," returned her companion, with +sarcasm. "But never mind, Adrien will find out his mistake for himself +one day. Certainly, I am not going to attempt to strip the mask off his +friend's face. Give him rope enough, and he will hang himself. +Meanwhile, give me some more coffee, and leave the fellow's name alone; +I hate even the thought of him." + +Lady Constance refilled his cup and brought it to the end of the table, +for she loved to wait on the old man. As she did so, his sharp eyes +caught the glitter of a piece of needlework across the back of her +chair, and with a curt gesture towards it, he said: + +"What is that?" + +She blushed, almost deeply, then took it up, and opened it out for him +to see. It was a silk riding jacket, in the scarlet and white racing +colours of the Leroys, and their coat of arms, worked in silver, upon +the breast. + +"For the Grand National," said Lady Constance, as she refolded the +jacket. + +"You worked it yourself?" questioned the old man abruptly. + +"Yes," she replied, blushing again. Then, as he was silent for some +minutes, she said almost timidly: "You do not mind, uncle, do you?" + +He started. "Mind! Good Heavens, child, why should I? You know the wish +of my heart only too well. What better favour could he wear than yours? +As far as I am concerned, you were plighted in your cradles. Leroy and +Tremaine are no unequal match. No--no--my dear, make his jacket, and win +his heart--if you can!" + + +Some few hours later, panting and throbbing, the Daimler motor drew up +in the Castle courtyard--Adrien and his friends had arrived for the +great steeplechase. + +Attracted by the sound of the barking dogs, who apparently disliked the +unaccustomed monster--Lord Barminster himself invariably using +horses--Lady Constance stepped from her room on to the balcony which +looked down upon the courtyard beneath. The gentlemen's hats flew off in +greeting, and, as Adrien looked up, an unusual thrill ran through him as +he noted the simple beauty of the girl above him. + +"We thought we'd left the sun behind us, Constance, but evidently 'she' +is still overhead," he said, smiling. + +She looked down with mock reproof, playfully shaking at him a flower +which she held in her hand. + +"I thought compliments were out of date, Adrien. Have you enjoyed your +drive?" + +"Not half so much as the welcome," was the courteous reply, as he caught +the rose which she had let fall. + +She laughed, and blushed a little, then turned to the other members of +the party, who had now alighted from the car. + +"Ah, Lord Standon, I did not know you were coming." Then, as that young +man's face lengthened, she added quickly: "Unexpected pleasures are +always welcome. I am glad to see you, Mr. Paxhorn." + +After a word of greeting to Mortimer Shelton, she drew back into her +room; while the men, laughing and chatting, passed into the great hall, +where they found Lord Barminster awaiting them. His stern face softened +into a welcome, as, with outstretched hand, he came forward to greet his +guests. + +"Ah, Shelton!" he said, "so you keep my boy company, and you, Paxhorn +and Standon. Gentlemen, you are welcome--though there's no need to +remind you of that, I know. Adrien," turning to his son, "you have a +fine day, did you drive or ride?" + +"We motored down, sir," answered the young man, in his soft, melodious +voice. + +His father frowned slightly. He heartily detested all modern +innovations, and would never hold that motors--or, indeed, any increased +facilities for travelling--were improvements. "They breed discontent, +sir," he would declaim vigorously. "In my young days people were content +to stay in the place in which they had been born, and do their duty. +Now, forsooth, they must see this country and that, and visit a dozen +places in the year, where their grandparents visited one. Anything for +an excuse to fritter away their hard-earned savings!" + +On this occasion, however, he made no comment, but turned to Mortimer +Shelton. + +"You'll find the roads here better suited for horses than for oil-cans," +he said grimly. "We are primitive, as you know." + +Shelton laughed; but he knew his host's ideas on this subject, and was +apt to respect them. + +"So much the better, sir," he said in a cheerful tone; "I am a bit tired +of the smell of petrol myself. Give me Nature without a corset." + +"You'll certainly get that here," Lord Barminster replied, favouring his +young guest with an approving glance. + +Shortly afterwards, they made their way to the morning-room. Here, +luncheon had been laid, and Lord Barminster, Miss Penelope, with Lady +Constance, were awaiting them. The little party sat down to table, each +one secretly only too ready for the meal; for the ride through the +fresh, country air had been a fairly long one. + +"I was really hungry, Constance," Adrien said, with his low, careless +laugh. "There must be magic in the air of Barminster." + +"Yet still you come here so seldom," returned his cousin gently. + +"Business and the cares of State," quoted Adrien, with a smile. "But I +might retaliate. Why do we not see you up in town? Society misses one of +its brightest stars." + +Lady Constance toyed idly with the grapes on her plate; then she looked +up. + +"Society has many brighter lights than I, Adrien," she said quietly. +"But now, tell me about the race--auntie is terribly anxious over it; +are you not, dear?" + +"Yes, my love," returned Miss Penelope, who, in reality, hardly knew one +horse from another. + +"Oh, Adrien always wins," put in Lord Standon. "That's a foregone +conclusion. Have you seen the 'King' lately, Lady Constance?" + +"Oh, yes," she replied, "He is exercised in the paddock every morning, +and is in fine form." + +Adrien smiled. + +"Poor 'King Cole'; he'll be worth his weight in gold if he wins +to-morrow! What about the other horses, Stan; are they down?" + +"Yes," replied Lord Standon; "my man saw some of them at the station; +but no sign of the Yorkshire chestnut." + +"So much the better," said Adrien; "perhaps his owner has thought +discretion the better part of valour and withdrawn him." + +The conversation then flowed into other channels; Paxhorn provoking +roars of merriment by his stories and epigrams. Presently the ladies +withdrew; Lady Constance to prepare for a ride with Adrien, which he had +just suggested, and Miss Penelope to rest her "nerves." + +While waiting for his cousin to rejoin him Adrien crossed over to the +window, which commanded a view of the Castle entrance, and stood gazing +idly down. Outside stood a smart motor, and from it was alighting the +trim figure of Jasper Vermont. + +"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I had forgotten Jasper." + +He tapped at the window, and waved his hand in affectionate greeting to +his friend, who looked up with his most amiable smile, as he brushed +aside the servants who had hurried out to meet him. + +There are people who are served well from sheer force of personality, +and who, though neither generous nor unselfish themselves, yet contrive +to abstract the very essence of these qualities from those around them; +and of these Jasper Vermont was one. His tips were few, though he was +lavish in smiles and honeyed words; yet not one of the retinue of +servants at Barminster Castle but would fly to attend to his wants, as +they would those of Adrien or Lord Barminster himself. + +A few minutes later he strolled into the room where the rest of the +guests were seated. As he did so Lord Barminster involuntarily drew +himself up with a slight frown. He had hoped that the "adventurer," as +he invariably termed him, would remain in town and not thrust his +unwelcome presence upon the guests at the Castle. But, in another +minute, his natural courtesy reasserted itself; and, though it was +patent to the least observant that the new arrival was not as welcome as +he might have been, he answered Jasper's amiable inquiry as to his +health politely enough. + +"Thank you, Mr. Vermont," he said grimly, "I am quite well. But you, I +fear, are an invalid." + +His sharp eyes glanced towards the closed motor, which was gliding round +the bend of the drive. + +"No, sir, I am quite well, I assure you," Jasper replied, meekly, as if +unconscious of any irony. + +"But I have learned enough wisdom to feel convinced that all journeys, +including that of life itself, should be taken as comfortably as +possible. I prefer, therefore, to have the dust and smell outside the +car instead of in. Am I not right?" + +"Perfectly," returned his opponent, with a sarcastic smile; "you should +surely know your own constitution best. It was an unfortunate error on +my part." + +At this moment, Adrien, who had been listening to the point-and-thrust +conversation, exceedingly ill at ease, intervened, and under some +pretext drew his father out with him into the corridor. + +"I do detest that fellow so," said the old man apologetically, as though +ashamed at having displayed his feelings. + +"It's a pity, sir," returned Adrien, respectfully; for his father was +the only person who dared say a word in disfavour of his friend. "He +takes any amount of pains to save me trouble." + +"Well, it pays him," retorted Lord Barminster dryly; then with a wave of +the hand as if to dismiss an unpleasant subject, he added, "You're off +to the stables, I suppose?" + +"Yes, sir," replied Adrien, "I want to have a look at 'King Cole.'" With +a friendly nod, he ran lightly down the wide oak staircase and +disappeared in the direction of the stables. + +For a few moments Lord Barminster stood gazing after him, his stern face +relaxed, his keen eyes softened. Adrien was more to him than all his +possessions, which were vast enough to have provided for a dozen sons. +Therefore, he denied him nothing, however extravagant or reckless in +price, and refrained from any comment on his line of conduct. + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + +Adrien's appearance in the stable-yard was the signal for much +excitement among the hands there; and presently the head groom made his +appearance, struggling into his coat, while coughing with embarrassed +respect. + +"Good morning, Markham," said his master with a nod; "where's the +'King'?" + +"In the south stable, sir," replied the man, as he fumbled in his pocket +for the keys. "You would like to see him, sir?" + +Adrien nodded, and made his way to the stable, accompanied by the groom. + +"No one else is allowed to enter the stable but yourself, Markham?" he +asked, as the man unlocked the door. + +"No one, sir. I'm always here when he's being littered or fed. Not a +soul touches him without I'm at his side. He's in fine condition, sir; I +never saw him in better." + +Adrien passed his hand over the satiny coat of the race-horse. The +dainty creature pricked up his finely-pointed ears, and turned to his +master with a whinny of delight. + +"He looks well enough," he admitted. "Has he had his gallop this +morning?" + +"Yes, sir; but would you like to see him across the paddock?" + +"Yes," said Adrien. "By the way, who rides him to-morrow?" + +"Peacock, sir." + +"Ah, the new jockey." + +"Yes, sir; Mr. Vermont's lad," returned the groom. + +"A good seat?" asked Adrien. + +"Capital, never saw a better, sir, and weighs next to nothing. I'll send +for him." He whistled, and half a dozen stable helpers rushing forward, +he despatched them to find the jockey. While waiting, the groom had the +precious "King" brought into the yard and saddled; and in a few moments +the man arrived. Markham had called him a lad; but in reality he was +almost middle-aged, with the stunted stature of a child. Adrien looked +him over critically. + +"So you ride the 'King' to-morrow?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir," replied the dwarf humbly. + +"Let me see you take him round the paddock," said Adrien. The man threw +off his coat, showing himself to be in shabby riding costume; then, +vaulting into the saddle, he took the racer to the meadow at the back of +the stable-yard. Adrien watched the bird-like flight of the superb +animal, and nodded approvingly when he presently returned to the +starting-point. + +"You'll do," he said, as the jockey dismounted; "ride like that +to-morrow, and we shall win. There is something for you, but no +drinking, mind." + +He held out a ten-pound note as he spoke. The man stared at it for a +moment, then crouching almost like a dog, took it gingerly by the edge. + +"Don't be afraid, man; one would think you expected a blow," said +Adrien, with a smile. + +Touching his forelock, the man took the note, and Adrien turned away. As +he walked out of the stable-yard he happened to glance back at Markham, +who was re-covering the "King," and he saw that the jockey was still +gazing after him, with a tense, almost longing expression in his small, +deep-set eyes. + +"Poor devil!" said Leroy to himself as he went up the drive, "I must get +Jasper to do something for him, especially if he wins--I only hope he +doesn't get drunk!" + +In the courtyard Lady Constance's horse and his own were waiting for him +and in a few moments the girl herself appeared, accompanied by the +ever-smiling Jasper Vermont. + +Blessed by nature with a good figure, Art, as represented by French +modistes and Redfern, had put the finishing touches, with the result +that Lady Constance Tremaine, whether in evening dress or the blue cloth +riding-habit of the field, was a joy to the eye. As she stood now, +waiting Adrien's approach, he could not help mentally contrasting her +natural, spiritual type of beauty with the made-up and coarsened charms +of Ada Lester, and he wondered how he could have been so blind as not to +notice it before. + +He was not the only one who admired her. Jasper Vermont had elected +himself as the girl's chief slave, and whenever he was at Barminster +Castle invariably managed to carry out her lightest whims--indeed, would +even endeavour to forestall them. Now it was he who attended to her +saddle, and helped her into it before Adrien had fully realised what he +was about to do; and for once Leroy experienced just the least feeling +of resentment towards his devoted friend. + +For a while the two rode almost in silence; but after the first canter +Adrien reined up his horse close to that of his companion. Lady +Constance purposely brought the conversation round to his estates, for, +with all his dissipation and languor, Leroy was no indifferent landlord, +and Lord Barminster invariably referred all complaints--such few as +there were--to his son. + +"I'm sorry you would not renew the lease for Farmer Darrell," she said +gently; "he is almost heart-broken at having to leave Briar Farm." + +Adrien pulled up his horse sharply. + +"Farmer Darrell to leave Briar Farm!" he said quickly. "What do you +mean, Constance?" + +She looked at him steadily, as she replied: + +"I rode over there yesterday, and found them all in great trouble. They +told me Mr. Vermont, acting under your orders, had refused to grant them +new leases. I promised to speak to Uncle Phillip; but you know how angry +he gets whenever any one mentions Mr. Vermont's name, so I thought I +would ask you myself." She blushed crimson, as if at her own boldness. +"Of course, you mustn't do it just on my account, but--" + +"Mustn't I?" interrupted her cousin, looking keenly, almost +affectionately at the slim, girlish figure, and pretty piquant face. "I +should certainty grant whatever you asked me if it lay in my power. As a +matter of fact, however, I think Jasper said that, as they were unable +to make Briar Farm pay, would I lower the rent; and as that would be +creating a precedent for all the other tenants--I refused." + +Lady Constance nodded her head. "Quite right," she agreed; "but I happen +to know that the farm does pay splendidly, and--" + +"In any case, Constance," interrupted Adrien, almost tenderly, "it is +quite sufficient, if you wish it so. But I think--I am sure--Jasper must +have made a mistake." + +Lady Constance did not reply, but wisely changed the subject; she was +too clever to pursue her advantage, and she had gained her point--sown +the least little doubt of Mr. Jasper Vermont's rectitude in Adrien's +mind. + +Meanwhile, Mr. Vermont had also betaken himself to the stables; but he +did not ask to see "King Cole"--contenting himself with beaming +admiringly on Mr. Markham, while the head groom held forth on all the +precautions he was taking with regard to the precious animal's safety. + +"An' if he's got at, Mr. Vermont, sir, I'll eat my head," was his +parting speech. + +In reply to which Mr. Vermont murmured inaudibly, as he walked away: +"It's a lucky job, my good fellow, that I shan't make you keep your +word!" + +At the end of the plantation, beyond the stable buildings, there was a +little cottage attached to the straw-yard. Having reached this, Jasper +listened attentively; then, without any warning knock, he lifted the +latch, and entered. + +To all appearances the room was empty, save for some pieces of poor +furniture. But the visitor, blinking at the sudden transition from light +to darkness, walked over to a rough couch, where lay the misshapen +jockey Peacock, either asleep or deep in thought. Jasper shook him +angrily by the shoulder, and a sullen scowl darkened the little +monkey-like face as he recognised his visitor. + +"Well?" he said gruffly, without attempting to change his position. + +"Short, and not polite!" retorted Jasper, shaking him again. "Didn't I +tell you I'd come here to-day, you imp of darkness?" + +"You did, guv'nor," the man replied sullenly. + +"Well, here I am. You're not drunk, are you? Here--let's look at you." +With a cruel smile, the soft, amiable Mr. Vermont seized the ear of the +dwarfed jockey and dragged him to the light. "No, not drunk--for a +wonder. Well, you know what to do to-morrow?" + +The man nodded sulkily. + +"Tighten and choke off at the last hurdle. Mind you do it neatly, too. +You _can_ do it, I know; and it won't be the first little affair you've +sold, eh? You sold one too many, though, when you crossed my path, and +you know what will happen if you fail me." + +"All right," the jockey muttered hoarsely. + +"I hope it will be all right," said his persecutor, shaking him gently +to and fro by the ear. "If not, you'll find yourself in the care of a +paternal Government--I tell you--picking oakum." + +The man gave a sudden jerk and released himself from the cruel grasp; +then he looked up almost piteously. + +"Must we do it, guv'nor?" he said hoarsely. "I've seen 'im----" + +"Him! whom, you idiot?" + +"Him--Mr. Leroy--as we're to sell." + +"You're to sell, you mean, you gallows-bird," returned Jasper. + +The man eyed him viciously. + +"Yus," he growled, "you think you're going to git off scot-free, don't +yer? What if I don't do it? He giv' me a tenner, he did. 'E's a real +gent. What if I don't do it?" he repeated. + +Mr. Vermont's eyes narrowed till he looked like a snake about to strike. +Raising the riding-whip which he had in his hand, he seized the wretched +creature once more, and brought the whip down again and again on his +almost skeleton body. + +"Play me false, you hound, and I'll kill you," he almost hissed; and, +half beside himself with pain and rage, the jockey gasped brokenly: + +"Stop! stop! I'll do it." + + +It was just five o'clock when Lady Constance and Leroy returned from +their ride. During the course of it Adrien had realised something of his +cousin's beauty of character, as well as of face. Until that day he had +only regarded her as a younger sister, pretty, perhaps, in a quiet, +retiring way, but nothing more. Now, as he lifted her down from the +saddle, he could have bent and reverently kissed the little foot that +lodged so lightly in the stirrup. + +Woman-like, she was quick to notice the change in him, and her heart +beat high with hope. + +"He will love me yet," she whispered to herself triumphantly, as, with +outward calmness, she bade him au revoir till they should meet at +dinner. + +Adrien went straight to his own rooms. An unusual restlessness was upon +him, and his pulses throbbed wildly, but as yet he did not understand +what these things meant. He, who had played the lover so lightly all his +life, did not realise that it was now his turn to feel Cupid's dart, and +that he was becoming as deeply enamoured of his pretty cousin as any raw +boy straight from college. + +As he paced up and down his luxurious study, thoughtfully smoking a +cigar, his past life rose before him, with all its idleness and wasted +years. He knew that with most women he had only to throw down the glove +for it to be snatched up eagerly; women had loved him, petted and spoilt +him ever since he could remember. But here was one who thought of him as +nothing but a means to save her people--or, rather, his people---from +distress. It said much for Lady Constance's powers of reserve that she +had impressed him thus, and had she known it, nothing could have helped +her cause more. + +Throwing himself into a chair, the young man reviewed again the +incidents of their ride. How beautiful she had looked; how pointedly and +yet gently she had reproved him for his long absences from his estates +and the people who loved him. Well, it should come to an end now, and +there and then he formed a resolve to return to town directly after the +race, and go through his affairs with Jasper. His friend would help him +to lead a worthier and more useful life, he thought--if any one could do +so. + +When he went down to dinner that night few would have noticed any +difference in his calm face and demeanour; none, indeed, save Lady +Constance herself, who, with the subtlety which seems inbred in even the +best of her sex, devoted her attention almost exclusively to Mr. Jasper +Vermont. It was he who was allowed to sit next her at dinner; it was to +him she turned when the race, with which all present were concerned, was +the subject under discussion. + +Adrien noted all this, and his heart grew heavy within him. But he did +not grudge Jasper her favour--as yet; he blamed himself too deeply for +the neglect of his past opportunities. + +Jasper skilfully turned the conversation to Lady Merivale's ball, which +he described in detail to Lady Constance; adding many little realistic +touches concerning the fair hostess and Adrien, till he had convinced +her--as he thought--that there was a great deal more between them than +was really the case. For Vermont, as had been said before, was "no +fool"; and he realised only too well in what direction events were +tending with Lady Constance and her cousin. + +But she showed no signs either of understanding or misunderstanding his +allusions to Adrien, and began to discuss a ball which Miss Penelope was +trying to arrange. + +"Mr. Shelton, I am counting on you to help us," she said, turning to the +gentleman on her other side. "Auntie has been besieging uncle for the +last two months; and has, I think, carried the citadel." + +"What is the motive of the attack?" inquired Mortimer Shelton. + +"Aunt Penelope wants a fancy dress dance in the ball-room in the east +wing," she returned gaily, adding, as she looked across at her cousin, +who was listening attentively: "Adrien, if you would add your word, we +should get it. Won't you do so?" + +"A fancy dress ball here?" he replied. "But if my father has refused +you, it is scarcely likely that I shall have any more influence." He +turned to his aunt. "Why not have Barminster House, Aunt Penelope?" This +was the town house, supposed to be given up almost exclusively to the +young man's use, though he generally inhabited his own chambers in +Jermyn Street. "I will hand it over to you from cellar to attic, and +will bind myself to be your faithful slave from early morn to dewy eve." + +His aunt laughed. + +"No, thank you, Adrien, I know your idea of slavery," she said. "You +would hand it over to Mr. Vermont, and he does quite enough of your work +already." Vermont was a favourite with Miss Penelope, owing chiefly to +his frequent gifts of marron glaces--a great weakness of hers. +"Besides," she continued, "Barminster House is too modern. I want to +revive a ball, just as it happened two or three centuries ago. It must +be Barminster Castle or nothing." + +Adrien smiled across at her. + +"Your word is law, my dear aunt; but if I were you, and it comes off at +all, I'd leave the arranging of it to Jasper." + +Mr. Vermont beamed. Nothing seemed to please him so much as the idea of +work, especially when it involved the spending of money other than his +own. + +"I am at your service, dear lady," he said amiably. + +Miss Penelope rose, and gave the signal for the ladies to retire. + +"I shall take you at your word, Mr. Vermont," she said graciously, as +she passed out. + +After the ladies had gone, the wine circulated freely, and in the merry +badinage that followed it must be admitted that Jasper Vermont was the +life and soul of the party. He had the newest scandal at his +finger-tips, the latest theatrical news; and all was related in a witty +manner that kept his listeners in a perpetual roar of laughter. + +Adrien, though compelled by politeness to take his share in the +conversation, was yet glad when they adjourned to the silver +drawing-room. This was one of the smallest of the half-dozen +drawing-rooms in Barminster Castle, and was decorated entirely in blue +and silver. The furniture was upholstered in pale blue stain and silver +embroideries. Curtains, hangings, and even carpet, were all of the same +colour, while the mirrors and ornaments were entirely of silver. + +To-night, Lady Constance's dress matched the room, for it was of palest +azure silk, veiled with chiffon, on which were Etruscan silver ornaments +and silver-thread embroidery. It was a colour which suited her +shell-like complexion; and she looked her best in it. + +She was at the piano when the men entered; and Leroy, who was +passionately fond of music, and a musician of no mean order himself, +came straight over to her. At his request, Constance sang song after +song; while Vermont sat a little apart, listening, and occasionally +glancing thoughtfully at the beautiful profile of the singer. Then his +cold, malignant eyes would wander with an almost sinister expression +over the rapt face of his friend and benefactor, as he leaned over the +piano. But at any movement of the other guests his countenance would +assume its usual amiability of expression, as though a mask were +re-adjusted, while his fat, white hand softly beat time to the music. + +At last Lady Constance declared she was tired, and turned to Adrien, +begging him to sing instead. He hesitated for a moment; then, as if +throwing off the unusual moodiness that oppressed him, he seated himself +at the piano; and, after a few moments of restless improvisation, he +sang song after song from Schumann's "Dichter-liebe," with an intensity +of passion in the clear tenor notes that thrilled the soul of every +listener. + +In the silence which fell on the little company when the last chords +died away, Jasper Vermont, half-hidden by the curtain, opened the +window, and slipped out on the terrace. The moon shone full on his white +face, distorted with an unaccountable fury, as he muttered through his +clenched teeth: "Curse the fellow! How I hate him!" + + + + + CHAPTER X + + +The morning of the race dawned clear and bright, and the Leroy course +shone like a strip of emerald velvet in the crisp, sparkling air. + +Since sunrise, throngs of people, men, women, and children, had been +streaming in from the outlying districts, some many miles away; while at +the side of the course stretched a long line of vehicles of all kinds, +which had already disbursed their load. + +In twos and threes the late horses arrived swaddled in cloths, and +surrounded by the usual crowd of bow-legged grooms and diminutive +jockeys; while the air reeked with the smell of the stable and the oaths +and slang of the men. + +Later still came the bookmakers with their brisk, business-like method +of entering the bets, big or small; the "swell's" thousand or the +countryman's shilling were all one to them. And lastly, amid all the din +and turmoil of the most crowded meeting Barminster had ever witnessed, +came the army of the Castle servants to put the finishing touches to the +boxes in the grand stand, over which floated the Leroy colours. + +Towards noon, the hour at which the first race was to be run, the crowd +grew denser, the excitement keener. + +"Two to one on 'King Cole'--three to one 'Miracour'--and five to one +'Bay Star'--six to one, bar three"--all these cries rose in a loud, +turbulent roar. It was known to all that the "swells"--as they termed +the Castle people--had backed their champion "King Cole" for sums which, +as Jasper Vermont had rightly said the preceding night, would almost +equal his weight in gold; and such was their faith in him that no other +horse had been entered from that same county. + +Twelve o'clock struck, and no signs as yet of the Leroy party; that is +to say, with the exception of one man, namely, Mr. Jasper Vermont. + +"Your swells are always late," said a thick-lipped turfite, biting his +stubby pencil prior to booking a favourable bet. "They gives any money +for style, an' plays it high on us. It ain't their way to be to time for +anything, not they--only us poor chaps." + +The surrounding crowd echoed his shout of "two to one on 'King Cole,'" +despite his diatribes against the swells; when suddenly attention was +caught by a dark chestnut, thin in the flank, and badly groomed, which +was led into the paddock by a dirty, close-shaven countryman, who looked +as nonchalant and self-satisfied as if he held the bridle of "King Cole" +himself. + +Presently, while the crowd pushed around the sacred enclosure, Jasper +Vermont walked swiftly up to the Yorkshireman, and whispered behind a +sheltering cough: + +"That will do. Take him off. The plant's safe without him." + +Three minutes later, a laugh of derision arose as the announcement was +made that the chestnut was "scratched." But further discussion died +down, as the Leroy carriages arrived---only just in time, for the +saddling bell had already rang. + +The course was now looking its best. Long lines of glittering motors and +smart carriages had joined their humbler brethren of traps and +omnibuses. The seats and stands were filled with gaily-dressed people; +women in their furs, velvets and exquisite hats, giving the impression +from a distance of a huge living flower garden. + +On the appearance of Adrien Leroy, the excitement reached its height, +for he was known to everybody by name and sight, and was, moreover, the +owner of the favourite. + +The carriage containing Lord Barminster had been drawn up as near the +course as possible, and as far from the crowd as space would permit; for +his lordship invariably refused to mix with any concourse of people, +even when they consisted of his own order. + +Adrien, having seen that he was comfortable, escorted the ladies down to +their seats on the grand stand; then he betook himself to the paddock, +where "King Cole" had just been saddled. + +At the sound of the loved voice the beautiful animal turned his head, +with a whinny of delight. Then, as the two people he disliked with every +fibre of his being approached him--Jasper Vermont and Peacock, the +jockey--he laid his ears back with every appearance of alarm and +distrust. It seemed as if his animal instincts were keener than those of +his master. + +Leroy stroked the soft nose of the race-horse, while Jasper passed his +hand admiringly over the satiny neck. + +"Beautiful as a daisy," he exclaimed, and as Mr. Vermont would hardly +have recognised that humble flower if he had seen it, this was rather +qualified praise. + +"Too long in the leg," murmured a man whom Jasper had previously +introduced as a sporting friend of his. + +Adrien turned round and surveyed the speaker calmly for a moment. + +"Too leggy, you think, do you? I'll lay two to one upon them." + +"Done," said the man sharply. "Hundreds or thousands?" + +"Thousands," said Adrien quietly. + +Jasper touched him on the arm and whispered, in gentle remonstrance: + +"Steady, old chap, there's pots of money on him as it is. Don't you +think it would be as well--" + +"Make it thousands," interrupted Adrien, almost haughtily, as he turned +on his heel. + +The man booked the bet, bowed to Vermont, as to an utter stranger, and +the two gentlemen passed to the weighing-seat. Peacock had already gone +to don his riding-clothes, and without waiting to see him again, Adrien +and his companion returned to the grand stand. Here Leroy stopped to +speak to Lady Merivale, who, with her sister, the Marchioness of Caine, +had motored down from London to witness the race. + +The marchioness was a lady with a passion for bridge, and an intense +admiration for Adrien Leroy. + +"You are quite sure your horse, that pretty creature with the long neck, +is going to win?" she inquired, as he stood by her chair. + +Her sister, Lady Merivale, looked up mockingly. + +"Of course he's going to win, Alicia. Did not Lady Constance Tremaine +say so? Surely _she_ ought to know!" + +Leroy did not appear to notice the jealous sarcasm of this speech. + +"I hope he will win," he said gravely. "Nothing is certain in this +world, and race-horses are said to be as fickle as your sex, dear lady." +This was a mild thrust at Lady Merivale; but she only smiled sweetly in +response. "Still, I think you may safely bet on the 'King'; he's in fine +form." Then he turned to his cousin. "Here is your beau cavalier, +Constance," he said, almost jealously, as Jasper Vermont came leisurely +up the steps of the grand stand; then, with a swift glance at the girl +which was not lost upon Lady Merivale, he went down once more to his +father. + +"The bell is about to ring now," he said. "Are you sure you can see?" + +"Quite sure," replied Lord Barminster curtly. "How is the horse?" + +"In splendid form, sir," Adrien answered cheerfully. "I should think it +is a safe thing. If you are quite all right, I'll get back to the others +now, before the crush begins." + +His father nodded, and the young man made his way back to the stand. +Here he found the Castle guests already seated. Harsh cries from the +betting-ring still ascended at intervals, though the majority of the +vast crowd had settled down to watch the race. With a thrill of +pleasure, Adrien saw that Lady Constance had kept a seat vacant for him +beside herself; and with a light word to Lady Merivale as he passed, he +took his place, and unstrapping the heavy field-glasses, arranged them +to Lady Constance's liking. + +"Can you see all right?" he asked. + +"Beautifully," she replied, as she tried them. "What excitement they are +all in," she added, as she surveyed the seething crowd. + +Adrien smiled, pleased because she was pleased; for himself, except that +he wished his horse to win in order that it should gain fresh laurels, +he had no interest in the affair. Certainly he never gave a thought to +the fearful amount of money involved. + +Then, amid a murmur of excitement, the starting-gate went up, and the +horses were off. For a while "Miracour" led; "Bluebell" running close +beside him; the "King" striding along in cool, quiet canter that covered +the miles at greater speed than the little mare could hope to maintain. + +"There goes the 'King'!" exclaimed Lady Caine, almost rising from her +seat in her excitement. "Oh, I do hope he will win don't you, Mr. +Vermont?" + +Jasper smiled. + +"I do, indeed," he said, while his little steely eyes rested upon the +shrivelled figure of Peacock, the jockey, with a keen, cold scrutiny. + +Meanwhile the horses pounded away over the course, still in the same +order. "Miracour" leading, "Bluebell" falling behind, and the "King" +creeping up easily to the second place. + +The first fence placed nearly half the horses out of the running; the +next threw out two more, though the "King" cleared it in his stride, so +close in the wake of his rival that a speck of white foam flecked the +haunches of the leader. + +Adrien nodded approvingly. + +"That fellow knows how to ride," he said. "If he keeps the 'King' like +that, the race is ours." + +"Oh yes," agreed Vermont, smiling grimly; "he understands him, +evidently. It is to be hoped he keeps him cool till the spurt comes." + +"Which will be after the last jump," put in Lord Standon, as he shifted +his field-glasses. + +"Exactly," purred Jasper. + +Hedge after hedge was cleared, and still "Miracour" was leading; but it +was evident that the high blood of the "King" was burning to get away, +and that his jockey was playing a waiting game. + +It was at the stream that the strain began to tell. "Bluebell," the +Irish mare, had struggled on gamely; but at the last she refused to +leap, she stopped short, and her jockey was pitched forward into the +water. + +A laugh arose even in the midst of the excitement; but it was +speedily drowned in the cries of "The 'King' wins. No! No! +'Miracour!'--'Vicket'--beats. No! No! the 'King'--the 'King's' got +away!" + +They were right, for Peacock had thought it wisest to put the spurt on +already, and the "King," with every fibre stretched to its utmost, had +darted ahead. "Miracour" caught up again, and side by side they raced +over the level flat, cheered and shouted at by the frantic crowd. + +A roar like that of the sea broke forth as the two animals neared the +last obstacle, a great hedge filled with thorn, and like a miniature +mountain. Neck and neck they seemed to be, when suddenly the "King" +darted forward, and, amid terrific shouts of astonishment, took the leap +too short, fell sideways, and pitched his jockey into the short scrub, a +dozen feet away. + +"Miracour" rose for the leap, and clearing it, cantered in the winner by +sixty lengths. + +For a moment there was tense silence, broken by a roar of surprise, rage +and disappointment, as the crowd broke away and swarmed over the course +to the spot where the jockey still lay. A murmur of horror had also gone +throughout the length of the grand stand; but whether of disappointment, +or at the fall of the rider, it was hard to say. + +All eyes were turned on Adrien. His face was rather pale, but quite +calm, and closing up his field-glasses he said: + +"'Miracour' ran finely. I can't understand the 'King' falling at the +last jump. Jasper, let us go down and see if the fellow is hurt." + +Making their excuses to the ladies they hurried down the steps, and +strode swiftly over the course, the crowd making way for them in hushed +silence, for they recognised Leroy as the owner of the defeated +favourite. + +Reaching the spot from which the crowd was being kept back, they found +two men bending over the little heap of scarlet silk and leather. +Shelton, who had been one of the stewards, looked up as Adrien +approached, and shook his head. + +Adrien bent down beside him, and gazed at the thin, shrivelled face of +the jockey. + +"Have you sent for a doctor, Shelton?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied his friend in a hushed voice. "But I think he will be too +late, his spine----" + +At the sound of Adrien's voice, the heavy eyelids raised themselves; the +bloodstained lips parted as if about to speak. + +"What is it?" said Shelton, bending closer. + +"Where--where is he?" gasped the man in disjointed words. "I +want--to--see him." + +"Whom?" asked Mortimer Shelton gently. "Whom do you want to see, my poor +fellow?" + +Mr. Vermont pushed his way forward, his face alight with eager sympathy. + +"Perhaps I can be of use," he said, "I know him; perhaps he wants to +tell me----" + +The jockey raised his head. It seemed as if the soft, smooth voice gave +him strength to speak. He glared at Jasper, then his glance fell on the +pitying face of Leroy. With a sudden light in his eyes, he stretched out +his hand. + +"Him--him, the swell--I tell him the race--was--sold! He--Mr. +Vermont----" + +His breath came fast in great sobs; he glared from Adrien to Jasper, +then back to Leroy, as if seeking to convey some warning, but in vain; +with the last words, he fell back. + +A gentleman pushed his way forward. + +"Allow me, I am Doctor Blake," he said, and he knelt down beside the +still form. + +"He is dead," he declared solemnly, as he placed his hand on the body. + +The crowd fell back still further, with murmurs of horror. There was a +silence, broken at last by Jasper Vermont. + +"Dear, dear!" he exclaimed in tones in which, had it not been for the +absurdity of the idea, one might have fancied there was almost a spark +of satisfaction. "How very, very sad. I wouldn't have had this happen +for _anything!_" + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + +It was night and the race-course lay deserted and silent beneath the +pallid moon. The noisy crowd had tramped and driven its way back to +London. But there was one whom the noise and bustle of a race meet would +never rouse again--Peacock the jockey, who lay dead in the stable house. + +His death had cast a depression over the entire Castle, and though both +Adrien and his father--to say nothing of Jasper--had striven their +utmost to keep the minds of the guests away from the unhappy event, it +was yet an almost gloomy party that gathered after dinner in the silver +drawing-room. + +Nearly all had lost heavily through the fall of poor "King Cole." They +had had such entire faith in their champion, that his loss of the race +had come like a thunder-bolt; and most of all to Adrien himself. The +actual monetary loss did not seem to trouble him; indeed, it was +probable that he himself was unaware of the immensity of the sum +involved. Only Jasper knew, Jasper who wore his usual calm, serene +smile, and certainly worked hard to banish all regrets concerning such a +trifle as a dead steeplechaser, as well as any lingering memories of his +dying words. + +"One thing is certain," said Lord Standon to Lady Constance, who had +been sighing over the defeat. "Adrien will not allow any one to ride the +'King' again but himself. I heard him say so." + +"He has lost heavily, I'm afraid," the girl said in a low voice. + +"Immensely," replied Lord Standon, who himself had, lost more than he +could afford--indeed, there was little doubt that this race would almost +prove his ruin; but, nevertheless, his inordinate good humour and +optimistic nature triumphed above every other consideration. Certainly, +no word of blame or self-pity would he allow to pass his lips. "Yes, he +has lost more heavily than any of us, as Mr. Vermont knows; I'll be +bound," he broke off, as that gentleman approached. + +Jasper Vermont smiled, as he did at every question or assertion made to +him. + +"I'm afraid he has plunged deeply this time," was his smooth reply. +"Unfortunately, he only has himself to blame, though I deplore the fact +that I was not with him at the time." + +Both Lady Constance and Lord Standon looked up, startled by his tone as +much as by his words; and Jasper continued glibly: + +"He gave the jockey a ten-pound note last night, and, of course, the man +got drunk. Consequences--an unsteady hand this morning, a hasty push at +the last rise, and a clear loss of the race, not to mention the colossal +sum in bets. All his own fault! If he will be so recklessly generous, +what is to be done? But, as I said before, I blame myself for not +watching him more closely." + +"No one blames you, Mr. Vermont," said Lord Standon coldly, for even he, +the least suspicious of men, seemed to detect the false sorrow in the +speaker's voice. + +Lady Constance looked at him gratefully; and Lord Standon was encouraged +thereby to proceed: + +"Adrien is generous to a fault; and if in this case it has had +disastrous results, it is usually a fault which few imitate." + +Jasper raised his eyebrows; then, with a low bow to Lady Constance, and +a gentle, deprecatory shrug of his shoulders, walked away. + +The girl waited till he was out of earshot, then turned impulsively to +Lord Standon. + +"I hate that man," she said in a low voice; "and sometimes I believe he +hates Adrien too." + +"So do I," returned Lord Standon, looking with intense admiration into +her lovely, troubled face. + +"Do you?" she murmured. "Oh, if you would only try to open my cousin's +eyes to his friend's falseness--I know he's false, but Adrien is so +blind." + +It seemed as if he were blind in more than one direction; for at that +minute Leroy himself crossed the room, with an aspect that, in any other +man, would have been termed glum. The sight of the girl with whom he was +so rapidly falling in love, sitting in rapt conversation with Lord +Standon--even though that young man was his friend--had roused a strong +feeling of resentment within his heart. He restrained himself, however, +though it was in a rather cold, forced voice that he asked Lady +Constance if she would sing. She rose demurely enough; for his very +coldness and jealousy, slight as it was--careless as she knew it to +be--proved to her that the love she so ardently desired was awakening at +last. + +The evening passed quietly. Adrien himself refused to sing, though he +stayed close by his cousin's side, and turned over the pages of her +music with such a devoted air that at last the ladies of the party began +to whisper knowingly amongst themselves. + +Luckily for Adrien's peace of mind--for he loathed and dreaded scenes of +any description--Lady Merivale had not returned with the party to the +Castle, much as Miss Penelope had wished it. Eveline Merivale was only +too cognisant of what was passing between Lady Constance and her cousin; +and though she knew that Adrien and herself had merely played at love, +and greatly against his will, at that, still she was just as unwilling +to see him the devoted slave of another woman, who was younger, if not +more beautiful, than herself. + +After the ladies had retired for; the night, Adrien gave himself up to +unaccustomed reverie. The tenor of his life had been changed. The inane +senseless round of dissipation had begun to tire him; the homage and +flattery cloyed on his palate. And now, with his newborn love for +Constance filling his heart and mind, had come the overwhelming failure +of his beloved horse, and the death of his jockey; the last causing him +more pain than the light-hearted companions around him would have +believed possible. Neither had the half-defined charge made against +Jasper escaped his notice, though he had disdained to make any mention +of it. + +Shelton noticed his absent manner, as they smoked their last cigar +before going to bed. + +"Counting up the losses, Adrien?" he asked casually. + +Adrien started at the question, and smiled. + +"Not I," he said, "I leave that to Jasper--I call him my walking +account-book. I'm sorry you fellows were let in though; I can't +understand it; although"--with a rueful laugh--"I suppose it was my +fault with that tenner. Yet, I must say, I noticed the man as he +galloped past, and saw no, signs of anything wrong." + +"Nor I," put in Vermont. "I was in the weighting-room, and saw him +scaled. He was all right then. He always was white and seedy-looking. I +saw nothing wrong." + +"Nor I," echoed the others. + +Adrien lit another cigar, and the light fell full on his grave face. + +"The losses are heavy all round; yet, speaking for myself," he said, "I +would have rather dropped treble the amount than that poor fellow should +have lost his life by a horse of mine." + +"His own fault. It was absolutely a case of suicide," declared Lord +Standon angrily. "He put the 'King' to that last hurdle half a minute +too soon. The horse was not to blame; he would have taken the hedge, and +another on top of that, but for that unlucky spurt. 'Pon my soul," he +concluded hotly, "if I didn't know how well he'd been cared for, I +should have said it was done on purpose!" + +Unlucky youth! he little knew the harm he had done his empty pockets by +this rash speech. Jasper Vermont's eyes narrowed, as was their wont when +anything occurred to annoy him, and he registered a mental note against +the unfortunate peer's name. + +Adrien frowned, as he rose with the rest. + +"That is impossible," he said, almost sternly; "Jasper saw to that too +well. But, in future, no one shall ride the 'King' but myself; he's just +up to my weight," he concluded. "Jasper, enter him for the Cup. We will +give him a chance to retrieve this day's failure." + +Jasper had risen with him, and amid a volley of good-nights, the two men +passed into the corridor. As Adrien was about to ascend the stairs to +his own apartment, he turned to Vermont, and said quietly: + +"Jasper, I should like that poor fellow to have a Christian burial in +the private chapel; and if there are relations, find them out----" He +broke off abruptly. "There, you know better than I what to do, and how +to do it. Oh! just one word more; of course, I shall see that no notice +is taken of his delirious ravings. Good-night, old man." + +Jasper thanked him and returned his "good-night" with sympathetic +cordiality; then turned softly to his own apartment. Having reached it, +he gave himself up to a spasm of silent laughter. + +"Christian burial!" he chuckled. "Oh, yes, he shall have Christian +burial in the family vaults. Lucky job for me the hound died, or the +game would have been all up. As it is, that fool--that popinjay, almost +guessed. Well, deny everything and demand proof, that's my line. After +all, it's the very risks and chances that make the game so fascinating." + +He sat down and drew out a little note-book--only a very ordinary penny +note-book; for it was wonderful how mean this man could be when he had +to expend his own money. Save clothes, which necessarily had to be of +good material, though quiet in colour, he never failed to buy the +cheapest article obtainable; unless, of course, when, on the principle +of "throwing a sprat to catch a herring," he stood to make a profit. + +In this little book there lay the records of fortunes. A fortune spent +by Leroy--a fortune gained by Jasper Vermont. He smiled to himself, as +he closed one eye, and counted up the gains he had netted through this +day's work. + +"Eight--ten, with Yorkshire Twining's last little touch--ten thousands +pounds. Ah, if those fools knew how the 'intruder' was stripping them of +golden plumes, how mad they would be! Ten thousand pounds! But Twining +was too risky," he muttered, frowning at the recollection, "My grand +knight might have smelled a rat. Just like his noble lordship; two to +one, because some stranger doubts the strength of the animal's legs." + +He chuckled again as he thought how carefully he had stage-managed the +day's comedy. Of the tragedy into which it had been turned by the death +of his poor tool and accomplice, Peacock, he gave no thought, his whole +mind was bound up in his jealous hatred of Leroy. Just why he hated him +so he, himself, could hardly have explained; but with men of Jasper +Vermont's calibre, the mere fact that one possesses so much--wealth, +position, and popularity--while the other must perforce live by his +wits, is quite sufficient to arouse all the evil passions of which he is +capable. + +"A mighty regal way he has with him," he muttered again, as he put away +his book. "Ten thousand pounds! Go on, Jasper, my boy--persevere! The +game starts well, the winning cards are yours. Gentlemen, make your +game, the ball is rolling." + +With this invitation to mankind in general, and his titled and wealthy +acquaintances in particular, Mr. Jasper Vermont made his preparations +for the night. He kept no valet; men of his type seldom care to have +another in such close relations as must necessarily happen when one man +holds the keys of another. It has been said by some cynic, that "the man +who takes off your coat sees what is passing in the heart beneath it," +and with this statement Mr. Vermont probably agreed. + +"I am a simple-minded, rough-and-ready creature," he often assured his +friends; "a man to worry my tie, and force me to buy a new coat, because +he desires my old one, would drive me mad." + +So he undressed himself slowly, reckoning up his gains, smiling at his +mask of a face in the large mirror, and hatching his little plots every +knot he untied, every button he released. At last he got into bed, and +slept as easily and serenely as any simple-minded farmer. + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + +But that night Adrien Leroy could not sleep. Dismissing his valet, he +threw himself into a chair, and began to review the events of the day, +which had affected him more deeply than he would confess to. Then the +mere sight of Lady Constance with Lord Standon had convinced him that +any hope of ever winning her for his wife was at an end. For so many +years had he himself been wooed and sought after, without response, that +he was as ignorant of the rules of the game of love as any child. Love! +he had sneered at it, jested at its power all his life; but now he was +beginning to suffer from its pangs himself. He rose hastily, and +throwing open the window of his dressing room, stepped out on the +balcony. + +It was an exquisite night, and the stars shone like diamonds. Yet their +very distance and detachment from all things earthly only served to +deepen Adrien's melancholy. Before him stretched, in seemingly endless +vista, the woods and lands of his heritage. As far as eye could reach, +the earth and all within it and upon it belonged to him; and yet he +sighed for the love and devotion of one frail girl, which, had he but +known, were already his. + +As he walked to and fro, he was again assailed by a wholesome distaste +of his present empty, aimless existence, and a great longing came over +him to break away from it and start afresh. Yes! he was very tired of it +all. The men and women with whom he had up to this spent his time were +becoming abhorrent to him. The thought of the soft lips and glances that +had hitherto beguiled him, and lulled him into a state bordering upon +stupor, now filled him with shame. Love, that marvellous panacea, had +driven out the false, the impure visions of his heart, as surely and as +thoroughly as ever Hercules cleansed the Augean stables. + +The blood of his race stirred with him; he would have liked to have +snatched Constance, and borne her away on his trusty steed, as his +forefathers would have done. But instead he must stand aside, and see +her married to another. Nay, he himself would be asked to attend the +wedding, perhaps even give her away to the man who was surely no more +worthy of her than Adrien himself. + +Jasper Vermont had indeed done his work well. No sooner had he seen the +light of love shining in his friend's face, than he had set to work; +and, like the grim spider of evil he resembled, had filled Adrien's mind +with the suggestion that Constance loved--in fact, was secretly engaged +to, Lord Standon. + +His reasons for this were twofold. If Adrien married Constance, Ada +Lester would--whether with or without cause--hold him responsible, and +was more than capable of carrying out her threat to unmask him to his +patron. Moreover, Jasper looked upon Lady Constance with an appreciative +and covetous eye, and felt that if he could ever ingratiate himself with +her sufficiently for her to promise to become his wife, the summit of +his ambition would be reached. + +Adrien was easily deceived; for, with all his faults, he was not +conceited. He did not guess that Constance's very openly expressed +pleasure in the company of Lord Standon was to prevent the discovery of +her real and passionate longing for that of her cousin. + +Henceforth, he told himself, he must do his best to hide the pain that +was gnawing at his heart. Henceforward, the pleasure of life would be as +Dead Sea fruit to him. His hand fell on the balustrade in his +unconscious despair; and at that moment, another window farther down the +long balcony opened, and the figure of Lord Barminster stepped out into +the moonlight. + +Adrien was in no humour to meet even his father; he was too weary in +spirit to confront the old man's satire with his usual calm; so he +shrank back into the shadow of the buttress against which he leaned. But +Lord Barminster's eyes were quick to perceive him; and, striding +forward, he laid his hand on his son's shoulder. + +"Well, Adrien," he commenced, "what is wrong? Can't you sleep, or are +you given to spending the small hours in star-gazing?" + +"I might retort in kind, sir," returned Adrien, pulling his scattered +thoughts together, and smiling faintly. + +"Ah! I am old," said his father. "Age has its penalties as well as its +privileges; and the freedom to speak plainly is one of the latter. Come, +my boy, what is wrong? At your age I was happy enough; but you seem to +have taken the troubles of the world on your shoulders. Are you ill?" + +"No, sir, I am well enough," returned Adrien quietly. + +"Then are you worrying over your debts through that unlucky horse? +Because, although, as you know, I do not interfere with your money +matters as a rule, you are quite at liberty to draw on my bank if you +care to do so." + +His son turned to him affectionately. + +"No, no, sir," he said gratefully. "I don't suppose they are as bad as +all that. Jasper will see to them." + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when he regretted them. His +father's face darkened; his eyes grew fierce. + +"Jasper! always Jasper," he snarled, even as Mortimer Shelton had done. +"It's a pity he didn't break his neck this morning, instead of his +miserable tool." + +Adrien uttered a protesting exclamation; he would have sacrificed +anything sooner than have given his father this opportunity to revile +his friend. + +"You must be blind, sir," continued Lord Barminster, now working himself +up into a rage. "Did not you see and hear enough from that jockey this +morning to make you realise what that precious friend of yours had done? +I tell you, Adrien, that Jasper Vermont bribed that miserable man to +rope your horse. For him, you have allowed your friends, my guests, to +be swindled out of their money." + +It was the first time in Adrien's recollection that the proud old man +had ever even hinted that Barminster Castle was not entirely his son's +yet; that the guests were those of his father's choice as well of his +own. + +Adrien's eyes blazed. + +"Father," he said in a low voice, but as hard as steel, "I know you have +always hated Mr. Vermont, but this goes farther than hate. Forgive me if +I ask you, but surely you have some proofs? Otherwise you would not have +accused him of such villainy. Give them to me, and I promise you to +punish him as severely as you yourself could wish." + +"Proofs!" his father repeated sternly with knitted brows. "What proofs +would such a clever scoundrel leave about? This morning's work should be +sufficient proof even to satisfy you." + +Adrien drew himself up to his full height, and confronted his father +with a resolute air. + +"It is no use, sir," he said. "I cannot take a drunken jockey's +ramblings as proof of such an awful thing as that. Jasper is my friend, +and besides, it is more to his interest to help me than to hate me." + +Lord Barminster sighed deeply. The experience of age had taught him the +impossibility of convincing youth against its will. + +"Well, my boy," he said, "have your own way, but mark my words, you will +live to repent your folly! I have no more proof, and to me no more is +needed. Men on their death-beds do not lie, and I am as firmly convinced +that Jasper Vermont forced that man to sell the race, as though I had +the confession on paper. Still, I will say no more; you are young, and +'Youth knows All.' Find out for yourself the man's character, I shall +not warn you again. You are placing your faith in a thankless cur; don't +grumble when he turns round and bites the hand that has helped him. As +for me, I will wait. Believe me, I would far rather know myself to be +wrong than deal you any further unhappiness, so let us drop the subject +for a time. I did not mean to bring up the man's name. I want to speak +to you of far more important things." + +His voice grew more grave, indeed almost solemn. + +"Adrien, I am an old man, nearing the grave, and, as is only natural, my +thoughts turn to the future of our race. You are the last of our line, +it is to you I look to carry it on. You are no longer a boy, with a +youth's follies and tastes; it is time you took up your +responsibilities." + +Adrien made as if to speak; but his father checked him, with a gesture +of his hand. + +"Stay, hear me out," he said. "When I was your age, your mother was at +my side, I had given the House of Leroy its son and heir. I was married, +and had left the lighter loves of the world for a more lasting and +responsible one. You know I have never interfered much with your life; +but though I am no longer of the gay world, I yet hear something of its +doings. You 'live the pace,' they tell me, and are the idol of the smart +set. Barminster Castle, Adrien, looks for something higher than that in +its lord and master. I repeat, sir, at your age I was married." + +"And loved," said Adrien softly. + +"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Lord Barminster, his face lighting up at the +thought of the woman whom he had lost, and mourned so long. "Your mother +was that which ranks above rubies, a good and virtuous woman, worthy of +any man's love." + +Adrien turned his pale face away, as if to avoid scrutiny, then he said +gently: + +"I admit your right to speak like this, sir, and if it rested with me I +would obey you at once." + +"It does rest with you, Adrien," returned his father quickly. "Surely +you are blind, not to see that Constance Tremaine loves you with her +whole heart." + +Adrien started up, his face alight and quivering with excitement. + +"Impossible, sir!" he exclaimed. "Would to heaven it were true; for I +know no other woman to whom I would so gladly devote my life." + +The grim old face softened and relaxed. He had not expected such an +overwhelming victory. + +"Why do you say it is impossible?" he asked. + +Adrien did not answer for a moment, then he slip hoarsely: + +"She is already engaged to Lord Standon." + +An exclamation of astonishment burst from the old man's lips. He put out +his hand in involuntary sympathy, and the two so strangely alike, yet so +wide apart in years, clasped hands. Then, as if ashamed of the momentary +emotion, the old man turned away, saying quietly: + +"This is, of course, a surprise to me. Its truth yet remains to be +proved, but I should feel inclined to doubt it myself." With which he +went back to his own apartments. + +Left alone once more, Adrien walked restlessly to and fro. + +"If Constance really cared for me," he said to himself, "nothing else in +the world would matter. Lucky Standon! I dare not think of the future, +it what Jasper said was true." + +At last he, too, returned to his room; but it was almost morning before +he fell into a troubled slumber. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + +The morning following the disastrous steeple-chase, Mr. Jasper Vermont +ordered his car, and then sat down to write to Adrien. He told him that +he regretted having to leave the Castle so suddenly, but urgent business +required his presence in London, and that he would return to Barminster +as soon as possible. + +On the appearance of the motor, he took his departure, travelling direct +to Jermyn Court, where he stayed to lunch, waited on by the attentive +Norgate as though he had been Adrien himself. Then, having filled his +cigar-case with his friend's choicest Cabanas, he strolled through the +fashionable parts of the Park. + +The loungers and idle men of fashion who usually frequented it at that +time of the day knew him well, and nodded with forced smiles of +friendship--it was clearly to their interest to be on good, if possible, +cordial terms with a man who always had the entree to the innermost +circles, and who had won the confidence of a popular favourite like +Adrien Leroy. + +Those who had not been personally introduced to Jasper, had still heard +reports of his position, and looked after him with that half-envious air +which says so plainly: + +"There goes the kind of prosperous, wealthy man I myself should like to +be." + +Mr. Vermont strolled along, his face wreathed in a perpetual smirk of +recognition, his hat off half a dozen times a minute, acknowledging the +smiling glances accorded to him. + +When he had nearly come to Hyde Park Gate, he was confronted by one of +the loungers--an old acquaintance of his--whose woe-begone countenance +seemed expressive of acute mental distress. + +Jasper Vermont recognised him in spite of his altered +appearance--usually a very gay one--and stopped him. + +"What, Beau!" he exclaimed with seemingly effusive warmth; "you here; +whatever have you been doing--committing murder? Or have you married in +haste, to repent of it at leisure?" + +"Neither, my dear boy," answered the well-groomed young man--a captain +in the "Household" Guards--one of the fastest and most generally liked +fellows in town. "Neither, Vermont; but I have just come from the City." + +"City of the Tombs!" drawled Jasper facetiously. + +Captain Beaumont laughed, but rather mournfully. + +"Yes," he said, "all my hopes are buried in that beastly place.' Really, +the County Council ought to put a notice over the west side of Temple +Bar monument instead of that heraldic beast: 'Abandon hope, all ye who +enter here,'" + +Mr. Vermont laughed, in his usual quiet way. + +"How's that? The City is good enough in its way. What have they been +doing to you; won't they lend you any more money?" + +"Worse even than that," said the young spend-thrift; "they actually want +me to repay all that I owe them already, on short notice, with the usual +threats if I fail to comply within their time." + +"Oh!" remarked Mr. Vermont simply; but his "oh" was full of meaning and +apparent sympathy for the misfortunes of his friend. + +"Yes, that hard-hearted old skinflint, Harker--what a mean brute he is! +I should like to bury him, and would attend his funeral gladly to be +certain I had seen the last of him. He holds a pretty little tot-up in +the way of bills of mine; and I expected, naturally enough, when I call +on the firm, that they would renew them at the usual Shylock rates, and +I could try elsewhere for something to go on with." + +"Yes," said Mr. Vermont, "of course, that's the way you have done for +years." + +Captain Beaumont nodded. + +"Yes, that's so; but Harker only shook that long head of his, and +refused me; and nothing I could say would change the old skinflint's +mind either. You know that cock-and-bull story he always tells, about +his not being the principal, but only the servant? Well, he says his +principal has instructed him to call in my bills, and it is impossible +for him to renew them; and that the usual steps will be taken if I am +not able to meet them." + +Jasper laughed, with gentle sarcasm. + +"Of course, that's always the moneylender's excuse. I'm afraid he will +sell you up, Beau." + +Captain Beaumont whistled. + +"My dear Vermont, it will be an awful shock for the guv'nor. He can only +give us younger sons a small allowance, and he certainly won't be able +to settle this matter; it would be altogether beyond him." + +"What is the amount?" inquired Jasper. He was as well aware as was the +young captain himself, of Lord Dunford's financial difficulties. + +"Well, not much," replied Captain Beaumont. "Only seven thousand; but +it's no good my going to the guv'nor for a penny piece, and how to clear +it up is more than I can tell. But why do you ask?" he added, though +with but faint eagerness. "Do you think you could find any one able to +help me out of this beastly hole?" + +"Well, I might," said Jasper, eyeing his cigar meditatively, as if +seeking from its fumes some inspiration as to a method of aiding his +friend. + +"I only know one way to prevent Harker taking extreme measures," went on +the troubled debtor; "that is, if I could get some one to back new +bills. Now if, say, Adrien Leroy were to back some bills for me, Harker +certainly would not refuse; but I am hardly in a position to ask Leroy." + +"But I am," said Vermont, smiling with the consciousness of power; "and I +will do it for you, for old friendship's sake." + +"You will!" exclaimed the captain gratefully. "Jasper, you're a brick! I +feel sure, somehow, he will do it for you. _I_ should stand no chance. +You are a good fellow to come to my rescue in this fashion." + +"Ah," said Mr. Vermont, with a smile; "but can we be sure that Harker +will accept Leroy's name of the bills?" + +"Why, of course, Harker or anybody--who wouldn't?" asked the Guardsman, +as the cloud dispelled from his face at hope coming so quickly from this +unexpected quarter. "Why, it's as good as the Bank of England. Harker +take it?---he'll snap at it. Only try him and see his greedy eyes +glisten. What could Harker get by selling me up?--absolutely nothing. +Besides, it would do him harm by letting others know how harshly he +served me. Oh, no, Harker will not sell me up if he can find such an +easy, safe way out of the difficulty." + +"True," said Jasper pleasantly. "Well, I'll interview Leroy and see if I +can persuade him to assist you, as a friend of mine; I believe I can do +it for you. Going to Lady Merivale's to-night? Yes? Then we shall meet +again; till then, au revoir." + +So, with a shake of his fat, smooth hand, the benevolent, unselfish Mr. +Vermont took his departure, still smiling serenely, on the business +which had brought him that day to London. + +Nobody knew Jasper's private address. He was always to be found with +Adrien Leroy, and all letters were addressed to his club; or to Jermyn +Court; but of the locality of that place which Mr. Vermont would +sanctify by the name of "home," every one was ignorant. Whenever +questioned on this subject--he never obtruded the matter on anybody--it +was his custom to answer lightly: + +"Home! what does such a waif, such a jetsam and flotsam of the world's +flowing tide, want with a home? Really, my dear boy"--or madam, if the +speaker happened to be of the gentler sex--"if ever you have occasion to +see me, I am sure to be at one of these three places: Leroy's chambers, +my club--the Pallodeon, or Barminster Castle." + +And accordingly, to one of these places his fashionable acquaintances +directed their inquiries for him. Mr. Vermont, however, really possessed +a home, small, it is true, but one quite suitable to his needs, and +absolutely secluded from the possible knowledge of his friends in the +gay world. + +After leaving Captain Beaumont, he had himself driven to the City. +Alighting in front of a large jeweller's shop, apparently with the +intention of purchasing something, he dismissed his car; then when it +had disappeared, walked quickly along the crowded thoroughfare for some +distance. At last, looking round furtively--for he was ever cautious--he +dived into one of the small entrances in Lawrence Lane, and mounting two +flights of stairs, entered the front room. This was the home, or rather, +perhaps, refuge from the conventions of society, that Mr. Vermont +possessed. Here he could find shelter at any time of the night, for he +possessed a private key; and by his orders the bed was kept constantly +aired and ready by the housekeeper; who had her own rooms on the floor +above. It was no unusual thing for her to leave the rooms tenantless +late in the evening, and find them occupied when she rose in the +morning, Jasper having arrived during the dead of night, silently as was +his invariable custom. + +The second morning after his sudden return to town, Mr. Vermont was in +his sitting-room, which was very plainly furnished indeed, partaking of +a breakfast so simple that his fashionable friends would scarcely have +believed the evidence of their own eyes. When he had finished, and the +table had been cleared, he went over to the roll-top desk which stood in +an angle by the window, and opened it, disclosing piles of letters, +sheets, of closely written foolscap and slips of memorandum forms. On +the corner of the desk stood a telephone, which communicated with +Harker's private room, downstairs in the offices; they were dignified by +the name of Harker's "Bank," and were, of course, those of the +moneylending business which was carried on by Vermont in that name. +Taking up the receiver now, he asked Harker to come up to him as soon as +possible. + +Within the next few minutes, George Harker was standing before the +master he both hated and feared. He was very tall, with a thin, lined +face, from which all light and hope seemed to have fled. His whole being +appeared wrapped up in attendance on Jasper Vermont. He watched him +eagerly now, not speaking until he was spoken to, but simply waiting +patiently, doggedly, till his master was ready to attend to him. + +Vermont drew the heap of various papers towards him--with keen eyes and +quick brain grasped the multitude of facts they set forth, checked the +long column of figures, struck the balances; and, with a nod of +satisfaction, looked up at the man before him. + +"All right, Harker, as far as I can see--and, as you know, that's all +the way and a little beyond. But we must do better than that. Where's +the private account?" + +"Here, sir," said Harker, in a dry, rasping voice, somewhat like the +creaking of an old, rusty-hinged door. + +"Where?--oh, yes, I see. Oh, Paxhorn has come to us, has he? Writing +poetry is not a paying game, eh? Or is it the fine, grand company that +runs away with the golden counters? Well, all fish--or idiots--that come +to our net are welcomed, no matter what wind drives them. Thirty per +cent. from Paxhorn. No more?" + +"I could not get any more, sir," said Harker earnestly; "I tried--tried +hard--indeed I did, I assure you. I would not give in until he +threatened to go to another office." + +"Hem! well, I suppose it's the truth; though, of course, all +moneylenders are rogues--and you're only a moneylender, you know." He +looked up for a moment to laugh at the logical joke. "Who backs his +paper? Lord Standon. Oh, my lord is pretty deep in our books already, +isn't he? Where are his statistics?" + +"Here, sir," said Harker, taking one of the papers from the heap. + +Jasper Vermont glanced at it, and laid it down again with an evil smile +on his face. + +"Oh, he's good for more than that, Harker; but be cautious. We'll lend +him another ten thousand; but put on five per cent. Lords must pay, to +set the fashion to commoner folk. By the way, Captain Beaumont----" + +"Whose bills you instructed me to call in, sir." + +"Yes; well, I met him yesterday and promised to intercede for him you." +He laughed harshly. "What fun it is, poor idiot! He shook my hand with +profuse expressions of gratitude. Mr. Leroy will back the renewal and +you can let it run. Beaumont's the second son, Lord Dunford is on his +last legs, and the heir won't live another year, we can come down like +kites when the gallant captain has the title and estates. Till then +we'll wait; but stick out for another two-and-a-half per cent. Make the +calves bleed, Harker; it will do them and me good." + +About that small matter of the young artist, Wilson, sir?" + +"Eh! Wilson? Oh, yes. You got instructions to proceed in the usual way +to sell him up." + +"Yes, sir, that was your order. He called yesterday, and pleaded for +another week. His wife is dying, and they are starving. He begs hard for +another week----" + +Stuff, another week! the dog means another year. He should have thought +of the time for repaying when he was borrowing. Another week--not +another day. Start proceedings at once. Mind, I say it. Didn't I hear +him call me a 'parasite from the pavement' one night at a ball? Screens +have ears, Mr. Wilson, and parasites have memories. Sell him up--do you +hear, Harker?" + +"I do sir; it shall be done," replied his servant meekly. + +"And now for Leroy's account." With a gleam of fiendish delight in his +eyes, he scrutinized the figures and statements. "Ah! you are getting +them in fast." + +"All Mr. Leroy's bills we are getting in--buying up wherever they are +met with, sir, according to your instructions." + +"Right, get him into your hands--you know how. Be prepared for--you +know!" + +Mr. Harker inclined his head. + +"Now for the women. Ah, those dear butterfly creatures will come to the +nasty sticky papers that were meant to catch bluebottles only; well, +then, they must take the consequences. What! Lady Merivale--the fair +Eveline. Does she want to borrow money?" + +"She dabbles in the Stock Exchange. I know her business man; he owes us +money, sir, and we know some of his secrets. She has been losing lately, +and has deposited her diamonds, sir--" + +"Her diamonds? The famous Merivale diamonds? Where are they?" + +"Here, sir." Mr. Harker produced from his long pocket a shallow morocco +case which he tendered mechanically to his employer. + +Jasper Vermont opened the case, and gazed on its contents with twinkling +eyes; then, shutting it with a laugh, he leaned back in his chair, +rubbing his smooth fat hands over his chin. + +"What will her ladyship do for them, and when were those left? I saw her +last night and--by Heaven! she wore--" + +"Paste imitations, sir. I had them made up for her. Did you think the +counterfeit good?" + +"Capital. Oh, isn't it rich! that old idiot must have eyed her proudly, +gloating over his famous diamonds on his wife's fair bosom, little +guessing they were Mr. Harker's tawdry glass mockeries. Capital, Harker, +but take care, take care. Remember the duchess who brought her jewels to +pledge, and discovered that they were paste already, and that the duke +had done the transmutation before her. Beware!" + +"I am careful, sir, I am careful, very; I do not think--I trust--there +have been no losses, not even small ones. I do my best to secure your +interests." + +"Well, I believe you. You keep up the appearances, I hope? Never forget +to tell people that you are only a subordinate, that you are acting for +others and strictly on the instructions given to you by them. The more +you assert it the more they'll think it a falsehood. Keep it up, Harker, +and then, well, you know I keep my promises. By the way, how is the +little Lucy?" + +As he spoke the name, half scornfully, half indifferently, a visible +change came over his tool and puppet. His face became paler, if that +were possible, his head seemed to drop, his whole figure was expressive +of deepest dejection, fear, supplication. + +"Well, sir, quite well, and deeply grateful for your kindness," he said, +wetting his dry lips. + +"Ah! and so she should be, young hussey. A fine thing for her. Married +and respectable. If that soft-hearted, simple little husband of hers +knew all I know! Strange that I should have dropped on to her and that +first lover of hers down in that quiet place. Strange, wasn't it? Now I +daresay they thought they were as safe as at the bottom of the sea. +Didn't think that Mr. Jasper Vermont, a friend of the family, could be +staying at the same hotel. He ought to have married her, of course. +Better that he didn't, eh? Yet that weak, amiable grocer, innocent and +unsuspecting, lets her have it all her own way, and believes her just a +little purer and whiter than the angels. Clever little thing, Lucy. +Makes him think she loves him, I daresay." + +"My poor child loves her husband better than her own life, sir," +breathed the father. "She is so happy, they love each other so, and she +is my own flesh and blood. Forget that accursed night and the devil that +led her astray. Forget that she is anything but the wife of an honest +man. Have mercy on her, sir." + +"Well, Harker, I will; I am all mercy. Do your duty by me and I won't go +down to tell the story of that night to Lucy's good, trusting husband. +But don't ask me to forget, my good fellow, for that's folly. I never +forget!" + +"Thank you, sir, thank you," Harker said, wiping the perspiration from +his brow. "I will do my duty and work day and night in your interests, +if you will only spare my child and keep others from knowing of that one +false step." + +Mr. Jasper Vermont leaned back in his chair, and regarded his servant's +agitation with quiet amusement for a few minutes; then he gathered all +the papers together, put them away in his desk, and dismissed Mr. Harker +with a nod, saying: + +"You can go now. Don't forget the Leroy paper, renew Beaumont, but sell +up that artist scamp to the last stick and stone. Parasites can bite as +well as cling, Mr. Wilson." + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + +The afternoon following the race the Castle guests returned to town, +Lord Standon amongst them, and as that light-hearted gentleman departed +without making any formal proposal for the hand of his young ward, Lord +Barminster was greatly puzzled. + +All that day he had watched Lady Constance with an unceasing vigilance, +of which, fortunately, she was unaware; but he could detect no traces of +affection in her intercourse with Lord Standon, nor could he find any +reason for his son's despair. Like a wise man, however, he made no +reference whatever to the conversation of the preceding night, for which +Adrien was exceedingly grateful, as he felt ashamed of having exposed +his real feelings, even to his father. + +Instead, therefore, Lord Barminster endeavoured to find out the true +state of the case from his sister Penelope. + +That lady, disturbed from her afternoon slumber, was inclined to be +testy. As far as she was concerned, she was very much against the idea +of Constance marrying any one, for the girl's presence saved her a great +deal of trouble in many ways; the consultations with the housekeeper, +the choosing of books, the writing of invitations, these and a hundred +other trifles which in the event of Constance's marriage would be +shifted back on to her own shoulders. + +Naturally, therefore, she considered the suitor who would be less likely +to inconvenience her; and he, of course, was Adrien. For if he married +Constance, there would be, at least, some time during the year in which +she would be at Barminster, and leave Miss Penelope free to resume the +novel reading of which she was so inordinately fond. She scoffed, +therefore, at any likelihood of Lord Standon's suit, and flatly refused +to believe a word of it. + +Meanwhile, Adrien was in a state of restless excitement, for which he +himself could scarcely account, and accordingly he determined to return +to London next day. + +That night they were a family party of four, and Lady Constance noticed +that her guardian's manner was considerably more cheerful than was its +wont, and that during dinner he glanced with even more affection than +usual at the handsome face of his only son. Afterwards, when the old man +had returned to his own apartments, Adrien found his cousin in the +silver drawing-room, with Miss Penelope. The latter had taken up her +latest novel, and was devouring it with rapt attention. + +Lady Constance, with a smile, beckoned to her cousin and made room for +him beside her on the Chesterfield. He sank down with a sigh of content. + +"You leave us to-morrow then?" she began, in a tone of calm inquiry. + +He was filled with an insane longing to seize her in his arms, and cover +her face with kisses; but he restrained himself, though he bent nearer +to her as he said in a low voice: + +"Yes, I am going back to try and put my affairs in better order. My +father has been pulling me up--quite rightly, of course. I ought to have +seen to these things before. I am afraid I have not been a good son to +him." + +"You do not see him very often, do you?" said Lady Constance, who knew +to a day how often Adrien had visited the Castle during the last twelve +months, during which she herself had sighed for his absence. + +"No," he admitted. "I always seem to have so many engagements; but now I +am going to try a new mode of life--thanks to your words." + +"My words?" echoed Lady Constance, in genuine surprise. "I thought you +said uncle had been speaking to you." + +"Yes," he agreed. "But it was what you said to me during our ride that +decided me really--about the tenants, and all that." + +"You must not listen to all my complaints," she said, smilingly. "I am +proud of the Barminster estates, naturally; and I cannot bear that they +should be inferior to those of our neighbour----" + +"Who is that?" he inquired quickly. + +"Why, Lord Standon, of course," was the calm reply. + +He started at the sound of the name of one he deemed his rival. The +jealous blood rushed to his face and his heart beat fast. + +"Naturally," he said, in tones as quiet as he could make them, "you +would compare all estates with his--_now!_" + +With womanly intuition she saw his meaning, but did not choose to dispel +his suspicions just then. Not that she was a coquette or flirt, for she +loved this man with all the strength of her being; but, on the other +hand, she knew, or thought she knew, his disposition only too well, and +she feared to yield to her natural inclinations, which were to allow him +to see that he had only to speak, and she was ready and willing to +listen. Instead, therefore, she merely said lightly: + +"Yes, he makes a good landlord, for all he declares to the contrary. +Then, too, he has a capable agent." + +"Like Jasper," put in her companion, trying to keep his eyes away from +her pretty, vivacious face. + +Lady Constance was silent. However much she might dislike and distrust +Vermont, she never expressed her opinion of him to Adrien. She therefore +turned the subject quickly by inquiring after the next race. + +"'The Brigades'--in two months' time," he replied. + +"The 'King' will run, I suppose?" she asked. + +"Yes, and I shall ride him," said Adrien quietly. "After an accident +such as has occurred, none shall ride him save myself; then if anything +should happen----" + +"Ah! no! no!" cried Lady Constance, her face paling, and her blue eyes +full of alarm; "you mustn't!--you shan't!" She stopped short. "I mean," +she went on, speaking more quietly, "you must think what it would be--to +your father--and auntie----" + +"And you," he said eagerly, catching at her hands. "Would you care, +too?" + +She gently drew her fingers from his grasp. + +"Of course I should," she replied, in her usual quiet tones. "Am I not a +sort of cousin?" + +"Constance," he broke in passionately, "I have no right to speak to you, +I know; but tell me just this, if--if----" + +Alas! for Adrien. Alas! for poor Lady Constance. The book in Miss +Penelope's hand had slid quickly from her grasp, as she sat dozing near +the fire-place. At this, the most critical moment, it came with a sudden +crash to the floor, and Miss Penelope opened her eyes, and sat up +briskly. + +Nothing more could be said under the circumstances, and Adrien was +perforce obliged to spend the evening as best he might, turning over the +pages of his cousin's music, and watching her with longing, ardent eyes; +while Miss Penelope sat near by, tactlessly wide awake. + +Presently she glanced up. + +"Adrien, did you ask your father about the ball?" she asked. + +Her nephew looked abashed. Truth to tell, he had completely forgotten +it. + +"No," he admitted candidly, "I did not. But forgive me, this time; I +will ask him to-night." + +A little later the ladies rose to retire. + +"Good-night, my dear boy," said Miss Penelope, gathering up her precious +book and chocolates. "You go to town to-morrow? Oh, then, I shall not +see you again. Good-bye; and don't forget about the ball." + +Adrien held the door open for her, and she passed out; then he closed it +again. + +"Good-night, Constance," he said, gazing longingly into his cousin's +face. + +"Good-night," she said, giving him her hand. "Good-night, and a pleasant +journey." + +"Will you not wish me a speedy return?" + +"That might be an ill wish," she answered lightly--"if you did not care +to come." + +"You know I do," he whispered, and he raised her fingers to his lips. + +With a vivid blush, Lady Constance withdrew her hand from his grasp, and +left the room. Going straight up to her own apartment, she flung herself +on her knees. The kiss he had impressed on her fingers seemed to burn +them; the sound of his voice rang in her ears; yet, with a strength of +mind extraordinary in a girl so young, she put away the sweetness of his +half-formed declaration, hoping that his journey to town meant the +cutting free of all entanglements, and the settling of his affairs. + +Early the following morning, the sound of a motor, and the barking of +dogs, brought Lady Constance to her window; below her was Adrien, +followed by a servant with the travelling case, which was placed beside +the chauffeur. + +Adrien had already entered the car, and was about to have it set in +motion, when a sudden idea seemed to strike him, and he glanced up at +Lady Constance's window. Seeing this, she opened the casement and stood +framed by the surrounding greenery. + +Adrien waved his hand to her; then, hastily scribbling something in a +note-book, he tore the page out, and evidently despatched it by one of +the waiting servants. + +She watched every movement, with eyes shining with eagerness, and could +have cried bitterly at the thought of his absence. She knew, too, that +she was playing a dangerous game, when she allowed him to return to +town, his passion still undeclared; yet she felt that this was the only +means of holding his affections; for she was a firm believer in the +adage--"Absence makes the heart grow fonder." She sighed deeply, +however, as with a parting wave of his hand, and bareheaded, Adrien was +rapidly driven away. + +A few minutes later the servant brought her the hastily written note. It +was only a scrap of paper, and unfolding it, she read the two lines: + + +"My father grants us the ball. We will make it an eventful +one.--ADRIEN." + + +Her face glowed. "We will, indeed," she murmured. "It is a high stake I +play for; but it is worth the struggle. Heaven grant me his whole heart! +I ask nothing else." + +Carefully locking the scrap of paper away, she descended into the +morning-room, where Lord Barminster was already seated at the +breakfast-table. His grim face softened at the entry of the girl he had +always looked upon as a daughter, and loved even more intensely--if that +were possible--now that he meant to win her for his son's bride. + +"So Adrien has left us again?" he began, as she poured out his coffee. + +She flushed slightly at his significant tones. + +"Yes," she replied. "Uncle, thank you so much for letting us have the +ball----" + +"Nonsense, my dear" he returned. "Adrien told me you wanted it, and that +was sufficient. Why didn't you ask me yourself? Have I been such a cruel +guardian?" + +"No, no," she cried, and coming round to him impulsively, she pressed +her lips to his forehead. "You've been the dearest uncle in the world. +Indeed, no father could have been better." + +He smiled at her earnestness. + +"I've done my best, my dear, though I admit I'd like you for my very own +daughter-in-law." + +Lady Constance blushed scarlet. This was carrying the war into the +enemy's camp with a vengeance. + +"'Nobody axed me, sir, she said,'" she sang gaily. + +"Ah, but whose fault is that?" asked Lord Barminster, pleased that she +had not refused to discuss the question. + +"Please, Uncle Philip," she said, with a sudden quiver in her voice, +"I'd rather not talk about it--if you don't mind." + +"Quite right, my dear," replied Lord Barminster, patting her hand +reassuringly. + +For a few minutes there was silence. His lordship drank his coffee, +while his companion stared dreamily through the window at the +magnificent view of park and woods. The old man was the first to speak. + +"We shall miss Lord Standon," he said, with a meaning glance at her. + +Lady Constance looked up with a start; then, as she realised the +significance of this simple statement, she smiled. She knew she could +trust her uncle not to betray her woman's secret; and, though she had no +scruple in using Lord Standon as a means to spur on Adrien, she would +not allow the old man to be worried unnecessarily by doubts of her +fidelity to his beloved son. + +"Yes," she answered, quietly. "But he only came down for the race; and I +daresay he was anxious to rejoin his fiancee." + +It was her uncle's turn to start, and his intense surprise told Lady +Constance only too well that her speculations were correct. Adrien had +believed her in love with Lord Standon, and his father had undertaken to +find out the truth. She was not afraid of Adrien's being undeceived now; +for, even if Lord Barminster wrote--which was very unlikely--the spur +would have done its work. + +"I did not know he was engaged," the old man exclaimed. + +"No, the news has not been made public; but he told me in confidence," +Lady Constance returned calmly, as she rose from the breakfast-table. +Then, having seen her companion installed with his newspaper, she passed +out to the terrace. + +To the astonishment of every one in Barminster Castle, some few hours +later, Mr. Vermont reappeared. + +In his turn he seemed quite as surprised when he learned that Leroy had +already returned to London. + +"Gone," he echoed, "just a few hours ago? Dear! dear! I must have missed +him by telling my chauffeur to take the road across the moor." + +He entered the Castle while he was speaking, and the servants hastened +to learn his commands; for, next to the sun, there is nothing better +than the moon--next to the Hon. Adrien came his friend and agent, Mr. +Jasper Vermont. But Jasper waved them amiably aside, as he entered the +dining-room. + +"You would like some luncheon, sir?" inquired the butler, coming forward +respectfully. + +Jasper nodded. + +"Just a snack, Judson. Don't put yourselves out for me, I'm off again +directly." + +While the estimable Judson went off to get this snack--which resolved +itself into an exquisitely-laid lunch--Mr. Vermont dropped into a chair, +and surveyed the scene through the open window. Strange to say, his +thoughts seemed to run similarly to those of Lady Constance, earlier in +the day; for he exclaimed under his breath: + +"It's a large stake, worth playing for. Awkward my missing him." He +smoothed out a pile of deeds and documents and replaced them in his +leather bag. "He would have signed these without a word here; at his +chambers, he'll amuse himself by reading them, confound it!" + +A rustle of silken skirts attracted his attention; the scowl vanished, +and he readjusted his smiling mask as the door opened and Lady Constance +entered the room. + +She had been informed of his sudden arrival; and, though heartily +disliking him, she was yet bound to play the part of hostess while her +aunt was resting. + +Mr. Vermont bowed low over her extended hand, as over that of an +empress. + +"I hope your ladyship is well?" he asked. + +"Quite, thank you, Mr. Vermont," she said with cold indifference. "I +suppose you have come down to see Adrien? He started for London before +breakfast this very morning." + +"So I have just heard," he returned sweetly. + +"I am not greatly surprised, as Lady Merivale was asking after him last +night. I expect she summoned him." + +The girl's face paled ever so slightly, though she strove to give no +sign that his shaft had hit home. Adrien had received a letter that +morning, as she knew, one having been brought up to her by mistake. + +"Very likely," she said imperturbably. "I daresay he had to attend to +some business too." + +"Adrien is very changeable," Vermont said reflectively, "one can never +count on his movements; following him is like wild duck shooting, down +the river on Monday, and up the Fens on Tuesday. I'm sorry I missed him, +though, for I have several papers which he must see." + +Lady Constance tried to appear sympathetic. + +"It is a pity you weren't earlier," she said with a smile. "Still, I +daresay you know where to find him." + +"Oh, yes," returned Mr. Vermont, glancing at her from the corner of his +eye, as he aimed his second shaft. "He will be either with Miss +Lester or her ladyship; he fluctuates between these two points of +happiness as a rule." + +Lady Constance did not appear perturbed in any way by this news. + +"Lady Merivale is a charming woman," she said briefly. "But who is Miss +Lester?" + +"She is also a charming woman," was the smooth reply; "but with the +difference that she is unattached--save to the theatre." + +"Oh! an actress!" exclaimed his companion with patrician contempt. "That +reminds me," she continued. "What is your last success at the Casket?" + +"_My_ success," echoed Mr. Vermont, with an air of pained astonishment. + +"Yes, are you not the manager of that building?" she asked simply. + +He bowed and smiled. + +"No, Lady Constance," he said. "I fear the world gives me too much +credit. I have nothing to do with this whim of Adrien's save to pay out +the salaries for the company. The management is his--or rather, perhaps, +I should say, Miss Lester's; and I am not answerable for its failure or +its successes. I believe, too, he is about to give the whole place to +Miss Lester." + +Lady Constance started almost unconsciously, and Jasper knew that his +words had hit home at last. + +"I am sure you do your best to help him," she said, after a moment's +pause. + +"You are most kind," he returned with a bow and an ironic smile. "I +trust you will let me prove my friendship both to Adrien and yourself." + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + +It was the night on which Adrien had returned to town. Jessica, ignorant +that he had ever left it, had found her way to his chambers, and waited +there patiently and hungrily in the hope of once more seeing him. As the +clock struck eight she decided that it was useless to remain any longer, +and accordingly retraced her steps through the crowded thoroughfares. + +Anything would be better than waiting like this, she thought +despairingly. + +After the silence of the deserted street, the crowds, pushing and +jostling her, brought her almost a feeling of satisfaction. Even if she +were alone, at least she could not be solitary while the world rushed +past her, in its eager search for pleasure. + +At one point near Charing Cross a few curious loafers had collected on +either side of the brilliantly-lit facade of a theatre, over which, in +coloured lights, was the name, "The Casket." + +As Jessica stood watching listlessly, indeed almost unconsciously, a +handsome motor rolled up before the imposing entrance. The little group +surged back before the white-gloved commissionaire, who hurried forward, +but the door of the car had already been thrown open by the chauffeur, +and a gentleman and lady stepped out. + +At the sight of one of them, Jessica's indifference became changed to a +feverish eagerness. The colour left her face, her eyes dilated, her lips +parted. She swayed back, half fearful, half desirous that he should see +her; for it was he, the man for whom she had waited so long, the man she +had enshrined within her heart. + +Adrien, all his doubts as to the possibility of winning Constance's love +returning to him in full force once he had left her presence, had come +down to the theatre with two objects. One to distract his thoughts from +his hopes and fears, the other to arrange with Jasper for the entire +transfer of the theatre to Ada. He meant this to be the last night as +far as the Casket and Ada Lester were concerned. + +Absorbed in his own reflections, he hardly saw the group of humble +spectators, and did not appear to hear their murmurs of recognition, but +turned and held out his hand to assist the lady who accompanied him. + +Jessica's eyes flashed fiercely as they wandered from his face to that +of the woman beside him. + +"She is beautiful," she murmured beneath her breath. "She is beautiful, +and with him!" + +All the love which had been aroused in her passionate heart surged up, +and, for the minute, almost turned to jealous hate. "Beautiful, and with +him." It was agony to her to see him as he bent down to catch some light +words of his companion, whose perfumed satin cloak swept by the +crouching girl, as the pair passed into the theatre. + +Full well she knew that she herself could never hope to hear his voice, +or feel the pressure of his hand; yet it was with the bitterness of +death that she saw him pass her by in the company of this beautiful +woman. Mingled also with her jealousy was another feeling, that of +partial recognition. For the moment--she could not remember where--but +at some time in the past, she fancied she had seen that dark, +highly-coloured face, and heard the harsh vulgar voice. + +As Leroy turned from the motor, she heard him say to the chauffeur: + +"Be here at eleven." + +"At eleven," she thought, "then I will be here too, and see him once +more." + +She hung on the outskirts of the group and listened with greedy ears for +any chance word that might arise about her idol. + +"A reg'lar beauty, I should just think so," said a man, addressing +another who had passed a remark on the lady in question. "She's the +biggest star on the stage, you bet! Ada Lester knows her value, and +ain't likely to forget it neither." + +The other man ventured a remark concerning the lady's escort. + +"Him? That's Leroy--son of Lord Barminster--the richest of 'em all. She +belongs to him, she does; so does the whole theatre. Costs him a pretty +penny, you bet. But lor' bless yer, he don't mind! Can't spend his money +fast enough. My brother's one of the shifters; and the things he cud +tell yer about 'er, and 'er temper, 'ud make yer 'air stand on end." + +Jessica moved away, while members of the group aired their knowledge of +the rapidly entering, smartly-dressed audience. + +"That's Mr. Leroy's friend, Mr. Vermont," commenced the first speaker +again. "I've 'eard tell 'e does all the work and pays out all the other +one's money; but he ain't no class himself--he's not a real tip-top +swell like them others." He pointed to a little group of +white-waistcoated, immaculately-dressed men, now standing on the steps +of the vestibule. "Lord! this 'ere Casket'll be crammed with all the +swells to-night--'cos it's the fashion." + +"So Ada Lester is the fashion now, eh?" commented his companion, who had +probably known her in her poorer days, and therefore was inclined to be +interested in her. + +"Not 'arf, she ain't," agreed the man, with the Londoner's pride in +laying down the law on the subject. "She's got a house like a duchess, +and can eat off gold or silver if she chooses; an' all for her face, for +she can't act for nuts. I've seen 'er so I know!" With which lordly +criticism, he closed the subject. + +As for Jessica, sick at heart with jealousy, she turned up one of the +side streets to commence her long wait for Adrien Leroy; while the group +dispersed, laughing and chattering. + +The Casket was filled now to its utmost capacity. It was the first night +of a new piece. The unfortunate comedy which Ada had so strongly +condemned had been withdrawn, and a so-called musical farce--consisting +of very bad music, and still worse comedy--hastily put on in its stead. +As usual, no expense had been spared in the mounting, and Adrien's money +had been poured out like water on extraordinary costumes, gorgeous, +highly-coloured scenery, and a hundred embellishments for this new piece +of elaborate and senseless burlesque, Prince Bon-Bon. But with all its +deficiencies as regarded culture, the piece appeared to be a success. + +Ada Lester could dance, if she could not act; and she could shout a +vulgar patter song, if she could not sing; therefore after a tumultuous +first act, during which she had been "Hongkored"--as she expressed +it--to her heart's content, she was standing in the wings, with a +cigarette between her painted lips, radiant with content and gratified +vanity. + +"Well, Shelton," said Leroy, as his friend approached him, where he +leaned against a stack of scenery. "What do you think of the show this +time?" + +"As beautiful as it is senseless," was that gentleman's sarcastic reply. +"Heaven alone knows what it cost you," he added. + +"I certainly don't know myself," admitted Adrien, knocking the ash from +his cigarette. "Ask Paxhorn--he wrote the lyrics, and had the +management; or better still Vermont, whom I'm going to see myself +presently. But this will be a success, Mortimer, and I shall make a +fortune." + +"Yes," said Shelton quietly, "for Paxhorn and Vermont. Well, it's no +business of mine, of course." + +He turned to Ada, who had been tapping her foot angrily during this +little conversation. "Well, Miss Lester," he said, "haven't you a word +for me to-night?" + +She glared at him viciously, for Mortimer was not a favourite of hers. + +"Yes," she snapped. "I hate the sight of you!" + +Both men laughed as though amused. + +"That was a fair hit," said Shelton, with mock grief in his voice. +"Don't kill me right out, Miss Lester. Let me open a bottle of champagne +for you." + +"I don't want it," said the popular dancer, her eyes flashing angrily. +Then, turning her back on him, she said to Adrien, "Ain't you going to +the front to see me dance?" + +"I can see you from here," was his answer. "You look charming, my dear +Ada; doesn't she, Mortimer?" + +"Yes, and as good as she is beautiful," declared that gentleman, making +her a low bow. + +With a furious glance at him, and a furtive look at Adrien, she passed +them, and, accompanied by a burst of music from the orchestra and a +storm of clapping from the audience, she commenced her dance. + +Shelton watched her with a sneer. + +"Hark! how they applaud," he said, glancing up at the crowded and +delighted house. "They seem to admire her, anyway. Long live Miss Ada, +Queen of dancers. Adrien, why do you put up with that painted vixen?" + +Leroy smiled at his sudden change of tone. + +"Don't let her hear you," he said. "And don't worry yourself about me, +old fellow." + +"You're afraid of her," continued his friend. "Oh, yes, you may think it +an impertinence if you like, but I know you are. You'd face a cannon's +mouth sooner than that woman's angry abuse. You dread a scene as a +musician does a false note. For me, I'm sick of the whole world." + +"Why do you remain in it, then?" asked Adrien, laughing. + +"For the same reason as yourself," replied the cynic. "Neither of us +know what the next will be like." + +Adrien laughed, but before he could explain to his friend his plan with +regard to Ada, a crowd of pretty dancers in silver gauze surrounded him, +begging for real bon-bons, instead of the painted property sweets given +out to them. + +"Do you girls think I am made of bon-bons, like the piece?" he said, +waving them back. "Why, you'll make yourselves ill." + +"Oh, Mr. Leroy," pouted one, "we've danced so hard, too!" + +"Go to Mr. Vermont, then," was the indolent reply; "he'll give you what +you want," and with a rush they swept back on to the stage. + +"Always Jasper," murmured Shelton sadly, as his friend, with a genial +wave of the hand, picked his way past cardboard castles and paper trees, +till he disappeared through the door that would lead him to his +stage-box. + +At eleven o'clock the play was over; the superbly-dressed women, with +their escorts, were descending the wide staircase, laughing and +discussing the piece, which seemed likely to become the success of the +season. Outside, the pavement was filled with the gay, excited crowds. +Whistles resounded for taxis hovering in the immediate vicinity, like +steel-plated birds of prey. Carriages were being shouted for, and +throughout all the bustle and excitement, a slight girlish form doggedly +kept its vigil near the main entrance. + +The crowd of pleasure-seekers and onlookers had melted away, and the +attendants were busy turning out the lights, when the glass doors swung +open again, and three or four gentlemen came out, laughing and talking. + +"Quite a success," said one of them. + +"Yes, indeed," from another. "Paxhorn, I congratulate you again, old +man." + +"Thank you," replied the author, his face beaming with satisfaction. +"Thanks to Leroy, it will run for a hundred nights, and my name will be +made." + +"On Bon-bons," sneered Shelton; "what a thing it is to be a popular +playwright." + +"Better to be a popular dancer," whispered Paxhorn, as the door swung +open again, and Adrien came out, with Ada Lester on his arm, Mr. Jasper +Vermont following behind them. + +"All here?" asked Leroy in his clear voice, as they descended the steps +to where the motors stood waiting. "Come along"--turning to the rest of +the party--"we are all going to supper to celebrate Ada's triumph. +Paxhorn, dismiss your car, old man, and come with us; we want to hear +the rustle of your laurels." + +Laughingly, they entered the vehicles, while, above all the others, rang +the harsh voice of the woman, and Jessica, hearing it, shuddered +involuntarily. Then they were gone. + +Suddenly, while the girl's eyes were straining after them, the last +motor stopped, and Jasper Vermont jumped out and hastened back into the +theatre. More out of idle curiosity than anything else, or perhaps again +prompted by the guardian angel of Leroy's honour, she waited to see him +come out again. In a few minutes he re-emerged, bearing in his hand a +small roll of papers, one of which he was reading, with a malicious +smile on his face. + +Jessica unwittingly stood in his path, and he crashed into her with such +force as to knock his hat to the ground. With an oath he struggled to +regain it, pushing her roughly aside. + +"Out of my way, girl," he exclaimed, thinking she was about to beg from +him. "I have nothing for you." + +At the sound of his voice Jessica's face whitened, and she turned away, +frightened, and trembling; as she did so, her foot struck against +something light lying on the kerb. She stooped and found it was a small +roll of papers, part of those which had been in the gentleman's hand, +and which he had been studying so attentively. + +She did not trouble to open it, but slipped it into the bosom of her +dress and walked dreamily away. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + +"Is it a Rubens, or is it not? That is the question," drawled Frank +Parselle, as he dropped his eyeglass. + +On an easel in Lady Merivale's drawing-room, stood a picture, before +which were grouped a small assembly of her friends, including one or two +artists and connoisseurs. + +Lord Merivale was also present, having been dragged away from his +beloved farm, and worried into the purchase of this picture--the usual +"Portrait of a gentleman"--by his beautiful wife. He himself knew +nothing whatsoever about it, either as to its value or its genuineness; +it was worn and dirty-looking, and, in his opinion, would have been dear +at a five-pound note. + +"Yes, that is the question," echoed Lord Standon. "It's not a bad face +though. I should vote it genuine right enough." + +"It's extremely dirty," yawned Lord Merivale, casting a longing look at +the green grass of the park opposite and thinking of his new shorthorns +in Somersetshire. + +"Philistine!" exclaimed his wife, tapping him playfully on the arm. "You +are incorrigible. Dirty! why, that is tone." + +"Ah," returned her husband, turning away and gazing admiringly at a +bull by Potter. He was as wise as he had been before; for the jargon of +Art and fashionable society was not one of his accomplishments. + +"I tell you who would be a good judge," put in Mr. Paxhorn. + +The rest turned inquiring eyes on him. + +"Who?" asked Lord Standon. + +"Adrien Leroy. He is an artist, though he keeps his talents as secret as +if they were crimes. It was he who did the designs for my last book." + +A murmur of astonishment ran through the room. Nearly every one knew +that it was to the illustrations the book owed the greater portion of +its success. + +"A modesty quite unfashionable," exclaimed Lady Merivale, whose +beautiful face had flushed ever so slightly at the mention of Adrien's +name. + +"Yes," admitted Paxhorn. "Men have to proclaim their gifts very loudly +in the market-place, before they sell their wares nowadays." + +"Oh, Adrien is a veritable Crichton," put in Lord Standon. "There is +very little he does not know, and even that is made up by the estimable +Jasper." + +"Yes, I saw them together got half an hour ago," said Paxhorn. "If I had +known of this picture, I would have got them to come with me; for +Vermont is a genius at settling any question under the sun." + +"He's not always right, though," put in Lord Merivale, quietly. "What +about that horse of Leroy's? Wasn't it Vermont who was so sure of his +winning the race? Yet his Majesty did not win, did he?" + +"No, I know that," said Standon, with a rueful smile, as he thought of +his added debts. + +"That was not Vermont's lack of judgment," put in Paxhorn, who, for +private reasons of his own, always stood up for that gentleman. "I am +sure the horse would have won had it not been for Adrien's ill-timed +generosity." + +"What was that?" inquired Lady Merivale, looking keenly over at him. + +"He gave the jockey a ten-pound note the night before the race; and, of +course, the fellow got drunk and pulled the 'King' up at the last +fence." + +"And lost his life, did he not?" asked one of the artists. + +Lord Standon nodded, thoughtfully. He was attached to his friend Leroy, +and did not see why he should be blamed unnecessarily. + +"Yes," he replied; "the strangest part of it all was the way the poor +fellow raved at Vermont." + +"What do you mean?" asked Lady Merivale, sharply. + +"We were all standing round him," explained Lord Standon, "and when +Vermont came up the man seemed to go off his head, and practically said +he had sold the race. Of course, it was all nonsense, though I believe +Lord Barminster is having some inquiries made." + +"But why should Vermont have sold the race? Really, it's too absurd," +put in Paxhorn scornfully. "Especially as he'd backed him for five +hundred pounds himself. It's hardly likely he'd do such a thing for his +own sake, apart from his sense of honour, and his friendship for Leroy." + +Lady Merivale glanced sceptically at the speaker. Her faith in Jasper's +sense of honour was not very strong. Then she gave a deep sigh. + +"Why, Eveline," said her husband, looking up, "you seem quite grieved. +Not on your own account, I hope?" The idea of his wife betting was very +repugnant to him, and Lady Merivale always endeavoured to keep her +little flutters, whether on 'Change or on the turf, entirely to herself. +She laughed lightly, therefore, as she answered: + +"Oh, no, indeed; I lost a dozen of gloves, that was all." A vision of +the cheque for five hundred pounds, which she had drawn, arose before +her as she spoke. + +"I'm afraid it will take a little more than that to settle Leroy's +book," said Lord Merivale carelessly. + +At this moment the door opened and Adrien Leroy himself was announced. +There was the usual buzz of welcome, and her ladyship's eyes flashed +just one second, as he bent over her hand. + +"I am so glad you have come, Mr. Leroy," she said. "You can settle a +knotty question for us. This is my latest acquisition. Now have I been +deceived, or have I not? Is it a Rubens?" + +Adrien smiled at the two artists, who were slight acquaintances of his. + +"You ask me while such judges are near? Cannot you decide, Alford--nor +you, Colman?" + +"Well, I say it is," said the first. + +"While I think it is forgery," laughed the second; and thereupon ensued +a lengthy and detailed criticism. + +Adrien bent nearer to the picture under examination; then he said +quietly: + +"Where two such lights cannot discover the truth, who may? I agree with +you, Alford, and so I do with you, Colman. Both your arguments are so +convincing that if Rubens had painted it, and were present, to hear you, +Colman, he'd be persuaded he hadn't; and if he had not painted it, you, +Alford, could almost convince him that he had." + +There was a general smile at the artists' expense; and Adrien continued: + +"Rubens' touch"--examining the face--"but--what is this?" He pointed to +a small weapon thrust into the girdle of the figure. + +"That is a dagger," said Alford. "Here, where are the glasses?" + +"Thanks," said Adrien, "but I don't require them. It is a dagger, and a +Florentine one at that. Ah! Lady Merivale, I'm afraid your picture is +more a specimen of what a modern impostor can rise to than that of an +old master. That dagger is of comparatively modern fashion, certainly +not earlier than the eighteenth century, while Rubens died in 1640." + +The two artists stared, as well they might, but were neither +sufficiently acquainted with Leroy to express their surprise at his +knowledge, nor had knowledge enough themselves to challenge his dates. + +It was Lord Standon who spoke first. + +"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "Adrien going in for history! Who would have +thought it? My dear fellow, why not give a lecture?" + +"On the vanity of human hopes and the folly of friendship?" inquired +Adrien, so coldly as to startle both the company and Lord Standon +himself, who not being in Lady Constance's confidence, was naturally at +a loss for the reason of this sudden anger on the part of Leroy. He drew +back in surprise, but any further reference to the matter was stopped by +the entry of Jasper Vermont. As a matter of fact, he had arrived just in +time to overhear Adrien's last words. + +"What's that?" he cried, after he had greeted Lady Merivale. "Was that +Leroy declaiming against the world? It's for those in his position to +bewail its vanities, while poor dev--I beg your pardon, Lady +Merivale--poor men like myself can only cry for them." + +Adrien smiled. + +"Quite right, Jasper. I'm wrong, as usual. + +"Mr. Vermont," said Lord Merivale, "you remind me of the clown in the +beloved pantomime of my youth." + +"An innocent memory that, at least, my lord," returned Vermont, who +never stayed his tongue in the matter of a repartee for lord or +commoner. "May I ask why?" + +"You always enter the room with a joke or an epigram," was the answer. + +Mr. Vermont smiled. + +"'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players,'" +he quoted lightly, as he turned his attention to the unfortunate +"Portrait of a gentleman." "Ah, what have we here--another picture? An +old master, I presume?" + +The artists looked pleased; it would seem as if even the great +connoisseur himself was liable to make mistakes. + +"It is ugly enough, in all conscience," he continued bluntly. "For my +part, I am an utter philistine, and like my art to be the same as my +furniture--new, pretty to look at, and comfortable, and, for the life of +me, I can't fall in love with a snub-nosed Catherine de Medici, or a +muscular apostle. What is this?" He bent down to read the title. "Ah! +'Portrait of a gentleman of the sixteenth century.' Very valuable, I +daresay, Lady Merivale?" + +Lady Merivale, who looked upon Mr. Vermont as one of her ancestors would +have regarded the Court jester, smiled indifferently. + +"It all depends on the point of view," she said. "I have paid three +hundred pounds for it." + +Mr. Vermont looked up with an air of innocent surprise; but a keen +observer might have been tempted to regard it as one of satirical +enjoyment. + +"Three hundred pounds! I daresay these gentlemen, good judges all, have +declared it a bargain?" He motioned to the little group on the other +side of Lord Merivale. + +"Not at all," returned his hostess. "On the contrary, Mr. Leroy declares +it an imposture." + +Vermont raised his eyebrows. + +"Indeed," he said. "How did he detect the fraud?" + +"By the one weak point," said Colman. "That dagger; Rubens never lived +to see such a dagger as that, so could not possibly have painted it!" + +Mr. Vermont smiled, an approving smile that seemed to mock the picture +as if it were a living thing. + +"Capital," he said. "The rogue who palmed this forgery on you was +evidently not a student of the antique. Poor fellow, how was he to guess +who was to be his judge? You will, of course, institute proceedings +against him, or send the picture back?" + +"Impossible," said Lord Merivale, with a rueful smile; "I wrote the +cheque last night; by this time it will have been cashed, and so the +swindle is complete." + +"Dear! dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont, in tones of the deepest +commiseration, though he smiled as he added: "There's only one thing to +be said, my lord. If that picture is clever enough to deceive such great +experts, surely it has achieved its object. It certainly looks old +enough to satisfy the most exacting of second-hand furniture shops." + +He turned to Lady Merivale. + +"Before I forget," he said, "let me discharge the object of my visit. +Melba sings to-morrow at the Duke of Southville's party." + +Her ladyship's face lighted up with real gratitude. Music was her one +sincere passion; and, as she had been unable to hear that divine +songstress during the season owing to various engagements, this news was +welcome. + +"Thank you," she said warmly. "How good of you to find out for me. It +was kept such a secret. How did you discover it?" + +"Ah!" said Mr. Vermont, raising his eyebrows. "If I tell you that, it +would be bad policy. I may have discovered it so easily that my services +as a solver of mysteries would sink to insignificance, or again I may +have had to commit a crime; in either case, it is best to 'draw a veil +of silence,' shall we say; sufficient be it that Melba sings, and Lady +Merivale deigns to listen." + +"Flatterer," she said lightly, as he rose, hat in hand. He glanced +across at Adrien, who was talking to Lord Merivale. "I am off on another +mission," he said, lowering his voice. "I fancy my friend must be +thinking of his honeymoon." + +Lady Merivale started violently. "What do you mean?" she asked, striving +to maintain her usual cool, indifferent tones. + +He looked down at her in innocent surprise. + +"I am commissioned to buy a residence in the Swiss Lakes district for +Leroy; and as I happen to know Lady Constance Tremaine is devoted to +mountaineering--most exhausting work, I consider--well, there is only +one construction to be laid. But, of course, this is in strictest +confidence; you will not betray me, I know." + +"Of course not," said her ladyship mechanically; her mind was working +rapidly, so that she hardly heard the rest of Jasper's purring speech; +and that gentleman, highly pleased at the pain he had so evidently +inflicted, made a parting epigram and left his poison to do its work in +Lady Merivale's mind. + +One by one, the others followed; and Lord Merivale, with an apology to +Leroy, returned to his study and the Agricultural Gazette, having his +wife and Adrien alone. + +With flushed face and outstretched hands, she turned to him +reproachfully. + +"I thought you had forgotten me." + +"Impossible," he murmured, as he raised her hand to his lips. "I have +been so bothered with various business matters, and have had so many +engagements----" + +"But yet had the time to go to the theatre with that awful creature," +she retorted. "Then you have been spending a day or two at Barminster." +She bit her lip savagely in her jealous pain and wounded vanity. +"Adrien," she entreated, "tell me it isn't true." + +"To what do you refer?" he asked steadily. + +He knew that the struggle had commenced, and he was determined to bring +this mock phantasy of love to an end. If he could not marry the one +woman who had shown him what love really meant, he would at least have +done with this foolish dalliance. + +"Your engagement to that pink-and-white cousin--Lady----" + +"Be silent," he commanded, more sternly than he had ever spoken to any +man, woman or child in his life. His face had paled; his eyes were like +steel. The very thought of hearing her name reviled by the jealous woman +before him filled him with wrath. + +She stood silent, but with flashing eyes, her breast heaving with +excitement. + +"It is true, then?" she panted. "You are going to marry her--tell me the +truth----" + +"I did not say so," he returned, slowly and painfully. + +"Then you don't love her. Ah, I knew it!" she cried triumphantly. + +He did not reply; and she read in his silence the confirmation of her +fears. + +"Adrien, is it possible--you love her, and she----" + +"Eveline," he said, "for the sake of our past friendship"--she started +at the words--"do not say any more. You know we have only played with +the divine passion. It has beguiled many a pleasant hour, but I do not +think it has been anything more than a pastime." + +"Not to you," she said almost sullenly. "But how dare you doubt my +feelings? How dare you insult me?" + +"I did not mean to hurt you," he said gently, and her voice softened at +his tone. + +"Ah, Adrien," she cried beseechingly, "you do hurt me when you treat me +like this. Try and forget her, unless"--she broke off abruptly--"unless +you are really going to marry her. Is that so?" + +"I told you," he answered wearily. "I shall never marry Constance. She +is engaged to another." + +"Thank Heaven!" was her, ladyship's mental ejaculation, but she said +nothing aloud. + +Leroy roused himself. "I must go," he said. + +"So soon?" she asked tremulously. "Where are you going?" + +"To the theatre." + +She frowned, and, seeing it, he stopped to explain. + +"It is no longer mine," he said with a faint smile. + +"Not yours!" she cried in surprise. + +"No, it belongs to Miss Lester." + +Her quick intellect grasped his meaning at once. + +"Henceforth, you mean to retire from the gay world, then?" she said, +with a faint sneer, adding quickly, as his face darkened, "Ah, forgive +me, if am bitter! I hate to see you unhappy. Try and forgive my +ill-humour." + +"You are, as ever, my queen," he said, "and can, therefore, do no +wrong." + +Lifting her hand to his lips, he turned and strode hastily from the +room. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + +Adrien Leroy dined alone that night--a most unusual occurrence; but the +scene with Lady Merivale moved him, and still troubled his mind. He had +hitherto only regarded his love-making with her as part in the comedy of +life, wherein he played the lover, to her lead; doffing and donning the +character at will. That she had taken either him or herself seriously +had never entered into his mind. Believing also in the hopelessness of +his love for Lady Constance, he regretted bitterly having allowed his +secret to escape him; yet so unaccustomed was he to the conventional and +inevitable lying of the world in which he moved so serenely, that it had +never occurred to him to deny the charge, and swear everlasting devotion +to the countess alone. + +Norgate, who waited on him as usual, noticed his abstraction. + +"We're getting tired of London again," said that astute servant to +himself, as he changed the dishes. "We're thinking of going East again +or my name ain't what it is." For Adrien had spent the preceding year in +Persia. + +After dinner Leroy lingered in the comfortable, luxurious room, as if +loth to start out again on the weary round of amusement. To youth and +the uninitiated, pleasure, as represented by balls, theatres or +feasting, seems to be an everlasting joy; but to those born in the midst +of it, trained and educated only to amuse or to be amused, it becomes +work, and work of a most fatiguing nature. To dance when one wishes to +rest; to stand, hour after hour, receiving guests with smile and bows, +when one would gladly be in bed; to eat, when one has no appetite for +food; all this, continued day in day out, is no longer a pleasure--it +becomes a painful duty. + +Unlike the majority of his set, Adrien Leroy was never lonely; indeed, +solitude to him was a pleasure, and one--the only one--which was +difficult to obtain. Endued with a fine intellect and highly cultivated +mind, even at college he had succeeded in studying when his companions +had spent their time in "ragging," and other senseless occupations of a +like nature. Thrown on his own resources, therefore, Leroy could have +become a power in almost any of the artistic professions. Instead, his +time, his youth and his faculties were being wasted in the ordinary +pursuits of the people amongst whom he lived. Had he been a poorer man, +he might have risen to any height by virtue of his own talents; but, +lapped in luxury, lulled by the homage of society, he remained +dissatisfied, discontented, and apathetic. + +The clock, striking eight, aroused him. Throwing aside the cigar which +had burnt itself out, he rose. He had promised Jasper to come down to +the Casket Theatre; and, however weary he might be of the tinsel and +glitter, yet he never thought of making an excuse, or of breaking his +word. + +He was about to set forth, when Norgate announced "Lord Standon," and +though Adrien's greeting was as courteous as usual, the old genial +warmth was gone. Lord Standon perceived this, and knew that he had not +been mistaken in his belief that he had somehow angered Adrien. + +Directly Norgate had closed the door behind him, therefore, he dashed, +as was his wont, straight to the heart of things. + +"Leroy," he said abruptly, "what's wrong with you?" + +Adrien stared at him. + +"Wrong!" he echoed. "What on earth do you mean? What should be wrong?" + +"I don't know," returned the other bluntly; "but I seem to have rubbed +you up the wrong way somehow----" + +"Nonsense," said Leroy, trying hard to resume his usual warmth of +manner. "What a ridiculous idea! Have you dined, or shall I ring?" He +crossed the room almost hurriedly. + +"No, no, thanks," interrupted Lord Standon. "I'm just off again; it was +only a passing idea. Sorry to have mentioned it." + +He turned, as if to go; and Leroy made no attempt to restrain him. + +"I have to congratulate you, I suppose, on your engagement?" he said +coldly, when the young man had almost reached the door. + +Lord Standon turned sharply, and stared at him. He grasped the situation +at once, but was still greatly puzzled, for he knew Leroy was but +slightly acquainted with Lady Muriel Branton. + +"Thanks, old man," he returned, rather awkwardly. "But it's a dead +secret, really; I suppose Lady Constance told you?" + +Leroy frowned. + +"Yes," he said simply, "Why not?" + +"Oh, no reason at all," said Lord Standon, flushing like a boy; "only +it's got to be kept quiet, you know--my affairs are in such a beastly +state." + +"I wonder you----" commenced Leroy. + +"Dared to ask her," put in Standon, laughing a little confusedly. "Yes, +it was a bit of cheek on my part, but 'faint heart never won fair lady,' +you know, and by Jove! if I hadn't, some other lucky devil might have +slipped in and carried her off by sheer force!" + +Leroy winced; for he himself would have endeavoured to "slip in and +carry her off" had it not been for his friend. + +"I don't see the need of secrecy," he said coldly. "Have you spoken to +her guardian?" meaning, of course, Lord Barminster. + +Unfortunately, to Lord Standon, being in love, there was only one woman +in the world, and therefore only one guardian, and that one, her father, +the Earl of Croywood. + +"Good gracious, no!" he exclaimed. "He's such an old curmudgeon--that +until I get over that beastly race----" He broke off, scarlet with +confusion. Absorbed in his own affairs, he had completely forgotten that +he was speaking to the owner of the unlucky horse. + +Leroy was pale with anger; the reference to the race annoyed him, but +still more the expression of "curmudgeon" as applied to his father. +Naturally, if he had stopped to consider, he would have realised that +there must be some mistake; for Standon would hardly have spoken thus of +Lord Barminster in his son's presence. But what lover ever does use his +common sense? He drew himself up sternly, and Standon could have kicked +himself for his unfortunate speech. + +"I don't mean--that is--it's not your fault----" he stammered. + +"Thank you," said Leroy ironically. + +"Oh, you know what I mean. Don't pull me up like that, Adrien. I wasn't +thinking of its being you--and you know what it is when a fellow's in +love with the sweetest, dearest----" + +Leroy turned sharply. It was more than any one could be expected to +bear; insult to his father, blame to his horse, and now praise of the +woman he himself loved. + +"Excuse me, Standon," he interrupted curtly, "I'm afraid I must ask you +to spare me your rhapsodies--I am due at the theatre." + +It was Standon's turn to be offended, and his good-tempered face +hardened. + +"Certainly. Pray accept my apologies for having detained you. +Good-night," he said coldly, and before Leroy could even answer, he was +gone. + +Adrien strode restlessly up and down. For the first time in all his +easy-going life trouble had touched him. He determined to forget it at +whatever cost; so telling Norgate not to wait up for him, he set out for +the Casket. It was such a lovely night that he dismissed the motor which +was awaiting him, deciding to walk across the park to Victoria Street, +and call in on Shelton, who had a flat there. + +The park was beautifully silent, and still stood open to the public. +Absorbed in his reflections, therefore, he left the main track and +wandered down one of the by-paths, in which stood several wooden +benches. Big Ben struck the half-hour. There was just time for another +cigar, and Leroy sat down. He was in no humour yet to endure the heat of +the theatre, or the chaff and vulgarity of Ada Lester. + +He lost count of time, in the pleasant quietude of the spot; and his +cigar was burnt down to an inch when, with a half-sigh, he arose to +exchange the hard seat amidst the cool trees for a lounge and a crowd of +ballet girls at the theatre. + +As he picked up his stick, he heard a footstep behind him, and turning, +saw an ill-dressed, sullen-looking man. The light from one of the lamps +near by shone full on him; and something about the stout, shambling +figure, or the dirty evil-browed face, seemed dimly familiar. + +To his surprise, the man nodded at him with a sulky frown, and said, in +a thick voice: + +"Good-evening! Don't remember me, I s'pose?" + +"No, I do not," admitted Leroy, as he scanned the bleared, swollen +countenance before him. + +"Ah! you swells 'as bad memories; I ain't forgotten you, so don't you +think it!" + +Leroy gazed at him calmly; he thought the man was intoxicated. + +"Do you want anything of me?" he asked, as he pulled on his glove. + +"That depends," responded the man, moving forward so that he stood right +in Adrien's path. "You're Mr. Leroy, ain't you?" + +"I am," said Leroy. "What is it you want?" + +"I wants to ask you a question," returned the other, bringing his face +closer to Adrien, who recoiled involuntarily--the very smell of the +fustian clothes offending his delicate nostrils. + +The man noticed this, and frowned even more heavily. + +"You're a gentleman," he said, "leastways I s'pose you calls yourself +such--p'raps you'll act like one." + +"Kindly make haste and tell me what you want, my good fellow," said +Adrien impatiently. He did not know but that this was a preliminary to +an attempt to rob him, and he was in no mood for a brawl. + +"Oh, I'll be quick enough for you," was the sullen reply. "You don't +remember me, you say; p'raps you'll remember my name--Wilfer--Johann +Wilfer." + +"Johann Wilfer," repeated Adrien, thoughtfully and slowly, wondering +where he had heard the name before. + +"Yes, Johann Wilfer, Picture Restorer, Cracknell Court, Soho." + +"Oh!" said Adrien, as a burst of memory dawned on him. "I remember you +now. What is it you want? But tell me first, has the girl Jessica +returned yet?" + +"That's just like you swells," growled the man. "Nothing like getting +your word in first. Has she returned to me? You know jolly well she +ain't. She won't come back to me till you've done with 'er, I'll be +bound." + +Adrien started, as the significance of the accusation dawned on him. He +had thought more than once of the girl, with her dark eyes and silken +hair. What had become of her? What, alas! could have been her fate, if +she had not returned to this man, her guardian? + +"What do you mean?" he said now, sternly. + +"What I say," retorted Mr. Wilfer. "She ain't returned to me, an' that's +my question to you. Where is she, an' what 'ave you done with her?" + +"How should know what has become of her?" answered Leroy, genuinely +startled. "Do you dare to insinuate that I know where she is? I have +neither seen her nor heard of her." + +"That's a lie," said the man shortly. + +Leroy surveyed him for a moment. + +"You are impertinent," he said, in his clear tones. "Stand aside, and +let me pass." + +Mr. Wilfer thrust his hands into his pockets, and stood his ground. + +"That won't go down with me," he said insolently. "I want to know where +my niece is; and by Heaven, I'll know too!" + +Leroy stopped short. + +"She was your niece, you say?" + +"She was," said the man, "though it's no business of yours; she belonged +to me." + +"So I presume, or you would not have ill-treated her," retorted Adrien +dryly. "When did you see her last?" + +"Over a month ago--as well you know," returned Wilfer coarsely. "She ran +off the morning you came gallivanting after her." + +Adrien could have knocked the man down, but he restrained the longing, +and said instead: + +"I thought you told me she'd robbed you, and had run away? That was a +lie, I suppose?" + +"'Course it was. Who wouldn't lie to save his gal from such as you fine +gentlemen? I know yer, so it's no use coming this talky-talky surprise +with me. You just tell me where she is." + +"I tell you," reiterated Adrien, "I have never seen the child since the +night I took her from the cold. Stand out of my path, or I shall hand +you over to the police." + +Mr. Wilfer laughed. + +"So that's your answer, is it? Call away, my fine gentleman, call away." + +He glanced round the deserted path from the corner of his shifty eyes; +then, with a snarl of a savage beast, he sprang upon Leroy, and strove +to bring him to the ground. + +But he was no match for Adrien, who beneath all his listless mannerism +possessed a grasp of steel and the strength of a gladiator. Almost +shuddering at the touch of the man's greasy clothes, Leroy seized his +arms, and lifting him off the ground as though he were a terrier, gave +him a good shake; then he dropped him, lightly and easily, over the park +railings, which edged the by-path, where they stood. + +Johann Wilfer was too astonished for a moment to do anything but recover +his breath, and Leroy, settling his disarranged cuffs, walked calmly +away. + +With a furious oath Wilfer sprang up, jumped back over the railings, and +was about to pursue Leroy, when from behind him a hand was put on his +collar, and he was borne rapidly and silently to the ground. + +Meanwhile, Adrien, all unconscious of his deliverance from further +disturbance, pursued his way to the theatre. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + +Mr. Johann Wilfer glared vengefully at the smooth face of his assailant, +and, struggling still, breathed out, with a choice assortment of oaths, +the question: + +"Who are you? What do you want?" + +"Questions we will leave for the present, my friend," was the reply. +"Are you going to struggle much longer? because if so, I shall be under +the painful necessity of using still greater force." + +Mr. Wilfer lessened his movements. + +"Ah!" continued the suave voice. "So you decide to take things quietly. +Wise man! Now have the goodness to rise and let me see to whom I have +the pleasure of speaking." + +Whereupon our friend, Mr. Jasper Vermont, released Johann's throat from +the pressure of his knee--for it was by this means he had controlled the +other's movements--and allowed him to rise to his feet. It was a very +sullen and altogether puzzled individual that stood waiting, uncertain +whether to listen to his captor's next words or to make his escape. + +Jasper eyed him as a cat does a mouse, on the watch for the slightest +attempt to move. + +"So!" he said, as he took out his cigar-case, and drew forth one of +Leroy's choice Regalias. "So! Now we are on our feet again, we +look--well, I must say, none the less a ruffian." + +The man turned savagely as if about to run away, but Jasper was too +quick for him; with a grip of steel he caught hold of the other's arm. + +"Not so fast," he said quietly. "What is your name, my friend?" + +"What's that to you?" queried Mr. Wilfer naturally enough, as he settled +his ragged scarf, which, during the struggle, had become uncomfortably +tightened. + +"That is my affair," replied his opponent politely; "perhaps it is +merely curiosity. But as a matter of fact, I think I have had the +pleasure of meeting you before, and I never like to forget old friends." + +Mr. Wilfer grunted. + +"Come, let me think," Vermont continued, "were you ever at Canterbury?" + +Mr. Wilfer started violently. + +"Ah! I am on the right track. Yes, I remember now; it was a little inn +in the summer time, a beautiful moonlight night." + +"Wasn't me," snarled Wilfer, though his face was pale. + +"I thought you were there," said his tormentor as cheerfully and +triumphantly as if the other had admitted it. "You're not a good liar," +he continued. "If a man can't do that sort of thing well, he'd better +stick to the truth. At a little inn in Canterbury. Yes, I remember it +all now. I'm glad my memory does not play me tricks." His grasp +tightened on Wilfer's sleeve. "I don't like tricks," he purred. "How +strange that we should meet again. I think at that time you were an +artist; yes, that is what you called yourself, and there was a pretty +little girl with you, and you called her your wife. Oh, yes, my friend, +you were good at 'calling' things." + +"Look here," growled Wilfer, getting his word in at last. "You just stow +it, I don't know you----" + +"No, I know you don't," said his companion imperturbably, "But you will; +oh, yes, you will! Let us go back to Canterbury, where you manufactured +such beautiful pictures." + +Wilfer moved uneasily. + +"Beautiful pictures," continued the mocking voice, "all by Rubens and +Raphael and Titian. I shouldn't be surprised if that was one of yours I +saw at the Countess of Merivale's to-day, the 'Portrait of a gentleman,' +sold for 300 pounds. There was a warranty with it, signed, sealed and +delivered by a Mr. Johann Wilfer." + +"I didn't, it wasn't," the man stuttered, his face almost green in hue, +his voice trembling with anger and fear. + +Mr. Vermont smiled. He had his man safe and sound. + +"Who the fiend are you?" commenced Wilfer, recovering himself; but +Vermont's smooth voice interrupted him. + +"I was right, I see! What a strange coincidence, Mr. Wilfer, that I +should see your really admirable Rubens in the afternoon, and run +against--or perhaps I should say, knock you down--in the evening." + +Mr. Wilfer was goaded to desperation. + +"Look here," he almost shouted, "I don't care if you're the old 'un +himself; but that's enough of your jaw. What's your game anyhow? S'pose +you did see me in a pub at Canterbury along of a young party, s'pose I +am an artist, an' I did sell an old master, that ain't no business of +yours; that don't give you the right to knock me down or interfere with +me, so now then!" + +"Finished?" inquired Vermont, pleasantly. "I quite agree with you, Mr. +Wilfer--on some points; but it is greatly my business, as you will see. +Had I not come up at that moment, I wonder if my friend would be as safe +as he is now." + +"Your friend," echoed the other. "Is Mr. Adrien Leroy your friend?" + +"He is indeed," replied Jasper with a grin. "Now suppose you tell me +what you two gentleman were discussing." + +"Suppose I don't?" retorted Wilfer insolently. "You find out for +yourself, if you're so clever, Mr. Know-all; I'm off." He tried to push +past Vermont and thus effect his escape; but he was not to get off so +lightly. + +Jasper removed his cigar, which he had been puffing, and dropping his +soft, mocking tone, said sternly: + +"Stand back; go and sit on that bench. I haven't done with you yet, +Johann Wilfer." + +"I shan't," was that worthy's prompt answer. + +"Then I shall call the police," returned Vermont, pulling out his silver +cab-whistle. + +Wilfer started back. + +"Call 'em," he said defiantly. "I don't care. What's the police to me, +as I should be scared of 'em?" + +"A great deal," was the calm answer. "If you are mad enough to disobey +me, I shall whistle for the police; they will find me struggling with a +most villainous-looking ruffian, whom I instantly give in charge for +assault and robbery of my dear friend, Mr. Leroy, who has gone in search +of assistance." + +"It's all a lie," shouted Wilfer furiously. + +"Appearances would be too strongly against you, my friend. The law is 'a +hass,' as doubtless you have heard before; and when it comes in the +shape of a blue-coated, helmeted and thick-headed policeman, whose word +do you think would be believed, yours or mine?--to say nothing of this +evidence." Stooping, he picked up Leroy's gold watch and chain, which +had fallen from his pocket during his struggle with Wilfer. "I found +this is your hand. A clear case of assault and robbery, with penal +servitude to follow." + +Mr. Wilfer, dazed by the thickly-meshed net drawn round him, eyed the +watch and yielded. + +"Curse you!" he said. "You're a knowing one an' no mistake." + +Jasper smiled. + +"Thank you," he said; "a genuine compliment, and a candid one. Now then, +to business. What did you want with Mr. Leroy?" + +The man looked up at the smooth, masterful face, and inwardly +acknowledged his opponent's power. + +"I'm thinking, guv'nor," he answered slowly, "you heard all there was to +hear, and saw all there was to see; an' a bit more besides," he added, +as he thought of that precious gold watch he had so stupidly failed to +see. "Any'ow, if you're so anxious for me to go over it all again, I +wanted to know the whereabouts of a niece of mine--a young girl he took +to 'is 'ome, some weeks ago." + +Mr. Vermont's eyes gleamed and his hand shook slightly with excitement, +as he lit another cigar; for evidently this was the girl at whom, he +remembered, Norgate had grumbled. If she could only be kept out of +sight, Jasper thought he saw a way to getting his beloved friend into +even deeper trouble than he had ever dreamed possible. + +"You can prove it, I suppose?" he asked. + +"I can," said Mr. Wilfer; though, as a matter of fact, he would have +found this rather a difficulty. + +Mr. Jasper put his hand into his pocket; as we have said before, he was +not very generous when it came to spending his own money, but there were +occasions when it was necessary to buy fresh tools, and this was one of +them. He drew out some gold, which Mr. Wilfer eyed as greedily as a dog +would a bone. + +"Now," said Vermont, "your address?" + +"Cracknell Court, Soho, guv'nor," returned the man, his manner visibly +altering at the sight of money. + +"Well, don't you alter it without my permission," Jasper said sternly. +"I may want you to do something for me; and, if so, you can get your +revenge. Meanwhile, here's something to keep you out of mischief, that's +to say, in drink; you'll be safer like that." He handed over the +money--about three pounds. "Mind! don't go selling any more forged +pictures, like the one the bond of which I hold, or you'll get caught. +They make the sentences for fraud pretty heavy nowadays." + +Mr. Wilfer shivered. Up to now, he himself had never been imprisoned; +but other members of the gang had served various sentences, and their +reminiscences were not comforting. + +"I understand, guv'nor," he said; "but what of the gal?" + +"All you've got to do is wait till she comes back; or if you find her +about, let me know," replied Jasper. "Now, be off, and remember I can +lay my hands on you--and so can the police--any minute I like, so don't +play me any tricks. Good-night." + +With that, Mr. Vermont turned on his heel and strode swiftly and +silently away. + +Wilfer looked after him with a scowl. + +"He's a clever devil," he said, as he, too, went on his way. + +Clever, Mr. Vermont most undoubtedly was. His worst enemies would not +have denied him that virtue; but in this case his cleverness had +over-reached itself. It had so amused him to torment his victim, that +he had never questioned Wilfer's statement that the girl, Jessica, was +his niece. Had he known her identity, subsequent events might have +proved far different; but man, with all his gifts, is blind as to the +future; he sees as in a glass darkly, trusting and believing in his own +feeble powers, as if he were omnipotent. + +Meanwhile, Jasper trudged gaily along. + +"Strange," he murmured, "how things work round for me. That princely +idiot plays into my hands at every turn. What luck that I should just +have followed him to-night--I'll live to see him humbled and disgraced +yet!" With which pleasant thought he hummed Miss Lester's latest song +and pursued his way to the theatre. + +Some few hours later, he stood beside Adrien before the latter's motor. + +"Are you coming with me, Jasper?" said Leroy heartily. "I'm afraid I've +taken up a lot of your time to-night." + +"My dear Adrien, does not my whole life belong to you?" replied the +arch-hypocrite. + +Adrien waved the suggestion aside. + +"By the way, what is the time?" he said, feeling for his watch. + +"I don't know," answered his friend, "mine has stopped." + +"Well, mine has gone," said Leroy quietly. "I remember now; it was in +that affair in the park." + +"What?" exclaimed Jasper, in tones of the deepest sympathy. "Not that +valuable repeater, surely?" + +"Yes," said Adrien. "I must get another one." + +Jasper smiled, as his fingers touched furtively the watch and chain in +question. + +"Did you find your papers?" inquired Adrien, as they rolled through the +streets. "Jackson told me you lost them coming out of the theatre one +night." + +"No," answered Vermont, a flush of annoyance crossing his brow. "I have +not. But it's of no consequence; Jackson need not have bothered you +about such a trifle. Merely accounts. I dropped them somewhere between +the stage and Ada's motor, and I suppose I must look upon them as gone +for ever." + +"I hope not," said Adrien sympathetically. + +"They are of no consequence," said Vermont again, as they reached Jermyn +Court. + +Nevertheless, Mr. Vermont would have given many pounds of his +dearly-beloved money to have had those papers safely clutched in his +hand. But at present they were lying on the bosom of a wandering, +homeless girl, and it was well for Jasper that he could not foresee when +she was to cross his path again. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + +On the following morning, as Adrien stood before a mirror, putting the +finishing touches to his toilet, carefully supervised by Norgate, his +thoughts went back to Jessica. The idea of the child wandering about the +streets, homeless and penniless, filled him with a supreme pity. He had +meant to have spoken to Jasper about it, but he felt half ashamed; +besides, he rather dreaded to see Vermont's cynical smile at the idea of +his turning philanthropist to street-waifs. + +He had just finished his breakfast when a servant appeared, with a +dainty little note marked "Immediate." + +The envelope bore no crest; for Lady Merivale used none in her +correspondence with Adrien Leroy, from prudential motives. But he +recognised the handwriting, and the faint Oriental scent her ladyship +invariably used, and hastened to open it, fearing a lengthy epistle full +of hysterical reproaches. To his intense relief he found that it +contained but two lines. + + +"DEAR ADRIEN,--I shall spend the day with Aunt Rose at Hampton. Do you +care to accompany me as you promised?" + + +"Indeed I do," murmured Adrien. + +He recollected that on the day of the race he had promised Lady Merivale +that, when next she visited her aunt, Lady Rose Challoner, at Hampton +Court, he would meet her there, and row her to some of the pretty +islands further up the stream, and there spend the day in delicious +idleness. + +So far, engagements on both sides had prevented this plan being carried +out; but now Lady Merivale was evidently free, and he decided to cancel +any existing arrangements, and fulfil his promise. Accordingly, sitting +down at his desk, he dashed off a note: + + +"DEAR LADY MERIVALE,--I am motoring down to Hampton, and will gladly +meet you there. I shall wire for the skiff and lunch. Au revoir." + + +Having despatched this, he gave instructions to Norgate with regard to +all his engagements, and ordered the car. + +It was a splendid spring morning, just bright and hot enough to make the +vision of the cool, broad river particularly tempting; and Adrien +determined to put aside all cares, and take the day as it came. Lady +Merivale had evidently decided to set at rest her jealous fears; and, he +told himself, as Constance was not to be his, there was nothing else to +do but to pass the time as best he might. + +Whatever happened, he was glad to be done with Ada Lester. He had tired +of her almost before the first month of their so-called friendship; but +he had not had the courage--or rather the energy--necessary to relieve +himself of her. + +At any rate, Eveline's day should not be spoiled. It should be one to be +marked with a white stone. He little thought with what danger the trip +was to be fraught, or that it would prove the most momentous one of his +pleasure-filled life. + +Directly the motor appeared, Leroy dismissed the chauffeur, preferring +to drive himself, as procuring greater safety against a breath of +scandal touching her ladyship's name. + +Through the crowded streets Leroy went steadily enough; but once clear +of them, he put on speed, exhilarated by the rush through the pure +morning air. So fast was the run that, on reaching Hampton Court, he +found it would be a good half-hour before Lady Merivale was even due to +arrive; and as punctuality was not one of her ladyship's strong points, +he knew he had almost an hour to spare. + +Having put up the motor at a local garage, he strolled down to the +river, where he found his dainty little skiff, Sea Foam, ready and +waiting for him. It was just big enough to contain two, and its +upholstery of cream leather gave it the light effect which rendered its +name so appropriate. + +In order to while away the time, he rowed gently down to Richmond and +back, and on his return found Lady Merivale awaiting him on the steps +that led to the Court. She was exquisitely gowned, as usual, and in her +favourite colour, pale blue, which suited her delicate colouring to +perfection. She greeted him brightly and unrestrainedly. Evidently she +had put all thoughts of Lady Constance from her mind, and, like Adrien +himself, was determined to have the memory of at least one happy day. + +"How is Lady Rose?" asked Leroy, when he had assisted his fair companion +into the boat. + +She smiled at him. As a matter of fact, she had barely spent five +minutes with that invalid lady. + +"Oh, just the same as usual," she replied. "It is quite safe; I told her +I was going further up the river to visit some friends; so we'll enjoy +our day--such a beautiful one, too. I am so happy! It was good of you to +come, Adrien." + +Leroy's face lightened at her words, for he had expected sulks, tears, +and remonstrances, and here were only smiles and thanks. He did not +appreciate Lady Merivale's ability. Had she been a general, never a +battle would have been lost through wrong tactics. She knew Adrien too +well to attempt to hold his allegiance by force; hers were silken +strings with which to chain him to her side. She recognised well enough +that any abuse or jealousy of Lady Constance Tremaine would only send +him further from her. + +Responding to these tactics, Leroy took up the sculls, and with the long +swinging strokes which had gone so far towards helping the crew of his +college to win their contests, sent the little boat quickly up the +river. + +Few men of his temperament and training could yet boast of such +proficiency as this man seemed to possess. Rowing, skating, dancing, +riding, and just lately motoring; at all he excelled, yet no living +being had ever heard him pride himself on what he could do. + +About an hour after Adrien had started, Jasper Vermont ascended the +staircase to his chambers, to be informed by Norgate that his master was +out for the day, and all arrangements were to be cancelled. + +"Oh!" said Jasper quietly, inwardly irritated that his dupe should be +absent, even for a day, without telling him of his intention and plans. +"Oh! Where has he gone? He did mention it last night, but I have +forgotten." He put his hand to his forehead as if trying to recall it to +his mind. + +But Norgate was too sharp to be caught by this time-honoured manoeuvre. +He knew very well that the whole outing had been too hurriedly decided +upon for Jasper to have been told on the preceding night; and he had no +intention of allowing his master, to whom he was sincerely attached, to +be worried by Mr. Vermont. + +"I don't know, sir," he replied stolidly. "He did not leave word." + +As the letter had been brought round quite openly by one of the Merivale +servants, needless to say, he could have given Jasper a very fair idea +of where he had gone; but he preferred to keep his own counsel. + +"Oh, very well. I'll just go up and write a few letters, Norgate," said +Jasper, making a pretence of indifference; and he passed into the study, +Norgate returning to his own quarters. + +Mr. Vermont waited until his retreating footsteps had died away, then +with a quick hand and a keen eye he turned over the letters which lay +where Adrien had carelessly thrown them. Amongst them was one which had +been evidently overlooked, for it was unopened. It bore the Barminster +postmark, and Jasper's eyes shone. Could he but learn its contents? He +picked it up; turning it over and over in his hand. To his intense +delight it was but lightly sealed, and by dint of a little care the +letter was safely opened, uninjured and unsoiled. + +It was from Lady Constance, stating that she and Miss Penelope were to +spend the day shopping in London, and would be at Barminster House at +eleven o'clock. + +It was quite a short note, and Jasper, smiling wickedly, sealed it up. +He knew there was no fear of discovery, for there was not a more +unsuspicious man living than Leroy. His mind was working rapidly, +seeking to mature a plan by which he could separate Leroy and Lady +Constance still further. + +First of all, he continued to search through the letters, pocketing +those which were obviously bills. He looked at the last one with a sigh. + +"Not here," he mused. "I should know her handwriting in a moment. Yet I +am positive he has gone with her. She must have let him know by letter +this morning. Can he have taken it with him?" + +His eye caught a scrap of torn paper in the fireplace. Like a bird of +prey, he pounced on it, and untwisting it, his small eyes glittered as +he read. + +"Ah!" he muttered. "Lit his cigar with it, and burned all save one +corner--Hampton. Yes, that's it; under cover of Lady Rose they've +betaken themselves to the river. Now what shall I do? Follow them, or +see Lady Constance, or do both?" + +Placing the scrap of paper carefully in his pocketbook he left the flat, +and made his way to Barminster House. He had called presumably in order +to see after some slight alterations then being made, and his surprise +on finding Miss Penelope and Lady Constance established there was +beautiful to witness. + +On his entry into the drawing room, Lady Constance sprang up eagerly, +regarding him as the forerunner of the man she loved; and Jasper smiled +as he greeted them respectfully. + +"This is an unexpected pleasure, Lady Constance," he exclaimed. "I had +no idea you were coming to town." + +"It's only for the day, Mr. Vermont," she returned as calmly as +possible. "But I wrote to Adrien, for auntie, telling him all about it." + +"Dear, dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont sympathetically. "I have just come +from his chambers. I learned that he had gone out for the day." + +"For the day," said Miss Penelope, "after reading our letter!" + +"Perhaps he didn't get it in time," suggested Lady Constance. + +"Poor Adrien," said Jasper with apparent reluctance. "I'm afraid I +cannot even allow him that excuse; he had evidently taken away all his +correspondence this morning." + +"Oh, it's of no consequence," said the girl lightly, though her face was +pale, and her eyes shone, as if through a mist of tears. "We are only +going shopping for the ball, and that is dull work for a man." + +"Can I be of any assistance, Miss Penelope?" enquired Mr. Vermont. "Do +let me help; I love shopping!" But this neither of the ladies would +allow; and with a parting shot on the subject of Adrien's whereabouts, +Vermont took his leave. + +His next move was to Waterloo Station, where he took a train to Hampton; +and a little after noon, Jasper Vermont was strolling along the side of +the river, smoking his cigar. + +Very amiable he looked, and exceedingly interested in the boats, and +therefore it was not surprising that the man who let them out on hire +readily answered his questions as to the best season of the year, the +approximate number of customers, etc., all leading up to the main +question, had a boat with a lady and gentleman gone out that day? + +"No," the man said. "Curiously enough, sir, no boat has gone out to-day +with a lady and a gentleman in it, like what you describe." + +"Oh," said Mr. Vermont. "It was my mistake. I thought I saw a gentleman +rowing a lady down the river--rowing very well, too, in a light skiff." + +"Ah!" said the man, puffing a cloud of smoke from his rough clay pipe, +"I know who you mean, now; a gentleman--regular swell, and a lady in +blue. Lor' bless yer, that ain't one of mine, that's a private boat +that's kept up at the Court, I think. Oh, yes, he's all right; gone up +stream, they have, and a nice day they've got." + +This was what Jasper needed; and after strolling about among the boats +for a few minutes more he started off along the bank, keeping at such a +distance from the stream that, though he could see all who passed in the +boats, no one on the river could see him. + +The beauty of the day, the shimmer and sparkle of the river, with the +soft lap of its waters, the singing of the birds over his head, all had +no effect on him. His dark, beady eyes noted nothing but the boats that +passed, none of which, as yet--though the afternoon was waning +fast--contained Adrien and Lady Merivale. + +Yet he knew that he had not missed them, for he had taken his lunch on +the balcony of an inn commanding a view of the river, which he had kept +under survey from the time he had reached Hampton earlier in the day. + +Steadily, with the persistence of a bloodhound tracking its prey, he +walked on and on, until he came to a village, or rather a collection of +homesteads. Very small it was, consisting only of an inn, a house, half +cottage and half shop, and a few red-tiled cottages wherein the bargemen +lived, when they were at home, which was seldom. In the bright sunlight, +the blue sky overhead and the shining river in the foreground, it formed +a pretty enough picture. + +In the little shop parlour now sat a woman and her husband, at their +five-o'clock tea. + +"John Ashford, Grocer," was the inscription over the shop door; and +these were John Ashford and his wife Lucy. They had two children, now +playing by the river side; and were, as the bargemen's wives expressed +it, "doing comfortable." + +The man's face was a good-humoured one, round, honest in expression, and +commonplace. His wife was not so ordinary; a fair-haired, small-figured +little woman, she showed traces of having been a "village beauty" in her +young days, of the pink-and-white, shallow type. But in her eyes, and +along the corners of her somewhat weak-looking mouth, there were signs +of an ever-present fear. + +Even now, as she sat pouring out her husband's tea, her habitual +nervousness showed itself in the restless movements of her unoccupied +hand, and the sudden start with which she would greet the slightest +unexpected sound, or the knocking of a customer on the little counter. +From where she sat she could see her children, and once or twice she +smiled gently as she waved her hand to them, where they were playing +with an elder girl who was in charge of them. + +"I say, Lucy," said John, as he drank his tea noisily, "how's the girl +going on? Getting over her shyness a bit, ain't she?" + +His wife started; but he was evidently too accustomed to this to notice +her. + +"Yes," she said, reaching out for his cup. "Poor girl, she's seen some +trouble, I'll be bound; and for one so young, too, and innocent. The +world's a hard place!" + +"Yes, indeed," agreed John Ashford, with a glance through the window, +where the little group of three were playing. "Let me see, she's been +here a matter of four weeks, hasn't she--since I went over to Walton. +Rum thing me finding her at all. If I hadn't come across the moor +instead of along the road, she'd 'ave been in that furze bush still." + +Mrs. Ashford shuddered at the suggestions of his words. + +"She hasn't given us no account of herself now," he continued in his +hearty, good-tempered voice. "Not even her name, 'cept--what d'ye call +it?" + +"Jessica," put in his wife. "I call her Jessie, sounds more homelike." + +"And hasn't she told you anything more as to why she tramped out of +London?" + +"No, nothing more," said his wife, "except that she couldn't bear the +crowds. I haven't asked her either, John. She's a good girl, you can see +that; and penniless as well as homeless. I should hate to send her to +the workhouse, or perhaps worse," she half whispered. "If she's got a +secret in her heart, we'll let her keep it, dear. Perhaps we all have a +little corner in our hearts marked 'Private,'" she added in a low voice. + +"Excepting you and me, my dear!" said John, wiping his mouth as he rose +from the table, and coming round to kiss her. + +She started again and paled a little. + +"Of course, dear," she said; "I wasn't thinking of us." + +"We've no secrets," said the good-natured grocer, as he took down his +hat and coat from behind the door. "Our hearts are open like them +clocks, with all the works outside, eh, Lucy, my dear?" Laughing at his +own simile, he kissed her again. + +"If you'll take care of the shop," he went on, as he opened the door, +"I'll just run over to Richmond for those jams and things. Old Tucker's +cart is going over, and he'll lend me a hand." + +"Get along, then," replied his wife, "and don't forget we want some more +spices." + +"Right you are," said the husband, and with a wave of his hand to her he +went down the path, the two children running to meet him. + +Lucy Ashford stood at the door and looked after him wistfully. + +"Poor John," she murmured, as she went back to clear away the +tea-things. "What would he do to me, if he knew?" + +Her thoughts went back to the great secret of her life. It was that +which caused her strange nervousness. She had repented of the past truly +enough, and no better wife could have been found throughout the kingdom; +but the secret had eaten into her life. She strove now to put it away +from her; for she knew she was in reality safe enough. Only her father +and Mr. Vermont knew--and the latter she had not seen for years. + +Now, therefore, she put away her cups and saucers and called gaily to +the children, as they came running back. The girl who had been playing +with them came too; and as she approached the cottage she raised her +head and smiled. Lucy Ashford stooped to kiss the children, then said +kindly to Jessica--for it was indeed she: + +"I expect you are tired with them now, my dear. Come and sit down with +me for a little while." + +Jessica raised her dark eyes gratefully. + +"No, ma'am, thank you. I'm not tired. I love the children; they are so +good to me." + +Lucy's eyes shone. What mother does not believe that her children are +the best in the world? She had been like an angel of mercy to the tired +girl when her husband had brought her into the little home. She had put +her to bed, fed her, and clothed her in old things of her own; and she +had neither questioned nor worried her since. + +Jessica, only too thankful to find a home for the present, and realising +the hopelessness of her strange passion for Adrien Leroy, had done what +she could to repay her benefactress by helping her in the little shop, +and playing with and taking care of the children. Now, at their request, +she took them back to the river side again, while Lucy sat down at the +table before a pile of sewing. + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + +Meanwhile, Adrien's skiff was moored at the landing-place of an old inn, +some distance further up the river. Under a rustic porch Lady Merivale +was finishing her tea, while her companion enjoyed a cigarette. + +Alas! for the irony of fate! This day, during which he had strenuously +endeavoured to forget Constance, had only shown him more plainly the +utter impossibility of doing so. If he had but known the opportunity he +had missed with that letter, his mortification and despair would have +been even greater. + +Constance had regretted her policy in sending Adrien from her almost +before the day was over, and had purposely planned this way of seeing +him. Deeming his outing--thanks to Jasper's clever insinuations--to have +been undertaken on purpose to avoid her, the girl's heart was heavy +within her, and filled with something very like resentment too. + +Adrien, on the other hand, all unwitting of the harm this excursion had +done his cause, had talked long and quietly with Lady Merivale. He had +made up his mind to break away even from these silken strings. + +"So you have determined to leave me?" she said sadly. + +He nodded. + +"You know I must," he replied. "For your sake, as well as mine, it is +best." + +"Perhaps you are right," she said in a low voice. "So this is the last +happy day we shall spend together?" + +"Yes," he answered with a sigh. "Now, standing here, I see only too well +that we ought never to have spent any at all. I dread lest I have spoilt +your happiness, Eveline, lest a breath of slander should touch your +name. I will not deny that I had of late hoped to marry and settle down +as my father wishes, but it is not to be. Don't laugh at me when I tell +you I am going to turn over a new leaf. After this ball at Barminster, I +shall go abroad for awhile. That will give the world time to forget we +have ever had more than a passing acquaintance." + +Tears rolled down Eveline's face as she listened to his words. She had +played her last card, and she knew the game was lost; though it was her +vanity that suffered more than her heart. She was too clever and too +proud to resist any further, however, or sue for his favour. Presently +she rose, and said, as steadily as usual: + +"Come, Adrien, let us turn down stream and retrace our way while we can +see. It is dusk already--I had no idea it had grown so late." + +He helped her into the little skiff in silence; and as the Sea Foam +glided over the rippling waters a profound stillness seemed to descend +over the darkening landscape. + +Presently Lady Merivale peered forward. + +"This half-light is so deceptive," she said, in a rather nervous voice; +"I nearly steered you into the bank then." + +"Can you see?" he asked. "Put down the lines and let me guide the boat." + +"No, no," she replied. "I can see well enough." + +"Just as you like," he said gently. "I will row quicker. It's time we +were in Hampton. For what hour did you order the car?" + +"I came by train," she answered. + +"I have my motor," said Leroy; "I suppose you would not return in that?" + +"Good Heavens, no!" she exclaimed. "Whatever would people think? No, +I'll return by train, and take a taxi from Waterloo. I shall even then +be in time to dress for Lady Martindale's 'At Home.'" + +He did not seek to alter her decision, but sent the boat along with +rapid strokes, which broke up the placid water into ripples at each +plunge of the oars. + +Lady Merivale leaned forward and gave a sudden start. + +"Look, look!" she cried in terror-stricken tones. "What is that?" She +pointed to a sheet of spray rising and falling a few yards from them, or +rather below them. Adrien turned his head to see the cause of her alarm, +and his very heart seemed to stop beating. + +"Sit still," he cried, "for Heaven's sake. You have steered us near the +weir!" + +With all his strength he started to row back. The strain was tremendous. +That line of silver spray marked their fall to instant and certain +death. No aid was possible; the solitude of the woods and lands was as +absolute as if they had been in an unknown country. All he could do was +to keep the woman in whose safety he was concerned quiet, if not +reassured, while he exerted every nerve in his body to withdraw the +little craft from the danger line. + +"Cling to the boat," he shouted loudly, for the falling water rang in +his ears with a deafening roar. + +As he spoke, the frail craft capsized, and its occupants were plunged +into the foaming, churning water. Leroy made a frantic grasp at his +companion's dress, but missed it. A second later, he saw, in the midst +of the foam, her slight form being carried down to the weir. With a cry +of horror he struck out, in an attempt to rescue her. + +In those few awful seconds he prayed that the punishment of their +light-hearted folly might not fall on the woman, but on him; that his +life might be lost, sooner than her good name. + +Luckily, he was an expert swimmer; and aided by the stream, which was as +swift as a mill-race, he soon managed to get within reach of Lady +Merivale. With a great effort he grasped her firmly, and, turning slowly +and painfully, swung aslant the stream to the opposite bank. + +Her face was white, as if life were already extinct. Her eyes were +closed. + +"Heaven grant me her life!" he groaned, as, panting and nearly +exhausted, he dragged himself and his precious burden up on the bank. + +He laid her down and felt for some signs of life; to his intense +gratitude, she still breathed; and with a silent prayer of thankfulness, +he turned to look for assistance. + +At a little distance a light burned in a window. Without pausing an +instant, he took the still form in his arms and hastened towards it. + + +All unconscious of the struggle for life going on so close to her, Lucy +Ashford sat working busily, her pretty face lifted to the clock every +minute or so, as she waited for her husband to return. + +The children were in bed, and Jessica was just coming down the tiny +staircase when a sharp knock sounded at the outer door, causing Lucy to +drop her work in her usual terror at any unexpected sound. + +The shop had been closed, it was too late for rural customers, and +wondering who it could be, she took up her candle and went to the door. + +Timidly she pulled back the latch and peered out. A gentleman stood on +the threshold with his face towards the river. At the sound of the +opening door, he turned. Down went the candle with a crash and splutter; +up went the two hands to her face. + +Mr. Jasper Vermont stood looking down at her with a cruel, amused smile +for a moment; then in his soft, purring voice he said: + +"I'm afraid I've startled you, Miss--Mrs. Ashford. Pray let me recover +the candle. There that's better." As he spoke he pushed past her into +the dimly lighted shop. + +"Quite startled, eh?" he continued blandly. "Unwelcome visitor, I +suppose?" + +"No, no!" breathed the poor little woman, who at the moment resembled a +sparrow in the clutches of a hawk, or a mouse beneath the paw of its +enemy, the cat. "No, no, I--I am very glad to see you, sir. Will you +come in?" + +At this faint welcome Mr. Vermont smiled still more. + +"Thank you, Mrs. Lucy," he said, "I think I will," and he followed her +into the spotless sitting-room. + +Meanwhile, Jessica, at the first sound of a strange voice, and afraid of +being sought for by Wilfer, had concealed herself at the back of the +house. + +Jasper looked round the room in mock admiration. + +"What a delightful little place you have here," he continued. "Most +charming! Commerce and romance mingled together, I declare. And now," +sinking into a seat and fixing his eyes upon the white, frightened face +of his victim, "how is your husband, Mr. John Ashford?" + +"Very well, sir," faltered the miserable woman, praying with all her +heart that John might not come home. + +"And the children," continued her persecutor; "two, are there not? +Pretty little dears! I'm so fond of children, you know, Mrs. Lucy. Quite +a happy woman you must be. A most comfortable little house, I never saw +anything like it, excepting once, and that was at Canterbury." + +The poor woman, her worst fears realised, fell down on her knees, and +turned up her white face piteously to the cruel, mocking one above her. + +"Oh, sir, kind, good sir," she implored, "spare me! You will not, say +you will not ruin me? We are so happy; it will break his heart if he +learns my secret. He is so good. The children! Have pity on them at +least, sir, and do not betray me." + +Jasper smiled, and Lucy became even more incoherent. + +"Oh, sir," she cried, the tears streaming down her white face unheeded. +"I was so young, so giddy and thoughtless, and that man was so wicked. +He tempted me. Oh, Mr. Vermont, sir, I will pray every night for you as +I pray for John and my little ones, if you will but spare me and keep my +secret." + +She might just as well have prayed to the wooden table, as expect any +mercy or pity from this man, to whom such abject misery was better than +meat and drink. + +With a contemptuous gesture, as if to spurn her from his sight, he said: + +"Get up, my good woman. I shall keep your secret as long as it pleases +me. Perhaps for ever, who can tell? Good John, simple John," he laughed +maliciously. "He little thinks his wife was given to taking trips to +Canterbury with handsome young men. There! There!" he added, as a moan +of anguish burst from the dry lips of the tortured woman. "That will do. +I shan't enlighten good kind John, as long as you do what I want. I need +a bed. I'm going to sleep here to-night. Hullo! who's that?" He broke +off suddenly, as Jessica, tired of waiting outside for his departure, +entered the room, her dark eyes dilated with anxiety. + +She paused at the sound of his voice, and stared at him. She recognised +him as the man she had seen with Leroy, and some subtle instinct seemed +to tell her that he was evil. Jasper, too, stared at her uneasily. A +memory of another person, strangely like her, crossed his mind, but he +was too full of his knowledge concerning Leroy to consider any fresh +train of thought. + +Mrs. Ashford hastily composed her features. + +"Only a girl stopping here," she said hurriedly; then, turning to the +silent spectator, she said, "Go, my dear, I shall not want you at +present," and Jessica gladly left the room, while Jasper, taking her to +be a servant, gave no more thought to her. + +"Now what about a room?" he said imperiously, as he took off his light +overcoat. + +"You shall have the best, sir," replied Lucy, only too eager to +conciliate him. "Anything--everything we have is yours." + +"Very kind of you, I'm sure," yawned Jasper. "Set about it then." + +He was tired, for he had done a great deal of walking for him, who was +accustomed to use his own or his friend's motor for every journey, great +or small. Besides, he had somehow missed Adrien despite his care, and +was greatly puzzled and irritated. + +He was turning to follow Lucy, when there came a sound of footsteps, +followed by another loud knock at the door, and a man's commanding +voice: + +"Help! Quick here with a light!" + +Lucy screamed, and Jasper Vermont turned rather pale, for he instantly +recognised the voice as that of the man he had sought so diligently all +that day. But he had no desire to be discovered just then, so, taking +the frightened woman almost savagely by the arm, he whispered fiercely: + +"You may let him in--I know him. But if he finds out that I am here, I +will tell John all to-night; remember that. Hide me somewhere where I +can see--do you understand? Quick!" + +The knocking commenced again, and under its cover, Lucy, trembling like +a leaf, opened a door, the upper part of which was glazed, and which led +from the small room to the kitchen. Into this ambush Mr. Vermont +hurried, while Lucy ran to the other door and threw it open to admit +Adrien Leroy, who staggered into the room with his dripping burden in +his arms. + +"I'm sorry to knock you up," he said, trying to reassure her, "but this +lady is nearly dead; our boat upset." + +"Bring her in here, sir," said the good little woman, her courage and +self-possession returning under the emergency. "She had better come up +to the bedroom, poor lady." + +Adrien carried Eveline up the narrow staircase, followed by Lucy, who +had hastily produced some spirits with which to restore consciousness. + +"You had better fetch a doctor, sir," she called after Adrien, as he +came down again. + +Leroy hesitated. He knew that Lady Merivale valued her reputation more +than her life. To fetch a doctor might save the latter, but would most +certainly ruin the former; for no medical man would permit her to return +to London that night, and, in that case, discovery would be inevitable. + +Troubled and worn with anxiety, he paced to and fro in the room behind +the shop, regardless of his own dripping clothes, while Jasper, behind +the little window curtain, watched him sardonically, his lips wreathed +in a smile. He was well content with this finish of his day's +holiday--if such it might be called; for he knew that he held Lady +Merivale in the hollow of his hand. She, who had sneered at his +position, while yet making every use of his services, would in the +future be but another of his puppets; and he foresaw a goodly profit +from the outlay of this day's time and money. + +Presently Lucy ran down. + +"Where's the doctor, sir?" she asked. "Oh, didn't you go after all? +Well, it doesn't matter, for the lady is alive and better." + +"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Leroy fervently. + +"She says she doesn't need one." + +"I understand," replied Adrien. "Is she well enough to sit up, or move?" + +"Yes, sir--at least, she says so," answered Lucy. "She is changing her +clothes for some of mine, sir; and she says that if you get a +carriage--" + +Adrien nodded. + +"I understand," he said again. "Is there an inn near here where I can +hire one?" + +"Oh, yes, sir," replied Lucy. She quickly directed him to the tiny river +hostel not far off, and Adrien disappeared. + +Had it not been for that grim presence behind the door, whom, in her +excitement, she had nearly forgotten, Lucy would have wished John to +come home quickly; as it was, she trembled at every fresh sound as she +went upstairs again to her patient. + +By means of that most potent magic--gold, Leroy quickly procured a +carriage, old and dusty; but a veritable thing of beauty in such a +strait as this. He meant to get to Hampton, and from there use his own +motor. He hastened back to the little shop, and, summoning Lucy, sent +her up with a message. + +"Tell the lady," he said quickly, "I have a carriage waiting, and if she +is strong enough, we can start at once." + +The news acted like a tonic; for in a marvellously short time Lady +Merivale, pale but resolute, came downstairs into the little +sitting-room. + +She was wrapped up in shawls, and a long cloak covered her from head to +foot. Too upset to speak, she motioned with her hand to Adrien to open +the door; and, laying a ten-pound note on the table, he said a few words +of thanks to Lucy, then led the unhappy countess to the carriage. + +No sooner had the horse started than her calmness gave way. She covered +her face with her hands and burst into tears. + +"Adrien," she sobbed, "I am ruined." + +"No," said Leroy reassuringly, "you are safe, now. This man is promised +ten pounds if he reaches Hampton in half an hour. My motor is waiting +there. I myself will drive you to Waterloo Station; there you can get a +taxi, without attracting any attention, and you will reach home before +ten. Your husband will think you stayed to dine with Lady Rose." + +"But you--you!" she wailed, "Will you promise----" + +"I," he said, with a laugh of scorn at her doubt of him. "This day of my +life is yours; none will ever hear from me how it was spent, and you +know it." + +"You swear?" + +"I give you my word," he said simply. "I can give no stronger oath than +that." + +Lady Merivale sank back with a sigh of relief. + +Alas! Leroy did not pause to reflect that, let happen what might, there +was one day of his life he could not account for--one whole day of which +he had sworn to keep silent. + +Faster and faster went the great car, at a pace that would have shocked +chauffeur and policeman alike, but Leroy was reckless; a woman's honour +and his own were in imminent peril. Death were sweeter than his failure +to save it. + +It was not much after nine when the car rolled into Waterloo Station, +and Leroy assisted his trembling companion to alight. Wrapped up in +Lucy's big coat, she stood quietly by while Leroy left his car in the +care of an outside porter, then led her apparently towards the booking +office. Passing through this, they manoeuvred to reach the outside, +where a taxi was hailed, and the address given. + +Thankful at their escape, Leroy stood bareheaded till it disappeared in +the throng of vehicles; then he returned to his own motor, as he +thought, unseen and unnoticed. + +Alas for his vain hopes! Miss Penelope and Constance, after a long day's +shopping, had come to Waterloo on their way back to Barminster. The +sharp eyes of Lady Constance, quickened by love, recognised the figure +of Adrien from afar; and, making some excuse to Miss Penelope, she +followed and watched the departure. + +She did not recognise the lady, it is true; but she saw sufficient to +realise that her worst fears were fulfilled. Adrien had neglected her +letter for the sake of another woman. + + +Jasper waited patiently until the sound of the carriage wheels had died +away into the distance, then he came out of his hiding-place, his face +pale, his eyes shining. + +"Lucy Ashford," he said, sinking into a chair, and holding up one finger +in solemn warning, "you may be asked some day to give an account of what +has taken place to-night. Remember this; you know nothing, you +recognised no one--till I give you leave. Disobey me, and the story of +your Canterbury trip becomes the property of the whole world. I'll +proclaim it through every newspaper in the world." + +Trembling and crying, and too ignorant to realise the absurdity of this +threat, Lucy swore to be silent; and then, to her intense relief, Mr. +Vermont changed his mind as to staying the night, and announced his +decision of returning to London. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + +On the night of that fateful trip, when Leroy returned to his chambers, +he found Lady Constance's letter. Already tired with the events of the +day, and the struggle in the water, this proved an overwhelming blow. +The thought that he had spent the day in idle dalliance, when he might +have been with the woman he truly loved--might have basked in the warmth +of her presence, even though she would never be his, drove him almost to +madness. + +Jasper Vermont, who had followed him back to town by the first train +obtainable, called in at Jermyn Court, and found him pacing up and down +the room, more troubled and unhappy than he had ever been in the whole +course of his pampered, shielded life. Vermont listened and sympathised, +and stabbed afresh, with his artful accounts of Lady Constance's anger +at the fancied slight. He was altogether delighted at the way in which +things had turned out, though he did not know how Fortune had aided him +still more at Waterloo Station. + +On the following morning Leroy received a cypher note from Lady +Merivale, saying that she had arrived home safely, and unnoticed; and, +with a sigh of relief, he turned his attention to his own affairs. To +Jasper's supreme annoyance, he insisted on going through a pile of +papers which Vermont had only meant him to sign; and to that gentleman's +chagrin he actually dared to interfere in the matter of rents and +leases; which proceeding, naturally, did not tend to make Jasper feel +the more kindly disposed to the world in general, and Adrien Leroy in +particular. + +When he had taken his departure, Adrien ordered the motor, and drove +down to Barminster with the intention of offering an apology for his +seeming discourtesy. He found all in confusion and excitement in view of +the coming ball; and, whether by accident or design, he found it +impossible to get a single word with Constance alone. + +The two ladies received the explanation of his absence--a river-trip +with a friend--with chilling indifference. To Miss Penelope nothing was +of any importance except the decorations of the banqueting hall, while +Lady Constance had the evidence of her own eyesight. He was compelled, +therefore, to return to London the next day in the same unhappy state of +mind. To distract his thoughts, he threw himself heart and soul into the +preparations for the festive event; and even Jasper Vermont himself +could not have worked harder. + +The announcement of the fancy dress ball to be held at Barminster had +made something like a sensation; for not only was the magnificence of +the Castle well known, but the fact that it was so seldom used for +festivities of any kind lent importance to the occasion, and had roused +society, both in town and country, to the height of expectancy. + +Preparations were carried on apace. The whole Castle was to be lighted +and decorated, regardless of expense, while even the servants' dresses +were to be manufactured by the masters of their craft, and approved of +by heraldic authorities, in order that the right effect of the period, +that of two hundred years back, might be maintained. Never had a ball +been carried out with such a wealth of detail. + +Throughout all this, and during the many visits which Adrien found +necessary to make to Barminster, journeying backwards and forwards in +his great car, Lady Constance maintained a smiling, gentle demeanour; +but she allowed him no opportunity for explanation, seeming rather to +avoid his presence. Even Lord Barminster, watching his two dear ones +closely, was not blind to the gravity of the situation; but he trusted +to Constance's love to make matters right in the end. + +At last the eventful night came. The temporary stables which the village +carpenters had been erecting close to the ordinary ones were rapidly +filling. Cars and carriages stood side by side, as guests from town and +the surrounding districts arrived; and the air resounded with the +clatter and rattle of the horses' hoofs and carriage wheels, mingled +with the hooting of motor horns. + +Within the Castle all was light and mirth. Ripples of laughter and the +buzz of conversation went on incessantly, as the guests arrived in their +varied and gorgeous costumes. + +The walls of the great reception rooms had all been covered with +priceless tapestry, and as far as possible made to represent the +ball-room of Antony Leroy, two hundred years ago. But the guests +themselves had not been asked to keep to any period of history or +fashion, and, therefore, it was the most incongruous crowd that had ever +gathered within the walls of Barminster Castle. Never were dresses more +regal or more magnificent, alike in materials, colour and decoration. +Cavaliers in silks and satins, with plumed hats and jewelled swords; +Crusaders in glittering mail and silver armour. Alsace peasant girls +mingled with Carmelite monks and Sicilian nuns. Shakespeare's characters +were legion--Portias, Cymbelines, Katherines and Shylocks, all laughed +and jested together, their identity concealed beneath their black velvet +masks. It seemed as if every character and fable had risen to throng the +halls of Barminster Castle that night. + +Up in the gallery above the great ball-room a famous orchestra poured +forth melody, and the guests were awaiting the entrance of their host as +a signal to start dancing. + +The last visitor had arrived, when Lord Barminster and his sister came +from the entrance hall, where they had stood so long. The old man had +merely donned a domino over his evening dress and carried his mask in +his hand; but Miss Penelope had had her elaborate dress copied from a +picture of Lord Antony's wife, which hung in the Picture Gallery. The +gown was composed of soft grey satin, over which hung a veil of gold +chiffon embroidered with pearls. An embroidery of gold wheat-ears sown +with pearls decorated the bodice and the long, grey satin train; this, +together with the family diamonds, made Miss Penelope an imposing +figure, even in that bevy of fair women and gorgeous gowns. + +Immediately behind them came Adrien and Lady Constance. The latter had +chosen to represent "Miranda," and her loveliness seemed almost +supernatural. The pale gold of her hair and the perfect shell-pink of +her complexion were set off to advantage by her gown, which, simple as +it was, yet showed by that very simplicity the hand of the master by +whom it had been designed. It was of palest green satin, edged with +chiffon in such a way as to represent the crested waves, relieved here +and there by pink sea-shells and tiny wreaths of seaweed; while her only +ornaments were pearls, the gifts of her guardian. It was little wonder +that Adrien had been unable to express the admiration he felt, when he +looked upon her fair beauty, which was now, however, covered by a velvet +mask. + +He himself had taken the character of Charles the First, and, with his +dark, deep eyes and melancholy face, fully looked the part of the +unhappy monarch. There was a faint murmur of admiration as he entered, +for every detail had been so carefully copied, from the lace collar to +the jewelled order across his breast, that it was as if Van Dyck's +famous picture itself had stepped down from its frame. + +Unconscious of the attention they provoked, Adrien led Lady Constance +out to the first dance, and opened the ball with her. + +Miss Penelope was in the seventh heaven of delight, when some little +time later Adrien came up to her. + +"What a magnificent sight, is it not, Adrien?" she said excitedly. "I +knew it would be a success; but really the dresses are wonderful. Then +the mystery is so delightful. I can't recognise any one now under the +masks. Look, who is that?" She glanced towards a lady dressed as Undine, +who seemed to float by them, so light were her movements, on the arm of +a Mephistopheles. + +"That," said Adrien, whose quick eyes readily penetrated the majority of +the disguises, "that is--yes, I cannot be mistaken--Ev--Lady Merivale." + +His voice dropped slightly as he spoke the name; for he had not expected +that she would accept Miss Penelope's invitation, and was surprised by +her presence. + +"Who is the Mephistopheles?" asked his aunt. + +Adrien glanced after the couple rather puzzled. + +"I don't know," he admitted frankly. + +"It is something, a shadow only, like Mr. Vermont," suggested Miss +Penelope. + +"It cannot be he," said Adrien, "he is not coming to-night." + +Lord Barminster, who had approached in time to hear this speech, looked +affectionately at his son, and Adrien caught the glance and understood +it. But without making any comment, he went in search of his partner for +the next waltz. + +Meanwhile, Undine and Mephistopheles had seated themselves in the deep +recess of one of the alcoves. + +"May I get you an ice, madam?" asked the Mephistopheles in a queer, +strained voice. + +Undine turned her face towards him, and her eyes flashed curiously +through the mask. + +"You may," she replied, also disguising her voice, "if you will tell me +who you are." + +"That I dare not," was the guarded reply. "My name is never mentioned in +ears polite, you know." + +Undine smiled. + +"Since you will not tell me your name, perhaps you can tell me mine +without the asking." + +"I can, madam. You are--Lady Merivale, who is so fond of the river." + +Undine started, her face turning suddenly pale. + +"I--what do you mean? Who are you?" she asked, as she peered at him with +straining eyes, seeking to pierce the clever disguise. + +"Mephistopheles!" was the calm retort. Then, as if to turn the subject, +he continued lightly: "It is a fair scene, and a fabulous one." + +Undine began to have a slight suspicion as to whom her companion might +be, and was far from comfortable in her mind. The hit at the river might +have been only a chance one; but this was doubtful, if Mephistopheles +turned out to be either Mortimer Shelton or Jasper Vermont, as she half +feared. + +She strove to conceal her uneasiness. + +"The best should be happy and satisfied to-night," she said; "it is a +great success." + +"Yes, happy!" agreed the demon, nodding his horned head, "but not +satisfied. That will never be till he sees the marriage of his beloved +son----" He stopped short. + +"With Lady Constance Tremaine," finished Lady Merivale, in a low voice, +from which all attempt at disguise had gone. + +Mephistopheles nodded again. + +"You have guessed aright, my lady," he said. "See! there they are +together. A handsome pair; an admirable match. Yet it is sad to +think----" He stopped again. + +"What?" cried Lady Merivale, grasping his scarlet-clad arm in a fierce +grip. + +"It will never be!" + +His companion trembled with suppressed eagerness. + +"What do you meant?" she exclaimed. "Can you prevent it?" + +"I both can and will," was the quiet answer. "But, come, let us seek a +more retired spot." + +He drew her almost forcibly out of the recess into the shadow of some +palms, as Adrien Leroy, with a partner on his arm, approached the +alcove. + +"Oh! Mr. Leroy," said Lady Chetwold, as they passed, "can you tell me +who this latest arrival is?" + +"I have not seen her," said Adrien rather wearily; his eyes were bent on +Lady Constance, who had left him and was now dancing with Lord Standon. + +"Oh, there she is!" exclaimed his voluble little companion. "Such a +magnificent Cleopatra, isn't she?" + +She drew his attention to a tall lady who was looking rather anxiously +and constrainedly about her. Her dress certainly deserved the name of +magnificent. It was made for the greater part of apricot-coloured satin, +with gauze and tinselled chiffon fulled over it; from the shoulders was +suspended a long train of imperial purple velvet, on which was +embroidered in dull green, various Egyptian symbols. Her jewels too, +which were abundant, consisting chiefly of diamonds and large emeralds, +made her a regal, though almost theatrical figure. Yet, as her eyes met +the steady regard of Adrien's, she looked nervously round as if to make +her escape. + +Lady Chetwold felt Adrien give a slight start, and looking up, she saw +that his lips had grown stern, and even through the mask detected the +angry gleam in his eyes. + +"Do you know her?" she whispered. + +"Yes!" he said. "But it would be a breach of confidence to betray her, +Lady Chetwold." + +At the close of the dance he surrendered the little lady her next +partner, and went in search of the Cleopatra. He soon espied her, seated +in one of the recesses, and strode across to her. She started to her +feet as Adrien approached, then sinking back into her chair, she looked +up at him defiantly. + +At that moment the band struck up the music for the cotillion, and the +mass of colours shifted in dazzling movement, as, amid the rustle of +silks and the ripple of laughter, the dance commenced. + +Adrien was engaged to Lady Constance for it; but in the height of his +anger he had forgotten the fact. + +"Ada!" he exclaimed in a low voice full of suppressed indignation. "What +is the meaning of this intrusion? You've no business here." + +"No business here! Oh, haven't I?" she answered harshly, her bosom +heaving, and her bejewelled hands clenching. + +"No," he continued, standing in front of her so that she should not be +seen by the dancers. "You know that as well as I do. How did you come?" + +"On my legs," retorted the lady defiantly. "They're good for something +else besides dancing in your theatre, Adrien. You're an unfeeling brute +to speak to me like that after the way you've treated me. Do you think +I'm going to be thrown aside like a worn-out glove, just because you +want to marry that grand swell of a cousin." + +"Silence!" said Adrien in a tense whisper, and grasping her arm almost +savagely. "Keep your mask on, and come with me. If you are discovered, I +will not answer for the consequences." + +She rose sullenly, but abashed by his unusual vehemence, for never yet +had she seen him moved from his polite calm; and opening the door at the +end of the room, he led her away from the brilliant ball-room. + +"Now," he said as he closed the door and removed the mask from his face, +"what does this mean? There is something more in your presence than I +can understand. Whether I marry or not, it can be nothing to you, Ada; +you have the money, which is all you care for." + +"No, I haven't," she retorted loudly, "and you know it!" + +He held up his hand with a gesture of contemptuous command. + +"Speak quietly, if you can," he said, "or I leave you at once. Do you +mean to tell me you have not received the deeds?" + +"I do," she replied sulkily. "It ain't no use your carrying it off in +this high-handed way, because I ain't going to be deceived by it! You +promised me that you'd make me an allowance of a thousand a year, and +give me the theatre when you left me. Well, you've left me right enough, +but where's the money? That's what I want to know." + +"I gave the deed to Jasper," said Adrien, looking down upon her with +distaste, and vaguely wondering how he could ever have endured such a +woman near him. + +"You gave it to Jasper, did you?" said Ada, pulling or rather tugging +off her mask viciously, as she spoke. "Hang me if I didn't think so all +the time!" she exclaimed with a sudden change of tactics. "That Jasper's +a thief. I heard you say something about those deeds, and Jasper told me +a long rigmarole that you wouldn't sign them. Whether that's true or +not, Heaven only knows. Jasper's a bad one, an' he's sold me. He's got +the coin, and I'll split on him, as I threatened. No, it's no use your +trying to make me hush up, I will speak out. I'll show you what a fool +he's made of you, you who have been so good to him; I'll tell you a +thing or two as will open your eyes a bit wider than they are now. +I'll--" + +"Be quiet!" said Adrien. "Not another word--there is some mistake. +Jasper has forgotten, he has some reason for not giving it to you. He +shall explain directly I can reach town. You shall have the money and +the theatre, that I promise you; you know I have never broken my word +yet. Now you must go. Every moment you stay increases your danger. My +father is old-fashioned perhaps, but he would regard this as the +greatest insult, and would punish it severely. You are no fool, Ada. How +could you have done such a mad thing? Hush! slip on that domino." He +pointed to a black masque cloak, and rang the bell. "Get away as quickly +as possible," he went on as, now thoroughly subdued, she put on the +cloak. "You shall have the money, I swear it." + +On the servant entering, he hastily gave directions for her to be driven +to the station; then without another word to her, he returned to the +ball-room, just as his father's voice was heard inquiring for him. + +"Ah! there, you are, my boy. I wondered if anything had gone wrong. Are +you ill?" He gazed keenly at Adrien's pale, unmasked face. + +"No, sir, it is rather hot though in this dress," he returned hurriedly, +hating even the very semblance of a lie. "I believe Constance is waiting +for me," he continued. "Ah, yes, there she is. The ball is going off +well, don't you think so?" + +His father nodded. + +"Yes," he said, "your friends are pronouncing it to be a success. Mr. +Paxhorn declares it is a vision of the period. But Constance is +waiting." + +Replacing his mask, Adrien made his way to his cousin, who, as usual, +was surrounded by a small group of courtiers. She glanced up as he +approached and, with a smile to the rest, took his proffered arm. As he +looked at her sweet face, a thrill ran through him at the purity of her +beauty--so great a contrast to that of the woman he had just dismissed +that he loathed the very thought of ever having touched her hand. In +that moment, the love he bore Constance welled up passionately in his +heart, refusing to be suppressed, and again he tore off the velvet mask. + +When the girl raised her calm eyes to his face, the ardent look in his +startled her, and she determined to at least listen to any explanation +he wished to give her. "Where have you been, Adrien?" she said gently. +"I thought you had forgotten me." + +"No!" he answered sharply, "that would be impossible; but I was called +away. Do you care for this dance? Or, would you give me just a few +moments with you alone on the terrace?" + +Her eyes softened. + +"Yes, if you like, Adrien," she said gently. "I am really tired now, and +longing for the air." + +"Come, then," he said; and catching up a silken wrap that lay on one of +the seats, he threw it tenderly over her. + +Together they passed out on to the terrace, and seemed to have slipped +into another world, so great a contrast was the peaceful moonlit valley +beneath them to the brilliant, heated ball-room they had just left. + +As the curtained door swung behind them, Jasper Vermont, alias +Mephistopheles--his scarlet costume now changed to ordinary evening +dress, and covered with a long black domino, similar to that which Ada +had donned--shot a sharp glance after them; then, with a sinister smile, +he left the room by another exit, and made his way into the grounds. +Keeping well within the shadow of the trees and shrubs, he crouched +down, directly under the terrace where Adrien had led Constance; here, +motionless and scarcely breathing, he listened with eager ears. + +"It is hot," said Constance, removing her mask, and letting the wrap +fall back from her shoulders. + +"All the more reason you should be careful," said Adrien, replacing it +gently. + +She smiled, as she gazed up at him. + +"You look very tired," she said softly. "This ball has been a strain on +you, has it not?" + +"Not more than usual," he returned. "At any rate, it will be my last for +some time to come." + +"Your last!" she echoed, looking up at him with wide, startled eyes. +"What do you mean, Adrien?" + +"I am going away after to-night," he said hoarsely; for the sight of her +beauty was goading him almost to despair. + +"Going away!" she hardly breathed the words; her face had paled in the +moonlight, till it looked almost unearthly. "Why?" + +"You ask me why?" he murmured, his forehead damp with the force of his +emotion. "You, who know how I love you--worship your very shadow!" + +She trembled under the passion of his gaze. + +"Adrien!" she exclaimed, in low, reproachful tones. "Why do you speak to +me like that, when I know how little your words really mean?" + +"Little!" he cried with suppressed passion. "Ah, Constance, why are you +so cruel to me? Why do you so misjudge me, when I would gladly die to +serve you?" + +The earnestness in his tones was unmistakable; but she kept her face +turned from him, and he knew only from the quick-drawn breath that she +had heard him. + +"Constance," he pleaded, "look at me, dear. Give me this one chance. I +shall never trouble you again." + +"You have no right----" she began tremulously. + +"No right to tell you I love you. Do you think I don't know that?" he +burst out. "It is just that very knowledge which has burnt itself into +me, and seared my very soul." + +"What knowledge?" she asked, forgetful, in the suddenness of his attack, +the tactics she had adopted with regard to Lord Standon. + +"The knowledge of your engagement," he answered hoarsely. "Ah, +Constance, be merciful. Surely not even Standon himself would grudge me +these last few moments." + +"What has Lord Standon to do with me?" she asked, looking him full in +the face with steadfast eyes. + +He stared at her in amazement. + +"Is he not your accepted lover?" + +His voice betrayed his agony of spirit; and, hearing this, she relented. +Holding up her left hand, the third finger of which was bare of rings, +she said quietly, almost, indeed, demurely: + +"This does not look like it, does it?" + +The light of hope, new-born, flashed into his face. He sprang forward +eagerly. + +"Constance!" he cried. "My darling! You will try to care for me +then----?" He would have taken her in his arms; but she held him off at +arm's length. + +"No! no, Adrien," she interrupted sadly. "Because I am not engaged to +Lord Standon, is that any reason why I should love one who treats me so +lightly?" + +"I treat you lightly, you--the one woman I have ever truly loved? +Constance, whatever sins I may have committed, you are my first love, +and you will be my last. I am not worthy to touch your hand, as pure as +it is white, but will you not forgive me the folly of my past life, and +let me live in hope that I may do better? I swear from this day forth to +cast off the old life, with all its emptiness and folly, and lay the +future at your feet." + +As his passionate words ceased, she turned to him. + +"Adrien, I do not know what to think," she said in low, troubled tones. +"I wrote to you last month--that day we came up to London, believing +that perhaps you had learned to care a little for me; but when you +deliberately spent the day with another woman, sooner than with me, what +am I to think?" + +"What do you mean?" he asked hoarsely. + +"I saw you," she returned simply, "when we were at the station, auntie +and I, on the twenty-second----" + +"The twenty-second!" he echoed, through blanched lips. + +"Yes, you were at Waterloo Station with some one, I did not see her +face. But what does it matter now? If you had cared----" She stopped +abruptly. + +"I do care," he reiterated passionately. "Heaven above knows that; but I +do not hope to make you believe me. Constance, I can give neither you +nor any living being the explanation of that awful day. But I swear to +you that the meeting was unsought by me. I could not help myself. I do +not know how all this has come about. I understood from Standon +that--that he was engaged to----" + +"Muriel Branton," interrupted Constance softly. "He told me himself." + +For a moment Adrien stared at her in stupefaction. + +"If I had known we were at cross-purposes!" he exclaimed. "I see it all +now--when it is too late," and sinking down on the stone seat he buried +his face in his hands. + +For a minute there was silence, broken at last by the rustle of Lady +Constance's dress as she came timidly towards him. + +"Adrien," she murmured, very low indeed, but not so low that he did not +hear. + +He looked up, gave one swift glance at her blushing face, then, with an +incoherent cry of delight, caught her in his arms. + +"My darling!" he cried. "I love you. Believe that, though I failed you +so." + +No further words were spoken--none were needed; then Adrien said gently: + +"Darling, before we return, tell me, just once--let me hear it from your +own lips, that you love me; for I can scarcely believe I am awake." + +"It is no dream, Adrien," she said, her face flushing and quivering with +pent-up emotion. "I love you, dear." + +Again he clasped her in his arms and neither heard a step behind them. +It was not until a warning cough roused them, that Adrien started, and +became aware of the presence of Mr. Jasper Vermont. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + +While the preparations for the ball at Barminster Castle had been going +on apace, trouble and confusion reigned in the little village on the +banks of the Thames. + +No sooner had Mr. Jasper Vermont taken his departure, than poor Lucy +Ashford sank on the floor of the shop, and burst into a flood of tears. +So great had been the strain that she was completely unnerved, and had +quite forgotten the likelihood of her husband's return from Richmond, as +well as the mysterious disappearance of Jessica, who had not been seen +in the house since the arrival of Adrien Leroy and his unconscious +burden. + +This sudden realisation of all the presentiment of evil which Lucy +Ashford had ever in her mind, had burst on her like a thunderbolt. She +had known always that the man, Mr. Jasper Vermont, who knew her secret, +was alive; but never before had she been actually threatened with its +betrayal. Her father, Mr. Harker, had always stood between her and that +dreadful possibility. + +Presently, she jumped up and called to Jessica. Then she remembered that +the girl had disappeared from the time she had sent her from the room. +Fearful that Vermont might yet change his mind and return for the night, +she ran to the door, calling out Jessica's name in a paroxysm of nervous +terror, which finally, on receiving no reply, ended in a severe attack +of hysterics, in the midst of which her husband returned and found her. + +With an exclamation of alarm, he raised her from the floor and bore her +upstairs to the bed on which Lady Merivale had lain such a short time +ago. He was greatly puzzled by the disordered appearance of the room, +and his first thought was of burglars. He gave no time to this, however, +but hastened to get his wife into bed, then rushed out for a doctor. +When he returned with him it was found that Lucy had relapsed into a +state of fever, and was talking deliriously, of an inn at Canterbury, an +individual of the name of Johann Wilfer, and most of all, making +plaintive appeals to Jasper Vermont not to betray her. + +As the next day Jessica had not returned, Ashford found all his work cut +out for him, to see after the shop and the children, as well as his +wife. A kindly neighbour came to his rescue; but John insisted on +nursing Lucy himself, while the woman remained downstairs. + +At first, the husband paid little attention to the wandering, incoherent +sentences of his wife; but as the first excitement died down, and they +began to take distinct form, he bent over her, and learned the one error +of her life. Naturally, poor John recoiled in horror; the whole thing +seemed so incredible, so impossible to believe. Yet, when he had had +time to reflect, he saw that this explained all the little strangenesses +in his wife's conduct and manner; her intense nervousness at the sight +of any stranger; her reticence as to her youthful days; all this was +borne in on his mind, and he realised that he had been deceived. His +wife, in whom he had so trusted, had loved another before him; and at +the bitter truth, John Ashford utterly broke down, and, hiding his face +in the counterpane, sobbed like a child. Tears sometimes are Nature's +own medicine, and do more to soften the heart than any words. After the +first shock had worn away, Ashford commenced to look back on the happy +days he had spent with Lucy; the way she had worked with him, and for +him. These thoughts did their healing work, and accordingly, a few days +later, when Lucy Ashford returned to consciousness, she found her +husband's eyes gazing into hers with only pitying tenderness in their +depths. + +"John," she said faintly, "have I been ill?" + +"Yes, dear," he replied gently. + +Something in his saddened tones, or perhaps strange intuition, told Lucy +that her secret was no longer hers alone. + +"John!" she cried, her voice shaking with terror and weakness. "You know +all!" And she hid her face in her hands. + +Her husband bent over her tenderly and kissed the thin cheek. + +"Yes, dear," he said. "You've told me all. Why didn't you trust me +before?" + +She looked at him in wonder, hardly believing the evidence of her own +ears. Was this all the reproach and anger he would deal out to her? +Could it be possible that, knowing all, the man she had loved, yet +feared, solely on this account, would not only forgive but take her into +his heart again? As if in answer to her bewildered thoughts, John's arm +was around her neck, and his kiss of forgiveness fell upon her lips. + +Presently, she looked up, with a look of ineffable peace and gratitude +on her face. + +"John," she said, "send for poor father; it will be new life to him to +know that this dreadful weight is off my heart, and that you, knowing +what a bad woman I have been, will still call me your wife. Oh, fetch +him to me soon, dear, that he may be happy too." + +Her husband kissed her again, and without another word left the room. +Giving some directions to the neighbour who was still in the shop, he +set out at once on his journey. He drove into Hampton and took the first +train to London, where he intended to tell his father-in-law the whole +story, and learn what details he could; for he did not wish ever to +bring up the subject again, so far as Lucy was concerned. + +Now it happened that Mr. Harker was late at the office that night, +bending, sad and wrinkled, over his interminable papers; the whole +business connected with which was so repugnant to him. Sigh after sigh +escaped his thin lips, as he read the piteous appeals, and knew that he +must refuse them; must deal out fresh misery against his will. It was +hard to be the tool of such a merciless fiend; to be the servant of such +a master of deceit, villainy and fraud; but so greatly did the father +love his child that he would scarce have hesitated in committing a +murder had Jasper Vermont set that crime as a price of his forbearance +and silence. He would have purchased his daughter's safety and happiness +with his heart's blood, if need be. + +Unconscious of the release that was so fast approaching, he worked on, +setting in order the various accounts which Vermont would require to be +laid before him on the following day; and entering in a book concise +histories of the debts and difficulties which placed dozens of Jasper's +acquaintances within his power. + +A knock at the door startled him, and roused him from his task. Hastily +shutting the ledger before which he was seated, and covering the deeds +and documents with a large sheet of paper, the old man rose and opened +the door. + +It was his son-in-law, John Ashford, and at the sight of his round, +kindly face, Harker staggered back, and clutched at the table. + +"Lucy!" he gasped out. "Is she ill?" + +"All right! All right!" said John reassuringly, but in a quieter voice +than his usual jovial one. "Don't be frightened. But when she says 'Go +and fetch father,' you see, I come and fetch you directly." + +Mr. Harker was not to be deceived by this attempt at a jest. + +"She is ill!" he cried, the perspiration breaking out on his forehead. + +John nodded. + +"She is better now," he said. "But I should like you to come down at +once. We shall catch a train to Hampton Court, and I have a trap waiting +for me there." Without any further explanation--for after thinking the +matter over, he had determined that Lucy herself should break the news +to her father--he helped the old man, still trembling and shaking, to +put on his coat, and to lock up the office; and it was not until they +were well on their way, that John told him how he had found his wife a +fortnight ago, lying unconscious on the ground. + +Mr. Harker's troubled face darkened, and his thin hands clenched and +unclenched themselves, for he knew Mr. Vermont only too well, and the +thought had already crossed his mind that this sudden illness was in +some way due to that gentleman's interference. + +Outside Hampton Court station they found the horse and cart for which +John had arranged; and the two men got in silently and started off once +more. They were within a short distance of their destination, when John +pulled up the horse with an exclamation of astonishment. They were in a +narrow lane, with barely room enough for the cart to pass along, and +almost within a yard of the horse's hoofs stood the figure of a young +girl. + +Ashford recognised her in an instant; with a shout of warning, he threw +the reins to his father-in-law and, leaping to the ground, caught the +girl by the arm. + +"Jessica!" he cried reproachfully. "What are you doing here?" + +She looked up at him in silence, and her eyes filled with tears. + +"I am coming back to you," she said at last, in a low voice, "if you +will have me? There was some one I wanted to see again in London, or I +would never have gone; for, oh! sir, I know how good you and Mrs. +Ashford have been to me." + +John appeared relieved. + +"I thought you weren't one of the sort to go off and leave my Lucy just +because she was ill and wanted extra help," he said, in a tone of +relief. + +"Ill," repeated Jessica, with a look of bewilderment. "She was not ill +when I left her. It was the other lady who was ill." + +John, of course, knew nothing of Lady Merivale, and gazed at Jessica as +though she had taken leave of her senses. + +"I don't know what lady you mean," he said; "but my wife has been very +ill for the past two weeks, and asking for you often. You see, I thought +you had run away and left her." + +"I will drive back with you, please, sir, if you have room for me. I +didn't know Mrs. Ashford was ill," said the girl, humbly following him, +as he turned towards the trap. + +He lifted her up, and fastened her in securely. + +All this time Mr. Harker had taken no notice of the little episode, save +to wonder slightly at the delay. But directly he caught sight of the +vivid, dark beauty of the girl, he started. + +"Who is this?" he asked John, who was hurriedly driving on again. + +"A poor girl whom Lucy has befriended," he replied. "Why, did you think +you recognised her?" + +Mr. Harker shook his head. She strongly resembled some one he had seen; +but, for the moment, he could not call to mind who that person was. + +"What is her name?" he inquired. + +"Jessica," replied his son-in-law. "She doesn't seem to know any other." + +They drove on in silence, broken presently by Mr. Harker, who had stolen +another glance at the silent girl. + +"A wonderful likeness," he murmured. "I could have sworn that was Ada +Lester, the actress, as she used to be." + +He relapsed again into silence, and John was too much wrapped up in his +own thoughts to question him further. + +They reached the little shop at last, and Jessica ran lightly and +quickly up to the bedroom. She was welcomed warmly by Lucy, who had +grown to like the girl, and had been greatly upset by her absence. + +"I'm glad you have come back, dear," she whispered, as Jessica bent over +her. "Where have you been?" + +"To London, dear Mrs. Ashford. I did not know you were ill. I came back +with Mr. Ashford." + +"John!" exclaimed Lucy, the colour rising in her face. "My father as +well?" + +"Yes," said the girl. "I will call them." + +She did so, and a moment later John and Mr. Harker entered the room. + +"Here he is, dear, you shall tell him the news yourself, while I take +the horse back," said the kindly John. He bent over and kissed her; and +Lucy followed him with wistful, adoring eyes, as he went out accompanied +by Jessica. + +The next half-hour was an affecting one for father and daughter. Harker +could hardly believe the good news; for so long had they tried and +succeeded in keeping the truth back from Ashford, that it seemed +incredible indeed that he had forgiven freely and wholly. Mr. Harker +looked a different being when, after kissing his daughter +affectionately, he left her and went down to the little parlour. + +John was sitting smoking his pipe; but he started up when the old man +entered. + +"What is the matter?" he said, as he looked at his pale face. "Is she +worse?" + +"No," said Harker. "She is better, thank Heaven! John Ashford," he +continued humbly, "I have come to beg your forgiveness for the pain we +have caused you. I knew my girl to be a good girl, although she had once +been so foolish. I knew she would make you a true loving wife, in spite +of her sin. It was I who overcame her scruples, and bade her marry you. +I did it for the best. I did it that she might be happy; for I knew how +she loved you, and she so feared to lose your love and respect. She +tells me you have forgiven her, but can you forgive me?" + +John grasped his hand. + +"Of course I do," he said heartily. "You did it for her so I have +nothing to forgive. If my poor darling had only plucked up courage and +told me all, the hour we were man and wife, she would have learned how +dearly I loved her, and it would have saved you both many unhappy +years." + +Tears of gratitude stood in Harker's eyes, as he returned the handclasp. + +"Heaven bless you, John," he murmured. "Not many men would be so +merciful. We will never speak of this again. You will not repent your +generosity." + +"What are you going to do?" asked Ashford; struck by something unusual +in the old man's voice. + +"I am going back to London," said Harker, smiling grimly, as in +anticipation of a pleasant task. "I have work to do, an account to +settle now--for Lucy and myself. You don't know all yet, John; you don't +know, you never will know, all that Lucy and I have suffered." + +He paused as if overcome by his emotion; then continued in trembling +voice: + +"We have been slaves all these years, trembling and shrinking under a +villain's nod and frown. I've sold myself to a demon, who, in +consideration of my services--of my body and soul--promised to keep his +talons from my poor Lucy. He discovered her mistake; and he threatened +to let the whole world know, to tell you all, if I did not bind myself +to do his villainous work. I have done it for years. I have endured +shame and agony unspeakable, that my darling's secret might be safe. I +have been his tool and his scapegoat. I, an old man, on my way to the +grave, have earned--and rightly earned--the names of usurer and thief. +All this I have done and suffered that he should never blight my child's +happiness by his presence. He has broken the contract. He came down here +that night you went to Richmond, and, with his fiendish ways and +threats, nearly killed her. Well, now his power has gone. Thanks to your +generosity, your forgiveness, Lucy is free, and I am free. Now I take my +turn, and for every tear he has wrung from my darling's eyes, I will +wring a groan from his black heart." + +John had listened to him with intense surprise. He knew his +father-in-law was in business in the City; but he did not know that the +business of "Harker's," for which he had a great respect, had anything +to do with moneylending. Still he refrained from asking any questions; +and seeing that Mr. Harker was practically exhausted by the excitement +and the news, persuaded him to spend the remainder of the night with +them, and travel back to town in the morning. + +After reflection the old man agreed to this; and it was a very happy +little party that met at the breakfast-table next day. + +Mr. Harker, unable to sleep, had let his thoughts go back to Jessica; +and in the silence of the night a picture had arisen before his eyes; a +theatre in which a dark-eyed young girl was dancing, amidst a crowd of +others. In his delight at having a clue he cried aloud, "Ada Lester, at +the Rockingham!" The more he thought of it the more sure he felt that +this girl must be the daughter, or at least some connection, of the +well-known actress. + +On questioning Jessica, all the information he could obtain from her was +that which she had given Adrien Leroy. Johann Wilfer was the boundary of +her existence. Harker remembered the name as that of the man from whom +he had bought the picture, and he also knew now that he it was who had +been responsible for Lucy's early sin. But he was not to be shaken from +his belief that in some way Jessica must be related to Ada Lester, and +he asked the girl whether she would travel up to London with him, and +trust herself to his care. + +Jessica looked up into his lined face. + +"Yes," she said simply, "if you won't give me back to Johann." + +Harker readily promised this, and, amid many smiles and wavings of hand +from the assembled Ashford family, the two started on their way. + +On reaching London, Mr. Harker's first visit was to the Casket Theatre, +which Jessica at once remembered as the one before which she had kept +watch for Adrien Leroy; and with that recollection came the memory of +the roll of papers which she had picked up. She related this little +incident to Harker; and undoing the bag in which kind-hearted Lucy had +put some clothes for her, she found the papers and gave them to him. + +Harker looked them over, and gave a cry of joy; for he realised at once +that they delivered his arch-enemy into his hands--no miracle from +Heaven itself could have done more. Jessica did not understand the +reason for his excitement, but she was quite content to let the papers +remain in his keeping. + +At the theatre he inquired for Miss Lester; and, it being matinee day, +he found that the popular actress had already arrived. It took time and +money to convince the military-looking door-keeper that it was +absolutely necessary to take an urgent message to Miss Lester, but +eventually this was done, and Mr. Harker, with Jessica---who was almost +dazed by the strangeness of her surroundings--found themselves in Miss +Lester's dressing-room, a few minutes before she was due on the stage as +Prince Bon-Bon. + +Mr. Harker at once hastened to apologise for the intrusion; but, in the +midst of his words, he broke off short, for Jessica and the actress were +gazing at one another in a mutual recognition. Jessica remembered her at +once as the lady who had been with Adrien Leroy; then came the earlier +memory, which had so puzzled her on the night she had seen the actress +entering the theatre. + +"Jessica!" exclaimed Miss Lester, blankly, and she turned on the +astounded Harker. "What's the meaning of this?" + +The few minutes were nearly up, and the call-boy and the dresser had met +in several consultations with regard to the difficulty of getting Miss +Lester on to the stage in time, before Mr. Harker's explanations were +through. + +Ada, now thoroughly assured as to her own future, thanks to her recent +visit to Barminster, was quite willing to look after her niece better +than in the past; especially as her presence formed a strong link in the +chain of evidence the actress intended shortly to bring against Jasper +Vermont. She assured Harker that she would take care of the girl, and +with this he was content; then, leaving Jessica in her aunt's charge, he +made his way to his own office, prior to taking a journey down to +Barminster Castle. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + +The unexpected appearance of Jasper Vermont startled both Lady Constance +and Adrien. + +"Jasper!" exclaimed Adrien, almost sternly, drawing the silken wrap +around Lady Constance as if to shield her from all eyes but his own. "I +did not expect you here to-night." + +"No," answered Jasper. "I have travelled post-haste to try and save you +from heavy trouble; the matter is so pressing that you must give me my +way and attend to it at once. I am sure Lady Constance would forgive +this intrusion, if she only knew of what serious importance it is to +you, and, indeed, to us all." + +He moved forward as he spoke; and the light of the full moon falling on +his smooth, clean-shaven face, showed it so ghastly white, so moved by +strong emotion that Lady Constance started back a step, while Leroy +himself stared in surprise. + +"Good Heavens!" he said, "whatever is the matter to make you drive down +in such a state? What is wrong? Is it the theatre?" A faint contemptuous +smile crossed his face as he thought of Ada. + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed Vermont, scornfully. "The theatre! No, Adrien, +there's not a moment to be lost. I must speak with you at once. Don't +look at me like that. You do not grasp what imminent peril is hanging +over you." + +"Peril!" gasped Lady Constance, springing forward and placing her hand +on Adrien's arm, her movement showing, perhaps unconsciously, the state +of her feelings towards him more than anything else could have done. It +was as if she wished to share with him any approaching pain. + +Jasper glanced at her from beneath his lowered lids--the sort of hungry +look one would imagine a starving wolf might cast at a lamb. + +"Serious peril!" repeated Lady Constance. + +"Of what kind?" asked Leroy, still with that faint smile on his lips, +and quite unmoved by Jasper's solemn face. Then, without waiting for an +answer, he continued scornfully: "Peril! My dear Jasper, what danger can +I be in? This is not the Middle Ages, and there are no assassins waiting +around, are there? However, let me take Con--Lady Constance back to the +ball-room again, and then I will enjoy, or at any rate listen to all you +have to tell me." + +Jasper Vermont smiled bitterly, and took out his watch, which had been a +present from Leroy. + +"Adrien," he said slowly, "you have ten minutes between you and +dishonour!" + +Adrien turned round sharply, and half raised his arm as if to strike, +while such a stern look crossed his face that Lady Constance scarcely +recognised it as the same which, but a few minutes ago, had gazed on her +so lovingly. + +"Adrien!" she cried, almost shuddering at the tense anger shining in his +eyes. "He must be mad!" She turned proudly on Jasper. "That is +sufficient, Mr. Vermont. Pray leave us at once. If this is a jest, I +consider it is in extremely bad taste." + +Jasper bit his lip at her words, but did not shift his ground. + +"No," said Leroy, "it is no jest, dear; there is something wrong, I feel +sure. I will have a few words with him in private." He led her gently +towards the door, and with pale face and trembling heart, Lady Constance +re-entered the ball-room she had left so happily, seating herself near +the entrance in one of the many alcoves. She was overcome by a nameless +fear, and that horrible feeling of utter helplessness which overwhelms +one as in a heavy cloud, and darkens the horizon for us all when weighed +down by suspense. + +Suddenly she determined to seek Lord Barminster, and had risen to do so, +when she heard not only the voices of Adrien and Vermont, but another +also, a strange one, talking not loudly but very sternly. Hardly knowing +what to do, she was about to return to the terrace to ascertain what was +happening, when fortunately her uncle approached with Mortimer Shelton. +She went quickly to meet them, and told them her fears. + +Much surprised, both Lord Barminster and Mr. Shelton accompanied her; +and they found the voices were issuing from one of the small anterooms +adjoining the terrace. Within this room, which was far removed from +where the dancing was going on, they discovered Adrien Leroy, unmasked +and very pale, staring at a blue paper which had evidently been given to +him by the man standing at his side--an inspector of police. + +"What is the matter, Adrien?" asked his father, and seeing that Jasper +Vermont was also present, he turned his eyes to him inquiringly. But +Jasper seemed wishful to avoid his glance, and only shook his head. + +Adrien handed back the blue paper, still without speaking, then turned, +as if to address his father, who was looking sternly from one troubled +face to the other, while behind him stood Lady Constance and Mortimer +Shelton. But before any one could utter a word, the inspector came +forward, and addressing Lord Barminster, said quietly: + +"Sorry, my lord, to have to do this at such a time but I am here in the +performance of my duty. I should be glad if we could go to a more +private room, where I could explain to your lordship without your guests +being informed of the matter." + +Lord Barminster was about to sharply retort when Shelton, who seemed to +realise the seriousness of the affair, touched him lightly on the arm. + +"I think, sir," he said earnestly, "it would be as well to hear what +this man has to say quietly, as he suggests." + +Lord Barminster controlled his feelings, recognising the good sense of +the suggestion, and turning coldly to the inspector, said: + +"Perhaps it would be best, Inspector. Kindly come this way." + +At the end of a small passage outside the anteroom, the door opened into +a smaller room, which at one time had been used as a study, and was +noted for its impenetrability as to sound. Here they entered; and Lord +Barminster, asking all to be seated, bade the inspector proceed with +such explanations as he had to offer. + +"My lord," he said respectfully, "the explanation is a very simple one, +and in deference to your lordship, to make it as private as possible, I +have left my men outside the Castle. I, unfortunately, hold a warrant +for the arrest of Mr. Adrien Leroy on a charge of forgery." + +An exclamation of horror burst from all, except Adrien and Jasper; but +the speaker continued: + +"In performance of my duty, I arrest him, in the King's name." He +touched Adrien lightly on the arm as he spoke. + +Lord Barminster drew a long breath, but still hoping against his better +judgment that the affair was what its originators considered, a +practical joke, he restrained all appearance of anger. + +"Come," he said, "this may be an excellent jest; but whoever is +responsible for it must surely realise that it has gone far enough." + +"This is no jest, sir," said Adrien, and he looked at Mortimer Shelton, +who sat, white and bewildered, opposite to him. + +"I am arrested on a charge of forging Shelton's signature to a bill for +ten thousand pounds." + +"Good Heavens!" exclaimed his friend, starting up in horror. "But it is +impossible that they should think you--" + +"Shelton," continued Adrien steadily, "has written a letter saying that +the signature is a forgery." + +"I wrote last week, not knowing; but, of course"--he laughed +scornfully--"it is all a mistake, which can soon be rectified. The idea +of coming to you for such a thing! I hope you don't believe, my dear +Adrien, that I had any hand in this monstrous accusation?" + +"Of course, I know that," replied his friend, holding out his hand. "But +the writing has a distinct resemblance to mine, I admit; and two +witnesses are ready to prove, so the inspector tells me, that they saw +me enter the office of a certain 'Harker's,' I think it is, where the +bill was signed, and also that my motor was standing at the door. While +a third witness, a clerk at the office, has filed an affidavit that he +actually saw me writing on the bill, there. All this, father"--turning +once more to the old man--"passes a jest." + +"Yes, indeed," replied Lord Barminster sarcastically; "for a Leroy, who +can command a hundred thousand pounds by a stroke of his pen, to forge a +bill for ten thousand pounds is not a jest, but simple madness. The +charge is some insolent conspiracy." + +Almost unconsciously, he fixed his glance on Jasper Vermont, who, during +the whole time, had sat motionless and silent. It seemed as if he +guessed, intuitively, that that smooth individual was at the bottom of +it all. Then he turned his grey eyes to Adrien's calm face, and from his +to the white one of Lady Constance, whose eyes were flashing with anger +at the mere idea of any one doubting Adrien's honour. + +There was a moment's silence, broken by Shelton, who rose and grasped +his friend's hand. + +"Adrien," he said, in a voice charged with emotion, "Adrien, I can bear +this no longer. Give this foul accusation the lie. I know, my dear +fellow, as surely as I know that I did not write it myself, that you had +nothing to do with the accursed signature. But, for Heaven's sake, tell +the others so too." + +Adrien returned the friendly clasp with a smile that lit up his whole +face; then looking round, he said quietly: + +"I did not write it; I know nothing of it." + +Lord Barminster rose from his seat at the sound of his son's voice, and +put his hand on Adrien's shoulder; then, as if half ashamed of his +pardonable emotion, he turned to the inspector. + +"You hear, sir, Mr. Leroy knows nothing of the matter." + +"That, my lord," returned the inspector respectfully, "would not justify +me in leaving here without him. I fear he must accompany me; my +instructions under the warrant are too strict. Mere denial is, of +course, a common matter, and a usual one--begging your pardon, my +lord"--for the old man had started indignantly. + +"I should suggest, my lord," continued the inspector hurriedly, "that an +alibi would be of the most service. I do not say for one moment that Mr. +Leroy did commit the forgery; but, of course, he will be able to prove +where he was on the twenty-second of last month, at three o'clock." + +Shelton's face brightened. He wheeled round on his friend. + +"Adrien," he exclaimed, "tell us where you were on that day; not to +satisfy me, you know that, but to get this folly over." + +Leroy gazed sadly at him, but remained silent; and Shelton grew hot, and +then white with irritation, at this inexplicable silence. + +"Think, my dear Adrien," he said in a quick, impatient voice. "Were you +at the club, or your chambers, or Park Lane--where were you? Come, you +can't have forgotten." + +He stamped his foot in his impatience; for although he would have +laughed to scorn any assertion of his friend's guilt, it annoyed him +that a shadow should remain on Adrien's name for a single instant, and +especially when a few words from Leroy himself would end the matter. + +But Adrien made no indignant protest, such as might have been expected. + +"No," he said at length, "I have not forgotten where I spent the day of +the twenty-second----" + +"Then, for Heaven's sake, man, speak out," exclaimed Shelton in +excitement. + +"I cannot," answered Adrien with a sigh. "I gave my word to keep secret +certain events that happened on that day. They took place far away from +the City, but I cannot reveal where. Those who say they saw me in London +are lying, and I could easily disprove their statements; but you would +not have me break my word?" + +There was an awful silence, as he finished speaking. Not one present but +realised the gravity of the situation, and the futility of putting +further questions. + +At this point the inspector turned to Lord Barminster. + +"My lord," he said almost gently, "I'm afraid I must ask Mr. Leroy to +come back with me--and at once; but for the sake of all here, it can be +arranged so that your guests shall remain ignorant. There are not many +hours before the morning now." + +This was indeed true, for time waits for no man, be it spent in pleasure +or in crime. "I would suggest that Mr. Leroy and myself return to +London; and if he will give me his word of honour not to attempt any +escape, I will dismiss my men, who were sent down with me altogether +against my will." + +"Certainly, you may rely on my not offering any resistance," was Leroy's +reply, with a faint smile at the idea called up by the inspector's +words. "I should like to change my things to something more suitable." +He glanced down at the velvet and lace of his King Charles costume; all +this seemed like a dream from which he must awake to find himself back +in the ball-room. + +"Certainly, sir," agreed the inspector, who seemed honestly reluctant to +make the business any more unpleasant than necessary. + +"I will come with you," put in Lord Barminster suddenly. + +"I also," said Mortimer Shelton. "I will come up with you, and change +into something more fitted for the journey." + +Turning to Lady Constance, her uncle besought her to return to the +ball-room, and thus prevent any remarks being made as to the absence of +himself and Adrien. Bravely, as was to be expected of her, she turned +obediently; and with a few whispered, loving words to Adrien, left the +room, followed, almost unnoticed, by Jasper Vermont. He was quite +satisfied with the success of his plot, but had no desire to come into +contact with Lord Barminster, if he could avoid it. + +Meanwhile, having ordered refreshments for the inspector, Lord +Barminster prepared to accompany his son to London. The arrangements +took but a short time; and when the three men, accompanied by the +inspector, silently entered the car which had been brought round, the +ball was drawing to an end. Carriages and motors were driving away, +filled with tired but happy guests, who little guessed that their host +and his son were also being driven away--but to a police-station. + +Outside the Castle gates the inspector stopped to dismiss two or three +plain-clothes officers who were awaiting him, telling them to return to +London by the first train. + +"I would suggest," he said quietly, as the car rolled through the quiet +country lanes, "that we wait together in London until the court opens; +and when I have delivered up my charge, you can go before the +magistrate, and obtain bail, in whatever amounts are required. Mr. Leroy +would then be able to return to Barminster until the actual trial--if, +of course, such should be necessary." + +"A very sensible idea," agreed Shelton. "Thank you, Inspector. When this +matter is satisfactorily cleared up, you will not lose by your sympathy, +nor by the way you have conducted the business." + +Lord Barminster was also pleased at this suggestion, and, on their +arrival in London, the whole party went straight to Barminster House for +breakfast, after which the four walked down to the court, where +application for bail was made and accepted in two sureties of ten +thousand pounds each from Lord Barminster and Mortimer Shelton; then +Adrien found himself free until the day of trial. + +They returned to their town house, where his father telephoned to the +family solicitors. Within half an hour the head of the firm arrived, and +was put in possession of such meagre details as Adrien could furnish, +without disclosing his doings on the fateful date, the twenty-second. +The lawyer's face was very grave as he listened. + +"It will not be an easy task, my lord," he ventured to say to Lord +Barminster as he took his departure, "but I will do my best, and will +have opinion of the highest counsel obtainable." + +They were soon ready to undertake the return journey, and before parting +with the kindly inspector, Lord Barminster very warmly thanked him. All +felt that they had been spared a great deal of humiliation by the way he +had so far conducted the case. At the Castle they found that nothing was +known of the affair. Miss Penelope had retired to her own rooms to +recover from the fatigue of the ball, while Constance was quite serene, +strong in her loving faith in Adrien and content to ask no questions. + +Jasper Vermont had also left Barminster, but had sent a note in which be +stated that he was working in his friend's interest, and hoped to +unearth the mystery of the conspiracy. This sounded plausible and meant +nothing--which was thoroughly characteristic of Mr. Vermont. + +The cases at the Central Criminal Court were fortunately light ones, and +did not take long to settle, so that the interval between the acceptance +of bail and the date of the trial was a short one. There was, of course, +great excitement in the fashionable world over Adrien's sensational +arrest, but this the young man wisely ignored; taking refuge at +Barminster Castle from the curiosity and sympathy of friends and +reporters alike, and resolutely refusing to be interviewed. + +One thing--so characteristic of him--Adrien did at once. Notwithstanding +his own cares, he remembered his promise to Ada Lester at the ball, and +instructed the solicitors to prepare a deed by which the money and the +rights of the Casket Theatre should be made over to her, and settled on +her at once; at the same time, ordering that the papers should be handed +to her personally, thus providing against any mistakes or interference +on the part of Jasper. + +This kindly thought completely turned the scale of Ada's gratitude in +his favour. Rejoicing at the blow which she knew this would be to Mr. +Vermont, and in ignorance of his last treachery to Adrien, she +determined to show him up in his true colours at the first opportunity. + +Meanwhile, as the day of the trial approached, Lord Barminster and +Mortimer Shelton became more and more anxious. + +The solicitors had briefed the finest and best known barristers for the +defence; but one and all agreed that unless Adrien could prove an alibi, +only a miracle could save him from conviction. + +On the actual day Adrien Leroy took his place in the dock, listening +through the day with unwearied calm to the long speeches made by the +counsel on both sides. + +Witness after witness was called; but none could shake the evidence of +Harker's clerk, who swore to seeing Leroy actually sign the bill in +question, on the twenty-second of the preceding month. + +Towards the end of the case, when both judge, jury and counsel were +tired out by the conflicting statements, a note was sent to the +barrister for the defence by a veiled lady, who had sat in the back of +the court during the whole day's proceedings. + +He opened it carelessly, but after a swift glance at the few lines which +it contained, his face brightened. Resuming his usual confident tones, +he desired that a new witness might be called, namely Lady Merivale. + +At the name Adrien started forward, but it was too late. A lady in +black, pale but composed, entered the witness box, and was duly sworn. +Calmly she gave her evidence, stating that she had visited her aunt, +Lady Rose Challoner, at Hampton Court on the twenty-second of the +previous month, and while there had met Mr. Adrien Leroy. He had rowed +her up the river, and as an additional witness she could produce one of +the boatmen to whom she had spoken while at Hampton, and who had watched +them start. + +After this there was little more to be said. The miracle had indeed +happened! It was clearly a case of perjury on the part of Harker's +clerk, for whose arrest the judge ordered a warrant to be issued. + +On the delivery of the verdict in Adrien's favour, Lady Merivale left +the court. She did not glance at Leroy, nor indeed anyone present, but +walked blindly out. She knew that not only had she restored the man she +loved to freedom and to honour, but in all probability ruined her own +social position. For Jasper Vermont's veiled threats at the Barminster +fancy dress ball could not be ignored, and now that she had deliberately +gone contrary to his wishes in disclosing where Adrien had spent the +fateful twenty-second of May, she could not but doubt that Vermont would +make use of the mysterious power which he had hinted he held over her. +What this power was she could only surmise, for, of course, she was in +ignorance of Jasper's connection with "Harker's Ltd." But she had an +uncomfortable feeling that Adrien's freedom had been purchased at +considerable danger to herself, and the thought haunted her +unpleasantly. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + +Mr. Harker, having arranged things to his liking at Lawrence Lane, +returned to Miss Lester and reminded her of her promise to assist him to +unmask Jasper Vermont. He found her more than willing to accompany him +to Barminster, and accordingly it was arranged that they should travel +down together on the following day, accompanied also by Jessica. Upon +the rare occasions that Vermont and Harker had met during the past week +the latter had made no sign of his recently acquired emancipation from +Jasper's rule, and that gentleman was in blissful unconsciousness of the +sword hanging over him. + +Arrived at Windleham, the nearest station to Barminster, Mr. Harker left +the two women at the little hotel facing the railway, there to await his +return or instructions to come on to the Castle. Then he made his way to +Barminster. Here he delivered a note into the care of the footman, +bidding him to take it to his master without delay. In it he had begged +Lord Barminster to grant him an interview on important personal +business, hinting that by so doing he might avert future peril for +Adrien and himself. + +In a very short time the man returned, with the message that Lord +Barminster would see him at once; and Mr. Harker was shown into the Blue +Room, in which Adrien Leroy had been arrested little more than a week +before. + +"His lordship will be with you in a few moments," said the man as he +left the room. + +Almost immediately Lord Barminster appeared, accompanied by Mortimer +Shelton. Harker rose respectfully and rather nervously, but Lord +Barminster at once put him at his ease. + +"Pray be seated, Mr. Harker," he said politely, as he and Shelton set +the example. "This is my son's friend, Mr. Shelton, and I should like +him to be present at our interview." + +Mr. Harker bowed. + +"I presume you are the Mr. Harker into whose possession came the forged +bill?" continued his lordship. + +"As a mere servant--yes, my lord," answered Mr. Harker. "I have become +aware of the identity of the man who committed the actual forgery, and +also of the fact that he is now preparing to bring further trouble on +yourself and Mr. Adrien Leroy." + +Lord Barminster started as if to speak, but Mr. Harker continued: + +"Fortunately, I am able to avert this, because I have brought the forged +bills with me; and I will explain all fully, if your lordship will hear +me through. It will take some little time, but I ask your patience." + +Lord Barminster nodded and said quietly: + +"Go on." + +With a dry cough, Mr. Harker opened the little black bag he invariably +carried with him, and drew from it a roll of papers. With slow +precision, the old man unfastened it and looked across at his listeners. + +"Five years ago," he commenced, "my master--for, as I said before, I was +merely a servant, a machine, acting under instructions--ordered me to +buy up any bills bearing your son's name. Furthermore, I was to lend the +money to any amount within my master's credit to those who brought his +name as guarantee. I did so, and every bill and liability which was +contracted either in his own name or in yours, my lord, by Mr. Leroy, +fell into the hands of this man, who carried on the business under cover +of my name. He posed as the friend of Mr. Leroy, and by means of +forgeries, and cooked accounts, he has managed to acquire control of +your entire revenue." + +"Jasper Vermont!" exclaimed Shelton involuntarily; while Lord Barminster +leaned forward eagerly. + +Mr. Harker bowed his head. "You are aware," he continued, "that all +matters of business, even the tradesmen's bills, passed through his +hands. That confidence he has abused, to how great an extent I alone can +prove; for I was his tool and slave, and held his secrets. Not a bill +was paid without his receiving his commission and adding to its amount. +He it was who lent the money to Mr. Leroy's friends, after he had +procured his name with which to back them; and he it was who, behind the +screen which I supplied, gradually, yet surely, drew your son into his +net. What object he had, besides that of gain, I know not; but he +certainly desired his utter ruin in wealth and honour, and compelled me +to help him in his schemes. Among other bills we held was one, +presumably, indorsed by Mr. Mortimer Shelton----" + +Shelton started up; but Lord Barminster said quietly: + +"Let us hear the whole story first, Mortimer." + +"That signature was a forgery," continued Mr. Harker, "double forgery +indeed; for it imitated Mr. Leroy's handwriting as well as that of Mr. +Shelton." + +"I knew it," murmured his lordship in a low tone. "But pray continue, +Mr. Harker." + +"The double forgery," went on the dry voice, "I now know was executed by +my employer's hand; but instructions were given in the name of the firm +to charge Mr. Adrien Leroy with the crime. The particular day was fixed +on the twenty-second simply because my master had found out that Mr. +Leroy had been somewhere else, and in the company of a lady whom he knew +Mr. Leroy would never betray. But this part you already know from +yesterday's trial. False evidence was brought to bear, in the statement +that your son had been in our office, and it was only owing to a plea of +illness that I escaped being made a witness also. This was but one +forgery, and I have here large numbers of bills all forged by the same +hand, and which, if presented, will amount to more than the sale of +three such estates as this could liquidate." + +Lord Barminster uttered an exclamation of horror. + +"I will leave them here with you," went on Mr. Harker, "and when the +scoundrel has been unmasked, you need have no fear of any future danger. +In my master's chain of villainy there was a single flaw; but that flaw +has broken the whole chain. The poor tool, whom he had had so long +beneath his thumb, whom he had trodden under his foot remorselessly, +suddenly regained his freedom--which he had bartered for the safety of +his only child." + +He raised his head and looked steadily into the stern eyes of Lord +Barminster. + +"My child and I," he continued, "are now freed from the chains that +bound us, and are willing to bear any results that may follow from this +exposure. Besides these bills, my lord, I have additional proof. A young +girl whom I have brought with me was fortunate enough to see Mr. +Vermont----" + +Lord Barminster's face shone with triumph, as the actual name of his +master at last fell from Harker's lips. + +"--My master--drop a roll of papers. These she picked up, and later, +when by a strange coincidence she was befriended by my daughter, showed +them to me. They clearly prove, by the many attempts to imitate the +writing, whose hand it was who eventually committed these forgeries." + +"I knew it!" cried Shelton, unable to keep silence any longer. "I knew +we should catch the snake! But, pardon my interrupting you, Mr. Harker; +you see, Mr. Leroy is my best friend." + +Mr. Harker inclined his head and proceeded steadily. + +"These forged deeds I will now, my lord, hand over to your charge, if +you prefer it. But if you will have sufficient confidence in my efforts +to save you from further trouble, I will hold them at your command until +after Vermont is dealt with, in order not to implicate you in any way; +for, of course, these bills belong to Vermont, until either he gives +them up voluntarily, or they are confiscated by law." + +"Keep them in your possession," said Lord Barminster quietly. "It would +not do for them to be in my hands just at present. I will have +confidence in you, and you shall have no cause to regret this day's +work, I assure you." + +Mr. Harker looked at him gratefully. + +"Thank you, my lord," he said. "Your confidence is not misplaced; +indeed, it is not my fault that you have not been placed in possession +of the real facts of the case before this. I certainly think it would be +best for me to retain them for the present. I would suggest now that we +arrange a plan by which Jasper Vermont shall expose his villainy in the +actual presence of your son; otherwise, we shall have difficulty, +perhaps, to convince him on my bare word." + +"That's true enough," put in Mortimer Shelton. "Adrien is so set on the +man, that even with these proofs we shall hardly convince him of his +treachery other than from Vermont's own mouth." + +"Yes," said Lord Barminster with a sigh. "I think you are right. But how +is this to be managed?" + +"I have brought with me the girl, Jessica, to whom I referred just now, +and her aunt, Miss Ada Lester," said Mr. Harker. "Both of them will be +able to assist us, and I would suggest to your lordship that they be +sent for, and brought into the Castle quietly. We should then be able to +confront Vermont." + +"Certainly," agreed Lord Barminster; and, crossing the room, he rang for +his own confidential man. + +"Simpson," he said, when the servant appeared, "I want you to drive +down, yourself, to the station." + +"The Windleham Hotel, your lordship," interrupted Mr. Harker +respectfully. "I think, too, if your lordship would have no objection, a +short note from me would be advisable." + +"Certainly," agreed Lord Barminster. He directed Harker to a small desk, +then turned once more to the waiting servant. "Bring the ladies back +with you. Take them into the Octagon Room, and ask them to wait there." +Then, as Mr. Harker came forward with the note, he added, "Give this to +a Miss Lester." + +"Yes, my lord," said Simpson, and taking the letter with a deep bow, he +departed on his mission. + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + +Lord Barminster conducted Mr. Harker to the Octagon Room, so named from +its peculiar shape. + +"If you will wait here," he said courteously, "I will have some +refreshment sent up to you and the ladies, when they arrive." + +"Thank you, my lord," returned Mr. Harker gratefully. + +Seating himself, he waited patiently for the arrival of Miss Lester and +Jessica, secretly congratulating himself on the success of his +interview. The time passed quickly; and, while waiting, Lord Barminster +and Mortimer Shelton held a hurried consultation with him as to the best +method of exposing Vermont. Long before they had finished, Miss Lester +and her niece had arrived, the former flushed with excitement and +triumph at the prospect of at last, as she expressed it, "getting her +own back" with Jasper. + +Lord Barminster and Shelton descended to the terrace, where they found +Lady Constance; and almost immediately after came Adrien, with his +inevitable companion, Jasper Vermont. + +Lord Barminster had already arranged for his three visitors to be in the +morning-room, which opened on to the terrace, as they would there be +within call, and also within earshot. + +"A word with you, Mr. Vermont," began Shelton sternly. + +Jasper smiled, as usual, and turned towards him. + +"As many as you like, Mr. Shelton," he said smoothly. + +Mortimer looked at him steadily; then he said in a voice which was hard +as steel: + +"Mr. Vermont, Lord Barminster has kindly allowed me to speak first. We +have every reason to believe that you have had some connection with this +affair of Harker's notwithstanding your profession of friendship for +Adrien." + +Mr. Vermont drew himself up proudly. + +"I?" he said indignantly. "What should I have to do with moneylending?" + +"Be careful," said Shelton sternly, "there are not people wanting who +will fight for Leroy's honour even as it were their own." + +Vermont smiled cynically. + +"Indeed, Shelton," he said, "it is hardly for you to speak. After all, +it was you who nearly ruined Adrien by your denial of the bill, not I." + +Lord Barminster strode forward. + +"You cowardly rascal," he exclaimed furiously; but Mortimer placed +himself between them. + +"My lord," he said, "leave him to me. If force is necessary, I will +punish him." + +Jasper smiled. + +"You wrong me, Shelton," he said gently; "and not only me, but Adrien, +whom you pretend to care for. I have stood his true friend, as he knows, +and have done my best to keep trouble from him, when, indeed, none other +could have done so. But I suppose this is all the gratitude I can expect +from you for the discharge of friendship's duties. Adrien will no longer +be of the fashionable world, you think, after yesterday's case; and it +is high time to get rid of his humble friend, Jasper Vermont." + +Adrien, who had been talking to Lady Constance, now glanced appealingly +towards Mortimer; but with a gesture, as if to silence him, Shelton +turned to Vermont again. + +"Friend!" he exclaimed bitterly. "A pretty friend! But no more of this. +I advise you to leave the Castle while you are safe, for we have +sufficient proof here to send you to penal servitude." + +"Yes," Lord Barminster repeated, "leave the house at once. If I find you +within my grounds an hour hence, I will thrash you within an inch of +your life, old man as I am." + +Jasper Vermont's face grew livid with anger, and something approaching +fear as well; he clenched his hands so tightly that the carefully +manicured nails dug deep into his flesh. But with characteristic +insolence he tried to brazen it out. + +"Your grounds?" he exclaimed, in virulent scorn. "Your grounds, my lord! +First tell me where I shall find them. You have no grounds. Barminster +Castle is in the hands of a moneylender; these lands, as far as the eye +can reach, are the property of Mr. Harker, the City capitalist, by right +of countless bills and deeds which your precious son has made over to +him." + +With an exclamation of pain and astonishment, Adrien gazed on the man +whom he had so loved and trusted. There was no mistaking the bitter +hatred that was in Vermont's tones. At last, his eyes were being opened +to the man's true character. + +Lord Barminster regarded him steadily. + +"You're mad!" he said quietly. + +"Oh, no, no!" laughed Vermont. "It is not I who am mad, but you, who +foolishly handed over your wealth to your son before it was his by +right. You should have let him wait till death had removed you, before +you gave him full power over Barminster. Such lavish expenditure as his +would empty the coffers of a nation. His folly has melted every stone of +your precious Castle in the cup of pleasure, and has poured out the +costly draught at the feet of his friends and parasites. Friends? He has +never had any--leeches, perhaps, who have sucked him dry of all his +possessions, and then deserted him." + +"Speak for yourself, you cur." cried Shelton, "since it is you, and your +dishonest management of his estates, that have brought him to this +pass." + +Jasper smiled sardonically. + +"Say rather that it is I who have constantly warned him against every +fresh extravagance, knowing full well what must happen. Ask him +yourself, if you doubt my word; ask him whether I have not implored him, +time and time again, to relinquish at least some of his many ruinous +pleasures and follies; to deny himself at least one expenditure." + +Adrien turned his dark eyes to his father's stern face. + +"Sir," he said gently, "I really do not see why this scene should +continue. If any explanations are necessary, Mr. Vermont shall give them +to me." + +Vermont turned away with a scornful laugh, but Shelton grasped his arm. + +"One minute," he said, "before you sneak away." + +"Keep your hands off me, you moneyed fool," cried Vermont, wrenching +himself free from the other's grasp. "I know nothing about this City +business, you must apply to Harker himself. It is your name that is +forged, not mine--though I suppose you want to screen the real criminal +and fix on me as a scapegoat." + +Shelton was about to retort, but Adrien intervened. + +"Tell me one thing," he said quietly. "What has been your motive for all +this? I cannot believe that gain was your sole object. What harm have I +ever wrought you, Jasper? Something else must have inspired your +conduct. I ask you to give me the reason." + +There was a dead silence as the gentle words were spoken. Jasper raised +his eyes to the pale face of the man he had so basely betrayed, and bit +his bloodless lips in dogged silence. + +At this moment a commotion was heard at the lower end of the terrace. +Some of the servants were trying to prevent the approach of a man, who +was striving to get nearer to the little group. But he was too strong +for them; with a bound he had freed himself from their restraining arms, +and sprang forward, as if about to strike at Adrien. But Shelton thrust +himself forward and bore him back. + +"Who is this? Are we to have all the scum of the earth in here? Do you +know this man, Leroy?" he asked hotly. + +"Yes, I do," answered his friend in the low, restraining tones so +habitual to him. + +"Yes, I should just think you do!" exclaimed the man, struggling to push +past Mortimer's outstretched arm. It isn't likely as you'll forget +Johann Wilfer, Adrien Leroy, nor me you either." + +"This is too much!" cried Shelton, now thoroughly enraged at this fresh +interruption, and again he made as if to thrust the man away. + +"Stop," said Adrien, glancing almost sadly at Constance, who smiled +lovingly back. "Let him speak, since he is here. Come, sir, why have you +forced your way in like this? What do you want of me?" + +"What I asked a month ago," replied Wilfer. "I want my niece, Jessica. I +want her, an' I'm agoin' to have her, so you'd better own up where she +is." + +Adrien turned to the others, who were standing silent in their +astonishment. + +"This man," said Leroy, "has a fancied grievance against me; I know +nothing of where this girl is, or what has become of her." + +"That's false!" retorted Wilfer. "He does know where the girl is; he +took her from her home, and she hasn't been seen since." + +Lord Barminster glanced at him coldly. + +"My good man," he said, "you heard what my son said just. You had better +make inquiries of the police. Mr. Leroy has not seen your niece." + +"That is not quite true," put in Adrien gently, "I have seen her." + +Lady Constance raised her pale face, and looked at him with startled but +trusting eyes. + +"P'raps you'll say you didn't take her to your rooms next," said Wilfer. + +"I don't deny it," replied Adrien calmly. "I found her on a doorstep, +starving with hunger, fleeing from a drunken uncle, as she said. There +was nowhere else to take her, being late at night; so I took her to my +chambers and fed her, then gave her into the charge of Norgate and the +housekeeper until morning, when I learned that she had disappeared. That +is all I can tell you about her; for I have not seen her since." + +"But I have," came a voice--a woman's voice--behind them, "and I have +brought her here." + +The little company turned round, and Adrien started as his eyes fell +upon the three new-comers. + +"Ada," he cried. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?" + +"No intrusion this time, Mr. Leroy," she said firmly. "I am here by your +father's own invitation." + +Jasper, who during Wilfer's outburst had made no effort to go away, now, +at the sight of Miss Lester--who looked around her triumphantly, for +this was just the kind of scene she enjoyed--made an effort to slip +past; but he was held prisoner by Shelton. + +"Quite right, Miss Lester," said Lord Barminster, courteously. "Perhaps +you will tell us what you know of the young lady." He glanced kindly at +the shrinking figure of Jessica, who stood with adoring eyes fixed on +Adrien. + +"Well, I ought to know something of her," was that lady's retort. "I'm +her aunt. I paid that man"--pointing at Wilfer--"to look after her, and +a nice way he's done it, turning her out to starve, while he got drunk +on my money. You get off," she turned on the astounded Johann, "and +don't you let me hear any of your complaints, or I'll have something to +tell the police." + +At the sound of the hated word "police," Wilfer turned, and mumbling +some incoherent words, slunk away. His game was up, and seeing him +vanquished, Miss Lester now took the centre of the stage, as it were, +and turned her attention on the scowling Jasper. + +"You waste your breath with that skunk," she exclaimed, pointing a +bejewelled finger at him. "He's too tough a fox for you gentlemen. I'm +one of his own sort, and I'll show you what he's made of. Jasper, my +fine friend, you sold me as well as Mr. Leroy there, and I'm going to +cut up a bit rougher than what he has." She turned to Adrien, who had +been standing bewildered by this fresh interruption. "You want to know +what his little game is? Well, I'll tell you. He wanted your money +first; then, having ruined you and put you out of the running, he meant +to have a try for your sweetheart." + +Adrien turned on her almost fiercely, and glanced at Constance, who +motioned him to be silent. + +"That surprises you, does it?" continued Ada. "Some of you ladies and +gentlemen are as blind as bats. I could see his little game months ago. +That was his object; and he didn't care what he did to gain it. But he +went a bit too far when he tried to do me!" + +She turned to Jessica, and, laying her hand on the girl's shoulder, drew +her forward. + +"You want to know who this is? Well, it's just as I said before. She's +my niece. I don't think anybody, looking at the two of us, will deny the +relationship, either. She takes after her mother. And now you want to +know who her father is?" + +Again she paused to heighten the effect of her words; but before an +answer could be given, a girl's cry of horror rang out, and Jessica +suddenly flung herself in front of Adrien. Jasper Vermont, for the first +time catching sight of Harker, and realising at last that the game was +up, indeed, had made a sudden movement, once more wrenching himself free +from Shelton. Something glittered in his hand; then came a flash, a +report, and with that one scream of agony, the lifeless form of Jessica +fell into Adrien's arms. + +In an instant, all was in confusion. Jasper Vermont, with a mocking +laugh, had sprung over the stone balustrade, and was running across the +turf in the direction of the stream which, lower down, spanned the +race-course, and, even at this time of the year, was almost a foaming +torrent. Attracted by the sound of the shot, the servants had +approached, and now set off in hot pursuit. + +But Jasper Vermont was fleet of foot, and when he had gained the top of +the rising ground he turned for one second to laugh again. But the laugh +died on his lips, as a voice--audible even above all the hubbub and +confusion--the shrill voice of Ada Lester, screamed: + +"You villain. You have murdered your own child!" + +Those who were in pursuit saw him suddenly stagger, as he realised that +the girl, whose identity he had that day learnt for the first time, had +received the bullet he had intended for Adrien Leroy. + +With a short, sharp cry, like that of a wounded animal, he missed his +footing, fell backwards into the stream, which at this point was both +wide and deep, and was carried away; drowning before the very eyes of +the man who had so loved and trusted him, and whom he had so bitterly +wronged. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + +The suddenness of the tragedy which had taken place postponed all +further discussion. + +The sunlight, streaming through the latticed windows of one of the rooms +in the Castle, shed its rays on the still form of the young girl, who +had given her life for the man she loved so well. + +Beside the bed knelt Adrien Leroy, his face buried in one hand, the +other resting upon the still one that lay, white as marble, on the +silken coverlet. He had come, overwhelmed with pain, from the scene on +the terrace, to pour forth a passionate grief and remorse over this +young life that had been so generously given up to save his. + +It mattered nothing to him that the dead girl was the daughter of the +man whom he had befriended, and who had used his generosity only as a +means by which to betray him; it mattered nothing that his grief might +even now be misconstrued by the tongues of the uncharitable. He knelt in +the deepest humility by the dead girl's side, deeming his life all +unworthy to have been saved at such a cost; and while he implored the +pardon of the great Creator for the follies of his past life he called +on the Almighty to hear the vows which he now made--that for the future +his steps would be in wiser paths. + +When he arose from his knees his face had lost all its old languid +self-possession; there was a graver, more earnest light in his eyes, and +as his lips pressed the hand of the dead girl they muttered a farewell +vow, which was never to be forgotten from that hour till his last. + +Lady Constance, bravely overcoming her own pain and horror at the double +tragedy--for Jasper's body had been recovered and brought back to the +house an hour after the death of Jessica--had retired with poor, +remorseful Ada to her own rooms, where she did her best to soothe and +comfort the unhappy woman. Overwhelmed with remorse at her previous +neglect of the girl, Ada blamed herself bitterly for not watching her +enemy more closely, and thus protecting all concerned from danger. + +Meanwhile, the last painful duty had to be done. In the Blue Room were +seated in expectant silence Lord Barminster, Mortimer Shelton, and Mr. +Harker. On the table lay the papers which Mr. Harker had brought with +him, amongst them the all-important roll which Jessica had rescued from +the streets. The three men were waiting now for Adrien, with patient +respect, knowing the cause of his absence. + +Presently the door opened, and the young man entered. Lord Barminster +held out his hand without a word, and his son, as silently, grasped it; +then, with a sigh, he seated himself at the table, prepared to learn to +what extent he had been robbed by the man he trusted so fully. + +Without comment, Shelton passed him paper after paper, all drawn up in +the clear writing of Mr. Harker; Adrien, with deep humiliation, +examining them all. With another sigh he dropped the last one upon the +table and looked up. + +"It is like some hideous dream," he said in a low, shocked voice. +"Jasper Vermont, then, was not a traitor to me, but a forger and thief. +I can scarcely believe it--though, of course, it is impossible to get +away from these proofs. He must have even bribed that jockey to lose the +race, as the man hinted. That he could so have used my trust and +confidence to gain money, and by crime, when he could have had it for +the asking, seems past belief." + +His father looked pityingly at him; he knew only too well what a blow +this was to the young man. + +"I believed in him to the last," continued Adrien, in the same low +tones. "I believed him true, in spite of all your warnings." + +He turned to his friend. + +"Shelton," he said, "I cannot thank you as I should like, nor indeed you +either, Mr. Harker. I am deeply grateful to you all for what you have +done for me. Truly a man should take heed of his self-conceit, lest he +fall, as I have done." + +He dropped his head on his hands, and his father turned to him +affectionately. + +"You do not ask if the evil this man has worked can be remedied, +Adrien," he said, in a softer tone than he had ever been known to use. +"You do not ask whether anything can be regained?" + +"I am willing to pay the penalty of my folly," said Adrien, in a low +tone; "and if only it can be arranged that you, too, do not suffer, I +shall not mind." + +"Not even if it should leave you penniless?" asked his father. + +Adrien raised his head with a mournful smile. + +"But for one reason, I am indifferent," he said. + +His father's face lit up. + +"Yes," he said, "I think I know that reason. Mr. Harker, will you be so +good as to place Mr. Leroy in possession of the facts which you have +already given me. I am almost too tired to speak, after the strain of +these last few hours." + +Adrien looked at him remorsefully; for the old man had indeed undergone +much suffering during the last eventful weeks. + +Mr. Harker laid a small book upon the table. + +"This will do so better than I can, gentlemen," he said. "It is a list +of the various investments in which Mr. Jasper Vermont placed the wealth +he had so fraudulently amassed. His expenses were small; and the +investments which were made with Mr. Leroy's money, and which he had +hoped, of course, to put to his own use, amount to a large sum. When +realised, they will cover the enormous embezzlements, when the forged +bills are destroyed." + +Adrien took up the book and glanced through it. + +"Is this true?" he said, with an earnestness that all present +understood. "Am I still a rich man?" + +"The statement is correct, sir," returned Mr. Harker respectfully. "You +will find that you have in reality benefited by his cunning and +astuteness, even after the racing debts are fully paid." + +Adrien laid the book on the table. + +"I am grateful," he said gravely. "But I would leave this room +penniless, and gladly, if by so doing I could bring one life back to +us." Then, almost overcome by his emotion, he abruptly left the room. + +On the morrow, despite all efforts to hush the matter up, the news went +flying through the land. Adrien Leroy, the well-beloved of Vanity Fair, +had been betrayed by his friend and confidant. Great was the sensation +when all the facts came out into the full light, and it was known that +Adrien had been saved by the traitor's own daughter, who had given her +life that his might be spared. + +Mr. Harker was well rewarded for the part he had taken in exposing +Jasper Vermont, and preserving the Leroys from the pitfalls and ruin he +had dug for them. All the forged bills were promptly burnt, and there +remained only those real amounts that Adrien had signed, and which, all +put together, only amounted to but a minute fraction of the supposed +sums owing by the young man. + +Jessica was buried in Windleham churchyard; the funeral was attended by +all the Leroys, as well as by many of the countryfolk, for her sad +little story had become known. Ada Lester was also present; she paid her +last visit to the neighbourhood of Barminster on that day, and, with a +tact most unusual to her, refrained from attracting any attention so far +as the Leroys were concerned. + +Well placed now in money matters, and proprietress of the Casket +Theatre, she settled down to learn the art of acting as well as dancing, +and eventually married her business manager. She also undertook to look +after her sister, who, however, died shortly afterwards, without ever +regaining her memory, or learning of the fate which had befallen the man +whom she had once loved, or the daughter of whose existence she had +forgotten since the day of her birth. + +It took some time to settle up all the details of "Harker's Ltd." Jasper +Vermont had died intestate; and although advertisements were inserted in +various papers, seeking his next-of-kin, no answers were received. The +money, therefore, reverted to the Crown; and Mr. Harker, taking up his +real name of Goodwin, settled in Kingston with his daughter and her +husband, who now, thanks to Lord Barminster, owned a flourishing +business. + +Lady Merivale never visited Barminster Castle again. She had succeeded +in convincing her husband of the harmless nature of her flirtation with +Adrien, and patiently bore the brunt of his very natural resentment at +the publicity accorded to his name at the trial; though he acknowledged +that under the circumstances she could have done nothing else but come +forward to exonerate Leroy. Then her ladyship retired into the country +with her husband, who was greatly gratified in the dutiful interest she +showed in him and his farm. All love of intrigue seemed to have died out +when her flirtation with Adrien ended, nor was it ever revived. + +Society also lost its fashionable monarch, as far as Leroy was +concerned. The vow that he had registered beside the dead body of the +girl who had so loved him, was religiously kept. He disappeared from his +former place in the world of amusement, and the devotees of pleasure +knew him no more. + +After the funeral, he stayed on at Barminster Castle for a time, with +his father and Lady Constance; but, with the consent of both, he +departed a few months later for Africa, on a big-game shooting +expedition. Living the simple but arduous life of the hunters and +trappers, he sought to bury the folly of the past, and restore his hopes +of a brighter and better future. + + +One day, about six months after the death of Vermont, Lord Barminster +sat in the dining-room of Barminster Castle. His eyes, their expression +no less keen, but far more gentle than in former years, were bent, +sometimes on the cheerful fire, sometimes on the calm face of his ward, +where she stood in the deep embrasure of the window, gazing out over the +snow. + +A book was in her hand, but it was closed; and the wistful look in her +sweet eyes showed that her thoughts had flown from the pages of fiction +to the realities of the past and the future. + +Suddenly Lord Barminster raised his head. + +"Constance, what does Lady Ankerton say in her letter?" + +The girl took it from the rack on the writing-desk. + +"She says," replied the sweet, musical voice, "that the Ashfords are +well and thriving. She has taken quite an interest in them. Mr. Harker +is rather weak, but cheerful, and so happy in the love of his +grandchildren." + +"Ah!" said Lord Barminster, "I am glad they are happy, they deserve all +the pleasure they can get." + +He sighed. "When does the African mail come in, my dear?" he asked as +Lady Constance put away the letter she had been reading. + +"To-night, usually," she returned with a sigh. A sudden flush rose to +her cheek, rendering her face still more lovely while it lasted, but +leaving her paler than ever when it had gone. + +"Still wandering," said her uncle sadly; "surely, by now, Adrien ought +to have forgotten the past." + +"He'll never come back until he does," said Lady Constance softly. + +"No," said her uncle, with a touch of pride. "He will not come back +until he can take up a worthier life with a worthy love, Constance. Ring +the bell, my dear, and inquire for the mail." + +She obeyed him and returned to the fire again, placing her hand upon the +old man's shoulder. Very beautiful she looked, as the bright gleam of +the firelight illumined her face, more lovely now because of its tender, +womanly expression; and the old man's gaze rested lovingly on her. + +"When he comes back," he said musingly, "Adrien will find a sweet prize. +He loves you, and his love will increase and endure." + +Almost before he had finished speaking there came the sound of +footsteps, and the door opened. The girl barely turned. + +"Has the mail come in?" she asked, thinking it was a servant. + +But there was no answer. The footsteps came nearer, and some one bent +down over the old man's chair. + +"Father!" exclaimed a manly voice. + +Lady Constance uttered a low cry, and Lord Barminster sprang to his feet +exclaiming. + +"Adrien, my boy!" + +"Yes, father, it is I," said Leroy, his voice hoarse with emotion. Then +he turned to Constance, who was gazing at him with tears of joy in her +eyes. + +"Constance, my darling," he said gently. "Will you forgive me my long +neglect of you? My eyes have seen you through all the darkness of these +weary months. I have hungered for you all the time, and now I have come +into the light, I want you for my own." + +As he spoke he drew her unresistingly within his arms, and the old man, +with one loving backward look, stole silently away to apprise Miss +Penelope of the joyful news. + +A month later the church of Windleham was all ablaze with winter +flowers, while crowds of happy, rosy-cheeked children thronged the steps +and porch, for it was the marriage day of Lady Constance Tremaine and +Adrien Leroy. + +There were no fashionable silk and satin-clad guests, or a body of +mighty ecclesiastics to perform the ceremony. The old rector, who had +known them both from childhood, made them man and wife, while Lord +Barminster gave the bride away. She had chosen to be but simply dressed, +and followed only by two bridesmaids--sisters of Mortimer Shelton, who +acted as best man. Among the few guests there, were also Lord Standon +and Lady Muriel Branton, soon now to be wedded themselves. + +Adrien had explained the reason for his anger long ago, and Lord Standon +too fully understood to continue the coldness which had nearly spoilt +their life-long friendship. + +Happy was the bride, that bright winter morning, and Adrien, as he felt +her loved arm against his side, was filled gratitude and love. + +"My darling," he murmured as they emerged from the church, "we do not +need the world, you and I. We have each other, that shall be world +enough for us." + +"Not to the world do I owe you, Adrien," said Lady Constance gravely, +"but to another woman." Drawing him to the marble slab, which stood +close to the porch, she bent down and placed her bridal bouquet of white +roses on the grave of Jessica. "But for her, life would have ended for +both of us that summer day." + +Adrien was deeply moved by her remembrance of the child. + +"My darling," he said tenderly, "we have passed together through the +dark shadows. Let us enter now into the sunlight of our love." + + + + THE END + + + + PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, BRUNSWICK ST., + STAMFORD ST., S.E. 1, AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adrien Leroy, by Charles Garvice + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIEN LEROY *** + +***** This file should be named 16682-8.txt or 16682-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/8/16682/ + +Produced by Julie Barkley and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Adrien Leroy + +Author: Charles Garvice + +Release Date: September 11, 2005 [EBook #16682] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIEN LEROY *** + + + + +Produced by Julie Barkley and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h1>ADRIEN LEROY</h1> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>CHARLES GARVICE</h3> +<br> +<br> +<h6>LONDON</h6> +<h6>GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED</h6> +<h6>SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C.</h6> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<h3>CHAPTER I</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>It was a cold night in early spring, and the West +End streets were nearly deserted. The great shutters +of the shops were being drawn down with a +dull rumble, and every moment the pavements grew +more dreary looking as the glories of the plate-glass +windows were hidden.</p> + +<p>Tired workers with haggard faces were making +their way homeward; to them the day was at an +end. But to the occupants of the whirring taxis +and smart motors, as they sped westward, the round +of their day was but half-way through; for them, +the great ones of the earth, the all-important hour +of dinner was at hand.</p> + +<p>At the entrance of one of the most luxurious clubs +in Pall Mall two men, in immaculate evening dress, +stood carelessly surveying the hurrying throngs +of people.</p> + +<p>"Seven," said one, as the hour struck from the +nearest church. "I thought Standon said seven."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and like a woman, meant half-past," +returned the other, hiding a yawn.</p> + +<p>"Stan's too young to value his dinner properly, +but Leroy ought to have been punctual. Oh, here +<i>is</i> Stan!" as a slight, well-dressed man sprang +hastily from a smart motor and came towards +them.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" said the new-comer, shaking hands, +"you two fellows first? I hope I'm not late, +Shelton."</p> + +<p>"Of course you're late," growled Shelton, with +characteristic pessimism. "You always are, and +Leroy is worse. Come along, we may as well wait +inside as in this beastly draught."</p> + +<p>In the great dining-hall the snowy-covered tables +were being taken rapidly by members about to +dine; silent-footed waiters were hurrying to and +fro, carrying out their various duties, while intermittently +the sound of opening champagne bottles +mingled with the buzz of conversation and the +ripple of laughter.</p> + +<p>The three men, Mortimer Shelton, Lord Standon +and Frank Parselle, seated themselves at a table in +a comfortable recess and took stock of the room, +responding to numerous nods and smiles of recognition, +while grumbling at the unpunctuality of +their friend.</p> + +<p>"Ten past seven!" groaned Shelton, looking at +his watch. "I might have known that Leroy would +be late. Shall we wait?" + +<p>"Oh, yes!" said Parselle; "Adrien might not +like it, you know. It is a bore, though! The soup +will be as thick as mud!"</p> + +<p>"By Jove! I'd forgotten," interrupted Standon +suddenly. "I met Leroy yesterday, and he asked +me to tell you he might be late, as he was off to +Barminster Castle last night. We were not to wait. +He gave me a note, and--if I haven't left it in my +other coat--" He fumbled in his pocket. "No; +here it is." He produced the note with an air of +triumph, and Shelton, with a muttered exclamation +of disgust, ordered dinner to be served before +he opened it. As he did so and ran his eye over the +contents, he frowned.</p> + +<p>"Just listen to this," he said irritably.</p> +<br> + +<p>"'MY DEAR MORTIMER,</p> + +<p>A letter from Jasper takes me down to +the Castle. I will return in time to join your little +party and, with your leave, bring Jasper along too; +but don't wait on any account.</p> + +<p>"'Yours,</p> +<p>"'ADRIEN LEROY.'"</p> +<br> + +<p>"Jasper--always Jasper!" commented Standon. +"I'd like to know by what means Jasper Vermont +has obtained such influence over Leroy."</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's the mystery!" said Parselle, frowning.</p> + +<p>"It's as plain as a pikestaff," growled Mortimer +Shelton. "Leroy saved Vermont's life years ago--at +Oxford, I think. That's enough for Adrien. +If a cat or dog, or even a one-eyed monkey, placed +itself under his protection, Adrien Leroy would stick +to it through thick and thin. You know his little +way; and this Vermont is no fool. He intends to +make full use of his friend."</p> + +<p>"And yet Leroy is not easily taken in," remarked +Parselle thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Every man has his weak point," retorted +Shelton with a shrug, "and Jasper is Leroy's one +vulnerable spot. He will believe nothing against +him."</p> + +<p>"He's a lucky chap, Vermont," said Standon pensively. +"No one really knows what he is or where +he springs from; yet he always seems to have plenty +of money, and apparently the whole of Leroy's +passes through his hands."</p> + +<p>"Something near a million," put in Parselle +enviously, "and with the run of a castle like a +palace. No, Vermont's no fool!"</p> + +<p>Mortimer Shelton nodded.</p> + +<p>"The Castle's all right," he said curtly. "You +can trust the Leroys to have the best of everything. +They treat money like dirt, and bow before nothing +but Royalty and women. Yet, with it all, there's +no stauncher friend than a Leroy."</p> + +<p>"As Vermont knows only too well," muttered +Standon dryly. "By the way, I saw Ada Lester +in the Park this morning. Jove! Such furs!"</p> + +<p>"In that quarter Adrien certainly treats his money +like dust," said Parselle, with a short laugh. "I +can't think what he sees in her; to me she seems an +insatiate animal--and about as difficult to satisfy. +It's a jolly good job for Leroy that, thanks to his +father's generosity, his income runs into five figures--nothing +else would stand the strain."</p> + +<p>"Do you know, some one told me at the Casket +the other night that Leroy had made the theatre +over to Ada entirely, and settled a thousand a year +on her into the bargain," said Standon, leaning +forward.</p> + +<p>"I daresay," Mortimer commented dryly. "He's +fool enough for anything. The place runs him into +eight thousand a year as it is--not including Ada +Lester, the lady manager--so he might just as well +hand it over to her altogether. I wish to goodness +the wretched building would burn down! 'Pon my +word, I shall set it alight myself one fine night----"</p> + +<p>"Hush! Here he is," said Lord Standon; adding +quickly, "with Vermont, of course."</p> + +<p>The others looked round towards the new-comers. +One was a dark-haired man of about forty years of +age. His face was pale, with an almost unhealthy +pallor, from which his small dark eyes glittered restlessly; +his thin lips, tightly closed, were set in an +almost straight line. Clean-shaven, sleek of hair, +he wore an expression of cautious slyness that implied +a mental attitude ever on guard against some +sudden exposure of his real feelings. Such was +Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<p>His companion was of a different calibre. Still +apparently in the early thirties, tall, and with clear-cut +aristocratic features, he was decidedly good to +look upon. His face, fair as that of a woman, was +perhaps slightly marred by the expression of weakness +which lurked round the finely-moulded lips; +but for all that it was stamped with the latent +nobility which characterised his race.</p> + +<p>The Hon. Adrien Leroy, only son of Baron Barminster, +was one of the most noted figures in fashionable +society. His father, who since the death of +Lady Barminster had lived almost as a recluse, spent +the days in the old Castle, and had practically abdicated +in favour of his son. So that the colossal +income accruing from the coal mines of Wales, the +rentals of the Leroy estates in the Southern Counties, +and the ground rents of a considerable acreage in +one of the most fashionable parts of London, all +passed through the hands of Adrien, who, in his +turn, spent it like water, leaving Jasper Vermont--his +one-time college friend and now his confidential +steward--to watch over his affairs.</p> + +<p>Leroy, with a genial smile of greeting for all, but +a grave, almost weary expression in his blue eyes, +parried the numerous questions and invitations that +beset him on all sides, and, taking Vermont's arm, +drew him towards the table where his three friends +awaited him.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry we're late," he said in a pleasant voice, +which was clear and unaffected, in strong contrast +to the chatter which buzzed round him at their +entry. "Blame Jasper, who, if he is as hungry as +I am, is punished already."</p> + +<p>His good-humoured laugh as he seated himself +drew echoes from his friends; Leroy's popularity +was never more apparent than in a gathering of +this sort, composed exclusively of his own sex.</p> + +<p>"So, have just come up from Barminster," +said Shelton presently, "How is the Castle +looking?"</p> + +<p>Adrien, busily satisfying a vigorous appetite, +merely nodded and smiled in reply; but Jasper +Vermont answered for him.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful!" he said, with a smile which showed +his white, even teeth. "Beautiful! It's a charming +view; but we saw little of it this visit. Ah, +Shelton, you are really an epicure! We don't +get clear turtle like this at the Pallodeon--eh, +Adrien?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied the young man, looking up. "We +ought to have Shelton on the committee. No +wonder they love you here, Shelton! And so the +colt has lost the steeplechase? I saw the news as I +came along."</p> + +<p>"And you have lost, how much--two thousand?" +queried Parselle.</p> + +<p>"Five," said Vermont, not quickly, but just +before Adrien could speak.</p> + +<p>"Is it five?" asked Leroy indifferently. "I +thought I'd backed 'Venus' for more."</p> + +<p>"I backed her myself for a couple of hundred," +put in Lord Standon ruefully. "She's a beautiful +creature, though, and I'd like to buy her."</p> + +<p>"You can have her, my dear Stan, for a mere +song," said Leroy cordially.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid that's impossible," interposed Jasper +with suavity. "She's sold."</p> + +<p>Adrien looked up in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Sold! To whom?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"To the knacker," was the calm reply. "Don't +you remember, Adrien, that she threw Fording and +broke her leg over the last hurdle?"</p> + +<p>Leroy's race resumed its usual air of bored +indifference.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, so you told me. My dear Stan, I'm +awfully sorry! I had completely forgotten." He +looked round the table. "Any of you seen the +papers?" he inquired. "Last night was the first +of the new comedy at the Casket--how did it +go?"</p> + +<p>Frank Parselle laughed. "I was there," he +admitted. "Ada played finely, but they hissed +once or twice."</p> + +<p>"Lost on my horse and on my new play. That +is bad luck!" exclaimed Adrien, looking, however, +very little disturbed by the news. "It must be +withdrawn."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," agreed Vermont amiably. "Certainly."</p> + +<p>"By Jove! what did you tell me the mounting +cost?" asked Parselle, addressing Vermont, but +glancing significantly at the others.</p> + +<p>"Three thousand pounds," answered Vermont +glibly, while Adrien ate his fish with the most +consummate indifference.</p> + +<p>"Three thousand for four nights, that's about it. +The public ought to be grateful to you," said Shelton +with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice, as he nodded +across at Leroy. </p> + +<p>Adrien laughed.</p> + +<p>"Or I to them," he said cheerfully. "It's no +light thing to sit through a bad play. But how is +that, Jasper? You said it would run."</p> + +<p>"I?" protested Vermont, with a pleasant smile. +"No, Adrien, not so certainly as that. I said I +thought the play well written, and that in my +opinion it ought to run well--a very different thing. +Eh, Shelton?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" replied Shelton, who had been watching +him keenly. "So you were out in your reckoning +for once. It is to be hoped you didn't make the +same mistake with the colt. I think you were also +favourably inclined to that, weren't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Vermont, leaning back with an +admirable air of content. "I laid my usual little +bet, and lost--of course."</p> + +<p>"You should have hedged," said Shelton, who +knew as a positive fact that Vermont had done so.</p> + +<p>"I have no judgement," Vermont responded +deprecatingly. "I am a man of no ideas, and I +admit it. Now Adrien is all acuteness; without him +I should soon go astray. I am supposed to look +after his interests; but, by Jove! it is he who +supplies the brains and I the hands. I am the +machine--a mere machine, and he turns the handle!" +He laughed gently at his own joke, and held up his +glass for replenishment.</p> + +<p>"A pretty division of labour," commented Shelton, +with a faint sneer. "Now <i>we</i> give <i>you</i> the +credit for all the tact and business capacity."</p> + +<p>"Ah, what a mistake!" replied Vermont, spreading +out his fat hands with a gesture of amusement. +"Well, since you give me credit, I will assume the +virtue, though I have it not."</p> + +<p>He changed the subject adroitly to one of general +interest; and as the wine came and disappeared +with greater rapidity, the talk ran on with more wit +and laughter, Vermont always handling the ball of +conversation deftly, and giving it an additional +fillip when it seemed to slacken. Adrien Leroy +spoke little; though when he did make a remark, +the rest listened with an evident desire to hear his +opinion.</p> + +<p>At length Vermont rose, with a lazy look +round.</p> + +<p>"Well, I must be off," he said smoothly. "Good-night, +Adrien. I shall be with you to-morrow at +twelve."</p> + +<p>Having bade the rest of the company a hasty +adieu, he turned once more to his host.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, Shelton," he said smilingly. +"Thanks for the excellent dinner. Rome would +not have perished had you lived with the last of +Cęsars."</p> + +<p>"And Adrien Leroy would not go to the dogs +so quickly, if you did not show him the way," +murmured Shelton inaudibly, as Vermont departed, +with the bland smile still hovering round his thin +lips.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER II</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Outside the club door, Vermont's motor was +drawn up at the side waiting for him. He looked +at his watch, and was surprised at the lateness of +the hour. Stepping hastily into the vehicle, he held +up two fingers to the chauffeur, who apparently +needed no other instructions; for the car glided off, +and Vermont, as he passed the club, looked up at +the windows with an ugly smile.</p> + +<p>As Lord Standon had said, few knew his origin or +his business; but, in reality, his antecedents were +of a very ordinary nature. He was the son of a +solicitor who had lived with but one object in his +sordid life, namely, the desire to make his son a man +of position with the power to mix as an equal +among that portion of society which only came to +Malcolm Vermont when it wanted its scandals +glossed over, or to obtain money. Ill-natured people +were apt to hint that he had amassed his wealth by +means of usury and the taking up of shady cases. +At any rate, he made sufficient to bring up his son +in luxury and send him to Oxford, where Jasper had +first come in contact with Adrien Leroy. At the +death of his father, Vermont found himself possessed +of an income of a thousand a year, which enabled +him to become a member of Adrien's set, notwithstanding +that the amount was a much smaller one +than he had been led to expect, and, in his opinion, +savoured almost of aristocratic poverty.</p> + +<p>The car had rolled silently into a side street off +St. James's, where the chauffeur pulled up sharply +at the door of one of the old-fashioned, though now +newly-painted houses. Vermont sprang out and +rang the bell twice.</p> + +<p>"Has Miss Lester returned yet?" he asked of +the smart maid who opened the door.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," she answered, and promptly led the +way up a newly-carpeted staircase, redolent of +Parma violet scent and glistening with white +enamelled woodwork and plaster casts. The walls +were adorned with pictures in the worst possible +taste and the most glaring colours. As Vermont +reached the first floor, a strong, savoury odour +filled the air.</p> + +<p>He smiled sarcastically, and sniffed as if the perfume +were familiar to him.</p> + +<p>"Miss Lester at supper?" he asked the white-capped +maid, as she threw open the door on the first +floor, and stood aside to let the visitor precede her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; supper's been served," was the demure +answer.</p> + +<p>Vermont passed into the room, which was furnished +with the same lack of taste as the staircase. +Two women were seated at the table, apparently +just finishing their supper.</p> + +<p>At first glance they might have been mistaken +for mother and daughter, as the elder woman was +clad in a sombre black velvet dress, and had a pale, +thin face, crowned with heavy masses of grey hair. +On closer inspection, however, one perceived that +Julia Lester was far from old--indeed, not more than +about forty-five, and with a peculiarly gentle, almost +child-like expression, which at first took one almost +by surprise.</p> + +<p>On the other hand, her sister, though only about +ten years younger, would easily have passed as +twenty-five, especially when behind the footlights, +which was her usual environment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's you, Jasper, is it?" she remarked carelessly, +pausing in the act of lighting a cigarette. +"Didn't hear you come in. You're so quiet on your +pins."</p> + +<p>Like the house she inhabited, Miss Lester combined +in her person prodigality of colours with a +fine disregard of taste. Beautiful she undoubtedly +was, with the black-browed, dark-eyed beauty of +a Cleopatra, for there was some Italian blood in +her veins. It was given out occasionally by the +Press that she had been a theatre-dresser, an organ-grinder, +and fifty other things; but nevertheless, +illiterate, common and ill-bred, she had yet achieved +fame--or rather, perhaps, notoriety---by her dancing +and sheer animal good looks.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact she owed her success primarily +to Jasper Vermont, who, as a young man and during +a quarrel with his father, had lodged in the same +house with the handsome sisters, Julia, and Ada +Lester, the latter then being only about fifteen +years of age. He had fallen violently in love with +Julia, then in the height of her beauty, and had +cruelly deceived her. To appease the indignation +of the younger sister he had got her an introduction +to the manager of the Rockingham Theatre, who +was about to put on a new Egyptian ballet, and from +that time onwards it had been plain sailing for Ada. +Later on came a meeting with Leroy, planned by +Jasper's connivance; and Adrien, attracted by the +woman's ripe beauty, had been blind, so far, to the +deficiencies of her mind and character.</p> + +<p>To-night she looked a veritable daughter of the +South. Her dress was of scarlet, touched with +black, and she was wearing diamonds--gifts from +her many admirers--of such intrinsic value as to +render many a countess jealous.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is I," said Vermont. "Onions and +cigarettes! I thought Leroy objected to both."</p> + +<p>Ada laughed.</p> + +<p>"It's the smell he don't like," she said lightly. +"He's so particular. But he's not coming to-night; +leastways, he said he wasn't."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Vermont smiling, as he seated himself +at the table and took up a small bottle which +proved to be empty, "Is there anything left to +drink?"</p> + +<p>"Have some fizz," said Ada hospitably. "Ring +the bell, Ju, and give me another chop. Well, Jasper, +what's the news?"</p> + +<p>"Just the question I was about to ask," he replied, +as the maid-servant brought in a bottle of champagne +and glasses on a silver tray. "How did the +comedy go?"</p> + +<p>"Rotten!" pronounced Ada shortly. "I told +Adrien it wouldn't go, though I did my best--didn't +I, Ju? The frocks were really first-class--blue +satin and silver, with loads of pearls, and my turquoise +armlets. All right, eh?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Vermont, adding, with a sneer, +"Perhaps the stupid public got tired of looking at +the blue satin."</p> + +<p>"Then they could have looked at me instead," +retorted Ada tartly. "But I've no patience with +Adrien. Why can't he get 'em something lively? +A musical comedy now--I could make that go, if +you like! Plenty of songs and no talky-talky business. +Besides, I <i>can</i> dance."</p> + +<p>"But can't act," murmured Jasper, with his +sarcastic smile.</p> + +<p>"Can't I!" cried Ada furiously. "That's all +you know about it. Why didn't you come last +night?"</p> + +<p>"Business," he answered carelessly, sipping his +wine; adding, as he saw her about to question him, +"With which I won't trouble you, my fair Ada."</p> + +<p>"Oh won't you!" was that lady's retort. +"You're mighty polite, I must say. I suppose +you were down at that old Castle again, and Adrien +too! What were you doing there?"</p> + +<p>"Minding our own business," he replied smilingly, +as he lit a cigarette.</p> + +<p>"Close as a fox, you are," she declared, with a +short, disagreeable laugh. "Where's Adrien? Down +there still?"</p> + +<p>"No; at the Thessalian. I left him there with +Mortimer Shelton."</p> + +<p>"I hate that man," said Miss Lester viciously.</p> + +<p>"So do I," agreed Vermont, "but I don't say +so. Anyhow, Adrien's safe there for another hour, +and I came on to give you a word of warning."</p> + +<p>He turned to her companion, who had been quietly +finishing her supper as if unconscious of anyone's +presence.</p> + +<p>"Julia, you look tired; you'd better get off to +bed."</p> + +<p>She rose and hesitated for a moment, looking +from him to Ada; then quietly left the room. +Vermont gazed after her, much as he would have +watched a useless piece of furniture in course of +removal; then he leant back in his chair, and, before +resuming, regarded fixedly Ada's flushed, handsome +face.</p> + +<p>"Well?" she queried, impatiently striking the +table with her fork.</p> + +<p>Jasper leant forward and spoke with calm, unpleasant +deliberation.</p> + +<p>"Ada," said he, "there was once a person who +killed the goose that laid him golden eggs; there +was another who beat his horse till it pitched him +into the ditch; but neither of these attained such a +height of folly as Miss Lester bids fair to reach, if +she persists in worrying her prize donkey into kicking +her to the ground and leaving her in the mud."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't be an idiot, Jasper!" she exclaimed +irritably. "Speak out plain, can't you?"</p> + +<p>"I certainly can, and will, my dear lady. To +put it plainly, then, you are going the quickest way +to make Adrien tired of you. After all, if you +happen to possess a goose with the propensity to lay +golden eggs, surely it is wise to humour him. And +if the said goose happens to dislike the smell of +onions, why fill the house with that particular perfume, +sufficient to suffocate an elephant? Again, +is it not the height of folly to stick plaster statues +on the staircase which he ascends daily, when you +know this particular goose detests imitation art? +In short, my dear Ada, if you persist in thrusting +vulgarity down his throat, you will find yourself +very soon out of the graces of our friend, Adrien +Leroy."</p> + +<p>Ada, who had been beating a loud tattoo with the +fork which she still held in her hand, sprang to her +feet and struck the table with a force which set the +glasses jingling.</p> + +<p>"Jasper!" she almost shouted. "You'll drive +me mad! Why don't you speak out and say what +you mean? What's the matter with Adrien? What +does he want? Aren't there a hundred men who'd +be glad enough to furnish a house for me as I +like? And can't I even eat what I choose without +Adrien Leroy's delicate nose being turned up in +disapproval?"</p> + +<p>"You can go to the deuce, if you like, my dear," +declared Jasper with a calm smile. "I merely warn +you that you are on the way to finding yourself in +the street, if I may be allowed to speak out. Have +another cigarette, and spray some patchouli about +the room. There are more geese than one, as you +say; and, after all, it is hard if you can't indulge in +onions in your own room at one o'clock in the +morning."</p> + +<p>Goaded almost to desperation by the sneering +sarcasm of Vermont's words, the woman threw down +her fork, thereby smashing a champagne glass, +and thrust her angry, flushed countenance close to +his.</p> + +<p>"What's your game?" she hissed. "Are you +playing with me and Adrien? Are you setting him +against me? I know your artful tricks; but don't +you play 'em on me, Jasper! What are you doing +up at the Castle so often? Making yourself pleasant +to old Lord Barminster's niece there, I'll be bound. +P'raps she ain't fond of scent or a pork chop or two, +and she can have real statues if she likes. You don't +remind him of that, do you? Oh, no, of course not! +But you mind your skin, Jasper, for you can't play +fast and loose with me. Shuffle him on to that +Constance girl, and I'll make you pay for it. I +know something you wouldn't like my lord to hear +about; so, if you don't want me to open my mouth +and split on your little games, don't you play me +any of your tricks, that's all, or I'll go straight to +Adrien and tell him all!"</p> + +<p>She stopped, out of breath, and Jasper Vermont, +springing to his feet, glared down at her in impotent +fury. But she only laughed at his angry face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you wouldn't like Adrien to know how +you fooled poor Julia, though it is over twenty years +ago. I haven't forgotten, if you have, how you took +her over to Paris while I was away on my first tour, +and went through some form of marriage with her. +You wouldn't like him to know how you told her what +you'd done, when there was no longer need to keep +it dark from your father, and of the attack of brain +fever it brought on, poor dear! You were a nice +brute to her, you were, Jasper Vermont; and it's +a lucky thing for you and her too that when she +recovered her memory had gone, and she forgot +you as well as the child."</p> + +<p>Jasper stirred uneasily.</p> + +<p>"I didn't think she would have cared so much," +he said. "Besides, she's all right now; she only +forgets those few years."</p> + +<p>"Lucky thing for you," repeated Ada dryly.</p> + +<p>"What have you done with the child?" he asked +suddenly.</p> + +<p>His companion's face lighted up with malicious +triumph.</p> + +<p>"I've put her where you can't find her, anyhow," +she said. "You shan't break her heart, as you did +her mother's."</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense, Ada!" said Vermont contemptuously. +"Don't begin to rant--you're not on the +stage now. I kept all my promises to you, at any +rate. I got you on at the Rockingham and I introduced +you to Leroy; and if you had only played +your cards properly you would have hooked him by +this time. As it is, he'll marry his cousin, if you're +not careful."</p> + +<p>"If he does, it'll be your fault," she snarled. +"And I'll tell Adrien all, and how you're fooling +him in other ways as well."</p> + +<p>Jasper sprang across the room, his face working +with anger. There was something so deadly in the +light of his dark eyes, such murderous hate in every +line of his face, that the woman shrank back and +uttered a cry of fear, instinctively glancing at a knife +which lay on the table close to Jasper's other hand.</p> + +<p>How far Vermont's anger might have carried him +she did not know, for, to her intense relief, the door +opened and Adrien Leroy himself entered the room. +He gazed in surprise at the two occupants, and in +an instant Jasper had regained his self-control. He +did not release Ada's wrist, but, smoothing his scowl +into a sleek smile, he said with a careless laugh:</p> + +<p>"No, Ada, your arm is as slim as ever. The +bracelet will just fit you." He relaxed his grip as +he spoke and turned to Leroy. "Ada has bet me +that the new bracelet you bought her is too small, +Adrien," he explained glibly. "She thought she +was getting stout."</p> + +<p>Adrien nodded indifferently; while Ada, with a +little cry of relief, ran towards him.</p> + +<p>"Adrien, how good of you to come!" she exclaimed. +"I did not expect you so soon."</p> + +<p>Leroy did not seem to notice her, but looked round +the room with evident displeasure. The table, with +its remains of supper; the stained cloth; above all, +the undesirable odour of food and stale tobacco; all +seemed to fill him with disgust. Gently, but firmly, +he put Ada from him.</p> + +<p>"Jasper," he said, turning to Vermont, "you +know why I came. Give Miss Lester the deeds of +the Casket Theatre. I am tired and am going +home."</p> + +<p>With a courteous good-night to Ada, who, without +attempting to thank him for his gift, stood scowling +and sullen, he passed out of the room; while Vermont +leaned back against the table with folded +arms and his inevitable, but significant, smile on +his face.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER III</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The night was bitterly cold; but, disdaining a +taxi for so short a distance, Leroy buttoned up his +coat and strode swiftly along towards his chambers +in Jermyn Court, W. As he turned the corner of +the square, he stumbled sharply over the slight +figure of a girl, crouched near one of the doorsteps, +and, with his habitual courtesy, he stopped to see if +any harm had been done.</p> + +<p>"Have I hurt you?" he asked gently, placing his +hand on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>At his touch the girl started up with a cry of +distress; and, as the shawl fell back from her head, +Leroy was almost startled by the vivid freshness +of her beauty.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she exclaimed in terrified accents, "I +wasn't doing any harm! I will move on--I--I was +only resting." Then, as she saw the kindly face +looking into hers, she subsided into silence.</p> + +<p>She was quite young, not more than about sixteen, +and so slenderly formed as to appear almost +a child. Her features were clear-cut as a cameo +and she had a slightly foreign air. Her eyes were +brown, but as the light of the gas-lamp fell full on +her upturned face, they showed so dark and velvety +as almost to appear black, while masses of dark hair +clustered in heavy waves round her forehead.</p> + +<p>Unconsciously Leroy raised his hat as he repeated +his question. She shook her head at him as he bent +over her, but made no reply.</p> + +<p>"How is it you are out on such a night as this?" +he asked. "Have you no home? Where do you +live?"</p> + +<p>"Cracknell Court, Soho," she replied, in tones +singularly free from any trace of Cockney accent.</p> + +<p>"With your parents?" queried Leroy, feeling for +some money.</p> + +<p>"No," said the girl, her red lips quivering for a +moment. "Haven't got any--only Johann and +Martha--and <i>they</i> don't care."</p> + +<p>"Who is Johann?" said Leroy, with an encouraging +smile.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," she answered listlessly. "He's +Johann Wilfer, that's all."</p> + +<p>"Why have you run away, then?"</p> + +<p>"Johann came home drunk and beat me--so I +ran out."</p> + +<p>She pushed back her ragged shawl and held up +her arm, on which bruises showed up cruelly distinct. +Leroy uttered an exclamation of anger.</p> + +<p>"You poor child!" he said almost tenderly. +"What can I do for you? If I give you money----"</p> + +<p>"Johann will take it and make me beg for more," +she interrupted; and Leroy withdrew his hand from +his pocket, fearing this to be but too true.</p> + +<p>"Will you go home, if I take you?" he began.</p> + +<p>The girl shook her head, and dragged the old +shawl closer round her shivering body.</p> + +<p>"Not till morning," she said decidedly. "I shall +be all right then."</p> + +<p>"But you'll freeze to death here!"</p> + +<p>She laughed harshly.</p> + +<p>"I wish I was dead," she said, with an earnestness +that made Leroy's heart ache, as he thought +of her extreme youth and saw the bitter despair in +the great dark eyes.</p> + +<p>He drew himself up sharply as if he had decided +on his course of action.</p> + +<p>"I cannot leave you here," he said quietly, "and +money is of no use to you to-night. Will you come +with me?" He held out his hand as he spoke, and, +without a word, the girl rose wearily and laid her +own cold one in his. They proceeded thus, in silence, +for the length of the square; but Leroy soon saw +that, whether, from cold or from hunger, the girl's +steps were growing feebler and more uncertain. +Without further ado, he picked her up in his arms, +wrapping her shawl more warmly round her.</p> + +<p>"We are nearly there," he said reassuringly, +"and you are as light as a feather."</p> + +<p>She lay back, perfectly content, her head pressed +against his broad shoulder, her dark eyes closed +trustfully.</p> + +<p>Adrien Leroy hurried on, for the wind cut with +the force of a knife; but his face was very thoughtful +as he approached his chambers.</p> + +<p>"What else can I do?" he asked himself. "She +is such an innocent child. Can I take her to my +rooms without injury to her poor shred of reputation? +Yet no houses are open at this hour, and I +cannot hand her over to that drunken brute. +There's no help for it!"</p> + +<p>It evidently never occurred to him to turn back +and deliver her into the charge of Miss Lester. +Indeed, he thought that would have been greater +cruelty than to have left her in the streets.</p> + +<p>Having reached the block of buildings in which +were his own rooms, Adrien walked up the stairs +and opened a door on the first floor. In the hall a +light was burning, held by a statuette of white +marble; and Leroy, after gently setting the girl down +on her feet, led her into his study.</p> + +<p>The room in which she found herself was not +lofty, but the ceiling was exquisitely painted, while +from the four corners hung electric lights 'neath +delicate shades. The furniture was rich in colour, +solid as befitted a man's room, while on the +walls were a few rare engravings. A couple of gun-cases +in one corner and a veritable stock of fishing +implements in another showed that Leroy was not +unaccustomed to sport; it was one of his man Norgate's +complaints that he was not allowed to pack +them away, but must leave them there, close at +hand, just as Leroy might want them.</p> + +<p>It was not these, however, that held the girl's +attention so fixedly, but the cut Venetian glass on +the inlaid cabinets and the gold ornaments on the +carved Florentine mantel.</p> + +<p>"Home at last," he said with a smile; and, +opening another door on the left, he led her unresistingly +into a second room.</p> + +<p>But here the girl seemed as if struck dumb with +astonishment. She was evidently overwhelmed by +the magnificence and luxury on which her eyes +rested, and Leroy smiled in amusement at her +unspoken admiration.</p> + +<p>"Come and warm yourself," he said kindly, +drawing one of the divans nearer to the fire.</p> + +<p>Lightly she trod over the rose carpet, and dropped +with a sigh into the chair.</p> + +<p>"Give me your hands. Don't hold them near +the fire yet," he said, and began to gently chafe the +poor blue fingers, for he knew the danger of too +sudden heat. "That is better--they will soon +get warm. And now we will have something to +eat."</p> + +<p>He crossed over to the bell; and in a few moments +the door opened noiselessly.</p> + +<p>"Let us have some supper, Norgate," said Leroy; +and the dignified man-servant disappeared as +silently as he had entered, while his master returned +to the fire-place, and stood looking down at the girl +he had rescued.</p> + +<p>As yet she had not spoken; but her eyes had +been wandering over the many splendours of the +room. Suddenly she lifted them to the handsome +face above her, and said in a low, awe-struck +whisper:</p> + +<p>"Is this the king's palace? And are you a +prince?"</p> + +<p>Adrien Leroy smiled.</p> + +<p>"By no means," he said. "Ah! here comes +something you require, I know," he added, as the +door opened, and Norgate entered, bearing a large +silver tray.</p> + +<p>Having set the chairs to table, and placed the +wine and glasses at hand, the man announced +respectfully that supper was served. His master +dismissed him, guessing that the girl would be less +embarrassed if alone with him; and Norgate retired +with a face as expressionless as if the entertaining +of "street waifs"--as he mentally termed the young +visitor--were of nightly occurrence.</p> + +<p>Adrien placed a plate of cold chicken on a low +table beside her.</p> + +<p>"You are warm there," he said, as he poured her +out a glass of wine.</p> + +<p>The girl looked up into his face with a mute, +questioning glance; then, taking courage from the +kindly eyes, she picked up her knife and fork with +long, thin, but well-shaped hands.</p> + +<p>Leroy turned to the table, and by dint of helping +himself from various dishes, under a pretence of +making a hearty meal, he gave her confidence; and +presently he saw that she had commenced to eat. +Adrien rose from time to time, and waited on her +with a delicacy and tenderness with which few of +his friends would have credited him; till, with a sigh +of content, she laid down the knife and fork.</p> + +<p>"Are you better now?" he asked as he took her +plate.</p> + +<p>She looked up at him in speechless adoration, +and her eyes filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"How good you are to me," she said. "I never +dreamt there could be such a beautiful place as this. +Do you often bring people in out of the cold?"</p> + +<p>His face became grave. </p> + +<p>"No," he said evasively--"not as often as I +should, I'm afraid. And now, suppose you tell me +your name."</p> + +<p>"Jessica," she replied simply.</p> + +<p>"And have you no relatives--no friends to help +you?" he continued.</p> + +<p>She shook her head sadly.</p> + +<p>"Only Martha and Johann," was the hopeless +reply.</p> + +<p>"You poor child! And what does friend Johann +do for a living?"</p> + +<p>Again she shook her head.</p> + +<p>"I don't know. He gets drunk."</p> + +<p>"An overfilled profession that," said Leroy, with +a sigh. "And now, what are we to do with you, +little Jessica?"</p> + +<p>She looked up with frightened eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she cried breathlessly, "are you going to +turn me out into the cold again? Must I go? Oh, +I knew it was too good to last!"</p> + +<p>In her terror she had started up; but Leroy put +her back gently into the chair.</p> + +<p>"No, little one, we won't turn you out to-night," +he promised. "To-morrow, we will see what can +be done to make your road softer in future."</p> + +<p>She did not understand half his words; but as +with an almost womanly tenderness he placed a +silken cushion beneath her head, she nestled down, +smiling into his eyes with the gratitude of a child +that neither questions nor doubts. To her he +appeared like a being from another world--a world +or which she had scarcely dared to dream, and her +eyes were eloquent.</p> + +<p>Adrien Leroy stood for a little while watching +her, till her gentle breathing showed him she had +fallen asleep.</p> + +<p>"A beautiful child," he said under his breath. +"She will be a still more beautiful woman." He +sighed. "Poor little thing! Rich and poor, young +and old, how soon the world's poison reaches us!" +Then, throwing a tiger-skin over the slender body, +he turned out the lights and left the room. Summoning +Norgate, he gave instructions that his +nocturnal visitor should not be disturbed in the +morning by the housekeeper, but should be allowed +to sleep on. Then he made his way to his own room, +not long before the dawn broke.</p> + +<p>He had befriended this young human thing as +he would have rescued a wounded bird, and with as +little thought for the consequences; yet the day +was to come when he should look back on this action +as one inspired, in very truth, by his guardian angel.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER IV</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The sun had risen cold and bright when Adrien +Leroy awoke, and his first question was for the child, +Jessica. But here a surprise awaited him, for the +bird had flown. Norgate and the housekeeper had +found the room tenantless. For some inexplicable +reasons of her own she must have stolen noiselessly +out while the other occupants of the flat were still +sleeping.</p> + +<p>Adrien made no comment, but proceeded to +undergo the labours of the toilet. A cold bath is +an excellent tonic; and when Leroy entered the +dining-room his calm face bore no traces of his comparatively +sleepless night. He sat down to breakfast, +waited on by the attentive Norgate, and turned +over the heap of letters which lay beside his plate. +During his leisured meal he opened them. They +were principally invitations, though a few of them +were bills--big sums, many of them, for horses, +dinner-parties, supper-parties, jewellery, flowers--all +the hundred-and-one trifles which were as necessary +to a man in his position as light and air.</p> + +<p>With a gesture of weariness, he pushed the pile +from him, and throwing them carelessly into the +drawer of a buhl cabinet, left them until such time +as Jasper Vermont could attend to them.</p> + +<p>"Where do I dine to-night?" he asked presently.</p> + +<p>"At the Marquis of Heathcotes', sir--at eight," +replied Norgate, who knew his master's engagements +better than did the young man himself.</p> + +<p>Leroy nodded absently.</p> + +<p>"Order the new motor for four o'clock. I want +to see how it goes."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir." The confidential servant coughed +and looked slightly embarrassed. "I may mention, +sir, that Perrier has sent in his account for the +costumes made for the Fancy Dress Carnival at +Prince's."</p> + +<p>"Refer him to Mr. Vermont," was the calm reply. +"I have sir, several times, but he wants to see +you personally. It's a matter of discount----"</p> + +<p>"Send him to Mr. Vermont. I know nothing of +his bill or his discount. Surely you know that, +Norgate," Leroy interrupted impatiently.</p> + +<p>The discreet Norgate retreated silently; and ten +minutes later Leroy started for his morning canter +in the Row. Here, meeting and chatting with his +numerous friends, the morning passed quickly +enough; and when Leroy returned to his chambers +again, Norgate was putting the finishing touches to +the table already set for lunch.</p> + +<p>"Covers for four?" said his master, as he entered +the room. "Who is coming?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Shelton, Lord Standon, and Mr. Paxhorn, +sir."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes, to be sure," replied the host, who had +completely forgotten the invitation. "I thought it +was for to-morrow."</p> + +<p>The loud hoot of a motor outside told him that his +visitors were arriving; and in another moment the +door was flung open, and Mortimer Shelton, followed +by Lord Standon, entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Well, Leroy, old man," exclaimed the former +cheerily, as they shook hands, "you look as fresh +as if you had awoke with the dawn!"</p> + +<p>"Nothing new in that," said Lord Standon, +laughing. "Nothing upsets Leroy."</p> + +<p>"Except a bad dinner," murmured Algernon +Paxhorn, the fourth member of the party, who had +just entered the room. He was the latest literary +lion, and a fast friend--in more senses than one--of +Adrien and the members of his set.</p> + +<p>With jest and laughter they took their places at +the table.</p> + +<p>"Well, how's the steeplechase going?" asked +Leroy, turning to Shelton. "What do you think +of my 'King Cole'? Does he stand a chance?"</p> + +<p>"A chance!" echoed all three.</p> + +<p>"The odds are four to one on him, and few takers," +announced Shelton.</p> + +<p>Lord Standon set down his glass.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that was yesterday," he said. "I was there +later, and the odds were being lifted. You can lay +what you like on him, my dear fellow, and you will +have no difficulty in finding takers."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" commented Adrien, almost listlessly. +"Something better in the field, I suppose? I thought +the roan was not to be touched."</p> + +<p>"And I, also," said Mortimer Shelton; "I can't +understand it! The only new entry was a weedy +chestnut, listed by a Yorkshireman in the afternoon. +'Holdfast' they call him."</p> + +<p>"He'll require more hustling than holding," +returned Paxhorn sarcastically.</p> + +<p>Lord Standon finished his wine.</p> + +<p>"I'll back the roan while there's a penny to +borrow," he said with sublime confidence. "There's +nothing can touch him."</p> + +<p>"That's what Jasper said," remarked Leroy, +"and he ought to know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he's a good judge of a horse," grudgingly +admitted Shelton, who frankly hated him; +"and of men too--when it pays him."</p> + +<p>Leroy's face darkened slightly. Vermont was his +friend, and he resented a word spoken against him +far more than he would have done one against +himself.</p> + +<p>"You misjudge him, Shelton," he said briefly.</p> + +<p>"Possibly," retorted the other, unabashed. +"What you find so fascinating in him I can't +imagine. Still, my dear fellow, setting Vermont +aside, there can be no two opinions respecting your +<i>chef</i>. Sarteri is a possession I positively envy you. +There is not another <i>chef</i> in England that understands +<i>entrées</i> as he does."</p> + +<p>"None," echoed Lord Standon. "Leroy will be +famous for one thing, at least, if it's only for his +cook."</p> + +<p>The meal came to an end, and the table was +cleared by the silent Norgate. Cards were produced, +and the four were soon deep in the intricacies of +bridge. They played high and recklessly; and +after little more than an hour, Shelton and Leroy +had lost over five hundred pounds.</p> + +<p>"A close run, eh, Shelton?" laughed Leroy as +he took the notes from an open drawer. "Had +they played the knave we should have won. Time +for another round?"</p> + +<p>"Not I," replied his friend, with a regretful shake +of his head. "I'm due at Lady Martingdale's."</p> + +<p>"Picture galleries again?" laughed Standon, +who knew that lady's weaknesses.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Shelton confessed, "and with Miss +Martingdale too."</p> + +<p>The others laughed significantly.</p> + +<p>"Say no more, Mortimer," begged Lord Standon, +with mock grief. "Your days are numbered. +Already I see myself enacting the part of chief +mourner--I should say, best man--if you will +allow me."</p> + +<p>Shelton rose, laughing good-humouredly.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, I'll remember--when it comes to that!"</p> + +<p>"You're incorrigible, Stan," said Leroy, as his +guests were taking their leave. "You'd better +settle down yourself first, and leave Shelton alone."</p> + +<p>When they had all gone, the host stood looking +at the empty chairs. They seemed, as it were, +typical of the weary, empty hours of his life, and +for the first time a wholesome distaste of it all swept +over him. Day in, day out, an everlasting whirl--wherein +he and his companions turned night into +day and spent their lives in a hollow round of gaiety, +in which scandal, cards, women and wine were +chief features. And, at the end! What would be +the end?</p> + +<p>Then he shook himself from his unaccustomed +reverie; Adrien Leroy, the popular idol of fashionable +society, was not given long to introspection.</p> + +<p>"What next?" he asked himself.</p> + +<p>It was Norgate who answered the unspoken +query, by announcing that the motor was at the +door.</p> + +<p>As Adrien descended the stairs, Jasper Vermont +entered the hall below him.</p> + +<p>"Ah, just in time!" he said with his amicable +smile. "You're off to the Park, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know yet," returned Adrien evasively. +"What do you think of the motor?"</p> + +<p>"Worthy even of Adrien Leroy," replied Jasper, +with the faintest suspicion of a sneer, which, however, +passed unperceived by his friend. "By the +way," he continued, as they walked to the door +together, "I have just left Ada in tears, poor girl; +repentance followed closely on repletion. She vows +solemnly to refrain from onions and patchouli for +the future, and begs for the return of your favour."</p> + +<p>Leroy smiled gravely at his companion's flippant +tones.</p> + +<p>"You make an eloquent advocate; but there's +little need for pity in her case; her tastes are natural +to her class. I was to blame for not realising it +before; but she'll be well set up for the future," he +said, and forthwith dismissed the subject from his +mind. "But Jasper, what of this chestnut entered +the steeplechase?"</p> + +<p>Vermont's dark, restless eyes dropped for a +moment; then he said lightly:</p> + +<p>"Do you mean that Yorkshire screw? Oh, he is +all right! Can't run the course, I should say, let +alone the last rise. Nothing can touch the roan. +If I weren't a beggar, I'd cover 'King Cole's' back +with guineas."</p> + +<p>"Do it for me," said Leroy carelessly, as he +settled into the waiting Daimler, which was his +latest purchase.</p> + +<p>"What, another thousand?" asked Jasper almost +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Two, if you like," said his friend, as the chauffeur +started the car, and with a smile to Vermont +he took his departure.</p> + +<p>Vermont stood looking after him, his gaze almost +still in its fixity; then he turned and passed up the +stairs. In the dining-room he found Norgate, clearing +away the cards and glasses, in no very amiable +humour.</p> + +<p>"Has there been a luncheon party?" queried +Mr. Vermont.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," answered Norgate aggrievedly; "Mr. +Shelton, Lord Standon and Mr. Paxhorn."</p> + +<p>"And bridge?" murmured Mr. Vermont inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; and from what I heard, I believe +Mr. Leroy lost."</p> + +<p>"Ah," commented the other softly, "I fear Mr. +Leroy always does lose, doesn't he?"</p> + +<p>"He's made me lose my time to-day with his +fads and fancies," grumbled Norgate, removing the +folding card-table; "what with bringing in street +wenches at one o'clock in the morning; and they +mustn't be disturbed, if you please."</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont was instantly on the alert. He +was not above encouraging a servant to gossip, and, +although Norgate was not given to err in this direction +as a rule, upon the present occasion his grievance +got the better of him, and Vermont was soon +in possession of such slight facts as could be gleaned.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER V</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Johann Wilfer, Jessica's adopted father, was +German by birth, and the son of an innkeeper in +one of the tiny villages on the banks of the Rhine. +In his youth he had studied as an art-student at +Munich; but, finally, by his idle and dissolute +behaviour, so angered the authorities that he had +been compelled to return home. Tiring of the +rural life there, he finally obtained from his parents +sufficient money to come to London to try his +fortune.</p> + +<p>Here he soon obtained some work from the +smaller art dealers, which enabled him to live in +comparative comfort, and had it not been for his +unreliability and his love of drink he might have +seen to be a good artist.</p> + +<p>Wilfer was a handsome young fellow in those +days, and while on one of his wandering tours in +Kent he met and won the heart of a simple little +country girl, named Lucy Goodwin. Lucy believed +her lover to be everything that was good, and, +trusted him even to the extent of her betrayal; so +that, under some pretence, young Wilfer was able +to entice the girl to Canterbury, where, a few weeks +later, he deserted her.</p> + +<p>She was the only daughter of a widower, a clerk +in the employ of a country bank, who, broken-hearted +at his daughter's ruin, threw up his situation, +changed his name to that of George Harker, +and fled to London with his beloved child. Here +he found it extremely difficult to obtain work. +His savings soon evaporated, and alas! further +trouble was in store for him; for one afternoon a +smooth-faced gentleman appeared at their quiet +lodgings. This was none other than Jasper Vermont, +who in a long private interview with the +unhappy Harker informed him that he had heard +of Lucy's escapade, and threatened to proclaim +her shame, if Mr. Harker failed to comply with a +proposition he was about to make to him. The +business which he suggested was one entirely +abhorrent to the ex-bank clerk; but with money +running short, and the thought of his daughter's +misery should her secret be revealed, what could +the father do but submit?</p> + +<p>The result of this interview was that, a month +or two later, a new moneylending firm sprang up +in a narrow street in the city, under the title of +Harker's Ltd., and none of the numerous clients +who patronised it ever recognised that the manager, +Mr. Harker, was speaking the literal truth when +he repeatedly asserted his own impotence in the +business. Every one believed the story to be a +fictitious one, invented to assist him in his extortions.</p> + +<p>Time passed on, and Lucy's pretty face and +modest ways, perhaps her very sadness, which +clung to her in never-ending remorse, caught the +heart of a simple-minded man, one John Ashford. +He was a flourishing grocer in a village on the +banks of the Thames, and was then staying in +London on a visit. After a hard struggle with +herself the poor girl returned his love, and ventured +to become his wife.</p> + +<p>Wilfer, from inquiries made by Mr. Harker, was +supposed to be dead. None, she thought, knew +her secret except her father, for Lucy believed that +Vermont had employed Mr. Harker out of friendship +and sympathy, and did not know until long +after her marriage that she, and therefore her +husband, were in his power. So she ventured to +grasp the happiness held out to her, thus strengthening +the chain which bound her father and herself +in slavery to Jasper Vermont's will. For if they +feared disclosure before, how much more did they +dread it now, when Lucy was married to a man +who prided himself upon his good name and +untarnished respectability!</p> + +<p>Johann Wilfer, however, was not dead, nor had +he left London. He had become a member of a +gang of ingenious rascals, who lived by imitating +the less known gems of the old masters, and palming +them off on the credulous public and wealthy +collectors as genuine. The impostures were very +cleverly manipulated, and quite a little system was +instituted to bring them to perfection. Mr. Wilfer's +part of the undertaking was "toning"; that is, +bringing to the imitations the necessary mistiness +and discoloration supposed to be produced by age.</p> + +<p>He did very well at this business; so well, indeed, +that he took a house in Cracknell Court, Soho, and +if he could have restrained himself from the drinking +of beer and spirits he would have been in +comfortable circumstances.</p> + +<p>This perpetual intoxication eventually made its +mark upon Mr. Wilfer's countenance, and contorted +his face into a caricature--with its mottled +skin and bleary eyes--of the good looks which had +won Lucy Goodwin's heart in former times. His +language had also degenerated as well as his looks. +All trace of German accent had been carefully +obliterated, in order that no suspicion should be +aroused when selling a faked picture. He played +the part of a Cockney so frequently and so well +that that particular accent seemed, as it were, to +be his mother-tongue.</p> + +<p>As the years went by even the gang became tired +of his habitual intoxication, and only occasionally +gave him employment, so that he turned his attention +to scenery painting for the stage. In this way, +when engaged at the Rockingham Theatre, he met +Martha Feltham, Ada Lester's dresser, and by +means of boasting of his wealth finally persuaded +her to marry him. It was in this manner that +Jessica had first come under his sway.</p> + +<p>When Ada found that her sister would never +recover from the mental shock inflicted by Jasper +Vermont when he told her that their marriage was +illegal, she had made arrangements to get the child +out of the house. Naturally the little girl was an +eyesore and an encumbrance to her; especially as +Julia--blissfully ignorant that she herself was the +mother--was always worrying her sister as to the +reason of Jessica's presence. Accordingly, when +Ada, by reason of her improved position and higher +salary, moved away from the Bloomsbury lodgings +into a house of her own, she gave the child over to +the care of her dresser, Martha, now Mrs. Wilfer, +and had always paid regularly for her board and +keep.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer did not object to this addition to his +income, though he still worked occasionally for the +picture gang; and it was on one of their jobs that +he came within reach of Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<p>One day he had been sent to play the usual +proceedings to Mr. George Harker, presuming, +naturally enough, that being a moneylender he was +rich, and hearing that he had a liking for "old +masters."</p> + +<p>Johann Wilfer saw Mr. Harker, and notwithstanding +the changes which time brings to us all, +and the entire transformation of name and surroundings, +recognised him as the father of the girl +whom he had once so cruelly deceived.</p> + +<p>The old man never having heard the name +of Lucy's betrayer--for she had purposely kept it +from him--knew nothing of his visitor, and eventually +purchased the picture, after consulting with +Jasper, who discovered the imposition at a glance, +but saw in the impostor a possible new tool.</p> + +<p>He instructed Harker to obtain a written +guarantee of the genuineness of the picture, and +Wilfer, being half intoxicated at the time, for once +forgot his usual caution, and gave the required +pledge. With that in his possession, Jasper Vermont +had Wilfer in his power, and only left him +undisturbed because he saw no present opportunity +of using him.</p> + +<p>But when he wanted him he knew that he had +only to exert the authority which the warrant gave +him, and Johann Wilfer would be his obedient +servant, as many better men were already.</p> + +<p>The picture he intended--through Mr. Harker--to +compel one of the firm's wealthy clients to take +as part of a loan, a well-known trick of the worst +class of moneylenders.</p> + +<p>Quite unconscious of the sword that hung over +him, Mr. Wilfer, after a bout of hard drinking, +went home, and it was in his drunken frenzy that +he had struck Jessica. She, bruised and frightened, +fled into the streets, where Adrien Leroy found +her.</p> + +<p>Left to himself--for his wife was away for a day +or two--Mr. Wilfer fell into a deep slumber, in +which he remained for the rest of the evening.</p> + +<p>Early for him, on the following morning he was +roused by a loud knocking at his front door. Now +thoroughly sobered, he hurriedly dressed, stumbled +down the rickety staircase, and opened the door, +to himself confronted by Miss Ada Lester. +Her face was flushed, and the angry light Jasper +Vermont had called up by his sneers at her vulgarity +the previous evening still shone in her dark eyes.</p> + +<p>"Where is the gal?" she asked abruptly.</p> + +<p>"The gal!" he repeated, staring at her in stolid +amazement.</p> + +<p>"Yes--Jessica!" retorted Miss Lester, her jewels +flashing in a chance ray of sunlight which had +found its way through the dingy court. "Where is +she?"</p> + +<p>"She is not at home," said Mr. Wilfer. "She +and Martha 'ave gone out for the day to Greenwich. +If you'd wrote a-sayin' you was goin' to call I'd +have made 'em stay till you came."</p> + +<p>Miss Lester looked at him keenly.</p> + +<p>"If you don't believe me," said Wilfer, "go +upstairs and look at her room."</p> + +<p>Ada ran past him up the stairs, and quickly +returned.</p> + +<p>"It's locked," she said.</p> + +<p>"Of course; she's quite the lady--keeps the +keys 'erself," sneered Johann. "Look 'ere, 'ere's +her hat and coat; there's one of 'er boots, so she +must be comin' back afore long."</p> + +<p>Miss Lester appeared convinced. She breathed +more freely, as if a weight had been taken off her +mind.</p> + +<p>"Here," she said, putting some gold coins in his +hand, "is something to make up for my troubling +you. But I was real anxious to know if everything +was right with the gal."</p> + +<p>Wilfer--debauched and demoralised by drink--was +disposed to look at the worst side of things; +and from this point of view thought she meant the +reverse of what she said.</p> + +<p>"Would you be very much cut up," he said +slyly, "if she wasn't able to trouble you any more +or answer awkward questions, miss?"</p> + +<p>She turned on him with a fierceness that made +him recoil.</p> + +<p>"If anything happens to that gal," she shouted, +"I'll turn the police on you. For, mind my words--I mean +them--I shouldn't have cared yesterday +very much if I had learnt she was dead, but now +I want her. Do you hear? I want her, and you +take care she's alive and ready when I come for +her."</p> + +<p>Then, without vouchsafing any further information, +she flounced away, leaving Mr. Wilfer staring +blankly after her, and wishing for once that he had +stayed his hand, instead of driving the girl into the +miseries and dangers of the streets.</p> + +<p>Little did Wilfer or Miss Lester imagine that +Jessica had found safety and refuge in Adrien +Leroy's chambers.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER VI</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Love is the universal epidemic, effectual in all +climes and conditions; there is no inoculation that +will secure exemption from its influence; only +given a warm human heart, and there is the natural +susceptibility.</p> + +<p>So it is from high to low. The little blind god +takes no count of difference in fortune or rank in +life. Dynasties fall, thrones totter to the ground, +crowns tumble to dust on kingly heads; but love +rules and lives on, immortal, triumphant, unconquerable.</p> + +<p>Jessica had never heard of Romeo and Juliet, of +Faust and Marguerite, or King Cophetua and the +beggar maid. All she knew was that she loved, +was conscious only that for a kind word from the +lips of the man who had befriended her, for a +glance from those dark eyes; she would gladly have +given up all the other glories the world could have +put before her.</p> + +<p>Poor Jessica, how sweet and yet how bitter had +been the awakening in that gilded cabinet. How +sweet to find herself there in reality, and not only +in a dream; how bitter to know that she had no +right there and that she must go!</p> + +<p>That splendid golden room, with, all the wonderful +undreamt-of things, was not for her. She +looked down at her wet, dirt-stained dress, at her +worn, ragged shoes, at her cold, red hands, and +shuddered. She had no right there. Should she +take advantage of his goodness to remain and sully +the beauty of his palace--for to her it seemed little +less--by her unworthy presence? No, woman-child +as she was, she shrank from the thought; +then caught up her hat and arose, resolute.</p> + +<p>"He will think me ungrateful," she murmured +with half-closed eyes. "He will think--no matter, +he will forget me before half an hour. I will go +back to Johann and chance the beating. This is +no place for one like me."</p> + +<p>With a little graceful gesture she bent over the +mantel and pressed her lips to the spot where Adrien +had rested his arm; then with noiseless steps she +stole from the room.</p> + +<p>The sun was breaking through the morning mist, +but she shivered as its warm rays touched her, and +with a weary sigh turned towards Soho.</p> + +<p>It was all over, the little patch of fairy-light +in the dreary darkness of her existence, and as +she reminded herself of this fact she shuddered +again.</p> + +<p>Looking back, she remembered but little beyond +the days she had passed with Johann and his +shrewish wife. This strange adventure had been +the first ray of sunshine in her poor existence. No +wonder that she was unhappy at parting with it.</p> + +<p>Suddenly as she passed into Oxford Street she +stopped, struck with an idea that sent her blood +flowing into her pale cheek, flushing it into living +beauty. Her large eyes grew thoughtful and full +of a strange light.</p> + +<p>"Why should I go back to Johann?" she murmured. +"Can't I follow him--the kind gentleman? +Can't I be his servant?"</p> + +<p>The answer came quick enough from her inner +consciousness. No, she must go back. Of what +service could she be to such a man as Adrien? +There was nothing for it but to return to Cracknell +Court. So, wearily, but still with that grace which +Southern blood bestows, even though it runs in the +veins of a gipsy, or such a street waif as Jessica, +she walked on and reached Johann Wilfer's house.</p> + +<p>Jessica knew that the man was not her father, +but she knew little more than that. She had never +asked him or Martha for any information about her +parentage--indeed, had scarcely wished for any; +it was enough for her than Johann gave her sufficient +bread to keep life within her.</p> + +<p>That gentleman was, at the moment of her +arrival, absent, engaged on business concerning the +sale of the faked picture to Mr. Harker, and Martha +was still away; so Jessica, pausing at the door of +the living-room to ascertain that it was empty, +softly ascended the stairs leading to the garret +which served as her special apartment.</p> + +<p>It was as small and as squalid as all the other +rooms in that crowded court; but it was different +from them in one respect--it was clean.</p> + +<p>A miserable chair bedstead of the cheapest kind, +covered with a threadbare quilt; a chair with the +back broken off; a washstand on three legs, and a +triangular piece of silvered glass, the remains of a +cheap mirror, composed the furniture.</p> + +<p>This peculiarly-shaped piece of common glass +reflected the girl's beautiful face in all manner of +distorted forms. The quilt just kept her from +perishing with the cold. But yet the mirror, the +bed, and the room itself were precious to her, for +they were her own. Beyond its sacred threshold +Johann or Martha never passed. She had a key +to it; and to enter now she unlocked the door.</p> + +<p>After the luxury of Adrien's rooms the mean +quality of her own apartment struck the girl more +forcibly than usual, and sinking upon the bed, she +covered her face with her hands and gave way to +a flood of tears. But the weakness did not last +long; and after a moment of two, with a sudden +gesture, almost Italian in its intensity, she flung +back her head and rose from her crouching position.</p> + +<p>"I will not think of the beautiful place. I will +not think of him, she told herself passionately.</p> + +<p>"But oh! will he be sorry that I ran away, or +will he laugh, and ask that proud servant to see +that I haven't stolen anything?"</p> + +<p>She shook her head mournfully at her own distorted +reflection in the cracked mirror, then she +sighed and went downstairs.</p> + +<p>Johann had returned, wonderful to relate, still +fairly sober; but this was probably due to the +necessity of maintaining at least the appearance of +sobriety in his transaction on behalf of the gang +concerning the sale of the picture.</p> + +<p>He was counting the coins on the table, some +of them gold--for Jessica's quick eyes caught the +shimmer of it--and he looked up half fiercely, half +contemptuously as the girl entered.</p> + +<p>"Well, where have been? You're like a +cat or a policeman--never to be found when +you're wanted. There was a fine lady came to see +you this morning--a real swell, my girl." He +laughed coarsely. "But of course, you were out +of the way. Where had you got to?"</p> + +<p>"Anywhere, nowhere," replied Jessica, who did +not fear him when he was sober, though she hated +him always.</p> + +<p>"Ah, that's the style! The swell lady ought to +have heard you talk like that. She'd say I was +bringing you up well. Come here and let's have a +look at you."</p> + +<p>Jessica did not move, but stared at him +steadily.</p> + +<p>"What! You won't come?" he said with a +grin. "Well, there's something for your obstinacy, +you little mule!"</p> + +<p>He flung a half-crown across to her, and Jessica +took it up, then looked him questioningly in the +face.</p> + +<p>"You're thinking I'm mighty generous, eh? So +I am, my girl--foolishly generous." He laughed +mockingly, "Well, what do you say if all the lot's +for you, eh?"</p> + +<p>"All for me!" repeated the girl, stopping short +in her task of making the mantelshelf neat; "all +for me!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, when you get it, little cat! All for you, +indeed! No! it's for me; and I've a good mind +to take the half-crown back. A fool and his +money's soon parted; but he's more idiotic to part +with other people's. I'm going out. I shall want +some grub when I get back--'arf a pound of steak, +an' a pot of porter, an' don't forget the gin. Mind +you remember now, or I'll break every bone in your +body." With which forcible admonition the man +shuffled out.</p> + +<p>After a few hours he returned, not blindly drunk, +but spiteful, ill-tempered, and stupidly brutal.</p> + +<br> +<p>About the same time on that day Adrien Leroy +was making his way in the new car through the +crowded thoroughfare of Oxford Street.</p> + +<p>"Soho? Yus, sir. Crack'ell Court, fust turnin' +on the left. I'll show yer, sir," piped the ragged +urchin, whose heartfelt interest Leroy had purchased, +along with his query, by means of a shilling.</p> + +<p>Cracknell Court was small, evil-smelling, and +teeming with children. Bidding the chauffeur wait +at the entrance to the court, Adrien, to whom dust, +noises, and evil smells were things of absolute +pain, entered one of the dens and asked for Mr. +Wilfer.</p> + +<p>"There he is," said another urchin; and Leroy +turned to face that individual, who was leaning +against an open door.</p> + +<p>"Am I speaking to Mr. Johann Wilfer?" he +asked courteously.</p> + +<p>"You are," returned Wilfer, taking the begrimed +pipe from his mouth, and staring with bloodshot +eyes at the handsome, high-bred face before him.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me if a young girl named Jessica +returned to you safely this morning?" Leroy +enquired.</p> + +<p>"My niece, Jess, d'ye mean?" replied Wilfer, +eyeing him suspiciously. "Ain't seen 'er fer +months; run away last June, after 'elping 'erself +to some of my cash, an' ain't been back since. +'Sides, what's it got to do with you, Guv'nor, I'd +like to know? You mind yer own bus'ness."</p> + +<p>He leered drunkenly at Leroy, who turned away +with a look of disgust. He knew how useless it was +to expect truth from such a quarter.</p> + +<p>As the gentleman stepped out into the dirty +court and returned to his car Johann Wilfer blinked +his eyes in relief; then with an oath he stumbled +up the rickety stairs into the living-room, and +confronted Jessica, who was standing near the +window.</p> + +<p>"So that's yer little game, is it?" he said with +a sneer; "you're goin' in for swells right away, +are yer, my gal? Got your name as pat as a poll-parrot. +Knows all my private business, I dessay; +I'll break every bone in yer body!"</p> + +<p>He stumbled towards her where she stood--her +face still transfigured with joy at the sound of her +benefactor's voice--and made a sudden grab at her +hair. But, alert and lithe as a leopardess, she +bounded over the table, and slipped past him down +the staircase, from the top of which he launched +forth a long volley of curses.</p> + +<p>Quivering and shaking, both with fear of Wilfer's +violence and her sense of injury at his denial of her +presence to Leroy, Jessica ran, as fast as her frail +body would permit her, through the intricate +smaller streets and passages which abound in the +Soho district. Having gone far enough, in her +opinion, to be fairly safe from any danger of Wilfer's +pursuit, she stopped to consider whether she should +endeavour to find Leroy.</p> + +<p>"After all," she thought, "perhaps it is best as +it is. He would give me money, or perhaps a few +kind words, and only make me long for him more. +Let him go, believing Johann's falsehoods."</p> + +<p>As she walked wearily along dim remembrances +of earlier days thronged her brain; of two women--one +whom she knew she had called Auntie--and +who had treated her kindly enough, before Johann +had got her into his power. Mingled with these +thoughts came those of the man who had befriended +her and even sought her out this day. When she +remembered how he had rescued her from cold, +hunger, and the dangers of the streets her eyes +filled with tears of gratitude. Yet, though knowing +how quickly he would aid her were she but to +return to the beautiful room from which she had +fled that very morning, she could not bring herself +to seek his charity or ask his pity. She realised +well enough that one such as she could never hope +to win a look of love from him; but like the +moth that hovers round the flame which brings it +danger she nevertheless determined to see him +again.</p> + +<p>With this object in view she slowly wended her +way to Jermyn Court, wherein was the room in +which she had supped and slept so delightfully. +Afterwards she thought she would try to gain some +work that would at least secure food and lodging, +however poor, where she could be safe from the +cruelty of Wilfer; surely in all London there was +something she could do.</p> + +<p>When darkness came, worn out by watching and +waiting in vain for Adrien, she again found herself +without a home and without shelter; so, crouching +on a doorstep, as she had done the previous evening, +overcome with fatigue, she fell asleep.</p> + +<p>In the course of the night a dark-robed woman, +passing on the usual round of duty assigned to her, +stopped and looked at her. She was one of the +band of Good Samaritan Sisters of Mercy established +in some of our London suburbs, who seek +out the helpless and downtrodden in the race of +life--with healing in their hands and pity in their +hearts--striving to raise them up from their hopeless +position to something better. She stopped, +bent down, and, drawing her veil aside, looked +closely at the motionless face. Then she sighed +and turned her head away.</p> + +<p>"So beautiful! So young! Can it be possible? +Sister, sister!"</p> + +<p>Jessica awoke at the gentle touch, and sprang to +her feet.</p> + +<p>"Johann! Don't strike me," she exclaimed, +with her eyes half closed. "I----"</p> + +<p>"My poor girl, no one shall beat you. Will you +come with me?"</p> + +<p>"With you?" repeated Jessica, now fully awake, +but still eyeing the Sister with some suspicion. +"Where? Not far?"</p> + +<p>"No, not far. But why do you say that? +Is there any one you particularly wish to be +near?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Jessica, adding to herself, as the +sister of Mercy took her hand, "but she shall not +take me far away from him."</p> + +<p>"A roof of thatch is better than that of heaven," +is an old Spanish proverb, and means, doubtless, +that the poorest accommodation is better than none, +or that which the streets provide. Jessica, clinging +to the Sister of Mercy's succouring hand, was gently +led from the silence of the streets to the still greater +silence of an attic in a quiet byway.</p> + +<p>Here, seated by the remains of a small fire in a +narrow grate, she watched with awkward interest, +that was much like indifference, the efforts of her +rescuer to revive the dying embers. Soup was +warmed for her, but for a time she refused to +take it.</p> + +<p>"I am not hungry," she said. "Only tired--so +tired! Why did you wake me, lady?"</p> + +<p>"I awoke you because you were unhappy, and +it was dangerous for one so young as you to lie +asleep in the streets," replied the meek-eyed woman. +"But you must not call me 'lady'; I am not a +lady. Call me 'Sister.'"</p> + +<p>"But you are not my sister," said Jessica petulantly. +"I haven't any sister or brother, or father +or mother."</p> + +<p>"Poor thing!" said the woman, who by this +time had made up a bed, plain enough it is true, +but luxurious after the cold doorsteps, and she now +helped Jessica to undress. "Poor thing, you are +quite cold; and what are all these bruises? Ah! +why will men be so cruel, when Heaven is so +kind?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," said Jessica, who took the +question as directed to herself. "I don't know +anything. Besides, all men ain't cruel. <i>He</i> wasn't; +he was kind--oh, so kind!"</p> + +<p>"He--whom?" said the Sister. Then, as the +girl did not reply, she looked hard at her and +sighed again.</p> + +<p>"Now you will sleep," she said, "Will you +kiss me?"</p> + +<p>With the impulsiveness of girlhood Jessica threw +her arms round the linen-banded neck and kissed +the Sister's pale face."</p> + +<p>"Good-night," she said.</p> + +<p>The Sister smoothed the coarse pillow, covered +her up, and went softly from the room.</p> + +<p>When Jessica awoke the woman was again beside +her with a cup of tea, and some bread-and-butter. +But the girl refused to eat.</p> + +<p>"I am not hungry. I am not tired now, either, +and I will go."</p> + +<p>The Sister put her hand on the girl's arm. "Not +yet," she said. "Where have you to go?"</p> + +<p>"Nowhere," Jessica answered listlessly.</p> + +<p>"Then stay with me," said the woman kindly. +"See"--she brought a basket to the bedside--"here's +some work. I will teach you to do this, +and we will live together. Will you not stay?"</p> + +<p>Jessica looked at the work, and silently nodded +acquiescence. But nevertheless she sighed. To a +nature such as hers freedom was life itself, and she +was bartering it away for mere food. Besides, how +could she now follow the one who had been so kind +to her?</p> + +<p>But she stayed, and patiently worked all day, +striving earnestly to catch the knack of the needle, +and emulating the tireless industry of the Sister, +who worked thus during daylight that she might +pursue her mission of mercy and succour at night. +Thus passed some days, and then Jessica's blood +grew restless; the narrow room seemed to her +stifling and unendurable, and she pined for the +open air, as a caged blackbird longs for its native +woods.</p> + +<p>The longing grew so irresistible that at last she +succumbed to it; and one day, finding herself +alone, she threw down the piece of work on which +she was employed, and rising, snatched up her +weather-stained hat.</p> + +<p>"I can't stay," she sobbed; "I can't breathe +here! I must go, or I shall die. I'll leave before +she comes back. Oh! I wish she had not been so +kind to me. I feel a worthless, miserable, ungrateful +creature!"</p> + +<p>Then she stole down the stairs, very much as she +had slipped away from Adrien's residence, and +gained the streets anew.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER VII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>It was the night of the great ball at Lady Merivale's +town house. A Blue Hungarian Band was +playing dreamily the waltz of the season, to the +accompaniment of light laughter and gaily tripping +feet. The scent of roses filled the air. Masses of +their great pink blooms lurked in every small nook +and corner; while in the centre of the room, half-hidden +by them, a fountain sent its silver spray +into the heated air.</p> + +<p>If wealth and luxury alone could bring happiness, +then surely Eveline Merivale should have been +the most envied woman in the world. A renowned +beauty, a leader of fashion, with every wish and +ambition gratified--save the one which, at present, +the chief object of her life--to enslave and +retain, as her exclusive property, Adrien Leroy.</p> + +<p>Her husband, the Earl of Merivale, she regarded +as a necessary encumbrance, inevitable to the possession +of the famous Merivale diamonds. His +hobby was farming, and he detested Society; +though quite content that his wife should be made +queen so long as he was left in peace with his +shorthorns.</p> + +<p>Certainly Eveline Merivale was not in love with +her husband; but, on the other hand, neither was +she in love with Adrien Leroy. It simply added a +zest to her otherwise monotonous round of amusements +to imagine that she was; and it pleased her +vanity to correspond in cypher, through the medium +of the <i>Morning Post</i>, though every member of her +set might have read the flippant messages if put in +an open letter. There was a spice of intrigue, too, +in the way in which she planned meetings at their +mutual friends' houses, or beneath the trees of +Brierly Park, or at Richmond.</p> + +<p>Not for worlds would her ladyship have risked a +scandal. She prized her position, and loved her +diamonds far better than she was ever likely to +love any human being under the sun. Still, it was +the fashion to have one special favourite; and it +was a great thing to have conquered the handsome +and popular Adrien Leroy. It was little wonder, +therefore, that, when midnight had struck and still +Leroy was absent from her side, Eveline Merivale +beneath the calm conventional smile, was secretly +anxious and inclined to be angry.</p> + +<p>She was looking her best to-night; and although +she had already been surfeited with compliments +from duke to subaltern, she yet longed to hear one +other voice praise her appearance. There was, +indeed, every reason why Lady Merivale should be +lauded as the greatest beauty of her time, for she +carried all before her by the sheer force of her personality. +Dazzlingly fair, with hair of a bronze +Titian hue, which clustered in great waves about +her forehead; her eyes of a deep, lustrous blue, +shading almost to violet. To-night she would have +borne off the palm of beauty from any Court in the +world, for her dress was a creation of Paquin, and +enhanced to perfection her delicate colouring, which +needed no artificial aids.</p> + +<p>Diamonds glistened round her perfect throat, +upon her head rested a magnificent tiara of the +same stones, her hands flashed as if touched with +living fire. She might have stood as a figure of +Undine--as beautiful and as soulless.</p> + +<p>All around her the little band of courtiers thronged +ever-changing, and passing on to the ball-room as +others eagerly took their place. Half-past twelve +struck, and she grew more impatient; the blue +eyes sparkled frostily, the red lips became more +tightly set.</p> + +<p>"Lady Merivale looks riled," Mortimer Shelton +said to his partner as they passed her. "You can +see that by the sweetness of the smile with which +she has just favoured Hadley. She wishes him +anywhere--I know. Funny thing about you ladies! +the madder you are with one poor dev--fellow, the +sweeter and deadlier you are to the rest of us."</p> + +<p>His partner laughed; she was a bright little +brunette, flushed with the dance, and thoroughly +happy.</p> + +<p>"Why should we wear our hearts upon our +sleeves for cynics such as you to peck at?" she +replied. "The art of dissembling is one of our few +privileges. But do you think the Countess is angry? +She is so beautiful."</p> + +<p>"Marvellous!" exclaimed the cynic, raising his +eyebrows. "Dear Lady Chetwold, is it possible +that I hear one beautiful woman praise another's +looks?"</p> + +<p>The little lady flushed.</p> + +<p>"It would be a greater marvel still if you men +gave us credit for just a <i>little</i> generosity. But, tell +me Mr. Shelton, where is Adrien Leroy?"</p> + +<p>"My dear lady," said Shelton, with a wicked +twinkle in his eyes, "if I knew that Lady Merivale +would be down on me like the proverbial load of +bricks. He was to have been here; but his movements +are as uncertain as her ladyship's smiles. +See, she has fairly extinguished poor Hadley--drowned +in sweetness!"</p> + +<p>"You are a horror," laughed his companion as +the waltz came to an end. "I shall be quite afraid +of you in the future--I'd no idea you were so +cynical."</p> + +<p>"I could never be cynical with <i>you</i>," he said +gallantly. "By the way, have you seen Prince +Pfowsky to-night?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Lady Chetwold, "I am engaged to +him for the next dance--if he remembers it. He is +always so forgetful."</p> + +<p>"'Put not your trust in princes,'" quoted +Shelton. "But if his Highness should be so ungrateful, +perhaps you will allow me the pleasure----"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," she retorted brightly; "Cęsar +or nothing!"</p> + +<p>"And here he comes," laughed Mortimer; adding +softly, as the Prince came up to claim his partner, +"and here is some one even more interesting--look."</p> + +<p>Lady Chetwold followed the direction of his gaze +and saw Adrien Leroy advancing up the rose-decked +room. As usual, his appearance created something +like a stir, for he was popular with men and women +alike, and no smart gathering seemed quite complete +without him. But the young man appeared +totally unconscious of the interest he was evoking +as he bent over his hostess's hand with a murmured +greeting, then turned to make his bow to +the Prince, who, as firm an admirer as the rest of +Society, had paused to exchange a word before the +dance commenced.</p> + +<p>Adrien sank on to the velvet lounge beside the +Countess.</p> + +<p>"Don't scold me, <i>belle amie</i>," he said in his soft +tones; "lay the blame on Mr. Paxhorn. I dined +with him at the club. You know what Paxhorn +is--there was simply no getting away. But, now, +have you saved me a dance?"</p> + +<p>"You do not deserve one," she said, all the +irritation melting beneath the magic of his smile +and the music of his voice.</p> + +<p>"It's a mercy," he retorted lightly, "that one +does not get all one's deserts in this world!"</p> + +<p>"I saved you the next," she said, giving him +her programme. "You see, I am as foolishly forgiving +as ever."</p> + +<p>"You are gracious and sweet!" he murmured in +her ear. "How could you ever be otherwise?"</p> + +<p>The soft phrase passed unreproved.</p> + +<p>"You have been down to Barminster again?" +she inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied, as he settled himself more +comfortably.</p> + +<p>"You have been very attentive to your father +lately," she said a little suspiciously; "I thought +filial affection was not the Leroys' strong point."</p> + +<p>"Nor is it," he said with a laugh; "but it is +business, my dear Eveline, odious business, into +which Jasper inveigles me."</p> + +<p>"I thought Mr. Vermont was the new machine +that was to save you trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what I thought," was the languid +reply. "But one has to turn the handle, even of +machines. There are signatures, and leases, and +Heaven knows what besides."</p> + +<p>"How is Lord Barminster?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"Splendid."</p> + +<p>"Lady Constance also well?"--with the slightest +tinge of restraint in her voice.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered indifferently; adding, "but +you haven't asked after 'King Cole.'"</p> + +<p>"Ah, no, but you would have told me at first if +anything had been wrong with him."</p> + +<p>Leroy smiled. He knew that to be true.</p> + +<p>"He will win, you think?" she asked anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes!" was the careless reply. "Vermont +says there is nothing to touch him."</p> + +<p>The countess raised her eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"You trust this Vermont with a great deal, +Adrien. Your horses, your wine, and your legal +business. He must be a wonderful man."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered confidently. "Jasper's a +treasure. Nothing comes amiss to him. I should +be in my grave if I had to face half the worries he +wrestles with daily. Come," he added, as the first +bars of the new waltz floated from the gallery; +and with a sigh of enjoyment she rose for the +promised dance.</p> + +<p>"No one's step suits me like yours," she breathed, +when they paused for rest. "Adrien, shall I back +'King Cole' for another two hundred?"</p> + +<p>The two sentences were, perhaps, rather incongruous, +but curiously characteristic of her ladyship; +for, in addition to a natural love of intrigue, she +had a partiality for betting on the turf and speculation +on 'Change--both, of course, <i>sub rosa</i>.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," he said, as they started again. +"Jasper has put two thousand more of mine on +to-day. There he is," he broke off, as the sleek, +carefully dressed figure of Mr. Vermont entered the +ball-room.</p> + +<p>"Talk of angels," murmured Lady Merivale, but +with a glance implying that she meant a being very +far removed from that celestial grade.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont did not excel at dancing; yet, +strange to say, he was invariably invited to every +big function of the season. Indeed, the hostesses +of Mayfair would almost as soon have omitted the +name of Adrien Leroy himself as that of his friend.</p> + +<p>It was difficult to explain this other than on +account of his engaging amiability. Probably Vermont +would have transformed the famous advice of +Uriah Heep to "Always be obliging." Certainly, +no pleasanter company could be found, whether +for man or woman; whatever the hour, however +mixed the company, Jasper Vermont had always a +smile, a jest, or a new and piquant scandal. In +the smoking-room he would rival Mortimer Shelton +in apparently good-natured cynicism. In a duchess's +boudoir he would enliven the afternoon tea hour +with the neatest of epigrams and the spiciest +slander of her Grace's dearest friend. Nothing +came amiss to him; as Adrien Leroy had once said, +he was "a walking encyclopędia."</p> + +<p>Yet with all Mr. Vermont's charm of manner, he +could resent, smiling still, an impertinence or a +snub, and deal back a tongue thrust that would +effectually put his opponent <i>hors de combat</i>. Truly +of him might be quoted, "I smile, and murder while +I smile."</p> + +<p>To-night he was apparently enjoying the gay +scene before him. His sharp black eyes were like +little snakes, darting here, there, and everywhere, +while he wagged his smooth head to the time of +the music, as if in keen enjoyment.</p> + +<p>Mortimer Shelton noticed him; "gloating over +his future victims," he commented, almost audibly, +as he and his partner passed close to where he was +standing. Vermont, however, apparently did not +hear him, but continued to smile, amiably as the +dancers whirled by.</p> + +<p>It was nearly daybreak when the carriages drew +up outside the great house to take the guests to +their respective homes; and, having successfully +steered a young marchioness into her electric +brougham, Leroy found himself standing close to +Vermont, not far from where his own motor awaited +him.</p> + +<p>"They call this pleasure, Jasper," he said, +almost scornfully, watching the struggling, aristocratic +crowd with a half-contemptuous smile on +his lips. "Why, it's hard work. They fight and +push for the sake of a few hours spent in a crowded, +poisoned room; and there's no prophet to rise up +and proclaim it madness."</p> + +<p>"No," laughed Vermont cynically; "prophets +nowadays have no liking for being stoned; and, +after all, life would be unendurable, were it not for +its pleasures. Let me remind you that it is nearly +four o'clock, and you are due at Lord Standon's +rooms."</p> + +<p>With a sigh Leroy turned and jumped into the +motor, followed by his faithful squire; and the +powerful car hooted its way through the twilight +of the dawn.</p> + +<p>They reached Lord Standon's chambers, to find +the finish of a theatre party. The room was filled +with beautiful women, mostly stars of the musical +comedy stage, including Ada Lester, who was +evidently on her best behaviour.</p> + +<p>Here, amidst light and laughter, the goddess of +pleasure was being fźted by her youthful worshippers, +and none appeared a more eager votary +than Adrien Leroy. Yet, as he stood, champagne +glass in hand, propounding the toast of the evening--or +rather morning, for the dawn was breaking in +the sky--there was none to tell him of the impending +cloud of treachery that hung over his head. +None who dare warn him to beware of the friendship +of--Mr. Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>High up in the woods of Buckinghamshire stood +Barminster Castle, so old that one-half of its pile +dated back to Norman times; while the whole, +with the wings and parts added by the successive +generations of Leroys, might have passed for a +royal palace by reason of its splendour and magnificence.</p> + +<p>Needless to say, the Leroys were proud of their +ancestral home, for there had been Leroys since +William the Conqueror had calmly annexed the +land on which it now stood, and had given it to +his faithful baron, Philip Le Roi. But they valued +still more the love and respect of their people, who +in hamlet and village surrounded the castle as +naturally as did the woods.</p> + +<p>Yet the present Lord Barminster had done little +to keep the flame of loyalty alight in the hearts of +his tenants. He was an old man, nearing seventy, +tall, white-headed and haughty--every feature +clear-cut, as if carved from marble. Few people +had ever seen the stern lines of that face relax in +light-hearted laughter since the death of his young +wife, which had occurred a few years after the +birth of Adrien. None, outside his immediate +family circle, had ever known the curtness of his +speech to be softened unless in sarcasm; and his +habitual expression was one of haughty tolerance.</p> + +<p>His friends feared him, even as they respected +him, for if he had the faults of his race, he also +possessed its great virtue--justice. No man, prince +or peasant, friend or foe, ever appealed to Lord +Barminster for that in vain.</p> + +<p>Now, in the clear brightness of the spring morning +he paced to and fro on the south terrace.</p> + +<p>Behind him glittered the long French windows +of the morning-room, one of which stood open, +revealing the luxury of the room beyond; the +table with its silver and delicate china service, and +the purple hangings of the walls.</p> + +<p>Presently he stopped in his stroll and turned his +stern eyes towards the landscape stretching beneath +him. Through the confusion of the dark woods +there lay a long line of turf, cut here and there by +formidable hedges, and divided by a streak of +glittering silver, which was in reality a dangerous +stream--indeed, higher up it became a torrent--forming +the final obstacle of the Barminster steeple-course. +All the Leroys had been fond of horses. +The Barminster stables had sent many a satin-coated +colt to carry off the gold cup; and this +race-course had been carefully kept and preserved +by the family for many generations.</p> + +<p>While he stood gazing on it a light footstep +sounded behind him, and a slender hand was laid +on his shoulder. He turned slowly, and with a +kind of kingly courtesy kissed the long white +fingers.</p> + +<p>"You are early as usual, Constance," he said +approvingly.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance Tremaine smiled as she turned +with him and walked along the mosaic pavement +of the terrace. She was little more than a girl, +with a slim, graceful figure, and clad in a simple +white morning gown, which served to enhance her +youthful beauty. Her face was a pure oval, with +clear-cut features and an exquisitely curved, sensitive +mouth, while her grey-blue eyes gazed from +beneath their thick lashes with a calm serenity +that bred faith and confidence in those who looked +upon them. Crowned with a wealth of pale golden +hair, together with her delicate complexion, she +looked as if she had stepped from one of the old +Florentine pictures of the saints.</p> + +<p>As the two so typical of youth and age stood +side by side in the clear morning light, the resemblance +between them was marked. Indeed, they +were related, for the Tremaines were a distant +branch of the Leroy family, and the same proud +blood ran in their veins. Lady Constance had +been brought up in the Barminster household, +and Adrien had grown to regard her in the light +of a loved and trusted sister; but, as yet, nothing +more.</p> + +<p>"Won't you come in to breakfast?" she said, +as they reached the end of the terrace. "Aunt +Penelope is not coming down; her nerves are bad +this morning."</p> + +<p>Miss Penelope Leroy, Lord Barminster's only +sister, was not strictly speaking Constance's aunt, +merely a distant cousin; but as a child Constance +had been accustomed to call her so, and the habit +had grown up with her.</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster smiled grimly.</p> + +<p>"I advised her to let the cucumber alone last +night," was his only comment as he turned towards +the breakfast room.</p> + +<p>Constance smiled too, for she knew that when +Miss Penelope complained of her nerves, it was in +reality nothing but a case of indigestion.</p> + +<p>"How bright the course looks this morning!" +she said, with a charitable wish to change the +subject, for Lord Barminster was apt at times to +wax caustic over his sister's small weaknesses.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said grimly; "like all things dangerous, +it is pleasant to the eye. I hate that strip +of green--it is the grave of many a Leroys' best +hope. The turf has always been a fatal snare to +our race. But, come," he broke off, "let us go in. +Thank goodness, Adrien arrives to-day."</p> + +<p>"To-day?" repeated Lady Constance, a delicate +flush rising to her sweet face. "I thought he +was not going to arrive until the morning of the +race."</p> + +<p>"The race is to-morrow, but he comes to-day," +answered Lord Barminster. "I had a note from +him last night saying he would be here by lunch +time, and was bringing a few friends down +with him."</p> + +<p>"And Mr. Vermont, too?" inquired Lady +Constance almost timidly.</p> + +<p>The old man's face darkened and his thin lips +set in a hard line.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said fiercely, "I suppose so. Adrien +is as much in love with him as a young fellow with +his first sweetheart. I know that he's a scoundrel +and a rogue--but there, what would you? Times +have changed since my day; we have replaced +horses by motors, to spoil our roads and ruin our +lands, and gentleman friends by base-born, scheming +adventurers."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but, uncle," Lady Constance timidly remonstrated, +"surely Mr. Vermont is a gentleman?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, by Act of Parliament!" snapped the old +man, in whose aristocratic eyes a lawyer was but +little removed from the criminal whose case he +defended.</p> + +<p>"Certainly it is strange that Adrien should be so +attached to him," the girl said musingly; she, herself, +had little liking for the gentleman in question, +though her sense of justice had made her speak a +good word for him. "But he is a clever steward, +at least."</p> + +<p>"A rogue's only virtue," said Lord Barminster +dryly.</p> + +<p>"Amusing, too," she suggested.</p> + +<p>"We've no longer need of a court jester," returned +her companion, with sarcasm. "But never +mind, Adrien will find out his mistake for himself +one day. Certainly, I am not going to attempt to +strip the mask off his friend's face. Give him rope +enough, and he will hang himself. Meanwhile, give +me some more coffee, and leave the fellow's name +alone; I hate even the thought of him."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance refilled his cup and brought it +to the end of the table, for she loved to wait on the +old man. As she did so, his sharp eyes caught the +glitter of a piece of needlework across the back of +her chair, and with a curt gesture towards it, he +said:</p> + +<p>"What is that?"</p> + +<p>She blushed, almost deeply, then took it up, and +opened it out for him to see. It was a silk riding +jacket, in the scarlet and white racing colours of +the Leroys, and their coat of arms, worked in silver, +upon the breast.</p> + +<p>"For the Grand National," said Lady Constance, +as she refolded the jacket.</p> + +<p>"You worked it yourself?" questioned the old +man abruptly.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied, blushing again. Then, as he +was silent for some minutes, she said almost timidly: +"You do not mind, uncle, do you?"</p> + +<p>He started. "Mind! Good Heavens, child, why +should I? You know the wish of my heart only +too well. What better favour could he wear than +yours? As far as I am concerned, you were plighted +in your cradles. Leroy and Tremaine are no +unequal match. No--no--my dear, make his +jacket, and win his heart--if you can!"</p> +<br> + +<p>Some few hours later, panting and throbbing, +the Daimler motor drew up in the Castle courtyard--Adrien +and his friends had arrived for the great +steeplechase.</p> + +<p>Attracted by the sound of the barking dogs, who +apparently disliked the unaccustomed monster--Lord +Barminster himself invariably using horses--Lady +Constance stepped from her room on to the +balcony which looked down upon the courtyard +beneath. The gentlemen's hats flew off in greeting, +and, as Adrien looked up, an unusual thrill ran +through him as he noted the simple beauty of the +girl above him.</p> + +<p>"We thought we'd left the sun behind us, Constance, +but evidently 'she' is still overhead," he +said, smiling.</p> + +<p>She looked down with mock reproof, playfully +shaking at him a flower which she held in her +hand.</p> + +<p>"I thought compliments were out of date, +Adrien. Have you enjoyed your drive?"</p> + +<p>"Not half so much as the welcome," was the +courteous reply, as he caught the rose which she +had let fall.</p> + +<p>She laughed, and blushed a little, then turned to +the other members of the party, who had now +alighted from the car.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Lord Standon, I did not know you were +coming." Then, as that young man's face lengthened, +she added quickly: "Unexpected pleasures +are always welcome. I am glad to see you, Mr. +Paxhorn."</p> + +<p>After a word of greeting to Mortimer Shelton, +she drew back into her room; while the men, +laughing and chatting, passed into the great hall, +where they found Lord Barminster awaiting them. +His stern face softened into a welcome, as, with +outstretched hand, he came forward to greet his +guests.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Shelton!" he said, "so you keep my boy +company, and you, Paxhorn and Standon. Gentlemen, +you are welcome--though there's no need to +remind you of that, I know. Adrien," turning to +his son, "you have a fine day, did you drive or +ride?"</p> + +<p>"We motored down, sir," answered the young +man, in his soft, melodious voice.</p> + +<p>His father frowned slightly. He heartily detested +all modern innovations, and would never hold that +motors--or, indeed, any increased facilities for +travelling--were improvements. "They breed discontent, +sir," he would declaim vigorously. "In +my young days people were content to stay in the +place in which they had been born, and do their +duty. Now, forsooth, they must see this country +and that, and visit a dozen places in the year, +where their grandparents visited one. Anything +for an excuse to fritter away their hard-earned +savings!"</p> + +<p>On this occasion, however, he made no comment, +but turned to Mortimer Shelton.</p> + +<p>"You'll find the roads here better suited for +horses than for oil-cans," he said grimly. "We are +primitive, as you know."</p> + +<p>Shelton laughed; but he knew his host's ideas on +this subject, and was apt to respect them.</p> + +<p>"So much the better, sir," he said in a +cheerful tone; "I am a bit tired of the smell +of petrol myself. Give me Nature without a +corset."</p> + +<p>"You'll certainly get that here," Lord Barminster +replied, favouring his young guest with an +approving glance.</p> + +<p>Shortly afterwards, they made their way to the +morning-room. Here, luncheon had been laid, and +Lord Barminster, Miss Penelope, with Lady Constance, +were awaiting them. The little party sat +down to table, each one secretly only too ready for +the meal; for the ride through the fresh, country +air had been a fairly long one.</p> + +<p>"I was really hungry, Constance," Adrien said, +with his low, careless laugh. "There must be +magic in the air of Barminster."</p> + +<p>"Yet still you come here so seldom," returned +his cousin gently.</p> + +<p>"Business and the cares of State," quoted Adrien, +with a smile. "But I might retaliate. Why do +we not see you up in town? Society misses one of +its brightest stars."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance toyed idly with the grapes on +her plate; then she looked up.</p> + +<p>"Society has many brighter lights than I, +Adrien," she said quietly. "But now, tell me +about the race--auntie is terribly anxious over it; +are you not, dear?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, my love," returned Miss Penelope, who, +in reality, hardly knew one horse from another.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Adrien always wins," put in Lord Standon. +"That's a foregone conclusion. Have you seen the +'King' lately, Lady Constance?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," she replied, "He is exercised in the +paddock every morning, and is in fine form."</p> + +<p>Adrien smiled.</p> + +<p>"Poor 'King Cole'; he'll be worth his weight +in gold if he wins to-morrow! What about the +other horses, Stan; are they down?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Lord Standon; "my man saw +some of them at the station; but no sign of the +Yorkshire chestnut."</p> + +<p>"So much the better," said Adrien; "perhaps +his owner has thought discretion the better part of +valour and withdrawn him."</p> + +<p>The conversation then flowed into other channels; +Paxhorn provoking roars of merriment by his +stories and epigrams. Presently the ladies withdrew; +Lady Constance to prepare for a ride with +Adrien, which he had just suggested, and Miss +Penelope to rest her "nerves."</p> + +<p>While waiting for his cousin to rejoin him Adrien +crossed over to the window, which commanded a +view of the Castle entrance, and stood gazing +idly down. Outside stood a smart motor, and +from it was alighting the trim figure of Jasper +Vermont.</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I had forgotten +Jasper."</p> + +<p>He tapped at the window, and waved his hand +in affectionate greeting to his friend, who looked +up with his most amiable smile, as he brushed +aside the servants who had hurried out to meet +him.</p> + +<p>There are people who are served well from sheer +force of personality, and who, though neither +generous nor unselfish themselves, yet contrive to +abstract the very essence of these qualities from +those around them; and of these Jasper Vermont +was one. His tips were few, though he was lavish +in smiles and honeyed words; yet not one of the +retinue of servants at Barminster Castle but would +fly to attend to his wants, as they would those of +Adrien or Lord Barminster himself.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later he strolled into the room +where the rest of the guests were seated. As he +did so Lord Barminster involuntarily drew himself +up with a slight frown. He had hoped that the +"adventurer," as he invariably termed him, would +remain in town and not thrust his unwelcome +presence upon the guests at the Castle. But, in +another minute, his natural courtesy reasserted +itself; and, though it was patent to the least +observant that the new arrival was not as +welcome as he might have been, he answered +Jasper's amiable inquiry as to his health politely +enough.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mr. Vermont," he said grimly, +"I am quite well. But you, I fear, are an +invalid."</p> + +<p>His sharp eyes glanced towards the closed motor, +which was gliding round the bend of the drive.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I am quite well, I assure you," Jasper +replied, meekly, as if unconscious of any irony.</p> + +<p>"But I have learned enough wisdom to feel convinced +that all journeys, including that of life itself, +should be taken as comfortably as possible. I +prefer, therefore, to have the dust and smell outside +the car instead of in. Am I not right?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly," returned his opponent, with a +sarcastic smile; "you should surely know your +own constitution best. It was an unfortunate error +on my part."</p> + +<p>At this moment, Adrien, who had been listening +to the point-and-thrust conversation, exceedingly +ill at ease, intervened, and under some pretext drew +his father out with him into the corridor.</p> + +<p>"I do detest that fellow so," said the old man +apologetically, as though ashamed at having +displayed his feelings.</p> + +<p>"It's a pity, sir," returned Adrien, respectfully; +for his father was the only person who dared say a +word in disfavour of his friend. "He takes any +amount of pains to save me trouble."</p> + +<p>"Well, it pays him," retorted Lord Barminster +dryly; then with a wave of the hand as if to dismiss +an unpleasant subject, he added, "You're off to the +stables, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied Adrien, "I want to have a look +at 'King Cole.'" With a friendly nod, he ran +lightly down the wide oak staircase and disappeared +in the direction of the stables.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Lord Barminster stood gazing +after him, his stern face relaxed, his keen eyes +softened. Adrien was more to him than all his +possessions, which were vast enough to have provided +for a dozen sons. Therefore, he denied him +nothing, however extravagant or reckless in price, +and refrained from any comment on his line of +conduct.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER IX</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Adrien's appearance in the stable-yard was the +signal for much excitement among the hands there; +and presently the head groom made his appearance, +struggling into his coat, while coughing with +embarrassed respect.</p> + +<p>"Good morning, Markham," said his master with +a nod; "where's the 'King'?"</p> + +<p>"In the south stable, sir," replied the man, as +he fumbled in his pocket for the keys. "You would +like to see him, sir?"</p> + +<p>Adrien nodded, and made his way to the stable, +accompanied by the groom. </p> + +<p>"No one else is allowed to enter the stable but +yourself, Markham?" he asked, as the man unlocked +the door.</p> + +<p>"No one, sir. I'm always here when he's being +littered or fed. Not a soul touches him without +I'm at his side. He's in fine condition, sir; I never +saw him in better."</p> + +<p>Adrien passed his hand over the satiny coat of +the race-horse. The dainty creature pricked up his +finely-pointed ears, and turned to his master with +a whinny of delight.</p> + +<p>"He looks well enough," he admitted. "Has he +had his gallop this morning?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; but would you like to see him across +the paddock?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Adrien. "By the way, who rides +him to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Peacock, sir."</p> + +<p>"Ah, the new jockey."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; Mr. Vermont's lad," returned the +groom.</p> + +<p>"A good seat?" asked Adrien.</p> + +<p>"Capital, never saw a better, sir, and weighs +next to nothing. I'll send for him." He whistled, +and half a dozen stable helpers rushing forward, he +despatched them to find the jockey. While waiting, +the groom had the precious "King" brought into +the yard and saddled; and in a few moments the +man arrived. Markham had called him a lad; but +in reality he was almost middle-aged, with the +stunted stature of a child. Adrien looked him over +critically.</p> + +<p>"So you ride the 'King' to-morrow?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir," replied the dwarf humbly.</p> + +<p>"Let me see you take him round the paddock," +said Adrien. The man threw off his coat, showing +himself to be in shabby riding costume; then, +vaulting into the saddle, he took the racer to the +meadow at the back of the stable-yard. Adrien +watched the bird-like flight of the superb animal, +and nodded approvingly when he presently returned +to the starting-point.</p> + +<p>"You'll do," he said, as the jockey dismounted; +"ride like that to-morrow, and we shall win. There +is something for you, but no drinking, mind."</p> + +<p>He held out a ten-pound note as he spoke. The +man stared at it for a moment, then crouching almost +like a dog, took it gingerly by the edge.</p> + +<p>"Don't be afraid, man; one would think you +expected a blow," said Adrien, with a smile.</p> + +<p>Touching his forelock, the man took the note, and +Adrien turned away. As he walked out of the +stable-yard he happened to glance back at Markham, +who was re-covering the "King," and he saw +that the jockey was still gazing after him, with a +tense, almost longing expression in his small, deep-set +eyes.</p> + +<p>"Poor devil!" said Leroy to himself as he went +up the drive, "I must get Jasper to do something +for him, especially if he wins--I only hope he doesn't +get drunk!"</p> + +<p>In the courtyard Lady Constance's horse and his +own were waiting for him and in a few moments the +girl herself appeared, accompanied by the ever-smiling +Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<p>Blessed by nature with a good figure, Art, as +represented by French modistes and Redfern, had +put the finishing touches, with the result that Lady +Constance Tremaine, whether in evening dress or +the blue cloth riding-habit of the field, was a joy +to the eye. As she stood now, waiting Adrien's +approach, he could not help mentally contrasting +her natural, spiritual type of beauty with the made-up +and coarsened charms of Ada Lester, and he +wondered how he could have been so blind as not +to notice it before.</p> + +<p>He was not the only one who admired her. +Jasper Vermont had elected himself as the girl's +chief slave, and whenever he was at Barminster +Castle invariably managed to carry out her lightest +whims--indeed, would even endeavour to forestall +them. Now it was he who attended to her saddle, +and helped her into it before Adrien had fully +realised what he was about to do; and for once +Leroy experienced just the least feeling of resentment +towards his devoted friend.</p> + +<p>For a while the two rode almost in silence; but +after the first canter Adrien reined up his horse +close to that of his companion. Lady Constance +purposely brought the conversation round to his +estates, for, with all his dissipation and languor, +Leroy was no indifferent landlord, and Lord +Barminster invariably referred all complaints--such +few as there were--to his son.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry you would not renew the lease +for Farmer Darrell," she said gently; "he is +almost heart-broken at having to leave Briar +Farm."</p> + +<p>Adrien pulled up his horse sharply.</p> + +<p>"Farmer Darrell to leave Briar Farm!" he said +quickly. "What do you mean, Constance?"</p> + +<p>She looked at him steadily, as she replied:</p> + +<p>"I rode over there yesterday, and found them +all in great trouble. They told me Mr. Vermont, +acting under your orders, had refused to grant them +new leases. I promised to speak to Uncle Phillip; +but you know how angry he gets whenever any +one mentions Mr. Vermont's name, so I thought +I would ask you myself." She blushed crimson, +as if at her own boldness. "Of course, you mustn't +do it just on my account, but--"</p> + +<p>"Mustn't I?" interrupted her cousin, looking +keenly, almost affectionately at the slim, girlish +figure, and pretty piquant face. "I should certainty +grant whatever you asked me if it lay in my +power. As a matter of fact, however, I think +Jasper said that, as they were unable to make +Briar Farm pay, would I lower the rent; and as +that would be creating a precedent for all the other +tenants--I refused."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance nodded her head. "Quite +right," she agreed; "but I happen to know that +the farm does pay splendidly, and--"</p> + +<p>"In any case, Constance," interrupted Adrien, +almost tenderly, "it is quite sufficient, if you wish +it so. But I think--I am sure--Jasper must have +made a mistake."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance did not reply, but wisely changed +the subject; she was too clever to pursue her +advantage, and she had gained her point--sown the +least little doubt of Mr. Jasper Vermont's rectitude +in Adrien's mind.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Vermont had also betaken himself +to the stables; but he did not ask to see "King +Cole"--contenting himself with beaming admiringly +on Mr. Markham, while the head groom held forth +on all the precautions he was taking with regard +to the precious animal's safety.</p> + +<p>"An' if he's got at, Mr. Vermont, sir, I'll eat my +head," was his parting speech.</p> + +<p>In reply to which Mr. Vermont murmured inaudibly, +as he walked away: "It's a lucky job, my +good fellow, that I shan't make you keep your word!"</p> + +<p>At the end of the plantation, beyond the stable +buildings, there was a little cottage attached to the +straw-yard. Having reached this, Jasper listened +attentively; then, without any warning knock, he +lifted the latch, and entered.</p> + +<p>To all appearances the room was empty, save for +some pieces of poor furniture. But the visitor, +blinking at the sudden transition from light to +darkness, walked over to a rough couch, where lay +the misshapen jockey Peacock, either asleep or +deep in thought. Jasper shook him angrily by the +shoulder, and a sullen scowl darkened the little +monkey-like face as he recognised his visitor.</p> + +<p>"Well?" he said gruffly, without attempting to +change his position.</p> + +<p>"Short, and not polite!" retorted Jasper, +shaking him again. "Didn't I tell you I'd come +here to-day, you imp of darkness?"</p> + +<p>"You did, guv'nor," the man replied sullenly.</p> + +<p>"Well, here I am. You're not drunk, are you? +Here--let's look at you." With a cruel smile, the +soft, amiable Mr. Vermont seized the ear of the +dwarfed jockey and dragged him to the light. +"No, not drunk--for a wonder. Well, you know +what to do to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>The man nodded sulkily.</p> + +<p>"Tighten and choke off at the last hurdle. Mind +you do it neatly, too. You <i>can</i> do it, I know; and +it won't be the first little affair you've sold, eh? +You sold one too many, though, when you crossed +my path, and you know what will happen if you +fail me."</p> + +<p>"All right," the jockey muttered hoarsely.</p> + +<p>"I hope it will be all right," said his persecutor, +shaking him gently to and fro by the ear. "If not, +you'll find yourself in the care of a paternal Government--I +tell you--picking oakum."</p> + +<p>The man gave a sudden jerk and released himself +from the cruel grasp; then he looked up almost +piteously.</p> + +<p>"Must we do it, guv'nor?" he said hoarsely. +"I've seen 'im----"</p> + +<p>"Him! whom, you idiot?"</p> + +<p>"Him--Mr. Leroy--as we're to sell."</p> + +<p>"You're to sell, you mean, you gallows-bird," +returned Jasper.</p> + +<p>The man eyed him viciously.</p> + +<p>"Yus," he growled, "you think you're going to +git off scot-free, don't yer? What if I don't do it? +He giv' me a tenner, he did. 'E's a real gent. +What if I don't do it?" he repeated.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont's eyes narrowed till he looked like +a snake about to strike. Raising the riding-whip +which he had in his hand, he seized the wretched +creature once more, and brought the whip down +again and again on his almost skeleton body.</p> + +<p>"Play me false, you hound, and I'll kill you," he +almost hissed; and, half beside himself with pain +and rage, the jockey gasped brokenly:</p> + +<p>"Stop! stop! I'll do it."</p> +<br> + +<p>It was just five o'clock when Lady Constance +and Leroy returned from their ride. During the +course of it Adrien had realised something of his +cousin's beauty of character, as well as of face. +Until that day he had only regarded her as a younger +sister, pretty, perhaps, in a quiet, retiring way, but +nothing more. Now, as he lifted her down from the +saddle, he could have bent and reverently kissed +the little foot that lodged so lightly in the stirrup.</p> + +<p>Woman-like, she was quick to notice the change +in him, and her heart beat high with hope.</p> + +<p>"He will love me yet," she whispered to herself +triumphantly, as, with outward calmness, she bade +him <i>au revoir</i> till they should meet at dinner.</p> + +<p>Adrien went straight to his own rooms. An +unusual restlessness was upon him, and his pulses +throbbed wildly, but as yet he did not understand +what these things meant. He, who had played the +lover so lightly all his life, did not realise that it +was now his turn to feel Cupid's dart, and that +he was becoming as deeply enamoured of his pretty +cousin as any raw boy straight from college.</p> + +<p>As he paced up and down his luxurious study, +thoughtfully smoking a cigar, his past life rose +before him, with all its idleness and wasted years. +He knew that with most women he had only to +throw down the glove for it to be snatched up +eagerly; women had loved him, petted and spoilt +him ever since he could remember. But here was +one who thought of him as nothing but a means +to save her people--or, rather, his people---from +distress. It said much for Lady Constance's +powers of reserve that she had impressed him thus, +and had she known it, nothing could have helped +her cause more.</p> + +<p>Throwing himself into a chair, the young man +reviewed again the incidents of their ride. How +beautiful she had looked; how pointedly and yet +gently she had reproved him for his long absences +from his estates and the people who loved him. +Well, it should come to an end now, and there and +then he formed a resolve to return to town directly +after the race, and go through his affairs with Jasper. +His friend would help him to lead a worthier and +more useful life, he thought--if any one could +do so.</p> + +<p>When he went down to dinner that night few +would have noticed any difference in his calm face +and demeanour; none, indeed, save Lady Constance +herself, who, with the subtlety which seems inbred +in even the best of her sex, devoted her attention +almost exclusively to Mr. Jasper Vermont. It was +he who was allowed to sit next her at dinner; it +was to him she turned when the race, with which +all present were concerned, was the subject under +discussion.</p> + +<p>Adrien noted all this, and his heart grew heavy +within him. But he did not grudge Jasper her +favour--as yet; he blamed himself too deeply for +the neglect of his past opportunities.</p> + +<p>Jasper skilfully turned the conversation to Lady +Merivale's ball, which he described in detail to Lady +Constance; adding many little realistic touches +concerning the fair hostess and Adrien, till he had +convinced her--as he thought--that there was a +great deal more between them than was really the +case. For Vermont, as had been said before, was +"no fool"; and he realised only too well in what +direction events were tending with Lady Constance +and her cousin.</p> + +<p>But she showed no signs either of understanding +or misunderstanding his allusions to Adrien, and +began to discuss a ball which Miss Penelope was +trying to arrange.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Shelton, I am counting on you to help us," +she said, turning to the gentleman on her other side. +"Auntie has been besieging uncle for the last two +months; and has, I think, carried the citadel."</p> + +<p>"What is the motive of the attack?" inquired +Mortimer Shelton.</p> + +<p>"Aunt Penelope wants a fancy dress dance in the +ball-room in the east wing," she returned gaily, +adding, as she looked across at her cousin, who was +listening attentively: "Adrien, if you would add +your word, we should get it. Won't you do so?"</p> + +<p>"A fancy dress ball here?" he replied. "But +if my father has refused you, it is scarcely likely +that I shall have any more influence." He turned +to his aunt. "Why not have Barminster House, +Aunt Penelope?" This was the town house, +supposed to be given up almost exclusively to the +young man's use, though he generally inhabited his +own chambers in Jermyn Street. "I will hand it +over to you from cellar to attic, and will bind +myself to be your faithful slave from early morn to +dewy eve."</p> + +<p>His aunt laughed.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you, Adrien, I know your idea of +slavery," she said. "You would hand it over to +Mr. Vermont, and he does quite enough of your work +already." Vermont was a favourite with Miss +Penelope, owing chiefly to his frequent gifts of +<i>marron glacés</i>--a great weakness of hers. "Besides," +she continued, "Barminster House is too +modern. I want to revive a ball, just as it happened +two or three centuries ago. It must be Barminster +Castle or nothing."</p> + +<p>Adrien smiled across at her.</p> + +<p>"Your word is law, my dear aunt; but if I were +you, and it comes off at all, I'd leave the arranging +of it to Jasper."</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont beamed. Nothing seemed to please +him so much as the idea of work, especially when it +involved the spending of money other than his own.</p> + +<p>"I am at your service, dear lady," he said +amiably.</p> + +<p>Miss Penelope rose, and gave the signal for +the ladies to retire.</p> + +<p>"I shall take you at your word, Mr. Vermont," +she said graciously, as she passed out.</p> + +<p>After the ladies had gone, the wine circulated +freely, and in the merry badinage that followed +it must be admitted that Jasper Vermont was the life +and soul of the party. He had the newest scandal +at his finger-tips, the latest theatrical news; and +all was related in a witty manner that kept his listeners +in a perpetual roar of laughter.</p> + +<p>Adrien, though compelled by politeness to take +his share in the conversation, was yet glad when +they adjourned to the silver drawing-room. This +was one of the smallest of the half-dozen +drawing-rooms in Barminster Castle, and was decorated entirely +in blue and silver. The furniture was upholstered in pale blue stain and silver embroideries. +Curtains, hangings, and even carpet, were +all of the same colour, while the mirrors and ornaments were entirely of silver.</p> + +<p>To-night, Lady Constance's dress matched the room, +for it was of palest azure silk, veiled with chiffon, +on which were Etruscan silver ornaments +and silver-thread embroidery. It was a colour +which suited her shell-like complexion; and she looked her best in it.</p> + +<p>She was at the piano when the men entered; and +Leroy, who was passionately fond of music, and a +musician of no mean order himself, came straight +over to her. At his request, Constance sang song +after song; while Vermont sat a little apart, listening, +and occasionally glancing thoughtfully at the +beautiful profile of the singer. Then his cold, malignant +eyes would wander with an almost +sinister expression over the rapt face of his friend and +benefactor, as he leaned over the piano. But +at any movement of the other guests his countenance +would assume its usual amiability of expression, as +though a mask were re-adjusted, while his fat, +white hand softly beat time to the music.</p> + +<p>At last Lady Constance declared she was tired, +and turned to Adrien, begging him to sing instead. +He hesitated for a moment; then, as if throwing +off the unusual moodiness that oppressed him, he +seated himself at the piano; and, after a few +moments of restless improvisation, he sang song +after song from Schumann's "Dichter-liebe," with +an intensity of passion in the clear tenor notes that +thrilled the soul of every listener.</p> + +<p>In the silence which fell on the little company +when the last chords died away, Jasper Vermont, +half-hidden by the curtain, opened the window, and +slipped out on the terrace. The moon shone full on +his white face, distorted with an unaccountable +fury, as he muttered through his clenched teeth: +"Curse the fellow! How I hate him!"</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER X</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The morning of the race dawned clear and bright, +and the Leroy course shone like a strip of emerald +velvet in the crisp, sparkling air.</p> + +<p>Since sunrise, throngs of people, men, women, +and children, had been streaming in from the outlying +districts, some many miles away; while at +the side of the course stretched a long line of +vehicles of all kinds, which had already disbursed +their load.</p> + +<p>In twos and threes the late horses arrived +swaddled in cloths, and surrounded by the usual +crowd of bow-legged grooms and diminutive jockeys; +while the air reeked with the smell of the stable and +the oaths and slang of the men.</p> + +<p>Later still came the bookmakers with their brisk, +business-like method of entering the bets, big or +small; the "swell's" thousand or the countryman's +shilling were all one to them. And lastly, +amid all the din and turmoil of the most crowded +meeting Barminster had ever witnessed, came the +army of the Castle servants to put the finishing +touches to the boxes in the grand stand, over +which floated the Leroy colours.</p> + +<p>Towards noon, the hour at which the first race +was to be run, the crowd grew denser, the excitement +keener.</p> + +<p>"Two to one on 'King Cole'--three to one +'Miracour'--and five to one 'Bay Star'--six to +one, bar three"--all these cries rose in a loud, +turbulent roar. It was known to all that the +"swells"--as they termed the Castle people--had +backed their champion "King Cole" for sums +which, as Jasper Vermont had rightly said the +preceding night, would almost equal his weight in +gold; and such was their faith in him that no other +horse had been entered from that same county.</p> + +<p>Twelve o'clock struck, and no signs as yet of the +Leroy party; that is to say, with the exception of +one man, namely, Mr. Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<p>"Your swells are always late," said a thick-lipped +turfite, biting his stubby pencil prior to booking a +favourable bet. "They gives any money for style, +an' plays it high on us. It ain't their way to be to +time for anything, not they--only us poor chaps."</p> + +<p>The surrounding crowd echoed his shout of "two +to one on 'King Cole,'" despite his diatribes against +the swells; when suddenly attention was caught +by a dark chestnut, thin in the flank, and badly +groomed, which was led into the paddock by a +dirty, close-shaven countryman, who looked as +nonchalant and self-satisfied as if he held the bridle +of "King Cole" himself.</p> + +<p>Presently, while the crowd pushed around the +sacred enclosure, Jasper Vermont walked swiftly +up to the Yorkshireman, and whispered behind a +sheltering cough:</p> + +<p>"That will do. Take him off. The plant's safe +without him."</p> + +<p>Three minutes later, a laugh of derision arose as +the announcement was made that the chestnut was +"scratched." But further discussion died down, +as the Leroy carriages arrived---only just in time, +for the saddling bell had already rang.</p> + +<p>The course was now looking its best. Long lines +of glittering motors and smart carriages had joined +their humbler brethren of traps and omnibuses. +The seats and stands were filled with gaily-dressed +people; women in their furs, velvets and exquisite +hats, giving the impression from a distance of a +huge living flower garden.</p> + +<p>On the appearance of Adrien Leroy, the excitement +reached its height, for he was known to everybody +by name and sight, and was, moreover, the +owner of the favourite.</p> + +<p>The carriage containing Lord Barminster had +been drawn up as near the course as possible, and +as far from the crowd as space would permit; for +his lordship invariably refused to mix with any +concourse of people, even when they consisted of +his own order.</p> + +<p>Adrien, having seen that he was comfortable, +escorted the ladies down to their seats on the grand +stand; then he betook himself to the paddock, +where "King Cole" had just been saddled.</p> + +<p>At the sound of the loved voice the beautiful +animal turned his head, with a whinny of delight. +Then, as the two people he disliked with every fibre +of his being approached him--Jasper Vermont and +Peacock, the jockey--he laid his ears back with +every appearance of alarm and distrust. It seemed +as if his animal instincts were keener than those of +his master.</p> + +<p>Leroy stroked the soft nose of the race-horse, +while Jasper passed his hand admiringly over the +satiny neck.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful as a daisy," he exclaimed, and as +Mr. Vermont would hardly have recognised that +humble flower if he had seen it, this was rather +qualified praise.</p> + +<p>"Too long in the leg," murmured a man whom +Jasper had previously introduced as a sporting +friend of his.</p> + +<p>Adrien turned round and surveyed the speaker +calmly for a moment.</p> + +<p>"Too leggy, you think, do you? I'll lay two to +one upon them."</p> + +<p>"Done," said the man sharply. "Hundreds or +thousands?"</p> + +<p>"Thousands," said Adrien quietly.</p> + +<p>Jasper touched him on the arm and whispered, +in gentle remonstrance:</p> + +<p>"Steady, old chap, there's pots of money on +him as it is. Don't you think it would be as +well--"</p> + +<p>"Make it thousands," interrupted Adrien, almost +haughtily, as he turned on his heel.</p> + +<p>The man booked the bet, bowed to Vermont, as +to an utter stranger, and the two gentlemen passed +to the weighing-seat. Peacock had already gone +to don his riding-clothes, and without waiting to see +him again, Adrien and his companion returned to +the grand stand. Here Leroy stopped to speak to +Lady Merivale, who, with her sister, the Marchioness +of Caine, had motored down from London to witness +the race.</p> + +<p>The marchioness was a lady with a passion for +bridge, and an intense admiration for Adrien Leroy.</p> + +<p>"You are quite sure your horse, that pretty +creature with the long neck, is going to win?" she +inquired, as he stood by her chair.</p> + +<p>Her sister, Lady Merivale, looked up mockingly.</p> + +<p>"Of course he's going to win, Alicia. Did not +Lady Constance Tremaine say so? Surely <i>she</i> +ought to know!"</p> + +<p>Leroy did not appear to notice the jealous sarcasm +of this speech.</p> + +<p>"I hope he will win," he said gravely. "Nothing +is certain in this world, and race-horses are said to +be as fickle as your sex, dear lady." This was a +mild thrust at Lady Merivale; but she only smiled +sweetly in response. "Still, I think you may safely +bet on the 'King'; he's in fine form." Then he +turned to his cousin. "Here is your <i>beau</i> cavalier, +Constance," he said, almost jealously, as Jasper +Vermont came leisurely up the steps of the grand +stand; then, with a swift glance at the girl which +was not lost upon Lady Merivale, he went down +once more to his father.</p> + +<p>"The bell is about to ring now," he said. "Are +you sure you can see?"</p> + +<p>"Quite sure," replied Lord Barminster curtly. +"How is the horse?"</p> + +<p>"In splendid form, sir," Adrien answered cheerfully. +"I should think it is a safe thing. If you +are quite all right, I'll get back to the others now, +before the crush begins."</p> + +<p>His father nodded, and the young man made his +way back to the stand. Here he found the Castle +guests already seated. Harsh cries from the betting-ring +still ascended at intervals, though the majority +of the vast crowd had settled down to watch the +race. With a thrill of pleasure, Adrien saw that +Lady Constance had kept a seat vacant for him +beside herself; and with a light word to Lady +Merivale as he passed, he took his place, and unstrapping +the heavy field-glasses, arranged them to +Lady Constance's liking.</p> + +<p>"Can you see all right?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Beautifully," she replied, as she tried them. +"What excitement they are all in," she added, as +she surveyed the seething crowd.</p> + +<p>Adrien smiled, pleased because she was pleased; +for himself, except that he wished his horse to win +in order that it should gain fresh laurels, he had no +interest in the affair. Certainly he never gave a +thought to the fearful amount of money involved.</p> + +<p>Then, amid a murmur of excitement, the starting-gate +went up, and the horses were off. For a while +"Miracour" led; "Bluebell" running close beside +him; the "King" striding along in cool, quiet +canter that covered the miles at greater speed than +the little mare could hope to maintain.</p> + +<p>"There goes the 'King'!" exclaimed Lady +Caine, almost rising from her seat in her excitement. +"Oh, I do hope he will win don't you, Mr. Vermont?"</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled.</p> + +<p>"I do, indeed," he said, while his little steely +eyes rested upon the shrivelled figure of Peacock, the +jockey, with a keen, cold scrutiny.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the horses pounded away over the +course, still in the same order. "Miracour" +leading, "Bluebell" falling behind, and the "King" +creeping up easily to the second place.</p> + +<p>The first fence placed nearly half the horses out +of the running; the next threw out two more, +though the "King" cleared it in his stride, so close +in the wake of his rival that a speck of white foam +flecked the haunches of the leader.</p> + +<p>Adrien nodded approvingly.</p> + +<p>"That fellow knows how to ride," he said. "If +he keeps the 'King' like that, the race is ours."</p> + +<p>"Oh yes," agreed Vermont, smiling grimly; +"he understands him, evidently. It is to be hoped +he keeps him cool till the spurt comes."</p> + +<p>"Which will be after the last jump," put in Lord +Standon, as he shifted his field-glasses.</p> + +<p>"Exactly," purred Jasper.</p> + +<p>Hedge after hedge was cleared, and still "Miracour" +was leading; but it was evident that the high +blood of the "King" was burning to get away, and +that his jockey was playing a waiting game.</p> + +<p>It was at the stream that the strain began to tell. +"Bluebell," the Irish mare, had struggled on +gamely; but at the last she refused to leap, she +stopped short, and her jockey was pitched forward +into the water.</p> + +<p>A laugh arose even in the midst of the excitement; +but it was speedily drowned in the cries of +"The 'King' wins. No! No! 'Miracour!'--'Vicket'--beats. No! No! the 'King'--the +'King's' got away!"</p> + +<p>They were right, for Peacock had thought it +wisest to put the spurt on already, and the "King," +with every fibre stretched to its utmost, had darted +ahead. "Miracour" caught up again, and side +by side they raced over the level flat, cheered and +shouted at by the frantic crowd.</p> + +<p>A roar like that of the sea broke forth as the two +animals neared the last obstacle, a great hedge +filled with thorn, and like a miniature mountain. +Neck and neck they seemed to be, when suddenly +the "King" darted forward, and, amid terrific +shouts of astonishment, took the leap too short, fell +sideways, and pitched his jockey into the short +scrub, a dozen feet away.</p> + +<p>"Miracour" rose for the leap, and clearing it, +cantered in the winner by sixty lengths.</p> + +<p>For a moment there was tense silence, broken by +a roar of surprise, rage and disappointment, as the +crowd broke away and swarmed over the course to +the spot where the jockey still lay. A murmur of +horror had also gone throughout the length of the +grand stand; but whether of disappointment, or +at the fall of the rider, it was hard to say.</p> + +<p>All eyes were turned on Adrien. His face was +rather pale, but quite calm, and closing up his field-glasses +he said:</p> + +<p>"'Miracour' ran finely. I can't understand the +'King' falling at the last jump. Jasper, let us go +down and see if the fellow is hurt."</p> + +<p>Making their excuses to the ladies they hurried +down the steps, and strode swiftly over the course, +the crowd making way for them in hushed silence, +for they recognised Leroy as the owner of the +defeated favourite.</p> + +<p>Reaching the spot from which the crowd was being +kept back, they found two men bending over the +little heap of scarlet silk and leather. Shelton, who +had been one of the stewards, looked up as Adrien +approached, and shook his head.</p> + +<p>Adrien bent down beside him, and gazed at the +thin, shrivelled face of the jockey.</p> + +<p>"Have you sent for a doctor, Shelton?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied his friend in a hushed voice. +"But I think he will be too late, his spine----"</p> + +<p>At the sound of Adrien's voice, the heavy eyelids +raised themselves; the bloodstained lips parted as +if about to speak.</p> + +<p>"What is it?" said Shelton, bending closer.</p> + +<p>"Where--where is he?" gasped the man in +disjointed words. "I want--to--see him."</p> + +<p>"Whom?" asked Mortimer Shelton gently. +"Whom do you want to see, my poor fellow?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont pushed his way forward, his face +alight with eager sympathy.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I can be of use," he said, "I know him; +perhaps he wants to tell me----"</p> + +<p>The jockey raised his head. It seemed as if the +soft, smooth voice gave him strength to speak. +He glared at Jasper, then his glance fell on the +pitying face of Leroy. With a sudden light in his +eyes, he stretched out his hand.</p> + +<p>"Him--him, the swell--I tell him the race--was--sold! He--Mr. Vermont----"</p> + +<p>His breath came fast in great sobs; he glared +from Adrien to Jasper, then back to Leroy, as if +seeking to convey some warning, but in vain; with +the last words, he fell back.</p> + +<p>A gentleman pushed his way forward.</p> + +<p>"Allow me, I am Doctor Blake," he said, and he +knelt down beside the still form.</p> + +<p>"He is dead," he declared solemnly, as he placed +his hand on the body.</p> + +<p>The crowd fell back still further, with murmurs of +horror. There was a silence, broken at last by +Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<p>"Dear, dear!" he exclaimed in tones in which, +had it not been for the absurdity of the idea, one +might have fancied there was almost a spark of +satisfaction. "How very, very sad. I wouldn't +have had this happen for <i>anything!</i>"</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XI</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>It was night and the race-course lay deserted +and silent beneath the pallid moon. The noisy +crowd had tramped and driven its way back to +London. But there was one whom the noise and +bustle of a race meet would never rouse again--Peacock +the jockey, who lay dead in the stable +house.</p> + +<p>His death had cast a depression over the entire +Castle, and though both Adrien and his father--to +say nothing of Jasper--had striven their +utmost to keep the minds of the guests away from +the unhappy event, it was yet an almost gloomy +party that gathered after dinner in the silver +drawing-room.</p> + +<p>Nearly all had lost heavily through the fall of +poor "King Cole." They had had such entire +faith in their champion, that his loss of the race had +come like a thunder-bolt; and most of all to Adrien +himself. The actual monetary loss did not seem to +trouble him; indeed, it was probable that he himself +was unaware of the immensity of the sum +involved. Only Jasper knew, Jasper who wore his +usual calm, serene smile, and certainly worked hard +to banish all regrets concerning such a trifle as a +dead steeplechaser, as well as any lingering memories +of his dying words.</p> + +<p>"One thing is certain," said Lord Standon +to Lady Constance, who had been sighing over +the defeat. "Adrien will not allow any one to +ride the 'King' again but himself. I heard him +say so."</p> + +<p>"He has lost heavily, I'm afraid," the girl said +in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Immensely," replied Lord Standon, who himself +had, lost more than he could afford--indeed, +there was little doubt that this race would almost +prove his ruin; but, nevertheless, his inordinate +good humour and optimistic nature triumphed +above every other consideration. Certainly, no +word of blame or self-pity would he allow to pass his +lips. "Yes, he has lost more heavily than any of +us, as Mr. Vermont knows; I'll be bound," he broke +off, as that gentleman approached.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont smiled, as he did at every +question or assertion made to him.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid he has plunged deeply this time," +was his smooth reply. "Unfortunately, he only +has himself to blame, though I deplore the fact that +I was not with him at the time."</p> + +<p>Both Lady Constance and Lord Standon looked +up, startled by his tone as much as by his words; +and Jasper continued glibly:</p> + +<p>"He gave the jockey a ten-pound note last night, +and, of course, the man got drunk. Consequences--an +unsteady hand this morning, a hasty push at the +last rise, and a clear loss of the race, not to mention +the colossal sum in bets. All his own fault! If he +will be so recklessly generous, what is to be done? +But, as I said before, I blame myself for not watching +him more closely."</p> + +<p>"No one blames you, Mr. Vermont," said Lord +Standon coldly, for even he, the least suspicious of +men, seemed to detect the false sorrow in the +speaker's voice.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance looked at him gratefully; and +Lord Standon was encouraged thereby to proceed:</p> + +<p>"Adrien is generous to a fault; and if in this +case it has had disastrous results, it is usually a fault +which few imitate."</p> + +<p>Jasper raised his eyebrows; then, with a low bow +to Lady Constance, and a gentle, deprecatory shrug +of his shoulders, walked away.</p> + +<p>The girl waited till he was out of earshot, then +turned impulsively to Lord Standon.</p> + +<p>"I hate that man," she said in a low voice; "and +sometimes I believe he hates Adrien too."</p> + +<p>"So do I," returned Lord Standon, looking +with intense admiration into her lovely, troubled +face.</p> + +<p>"Do you?" she murmured. "Oh, if you would +only try to open my cousin's eyes to his friend's +falseness--I know he's false, but Adrien is so +blind."</p> + +<p>It seemed as if he were blind in more than one +direction; for at that minute Leroy himself crossed +the room, with an aspect that, in any other man, +would have been termed glum. The sight of the +girl with whom he was so rapidly falling in love, +sitting in rapt conversation with Lord Standon--even +though that young man was his friend--had +roused a strong feeling of resentment within his +heart. He restrained himself, however, though it +was in a rather cold, forced voice that he asked +Lady Constance if she would sing. She rose +demurely enough; for his very coldness and +jealousy, slight as it was--careless as she knew it +to be--proved to her that the love she so ardently +desired was awakening at last.</p> + +<p>The evening passed quietly. Adrien himself +refused to sing, though he stayed close by his +cousin's side, and turned over the pages of her +music with such a devoted air that at last the +ladies of the party began to whisper knowingly +amongst themselves.</p> + +<p>Luckily for Adrien's peace of mind--for he +loathed and dreaded scenes of any description--Lady +Merivale had not returned with the party to +the Castle, much as Miss Penelope had wished it. +Eveline Merivale was only too cognisant of what +was passing between Lady Constance and her +cousin; and though she knew that Adrien and herself +had merely played at love, and greatly against +his will, at that, still she was just as unwilling +to see him the devoted slave of another woman, +who was younger, if not more beautiful, than +herself.</p> + +<p>After the ladies had retired for; the night, Adrien +gave himself up to unaccustomed reverie. The +tenor of his life had been changed. The inane +senseless round of dissipation had begun to tire +him; the homage and flattery cloyed on his palate. +And now, with his newborn love for Constance +filling his heart and mind, had come the overwhelming +failure of his beloved horse, and the death +of his jockey; the last causing him more pain than +the light-hearted companions around him would +have believed possible. Neither had the half-defined +charge made against Jasper escaped his +notice, though he had disdained to make any +mention of it.</p> + +<p>Shelton noticed his absent manner, as they smoked +their last cigar before going to bed.</p> + +<p>"Counting up the losses, Adrien?" he asked +casually.</p> + +<p>Adrien started at the question, and smiled.</p> + +<p>"Not I," he said, "I leave that to Jasper--I call +him my walking account-book. I'm sorry you +fellows were let in though; I can't understand it; +although"--with a rueful laugh--"I suppose it +was my fault with that tenner. Yet, I must say, +I noticed the man as he galloped past, and saw no, +signs of anything wrong."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," put in Vermont. "I was in the +weighting-room, and saw him scaled. He was all +right then. He always was white and seedy-looking. +I saw nothing wrong."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," echoed the others.</p> + +<p>Adrien lit another cigar, and the light fell full on +his grave face.</p> + +<p>"The losses are heavy all round; yet, speaking +for myself," he said, "I would have rather dropped +treble the amount than that poor fellow should +have lost his life by a horse of mine."</p> + +<p>"His own fault. It was absolutely a case of +suicide," declared Lord Standon angrily. "He +put the 'King' to that last hurdle half a minute +too soon. The horse was not to blame; he would +have taken the hedge, and another on top of that, +but for that unlucky spurt. 'Pon my soul," he +concluded hotly, "if I didn't know how well he'd +been cared for, I should have said it was done on +purpose!"</p> + +<p>Unlucky youth! he little knew the harm he had +done his empty pockets by this rash speech. Jasper +Vermont's eyes narrowed, as was their wont when +anything occurred to annoy him, and he registered +a mental note against the unfortunate peer's +name.</p> + +<p>Adrien frowned, as he rose with the rest.</p> + +<p>"That is impossible," he said, almost sternly; +"Jasper saw to that too well. But, in future, no +one shall ride the 'King' but myself; he's just +up to my weight," he concluded. "Jasper, enter +him for the Cup. We will give him a chance to +retrieve this day's failure."</p> + +<p>Jasper had risen with him, and amid a volley of +good-nights, the two men passed into the corridor. +As Adrien was about to ascend the stairs to his +own apartment, he turned to Vermont, and said +quietly:</p> + +<p>"Jasper, I should like that poor fellow to have a +Christian burial in the private chapel; and if there +are relations, find them out----" He broke off +abruptly. "There, you know better than I what +to do, and how to do it. Oh! just one word +more; of course, I shall see that no notice is +taken of his delirious ravings. Good-night, old +man."</p> + +<p>Jasper thanked him and returned his "good-night" +with sympathetic cordiality; then turned +softly to his own apartment. Having reached it, +he gave himself up to a spasm of silent laughter.</p> + +<p>"Christian burial!" he chuckled. "Oh, yes, +he shall have Christian burial in the family vaults. +Lucky job for me the hound died, or the game +would have been all up. As it is, that fool--that +popinjay, almost guessed. Well, deny everything +and demand proof, that's my line. After all, it's +the very risks and chances that make the game so +fascinating."</p> + +<p>He sat down and drew out a little note-book--only +a very ordinary penny note-book; for it was +wonderful how mean this man could be when he had +to expend his own money. Save clothes, which +necessarily had to be of good material, though quiet +in colour, he never failed to buy the cheapest article +obtainable; unless, of course, when, on the principle +of "throwing a sprat to catch a herring," he stood +to make a profit.</p> + +<p>In this little book there lay the records of fortunes. +A fortune spent by Leroy--a fortune gained +by Jasper Vermont. He smiled to himself, as he +closed one eye, and counted up the gains he had +netted through this day's work.</p> + +<p>"Eight--ten, with Yorkshire Twining's last little +touch--ten thousands pounds. Ah, if those fools +knew how the 'intruder' was stripping them of +golden plumes, how mad they would be! +Ten thousand pounds! But Twining was too risky," +he muttered, frowning at the recollection, "My +grand knight might have smelled a rat. Just like +his noble lordship; two to one, because some +stranger doubts the strength of the animal's legs."</p> + +<p>He chuckled again as he thought how carefully +he had stage-managed the day's comedy. Of the +tragedy into which it had been turned by the +death of his poor tool and accomplice, Peacock, he +gave no thought, his whole mind was bound up in +his jealous hatred of Leroy. Just why he hated +him so he, himself, could hardly have explained; +but with men of Jasper Vermont's calibre, the mere +fact that one possesses so much--wealth, position, +and popularity--while the other must perforce live +by his wits, is quite sufficient to arouse all the evil +passions of which he is capable.</p> + +<p>"A mighty regal way he has with him," he +muttered again, as he put away his book. "Ten +thousand pounds! Go on, Jasper, my boy--persevere! +The game starts well, the winning cards +are yours. Gentlemen, make your game, the ball +is rolling."</p> + +<p>With this invitation to mankind in general, and +his titled and wealthy acquaintances in particular, +Mr. Jasper Vermont made his preparations for the +night. He kept no valet; men of his type seldom +care to have another in such close relations as must +necessarily happen when one man holds the keys +of another. It has been said by some cynic, that +"the man who takes off your coat sees what is +passing in the heart beneath it," and with this +statement Mr. Vermont probably agreed.</p> + +<p>"I am a simple-minded, rough-and-ready creature," +he often assured his friends; "a man to +worry my tie, and force me to buy a new coat, +because he desires my old one, would drive me +mad."</p> + +<p>So he undressed himself slowly, reckoning up his +gains, smiling at his mask of a face in the large +mirror, and hatching his little plots every +knot he untied, every button he released. At last +he got into bed, and slept as easily and serenely as +any simple-minded farmer.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>But that night Adrien Leroy could not sleep. +Dismissing his valet, he threw himself into a chair, +and began to review the events of the day, which +had affected him more deeply than he would confess +to. Then the mere sight of Lady Constance with +Lord Standon had convinced him that any hope of +ever winning her for his wife was at an end. For +so many years had he himself been wooed and sought +after, without response, that he was as ignorant of +the rules of the game of love as any child. Love! +he had sneered at it, jested at its power all his +life; but now he was beginning to suffer from its +pangs himself. He rose hastily, and throwing open +the window of his dressing room, stepped out on the +balcony.</p> + +<p>It was an exquisite night, and the stars shone like +diamonds. Yet their very distance and detachment +from all things earthly only served to deepen +Adrien's melancholy. Before him stretched, in +seemingly endless vista, the woods and lands of his +heritage. As far as eye could reach, the earth and +all within it and upon it belonged to him; and yet +he sighed for the love and devotion of one frail girl, +which, had he but known, were already his.</p> + +<p>As he walked to and fro, he was again assailed +by a wholesome distaste of his present empty, aimless +existence, and a great longing came over him +to break away from it and start afresh. Yes! he +was very tired of it all. The men and women +with whom he had up to this spent his time were +becoming abhorrent to him. The thought of the +soft lips and glances that had hitherto beguiled him, +and lulled him into a state bordering upon stupor, +now filled him with shame. Love, that marvellous +panacea, had driven out the false, the impure visions +of his heart, as surely and as thoroughly as ever +Hercules cleansed the Augean stables.</p> + +<p>The blood of his race stirred with him; he +would have liked to have snatched Constance, and +borne her away on his trusty steed, as his forefathers +would have done. But instead he must +stand aside, and see her married to another. Nay, +he himself would be asked to attend the wedding, +perhaps even give her away to the man who was +surely no more worthy of her than Adrien himself.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont had indeed done his work well. +No sooner had he seen the light of love shining in his +friend's face, than he had set to work; and, like +the grim spider of evil he resembled, had filled +Adrien's mind with the suggestion that Constance +loved--in fact, was secretly engaged to, Lord +Standon.</p> + +<p>His reasons for this were twofold. If Adrien +married Constance, Ada Lester would--whether +with or without cause--hold him responsible, and +was more than capable of carrying out her threat +to unmask him to his patron. Moreover, Jasper +looked upon Lady Constance with an appreciative +and covetous eye, and felt that if he could ever +ingratiate himself with her sufficiently for her to +promise to become his wife, the summit of his +ambition would be reached.</p> + +<p>Adrien was easily deceived; for, with all his +faults, he was not conceited. He did not guess that +Constance's very openly expressed pleasure in the +company of Lord Standon was to prevent the +discovery of her real and passionate longing for +that of her cousin.</p> + +<p>Henceforth, he told himself, he must do his best +to hide the pain that was gnawing at his heart. +Henceforward, the pleasure of life would be as Dead +Sea fruit to him. His hand fell on the balustrade in +his unconscious despair; and at that moment, +another window farther down the long balcony +opened, and the figure of Lord Barminster stepped +out into the moonlight.</p> + +<p>Adrien was in no humour to meet even his +father; he was too weary in spirit to confront the +old man's satire with his usual calm; so he shrank +back into the shadow of the buttress against which +he leaned. But Lord Barminster's eyes were +quick to perceive him; and, striding forward, he +laid his hand on his son's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Well, Adrien," he commenced, "what is +wrong? Can't you sleep, or are you given to +spending the small hours in star-gazing?"</p> + +<p>"I might retort in kind, sir," returned Adrien, +pulling his scattered thoughts together, and smiling +faintly.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I am old," said his father. "Age has its +penalties as well as its privileges; and the freedom +to speak plainly is one of the latter. Come, my +boy, what is wrong? At your age I was happy +enough; but you seem to have taken the troubles +of the world on your shoulders. Are you ill?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I am well enough," returned Adrien +quietly.</p> + +<p>"Then are you worrying over your debts through +that unlucky horse? Because, although, as you +know, I do not interfere with your money matters +as a rule, you are quite at liberty to draw on my bank +if you care to do so."</p> + +<p>His son turned to him affectionately.</p> + +<p>"No, no, sir," he said gratefully. "I don't +suppose they are as bad as all that. Jasper will +see to them."</p> + +<p>The words were scarcely out of his mouth when +he regretted them. His father's face darkened; his +eyes grew fierce.</p> + +<p>"Jasper! always Jasper," he snarled, even as +Mortimer Shelton had done. "It's a pity he didn't +break his neck this morning, instead of his miserable +tool."</p> + +<p>Adrien uttered a protesting exclamation; he +would have sacrificed anything sooner than have +given his father this opportunity to revile his friend.</p> + +<p>"You must be blind, sir," continued Lord Barminster, +now working himself up into a rage. "Did +not you see and hear enough from that jockey this +morning to make you realise what that precious +friend of yours had done? I tell you, Adrien, that +Jasper Vermont bribed that miserable man to rope +your horse. For him, you have allowed your +friends, my guests, to be swindled out of their +money."</p> + +<p>It was the first time in Adrien's recollection that +the proud old man had ever even hinted that Barminster +Castle was not entirely his son's yet; that +the guests were those of his father's choice as well +of his own.</p> + +<p>Adrien's eyes blazed.</p> + +<p>"Father," he said in a low voice, but as hard as +steel, "I know you have always hated Mr. Vermont, +but this goes farther than hate. Forgive me if I +ask you, but surely you have some proofs? Otherwise +you would not have accused him of such +villainy. Give them to me, and I promise you to +punish him as severely as you yourself could wish."</p> + +<p>"Proofs!" his father repeated sternly with +knitted brows. "What proofs would such a clever +scoundrel leave about? This morning's work +should be sufficient proof even to satisfy you."</p> + +<p>Adrien drew himself up to his full height, and +confronted his father with a resolute air.</p> + +<p>"It is no use, sir," he said. "I cannot take a +drunken jockey's ramblings as proof of such an +awful thing as that. Jasper is my friend, and +besides, it is more to his interest to help me than +to hate me."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster sighed deeply. The experience +of age had taught him the impossibility of convincing +youth against its will.</p> + +<p>"Well, my boy," he said, "have your own way, +but mark my words, you will live to repent your +folly! I have no more proof, and to me no more +is needed. Men on their death-beds do not lie, and +I am as firmly convinced that Jasper Vermont +forced that man to sell the race, as though I had +the confession on paper. Still, I will say no more; +you are young, and 'Youth knows All.' Find out +for yourself the man's character, I shall not warn +you again. You are placing your faith in a thankless +cur; don't grumble when he turns round and +bites the hand that has helped him. As for me, I +will wait. Believe me, I would far rather know +myself to be wrong than deal you any further +unhappiness, so let us drop the subject for a time. +I did not mean to bring up the man's name. I +want to speak to you of far more important +things."</p> + +<p>His voice grew more grave, indeed almost solemn.</p> + +<p>"Adrien, I am an old man, nearing the grave, +and, as is only natural, my thoughts turn to the +future of our race. You are the last of our line, +it is to you I look to carry it on. You are no +longer a boy, with a youth's follies and tastes; it +is time you took up your responsibilities."</p> + +<p>Adrien made as if to speak; but his father checked +him, with a gesture of his hand.</p> + +<p>"Stay, hear me out," he said. "When I was +your age, your mother was at my side, I had given +the House of Leroy its son and heir. I was married, +and had left the lighter loves of the world for a +more lasting and responsible one. You know I +have never interfered much with your life; but +though I am no longer of the gay world, I yet hear +something of its doings. You 'live the pace,' they +tell me, and are the idol of the smart set. Barminster +Castle, Adrien, looks for something higher +than that in its lord and master. I repeat, sir, at +your age I was married."</p> + +<p>"And loved," said Adrien softly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Lord Barminster, his +face lighting up at the thought of the woman whom he +had lost, and mourned so long. "Your mother +was that which ranks above rubies, a good and +virtuous woman, worthy of any man's love."</p> + +<p>Adrien turned his pale face away, as if to avoid +scrutiny, then he said gently:</p> + +<p>"I admit your right to speak like this, sir, and +if it rested with me I would obey you at once."</p> + +<p>"It does rest with you, Adrien," returned his +father quickly. "Surely you are blind, not to see +that Constance Tremaine loves you with her whole +heart."</p> + +<p>Adrien started up, his face alight and quivering +with excitement.</p> + +<p>"Impossible, sir!" he exclaimed. "Would to +heaven it were true; for I know no other woman +to whom I would so gladly devote my life."</p> + +<p>The grim old face softened and relaxed. He had +not expected such an overwhelming victory.</p> + +<p>"Why do you say it is impossible?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Adrien did not answer for a moment, then he +slip hoarsely:</p> + +<p>"She is already engaged to Lord Standon."</p> + +<p>An exclamation of astonishment burst from the +old man's lips. He put out his hand in involuntary +sympathy, and the two so strangely alike, yet so +wide apart in years, clasped hands. Then, as if +ashamed of the momentary emotion, the old man +turned away, saying quietly:</p> + +<p>"This is, of course, a surprise to me. Its truth +yet remains to be proved, but I should feel inclined +to doubt it myself." With which he went back to +his own apartments.</p> + +<p>Left alone once more, Adrien walked restlessly +to and fro.</p> + +<p>"If Constance really cared for me," he said to +himself, "nothing else in the world would matter. +Lucky Standon! I dare not think of the future, it +what Jasper said was true."</p> + +<p>At last he, too, returned to his room; but it was +almost morning before he fell into a troubled +slumber.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XIII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The morning following the disastrous steeple-chase, +Mr. Jasper Vermont ordered his car, and then +sat down to write to Adrien. He told him that +he regretted having to leave the Castle so suddenly, +but urgent business required his presence in London, +and that he would return to Barminster as soon as +possible.</p> + +<p>On the appearance of the motor, he took his +departure, travelling direct to Jermyn Court, where +he stayed to lunch, waited on by the attentive +Norgate as though he had been Adrien himself. +Then, having filled his cigar-case with his friend's +choicest Cabanas, he strolled through the fashionable +parts of the Park.</p> + +<p>The loungers and idle men of fashion who usually +frequented it at that time of the day knew him well, +and nodded with forced smiles of friendship--it was +clearly to their interest to be on good, if possible, +cordial terms with a man who always had the +<i>entrée</i> to the innermost circles, and who had won +the confidence of a popular favourite like Adrien +Leroy.</p> + +<p>Those who had not been personally introduced +to Jasper, had still heard reports of his position, +and looked after him with that half-envious air +which says so plainly:</p> + +<p>"There goes the kind of prosperous, wealthy +man I myself should like to be."</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont strolled along, his face wreathed in +a perpetual smirk of recognition, his hat off half a +dozen times a minute, acknowledging the smiling +glances accorded to him.</p> + +<p>When he had nearly come to Hyde Park Gate, +he was confronted by one of the loungers--an old +acquaintance of his--whose woe-begone countenance +seemed expressive of acute mental distress.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont recognised him in spite of his +altered appearance--usually a very gay one--and +stopped him.</p> + +<p>"What, Beau!" he exclaimed with seemingly +effusive warmth; "you here; whatever have you +been doing--committing murder? Or have you +married in haste, to repent of it at leisure?"</p> + +<p>"Neither, my dear boy," answered the well-groomed +young man--a captain in the "Household" +Guards--one of the fastest and most generally liked +fellows in town. "Neither, Vermont; but I have +just come from the City."</p> + +<p>"City of the Tombs!" drawled Jasper facetiously.</p> + +<p>Captain Beaumont laughed, but rather mournfully.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "all my hopes are buried in +that beastly place.' Really, the County Council +ought to put a notice over the west side of Temple +Bar monument instead of that heraldic beast: +'Abandon hope, all ye who enter here,'"</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont laughed, in his usual quiet way.</p> + +<p>"How's that? The City is good enough in its +way. What have they been doing to you; won't +they lend you any more money?"</p> + +<p>"Worse even than that," said the young spend-thrift; +"they actually want me to repay all that +I owe them already, on short notice, with the usual +threats if I fail to comply within their time."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" remarked Mr. Vermont simply; but his +"oh" was full of meaning and apparent sympathy +for the misfortunes of his friend.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that hard-hearted old skinflint, Harker--what +a mean brute he is! I should like to bury +him, and would attend his funeral gladly to be +certain I had seen the last of him. He holds a +pretty little tot-up in the way of bills of mine; and +I expected, naturally enough, when I call on the +firm, that they would renew them at the usual +Shylock rates, and I could try elsewhere for something +to go on with."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mr. Vermont, "of course, that's +the way you have done for years."</p> + +<p>Captain Beaumont nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's so; but Harker only shook that +long head of his, and refused me; and nothing I +could say would change the old skinflint's mind +either. You know that cock-and-bull story he +always tells, about his not being the principal, but +only the servant? Well, he says his principal has +instructed him to call in my bills, and it is impossible +for him to renew them; and that the +usual steps will be taken if I am not able to meet +them."</p> + +<p>Jasper laughed, with gentle sarcasm.</p> + +<p>"Of course, that's always the moneylender's +excuse. I'm afraid he will sell you up, Beau."</p> + +<p>Captain Beaumont whistled.</p> + +<p>"My dear Vermont, it will be an awful shock +for the guv'nor. He can only give us younger +sons a small allowance, and he certainly won't be +able to settle this matter; it would be altogether +beyond him."</p> + +<p>"What is the amount?" inquired Jasper. He +was as well aware as was the young captain himself, +of Lord Dunford's financial difficulties.</p> + +<p>"Well, not much," replied Captain Beaumont. +"Only seven thousand; but it's no good my going +to the guv'nor for a penny piece, and how to clear +it up is more than I can tell. But why do you +ask?" he added, though with but faint eagerness. +"Do you think you could find any one able to help +me out of this beastly hole?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I might," said Jasper, eyeing his cigar +meditatively, as if seeking from its fumes some +inspiration as to a method of aiding his friend.</p> + +<p>"I only know one way to prevent Harker taking +extreme measures," went on the troubled debtor; +"that is, if I could get some one to back new bills. +Now if, say, Adrien Leroy were to back some bills +for me, Harker certainly would not refuse; but I +am hardly in a position to ask Leroy."</p> + +<p>"But I am," said Vermont, smiling with the +consciousness of power; "and I will do it for you, +for old friendship's sake."</p> + +<p>"You will!" exclaimed the captain gratefully. +"Jasper, you're a brick! I feel sure, somehow, he +will do it for you. <i>I</i> should stand no chance. +You are a good fellow to come to my rescue in this +fashion."</p> + +<p>"Ah," said Mr. Vermont, with a smile; "but +can we be sure that Harker will accept Leroy's +name of the bills?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course, Harker or anybody--who +wouldn't?" asked the Guardsman, as the cloud +dispelled from his face at hope coming so quickly +from this unexpected quarter. "Why, it's as good +as the Bank of England. Harker take it?---he'll +snap at it. Only try him and see his greedy eyes +glisten. What could Harker get by selling me up?--absolutely +nothing. Besides, it would do him +harm by letting others know how harshly he served +me. Oh, no, Harker will not sell me up if he can +find such an easy, safe way out of the difficulty."</p> + +<p>"True," said Jasper pleasantly. "Well, I'll +interview Leroy and see if I can persuade him to +assist you, as a friend of mine; I believe I can do +it for you. Going to Lady Merivale's to-night? +Yes? Then we shall meet again; till then, <i>au +revoir</i>."</p> + +<p>So, with a shake of his fat, smooth hand, the +benevolent, unselfish Mr. Vermont took his departure, +still smiling serenely, on the business which +had brought him that day to London.</p> + +<p>Nobody knew Jasper's private address. He was +always to be found with Adrien Leroy, and all +letters were addressed to his club; or to Jermyn +Court; but of the locality of that place which Mr. +Vermont would sanctify by the name of "home," +every one was ignorant. Whenever questioned on +this subject--he never obtruded the matter on +anybody--it was his custom to answer lightly:</p> + +<p>"Home! what does such a waif, such a jetsam +and flotsam of the world's flowing tide, want with +a home? Really, my dear boy"--or madam, if +the speaker happened to be of the gentler sex--"if +ever you have occasion to see me, I am sure to +be at one of these three places: Leroy's chambers, +my club--the Pallodeon, or Barminster Castle."</p> + +<p>And accordingly, to one of these places his +fashionable acquaintances directed their inquiries +for him. Mr. Vermont, however, really possessed +a home, small, it is true, but one quite suitable to +his needs, and absolutely secluded from the possible +knowledge of his friends in the gay world.</p> + +<p>After leaving Captain Beaumont, he had himself +driven to the City. Alighting in front of a large +jeweller's shop, apparently with the intention of +purchasing something, he dismissed his car; then +when it had disappeared, walked quickly along the +crowded thoroughfare for some distance. At last, +looking round furtively--for he was ever cautious--he +dived into one of the small entrances in Lawrence +Lane, and mounting two flights of stairs, entered +the front room. This was the home, or rather, +perhaps, refuge from the conventions of society, +that Mr. Vermont possessed. Here he could find +shelter at any time of the night, for he possessed a +private key; and by his orders the bed was kept +constantly aired and ready by the housekeeper; +who had her own rooms on the floor above. It +was no unusual thing for her to leave the rooms +tenantless late in the evening, and find them +occupied when she rose in the morning, Jasper +having arrived during the dead of night, silently as +was his invariable custom.</p> + +<p>The second morning after his sudden return to +town, Mr. Vermont was in his sitting-room, which +was very plainly furnished indeed, partaking of a +breakfast so simple that his fashionable friends +would scarcely have believed the evidence of their +own eyes. When he had finished, and the table +had been cleared, he went over to the roll-top desk +which stood in an angle by the window, and opened +it, disclosing piles of letters, sheets, of closely +written foolscap and slips of memorandum forms. +On the corner of the desk stood a telephone, which +communicated with Harker's private room, downstairs +in the offices; they were dignified by the +name of Harker's "Bank," and were, of course, +those of the moneylending business which was +carried on by Vermont in that name. Taking up +the receiver now, he asked Harker to come up to +him as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>Within the next few minutes, George Harker +was standing before the master he both hated and +feared. He was very tall, with a thin, lined face, +from which all light and hope seemed to have fled. +His whole being appeared wrapped up in attendance +on Jasper Vermont. He watched him eagerly +now, not speaking until he was spoken to, but +simply waiting patiently, doggedly, till his master +was ready to attend to him.</p> + +<p>Vermont drew the heap of various papers towards +him--with keen eyes and quick brain grasped the +multitude of facts they set forth, checked the long +column of figures, struck the balances; and, with a +nod of satisfaction, looked up at the man before him.</p> + +<p>"All right, Harker, as far as I can see--and, as +you know, that's all the way and a little beyond. +But we must do better than that. Where's the +private account?"</p> + +<p>"Here, sir," said Harker, in a dry, rasping voice, +somewhat like the creaking of an old, rusty-hinged +door.</p> + +<p>"Where?--oh, yes, I see. Oh, Paxhorn has +come to us, has he? Writing poetry is not a paying +game, eh? Or is it the fine, grand company +that runs away with the golden counters? Well, +all fish--or idiots--that come to our net are welcomed, +no matter what wind drives them. Thirty +per cent. from Paxhorn. No more?"</p> + +<p>"I could not get any more, sir," said Harker +earnestly; "I tried--tried hard--indeed I did, I +assure you. I would not give in until he threatened +to go to another office."</p> + +<p>"Hem! well, I suppose it's the truth; though, +of course, all moneylenders are rogues--and you're +only a moneylender, you know." He looked up +for a moment to laugh at the logical joke. "Who +backs his paper? Lord Standon. Oh, my lord is +pretty deep in our books already, isn't he? Where +are his statistics?"</p> + +<p>"Here, sir," said Harker, taking one of the +papers from the heap.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont glanced at it, and laid it down +again with an evil smile on his face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he's good for more than that, Harker; but +be cautious. We'll lend him another ten thousand; +but put on five per cent. Lords must pay, to set +the fashion to commoner folk. By the way, +Captain Beaumont----"</p> + +<p>"Whose bills you instructed me to call in, sir."</p> + +<p>"Yes; well, I met him yesterday and promised +to intercede for him you." He laughed +harshly. "What fun it is, poor idiot! He shook +my hand with profuse expressions of gratitude. +Mr. Leroy will back the renewal and you can let +it run. Beaumont's the second son, Lord Dunford +is on his last legs, and the heir won't live another +year, we can come down like kites when the +gallant captain has the title and estates. Till +then we'll wait; but stick out for another two-and-a-half +per cent. Make the calves bleed, Harker; +it will do them and me good."</p> + +<p>About that small matter of the young artist, +Wilson, sir?"</p> + +<p>"Eh! Wilson? Oh, yes. You got instructions +to proceed in the usual way to sell him up."</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir, that was your order. He called +yesterday, and pleaded for another week. His +wife is dying, and they are starving. He begs hard +for another week----"</p> + +<p>Stuff, another week! the dog means another +year. He should have thought of the time for +repaying when he was borrowing. Another week--not +another day. Start proceedings at once. Mind, +I say it. Didn't I hear him call me a 'parasite +from the pavement' one night at a ball? Screens +have ears, Mr. Wilson, and parasites have memories. +Sell him up--do you hear, Harker?"</p> + +<p>"I do sir; it shall be done," replied his servant +meekly.</p> + +<p>"And now for Leroy's account." With a gleam +of fiendish delight in his eyes, he scrutinized the +figures and statements. "Ah! you are getting +them in fast."</p> + +<p>"All Mr. Leroy's bills we are getting in--buying +up wherever they are met with, sir, according to +your instructions."</p> + +<p>"Right, get him into your hands--you know +how. Be prepared for--you know!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker inclined his head.</p> + +<p>"Now for the women. Ah, those dear butterfly +creatures will come to the nasty sticky papers that +were meant to catch bluebottles only; well, then, +they must take the consequences. What! Lady +Merivale--the fair Eveline. Does she want to +borrow money?"</p> + +<p>"She dabbles in the Stock Exchange. I know +her business man; he owes us money, sir, and we +know some of his secrets. She has been losing +lately, and has deposited her diamonds, sir--"</p> + +<p>"Her diamonds? The famous Merivale diamonds? +Where are they?"</p> + +<p>"Here, sir." Mr. Harker produced from his +long pocket a shallow morocco case which he +tendered mechanically to his employer.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont opened the case, and gazed on +its contents with twinkling eyes; then, shutting it +with a laugh, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing +his smooth fat hands over his chin.</p> + +<p>"What will her ladyship do for them, and when +were those left? I saw her last night and--by +Heaven! she wore--"</p> + +<p>"Paste imitations, sir. I had them made up +for her. Did you think the counterfeit good?"</p> + +<p>"Capital. Oh, isn't it rich! that old idiot +must have eyed her proudly, gloating over his +famous diamonds on his wife's fair bosom, little +guessing they were Mr. Harker's tawdry glass +mockeries. Capital, Harker, but take care, take +care. Remember the duchess who brought her +jewels to pledge, and discovered that they were +paste already, and that the duke had done the +transmutation before her. Beware!"</p> + +<p>"I am careful, sir, I am careful, very; I do +not think--I trust--there have been no losses, +not even small ones. I do my best to secure your +interests."</p> + +<p>"Well, I believe you. You keep up the appearances, +I hope? Never forget to tell people that +you are only a subordinate, that you are acting for +others and strictly on the instructions given to you +by them. The more you assert it the more they'll +think it a falsehood. Keep it up, Harker, and +then, well, you know I keep my promises. By the +way, how is the little Lucy?"</p> + +<p>As he spoke the name, half scornfully, half indifferently, +a visible change came over his tool and +puppet. His face became paler, if that were +possible, his head seemed to drop, his whole figure +was expressive of deepest dejection, fear, supplication.</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, quite well, and deeply grateful for +your kindness," he said, wetting his dry lips.</p> + +<p>"Ah! and so she should be, young hussey. A +fine thing for her. Married and respectable. If +that soft-hearted, simple little husband of hers knew +all I know! Strange that I should have dropped +on to her and that first lover of hers down in that +quiet place. Strange, wasn't it? Now I daresay +they thought they were as safe as at the bottom of +the sea. Didn't think that Mr. Jasper Vermont, a +friend of the family, could be staying at the same +hotel. He ought to have married her, of course. +Better that he didn't, eh? Yet that weak, amiable +grocer, innocent and unsuspecting, lets her have +it all her own way, and believes her just a little +purer and whiter than the angels. Clever little +thing, Lucy. Makes him think she loves him, I +daresay."</p> + +<p>"My poor child loves her husband better than +her own life, sir," breathed the father. "She is +so happy, they love each other so, and she is my +own flesh and blood. Forget that accursed night +and the devil that led her astray. Forget that she +is anything but the wife of an honest man. Have +mercy on her, sir."</p> + +<p>"Well, Harker, I will; I am all mercy. Do +your duty by me and I won't go down to tell the +story of that night to Lucy's good, trusting husband. +But don't ask me to forget, my good fellow, +for that's folly. I never forget!"</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sir, thank you," Harker said, +wiping the perspiration from his brow. "I will do +my duty and work day and night in your interests, +if you will only spare my child and keep others +from knowing of that one false step."</p> + +<p>Mr. Jasper Vermont leaned back in his chair, +and regarded his servant's agitation with quiet +amusement for a few minutes; then he gathered +all the papers together, put them away in his desk, +and dismissed Mr. Harker with a nod, saying:</p> + +<p>"You can go now. Don't forget the Leroy +paper, renew Beaumont, but sell up that artist +scamp to the last stick and stone. Parasites can +bite as well as cling, Mr. Wilson."</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XIV</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The afternoon following the race the Castle guests +returned to town, Lord Standon amongst them, +and as that light-hearted gentleman departed without +making any formal proposal for the hand of +his young ward, Lord Barminster was greatly +puzzled.</p> + +<p>All that day he had watched Lady Constance +with an unceasing vigilance, of which, fortunately, +she was unaware; but he could detect no traces +of affection in her intercourse with Lord Standon, +nor could he find any reason for his son's despair. +Like a wise man, however, he made no reference +whatever to the conversation of the preceding +night, for which Adrien was exceedingly grateful, +as he felt ashamed of having exposed his real +feelings, even to his father.</p> + +<p>Instead, therefore, Lord Barminster endeavoured +to find out the true state of the case from his sister +Penelope.</p> + +<p>That lady, disturbed from her afternoon slumber, +was inclined to be testy. As far as she was concerned, +she was very much against the idea of +Constance marrying any one, for the girl's presence +saved her a great deal of trouble in many ways; +the consultations with the housekeeper, the choosing +of books, the writing of invitations, these and a +hundred other trifles which in the event of Constance's +marriage would be shifted back on to her +own shoulders.</p> + +<p>Naturally, therefore, she considered the suitor +who would be less likely to inconvenience her; and +he, of course, was Adrien. For if he married +Constance, there would be, at least, some time +during the year in which she would be at Barminster, +and leave Miss Penelope free to resume the novel +reading of which she was so inordinately fond. She +scoffed, therefore, at any likelihood of Lord Standon's +suit, and flatly refused to believe a word of it.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Adrien was in a state of restless +excitement, for which he himself could scarcely +account, and accordingly he determined to return +to London next day.</p> + +<p>That night they were a family party of four, and +Lady Constance noticed that her guardian's manner +was considerably more cheerful than was its wont, +and that during dinner he glanced with even more +affection than usual at the handsome face of his +only son. Afterwards, when the old man had +returned to his own apartments, Adrien found his +cousin in the silver drawing-room, with Miss +Penelope. The latter had taken up her latest +novel, and was devouring it with rapt attention.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance, with a smile, beckoned to her +cousin and made room for him beside her on the +Chesterfield. He sank down with a sigh of content.</p> + +<p>"You leave us to-morrow then?" she began, in +a tone of calm inquiry.</p> + +<p>He was filled with an insane longing to seize her +in his arms, and cover her face with kisses; but he +restrained himself, though he bent nearer to her as +he said in a low voice:</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am going back to try and put my affairs +in better order. My father has been pulling me +up--quite rightly, of course. I ought to have seen +to these things before. I am afraid I have not +been a good son to him."</p> + +<p>"You do not see him very often, do you?" said +Lady Constance, who knew to a day how often +Adrien had visited the Castle during the last twelve +months, during which she herself had sighed for +his absence.</p> + +<p>"No," he admitted. "I always seem to have +so many engagements; but now I am going to try +a new mode of life--thanks to your words."</p> + +<p>"My words?" echoed Lady Constance, in +genuine surprise. "I thought you said uncle had +been speaking to you."</p> + +<p>"Yes," he agreed. "But it was what you said +to me during our ride that decided me really--about +the tenants, and all that."</p> + +<p>"You must not listen to all my complaints," +she said, smilingly. "I am proud of the Barminster +estates, naturally; and I cannot bear that +they should be inferior to those of our neighbour----"</p> + +<p>"Who is that?" he inquired quickly.</p> + +<p>"Why, Lord Standon, of course," was the calm +reply.</p> + +<p>He started at the sound of the name of one he +deemed his rival. The jealous blood rushed to his +face and his heart beat fast.</p> + +<p>"Naturally," he said, in tones as quiet as he +could make them, "you would compare all estates +with his--<i>now!</i>"</p> + +<p>With womanly intuition she saw his meaning, +but did not choose to dispel his suspicions just +then. Not that she was a coquette or flirt, for she +loved this man with all the strength of her being; +but, on the other hand, she knew, or thought she +knew, his disposition only too well, and she feared +to yield to her natural inclinations, which were to +allow him to see that he had only to speak, and +she was ready and willing to listen. Instead, +therefore, she merely said lightly:</p> + +<p>"Yes, he makes a good landlord, for all he +declares to the contrary. Then, too, he has a +capable agent."</p> + +<p>"Like Jasper," put in her companion, trying to +keep his eyes away from her pretty, vivacious face.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance was silent. However much she +might dislike and distrust Vermont, she never +expressed her opinion of him to Adrien. She +therefore turned the subject quickly by inquiring +after the next race.</p> + +<p>"'The Brigades'--in two months' time," he +replied.</p> + +<p>"The 'King' will run, I suppose?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and I shall ride him," said Adrien quietly. +"After an accident such as has occurred, none shall +ride him save myself; then if anything should +happen----"</p> + +<p>"Ah! no! no!" cried Lady Constance, her +face paling, and her blue eyes full of alarm; "you +mustn't!--you shan't!" She stopped short. "I +mean," she went on, speaking more quietly, "you +must think what it would be--to your father--and +auntie----"</p> + +<p>"And you," he said eagerly, catching at her +hands. "Would you care, too?"</p> + +<p>She gently drew her fingers from his grasp.</p> + +<p>"Of course I should," she replied, in her usual +quiet tones. "Am I not a sort of cousin?"</p> + +<p>"Constance," he broke in passionately, "I have +no right to speak to you, I know; but tell me just +this, if--if----"</p> + +<p>Alas! for Adrien. Alas! for poor Lady Constance. +The book in Miss Penelope's hand had slid +quickly from her grasp, as she sat dozing near the +fire-place. At this, the most critical moment, it +came with a sudden crash to the floor, and Miss +Penelope opened her eyes, and sat up briskly.</p> + +<p>Nothing more could be said under the circumstances, +and Adrien was perforce obliged to spend +the evening as best he might, turning over the +pages of his cousin's music, and watching her with +longing, ardent eyes; while Miss Penelope sat near +by, tactlessly wide awake.</p> + +<p>Presently she glanced up.</p> + +<p>"Adrien, did you ask your father about the +ball?" she asked.</p> + +<p>Her nephew looked abashed. Truth to tell, he +had completely forgotten it.</p> + +<p>"No," he admitted candidly, "I did not. But +forgive me, this time; I will ask him to-night."</p> + +<p>A little later the ladies rose to retire.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, my dear boy," said Miss Penelope, +gathering up her precious book and chocolates. +"You go to town to-morrow? Oh, then, I shall +not see you again. Good-bye; and don't forget +about the ball."</p> + +<p>Adrien held the door open for her, and she passed +out; then he closed it again.</p> + +<p>"Good-night, Constance," he said, gazing longingly +into his cousin's face.</p> + +<p>"Good-night," she said, giving him her hand. +"Good-night, and a pleasant journey."</p> + +<p>"Will you not wish me a speedy return?"</p> + +<p>"That might be an ill wish," she answered +lightly--"if you did not care to come."</p> + +<p>"You know I do," he whispered, and he raised +her fingers to his lips.</p> + +<p>With a vivid blush, Lady Constance withdrew +her hand from his grasp, and left the room. Going +straight up to her own apartment, she flung herself +on her knees. The kiss he had impressed on her +fingers seemed to burn them; the sound of his +voice rang in her ears; yet, with a strength of mind +extraordinary in a girl so young, she put away the +sweetness of his half-formed declaration, hoping +that his journey to town meant the cutting free of +all entanglements, and the settling of his affairs.</p> + +<p>Early the following morning, the sound of a +motor, and the barking of dogs, brought Lady +Constance to her window; below her was Adrien, +followed by a servant with the travelling case, +which was placed beside the chauffeur.</p> + +<p>Adrien had already entered the car, and was +about to have it set in motion, when a sudden idea +seemed to strike him, and he glanced up at Lady +Constance's window. Seeing this, she opened the +casement and stood framed by the surrounding +greenery.</p> + +<p>Adrien waved his hand to her; then, hastily +scribbling something in a note-book, he tore the +page out, and evidently despatched it by one of +the waiting servants.</p> + +<p>She watched every movement, with eyes shining +with eagerness, and could have cried bitterly at +the thought of his absence. She knew, too, that +she was playing a dangerous game, when she +allowed him to return to town, his passion still +undeclared; yet she felt that this was the only +means of holding his affections; for she was a firm +believer in the adage--"Absence makes the heart +grow fonder." She sighed deeply, however, as with +a parting wave of his hand, and bareheaded, Adrien +was rapidly driven away.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later the servant brought her the +hastily written note. It was only a scrap of paper, +and unfolding it, she read the two lines:</p> + +<br> +<p>"My father grants us the ball. We will make it +an eventful one.--ADRIEN."</p> +<br> + +<p>Her face glowed. "We will, indeed," she murmured. +"It is a high stake I play for; but it is +worth the struggle. Heaven grant me his whole +heart! I ask nothing else."</p> + +<p>Carefully locking the scrap of paper away, she +descended into the morning-room, where Lord +Barminster was already seated at the breakfast-table. +His grim face softened at the entry of the +girl he had always looked upon as a daughter, and +loved even more intensely--if that were possible--now +that he meant to win her for his son's bride.</p> + +<p>"So Adrien has left us again?" he began, as +she poured out his coffee.</p> + +<p>She flushed slightly at his significant tones.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied. "Uncle, thank you so +much for letting us have the ball----"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, my dear" he returned. "Adrien +told me you wanted it, and that was sufficient. +Why didn't you ask me yourself? Have I been +such a cruel guardian?"</p> + +<p>"No, no," she cried, and coming round to him +impulsively, she pressed her lips to his forehead. +"You've been the dearest uncle in the world. +Indeed, no father could have been better."</p> + +<p>He smiled at her earnestness.</p> + +<p>"I've done my best, my dear, though I admit +I'd like you for my very own daughter-in-law."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance blushed scarlet. This was +carrying the war into the enemy's camp with a +vengeance.</p> + +<p>"'Nobody axed me, sir, she said,'" she sang +gaily.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but whose fault is that?" asked Lord +Barminster, pleased that she had not refused to +discuss the question.</p> + +<p>"Please, Uncle Philip," she said, with a sudden +quiver in her voice, "I'd rather not talk about it--if +you don't mind."</p> + +<p>"Quite right, my dear," replied Lord Barminster, +patting her hand reassuringly.</p> + +<p>For a few minutes there was silence. His lordship +drank his coffee, while his companion stared +dreamily through the window at the magnificent +view of park and woods. The old man was the +first to speak.</p> + +<p>"We shall miss Lord Standon," he said, with a +meaning glance at her.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance looked up with a start; then, as +she realised the significance of this simple statement, +she smiled. She knew she could trust her +uncle not to betray her woman's secret; and, +though she had no scruple in using Lord Standon +as a means to spur on Adrien, she would not allow +the old man to be worried unnecessarily by doubts +of her fidelity to his beloved son.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she answered, quietly. "But he only +came down for the race; and I daresay he was +anxious to rejoin his <i>fiancée</i>."</p> + +<p>It was her uncle's turn to start, and his intense +surprise told Lady Constance only too well that +her speculations were correct. Adrien had believed +her in love with Lord Standon, and his father had +undertaken to find out the truth. She was not +afraid of Adrien's being undeceived now; for, even +if Lord Barminster wrote--which was very unlikely--the +spur would have done its work.</p> + +<p>"I did not know he was engaged," the old man +exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"No, the news has not been made public; but +he told me in confidence," Lady Constance returned +calmly, as she rose from the breakfast-table. Then, +having seen her companion installed with his +newspaper, she passed out to the terrace.</p> + +<p>To the astonishment of every one in Barminster +Castle, some few hours later, Mr. Vermont reappeared.</p> + +<p>In his turn he seemed quite as surprised when he +learned that Leroy had already returned to London.</p> + +<p>"Gone," he echoed, "just a few hours ago? +Dear! dear! I must have missed him by telling +my chauffeur to take the road across the moor."</p> + +<p>He entered the Castle while he was speaking, +and the servants hastened to learn his commands; +for, next to the sun, there is nothing better than +the moon--next to the Hon. Adrien came his friend +and agent, Mr. Jasper Vermont. But Jasper +waved them amiably aside, as he entered the +dining-room.</p> + +<p>"You would like some luncheon, sir?" inquired +the butler, coming forward respectfully.</p> + +<p>Jasper nodded.</p> + +<p>"Just a snack, Judson. Don't put yourselves +out for me, I'm off again directly."</p> + +<p>While the estimable Judson went off to get this +snack--which resolved itself into an exquisitely-laid +lunch--Mr. Vermont dropped into a chair, and +surveyed the scene through the open window. +Strange to say, his thoughts seemed to run similarly +to those of Lady Constance, earlier in the day; +for he exclaimed under his breath:</p> + +<p>"It's a large stake, worth playing for. Awkward +my missing him." He smoothed out a pile of +deeds and documents and replaced them in his +leather bag. "He would have signed these without +a word here; at his chambers, he'll amuse +himself by reading them, confound it!"</p> + +<p>A rustle of silken skirts attracted his attention; +the scowl vanished, and he readjusted his smiling +mask as the door opened and Lady Constance +entered the room.</p> + +<p>She had been informed of his sudden arrival; +and, though heartily disliking him, she was yet +bound to play the part of hostess while her aunt +was resting.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont bowed low over her extended hand, +as over that of an empress.</p> + +<p>"I hope your ladyship is well?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Quite, thank you, Mr. Vermont," she said with +cold indifference. "I suppose you have come down +to see Adrien? He started for London before +breakfast this very morning."</p> + +<p>"So I have just heard," he returned sweetly.</p> + +<p>"I am not greatly surprised, as Lady Merivale +was asking after him last night. I expect she +summoned him."</p> + +<p>The girl's face paled ever so slightly, though she +strove to give no sign that his shaft had hit home. +Adrien had received a letter that morning, as she +knew, one having been brought up to her by +mistake.</p> + +<p>"Very likely," she said imperturbably. "I +daresay he had to attend to some business too."</p> + +<p>"Adrien is very changeable," Vermont said +reflectively, "one can never count on his movements; +following him is like wild duck shooting, +down the river on Monday, and up the Fens on +Tuesday. I'm sorry I missed him, though, for I +have several papers which he must see."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance tried to appear sympathetic.</p> + +<p>"It is a pity you weren't earlier," she said with +a smile. "Still, I daresay you know where to find +him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," returned Mr. Vermont, glancing at +her from the corner of his eye, as he aimed his +second shaft. "He will be either with Miss Lester +or her ladyship; he fluctuates between these two +points of happiness as a rule."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance did not appear perturbed in any +way by this news.</p> + +<p>"Lady Merivale is a charming woman," she said +briefly. "But who is Miss Lester?"</p> + +<p>"She is also a charming woman," was the smooth +reply; "but with the difference that she is unattached--save +to the theatre."</p> + +<p>"Oh! an actress!" exclaimed his companion +with patrician contempt. "That reminds me," +she continued. "What is your last success at the +Casket?"</p> + +<p>"<i>My</i> success," echoed Mr. Vermont, with an air +of pained astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, are you not the manager of that building?" +she asked simply.</p> + +<p>He bowed and smiled.</p> + +<p>"No, Lady Constance," he said. "I fear the +world gives me too much credit. I have nothing +to do with this whim of Adrien's save to pay out +the salaries for the company. The management +is his--or rather, perhaps, I should say, Miss +Lester's; and I am not answerable for its failure +or its successes. I believe, too, he is about to give +the whole place to Miss Lester."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance started almost unconsciously, +and Jasper knew that his words had hit home at +last.</p> + +<p>"I am sure you do your best to help him," she +said, after a moment's pause.</p> + +<p>"You are most kind," he returned with a bow +and an ironic smile. "I trust you will let me +prove my friendship both to Adrien and yourself."</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XV</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>It was the night on which Adrien had returned +to town. Jessica, ignorant that he had ever left +it, had found her way to his chambers, and waited +there patiently and hungrily in the hope of once +more seeing him. As the clock struck eight she +decided that it was useless to remain any longer, +and accordingly retraced her steps through the +crowded thoroughfares.</p> + +<p>Anything would be better than waiting like this, +she thought despairingly.</p> + +<p>After the silence of the deserted street, the +crowds, pushing and jostling her, brought her almost +a feeling of satisfaction. Even if she were alone, +at least she could not be solitary while the world +rushed past her, in its eager search for pleasure.</p> + +<p>At one point near Charing Cross a few curious +loafers had collected on either side of the brilliantly-lit +faēade of a theatre, over which, in coloured +lights, was the name, "The Casket."</p> + +<p>As Jessica stood watching listlessly, indeed almost +unconsciously, a handsome motor rolled up before +the imposing entrance. The little group surged +back before the white-gloved commissionaire, who +hurried forward, but the door of the car had already +been thrown open by the chauffeur, and a gentleman +and lady stepped out.</p> + +<p>At the sight of one of them, Jessica's indifference +became changed to a feverish eagerness. The colour +left her face, her eyes dilated, her lips parted. She +swayed back, half fearful, half desirous that he +should see her; for it was he, the man for whom +she had waited so long, the man she had enshrined +within her heart.</p> + +<p>Adrien, all his doubts as to the possibility of +winning Constance's love returning to him in full +force once he had left her presence, had come down +to the theatre with two objects. One to distract +his thoughts from his hopes and fears, the other to +arrange with Jasper for the entire transfer of the +theatre to Ada. He meant this to be the last +night as far as the Casket and Ada Lester were +concerned.</p> + +<p>Absorbed in his own reflections, he hardly saw +the group of humble spectators, and did not appear +to hear their murmurs of recognition, but turned +and held out his hand to assist the lady who +accompanied him.</p> + +<p>Jessica's eyes flashed fiercely as they wandered +from his face to that of the woman beside him.</p> + +<p>"She is beautiful," she murmured beneath her +breath. "She is beautiful, and with him!"</p> + +<p>All the love which had been aroused in her +passionate heart surged up, and, for the minute, +almost turned to jealous hate. "Beautiful, and +with him." It was agony to her to see him as he +bent down to catch some light words of his companion, +whose perfumed satin cloak swept by the +crouching girl, as the pair passed into the theatre.</p> + +<p>Full well she knew that she herself could never +hope to hear his voice, or feel the pressure of his +hand; yet it was with the bitterness of death that +she saw him pass her by in the company of this +beautiful woman. Mingled also with her jealousy +was another feeling, that of partial recognition. +For the moment--she could not remember where--but +at some time in the past, she fancied she had +seen that dark, highly-coloured face, and heard the +harsh vulgar voice.</p> + +<p>As Leroy turned from the motor, she heard him +say to the chauffeur:</p> + +<p>"Be here at eleven."</p> + +<p>"At eleven," she thought, "then I will be here +too, and see him once more."</p> + +<p>She hung on the outskirts of the group and +listened with greedy ears for any chance word that +might arise about her idol.</p> + +<p>"A reg'lar beauty, I should just think so," said +a man, addressing another who had passed a +remark on the lady in question. "She's the +biggest star on the stage, you bet! Ada Lester +knows her value, and ain't likely to forget it neither."</p> + +<p>The other man ventured a remark concerning +the lady's escort.</p> + +<p>"Him? That's Leroy--son of Lord Barminster--the +richest of 'em all. She belongs to him, she +does; so does the whole theatre. Costs him a +pretty penny, you bet. But lor' bless yer, he don't +mind! Can't spend his money fast enough. My +brother's one of the shifters; and the things he cud +tell yer about 'er, and 'er temper, 'ud make yer +'air stand on end."</p> + +<p>Jessica moved away, while members of the group +aired their knowledge of the rapidly entering, +smartly-dressed audience.</p> + +<p>"That's Mr. Leroy's friend, Mr. Vermont," commenced +the first speaker again. "I've 'eard tell +'e does all the work and pays out all the other one's +money; but he ain't no class himself--he's not a +real tip-top swell like them others." He pointed +to a little group of white-waistcoated, immaculately-dressed +men, now standing on the steps of the +vestibule. "Lord! this 'ere Casket'll be +crammed with all the swells to-night--'cos it's the +fashion."</p> + +<p>"So Ada Lester is the fashion now, eh?" commented +his companion, who had probably known +her in her poorer days, and therefore was inclined +to be interested in her.</p> + +<p>"Not 'arf, she ain't," agreed the man, with the +Londoner's pride in laying down the law on the +subject. "She's got a house like a duchess, and +can eat off gold or silver if she chooses; an' all for +her face, for she can't act for nuts. I've seen 'er +so I know!" With which lordly criticism, he +closed the subject.</p> + +<p>As for Jessica, sick at heart with jealousy, she +turned up one of the side streets to commence her +long wait for Adrien Leroy; while the group +dispersed, laughing and chattering.</p> + +<p>The Casket was filled now to its utmost +capacity. It was the first night of a new piece. +The unfortunate comedy which Ada had so strongly +condemned had been withdrawn, and a so-called +musical farce--consisting of very bad music, and +still worse comedy--hastily put on in its stead. +As usual, no expense had been spared in the mounting, +and Adrien's money had been poured out like +water on extraordinary costumes, gorgeous, highly-coloured +scenery, and a hundred embellishments for +this new piece of elaborate and senseless burlesque, +<i>Prince Bon-Bon</i>. But with all its deficiencies as +regarded culture, the piece appeared to be a success.</p> + +<p>Ada Lester could dance, if she could not act; +and she could shout a vulgar patter song, if she +could not sing; therefore after a tumultuous first +act, during which she had been "Hongkored"--as +she expressed it--to her heart's content, she was +standing in the wings, with a cigarette between her +painted lips, radiant with content and gratified +vanity.</p> + +<p>"Well, Shelton," said Leroy, as his friend approached +him, where he leaned against a stack of +scenery. "What do you think of the show this +time?"</p> + +<p>"As beautiful as it is senseless," was that gentleman's +sarcastic reply. "Heaven alone knows what +it cost you," he added.</p> + +<p>"I certainly don't know myself," admitted +Adrien, knocking the ash from his cigarette. "Ask +Paxhorn--he wrote the lyrics, and had the management; +or better still Vermont, whom I'm going to +see myself presently. But this will be a success, +Mortimer, and I shall make a fortune."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Shelton quietly, "for Paxhorn and +Vermont. Well, it's no business of mine, of course."</p> + +<p>He turned to Ada, who had been tapping her +foot angrily during this little conversation. "Well, +Miss Lester," he said, "haven't you a word for me +to-night?"</p> + +<p>She glared at him viciously, for Mortimer was +not a favourite of hers.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she snapped. "I hate the sight of +you!"</p> + +<p>Both men laughed as though amused.</p> + +<p>"That was a fair hit," said Shelton, with mock +grief in his voice. "Don't kill me right out, Miss +Lester. Let me open a bottle of champagne for +you."</p> + +<p>"I don't want it," said the popular dancer, her +eyes flashing angrily. Then, turning her back on +him, she said to Adrien, "Ain't you going to the +front to see me dance?"</p> + +<p>"I can see you from here," was his answer. +"You look charming, my dear Ada; doesn't she, +Mortimer?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and as good as she is beautiful," declared +that gentleman, making her a low bow.</p> + +<p>With a furious glance at him, and a furtive look +at Adrien, she passed them, and, accompanied by +a burst of music from the orchestra and a storm +of clapping from the audience, she commenced her +dance.</p> + +<p>Shelton watched her with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"Hark! how they applaud," he said, glancing +up at the crowded and delighted house. "They +seem to admire her, anyway. Long live Miss Ada, +Queen of dancers. Adrien, why do you put up +with that painted vixen?"</p> + +<p>Leroy smiled at his sudden change of tone.</p> + +<p>"Don't let her hear you," he said. "And don't +worry yourself about me, old fellow."</p> + +<p>"You're afraid of her," continued his friend. +"Oh, yes, you may think it an impertinence if you +like, but I know you are. You'd face a cannon's +mouth sooner than that woman's angry abuse. +You dread a scene as a musician does a false note. +For me, I'm sick of the whole world."</p> + +<p>"Why do you remain in it, then?" asked Adrien, +laughing.</p> + +<p>"For the same reason as yourself," replied the +cynic. "Neither of us know what the next will be +like."</p> + +<p>Adrien laughed, but before he could explain to +his friend his plan with regard to Ada, a crowd of +pretty dancers in silver gauze surrounded him, begging +for real bon-bons, instead of the painted property +sweets given out to them.</p> + +<p>"Do you girls think I am made of bon-bons, like +the piece?" he said, waving them back. "Why, +you'll make yourselves ill."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mr. Leroy," pouted one, "we've danced so +hard, too!"</p> + +<p>"Go to Mr. Vermont, then," was the indolent +reply; "he'll give you what you want," and with +a rush they swept back on to the stage.</p> + +<p>"Always Jasper," murmured Shelton sadly, as +his friend, with a genial wave of the hand, picked +his way past cardboard castles and paper trees, till +he disappeared through the door that would lead +him to his stage-box.</p> + +<p>At eleven o'clock the play was over; the superbly-dressed +women, with their escorts, were descending +the wide staircase, laughing and discussing the +piece, which seemed likely to become the success +of the season. Outside, the pavement was filled +with the gay, excited crowds. Whistles resounded +for taxis hovering in the immediate vicinity, like +steel-plated birds of prey. Carriages were being +shouted for, and throughout all the bustle and +excitement, a slight girlish form doggedly kept its +vigil near the main entrance.</p> + +<p>The crowd of pleasure-seekers and onlookers had +melted away, and the attendants were busy turning +out the lights, when the glass doors swung open +again, and three or four gentlemen came out, +laughing and talking.</p> + +<p>"Quite a success," said one of them.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," from another. "Paxhorn, I +congratulate you again, old man."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," replied the author, his face beaming +with satisfaction. "Thanks to Leroy, it will +run for a hundred nights, and my name will be +made."</p> + +<p>"On Bon-bons," sneered Shelton; "what a +thing it is to be a popular playwright."</p> + +<p>"Better to be a popular dancer," whispered +Paxhorn, as the door swung open again, and Adrien +came out, with Ada Lester on his arm, Mr. Jasper +Vermont following behind them.</p> + +<p>"All here?" asked Leroy in his clear voice, as +they descended the steps to where the motors stood +waiting. "Come along"--turning to the rest of +the party--"we are all going to supper to celebrate +Ada's triumph. Paxhorn, dismiss your car, old +man, and come with us; we want to hear the +rustle of your laurels."</p> + +<p>Laughingly, they entered the vehicles, while, +above all the others, rang the harsh voice of the +woman, and Jessica, hearing it, shuddered involuntarily. +Then they were gone.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, while the girl's eyes were straining +after them, the last motor stopped, and Jasper +Vermont jumped out and hastened back into the +theatre. More out of idle curiosity than anything +else, or perhaps again prompted by the guardian +angel of Leroy's honour, she waited to see him +come out again. In a few minutes he re-emerged, +bearing in his hand a small roll of papers, one of +which he was reading, with a malicious smile on +his face.</p> + +<p>Jessica unwittingly stood in his path, and he +crashed into her with such force as to knock his hat +to the ground. With an oath he struggled to +regain it, pushing her roughly aside.</p> + +<p>"Out of my way, girl," he exclaimed, thinking +she was about to beg from him. "I have nothing +for you."</p> + +<p>At the sound of his voice Jessica's face whitened, +and she turned away, frightened, and trembling; as +she did so, her foot struck against something light +lying on the kerb. She stooped and found it was +a small roll of papers, part of those which had been +in the gentleman's hand, and which he had been +studying so attentively.</p> + +<p>She did not trouble to open it, but slipped it +into the bosom of her dress and walked dreamily +away.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XVI</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>"Is it a Rubens, or is it not? That is the +question," drawled Frank Parselle, as he dropped +his eyeglass.</p> + +<p>On an easel in Lady Merivale's drawing-room, +stood a picture, before which were grouped a small +assembly of her friends, including one or two +artists and connoisseurs.</p> + +<p>Lord Merivale was also present, having been +dragged away from his beloved farm, and worried +into the purchase of this picture--the usual "Portrait +of a gentleman"--by his beautiful wife. He +himself knew nothing whatsoever about it, either +as to its value or its genuineness; it was worn and +dirty-looking, and, in his opinion, would have been +dear at a five-pound note.</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is the question," echoed Lord Standon. +"It's not a bad face though. I should vote it +genuine right enough."</p> + +<p>"It's extremely dirty," yawned Lord Merivale, +casting a longing look at the green grass of the park +opposite and thinking of his new shorthorns in +Somersetshire.</p> + +<p>"Philistine!" exclaimed his wife, tapping him +playfully on the arm. "You are incorrigible. +Dirty! why, that is tone."</p> + +<p>"Ah," returned her husband, turning away and +gazing admiringly at a bull by Potter. He was as +wise as he had been before; for the jargon of Art +and fashionable society was not one of his accomplishments.</p> + +<p>"I tell you who would be a good judge," put in +Mr. Paxhorn.</p> + +<p>The rest turned inquiring eyes on him.</p> + +<p>"Who?" asked Lord Standon.</p> + +<p>"Adrien Leroy. He is an artist, though he +keeps his talents as secret as if they were crimes. +It was he who did the designs for my last +book."</p> + +<p>A murmur of astonishment ran through the +room. Nearly every one knew that it was to the +illustrations the book owed the greater portion of +its success.</p> + +<p>"A modesty quite unfashionable," exclaimed +Lady Merivale, whose beautiful face had flushed +ever so slightly at the mention of Adrien's +name.</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Paxhorn. "Men have to proclaim +their gifts very loudly in the market-place, +before they sell their wares nowadays."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Adrien is a veritable Crichton," put in +Lord Standon. "There is very little he does not +know, and even that is made up by the estimable +Jasper."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I saw them together got half an hour ago," +said Paxhorn. "If I had known of this picture, I +would have got them to come with me; for Vermont +is a genius at settling any question under the +sun."</p> + +<p>"He's not always right, though," put in Lord +Merivale, quietly. "What about that horse of +Leroy's? Wasn't it Vermont who was so sure of +his winning the race? Yet his Majesty did not win, +did he?"</p> + +<p>"No, I know that," said Standon, with a rueful +smile, as he thought of his added debts.</p> + +<p>"That was not Vermont's lack of judgment," +put in Paxhorn, who, for private reasons of his own, +always stood up for that gentleman. "I am sure +the horse would have won had it not been for Adrien's +ill-timed generosity."</p> + +<p>"What was that?" inquired Lady Merivale, +looking keenly over at him.</p> + +<p>"He gave the jockey a ten-pound note the +night before the race; and, of course, the fellow +got drunk and pulled the 'King' up at the last +fence."</p> + +<p>"And lost his life, did he not?" asked one of the +artists.</p> + +<p>Lord Standon nodded, thoughtfully. He was +attached to his friend Leroy, and did not see why +he should be blamed unnecessarily.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied; "the strangest part of it all +was the way the poor fellow raved at Vermont."</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked Lady Merivale, +sharply.</p> + +<p>"We were all standing round him," explained +Lord Standon, "and when Vermont came up the +man seemed to go off his head, and practically said +he had sold the race. Of course, it was all nonsense, +though I believe Lord Barminster is having some +inquiries made."</p> + +<p>"But why should Vermont have sold the race? +Really, it's too absurd," put in Paxhorn scornfully. +"Especially as he'd backed him for five hundred +pounds himself. It's hardly likely he'd do such a +thing for his own sake, apart from his sense of +honour, and his friendship for Leroy."</p> + +<p>Lady Merivale glanced sceptically at the speaker. +Her faith in Jasper's sense of honour was not very +strong. Then she gave a deep sigh.</p> + +<p>"Why, Eveline," said her husband, looking up, +"you seem quite grieved. Not on your own +account, I hope?" The idea of his wife betting +was very repugnant to him, and Lady Merivale +always endeavoured to keep her little flutters, +whether on 'Change or on the turf, entirely to +herself. She laughed lightly, therefore, as she +answered:</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, indeed; I lost a dozen of gloves, that +was all." A vision of the cheque for five hundred +pounds, which she had drawn, arose before her as +she spoke.</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid it will take a little more than +that to settle Leroy's book," said Lord Merivale +carelessly.</p> + +<p>At this moment the door opened and Adrien Leroy +himself was announced. There was the usual buzz +of welcome, and her ladyship's eyes flashed just one +second, as he bent over her hand.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad you have come, Mr. Leroy," she +said. "You can settle a knotty question for us. +This is my latest acquisition. Now have I been +deceived, or have I not? Is it a Rubens?"</p> + +<p>Adrien smiled at the two artists, who were slight +acquaintances of his.</p> + +<p>"You ask me while such judges are near? Cannot +you decide, Alford--nor you, Colman?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I say it is," said the first.</p> + +<p>"While I think it is forgery," laughed the second; +and thereupon ensued a lengthy and detailed +criticism.</p> + +<p>Adrien bent nearer to the picture under examination; +then he said quietly:</p> + +<p>"Where two such lights cannot discover the +truth, who may? I agree with you, Alford, and +so I do with you, Colman. Both your arguments +are so convincing that if Rubens had painted it, +and were present, to hear you, Colman, he'd be +persuaded he hadn't; and if he had not painted it, +you, Alford, could almost convince him that he +had."</p> + +<p>There was a general smile at the artists' expense; +and Adrien continued:</p> + +<p>"Rubens' touch"--examining the face--"but--what +is this?" He pointed to a small weapon +thrust into the girdle of the figure.</p> + +<p>"That is a dagger," said Alford. "Here, where +are the glasses?"</p> + +<p>"Thanks," said Adrien, "but I don't require +them. It is a dagger, and a Florentine one at that. +Ah! Lady Merivale, I'm afraid your picture is +more a specimen of what a modern impostor can +rise to than that of an old master. That dagger is +of comparatively modern fashion, certainly not +earlier than the eighteenth century, while Rubens +died in 1640."</p> + +<p>The two artists stared, as well they might, but +were neither sufficiently acquainted with Leroy to +express their surprise at his knowledge, nor had +knowledge enough themselves to challenge his +dates.</p> + +<p>It was Lord Standon who spoke first.</p> + +<p>"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "Adrien going in +for history! Who would have thought it? My +dear fellow, why not give a lecture?"</p> + +<p>"On the vanity of human hopes and the folly of +friendship?" inquired Adrien, so coldly as to startle +both the company and Lord Standon himself, who +not being in Lady Constance's confidence, was +naturally at a loss for the reason of this sudden +anger on the part of Leroy. He drew back in surprise, +but any further reference to the matter was +stopped by the entry of Jasper Vermont. As a +matter of fact, he had arrived just in time to overhear +Adrien's last words.</p> + +<p>"What's that?" he cried, after he had greeted +Lady Merivale. "Was that Leroy declaiming +against the world? It's for those in his position to +bewail its vanities, while poor dev--I beg your +pardon, Lady Merivale--poor men like myself can +only cry for them."</p> + +<p>Adrien smiled.</p> + +<p>"Quite right, Jasper. I'm wrong, as usual.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Vermont," said Lord Merivale, "you remind +me of the clown in the beloved pantomime of my +youth."</p> + +<p>"An innocent memory that, at least, my lord," +returned Vermont, who never stayed his tongue in +the matter of a repartee for lord or commoner. +"May I ask why?"</p> + +<p>"You always enter the room with a joke or an +epigram," was the answer.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont smiled.</p> + +<p>"'All the world's a stage, and all the men and +women merely players,'" he quoted lightly, as he +turned his attention to the unfortunate "Portrait +of a gentleman." "Ah, what have we here--another +picture? An old master, I presume?"</p> + +<p>The artists looked pleased; it would seem as if +even the great connoisseur himself was liable to +make mistakes.</p> + +<p>"It is ugly enough, in all conscience," he continued +bluntly. "For my part, I am an utter +philistine, and like my art to be the same as my +furniture--new, pretty to look at, and comfortable, +and, for the life of me, I can't fall in love with a +snub-nosed Catherine de Medici, or a muscular +apostle. What is this?" He bent down to read +the title. "Ah! 'Portrait of a gentleman of the +sixteenth century.' Very valuable, I daresay, +Lady Merivale?"</p> + +<p>Lady Merivale, who looked upon Mr. Vermont as +one of her ancestors would have regarded the Court +jester, smiled indifferently.</p> + +<p>"It all depends on the point of view," she said. +"I have paid three hundred pounds for it."</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont looked up with an air of innocent +surprise; but a keen observer might have been +tempted to regard it as one of satirical enjoyment.</p> + +<p>"Three hundred pounds! I daresay these gentlemen, +good judges all, have declared it a bargain?" +He motioned to the little group on the other side of +Lord Merivale.</p> + +<p>"Not at all," returned his hostess. "On the +contrary, Mr. Leroy declares it an imposture."</p> + +<p>Vermont raised his eyebrows.</p> + +<p>"Indeed," he said. "How did he detect the +fraud?"</p> + +<p>"By the one weak point," said Colman. "That +dagger; Rubens never lived to see such a dagger +as that, so could not possibly have painted it!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont smiled, an approving smile that +seemed to mock the picture as if it were a living +thing.</p> + +<p>"Capital," he said. "The rogue who palmed +this forgery on you was evidently not a student of +the antique. Poor fellow, how was he to guess +who was to be his judge? You will, of course, +institute proceedings against him, or send the picture +back?"</p> + +<p>"Impossible," said Lord Merivale, with a rueful +smile; "I wrote the cheque last night; by this time +it will have been cashed, and so the swindle is +complete."</p> + +<p>"Dear! dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont, in +tones of the deepest commiseration, though he smiled +as he added: "There's only one thing to be said, +my lord. If that picture is clever enough to deceive +such great experts, surely it has achieved its object. +It certainly looks old enough to satisfy the most +exacting of second-hand furniture shops."</p> + +<p>He turned to Lady Merivale.</p> + +<p>"Before I forget," he said, "let me discharge +the object of my visit. Melba sings to-morrow at +the Duke of Southville's party."</p> + +<p>Her ladyship's face lighted up with real gratitude. +Music was her one sincere passion; and, as she had +been unable to hear that divine songstress during +the season owing to various engagements, this news +was welcome.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," she said warmly. "How good +of you to find out for me. It was kept such a +secret. How did you discover it?"</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Mr. Vermont, raising his eyebrows. +"If I tell you that, it would be bad policy. I may +have discovered it so easily that my services as a +solver of mysteries would sink to insignificance, or +again I may have had to commit a crime; in either +case, it is best to 'draw a veil of silence,' shall we +say; sufficient be it that Melba sings, and Lady +Merivale deigns to listen."</p> + +<p>"Flatterer," she said lightly, as he rose, hat in +hand. He glanced across at Adrien, who was +talking to Lord Merivale. "I am off on another +mission," he said, lowering his voice. "I fancy +my friend must be thinking of his honeymoon."</p> + +<p>Lady Merivale started violently. "What do +you mean?" she asked, striving to maintain her +usual cool, indifferent tones.</p> + +<p>He looked down at her in innocent surprise.</p> + +<p>"I am commissioned to buy a residence in the +Swiss Lakes district for Leroy; and as I happen to +know Lady Constance Tremaine is devoted to +mountaineering--most exhausting work, I consider--well, +there is only one construction to be laid. +But, of course, this is in strictest confidence; you +will not betray me, I know."</p> + +<p>"Of course not," said her ladyship mechanically; +her mind was working rapidly, so that she hardly +heard the rest of Jasper's purring speech; and that +gentleman, highly pleased at the pain he had so +evidently inflicted, made a parting epigram and +left his poison to do its work in Lady Merivale's +mind.</p> + +<p>One by one, the others followed; and Lord +Merivale, with an apology to Leroy, returned to his +study and the <i>Agricultural Gazette</i>, having his wife +and Adrien alone.</p> + +<p>With flushed face and outstretched hands, she +turned to him reproachfully.</p> + +<p>"I thought you had forgotten me."</p> + +<p>"Impossible," he murmured, as he raised her +hand to his lips. "I have been so bothered with +various business matters, and have had so many +engagements----"</p> + +<p>"But yet had the time to go to the theatre with +that awful creature," she retorted. "Then you +have been spending a day or two at Barminster." +She bit her lip savagely in her jealous pain and +wounded vanity. "Adrien," she entreated, "tell +me it isn't true."</p> + +<p>"To what do you refer?" he asked steadily.</p> + +<p>He knew that the struggle had commenced, and +he was determined to bring this mock phantasy of +love to an end. If he could not marry the one +woman who had shown him what love really meant, +he would at least have done with this foolish +dalliance.</p> + +<p>"Your engagement to that pink-and-white cousin--Lady----"</p> + +<p>"Be silent," he commanded, more sternly than +he had ever spoken to any man, woman or child in +his life. His face had paled; his eyes were like +steel. The very thought of hearing her name reviled +by the jealous woman before him filled him +with wrath.</p> + +<p>She stood silent, but with flashing eyes, her +breast heaving with excitement.</p> + +<p>"It is true, then?" she panted. "You are going +to marry her--tell me the truth----"</p> + +<p>"I did not say so," he returned, slowly and +painfully.</p> + +<p>"Then you don't love her. Ah, I knew it!" +she cried triumphantly.</p> + +<p>He did not reply; and she read in his silence the +confirmation of her fears.</p> + +<p>"Adrien, is it possible--you love her, and +she----"</p> + +<p>"Eveline," he said, "for the sake of our past +friendship"--she started at the words--"do not +say any more. You know we have only played +with the divine passion. It has beguiled many a +pleasant hour, but I do not think it has been anything +more than a pastime."</p> + +<p>"Not to you," she said almost sullenly. "But +how dare you doubt my feelings? How dare you +insult me?"</p> + +<p>"I did not mean to hurt you," he said gently, +and her voice softened at his tone.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Adrien," she cried beseechingly, "you do +hurt me when you treat me like this. Try and +forget her, unless"--she broke off abruptly--"unless +you are really going to marry her. Is that so?"</p> + +<p>"I told you," he answered wearily. "I shall +never marry Constance. She is engaged to another."</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven!" was her, ladyship's mental +ejaculation, but she said nothing aloud.</p> + +<p>Leroy roused himself. "I must go," he said.</p> + +<p>"So soon?" she asked tremulously. "Where are +you going?"</p> + +<p>"To the theatre."</p> + +<p>She frowned, and, seeing it, he stopped to explain.</p> + +<p>"It is no longer mine," he said with a faint +smile.</p> + +<p>"Not yours!" she cried in surprise.</p> + +<p>"No, it belongs to Miss Lester."</p> + +<p>Her quick intellect grasped his meaning at +once.</p> + +<p>"Henceforth, you mean to retire from the gay +world, then?" she said, with a faint sneer, adding +quickly, as his face darkened, "Ah, forgive me, if +am bitter! I hate to see you unhappy. Try and +forgive my ill-humour."</p> + +<p>"You are, as ever, my queen," he said, "and can, +therefore, do no wrong."</p> + +<p>Lifting her hand to his lips, he turned and strode +hastily from the room.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XVII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Adrien Leroy dined alone that night--a most +unusual occurrence; but the scene with Lady +Merivale moved him, and still troubled his mind. +He had hitherto only regarded his love-making with +her as part in the comedy of life, wherein he played +the lover, to her lead; doffing and donning the +character at will. That she had taken either him +or herself seriously had never entered into his +mind. Believing also in the hopelessness of his +love for Lady Constance, he regretted bitterly having +allowed his secret to escape him; yet so unaccustomed +was he to the conventional and inevitable +lying of the world in which he moved so serenely, +that it had never occurred to him to deny the +charge, and swear everlasting devotion to the +countess alone.</p> + +<p>Norgate, who waited on him as usual, noticed +his abstraction.</p> + +<p>"We're getting tired of London again," said that +astute servant to himself, as he changed the dishes. +"We're thinking of going East again or my name +ain't what it is." For Adrien had spent the preceding +year in Persia.</p> + +<p>After dinner Leroy lingered in the comfortable, +luxurious room, as if loth to start out again on the +weary round of amusement. To youth and the +uninitiated, pleasure, as represented by balls, +theatres or feasting, seems to be an everlasting +joy; but to those born in the midst of it, trained +and educated only to amuse or to be amused, it +becomes work, and work of a most fatiguing nature. +To dance when one wishes to rest; to stand, hour +after hour, receiving guests with smile and bows, +when one would gladly be in bed; to eat, when one +has no appetite for food; all this, continued day in +day out, is no longer a pleasure--it becomes a +painful duty.</p> + +<p>Unlike the majority of his set, Adrien Leroy was +never lonely; indeed, solitude to him was a pleasure, +and one--the only one--which was difficult to obtain. +Endued with a fine intellect and highly cultivated +mind, even at college he had succeeded in studying +when his companions had spent their time in +"ragging," and other senseless occupations of a +like nature. Thrown on his own resources, therefore, +Leroy could have become a power in almost +any of the artistic professions. Instead, his time, +his youth and his faculties were being wasted in the +ordinary pursuits of the people amongst whom he +lived. Had he been a poorer man, he might have +risen to any height by virtue of his own talents; +but, lapped in luxury, lulled by the homage of +society, he remained dissatisfied, discontented, and +apathetic.</p> + +<p>The clock, striking eight, aroused him. Throwing +aside the cigar which had burnt itself out, he rose. +He had promised Jasper to come down to the +Casket Theatre; and, however weary he might be +of the tinsel and glitter, yet he never thought of +making an excuse, or of breaking his word.</p> + +<p>He was about to set forth, when Norgate announced +"Lord Standon," and though Adrien's +greeting was as courteous as usual, the old genial +warmth was gone. Lord Standon perceived this, +and knew that he had not been mistaken in his +belief that he had somehow angered Adrien.</p> + +<p>Directly Norgate had closed the door behind him, +therefore, he dashed, as was his wont, straight to the +heart of things.</p> + +<p>"Leroy," he said abruptly, "what's wrong with +you?"</p> + +<p>Adrien stared at him.</p> + +<p>"Wrong!" he echoed. "What on earth do you +mean? What should be wrong?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," returned the other bluntly; +"but I seem to have rubbed you up the wrong way +somehow----"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense," said Leroy, trying hard to resume +his usual warmth of manner. "What a ridiculous +idea! Have you dined, or shall I ring?" He +crossed the room almost hurriedly.</p> + +<p>"No, no, thanks," interrupted Lord Standon. +"I'm just off again; it was only a passing idea. +Sorry to have mentioned it."</p> + +<p>He turned, as if to go; and Leroy made no +attempt to restrain him.</p> + +<p>"I have to congratulate you, I suppose, on your +engagement?" he said coldly, when the young +man had almost reached the door.</p> + +<p>Lord Standon turned sharply, and stared at him. +He grasped the situation at once, but was still +greatly puzzled, for he knew Leroy was but slightly +acquainted with Lady Muriel Branton.</p> + +<p>"Thanks, old man," he returned, rather awkwardly. +"But it's a dead secret, really; I suppose +Lady Constance told you?"</p> + +<p>Leroy frowned.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said simply, "Why not?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no reason at all," said Lord Standon, +flushing like a boy; "only it's got to be kept +quiet, you know--my affairs are in such a beastly +state."</p> + +<p>"I wonder you----" commenced Leroy.</p> + +<p>"Dared to ask her," put in Standon, laughing a +little confusedly. "Yes, it was a bit of cheek on +my part, but 'faint heart never won fair lady,' you +know, and by Jove! if I hadn't, some other lucky +devil might have slipped in and carried her off by +sheer force!"</p> + +<p>Leroy winced; for he himself would have endeavoured +to "slip in and carry her off" had it +not been for his friend.</p> + +<p>"I don't see the need of secrecy," he said coldly. +"Have you spoken to her guardian?" meaning, of +course, Lord Barminster.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, to Lord Standon, being in love, +there was only one woman in the world, and therefore +only one guardian, and that one, her father, +the Earl of Croywood.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious, no!" he exclaimed. "He's such +an old curmudgeon--that until I get over that +beastly race----" He broke off, scarlet with confusion. +Absorbed in his own affairs, he had completely +forgotten that he was speaking to the owner +of the unlucky horse.</p> + +<p>Leroy was pale with anger; the reference to the +race annoyed him, but still more the expression of +"curmudgeon" as applied to his father. Naturally, +if he had stopped to consider, he would have realised +that there must be some mistake; for Standon +would hardly have spoken thus of Lord Barminster +in his son's presence. But what lover ever does +use his common sense? He drew himself up +sternly, and Standon could have kicked himself for +his unfortunate speech.</p> + +<p>"I don't mean--that is--it's not your fault----" +he stammered.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Leroy ironically.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you know what I mean. Don't pull me +up like that, Adrien. I wasn't thinking of its being +you--and you know what it is when a fellow's in +love with the sweetest, dearest----"</p> + +<p>Leroy turned sharply. It was more than any +one could be expected to bear; insult to his father, +blame to his horse, and now praise of the woman he +himself loved.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Standon," he interrupted curtly, +"I'm afraid I must ask you to spare me your +rhapsodies--I am due at the theatre." + +It was Standon's turn to be offended, and his +good-tempered face hardened.</p> + +<p>"Certainly. Pray accept my apologies for having +detained you. Good-night," he said coldly, and +before Leroy could even answer, he was gone.</p> + +<p>Adrien strode restlessly up and down. For the +first time in all his easy-going life trouble had +touched him. He determined to forget it at whatever +cost; so telling Norgate not to wait up for him, +he set out for the Casket. It was such a lovely +night that he dismissed the motor which was +awaiting him, deciding to walk across the park to +Victoria Street, and call in on Shelton, who had a +flat there.</p> + +<p>The park was beautifully silent, and still stood +open to the public. Absorbed in his reflections, +therefore, he left the main track and wandered down +one of the by-paths, in which stood several wooden +benches. Big Ben struck the half-hour. There +was just time for another cigar, and Leroy sat +down. He was in no humour yet to endure the +heat of the theatre, or the chaff and vulgarity of +Ada Lester.</p> + +<p>He lost count of time, in the pleasant quietude +of the spot; and his cigar was burnt down to an +inch when, with a half-sigh, he arose to exchange +the hard seat amidst the cool trees for a lounge +and a crowd of ballet girls at the theatre.</p> + +<p>As he picked up his stick, he heard a footstep +behind him, and turning, saw an ill-dressed, sullen-looking +man. The light from one of the lamps near +by shone full on him; and something about the +stout, shambling figure, or the dirty evil-browed +face, seemed dimly familiar.</p> + +<p>To his surprise, the man nodded at him with a +sulky frown, and said, in a thick voice:</p> + +<p>"Good-evening! Don't remember me, I s'pose?"</p> + +<p>"No, I do not," admitted Leroy, as he scanned +the bleared, swollen countenance before him.</p> + +<p>"Ah! you swells 'as bad memories; I ain't +forgotten you, so don't you think it!"</p> + +<p>Leroy gazed at him calmly; he thought the man +was intoxicated.</p> + +<p>"Do you want anything of me?" he asked, as +he pulled on his glove.</p> + +<p>"That depends," responded the man, moving +forward so that he stood right in Adrien's path. +"You're Mr. Leroy, ain't you?"</p> + +<p>"I am," said Leroy. "What is it you want?"</p> + +<p>"I wants to ask you a question," returned the +other, bringing his face closer to Adrien, who recoiled +involuntarily--the very smell of the fustian +clothes offending his delicate nostrils.</p> + +<p>The man noticed this, and frowned even more +heavily.</p> + +<p>"You're a gentleman," he said, "leastways I +s'pose you calls yourself such--p'raps you'll act +like one."</p> + +<p>"Kindly make haste and tell me what you want, +my good fellow," said Adrien impatiently. He +did not know but that this was a preliminary to an +attempt to rob him, and he was in no mood for a +brawl.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll be quick enough for you," was the +sullen reply. "You don't remember me, you say; +p'raps you'll remember my name--Wilfer--Johann +Wilfer."</p> + +<p>"Johann Wilfer," repeated Adrien, thoughtfully +and slowly, wondering where he had heard the name +before.</p> + +<p>"Yes, Johann Wilfer, Picture Restorer, Cracknell +Court, Soho."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Adrien, as a burst of memory dawned +on him. "I remember you now. What is it you +want? But tell me first, has the girl Jessica +returned yet?"</p> + +<p>"That's just like you swells," growled the man. +"Nothing like getting your word in first. Has she +returned to me? You know jolly well she ain't. +She won't come back to me till you've done with +'er, I'll be bound."</p> + +<p>Adrien started, as the significance of the accusation +dawned on him. He had thought more than +once of the girl, with her dark eyes and silken hair. +What had become of her? What, alas! could +have been her fate, if she had not returned to this +man, her guardian?</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" he said now, sternly.</p> + +<p>"What I say," retorted Mr. Wilfer. "She ain't +returned to me, an' that's my question to you. +Where is she, an' what 'ave you done with her?"</p> + +<p>"How should know what has become of her?" +answered Leroy, genuinely startled. "Do you dare +to insinuate that I know where she is? I have +neither seen her nor heard of her."</p> + +<p>"That's a lie," said the man shortly.</p> + +<p>Leroy surveyed him for a moment.</p> + +<p>"You are impertinent," he said, in his clear tones. +"Stand aside, and let me pass."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer thrust his hands into his pockets, and +stood his ground.</p> + +<p>"That won't go down with me," he said insolently. +"I want to know where my niece is; and by Heaven, +I'll know too!"</p> + +<p>Leroy stopped short.</p> + +<p>"She was your niece, you say?"</p> + +<p>"She was," said the man, "though it's no business +of yours; she belonged to me."</p> + +<p>"So I presume, or you would not have ill-treated +her," retorted Adrien dryly. "When did you see +her last?"</p> + +<p>"Over a month ago--as well you know," returned +Wilfer coarsely. "She ran off the morning you +came gallivanting after her."</p> + +<p>Adrien could have knocked the man down, but +he restrained the longing, and said instead:</p> + +<p>"I thought you told me she'd robbed you, and +had run away? That was a lie, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"'Course it was. Who wouldn't lie to save his +gal from such as you fine gentlemen? I know yer, +so it's no use coming this talky-talky surprise with +me. You just tell me where she is."</p> + +<p>"I tell you," reiterated Adrien, "I have never +seen the child since the night I took her from the +cold. Stand out of my path, or I shall hand you +over to the police."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer laughed.</p> + +<p>"So that's your answer, is it? Call away, my +fine gentleman, call away."</p> + +<p>He glanced round the deserted path from the +corner of his shifty eyes; then, with a snarl of a +savage beast, he sprang upon Leroy, and strove to +bring him to the ground.</p> + +<p>But he was no match for Adrien, who beneath +all his listless mannerism possessed a grasp of steel +and the strength of a gladiator. Almost shuddering +at the touch of the man's greasy clothes, Leroy +seized his arms, and lifting him off the ground as +though he were a terrier, gave him a good shake; +then he dropped him, lightly and easily, over the +park railings, which edged the by-path, where they +stood.</p> + +<p>Johann Wilfer was too astonished for a moment +to do anything but recover his breath, and Leroy, +settling his disarranged cuffs, walked calmly away.</p> + +<p>With a furious oath Wilfer sprang up, jumped +back over the railings, and was about to pursue +Leroy, when from behind him a hand was put on +his collar, and he was borne rapidly and silently to +the ground.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Adrien, all unconscious of his deliverance +from further disturbance, pursued his way to +the theatre.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XVIII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Mr. Johann Wilfer glared vengefully at the +smooth face of his assailant, and, struggling still, +breathed out, with a choice assortment of oaths, the +question:</p> + +<p>"Who are you? What do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Questions we will leave for the present, my +friend," was the reply. "Are you going to struggle +much longer? because if so, I shall be under the +painful necessity of using still greater force."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer lessened his movements.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" continued the suave voice. "So you +decide to take things quietly. Wise man! Now +have the goodness to rise and let me see to whom +I have the pleasure of speaking."</p> + +<p>Whereupon our friend, Mr. Jasper Vermont, +released Johann's throat from the pressure of his +knee--for it was by this means he had controlled +the other's movements--and allowed him to rise +to his feet. It was a very sullen and altogether +puzzled individual that stood waiting, uncertain +whether to listen to his captor's next words or to +make his escape.</p> + +<p>Jasper eyed him as a cat does a mouse, on the +watch for the slightest attempt to move.</p> + +<p>"So!" he said, as he took out his cigar-case, +and drew forth one of Leroy's choice Regalias. +"So! Now we are on our feet again, we look--well, +I must say, none the less a ruffian."</p> + +<p>The man turned savagely as if about to run +away, but Jasper was too quick for him; with a +grip of steel he caught hold of the other's arm.</p> + +<p>"Not so fast," he said quietly. "What is your +name, my friend?"</p> + +<p>"What's that to you?" queried Mr. Wilfer +naturally enough, as he settled his ragged scarf, +which, during the struggle, had become uncomfortably +tightened.</p> + +<p>"That is my affair," replied his opponent politely; +"perhaps it is merely curiosity. But as a matter of +fact, I think I have had the pleasure of meeting you +before, and I never like to forget old friends."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer grunted.</p> + +<p>"Come, let me think," Vermont continued, +"were you ever at Canterbury?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer started violently.</p> + +<p>"Ah! I am on the right track. Yes, I remember +now; it was a little inn in the summer time, a +beautiful moonlight night."</p> + +<p>"Wasn't me," snarled Wilfer, though his face +was pale.</p> + +<p>"I thought you were there," said his tormentor +as cheerfully and triumphantly as if the other had +admitted it. "You're not a good liar," he continued. +"If a man can't do that sort of thing well, +he'd better stick to the truth. At a little inn in +Canterbury. Yes, I remember it all now. I'm +glad my memory does not play me tricks." His +grasp tightened on Wilfer's sleeve. "I don't like +tricks," he purred. "How strange that we should +meet again. I think at that time you were an artist; +yes, that is what you called yourself, and there was +a pretty little girl with you, and you called her +your wife. Oh, yes, my friend, you were good at +'calling' things."</p> + +<p>"Look here," growled Wilfer, getting his word in +at last. "You just stow it, I don't know you----"</p> + +<p>"No, I know you don't," said his companion +imperturbably, "But you will; oh, yes, you will! +Let us go back to Canterbury, where you manufactured +such beautiful pictures."</p> + +<p>Wilfer moved uneasily.</p> + +<p>"Beautiful pictures," continued the mocking +voice, "all by Rubens and Raphael and Titian. +I shouldn't be surprised if that was one of yours I +saw at the Countess of Merivale's to-day, the 'Portrait +of a gentleman,' sold for £300. There was a +warranty with it, signed, sealed and delivered by a +Mr. Johann Wilfer."</p> + +<p>"I didn't, it wasn't," the man stuttered, his +face almost green in hue, his voice trembling with +anger and fear.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont smiled. He had his man safe and +sound.</p> + +<p>"Who the fiend are you?" commenced Wilfer, +recovering himself; but Vermont's smooth voice +interrupted him.</p> + +<p>"I was right, I see! What a strange coincidence, +Mr. Wilfer, that I should see your really admirable +Rubens in the afternoon, and run against--or +perhaps I should say, knock you down--in the +evening."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer was goaded to desperation.</p> + +<p>"Look here," he almost shouted, "I don't care +if you're the old 'un himself; but that's enough of +your jaw. What's your game anyhow? S'pose +you did see me in a pub at Canterbury along of a +young party, s'pose I am an artist, an' I did sell an +old master, that ain't no business of yours; that +don't give you the right to knock me down or +interfere with me, so now then!"</p> + +<p>"Finished?" inquired Vermont, pleasantly. "I +quite agree with you, Mr. Wilfer--on some points; +but it is greatly my business, as you will see. Had I +not come up at that moment, I wonder if my friend +would be as safe as he is now."</p> + +<p>"Your friend," echoed the other. "Is Mr. +Adrien Leroy your friend?"</p> + +<p>"He is indeed," replied Jasper with a grin. +"Now suppose you tell me what you two gentleman +were discussing."</p> + +<p>"Suppose I don't?" retorted Wilfer insolently. +"You find out for yourself, if you're so clever, Mr. +Know-all; I'm off." He tried to push past Vermont +and thus effect his escape; but he was not to get +off so lightly.</p> + +<p>Jasper removed his cigar, which he had been +puffing, and dropping his soft, mocking tone, said +sternly:</p> + +<p>"Stand back; go and sit on that bench. I +haven't done with you yet, Johann Wilfer."</p> + +<p>"I shan't," was that worthy's prompt answer.</p> + +<p>"Then I shall call the police," returned Vermont, +pulling out his silver cab-whistle.</p> + +<p>Wilfer started back.</p> + +<p>"Call 'em," he said defiantly. "I don't care. +What's the police to me, as I should be scared of +'em?"</p> + +<p>"A great deal," was the calm answer. "If you +are mad enough to disobey me, I shall whistle for +the police; they will find me struggling with a +most villainous-looking ruffian, whom I instantly +give in charge for assault and robbery of my dear +friend, Mr. Leroy, who has gone in search of +assistance."</p> + +<p>"It's all a lie," shouted Wilfer furiously.</p> + +<p>"Appearances would be too strongly against you, +my friend. The law is 'a hass,' as doubtless you +have heard before; and when it comes in the shape +of a blue-coated, helmeted and thick-headed policeman, +whose word do you think would be believed, +yours or mine?--to say nothing of this evidence." +Stooping, he picked up Leroy's gold watch and +chain, which had fallen from his pocket during his +struggle with Wilfer. "I found this is your hand. +A clear case of assault and robbery, with penal +servitude to follow."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer, dazed by the thickly-meshed net +drawn round him, eyed the watch and yielded.</p> + +<p>"Curse you!" he said. "You're a knowing +one an' no mistake."</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said; "a genuine compliment, +and a candid one. Now then, to business. What +did you want with Mr. Leroy?"</p> + +<p>The man looked up at the smooth, masterful face, +and inwardly acknowledged his opponent's power.</p> + +<p>"I'm thinking, guv'nor," he answered slowly, +"you heard all there was to hear, and saw all there +was to see; an' a bit more besides," he added, as +he thought of that precious gold watch he had so +stupidly failed to see. "Any'ow, if you're so +anxious for me to go over it all again, I wanted to +know the whereabouts of a niece of mine--a young +girl he took to 'is 'ome, some weeks ago."</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont's eyes gleamed and his hand shook +slightly with excitement, as he lit another cigar; +for evidently this was the girl at whom, he remembered, +Norgate had grumbled. If she could only +be kept out of sight, Jasper thought he saw a way +to getting his beloved friend into even deeper +trouble than he had ever dreamed possible.</p> + +<p>"You can prove it, I suppose?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"I can," said Mr. Wilfer; though, as a matter of +fact, he would have found this rather a difficulty.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jasper put his hand into his pocket; as we +have said before, he was not very generous when it +came to spending his own money, but there were +occasions when it was necessary to buy fresh tools, +and this was one of them. He drew out some gold, +which Mr. Wilfer eyed as greedily as a dog would a +bone.</p> + +<p>"Now," said Vermont, "your address?"</p> + +<p>"Cracknell Court, Soho, guv'nor," returned the +man, his manner visibly altering at the sight of +money.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't you alter it without my permission," +Jasper said sternly. "I may want you to do something +for me; and, if so, you can get your revenge. +Meanwhile, here's something to keep you out of +mischief, that's to say, in drink; you'll be safer +like that." He handed over the money--about +three pounds. "Mind! don't go selling any more +forged pictures, like the one the bond of which I +hold, or you'll get caught. They make the sentences +for fraud pretty heavy nowadays."</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilfer shivered. Up to now, he himself +had never been imprisoned; but other members of +the gang had served various sentences, and their +reminiscences were not comforting.</p> + +<p>"I understand, guv'nor," he said; "but what of +the gal?"</p> + +<p>"All you've got to do is wait till she comes +back; or if you find her about, let me know," +replied Jasper. "Now, be off, and remember I +can lay my hands on you--and so can the police--any +minute I like, so don't play me any tricks. +Good-night."</p> + +<p>With that, Mr. Vermont turned on his heel and +strode swiftly and silently away.</p> + +<p>Wilfer looked after him with a scowl.</p> + +<p>"He's a clever devil," he said, as he, too, went on his way.</p> + +<p>Clever, Mr. Vermont most undoubtedly was. +His worst enemies would not have denied him that +virtue; but in this case his cleverness had over-reached +itself. It had so amused him to torment his +victim, that he had never questioned Wilfer's +statement that the girl, Jessica, was his niece. +Had he known her identity, subsequent events +might have proved far different; but man, with all +his gifts, is blind as to the future; he sees as in a +glass darkly, trusting and believing in his own +feeble powers, as if he were omnipotent.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Jasper trudged gaily along.</p> + +<p>"Strange," he murmured, "how things work +round for me. That princely idiot plays into my +hands at every turn. What luck that I should +just have followed him to-night--I'll live to see him +humbled and disgraced yet!" With which pleasant +thought he hummed Miss Lester's latest song and +pursued his way to the theatre.</p> + +<p>Some few hours later, he stood beside Adrien +before the latter's motor.</p> + +<p>"Are you coming with me, Jasper?" said Leroy +heartily. "I'm afraid I've taken up a lot of your +time to-night."</p> + +<p>"My dear Adrien, does not my whole life belong +to you?" replied the arch-hypocrite.</p> + +<p>Adrien waved the suggestion aside.</p> + +<p>"By the way, what is the time?" he said, feeling +for his watch.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," answered his friend, "mine has +stopped."</p> + +<p>"Well, mine has gone," said Leroy quietly. "I +remember now; it was in that affair in the park."</p> + +<p>"What?" exclaimed Jasper, in tones of the +deepest sympathy. "Not that valuable repeater, +surely?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Adrien. "I must get another +one."</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled, as his fingers touched furtively the +watch and chain in question.</p> + +<p>"Did you find your papers?" inquired Adrien, +as they rolled through the streets. "Jackson told +me you lost them coming out of the theatre one +night."</p> + +<p>"No," answered Vermont, a flush of annoyance +crossing his brow. "I have not. But it's of no +consequence; Jackson need not have bothered you +about such a trifle. Merely accounts. I dropped +them somewhere between the stage and Ada's +motor, and I suppose I must look upon them as +gone for ever."</p> + +<p>"I hope not," said Adrien sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"They are of no consequence," said Vermont +again, as they reached Jermyn Court.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Mr. Vermont would have given +many pounds of his dearly-beloved money to have +had those papers safely clutched in his hand. But +at present they were lying on the bosom of a wandering, +homeless girl, and it was well for Jasper that +he could not foresee when she was to cross his path +again.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XIX</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>On the following morning, as Adrien stood before +a mirror, putting the finishing touches to his toilet, +carefully supervised by Norgate, his thoughts went +back to Jessica. The idea of the child wandering +about the streets, homeless and penniless, filled him +with a supreme pity. He had meant to have +spoken to Jasper about it, but he felt half ashamed; +besides, he rather dreaded to see Vermont's cynical +smile at the idea of his turning philanthropist to +street-waifs.</p> + +<p>He had just finished his breakfast when a servant +appeared, with a dainty little note marked "Immediate."</p> + +<p>The envelope bore no crest; for Lady Merivale +used none in her correspondence with Adrien Leroy, +from prudential motives. But he recognised the +handwriting, and the faint Oriental scent her ladyship +invariably used, and hastened to open it, +fearing a lengthy epistle full of hysterical reproaches. +To his intense relief he found that it contained but +two lines.</p> +<br> + +<p>"DEAR ADRIEN,--I shall spend the day with +Aunt Rose at Hampton. Do you care to accompany +me as you promised?"</p> +<br> + +<p>"Indeed I do," murmured Adrien.</p> + +<p>He recollected that on the day of the race he had +promised Lady Merivale that, when next she visited +her aunt, Lady Rose Challoner, at Hampton Court, +he would meet her there, and row her to some of +the pretty islands further up the stream, and there +spend the day in delicious idleness.</p> + +<p>So far, engagements on both sides had prevented +this plan being carried out; but now Lady Merivale +was evidently free, and he decided to cancel any +existing arrangements, and fulfil his promise. +Accordingly, sitting down at his desk, he dashed off +a note:</p> +<br> + +<p>"DEAR LADY MERIVALE,--I am motoring down +to Hampton, and will gladly meet you there. I +shall wire for the skiff and lunch. <i>Au revoir</i>."</p> +<br> + +<p>Having despatched this, he gave instructions to +Norgate with regard to all his engagements, and +ordered the car.</p> + +<p>It was a splendid spring morning, just bright and +hot enough to make the vision of the cool, broad +river particularly tempting; and Adrien determined +to put aside all cares, and take the day as it came. +Lady Merivale had evidently decided to set at rest +her jealous fears; and, he told himself, as Constance +was not to be his, there was nothing else to do but +to pass the time as best he might.</p> + +<p>Whatever happened, he was glad to be done with +Ada Lester. He had tired of her almost before the +first month of their so-called friendship; but he +had not had the courage--or rather the energy--necessary +to relieve himself of her.</p> + +<p>At any rate, Eveline's day should not be spoiled. +It should be one to be marked with a white stone. +He little thought with what danger the trip was +to be fraught, or that it would prove the most +momentous one of his pleasure-filled life.</p> + +<p>Directly the motor appeared, Leroy dismissed the +chauffeur, preferring to drive himself, as procuring +greater safety against a breath of scandal touching +her ladyship's name.</p> + +<p>Through the crowded streets Leroy went steadily +enough; but once clear of them, he put on speed, +exhilarated by the rush through the pure morning +air. So fast was the run that, on reaching Hampton +Court, he found it would be a good half-hour before +Lady Merivale was even due to arrive; and as +punctuality was not one of her ladyship's strong +points, he knew he had almost an hour to spare.</p> + +<p>Having put up the motor at a local garage, he +strolled down to the river, where he found his dainty +little skiff, <i>Sea Foam</i>, ready and waiting for him. +It was just big enough to contain two, and its +upholstery of cream leather gave it the light effect +which rendered its name so appropriate.</p> + +<p>In order to while away the time, he rowed gently +down to Richmond and back, and on his return +found Lady Merivale awaiting him on the steps +that led to the Court. She was exquisitely gowned, +as usual, and in her favourite colour, pale blue, +which suited her delicate colouring to perfection. +She greeted him brightly and unrestrainedly. +Evidently she had put all thoughts of Lady Constance +from her mind, and, like Adrien himself, +was determined to have the memory of at least one +happy day.</p> + +<p>"How is Lady Rose?" asked Leroy, when he had +assisted his fair companion into the boat.</p> + +<p>She smiled at him. As a matter of fact, she had +barely spent five minutes with that invalid lady.</p> + +<p>"Oh, just the same as usual," she replied. "It +is quite safe; I told her I was going further up the +river to visit some friends; so we'll enjoy our day--such +a beautiful one, too. I am so happy! It was +good of you to come, Adrien."</p> + +<p>Leroy's face lightened at her words, for he had +expected sulks, tears, and remonstrances, and here +were only smiles and thanks. He did not appreciate +Lady Merivale's ability. Had she been a general, +never a battle would have been lost through wrong +tactics. She knew Adrien too well to attempt to +hold his allegiance by force; hers were silken strings +with which to chain him to her side. She recognised +well enough that any abuse or jealousy of Lady +Constance Tremaine would only send him further +from her.</p> + +<p>Responding to these tactics, Leroy took up the +sculls, and with the long swinging strokes which had +gone so far towards helping the crew of his college +to win their contests, sent the little boat quickly up +the river.</p> + +<p>Few men of his temperament and training could +yet boast of such proficiency as this man seemed to +possess. Rowing, skating, dancing, riding, and +just lately motoring; at all he excelled, yet no living +being had ever heard him pride himself on what he +could do.</p> + +<p>About an hour after Adrien had started, Jasper +Vermont ascended the staircase to his chambers, to +be informed by Norgate that his master was out +for the day, and all arrangements were to be +cancelled.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" said Jasper quietly, inwardly irritated +that his dupe should be absent, even for a day, +without telling him of his intention and plans. +"Oh! Where has he gone? He did mention it +last night, but I have forgotten." He put his hand +to his forehead as if trying to recall it to his mind.</p> + +<p>But Norgate was too sharp to be caught by this +time-honoured manoeuvre. He knew very well that +the whole outing had been too hurriedly decided +upon for Jasper to have been told on the preceding +night; and he had no intention of allowing his +master, to whom he was sincerely attached, to be +worried by Mr. Vermont.</p> + +<p>"I don't know, sir," he replied stolidly. "He +did not leave word."</p> + +<p>As the letter had been brought round quite openly +by one of the Merivale servants, needless to say, he +could have given Jasper a very fair idea of where +he had gone; but he preferred to keep his own +counsel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, very well. I'll just go up and write a few +letters, Norgate," said Jasper, making a pretence of +indifference; and he passed into the study, Norgate +returning to his own quarters.</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont waited until his retreating footsteps +had died away, then with a quick hand and a keen +eye he turned over the letters which lay where +Adrien had carelessly thrown them. Amongst +them was one which had been evidently overlooked, +for it was unopened. It bore the Barminster +postmark, and Jasper's eyes shone. Could he but +learn its contents? He picked it up; turning it +over and over in his hand. To his intense delight +it was but lightly sealed, and by dint of a little +care the letter was safely opened, uninjured and +unsoiled.</p> + +<p>It was from Lady Constance, stating that she +and Miss Penelope were to spend the day shopping +in London, and would be at Barminster House at +eleven o'clock.</p> + +<p>It was quite a short note, and Jasper, smiling +wickedly, sealed it up. He knew there was no fear +of discovery, for there was not a more unsuspicious +man living than Leroy. His mind was working +rapidly, seeking to mature a plan by which he +could separate Leroy and Lady Constance still +further.</p> + +<p>First of all, he continued to search through the +letters, pocketing those which were obviously bills. +He looked at the last one with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"Not here," he mused. "I should know her +handwriting in a moment. Yet I am positive he +has gone with her. She must have let him know by +letter this morning. Can he have taken it with +him?"</p> + +<p>His eye caught a scrap of torn paper in the fireplace. +Like a bird of prey, he pounced on it, and +untwisting it, his small eyes glittered as he read.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" he muttered. "Lit his cigar with it, +and burned all save one corner--Hampton. Yes, +that's it; under cover of Lady Rose they've betaken +themselves to the river. Now what shall I do? +Follow them, or see Lady Constance, or do both?"</p> + +<p>Placing the scrap of paper carefully in his pocketbook +he left the flat, and made his way to Barminster +House. He had called presumably in order to +see after some slight alterations then being made, +and his surprise on finding Miss Penelope and Lady +Constance established there was beautiful to +witness.</p> + +<p>On his entry into the drawing room, Lady +Constance sprang up eagerly, regarding him as the +forerunner of the man she loved; and Jasper smiled +as he greeted them respectfully.</p> + +<p>"This is an unexpected pleasure, Lady Constance," +he exclaimed. "I had no idea you were +coming to town."</p> + +<p>"It's only for the day, Mr. Vermont," she returned +as calmly as possible. "But I wrote to +Adrien, for auntie, telling him all about it."</p> + +<p>"Dear, dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont sympathetically. +"I have just come from his chambers. +I learned that he had gone out for the day."</p> + +<p>"For the day," said Miss Penelope, "after +reading our letter!"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he didn't get it in time," suggested +Lady Constance.</p> + +<p>"Poor Adrien," said Jasper with apparent +reluctance. "I'm afraid I cannot even allow him +that excuse; he had evidently taken away all his +correspondence this morning."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's of no consequence," said the girl +lightly, though her face was pale, and her eyes shone, +as if through a mist of tears. "We are only going +shopping for the ball, and that is dull work for a +man."</p> + +<p>"Can I be of any assistance, Miss Penelope?" +enquired Mr. Vermont. "Do let me help; I love +shopping!" But this neither of the ladies would +allow; and with a parting shot on the subject of +Adrien's whereabouts, Vermont took his leave.</p> + +<p>His next move was to Waterloo Station, where he +took a train to Hampton; and a little after noon, +Jasper Vermont was strolling along the side of the +river, smoking his cigar.</p> + +<p>Very amiable he looked, and exceedingly interested +in the boats, and therefore it was not surprising +that the man who let them out on hire readily +answered his questions as to the best season of the +year, the approximate number of customers, etc., +all leading up to the main question, had a boat with +a lady and gentleman gone out that day?</p> + +<p>"No," the man said. "Curiously enough, sir, +no boat has gone out to-day with a lady and a +gentleman in it, like what you describe."</p> + +<p>"Oh," said Mr. Vermont. "It was my mistake. +I thought I saw a gentleman rowing a lady down +the river--rowing very well, too, in a light skiff."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said the man, puffing a cloud of smoke +from his rough clay pipe, "I know who you mean, +now; a gentleman--regular swell, and a lady in blue. +Lor' bless yer, that ain't one of mine, that's a private +boat that's kept up at the Court, I think. Oh, yes, +he's all right; gone up stream, they have, and a nice +day they've got."</p> + +<p>This was what Jasper needed; and after strolling +about among the boats for a few minutes more he +started off along the bank, keeping at such a distance +from the stream that, though he could see +all who passed in the boats, no one on the river +could see him.</p> + +<p>The beauty of the day, the shimmer and sparkle +of the river, with the soft lap of its waters, the singing +of the birds over his head, all had no effect on him. +His dark, beady eyes noted nothing but the boats +that passed, none of which, as yet--though the +afternoon was waning fast--contained Adrien and +Lady Merivale.</p> + +<p>Yet he knew that he had not missed them, for +he had taken his lunch on the balcony of an inn +commanding a view of the river, which he had kept +under survey from the time he had reached Hampton +earlier in the day.</p> + +<p>Steadily, with the persistence of a bloodhound +tracking its prey, he walked on and on, until he came +to a village, or rather a collection of homesteads. +Very small it was, consisting only of an inn, a house, +half cottage and half shop, and a few red-tiled cottages +wherein the bargemen lived, when they were +at home, which was seldom. In the bright sunlight, +the blue sky overhead and the shining river in the +foreground, it formed a pretty enough picture.</p> + +<p>In the little shop parlour now sat a woman and +her husband, at their five-o'clock tea.</p> + +<p>"John Ashford, Grocer," was the inscription over +the shop door; and these were John Ashford and +his wife Lucy. They had two children, now playing +by the river side; and were, as the bargemen's +wives expressed it, "doing comfortable."</p> + +<p>The man's face was a good-humoured one, round, +honest in expression, and commonplace. His wife +was not so ordinary; a fair-haired, small-figured +little woman, she showed traces of having been a +"village beauty" in her young days, of the pink-and-white, +shallow type. But in her eyes, and along +the corners of her somewhat weak-looking mouth, +there were signs of an ever-present fear.</p> + +<p>Even now, as she sat pouring out her husband's +tea, her habitual nervousness showed itself in the +restless movements of her unoccupied hand, and the +sudden start with which she would greet the slightest +unexpected sound, or the knocking of a customer +on the little counter. From where she sat she could +see her children, and once or twice she smiled gently +as she waved her hand to them, where they were +playing with an elder girl who was in charge of +them.</p> + +<p>"I say, Lucy," said John, as he drank his tea +noisily, "how's the girl going on? Getting over her +shyness a bit, ain't she?"</p> + +<p>His wife started; but he was evidently too accustomed +to this to notice her.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, reaching out for his cup. "Poor +girl, she's seen some trouble, I'll be bound; and for +one so young, too, and innocent. The world's a +hard place!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," agreed John Ashford, with a +glance through the window, where the little group +of three were playing. "Let me see, she's been +here a matter of four weeks, hasn't she--since I +went over to Walton. Rum thing me finding her +at all. If I hadn't come across the moor instead of +along the road, she'd 'ave been in that furze bush +still."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ashford shuddered at the suggestions of his +words.</p> + +<p>"She hasn't given us no account of herself now," +he continued in his hearty, good-tempered voice. +"Not even her name, 'cept--what d'ye call it?"</p> + +<p>"Jessica," put in his wife. "I call her Jessie, +sounds more homelike."</p> + +<p>"And hasn't she told you anything more as to why +she tramped out of London?"</p> + +<p>"No, nothing more," said his wife, "except that +she couldn't bear the crowds. I haven't asked her +either, John. She's a good girl, you can see that; +and penniless as well as homeless. I should hate +to send her to the workhouse, or perhaps worse," +she half whispered. "If she's got a secret in her +heart, we'll let her keep it, dear. Perhaps we all +have a little corner in our hearts marked 'Private,'" +she added in a low voice.</p> + +<p>"Excepting you and me, my dear!" said John, +wiping his mouth as he rose from the table, and +coming round to kiss her.</p> + +<p>She started again and paled a little.</p> + +<p>"Of course, dear," she said; "I wasn't thinking +of us."</p> + +<p>"We've no secrets," said the good-natured grocer, +as he took down his hat and coat from behind the +door. "Our hearts are open like them clocks, with +all the works outside, eh, Lucy, my dear?" Laughing +at his own simile, he kissed her again.</p> + +<p>"If you'll take care of the shop," he went on, +as he opened the door, "I'll just run over to Richmond +for those jams and things. Old Tucker's cart +is going over, and he'll lend me a hand."</p> + +<p>"Get along, then," replied his wife, "and don't +forget we want some more spices."</p> + +<p>"Right you are," said the husband, and with a +wave of his hand to her he went down the path, the +two children running to meet him.</p> + +<p>Lucy Ashford stood at the door and looked after +him wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Poor John," she murmured, as she went back +to clear away the tea-things. "What would he do +to me, if he knew?"</p> + +<p>Her thoughts went back to the great secret of +her life. It was that which caused her strange +nervousness. She had repented of the past truly +enough, and no better wife could have been found +throughout the kingdom; but the secret had eaten +into her life. She strove now to put it away from +her; for she knew she was in reality safe enough. +Only her father and Mr. Vermont knew--and the +latter she had not seen for years.</p> + +<p>Now, therefore, she put away her cups and saucers +and called gaily to the children, as they came running +back. The girl who had been playing with +them came too; and as she approached the cottage +she raised her head and smiled. Lucy Ashford +stooped to kiss the children, then said kindly to +Jessica--for it was indeed she:</p> + +<p>"I expect you are tired with them now, my dear. +Come and sit down with me for a little while."</p> + +<p>Jessica raised her dark eyes gratefully.</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am, thank you. I'm not tired. I love +the children; they are so good to me."</p> + +<p>Lucy's eyes shone. What mother does not believe +that her children are the best in the world? She +had been like an angel of mercy to the tired girl when +her husband had brought her into the little home. +She had put her to bed, fed her, and clothed her in +old things of her own; and she had neither questioned +nor worried her since.</p> + +<p>Jessica, only too thankful to find a home for the +present, and realising the hopelessness of her strange +passion for Adrien Leroy, had done what she could +to repay her benefactress by helping her in the little +shop, and playing with and taking care of the +children. Now, at their request, she took them back +to the river side again, while Lucy sat down at the +table before a pile of sewing.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XX</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Meanwhile, Adrien's skiff was moored at the +landing-place of an old inn, some distance further +up the river. Under a rustic porch Lady Merivale +was finishing her tea, while her companion enjoyed +a cigarette.</p> + +<p>Alas! for the irony of fate! This day, during +which he had strenuously endeavoured to forget +Constance, had only shown him more plainly the +utter impossibility of doing so. If he had but known +the opportunity he had missed with that letter, his +mortification and despair would have been even +greater.</p> + +<p>Constance had regretted her policy in sending +Adrien from her almost before the day was over, +and had purposely planned this way of seeing him. +Deeming his outing--thanks to Jasper's clever insinuations--to +have been undertaken on purpose to +avoid her, the girl's heart was heavy within her, and +filled with something very like resentment too.</p> + +<p>Adrien, on the other hand, all unwitting of the +harm this excursion had done his cause, had talked +long and quietly with Lady Merivale. He had +made up his mind to break away even from these +silken strings.</p> + +<p>"So you have determined to leave me?" she said +sadly.</p> + +<p>He nodded.</p> + +<p>"You know I must," he replied. "For your +sake, as well as mine, it is best."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you are right," she said in a low voice. +"So this is the last happy day we shall spend +together?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," he answered with a sigh. "Now, standing +here, I see only too well that we ought never +to have spent any at all. I dread lest I have spoilt +your happiness, Eveline, lest a breath of slander +should touch your name. I will not deny that I had +of late hoped to marry and settle down as my father +wishes, but it is not to be. Don't laugh at me when +I tell you I am going to turn over a new leaf. After +this ball at Barminster, I shall go abroad for awhile. +That will give the world time to forget we have ever +had more than a passing acquaintance."</p> + +<p>Tears rolled down Eveline's face as she listened +to his words. She had played her last card, and she +knew the game was lost; though it was her vanity +that suffered more than her heart. She was too +clever and too proud to resist any further, however, +or sue for his favour. Presently she rose, and said, +as steadily as usual:</p> + +<p>"Come, Adrien, let us turn down stream and +retrace our way while we can see. It is dusk already--I +had no idea it had grown so late."</p> + +<p>He helped her into the little skiff in silence; and +as the <i>Sea Foam</i> glided over the rippling waters a +profound stillness seemed to descend over the darkening +landscape.</p> + +<p>Presently Lady Merivale peered forward.</p> + +<p>"This half-light is so deceptive," she said, in a +rather nervous voice; "I nearly steered you into +the bank then."</p> + +<p>"Can you see?" he asked. "Put down the +lines and let me guide the boat."</p> + +<p>"No, no," she replied. "I can see well enough."</p> + +<p>"Just as you like," he said gently. "I will row +quicker. It's time we were in Hampton. For what +hour did you order the car?"</p> + +<p>"I came by train," she answered.</p> + +<p>"I have my motor," said Leroy; "I suppose +you would not return in that?"</p> + +<p>"Good Heavens, no!" she exclaimed. "Whatever +would people think? No, I'll return by train, +and take a taxi from Waterloo. I shall even then +be in time to dress for Lady Martindale's 'At +Home.'"</p> + +<p>He did not seek to alter her decision, but sent the +boat along with rapid strokes, which broke up the +placid water into ripples at each plunge of the +oars.</p> + +<p>Lady Merivale leaned forward and gave a sudden +start.</p> + +<p>"Look, look!" she cried in terror-stricken tones. +"What is that?" She pointed to a sheet of spray +rising and falling a few yards from them, or rather +below them. Adrien turned his head to see the +cause of her alarm, and his very heart seemed to +stop beating.</p> + +<p>"Sit still," he cried, "for Heaven's sake. You +have steered us near the weir!"</p> + +<p>With all his strength he started to row back. The +strain was tremendous. That line of silver spray +marked their fall to instant and certain death. No +aid was possible; the solitude of the woods and +lands was as absolute as if they had been in an +unknown country. All he could do was to keep the +woman in whose safety he was concerned quiet, if +not reassured, while he exerted every nerve in his +body to withdraw the little craft from the danger +line.</p> + +<p>"Cling to the boat," he shouted loudly, for the +falling water rang in his ears with a deafening roar.</p> + +<p>As he spoke, the frail craft capsized, and its occupants +were plunged into the foaming, churning +water. Leroy made a frantic grasp at his companion's +dress, but missed it. A second later, he +saw, in the midst of the foam, her slight form being +carried down to the weir. With a cry of horror he +struck out, in an attempt to rescue her.</p> + +<p>In those few awful seconds he prayed that the +punishment of their light-hearted folly might not +fall on the woman, but on him; that his life might +be lost, sooner than her good name.</p> + +<p>Luckily, he was an expert swimmer; and aided by +the stream, which was as swift as a mill-race, he soon +managed to get within reach of Lady Merivale. With +a great effort he grasped her firmly, and, turning +slowly and painfully, swung aslant the stream to the +opposite bank.</p> + +<p>Her face was white, as if life were already extinct. +Her eyes were closed.</p> + +<p>"Heaven grant me her life!" he groaned, as, +panting and nearly exhausted, he dragged himself +and his precious burden up on the bank.</p> + +<p>He laid her down and felt for some signs of life; +to his intense gratitude, she still breathed; and with +a silent prayer of thankfulness, he turned to look +for assistance.</p> + +<p>At a little distance a light burned in a window. +Without pausing an instant, he took the still form +in his arms and hastened towards it.</p> +<br> + +<p>All unconscious of the struggle for life going on so +close to her, Lucy Ashford sat working busily, her +pretty face lifted to the clock every minute or so, +as she waited for her husband to return.</p> + +<p>The children were in bed, and Jessica was just +coming down the tiny staircase when a sharp knock +sounded at the outer door, causing Lucy to drop +her work in her usual terror at any unexpected +sound.</p> + +<p>The shop had been closed, it was too late for rural +customers, and wondering who it could be, she took +up her candle and went to the door.</p> + +<p>Timidly she pulled back the latch and peered out. +A gentleman stood on the threshold with his face +towards the river. At the sound of the opening +door, he turned. Down went the candle with a +crash and splutter; up went the two hands to her +face.</p> + +<p>Mr. Jasper Vermont stood looking down at her +with a cruel, amused smile for a moment; then in +his soft, purring voice he said:</p> + +<p>"I'm afraid I've startled you, Miss--Mrs. Ashford. +Pray let me recover the candle. There +that's better." As he spoke he pushed past her +into the dimly lighted shop.</p> + +<p>"Quite startled, eh?" he continued blandly. +"Unwelcome visitor, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"No, no!" breathed the poor little woman, who +at the moment resembled a sparrow in the clutches +of a hawk, or a mouse beneath the paw of its enemy, +the cat. "No, no, I--I am very glad to see you, +sir. Will you come in?"</p> + +<p>At this faint welcome Mr. Vermont smiled still more.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Lucy," he said, "I think I +will," and he followed her into the spotless sitting-room.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Jessica, at the first sound of a strange +voice, and afraid of being sought for by Wilfer, had +concealed herself at the back of the house.</p> + +<p>Jasper looked round the room in mock admiration.</p> + +<p>"What a delightful little place you have here," +he continued. "Most charming! Commerce and +romance mingled together, I declare. And now," +sinking into a seat and fixing his eyes upon the white, +frightened face of his victim, "how is your husband, +Mr. John Ashford?"</p> + +<p>"Very well, sir," faltered the miserable woman, +praying with all her heart that John might not +come home.</p> + +<p>"And the children," continued her persecutor; +"two, are there not? Pretty little dears! I'm so +fond of children, you know, Mrs. Lucy. Quite a +happy woman you must be. A most comfortable +little house, I never saw anything like it, excepting +once, and that was at Canterbury."</p> + +<p>The poor woman, her worst fears realised, fell +down on her knees, and turned up her white face +piteously to the cruel, mocking one above her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir, kind, good sir," she implored, "spare +me! You will not, say you will not ruin me? We +are so happy; it will break his heart if he learns my +secret. He is so good. The children! Have pity +on them at least, sir, and do not betray me."</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled, and Lucy became even more +incoherent.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir," she cried, the tears streaming down her +white face unheeded. "I was so young, so giddy +and thoughtless, and that man was so wicked. He +tempted me. Oh, Mr. Vermont, sir, I will pray +every night for you as I pray for John and my +little ones, if you will but spare me and keep my +secret."</p> + +<p>She might just as well have prayed to the wooden +table, as expect any mercy or pity from this man, +to whom such abject misery was better than meat +and drink.</p> + +<p>With a contemptuous gesture, as if to spurn her +from his sight, he said:</p> + +<p>"Get up, my good woman. I shall keep your +secret as long as it pleases me. Perhaps for ever, +who can tell? Good John, simple John," he laughed +maliciously. "He little thinks his wife was given +to taking trips to Canterbury with handsome young +men. There! There!" he added, as a moan of +anguish burst from the dry lips of the tortured +woman. "That will do. I shan't enlighten good +kind John, as long as you do what I want. I need a +bed. I'm going to sleep here to-night. Hullo! +who's that?" He broke off suddenly, as Jessica, +tired of waiting outside for his departure, entered +the room, her dark eyes dilated with anxiety.</p> + +<p>She paused at the sound of his voice, and stared +at him. She recognised him as the man she had +seen with Leroy, and some subtle instinct seemed +to tell her that he was evil. Jasper, too, stared at +her uneasily. A memory of another person, strangely +like her, crossed his mind, but he was too full of +his knowledge concerning Leroy to consider any +fresh train of thought.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ashford hastily composed her features.</p> + +<p>"Only a girl stopping here," she said hurriedly; +then, turning to the silent spectator, she said, "Go, +my dear, I shall not want you at present," and +Jessica gladly left the room, while Jasper, taking +her to be a servant, gave no more thought to +her.</p> + +<p>"Now what about a room?" he said imperiously, +as he took off his light overcoat.</p> + +<p>"You shall have the best, sir," replied Lucy, only +too eager to conciliate him. "Anything--everything +we have is yours."</p> + +<p>"Very kind of you, I'm sure," yawned Jasper. +"Set about it then."</p> + +<p>He was tired, for he had done a great deal of walking +for him, who was accustomed to use his own or +his friend's motor for every journey, great or small. +Besides, he had somehow missed Adrien despite his +care, and was greatly puzzled and irritated.</p> + +<p>He was turning to follow Lucy, when there came +a sound of footsteps, followed by another loud knock +at the door, and a man's commanding voice:</p> + +<p>"Help! Quick here with a light!"</p> + +<p>Lucy screamed, and Jasper Vermont turned rather +pale, for he instantly recognised the voice as that of +the man he had sought so diligently all that day. +But he had no desire to be discovered just then, so, +taking the frightened woman almost savagely by +the arm, he whispered fiercely:</p> + +<p>"You may let him in--I know him. But if he +finds out that I am here, I will tell John all to-night; +remember that. Hide me somewhere where I can +see--do you understand? Quick!"</p> + +<p>The knocking commenced again, and under its +cover, Lucy, trembling like a leaf, opened a door, +the upper part of which was glazed, and which led +from the small room to the kitchen. Into this +ambush Mr. Vermont hurried, while Lucy ran to +the other door and threw it open to admit Adrien +Leroy, who staggered into the room with his dripping +burden in his arms.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry to knock you up," he said, trying to +reassure her, "but this lady is nearly dead; our +boat upset."</p> + +<p>"Bring her in here, sir," said the good little +woman, her courage and self-possession returning +under the emergency. "She had better come up +to the bedroom, poor lady."</p> + +<p>Adrien carried Eveline up the narrow staircase, +followed by Lucy, who had hastily produced some +spirits with which to restore consciousness.</p> + +<p>"You had better fetch a doctor, sir," she called +after Adrien, as he came down again.</p> + +<p>Leroy hesitated. He knew that Lady Merivale +valued her reputation more than her life. To fetch +a doctor might save the latter, but would most +certainly ruin the former; for no medical man +would permit her to return to London that night, +and, in that case, discovery would be inevitable.</p> + +<p>Troubled and worn with anxiety, he paced to and +fro in the room behind the shop, regardless of his +own dripping clothes, while Jasper, behind the little +window curtain, watched him sardonically, his lips +wreathed in a smile. He was well content with this +finish of his day's holiday--if such it might be called; +for he knew that he held Lady Merivale in the hollow +of his hand. She, who had sneered at his position, +while yet making every use of his services, would +in the future be but another of his puppets; and +he foresaw a goodly profit from the outlay of this +day's time and money.</p> + +<p>Presently Lucy ran down.</p> + +<p>"Where's the doctor, sir?" she asked. "Oh, +didn't you go after all? Well, it doesn't matter, +for the lady is alive and better."</p> + +<p>"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Leroy fervently.</p> + +<p>"She says she doesn't need one."</p> + +<p>"I understand," replied Adrien. "Is she well +enough to sit up, or move?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir--at least, she says so," answered Lucy. +"She is changing her clothes for some of mine, sir; +and she says that if you get a carriage--"</p> + +<p>Adrien nodded.</p> + +<p>"I understand," he said again. "Is there an inn +near here where I can hire one?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, sir," replied Lucy. She quickly directed +him to the tiny river hostel not far off, +and Adrien disappeared.</p> + +<p>Had it not been for that grim presence behind the +door, whom, in her excitement, she had nearly forgotten, +Lucy would have wished John to come home +quickly; as it was, she trembled at every fresh +sound as she went upstairs again to her patient.</p> + +<p>By means of that most potent magic--gold, Leroy +quickly procured a carriage, old and dusty; but a +veritable thing of beauty in such a strait as this. +He meant to get to Hampton, and from there use +his own motor. He hastened back to the little +shop, and, summoning Lucy, sent her up with a +message.</p> + +<p>"Tell the lady," he said quickly, "I have a +carriage waiting, and if she is strong enough, we can +start at once."</p> + +<p>The news acted like a tonic; for in a marvellously +short time Lady Merivale, pale but resolute, came +downstairs into the little sitting-room.</p> + +<p>She was wrapped up in shawls, and a long cloak +covered her from head to foot. Too upset to speak, +she motioned with her hand to Adrien to open the +door; and, laying a ten-pound note on the table, +he said a few words of thanks to Lucy, then led the +unhappy countess to the carriage.</p> + +<p>No sooner had the horse started than her calmness +gave way. She covered her face with her hands +and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Adrien," she sobbed, "I am ruined."</p> + +<p>"No," said Leroy reassuringly, "you are safe, +now. This man is promised ten pounds if he reaches +Hampton in half an hour. My motor is waiting +there. I myself will drive you to Waterloo Station; +there you can get a taxi, without attracting any +attention, and you will reach home before ten. +Your husband will think you stayed to dine with +Lady Rose."</p> + +<p>"But you--you!" she wailed, "Will you +promise----"</p> + +<p>"I," he said, with a laugh of scorn at her doubt +of him. "This day of my life is yours; none will +ever hear from me how it was spent, and you +know it."</p> + +<p>"You swear?"</p> + +<p>"I give you my word," he said simply. "I can +give no stronger oath than that."</p> + +<p>Lady Merivale sank back with a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>Alas! Leroy did not pause to reflect that, let +happen what might, there was one day of his life +he could not account for--one whole day of which he +had sworn to keep silent.</p> + +<p>Faster and faster went the great car, at a pace +that would have shocked chauffeur and policeman +alike, but Leroy was reckless; a woman's honour +and his own were in imminent peril. Death were +sweeter than his failure to save it.</p> + +<p>It was not much after nine when the car rolled +into Waterloo Station, and Leroy assisted his trembling +companion to alight. Wrapped up in Lucy's +big coat, she stood quietly by while Leroy left his +car in the care of an outside porter, then led her +apparently towards the booking office. Passing +through this, they manoeuvred to reach the outside, +where a taxi was hailed, and the address +given.</p> + +<p>Thankful at their escape, Leroy stood bareheaded +till it disappeared in the throng of vehicles; then he +returned to his own motor, as he thought, unseen +and unnoticed.</p> + +<p>Alas for his vain hopes! Miss Penelope and +Constance, after a long day's shopping, had come to +Waterloo on their way back to Barminster. The +sharp eyes of Lady Constance, quickened by love, +recognised the figure of Adrien from afar; and, +making some excuse to Miss Penelope, she followed +and watched the departure.</p> + +<p>She did not recognise the lady, it is true; but she +saw sufficient to realise that her worst fears were +fulfilled. Adrien had neglected her letter for the +sake of another woman.</p> +<br> + +<p>Jasper waited patiently until the sound of the +carriage wheels had died away into the distance, +then he came out of his hiding-place, his face pale, +his eyes shining.</p> + +<p>"Lucy Ashford," he said, sinking into a chair, +and holding up one finger in solemn warning, "you +may be asked some day to give an account of what +has taken place to-night. Remember this; you +know nothing, you recognised no one--till I give +you leave. Disobey me, and the story of your +Canterbury trip becomes the property of the whole +world. I'll proclaim it through every newspaper +in the world."</p> + +<p>Trembling and crying, and too ignorant to realise +the absurdity of this threat, Lucy swore to be silent; +and then, to her intense relief, Mr. Vermont changed +his mind as to staying the night, and announced his +decision of returning to London.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XXI</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>On the night of that fateful trip, when Leroy +returned to his chambers, he found Lady Constance's +letter. Already tired with the events of the day, +and the struggle in the water, this proved an overwhelming +blow. The thought that he had spent +the day in idle dalliance, when he might have been +with the woman he truly loved--might have basked +in the warmth of her presence, even though she would +never be his, drove him almost to madness.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont, who had followed him back to +town by the first train obtainable, called in at +Jermyn Court, and found him pacing up and down +the room, more troubled and unhappy than he had +ever been in the whole course of his pampered, +shielded life. Vermont listened and sympathised, +and stabbed afresh, with his artful accounts of +Lady Constance's anger at the fancied slight. He +was altogether delighted at the way in which +things had turned out, though he did not know +how Fortune had aided him still more at Waterloo +Station.</p> + +<p>On the following morning Leroy received a cypher +note from Lady Merivale, saying that she had arrived +home safely, and unnoticed; and, with a sigh of +relief, he turned his attention to his own affairs. +To Jasper's supreme annoyance, he insisted on going +through a pile of papers which Vermont had only +meant him to sign; and to that gentleman's chagrin +he actually dared to interfere in the matter of rents +and leases; which proceeding, naturally, did not tend +to make Jasper feel the more kindly disposed to the +world in general, and Adrien Leroy in particular.</p> + +<p>When he had taken his departure, Adrien ordered +the motor, and drove down to Barminster with the +intention of offering an apology for his seeming +discourtesy. He found all in confusion and excitement +in view of the coming ball; and, whether by +accident or design, he found it impossible to get a +single word with Constance alone.</p> + +<p>The two ladies received the explanation of his +absence--a river-trip with a friend--with chilling +indifference. To Miss Penelope nothing was of any +importance except the decorations of the banqueting +hall, while Lady Constance had the evidence of +her own eyesight. He was compelled, therefore, to +return to London the next day in the same unhappy +state of mind. To distract his thoughts, he threw +himself heart and soul into the preparations for the +festive event; and even Jasper Vermont himself +could not have worked harder.</p> + +<p>The announcement of the fancy dress ball to be +held at Barminster had made something like a sensation; +for not only was the magnificence of the Castle +well known, but the fact that it was so seldom used +for festivities of any kind lent importance to the +occasion, and had roused society, both in town and +country, to the height of expectancy.</p> + +<p>Preparations were carried on apace. The whole +Castle was to be lighted and decorated, regardless of +expense, while even the servants' dresses were to be +manufactured by the masters of their craft, and +approved of by heraldic authorities, in order that the +right effect of the period, that of two hundred years +back, might be maintained. Never had a ball been +carried out with such a wealth of detail.</p> + +<p>Throughout all this, and during the many visits +which Adrien found necessary to make to Barminster, +journeying backwards and forwards in his great +car, Lady Constance maintained a smiling, gentle +demeanour; but she allowed him no opportunity +for explanation, seeming rather to avoid his presence. +Even Lord Barminster, watching his two dear ones +closely, was not blind to the gravity of the situation; +but he trusted to Constance's love to make matters +right in the end.</p> + +<p>At last the eventful night came. The temporary +stables which the village carpenters had been erecting +close to the ordinary ones were rapidly filling. +Cars and carriages stood side by side, as guests from +town and the surrounding districts arrived; and +the air resounded with the clatter and rattle of the +horses' hoofs and carriage wheels, mingled with the +hooting of motor horns.</p> + +<p>Within the Castle all was light and mirth. Ripples +of laughter and the buzz of conversation went on +incessantly, as the guests arrived in their varied and +gorgeous costumes.</p> + +<p>The walls of the great reception rooms had all been +covered with priceless tapestry, and as far as possible +made to represent the ball-room of Antony Leroy, +two hundred years ago. But the guests themselves +had not been asked to keep to any period of history +or fashion, and, therefore, it was the most incongruous +crowd that had ever gathered within the walls +of Barminster Castle. Never were dresses more +regal or more magnificent, alike in materials, colour +and decoration. Cavaliers in silks and satins, with +plumed hats and jewelled swords; Crusaders in +glittering mail and silver armour. Alsace peasant +girls mingled with Carmelite monks and Sicilian +nuns. Shakespeare's characters were legion--Portias, +Cymbelines, Katherines and Shylocks, all laughed +and jested together, their identity concealed beneath +their black velvet masks. It seemed as if every +character and fable had risen to throng the halls of +Barminster Castle that night.</p> + +<p>Up in the gallery above the great ball-room a +famous orchestra poured forth melody, and the +guests were awaiting the entrance of their host as a +signal to start dancing.</p> + +<p>The last visitor had arrived, when Lord Barminster +and his sister came from the entrance hall, +where they had stood so long. The old man had +merely donned a domino over his evening dress and +carried his mask in his hand; but Miss Penelope had +had her elaborate dress copied from a picture of +Lord Antony's wife, which hung in the Picture +Gallery. The gown was composed of soft grey satin, +over which hung a veil of gold chiffon embroidered +with pearls. An embroidery of gold wheat-ears sown +with pearls decorated the bodice and the long, grey +satin train; this, together with the family diamonds, +made Miss Penelope an imposing figure, even in +that bevy of fair women and gorgeous gowns.</p> + +<p>Immediately behind them came Adrien and Lady +Constance. The latter had chosen to represent +"Miranda," and her loveliness seemed almost supernatural. +The pale gold of her hair and the perfect +shell-pink of her complexion were set off to advantage +by her gown, which, simple as it was, yet showed +by that very simplicity the hand of the master by +whom it had been designed. It was of palest green +satin, edged with chiffon in such a way as to represent +the crested waves, relieved here and there by +pink sea-shells and tiny wreaths of seaweed; while +her only ornaments were pearls, the gifts of her +guardian. It was little wonder that Adrien had +been unable to express the admiration he felt, when +he looked upon her fair beauty, which was now, however, +covered by a velvet mask.</p> + +<p>He himself had taken the character of Charles +the First, and, with his dark, deep eyes and melancholy +face, fully looked the part of the unhappy +monarch. There was a faint murmur of admiration +as he entered, for every detail had been so carefully +copied, from the lace collar to the jewelled order +across his breast, that it was as if Van Dyck's famous +picture itself had stepped down from its frame.</p> + +<p>Unconscious of the attention they provoked, +Adrien led Lady Constance out to the first dance, +and opened the ball with her.</p> + +<p>Miss Penelope was in the seventh heaven of delight, +when some little time later Adrien came up +to her.</p> + +<p>"What a magnificent sight, is it not, Adrien?" +she said excitedly. "I knew it would be a success; +but really the dresses are wonderful. Then the +mystery is so delightful. I can't recognise any one +now under the masks. Look, who is that?" She +glanced towards a lady dressed as Undine, who +seemed to float by them, so light were her movements, +on the arm of a Mephistopheles.</p> + +<p>"That," said Adrien, whose quick eyes readily +penetrated the majority of the disguises, "that is--yes, +I cannot be mistaken--Ev--Lady Merivale."</p> + +<p>His voice dropped slightly as he spoke the name; +for he had not expected that she would accept Miss +Penelope's invitation, and was surprised by her +presence.</p> + +<p>"Who is the Mephistopheles?" asked his aunt.</p> + +<p>Adrien glanced after the couple rather puzzled.</p> + +<p>"I don't know," he admitted frankly.</p> + +<p>"It is something, a shadow only, like Mr. Vermont," +suggested Miss Penelope.</p> + +<p>"It cannot be he," said Adrien, "he is not coming +to-night."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster, who had approached in time to +hear this speech, looked affectionately at his son, and +Adrien caught the glance and understood it. But +without making any comment, he went in search +of his partner for the next waltz.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Undine and Mephistopheles had +seated themselves in the deep recess of one of the +alcoves.</p> + +<p>"May I get you an ice, madam?" asked the +Mephistopheles in a queer, strained voice.</p> + +<p>Undine turned her face towards him, and her eyes +flashed curiously through the mask.</p> + +<p>"You may," she replied, also disguising her voice, +"if you will tell me who you are."</p> + +<p>"That I dare not," was the guarded reply. "My +name is never mentioned in ears polite, you know."</p> + +<p>Undine smiled.</p> + +<p>"Since you will not tell me your name, perhaps +you can tell me mine without the asking."</p> + +<p>"I can, madam. You are--Lady Merivale, who +is so fond of the river."</p> + +<p>Undine started, her face turning suddenly pale.</p> + +<p>"I--what do you mean? Who are you?" she +asked, as she peered at him with straining eyes, +seeking to pierce the clever disguise.</p> + +<p>"Mephistopheles!" was the calm retort. Then, +as if to turn the subject, he continued lightly: "It +is a fair scene, and a fabulous one."</p> + +<p>Undine began to have a slight suspicion as to whom +her companion might be, and was far from comfortable +in her mind. The hit at the river might have +been only a chance one; but this was doubtful, if +Mephistopheles turned out to be either Mortimer +Shelton or Jasper Vermont, as she half feared.</p> + +<p>She strove to conceal her uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"The best should be happy and satisfied to-night," +she said; "it is a great success."</p> + +<p>"Yes, happy!" agreed the demon, nodding his +horned head, "but not satisfied. That will never +be till he sees the marriage of his beloved son----" +He stopped short.</p> + +<p>"With Lady Constance Tremaine," finished Lady +Merivale, in a low voice, from which all attempt at +disguise had gone.</p> + +<p>Mephistopheles nodded again.</p> + +<p>"You have guessed aright, my lady," he said. +"See! there they are together. A handsome pair; +an admirable match. Yet it is sad to think----" +He stopped again.</p> + +<p>"What?" cried Lady Merivale, grasping his +scarlet-clad arm in a fierce grip.</p> + +<p>"It will never be!"</p> + +<p>His companion trembled with suppressed eagerness.</p> + +<p>"What do you meant?" she exclaimed. "Can +you prevent it?"</p> + +<p>"I both can and will," was the quiet answer. +"But, come, let us seek a more retired spot."</p> + +<p>He drew her almost forcibly out of the recess into +the shadow of some palms, as Adrien Leroy, with a +partner on his arm, approached the alcove.</p> + +<p>"Oh! Mr. Leroy," said Lady Chetwold, as they +passed, "can you tell me who this latest arrival is?"</p> + +<p>"I have not seen her," said Adrien rather wearily; +his eyes were bent on Lady Constance, who had left +him and was now dancing with Lord Standon.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there she is!" exclaimed his voluble little +companion. "Such a magnificent Cleopatra, isn't +she?"</p> + +<p>She drew his attention to a tall lady who was +looking rather anxiously and constrainedly about +her. Her dress certainly deserved the name of +magnificent. It was made for the greater part of +apricot-coloured satin, with gauze and tinselled +chiffon fulled over it; from the shoulders was +suspended a long train of imperial purple velvet, +on which was embroidered in dull green, various +Egyptian symbols. Her jewels too, which were +abundant, consisting chiefly of diamonds and large +emeralds, made her a regal, though almost theatrical +figure. Yet, as her eyes met the steady regard of +Adrien's, she looked nervously round as if to make +her escape.</p> + +<p>Lady Chetwold felt Adrien give a slight start, and +looking up, she saw that his lips had grown stern, +and even through the mask detected the angry gleam +in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Do you know her?" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" he said. "But it would be a breach +of confidence to betray her, Lady Chetwold."</p> + +<p>At the close of the dance he surrendered the little +lady her next partner, and went in search of the +Cleopatra. He soon espied her, seated in one of the +recesses, and strode across to her. She started to +her feet as Adrien approached, then sinking back +into her chair, she looked up at him defiantly.</p> + +<p>At that moment the band struck up the music for +the cotillion, and the mass of colours shifted in +dazzling movement, as, amid the rustle of silks and +the ripple of laughter, the dance commenced.</p> + +<p>Adrien was engaged to Lady Constance for it; +but in the height of his anger he had forgotten the +fact.</p> + +<p>"Ada!" he exclaimed in a low voice full of suppressed +indignation. "What is the meaning of this +intrusion? You've no business here."</p> + +<p>"No business here! Oh, haven't I?" she +answered harshly, her bosom heaving, and her +bejewelled hands clenching.</p> + +<p>"No," he continued, standing in front of her so +that she should not be seen by the dancers. "You +know that as well as I do. How did you come?"</p> + +<p>"On my legs," retorted the lady defiantly. +"They're good for something else besides dancing +in your theatre, Adrien. You're an unfeeling brute +to speak to me like that after the way you've treated +me. Do you think I'm going to be thrown aside +like a worn-out glove, just because you want to +marry that grand swell of a cousin."</p> + +<p>"Silence!" said Adrien in a tense whisper, and +grasping her arm almost savagely. "Keep your +mask on, and come with me. If you are discovered, +I will not answer for the consequences."</p> + +<p>She rose sullenly, but abashed by his unusual +vehemence, for never yet had she seen him moved +from his polite calm; and opening the door at the +end of the room, he led her away from the brilliant +ball-room.</p> + +<p>"Now," he said as he closed the door and removed +the mask from his face, "what does this +mean? There is something more in your presence +than I can understand. Whether I marry or not, +it can be nothing to you, Ada; you have the money, +which is all you care for."</p> + +<p>"No, I haven't," she retorted loudly, "and you +know it!"</p> + +<p>He held up his hand with a gesture of contemptuous +command.</p> + +<p>"Speak quietly, if you can," he said, "or I leave +you at once. Do you mean to tell me you have not +received the deeds?"</p> + +<p>"I do," she replied sulkily. "It ain't no use +your carrying it off in this high-handed way, because +I ain't going to be deceived by it! You +promised me that you'd make me an allowance of a +thousand a year, and give me the theatre when you +left me. Well, you've left me right enough, but +where's the money? That's what I want to know."</p> + +<p>"I gave the deed to Jasper," said Adrien, looking +down upon her with distaste, and vaguely wondering +how he could ever have endured such a woman near +him.</p> + +<p>"You gave it to Jasper, did you?" said Ada, +pulling or rather tugging off her mask viciously, as +she spoke. "Hang me if I didn't think so all the +time!" she exclaimed with a sudden change of +tactics. "That Jasper's a thief. I heard you say +something about those deeds, and Jasper told +me a long rigmarole that you wouldn't sign them. +Whether that's true or not, Heaven only knows. +Jasper's a bad one, an' he's sold me. He's got the +coin, and I'll split on him, as I threatened. No, +it's no use your trying to make me hush up, I will +speak out. I'll show you what a fool he's made of +you, you who have been so good to him; I'll tell +you a thing or two as will open your eyes a bit wider +than they are now. I'll--"</p> + +<p>"Be quiet!" said Adrien. "Not another word--there +is some mistake. Jasper has forgotten, he +has some reason for not giving it to you. He shall +explain directly I can reach town. You shall have +the money and the theatre, that I promise you; you +know I have never broken my word yet. Now you +must go. Every moment you stay increases your +danger. My father is old-fashioned perhaps, but +he would regard this as the greatest insult, and would +punish it severely. You are no fool, Ada. How +could you have done such a mad thing? Hush! +slip on that domino." He pointed to a black masque +cloak, and rang the bell. "Get away as quickly as +possible," he went on as, now thoroughly subdued, +she put on the cloak. "You shall have the money, +I swear it."</p> + +<p>On the servant entering, he hastily gave directions +for her to be driven to the station; then without +another word to her, he returned to the ball-room, +just as his father's voice was heard inquiring for +him.</p> + +<p>"Ah! there, you are, my boy. I wondered if +anything had gone wrong. Are you ill?" He gazed +keenly at Adrien's pale, unmasked face.</p> + +<p>"No, sir, it is rather hot though in this dress," +he returned hurriedly, hating even the very semblance +of a lie. "I believe Constance is waiting for +me," he continued. "Ah, yes, there she is. The +ball is going off well, don't you think so?"</p> + +<p>His father nodded.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "your friends are pronouncing +it to be a success. Mr. Paxhorn declares it is a vision +of the period. But Constance is waiting."</p> + +<p>Replacing his mask, Adrien made his way to his +cousin, who, as usual, was surrounded by a small +group of courtiers. She glanced up as he approached +and, with a smile to the rest, took his proffered arm. +As he looked at her sweet face, a thrill ran through +him at the purity of her beauty--so great a contrast +to that of the woman he had just dismissed that he +loathed the very thought of ever having touched +her hand. In that moment, the love he bore Constance +welled up passionately in his heart, refusing +to be suppressed, and again he tore off the velvet +mask.</p> + +<p>When the girl raised her calm eyes to his face, the +ardent look in his startled her, and she determined +to at least listen to any explanation he wished +to give her. "Where have you been, Adrien?" +she said gently. "I thought you had forgotten +me."</p> + +<p>"No!" he answered sharply, "that would be +impossible; but I was called away. Do you care +for this dance? Or, would you give me just a few +moments with you alone on the terrace?"</p> + +<p>Her eyes softened.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you like, Adrien," she said gently. "I +am really tired now, and longing for the air."</p> + +<p>"Come, then," he said; and catching up a silken +wrap that lay on one of the seats, he threw it +tenderly over her.</p> + +<p>Together they passed out on to the terrace, and +seemed to have slipped into another world, so great +a contrast was the peaceful moonlit valley beneath +them to the brilliant, heated ball-room they had +just left.</p> + +<p>As the curtained door swung behind them, Jasper +Vermont, <i>alias</i> Mephistopheles--his scarlet costume +now changed to ordinary evening dress, and covered +with a long black domino, similar to that which Ada +had donned--shot a sharp glance after them; then, +with a sinister smile, he left the room by another +exit, and made his way into the grounds. Keeping +well within the shadow of the trees and shrubs, he +crouched down, directly under the terrace where +Adrien had led Constance; here, motionless and +scarcely breathing, he listened with eager ears.</p> + +<p>"It is hot," said Constance, removing her mask, +and letting the wrap fall back from her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"All the more reason you should be careful," said +Adrien, replacing it gently.</p> + +<p>She smiled, as she gazed up at him.</p> + +<p>"You look very tired," she said softly. "This +ball has been a strain on you, has it not?"</p> + +<p>"Not more than usual," he returned. "At any +rate, it will be my last for some time to come."</p> + +<p>"Your last!" she echoed, looking up at him +with wide, startled eyes. "What do you mean, +Adrien?"</p> + +<p>"I am going away after to-night," he said hoarsely; +for the sight of her beauty was goading him almost +to despair.</p> + +<p>"Going away!" she hardly breathed the words; +her face had paled in the moonlight, till it looked +almost unearthly. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"You ask me why?" he murmured, his forehead +damp with the force of his emotion. "You, who +know how I love you--worship your very shadow!"</p> + +<p>She trembled under the passion of his gaze.</p> + +<p>"Adrien!" she exclaimed, in low, reproachful +tones. "Why do you speak to me like that, when +I know how little your words really mean?"</p> + +<p>"Little!" he cried with suppressed passion. +"Ah, Constance, why are you so cruel to me? Why +do you so misjudge me, when I would gladly die +to serve you?"</p> + +<p>The earnestness in his tones was unmistakable; +but she kept her face turned from him, and he knew +only from the quick-drawn breath that she had +heard him.</p> + +<p>"Constance," he pleaded, "look at me, dear. +Give me this one chance. I shall never trouble you +again."</p> + +<p>"You have no right----" she began tremulously.</p> + +<p>"No right to tell you I love you. Do you think +I don't know that?" he burst out. "It is just that +very knowledge which has burnt itself into me, and +seared my very soul."</p> + +<p>"What knowledge?" she asked, forgetful, in the +suddenness of his attack, the tactics she had adopted +with regard to Lord Standon.</p> + +<p>"The knowledge of your engagement," he answered +hoarsely. "Ah, Constance, be merciful. +Surely not even Standon himself would grudge me +these last few moments."</p> + +<p>"What has Lord Standon to do with me?" she +asked, looking him full in the face with steadfast +eyes.</p> + +<p>He stared at her in amazement.</p> + +<p>"Is he not your accepted lover?"</p> + +<p>His voice betrayed his agony of spirit; and, hearing +this, she relented. Holding up her left hand, the +third finger of which was bare of rings, she said +quietly, almost, indeed, demurely:</p> + +<p>"This does not look like it, does it?"</p> + +<p>The light of hope, new-born, flashed into his face. +He sprang forward eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Constance!" he cried. "My darling! You +will try to care for me then----?" He would have +taken her in his arms; but she held him off at arm's +length.</p> + +<p>"No! no, Adrien," she interrupted sadly. "Because +I am not engaged to Lord Standon, is that any +reason why I should love one who treats me so +lightly?"</p> + +<p>"I treat you lightly, you--the one woman I have +ever truly loved? Constance, whatever sins I may +have committed, you are my first love, and you will +be my last. I am not worthy to touch your hand, +as pure as it is white, but will you not forgive me the +folly of my past life, and let me live in hope that I +may do better? I swear from this day forth to cast +off the old life, with all its emptiness and folly, and +lay the future at your feet."</p> + +<p>As his passionate words ceased, she turned to +him.</p> + +<p>"Adrien, I do not know what to think," she said +in low, troubled tones. "I wrote to you last month--that +day we came up to London, believing that +perhaps you had learned to care a little for me; but +when you deliberately spent the day with another +woman, sooner than with me, what am I to +think?"</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" he asked hoarsely.</p> + +<p>"I saw you," she returned simply, "when we +were at the station, auntie and I, on the twenty-second----"</p> + +<p>"The twenty-second!" he echoed, through +blanched lips.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you were at Waterloo Station with some +one, I did not see her face. But what does it matter +now? If you had cared----" She stopped abruptly.</p> + +<p>"I do care," he reiterated passionately. "Heaven +above knows that; but I do not hope to make you +believe me. Constance, I can give neither you nor +any living being the explanation of that awful day. +But I swear to you that the meeting was unsought +by me. I could not help myself. I do not know +how all this has come about. I understood from +Standon that--that he was engaged to----"</p> + +<p>"Muriel Branton," interrupted Constance softly. +"He told me himself."</p> + +<p>For a moment Adrien stared at her in stupefaction.</p> + +<p>"If I had known we were at cross-purposes!" he +exclaimed. "I see it all now--when it is too late," +and sinking down on the stone seat he buried his +face in his hands.</p> + +<p>For a minute there was silence, broken at last by +the rustle of Lady Constance's dress as she came +timidly towards him.</p> + +<p>"Adrien," she murmured, very low indeed, but +not so low that he did not hear.</p> + +<p>He looked up, gave one swift glance at her blushing +face, then, with an incoherent cry of delight, +caught her in his arms.</p> + +<p>"My darling!" he cried. "I love you. Believe +that, though I failed you so."</p> + +<p>No further words were spoken--none were needed; +then Adrien said gently:</p> + +<p>"Darling, before we return, tell me, just once--let +me hear it from your own lips, that you love me; +for I can scarcely believe I am awake."</p> + +<p>"It is no dream, Adrien," she said, her face flushing +and quivering with pent-up emotion. "I love +you, dear."</p> + +<p>Again he clasped her in his arms and neither heard +a step behind them. It was not until a warning +cough roused them, that Adrien started, and became +aware of the presence of Mr. Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XXII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>While the preparations for the ball at Barminster +Castle had been going on apace, trouble and confusion +reigned in the little village on the banks of +the Thames.</p> + +<p>No sooner had Mr. Jasper Vermont taken his +departure, than poor Lucy Ashford sank on the floor +of the shop, and burst into a flood of tears. So +great had been the strain that she was completely +unnerved, and had quite forgotten the likelihood +of her husband's return from Richmond, as well as +the mysterious disappearance of Jessica, who had +not been seen in the house since the arrival of Adrien +Leroy and his unconscious burden.</p> + +<p>This sudden realisation of all the presentiment of +evil which Lucy Ashford had ever in her mind, had +burst on her like a thunderbolt. She had known +always that the man, Mr. Jasper Vermont, who knew +her secret, was alive; but never before had she been +actually threatened with its betrayal. Her father, +Mr. Harker, had always stood between her and that +dreadful possibility.</p> + +<p>Presently, she jumped up and called to Jessica. +Then she remembered that the girl had disappeared +from the time she had sent her from the room. +Fearful that Vermont might yet change his mind +and return for the night, she ran to the door, calling +out Jessica's name in a paroxysm of nervous terror, +which finally, on receiving no reply, ended in a severe +attack of hysterics, in the midst of which her husband +returned and found her.</p> + +<p>With an exclamation of alarm, he raised her from +the floor and bore her upstairs to the bed on which +Lady Merivale had lain such a short time ago. He +was greatly puzzled by the disordered appearance +of the room, and his first thought was of burglars. +He gave no time to this, however, but hastened to +get his wife into bed, then rushed out for a doctor. +When he returned with him it was found that Lucy +had relapsed into a state of fever, and was talking +deliriously, of an inn at Canterbury, an individual +of the name of Johann Wilfer, and most of all, +making plaintive appeals to Jasper Vermont not to +betray her.</p> + +<p>As the next day Jessica had not returned, Ashford +found all his work cut out for him, to see after +the shop and the children, as well as his wife. A +kindly neighbour came to his rescue; but John +insisted on nursing Lucy himself, while the woman +remained downstairs.</p> + +<p>At first, the husband paid little attention to the +wandering, incoherent sentences of his wife; but +as the first excitement died down, and they began +to take distinct form, he bent over her, and learned +the one error of her life. Naturally, poor John +recoiled in horror; the whole thing seemed so incredible, +so impossible to believe. Yet, when he had +had time to reflect, he saw that this explained all +the little strangenesses in his wife's conduct and +manner; her intense nervousness at the sight of +any stranger; her reticence as to her youthful days; +all this was borne in on his mind, and he realised +that he had been deceived. His wife, in whom he +had so trusted, had loved another before him; and +at the bitter truth, John Ashford utterly broke +down, and, hiding his face in the counterpane, +sobbed like a child. Tears sometimes are Nature's +own medicine, and do more to soften the heart than +any words. After the first shock had worn away, +Ashford commenced to look back on the happy days +he had spent with Lucy; the way she had worked +with him, and for him. These thoughts did their +healing work, and accordingly, a few days later, +when Lucy Ashford returned to consciousness, she +found her husband's eyes gazing into hers with only +pitying tenderness in their depths.</p> + +<p>"John," she said faintly, "have I been ill?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear," he replied gently.</p> + +<p>Something in his saddened tones, or perhaps +strange intuition, told Lucy that her secret +was no longer hers alone.</p> + +<p>"John!" she cried, her voice shaking with terror +and weakness. "You know all!" And she hid +her face in her hands.</p> + +<p>Her husband bent over her tenderly and kissed +the thin cheek.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear," he said. "You've told me all. +Why didn't you trust me before?"</p> + +<p>She looked at him in wonder, hardly believing the +evidence of her own ears. Was this all the reproach +and anger he would deal out to her? Could it be +possible that, knowing all, the man she had loved, +yet feared, solely on this account, would not only +forgive but take her into his heart again? As if +in answer to her bewildered thoughts, John's arm +was around her neck, and his kiss of forgiveness fell +upon her lips.</p> + +<p>Presently, she looked up, with a look of ineffable +peace and gratitude on her face.</p> + +<p>"John," she said, "send for poor father; it +will be new life to him to know that this dreadful +weight is off my heart, and that you, knowing what +a bad woman I have been, will still call me your +wife. Oh, fetch him to me soon, dear, that he may +be happy too."</p> + +<p>Her husband kissed her again, and without another +word left the room. Giving some directions +to the neighbour who was still in the shop, he set +out at once on his journey. He drove into Hampton +and took the first train to London, where he intended +to tell his father-in-law the whole story, +and learn what details he could; for he did not +wish ever to bring up the subject again, so far as +Lucy was concerned.</p> + +<p>Now it happened that Mr. Harker was late at the +office that night, bending, sad and wrinkled, over +his interminable papers; the whole business connected +with which was so repugnant to him. Sigh +after sigh escaped his thin lips, as he read the piteous +appeals, and knew that he must refuse them; must +deal out fresh misery against his will. It was hard +to be the tool of such a merciless fiend; to be the +servant of such a master of deceit, villainy and +fraud; but so greatly did the father love his child +that he would scarce have hesitated in committing +a murder had Jasper Vermont set that crime as a +price of his forbearance and silence. He would +have purchased his daughter's safety and happiness +with his heart's blood, if need be.</p> + +<p>Unconscious of the release that was so fast +approaching, he worked on, setting in order the +various accounts which Vermont would require to +be laid before him on the following day; and entering +in a book concise histories of the debts and +difficulties which placed dozens of Jasper's acquaintances +within his power.</p> + +<p>A knock at the door startled him, and roused +him from his task. Hastily shutting the ledger +before which he was seated, and covering the deeds +and documents with a large sheet of paper, the old +man rose and opened the door.</p> + +<p>It was his son-in-law, John Ashford, and at the +sight of his round, kindly face, Harker staggered +back, and clutched at the table.</p> + +<p>"Lucy!" he gasped out. "Is she ill?"</p> + +<p>"All right! All right!" said John reassuringly, +but in a quieter voice than his usual jovial one. +"Don't be frightened. But when she says 'Go +and fetch father,' you see, I come and fetch you +directly."</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker was not to be deceived by this attempt +at a jest.</p> + +<p>"She is ill!" he cried, the perspiration breaking +out on his forehead.</p> + +<p>John nodded.</p> + +<p>"She is better now," he said. "But I should +like you to come down at once. We shall catch a +train to Hampton Court, and I have a trap waiting +for me there." Without any further explanation--for +after thinking the matter over, he had determined +that Lucy herself should break the news to +her father--he helped the old man, still trembling +and shaking, to put on his coat, and to lock up the +office; and it was not until they were well on their +way, that John told him how he had found his +wife a fortnight ago, lying unconscious on the +ground.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker's troubled face darkened, and his +thin hands clenched and unclenched themselves, +for he knew Mr. Vermont only too well, and the +thought had already crossed his mind that this +sudden illness was in some way due to that gentleman's +interference.</p> + +<p>Outside Hampton Court station they found the +horse and cart for which John had arranged; and +the two men got in silently and started off once +more. They were within a short distance of their +destination, when John pulled up the horse with +an exclamation of astonishment. They were in a +narrow lane, with barely room enough for the cart +to pass along, and almost within a yard of the +horse's hoofs stood the figure of a young girl.</p> + +<p>Ashford recognised her in an instant; with a +shout of warning, he threw the reins to his father-in-law +and, leaping to the ground, caught the girl +by the arm.</p> + +<p>"Jessica!" he cried reproachfully. "What are +you doing here?"</p> + +<p>She looked up at him in silence, and her eyes +filled with tears.</p> + +<p>"I am coming back to you," she said at last, in +a low voice, "if you will have me? There was some +one I wanted to see again in London, or I would +never have gone; for, oh! sir, I know how good you +and Mrs. Ashford have been to me."</p> + +<p>John appeared relieved.</p> + +<p>"I thought you weren't one of the sort to go off +and leave my Lucy just because she was ill and +wanted extra help," he said, in a tone of relief.</p> + +<p>"Ill," repeated Jessica, with a look of bewilderment. +"She was not ill when I left her. It was +the other lady who was ill."</p> + +<p>John, of course, knew nothing of Lady Merivale, +and gazed at Jessica as though she had taken leave +of her senses.</p> + +<p>"I don't know what lady you mean," he said; +"but my wife has been very ill for the past two +weeks, and asking for you often. You see, I thought +you had run away and left her."</p> + +<p>"I will drive back with you, please, sir, if you +have room for me. I didn't know Mrs. Ashford +was ill," said the girl, humbly following him, as he +turned towards the trap.</p> + +<p>He lifted her up, and fastened her in securely.</p> + +<p>All this time Mr. Harker had taken no notice of +the little episode, save to wonder slightly at the +delay. But directly he caught sight of the vivid, +dark beauty of the girl, he started.</p> + +<p>"Who is this?" he asked John, who was hurriedly +driving on again.</p> + +<p>"A poor girl whom Lucy has befriended," he +replied. "Why, did you think you recognised +her?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker shook his head. She strongly resembled +some one he had seen; but, for the +moment, he could not call to mind who that person +was.</p> + +<p>"What is her name?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>"Jessica," replied his son-in-law. "She doesn't +seem to know any other."</p> + +<p>They drove on in silence, broken presently by +Mr. Harker, who had stolen another glance at the +silent girl.</p> + +<p>"A wonderful likeness," he murmured. "I +could have sworn that was Ada Lester, the actress, +as she used to be."</p> + +<p>He relapsed again into silence, and John was too +much wrapped up in his own thoughts to question +him further.</p> + +<p>They reached the little shop at last, and Jessica +ran lightly and quickly up to the bedroom. She +was welcomed warmly by Lucy, who had grown to +like the girl, and had been greatly upset by her +absence.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad you have come back, dear," she +whispered, as Jessica bent over her. "Where have +you been?"</p> + +<p>"To London, dear Mrs. Ashford. I did not know +you were ill. I came back with Mr. Ashford."</p> + +<p>"John!" exclaimed Lucy, the colour rising in +her face. "My father as well?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said the girl. "I will call them."</p> + +<p>She did so, and a moment later John and Mr. +Harker entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Here he is, dear, you shall tell him the news +yourself, while I take the horse back," said the +kindly John. He bent over and kissed her; and +Lucy followed him with wistful, adoring eyes, as +he went out accompanied by Jessica.</p> + +<p>The next half-hour was an affecting one for father +and daughter. Harker could hardly believe the +good news; for so long had they tried and succeeded +in keeping the truth back from Ashford, that it +seemed incredible indeed that he had forgiven freely +and wholly. Mr. Harker looked a different being +when, after kissing his daughter affectionately, he +left her and went down to the little parlour.</p> + +<p>John was sitting smoking his pipe; but he +started up when the old man entered.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter?" he said, as he looked at +his pale face. "Is she worse?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Harker. "She is better, thank +Heaven! John Ashford," he continued humbly, +"I have come to beg your forgiveness for the pain +we have caused you. I knew my girl to be a good +girl, although she had once been so foolish. I knew +she would make you a true loving wife, in spite of +her sin. It was I who overcame her scruples, and +bade her marry you. I did it for the best. I did +it that she might be happy; for I knew how she +loved you, and she so feared to lose your love and +respect. She tells me you have forgiven her, but +can you forgive me?"</p> + +<p>John grasped his hand.</p> + +<p>"Of course I do," he said heartily. "You did +it for her so I have nothing to forgive. If my poor +darling had only plucked up courage and told me +all, the hour we were man and wife, she would have +learned how dearly I loved her, and it would have +saved you both many unhappy years."</p> + +<p>Tears of gratitude stood in Harker's eyes, as he +returned the handclasp.</p> + +<p>"Heaven bless you, John," he murmured. +"Not many men would be so merciful. We will +never speak of this again. You will not repent +your generosity."</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Ashford; +struck by something unusual in the old man's +voice.</p> + +<p>"I am going back to London," said Harker, +smiling grimly, as in anticipation of a pleasant task. +"I have work to do, an account to settle now--for +Lucy and myself. You don't know all yet, John; +you don't know, you never will know, all that Lucy +and I have suffered."</p> + +<p>He paused as if overcome by his emotion; then +continued in trembling voice:</p> + +<p>"We have been slaves all these years, trembling +and shrinking under a villain's nod and frown. I've +sold myself to a demon, who, in consideration of +my services--of my body and soul--promised to +keep his talons from my poor Lucy. He discovered +her mistake; and he threatened to let the whole +world know, to tell you all, if I did not bind myself +to do his villainous work. I have done it for years. +I have endured shame and agony unspeakable, +that my darling's secret might be safe. I have been +his tool and his scapegoat. I, an old man, on my +way to the grave, have earned--and rightly earned--the +names of usurer and thief. All this I have +done and suffered that he should never blight my +child's happiness by his presence. He has broken +the contract. He came down here that night you +went to Richmond, and, with his fiendish ways and +threats, nearly killed her. Well, now his power has +gone. Thanks to your generosity, your forgiveness, +Lucy is free, and I am free. Now I take my turn, +and for every tear he has wrung from my darling's +eyes, I will wring a groan from his black heart."</p> + +<p>John had listened to him with intense surprise. +He knew his father-in-law was in business in the +City; but he did not know that the business of +"Harker's," for which he had a great respect, had +anything to do with moneylending. Still he refrained +from asking any questions; and seeing that +Mr. Harker was practically exhausted by the excitement +and the news, persuaded him to spend the +remainder of the night with them, and travel back +to town in the morning.</p> + +<p>After reflection the old man agreed to this; and +it was a very happy little party that met at the +breakfast-table next day.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker, unable to sleep, had let his thoughts +go back to Jessica; and in the silence of the night +a picture had arisen before his eyes; a theatre in +which a dark-eyed young girl was dancing, amidst +a crowd of others. In his delight at having a clue +he cried aloud, "Ada Lester, at the Rockingham!" +The more he thought of it the more sure he felt that +this girl must be the daughter, or at least some +connection, of the well-known actress.</p> + +<p>On questioning Jessica, all the information he +could obtain from her was that which she had given +Adrien Leroy. Johann Wilfer was the boundary +of her existence. Harker remembered the name +as that of the man from whom he had bought the +picture, and he also knew now that he it was who +had been responsible for Lucy's early sin. But he +was not to be shaken from his belief that in some +way Jessica must be related to Ada Lester, and he +asked the girl whether she would travel up to +London with him, and trust herself to his care.</p> + +<p>Jessica looked up into his lined face.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said simply, "if you won't give me +back to Johann."</p> + +<p>Harker readily promised this, and, amid many +smiles and wavings of hand from the assembled +Ashford family, the two started on their way.</p> + +<p>On reaching London, Mr. Harker's first visit was +to the Casket Theatre, which Jessica at once remembered +as the one before which she had kept watch +for Adrien Leroy; and with that recollection came +the memory of the roll of papers which she had +picked up. She related this little incident to +Harker; and undoing the bag in which kind-hearted +Lucy had put some clothes for her, she found the +papers and gave them to him.</p> + +<p>Harker looked them over, and gave a cry of joy; +for he realised at once that they delivered his arch-enemy +into his hands--no miracle from Heaven +itself could have done more. Jessica did not +understand the reason for his excitement, but she +was quite content to let the papers remain in his +keeping.</p> + +<p>At the theatre he inquired for Miss Lester; and, +it being matinée day, he found that the popular +actress had already arrived. It took time and +money to convince the military-looking door-keeper +that it was absolutely necessary to take an urgent +message to Miss Lester, but eventually this was +done, and Mr. Harker, with Jessica---who was +almost dazed by the strangeness of her surroundings--found +themselves in Miss Lester's dressing-room, +a few minutes before she was due on the stage as +Prince Bon-Bon.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker at once hastened to apologise for the +intrusion; but, in the midst of his words, he broke +off short, for Jessica and the actress were gazing +at one another in a mutual recognition. Jessica +remembered her at once as the lady who had been +with Adrien Leroy; then came the earlier memory, +which had so puzzled her on the night she had seen +the actress entering the theatre.</p> + +<p>"Jessica!" exclaimed Miss Lester, blankly, and +she turned on the astounded Harker. "What's the +meaning of this?"</p> + +<p>The few minutes were nearly up, and the call-boy +and the dresser had met in several consultations +with regard to the difficulty of getting Miss Lester +on to the stage in time, before Mr. Harker's explanations +were through.</p> + +<p>Ada, now thoroughly assured as to her own +future, thanks to her recent visit to Barminster, +was quite willing to look after her niece better than +in the past; especially as her presence formed a +strong link in the chain of evidence the actress +intended shortly to bring against Jasper Vermont. +She assured Harker that she would take care of +the girl, and with this he was content; then, leaving +Jessica in her aunt's charge, he made his way to his +own office, prior to taking a journey down to +Barminster Castle.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XXIII</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The unexpected appearance of Jasper Vermont +startled both Lady Constance and Adrien.</p> + +<p>"Jasper!" exclaimed Adrien, almost sternly, +drawing the silken wrap around Lady Constance +as if to shield her from all eyes but his own. "I +did not expect you here to-night."</p> + +<p>"No," answered Jasper. "I have travelled +post-haste to try and save you from heavy trouble; +the matter is so pressing that you must give me my +way and attend to it at once. I am sure Lady Constance +would forgive this intrusion, if she only knew +of what serious importance it is to you, and, indeed, +to us all."</p> + +<p>He moved forward as he spoke; and the light of +the full moon falling on his smooth, clean-shaven +face, showed it so ghastly white, so moved by strong +emotion that Lady Constance started back a step, +while Leroy himself stared in surprise.</p> + +<p>"Good Heavens!" he said, "whatever is the +matter to make you drive down in such a state? +What is wrong? Is it the theatre?" A faint +contemptuous smile crossed his face as he thought of +Ada.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw!" exclaimed Vermont, scornfully. +"The theatre! No, Adrien, there's not a moment +to be lost. I must speak with you at once. Don't +look at me like that. You do not grasp what +imminent peril is hanging over you."</p> + +<p>"Peril!" gasped Lady Constance, springing forward +and placing her hand on Adrien's arm, her +movement showing, perhaps unconsciously, the +state of her feelings towards him more than anything +else could have done. It was as if she wished +to share with him any approaching pain.</p> + +<p>Jasper glanced at her from beneath his lowered +lids--the sort of hungry look one would imagine a +starving wolf might cast at a lamb.</p> + +<p>"Serious peril!" repeated Lady Constance.</p> + +<p>"Of what kind?" asked Leroy, still with that +faint smile on his lips, and quite unmoved by +Jasper's solemn face. Then, without waiting for an +answer, he continued scornfully: "Peril! My dear +Jasper, what danger can I be in? This is not the +Middle Ages, and there are no assassins waiting +around, are there? However, let me take Con--Lady +Constance back to the ball-room again, and +then I will enjoy, or at any rate listen to all you +have to tell me."</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont smiled bitterly, and took out +his watch, which had been a present from Leroy.</p> + +<p>"Adrien," he said slowly, "you have ten minutes +between you and dishonour!"</p> + +<p>Adrien turned round sharply, and half raised his +arm as if to strike, while such a stern look crossed +his face that Lady Constance scarcely recognised it +as the same which, but a few minutes ago, had +gazed on her so lovingly.</p> + +<p>"Adrien!" she cried, almost shuddering at the +tense anger shining in his eyes. "He must be +mad!" She turned proudly on Jasper. "That +is sufficient, Mr. Vermont. Pray leave us at once. +If this is a jest, I consider it is in extremely bad +taste."</p> + +<p>Jasper bit his lip at her words, but did not shift +his ground.</p> + +<p>"No," said Leroy, "it is no jest, dear; there is +something wrong, I feel sure. I will have a few +words with him in private." He led her gently +towards the door, and with pale face and trembling +heart, Lady Constance re-entered the ball-room she +had left so happily, seating herself near the entrance +in one of the many alcoves. She was overcome by +a nameless fear, and that horrible feeling of utter +helplessness which overwhelms one as in a heavy +cloud, and darkens the horizon for us all when +weighed down by suspense.</p> + +<p>Suddenly she determined to seek Lord Barminster, +and had risen to do so, when she heard not +only the voices of Adrien and Vermont, but another +also, a strange one, talking not loudly but very +sternly. Hardly knowing what to do, she was +about to return to the terrace to ascertain what was +happening, when fortunately her uncle approached +with Mortimer Shelton. She went quickly to meet +them, and told them her fears.</p> + +<p>Much surprised, both Lord Barminster and Mr. +Shelton accompanied her; and they found the +voices were issuing from one of the small anterooms +adjoining the terrace. Within this room, +which was far removed from where the dancing was +going on, they discovered Adrien Leroy, unmasked +and very pale, staring at a blue paper which had +evidently been given to him by the man standing +at his side--an inspector of police.</p> + +<p>"What is the matter, Adrien?" asked his father, +and seeing that Jasper Vermont was also present, +he turned his eyes to him inquiringly. But Jasper +seemed wishful to avoid his glance, and only shook +his head.</p> + +<p>Adrien handed back the blue paper, still without +speaking, then turned, as if to address his father, +who was looking sternly from one troubled face to +the other, while behind him stood Lady Constance +and Mortimer Shelton. But before any one could +utter a word, the inspector came forward, and +addressing Lord Barminster, said quietly:</p> + +<p>"Sorry, my lord, to have to do this at such a +time but I am here in the performance of my duty. +I should be glad if we could go to a more private +room, where I could explain to your lordship without +your guests being informed of the matter."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster was about to sharply retort +when Shelton, who seemed to realise the seriousness +of the affair, touched him lightly on the arm.</p> + +<p>"I think, sir," he said earnestly, "it would be +as well to hear what this man has to say quietly, +as he suggests."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster controlled his feelings, recognising +the good sense of the suggestion, and turning +coldly to the inspector, said:</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it would be best, Inspector. Kindly +come this way."</p> + +<p>At the end of a small passage outside the anteroom, +the door opened into a smaller room, which +at one time had been used as a study, and was noted +for its impenetrability as to sound. Here they +entered; and Lord Barminster, asking all to be +seated, bade the inspector proceed with such +explanations as he had to offer.</p> + +<p>"My lord," he said respectfully, "the explanation +is a very simple one, and in deference to your +lordship, to make it as private as possible, I have +left my men outside the Castle. I, unfortunately, +hold a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Adrien Leroy +on a charge of forgery."</p> + +<p>An exclamation of horror burst from all, except +Adrien and Jasper; but the speaker continued:</p> + +<p>"In performance of my duty, I arrest him, in +the King's name." He touched Adrien lightly on +the arm as he spoke.</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster drew a long breath, but still +hoping against his better judgment that the affair +was what its originators considered, a practical joke, +he restrained all appearance of anger.</p> + +<p>"Come," he said, "this may be an excellent +jest; but whoever is responsible for it must surely +realise that it has gone far enough."</p> + +<p>"This is no jest, sir," said Adrien, and he looked +at Mortimer Shelton, who sat, white and bewildered, +opposite to him.</p> + +<p>"I am arrested on a charge of forging Shelton's +signature to a bill for ten thousand pounds."</p> + +<p>"Good Heavens!" exclaimed his friend, starting +up in horror. "But it is impossible that they +should think you--"</p> + +<p>"Shelton," continued Adrien steadily, "has +written a letter saying that the signature is a +forgery."</p> + +<p>"I wrote last week, not knowing; but, of course"--he + laughed scornfully--"it is all a mistake, which +can soon be rectified. The idea of coming to you +for such a thing! I hope you don't believe, my dear +Adrien, that I had any hand in this monstrous +accusation?"</p> + +<p>"Of course, I know that," replied his friend, +holding out his hand. "But the writing has a +distinct resemblance to mine, I admit; and two +witnesses are ready to prove, so the inspector tells +me, that they saw me enter the office of a certain +'Harker's,' I think it is, where the bill was signed, +and also that my motor was standing at the door. +While a third witness, a clerk at the office, has filed +an affidavit that he actually saw me writing on the +bill, there. All this, father"--turning once more +to the old man--"passes a jest."</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," replied Lord Barminster sarcastically; +"for a Leroy, who can command a +hundred thousand pounds by a stroke of his pen, +to forge a bill for ten thousand pounds is not a jest, +but simple madness. The charge is some insolent +conspiracy."</p> + +<p>Almost unconsciously, he fixed his glance on +Jasper Vermont, who, during the whole time, had +sat motionless and silent. It seemed as if he guessed, +intuitively, that that smooth individual was at the +bottom of it all. Then he turned his grey eyes to +Adrien's calm face, and from his to the white one +of Lady Constance, whose eyes were flashing with +anger at the mere idea of any one doubting Adrien's +honour.</p> + +<p>There was a moment's silence, broken by Shelton, +who rose and grasped his friend's hand.</p> + +<p>"Adrien," he said, in a voice charged with +emotion, "Adrien, I can bear this no longer. Give +this foul accusation the lie. I know, my dear +fellow, as surely as I know that I did not write it +myself, that you had nothing to do with the accursed +signature. But, for Heaven's sake, tell the others +so too."</p> + +<p>Adrien returned the friendly clasp with a smile +that lit up his whole face; then looking round, he +said quietly:</p> + +<p>"I did not write it; I know nothing of it."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster rose from his seat at the sound +of his son's voice, and put his hand on Adrien's +shoulder; then, as if half ashamed of his pardonable +emotion, he turned to the inspector.</p> + +<p>"You hear, sir, Mr. Leroy knows nothing of the +matter."</p> + +<p>"That, my lord," returned the inspector respectfully, +"would not justify me in leaving here without +him. I fear he must accompany me; my instructions +under the warrant are too strict. Mere denial +is, of course, a common matter, and a usual one--begging +your pardon, my lord"--for the old man +had started indignantly.</p> + +<p>"I should suggest, my lord," continued the +inspector hurriedly, "that an <i>alibi</i> would be of +the most service. I do not say for one moment +that Mr. Leroy did commit the forgery; but, +of course, he will be able to prove where he was on +the twenty-second of last month, at three o'clock."</p> + +<p>Shelton's face brightened. He wheeled round +on his friend.</p> + +<p>"Adrien," he exclaimed, "tell us where you +were on that day; not to satisfy me, you know that, +but to get this folly over."</p> + +<p>Leroy gazed sadly at him, but remained silent; +and Shelton grew hot, and then white with irritation, +at this inexplicable silence.</p> + +<p>"Think, my dear Adrien," he said in a quick, +impatient voice. "Were you at the club, or your +chambers, or Park Lane--where were you? Come, +you can't have forgotten."</p> + +<p>He stamped his foot in his impatience; for +although he would have laughed to scorn any assertion +of his friend's guilt, it annoyed him that a +shadow should remain on Adrien's name for a single +instant, and especially when a few words from Leroy +himself would end the matter.</p> + +<p>But Adrien made no indignant protest, such as +might have been expected.</p> + +<p>"No," he said at length, "I have not forgotten +where I spent the day of the twenty-second----"</p> + +<p>"Then, for Heaven's sake, man, speak out," +exclaimed Shelton in excitement.</p> + +<p>"I cannot," answered Adrien with a sigh. "I +gave my word to keep secret certain events that +happened on that day. They took place far away +from the City, but I cannot reveal where. Those +who say they saw me in London are lying, and I +could easily disprove their statements; but you +would not have me break my word?"</p> + +<p>There was an awful silence, as he finished speaking. +Not one present but realised the gravity of +the situation, and the futility of putting further +questions.</p> + +<p>At this point the inspector turned to Lord +Barminster.</p> + +<p>"My lord," he said almost gently, "I'm afraid +I must ask Mr. Leroy to come back with me--and +at once; but for the sake of all here, it can be +arranged so that your guests shall remain ignorant. +There are not many hours before the morning now."</p> + +<p>This was indeed true, for time waits for no man, +be it spent in pleasure or in crime. "I would +suggest that Mr. Leroy and myself return to +London; and if he will give me his word of honour +not to attempt any escape, I will dismiss my men, +who were sent down with me altogether against my +will."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, you may rely on my not offering any +resistance," was Leroy's reply, with a faint smile +at the idea called up by the inspector's words. +"I should like to change my things to something +more suitable." He glanced down at the velvet +and lace of his King Charles costume; all this +seemed like a dream from which he must awake +to find himself back in the ball-room.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, sir," agreed the inspector, who +seemed honestly reluctant to make the business +any more unpleasant than necessary.</p> + +<p>"I will come with you," put in Lord Barminster +suddenly.</p> + +<p>"I also," said Mortimer Shelton. "I will come +up with you, and change into something more fitted +for the journey."</p> + +<p>Turning to Lady Constance, her uncle besought +her to return to the ball-room, and thus prevent +any remarks being made as to the absence of himself +and Adrien. Bravely, as was to be expected +of her, she turned obediently; and with a few +whispered, loving words to Adrien, left the room, +followed, almost unnoticed, by Jasper Vermont. +He was quite satisfied with the success of his plot, +but had no desire to come into contact with Lord +Barminster, if he could avoid it.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, having ordered refreshments for the +inspector, Lord Barminster prepared to accompany +his son to London. The arrangements took but a +short time; and when the three men, accompanied +by the inspector, silently entered the car which had +been brought round, the ball was drawing to an +end. Carriages and motors were driving away, +filled with tired but happy guests, who little guessed +that their host and his son were also being driven +away--but to a police-station.</p> + +<p>Outside the Castle gates the inspector stopped +to dismiss two or three plain-clothes officers who +were awaiting him, telling them to return to London +by the first train.</p> + +<p>"I would suggest," he said quietly, as the car +rolled through the quiet country lanes, "that we +wait together in London until the court opens; +and when I have delivered up my charge, you +can go before the magistrate, and obtain bail, +in whatever amounts are required. Mr. Leroy +would then be able to return to Barminster until +the actual trial--if, of course, such should be +necessary."</p> + +<p>"A very sensible idea," agreed Shelton. "Thank +you, Inspector. When this matter is satisfactorily +cleared up, you will not lose by your sympathy, nor +by the way you have conducted the business."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster was also pleased at this suggestion, +and, on their arrival in London, the whole +party went straight to Barminster House for breakfast, +after which the four walked down to the +court, where application for bail was made and +accepted in two sureties of ten thousand pounds +each from Lord Barminster and Mortimer Shelton; +then Adrien found himself free until the day of +trial.</p> + +<p>They returned to their town house, where his +father telephoned to the family solicitors. Within +half an hour the head of the firm arrived, and was +put in possession of such meagre details as Adrien +could furnish, without disclosing his doings on the +fateful date, the twenty-second. The lawyer's face +was very grave as he listened.</p> + +<p>"It will not be an easy task, my lord," he ventured +to say to Lord Barminster as he took his +departure, "but I will do my best, and will have +opinion of the highest counsel obtainable."</p> + +<p>They were soon ready to undertake the return +journey, and before parting with the kindly inspector, +Lord Barminster very warmly thanked him. +All felt that they had been spared a great deal of +humiliation by the way he had so far conducted +the case. At the Castle they found that nothing +was known of the affair. Miss Penelope had retired +to her own rooms to recover from the fatigue of +the ball, while Constance was quite serene, strong in +her loving faith in Adrien and content to ask no +questions.</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont had also left Barminster, but +had sent a note in which be stated that he was +working in his friend's interest, and hoped to +unearth the mystery of the conspiracy. This +sounded plausible and meant nothing--which was +thoroughly characteristic of Mr. Vermont.</p> + +<p>The cases at the Central Criminal Court were +fortunately light ones, and did not take long to +settle, so that the interval between the acceptance +of bail and the date of the trial was a short one. +There was, of course, great excitement in the +fashionable world over Adrien's sensational arrest, +but this the young man wisely ignored; taking +refuge at Barminster Castle from the curiosity and +sympathy of friends and reporters alike, and +resolutely refusing to be interviewed.</p> + +<p>One thing--so characteristic of him--Adrien did +at once. Notwithstanding his own cares, he remembered +his promise to Ada Lester at the ball, and +instructed the solicitors to prepare a deed by +which the money and the rights of the Casket +Theatre should be made over to her, and settled +on her at once; at the same time, ordering that +the papers should be handed to her personally, +thus providing against any mistakes or interference +on the part of Jasper.</p> + +<p>This kindly thought completely turned the scale +of Ada's gratitude in his favour. Rejoicing at the +blow which she knew this would be to Mr. Vermont, +and in ignorance of his last treachery to Adrien, +she determined to show him up in his true colours +at the first opportunity.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, as the day of the trial approached, +Lord Barminster and Mortimer Shelton became +more and more anxious.</p> + +<p>The solicitors had briefed the finest and best +known barristers for the defence; but one and all +agreed that unless Adrien could prove an alibi, only +a miracle could save him from conviction.</p> + +<p>On the actual day Adrien Leroy took his place +in the dock, listening through the day with unwearied +calm to the long speeches made by the +counsel on both sides.</p> + +<p>Witness after witness was called; but none +could shake the evidence of Harker's clerk, who +swore to seeing Leroy actually sign the bill in +question, on the twenty-second of the preceding +month.</p> + +<p>Towards the end of the case, when both judge, +jury and counsel were tired out by the conflicting +statements, a note was sent to the barrister for the +defence by a veiled lady, who had sat in the back +of the court during the whole day's proceedings.</p> + +<p>He opened it carelessly, but after a swift glance at +the few lines which it contained, his face brightened. +Resuming his usual confident tones, he desired +that a new witness might be called, namely Lady +Merivale.</p> + +<p>At the name Adrien started forward, but it was +too late. A lady in black, pale but composed, +entered the witness box, and was duly sworn. +Calmly she gave her evidence, stating that she had +visited her aunt, Lady Rose Challoner, at Hampton +Court on the twenty-second of the previous month, +and while there had met Mr. Adrien Leroy. He +had rowed her up the river, and as an additional +witness she could produce one of the boatmen to +whom she had spoken while at Hampton, and who +had watched them start.</p> + +<p>After this there was little more to be said. The +miracle had indeed happened! It was clearly a +case of perjury on the part of Harker's clerk, for +whose arrest the judge ordered a warrant to be +issued.</p> + +<p>On the delivery of the verdict in Adrien's favour, +Lady Merivale left the court. She did not glance +at Leroy, nor indeed anyone present, but walked +blindly out. She knew that not only had she +restored the man she loved to freedom and to +honour, but in all probability ruined her own +social position. For Jasper Vermont's veiled +threats at the Barminster fancy dress ball could +not be ignored, and now that she had deliberately +gone contrary to his wishes in disclosing where +Adrien had spent the fateful twenty-second of May, +she could not but doubt that Vermont would make +use of the mysterious power which he had hinted +he held over her. What this power was she could +only surmise, for, of course, she was in ignorance +of Jasper's connection with "Harker's Ltd." But +she had an uncomfortable feeling that Adrien's +freedom had been purchased at considerable danger +to herself, and the thought haunted her unpleasantly.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XXIV</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Mr. Harker, having arranged things to his +liking at Lawrence Lane, returned to Miss Lester +and reminded her of her promise to assist him to +unmask Jasper Vermont. He found her more than +willing to accompany him to Barminster, and +accordingly it was arranged that they should travel +down together on the following day, accompanied +also by Jessica. Upon the rare occasions that +Vermont and Harker had met during the past week +the latter had made no sign of his recently acquired +emancipation from Jasper's rule, and that gentleman +was in blissful unconsciousness of the sword +hanging over him. + +Arrived at Windleham, the nearest station to +Barminster, Mr. Harker left the two women at the +little hotel facing the railway, there to await his +return or instructions to come on to the Castle. +Then he made his way to Barminster. Here he +delivered a note into the care of the footman, +bidding him to take it to his master without delay. +In it he had begged Lord Barminster to grant him +an interview on important personal business, hinting +that by so doing he might avert future peril +for Adrien and himself.</p> + +<p>In a very short time the man returned, with the +message that Lord Barminster would see him at +once; and Mr. Harker was shown into the Blue +Room, in which Adrien Leroy had been arrested +little more than a week before.</p> + +<p>"His lordship will be with you in a few moments," +said the man as he left the room.</p> + +<p>Almost immediately Lord Barminster appeared, +accompanied by Mortimer Shelton. Harker rose +respectfully and rather nervously, but Lord Barminster +at once put him at his ease.</p> + +<p>"Pray be seated, Mr. Harker," he said politely, +as he and Shelton set the example. "This is my +son's friend, Mr. Shelton, and I should like him to +be present at our interview."</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker bowed.</p> + +<p>"I presume you are the Mr. Harker into whose +possession came the forged bill?" continued his +lordship.</p> + +<p>"As a mere servant--yes, my lord," answered +Mr. Harker. "I have become aware of the identity +of the man who committed the actual forgery, and +also of the fact that he is now preparing to bring +further trouble on yourself and Mr. Adrien Leroy."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster started as if to speak, but +Mr. Harker continued:</p> + +<p>"Fortunately, I am able to avert this, because +I have brought the forged bills with me; and I +will explain all fully, if your lordship will hear me +through. It will take some little time, but I ask +your patience."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster nodded and said quietly:</p> + +<p>"Go on."</p> + +<p>With a dry cough, Mr. Harker opened the little +black bag he invariably carried with him, and +drew from it a roll of papers. With slow precision, +the old man unfastened it and looked across at his +listeners.</p> + +<p>"Five years ago," he commenced, "my master--for, +as I said before, I was merely a servant, a +machine, acting under instructions--ordered me +to buy up any bills bearing your son's name. +Furthermore, I was to lend the money to any +amount within my master's credit to those who +brought his name as guarantee. I did so, and +every bill and liability which was contracted either +in his own name or in yours, my lord, by Mr. Leroy, +fell into the hands of this man, who carried on the +business under cover of my name. He posed as +the friend of Mr. Leroy, and by means of forgeries, +and cooked accounts, he has managed to acquire +control of your entire revenue."</p> + +<p>"Jasper Vermont!" exclaimed Shelton involuntarily; +while Lord Barminster leaned forward +eagerly.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker bowed his head. "You are aware," +he continued, "that all matters of business, even +the tradesmen's bills, passed through his hands. +That confidence he has abused, to how great an +extent I alone can prove; for I was his tool and +slave, and held his secrets. Not a bill was paid +without his receiving his commission and adding +to its amount. He it was who lent the money to +Mr. Leroy's friends, after he had procured his name +with which to back them; and he it was who, +behind the screen which I supplied, gradually, yet +surely, drew your son into his net. What object +he had, besides that of gain, I know not; but he +certainly desired his utter ruin in wealth and +honour, and compelled me to help him in his +schemes. Among other bills we held was one, presumably, +indorsed by Mr. Mortimer Shelton----"</p> + +<p>Shelton started up; but Lord Barminster said +quietly:</p> + +<p>"Let us hear the whole story first, Mortimer."</p> + +<p>"That signature was a forgery," continued Mr. +Harker, "double forgery indeed; for it imitated +Mr. Leroy's handwriting as well as that of Mr. +Shelton."</p> + +<p>"I knew it," murmured his lordship in a low +tone. "But pray continue, Mr. Harker."</p> + +<p>"The double forgery," went on the dry voice, +"I now know was executed by my employer's +hand; but instructions were given in the name of +the firm to charge Mr. Adrien Leroy with the +crime. The particular day was fixed on the twenty-second +simply because my master had found out +that Mr. Leroy had been somewhere else, and in +the company of a lady whom he knew Mr. Leroy +would never betray. But this part you already +know from yesterday's trial. False evidence was +brought to bear, in the statement that your son +had been in our office, and it was only owing to a +plea of illness that I escaped being made a witness +also. This was but one forgery, and I have here +large numbers of bills all forged by the same hand, +and which, if presented, will amount to more than +the sale of three such estates as this could liquidate."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster uttered an exclamation of +horror.</p> + +<p>"I will leave them here with you," went on +Mr. Harker, "and when the scoundrel has been +unmasked, you need have no fear of any future +danger. In my master's chain of villainy there +was a single flaw; but that flaw has broken the +whole chain. The poor tool, whom he had had so +long beneath his thumb, whom he had trodden +under his foot remorselessly, suddenly regained his +freedom--which he had bartered for the safety of +his only child."</p> + +<p>He raised his head and looked steadily into the +stern eyes of Lord Barminster.</p> + +<p>"My child and I," he continued, "are now +freed from the chains that bound us, and are +willing to bear any results that may follow from +this exposure. Besides these bills, my lord, I have +additional proof. A young girl whom I have +brought with me was fortunate enough to see Mr. +Vermont----"</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster's face shone with triumph, as +the actual name of his master at last fell from +Harker's lips.</p> + +<p>"--My master--drop a roll of papers. These +she picked up, and later, when by a strange coincidence +she was befriended by my daughter, showed +them to me. They clearly prove, by the many +attempts to imitate the writing, whose hand it was +who eventually committed these forgeries."</p> + +<p>"I knew it!" cried Shelton, unable to keep +silence any longer. "I knew we should catch the +snake! But, pardon my interrupting you, Mr. +Harker; you see, Mr. Leroy is my best friend."</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker inclined his head and proceeded +steadily.</p> + +<p>"These forged deeds I will now, my lord, hand +over to your charge, if you prefer it. But if you +will have sufficient confidence in my efforts to save +you from further trouble, I will hold them at your +command until after Vermont is dealt with, in +order not to implicate you in any way; for, of +course, these bills belong to Vermont, until either +he gives them up voluntarily, or they are confiscated +by law."</p> + +<p>"Keep them in your possession," said Lord +Barminster quietly. "It would not do for them +to be in my hands just at present. I will have +confidence in you, and you shall have no cause to +regret this day's work, I assure you."</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker looked at him gratefully.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lord," he said. "Your confidence +is not misplaced; indeed, it is not my fault +that you have not been placed in possession of the +real facts of the case before this. I certainly think +it would be best for me to retain them for the +present. I would suggest now that we arrange a +plan by which Jasper Vermont shall expose his +villainy in the actual presence of your son; otherwise, +we shall have difficulty, perhaps, to convince +him on my bare word."</p> + +<p>"That's true enough," put in Mortimer Shelton. +"Adrien is so set on the man, that even with these +proofs we shall hardly convince him of his treachery +other than from Vermont's own mouth."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Lord Barminster with a sigh. "I +think you are right. But how is this to be +managed?"</p> + +<p>"I have brought with me the girl, Jessica, to +whom I referred just now, and her aunt, Miss Ada +Lester," said Mr. Harker. "Both of them will be +able to assist us, and I would suggest to your +lordship that they be sent for, and brought into +the Castle quietly. We should then be able to +confront Vermont."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," agreed Lord Barminster; and, +crossing the room, he rang for his own confidential +man.</p> + +<p>"Simpson," he said, when the servant appeared, +"I want you to drive down, yourself, to the station."</p> + +<p>"The Windleham Hotel, your lordship," interrupted +Mr. Harker respectfully. "I think, too, if +your lordship would have no objection, a short note +from me would be advisable."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," agreed Lord Barminster. He +directed Harker to a small desk, then turned once +more to the waiting servant. "Bring the ladies +back with you. Take them into the Octagon Room, +and ask them to wait there." Then, as Mr. Harker +came forward with the note, he added, "Give this +to a Miss Lester."</p> + +<p>"Yes, my lord," said Simpson, and taking the +letter with a deep bow, he departed on his mission.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XXV</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>Lord Barminster conducted Mr. Harker to the +Octagon Room, so named from its peculiar shape.</p> + +<p>"If you will wait here," he said courteously, "I +will have some refreshment sent up to you and the +ladies, when they arrive."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, my lord," returned Mr. Harker +gratefully.</p> + +<p>Seating himself, he waited patiently for the +arrival of Miss Lester and Jessica, secretly congratulating +himself on the success of his interview. +The time passed quickly; and, while waiting, Lord +Barminster and Mortimer Shelton held a hurried +consultation with him as to the best method of +exposing Vermont. Long before they had finished, +Miss Lester and her niece had arrived, the former +flushed with excitement and triumph at the prospect +of at last, as she expressed it, "getting her +own back" with Jasper.</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster and Shelton descended to the +terrace, where they found Lady Constance; and +almost immediately after came Adrien, with his +inevitable companion, Jasper Vermont.</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster had already arranged for his +three visitors to be in the morning-room, which +opened on to the terrace, as they would there be +within call, and also within earshot.</p> + +<p>"A word with you, Mr. Vermont," began Shelton +sternly.</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled, as usual, and turned towards +him.</p> + +<p>"As many as you like, Mr. Shelton," he said +smoothly.</p> + +<p>Mortimer looked at him steadily; then he said +in a voice which was hard as steel:</p> + +<p>"Mr. Vermont, Lord Barminster has kindly +allowed me to speak first. We have every reason +to believe that you have had some connection with +this affair of Harker's notwithstanding your profession +of friendship for Adrien."</p> + +<p>Mr. Vermont drew himself up proudly.</p> + +<p>"I?" he said indignantly. "What should I +have to do with moneylending?"</p> + +<p>"Be careful," said Shelton sternly, "there are +not people wanting who will fight for Leroy's honour +even as it were their own."</p> + +<p>Vermont smiled cynically.</p> + +<p>"Indeed, Shelton," he said, "it is hardly for you +to speak. After all, it was you who nearly ruined +Adrien by your denial of the bill, not I."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster strode forward.</p> + +<p>"You cowardly rascal," he exclaimed furiously; +but Mortimer placed himself between them.</p> + +<p>"My lord," he said, "leave him to me. If force +is necessary, I will punish him."</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled.</p> + +<p>"You wrong me, Shelton," he said gently; "and +not only me, but Adrien, whom you pretend to +care for. I have stood his true friend, as he +knows, and have done my best to keep trouble +from him, when, indeed, none other could have +done so. But I suppose this is all the gratitude I +can expect from you for the discharge of friendship's +duties. Adrien will no longer be of the fashionable +world, you think, after yesterday's case; and it is +high time to get rid of his humble friend, Jasper +Vermont."</p> + +<p>Adrien, who had been talking to Lady Constance, +now glanced appealingly towards Mortimer; but +with a gesture, as if to silence him, Shelton turned +to Vermont again.</p> + +<p>"Friend!" he exclaimed bitterly. "A pretty +friend! But no more of this. I advise you to +leave the Castle while you are safe, for we have +sufficient proof here to send you to penal servitude."</p> + +<p>"Yes," Lord Barminster repeated, "leave the +house at once. If I find you within my grounds +an hour hence, I will thrash you within an inch of +your life, old man as I am."</p> + +<p>Jasper Vermont's face grew livid with anger, and +something approaching fear as well; he clenched +his hands so tightly that the carefully manicured +nails dug deep into his flesh. But with characteristic +insolence he tried to brazen it out.</p> + +<p>"Your grounds?" he exclaimed, in virulent +scorn. "Your grounds, my lord! First tell me +where I shall find them. You have no grounds. +Barminster Castle is in the hands of a moneylender; +these lands, as far as the eye can reach, are the +property of Mr. Harker, the City capitalist, by +right of countless bills and deeds which your precious +son has made over to him."</p> + +<p>With an exclamation of pain and astonishment, +Adrien gazed on the man whom he had so loved +and trusted. There was no mistaking the bitter +hatred that was in Vermont's tones. At last, his +eyes were being opened to the man's true character.</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster regarded him steadily.</p> + +<p>"You're mad!" he said quietly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, no!" laughed Vermont. "It is not I +who am mad, but you, who foolishly handed over +your wealth to your son before it was his by right. +You should have let him wait till death had removed +you, before you gave him full power over Barminster. +Such lavish expenditure as his would +empty the coffers of a nation. His folly has melted +every stone of your precious Castle in the cup of +pleasure, and has poured out the costly draught at +the feet of his friends and parasites. Friends? He +has never had any--leeches, perhaps, who have +sucked him dry of all his possessions, and then +deserted him."</p> + +<p>"Speak for yourself, you cur." cried Shelton, +"since it is you, and your dishonest management of +his estates, that have brought him to this pass."</p> + +<p>Jasper smiled sardonically.</p> + +<p>"Say rather that it is I who have constantly +warned him against every fresh extravagance, +knowing full well what must happen. Ask him +yourself, if you doubt my word; ask him whether +I have not implored him, time and time again, to +relinquish at least some of his many ruinous pleasures +and follies; to deny himself at least one expenditure."</p> + +<p>Adrien turned his dark eyes to his father's stern +face.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he said gently, "I really do not see why +this scene should continue. If any explanations +are necessary, Mr. Vermont shall give them to +me."</p> + +<p>Vermont turned away with a scornful laugh, but +Shelton grasped his arm.</p> + +<p>"One minute," he said, "before you sneak away."</p> + +<p>"Keep your hands off me, you moneyed fool," +cried Vermont, wrenching himself free from the +other's grasp. "I know nothing about this City +business, you must apply to Harker himself. It is +your name that is forged, not mine--though I +suppose you want to screen the real criminal and +fix on me as a scapegoat."</p> + +<p>Shelton was about to retort, but Adrien intervened.</p> + +<p>"Tell me one thing," he said quietly. "What +has been your motive for all this? I cannot believe +that gain was your sole object. What harm have +I ever wrought you, Jasper? Something else must +have inspired your conduct. I ask you to give me +the reason."</p> + +<p>There was a dead silence as the gentle words were +spoken. Jasper raised his eyes to the pale face of +the man he had so basely betrayed, and bit his +bloodless lips in dogged silence.</p> + +<p>At this moment a commotion was heard at the +lower end of the terrace. Some of the servants +were trying to prevent the approach of a man, who +was striving to get nearer to the little group. But +he was too strong for them; with a bound he had +freed himself from their restraining arms, and +sprang forward, as if about to strike at Adrien. +But Shelton thrust himself forward and bore him +back.</p> + +<p>"Who is this? Are we to have all the scum of +the earth in here? Do you know this man, Leroy?" +he asked hotly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do," answered his friend in the low, +restraining tones so habitual to him.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I should just think you do!" exclaimed +the man, struggling to push past Mortimer's outstretched +arm. It isn't likely as you'll forget +Johann Wilfer, Adrien Leroy, nor me you either."</p> + +<p>"This is too much!" cried Shelton, now thoroughly +enraged at this fresh interruption, and again +he made as if to thrust the man away.</p> + +<p>"Stop," said Adrien, glancing almost sadly at +Constance, who smiled lovingly back. "Let him +speak, since he is here. Come, sir, why have you +forced your way in like this? What do you want +of me?"</p> + +<p>"What I asked a month ago," replied Wilfer. "I +want my niece, Jessica. I want her, an' I'm agoin' +to have her, so you'd better own up where she is."</p> + +<p>Adrien turned to the others, who were standing +silent in their astonishment.</p> + +<p>"This man," said Leroy, "has a fancied grievance +against me; I know nothing of where this girl +is, or what has become of her."</p> + +<p>"That's false!" retorted Wilfer. "He does +know where the girl is; he took her from her home, +and she hasn't been seen since."</p> + +<p>Lord Barminster glanced at him coldly.</p> + +<p>"My good man," he said, "you heard what +my son said just. You had better make inquiries +of the police. Mr. Leroy has not seen your +niece."</p> + +<p>"That is not quite true," put in Adrien gently, +"I have seen her."</p> + +<p>Lady Constance raised her pale face, and looked +at him with startled but trusting eyes.</p> + +<p>"P'raps you'll say you didn't take her to your +rooms next," said Wilfer.</p> + +<p>"I don't deny it," replied Adrien calmly. "I +found her on a doorstep, starving with hunger, +fleeing from a drunken uncle, as she said. There +was nowhere else to take her, being late at night; +so I took her to my chambers and fed her, then gave +her into the charge of Norgate and the housekeeper +until morning, when I learned that she had disappeared. +That is all I can tell you about her; for I +have not seen her since."</p> + +<p>"But I have," came a voice--a woman's voice--behind +them, "and I have brought her here."</p> + +<p>The little company turned round, and Adrien +started as his eyes fell upon the three new-comers.</p> + +<p>"Ada," he cried. "What is the meaning of this +intrusion?"</p> + +<p>"No intrusion this time, Mr. Leroy," she said +firmly. "I am here by your father's own invitation."</p> + +<p>Jasper, who during Wilfer's outburst had made +no effort to go away, now, at the sight of Miss Lester--who +looked around her triumphantly, for this was +just the kind of scene she enjoyed--made an effort +to slip past; but he was held prisoner by Shelton.</p> + +<p>"Quite right, Miss Lester," said Lord Barminster, +courteously. "Perhaps you will tell us what you +know of the young lady." He glanced kindly at +the shrinking figure of Jessica, who stood with +adoring eyes fixed on Adrien.</p> + +<p>"Well, I ought to know something of her," was +that lady's retort. "I'm her aunt. I paid that +man"--pointing at Wilfer--"to look after her, and +a nice way he's done it, turning her out to starve, +while he got drunk on my money. You get off," +she turned on the astounded Johann, "and don't +you let me hear any of your complaints, or I'll have +something to tell the police."</p> + +<p>At the sound of the hated word "police," Wilfer +turned, and mumbling some incoherent words, slunk +away. His game was up, and seeing him vanquished, +Miss Lester now took the centre of the stage, as it +were, and turned her attention on the scowling +Jasper.</p> + +<p>"You waste your breath with that skunk," she +exclaimed, pointing a bejewelled finger at him. +"He's too tough a fox for you gentlemen. I'm one +of his own sort, and I'll show you what he's made +of. Jasper, my fine friend, you sold me as well as +Mr. Leroy there, and I'm going to cut up a bit +rougher than what he has." She turned to Adrien, +who had been standing bewildered by this fresh +interruption. "You want to know what his little +game is? Well, I'll tell you. He wanted your +money first; then, having ruined you and put you +out of the running, he meant to have a try for your +sweetheart."</p> + +<p>Adrien turned on her almost fiercely, and glanced +at Constance, who motioned him to be silent.</p> + +<p>"That surprises you, does it?" continued Ada. +"Some of you ladies and gentlemen are as blind as +bats. I could see his little game months ago. That +was his object; and he didn't care what he did to +gain it. But he went a bit too far when he tried to +do me!"</p> + +<p>She turned to Jessica, and, laying her hand on the +girl's shoulder, drew her forward.</p> + +<p>"You want to know who this is? Well, it's just +as I said before. She's my niece. I don't think +anybody, looking at the two of us, will deny the +relationship, either. She takes after her mother. +And now you want to know who her father is?"</p> + +<p>Again she paused to heighten the effect of her +words; but before an answer could be given, a girl's +cry of horror rang out, and Jessica suddenly flung +herself in front of Adrien. Jasper Vermont, for the +first time catching sight of Harker, and realising +at last that the game was up, indeed, had made a +sudden movement, once more wrenching himself +free from Shelton. Something glittered in his hand; +then came a flash, a report, and with that one scream +of agony, the lifeless form of Jessica fell into Adrien's +arms.</p> + +<p>In an instant, all was in confusion. Jasper Vermont, +with a mocking laugh, had sprung over the +stone balustrade, and was running across the turf +in the direction of the stream which, lower down, +spanned the race-course, and, even at this time of +the year, was almost a foaming torrent. Attracted +by the sound of the shot, the servants had approached, +and now set off in hot pursuit.</p> + +<p>But Jasper Vermont was fleet of foot, and when +he had gained the top of the rising ground he turned +for one second to laugh again. But the laugh died +on his lips, as a voice--audible even above all the +hubbub and confusion--the shrill voice of Ada +Lester, screamed:</p> + +<p>"You villain. You have murdered your own +child!"</p> + +<p>Those who were in pursuit saw him suddenly +stagger, as he realised that the girl, whose identity +he had that day learnt for the first time, had received +the bullet he had intended for Adrien Leroy.</p> + +<p>With a short, sharp cry, like that of a wounded +animal, he missed his footing, fell backwards into +the stream, which at this point was both wide and +deep, and was carried away; drowning before the +very eyes of the man who had so loved and trusted +him, and whom he had so bitterly wronged.</p> + +<br> +<br> +<br> +<div align=center><h3>CHAPTER XXVI</h3></div> +<br> + +<p>The suddenness of the tragedy which had taken +place postponed all further discussion.</p> + +<p>The sunlight, streaming through the latticed +windows of one of the rooms in the Castle, shed its +rays on the still form of the young girl, who had +given her life for the man she loved so well.</p> + +<p>Beside the bed knelt Adrien Leroy, his face buried +in one hand, the other resting upon the still one that +lay, white as marble, on the silken coverlet. He +had come, overwhelmed with pain, from the scene +on the terrace, to pour forth a passionate grief and +remorse over this young life that had been so +generously given up to save his.</p> + +<p>It mattered nothing to him that the dead girl was +the daughter of the man whom he had befriended, +and who had used his generosity only as a means +by which to betray him; it mattered nothing that +his grief might even now be misconstrued by the +tongues of the uncharitable. He knelt in the deepest +humility by the dead girl's side, deeming his life +all unworthy to have been saved at such a cost; and +while he implored the pardon of the great Creator +for the follies of his past life he called on the Almighty +to hear the vows which he now made--that for the +future his steps would be in wiser paths.</p> + +<p>When he arose from his knees his face had lost +all its old languid self-possession; there was a +graver, more earnest light in his eyes, and as his +lips pressed the hand of the dead girl they muttered +a farewell vow, which was never to be forgotten from +that hour till his last.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance, bravely overcoming her own pain +and horror at the double tragedy--for Jasper's body +had been recovered and brought back to the house +an hour after the death of Jessica--had retired with +poor, remorseful Ada to her own rooms, where she +did her best to soothe and comfort the unhappy +woman. Overwhelmed with remorse at her previous +neglect of the girl, Ada blamed herself bitterly +for not watching her enemy more closely, and thus +protecting all concerned from danger.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, the last painful duty had to be done. +In the Blue Room were seated in expectant silence +Lord Barminster, Mortimer Shelton, and Mr. Harker. +On the table lay the papers which Mr. Harker had +brought with him, amongst them the all-important +roll which Jessica had rescued from the streets. +The three men were waiting now for Adrien, with +patient respect, knowing the cause of his absence.</p> + +<p>Presently the door opened, and the young man +entered. Lord Barminster held out his hand without +a word, and his son, as silently, grasped it; +then, with a sigh, he seated himself at the table, +prepared to learn to what extent he had been robbed +by the man he trusted so fully.</p> + +<p>Without comment, Shelton passed him paper after +paper, all drawn up in the clear writing of Mr. +Harker; Adrien, with deep humiliation, examining +them all. With another sigh he dropped the last +one upon the table and looked up.</p> + +<p>"It is like some hideous dream," he said in a low, +shocked voice. "Jasper Vermont, then, was not +a traitor to me, but a forger and thief. I can +scarcely believe it--though, of course, it is impossible +to get away from these proofs. He must have +even bribed that jockey to lose the race, as the man +hinted. That he could so have used my trust and +confidence to gain money, and by crime, when he +could have had it for the asking, seems past belief."</p> + +<p>His father looked pityingly at him; he knew +only too well what a blow this was to the young +man.</p> + +<p>"I believed in him to the last," continued Adrien, +in the same low tones. "I believed him true, in +spite of all your warnings."</p> + +<p>He turned to his friend.</p> + +<p>"Shelton," he said, "I cannot thank you as I +should like, nor indeed you either, Mr. Harker. I +am deeply grateful to you all for what you have done +for me. Truly a man should take heed of his self-conceit, +lest he fall, as I have done."</p> + +<p>He dropped his head on his hands, and his father +turned to him affectionately.</p> + +<p>"You do not ask if the evil this man has worked +can be remedied, Adrien," he said, in a softer tone +than he had ever been known to use. "You do +not ask whether anything can be regained?"</p> + +<p>"I am willing to pay the penalty of my folly," +said Adrien, in a low tone; "and if only it can be +arranged that you, too, do not suffer, I shall not +mind."</p> + +<p>"Not even if it should leave you penniless?" +asked his father.</p> + +<p>Adrien raised his head with a mournful smile.</p> + +<p>"But for one reason, I am indifferent," he said.</p> + +<p>His father's face lit up.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he said, "I think I know that reason. +Mr. Harker, will you be so good as to place Mr. +Leroy in possession of the facts which you have +already given me. I am almost too tired to speak, +after the strain of these last few hours."</p> + +<p>Adrien looked at him remorsefully; for the old +man had indeed undergone much suffering during +the last eventful weeks.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker laid a small book upon the table.</p> + +<p>"This will do so better than I can, gentlemen," +he said. "It is a list of the various investments +in which Mr. Jasper Vermont placed the wealth he +had so fraudulently amassed. His expenses were +small; and the investments which were made with +Mr. Leroy's money, and which he had hoped, of course, +to put to his own use, amount to a large sum. When +realised, they will cover the enormous embezzlements, +when the forged bills are destroyed."</p> + +<p>Adrien took up the book and glanced through it.</p> + +<p>"Is this true?" he said, with an earnestness that +all present understood. "Am I still a rich man?"</p> + +<p>"The statement is correct, sir," returned Mr. +Harker respectfully. "You will find that you have +in reality benefited by his cunning and astuteness, +even after the racing debts are fully paid."</p> + +<p>Adrien laid the book on the table.</p> + +<p>"I am grateful," he said gravely. "But I would +leave this room penniless, and gladly, if by so doing +I could bring one life back to us." Then, almost +overcome by his emotion, he abruptly left the +room.</p> + +<p>On the morrow, despite all efforts to hush the +matter up, the news went flying through the land. +Adrien Leroy, the well-beloved of Vanity Fair, had +been betrayed by his friend and confidant. Great +was the sensation when all the facts came out into +the full light, and it was known that Adrien had been +saved by the traitor's own daughter, who had given +her life that his might be spared.</p> + +<p>Mr. Harker was well rewarded for the part he had +taken in exposing Jasper Vermont, and preserving +the Leroys from the pitfalls and ruin he had dug for +them. All the forged bills were promptly burnt, +and there remained only those real amounts that +Adrien had signed, and which, all put together, only +amounted to but a minute fraction of the supposed +sums owing by the young man.</p> + +<p>Jessica was buried in Windleham churchyard; +the funeral was attended by all the Leroys, as well +as by many of the countryfolk, for her sad little +story had become known. Ada Lester was also +present; she paid her last visit to the neighbourhood +of Barminster on that day, and, with a tact +most unusual to her, refrained from attracting any +attention so far as the Leroys were concerned.</p> + +<p>Well placed now in money matters, and proprietress +of the Casket Theatre, she settled down +to learn the art of acting as well as dancing, and +eventually married her business manager. She also +undertook to look after her sister, who, however, +died shortly afterwards, without ever regaining her +memory, or learning of the fate which had befallen +the man whom she had once loved, or the daughter +of whose existence she had forgotten since the day +of her birth.</p> + +<p>It took some time to settle up all the details of +"Harker's Ltd." Jasper Vermont had died intestate; +and although advertisements were inserted +in various papers, seeking his next-of-kin, no answers +were received. The money, therefore, reverted to +the Crown; and Mr. Harker, taking up his real name +of Goodwin, settled in Kingston with his daughter +and her husband, who now, thanks to Lord Barminster, +owned a flourishing business.</p> + +<p>Lady Merivale never visited Barminster Castle +again. She had succeeded in convincing her husband +of the harmless nature of her flirtation with +Adrien, and patiently bore the brunt of his very +natural resentment at the publicity accorded to his +name at the trial; though he acknowledged that +under the circumstances she could have done nothing +else but come forward to exonerate Leroy. Then +her ladyship retired into the country with her husband, +who was greatly gratified in the dutiful +interest she showed in him and his farm. All +love of intrigue seemed to have died out when +her flirtation with Adrien ended, nor was it ever +revived.</p> + +<p>Society also lost its fashionable monarch, as far as +Leroy was concerned. The vow that he had registered +beside the dead body of the girl who had so +loved him, was religiously kept. He disappeared +from his former place in the world of amusement, +and the devotees of pleasure knew him no more.</p> + +<p>After the funeral, he stayed on at Barminster +Castle for a time, with his father and Lady Constance; +but, with the consent of both, he departed +a few months later for Africa, on a big-game shooting +expedition. Living the simple but arduous life +of the hunters and trappers, he sought to bury the +folly of the past, and restore his hopes of a brighter +and better future.</p> + +<br> +<p>One day, about six months after the death of +Vermont, Lord Barminster sat in the dining-room +of Barminster Castle. His eyes, their expression +no less keen, but far more gentle than in former +years, were bent, sometimes on the cheerful fire, +sometimes on the calm face of his ward, where she +stood in the deep embrasure of the window, gazing +out over the snow.</p> + +<p>A book was in her hand, but it was closed; and +the wistful look in her sweet eyes showed that her +thoughts had flown from the pages of fiction to the +realities of the past and the future.</p> + +<p>Suddenly Lord Barminster raised his head.</p> + +<p>"Constance, what does Lady Ankerton say in her +letter?"</p> + +<p>The girl took it from the rack on the writing-desk.</p> + +<p>"She says," replied the sweet, musical voice, +"that the Ashfords are well and thriving. She has +taken quite an interest in them. Mr. Harker is +rather weak, but cheerful, and so happy in the love +of his grandchildren."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" said Lord Barminster, "I am glad they +are happy, they deserve all the pleasure they can +get."</p> + +<p>He sighed. "When does the African mail come +in, my dear?" he asked as Lady Constance put away +the letter she had been reading.</p> + +<p>"To-night, usually," she returned with a sigh. +A sudden flush rose to her cheek, rendering her face +still more lovely while it lasted, but leaving her paler +than ever when it had gone.</p> + +<p>"Still wandering," said her uncle sadly; "surely, +by now, Adrien ought to have forgotten the past."</p> + +<p>"He'll never come back until he does," said +Lady Constance softly.</p> + +<p>"No," said her uncle, with a touch of pride. "He +will not come back until he can take up a worthier +life with a worthy love, Constance. Ring the bell, +my dear, and inquire for the mail."</p> + +<p>She obeyed him and returned to the fire again, +placing her hand upon the old man's shoulder. +Very beautiful she looked, as the bright gleam of the +firelight illumined her face, more lovely now because +of its tender, womanly expression; and the +old man's gaze rested lovingly on her.</p> + +<p>"When he comes back," he said musingly, +"Adrien will find a sweet prize. He loves you, and +his love will increase and endure."</p> + +<p>Almost before he had finished speaking there came +the sound of footsteps, and the door opened. The +girl barely turned.</p> + +<p>"Has the mail come in?" she asked, thinking it +was a servant.</p> + +<p>But there was no answer. The footsteps came +nearer, and some one bent down over the old man's +chair.</p> + +<p>"Father!" exclaimed a manly voice.</p> + +<p>Lady Constance uttered a low cry, and Lord +Barminster sprang to his feet exclaiming.</p> + +<p>"Adrien, my boy!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, father, it is I," said Leroy, his voice hoarse +with emotion. Then he turned to Constance, who +was gazing at him with tears of joy in her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Constance, my darling," he said gently. "Will +you forgive me my long neglect of you? My eyes +have seen you through all the darkness of these +weary months. I have hungered for you all the +time, and now I have come into the light, I want +you for my own."</p> + +<p>As he spoke he drew her unresistingly within his +arms, and the old man, with one loving backward +look, stole silently away to apprise Miss Penelope +of the joyful news.</p> + +<p>A month later the church of Windleham was all +ablaze with winter flowers, while crowds of happy, +rosy-cheeked children thronged the steps and porch, +for it was the marriage day of Lady Constance +Tremaine and Adrien Leroy.</p> + +<p>There were no fashionable silk and satin-clad +guests, or a body of mighty ecclesiastics to perform +the ceremony. The old rector, who had known them +both from childhood, made them man and wife, +while Lord Barminster gave the bride away. She +had chosen to be but simply dressed, and followed +only by two bridesmaids--sisters of Mortimer +Shelton, who acted as best man. Among the few +guests there, were also Lord Standon and Lady +Muriel Branton, soon now to be wedded themselves.</p> + +<p>Adrien had explained the reason for his anger +long ago, and Lord Standon too fully understood +to continue the coldness which had nearly spoilt +their life-long friendship.</p> + +<p>Happy was the bride, that bright winter morning, +and Adrien, as he felt her loved arm against his +side, was filled gratitude and love.</p> + +<p>"My darling," he murmured as they emerged +from the church, "we do not need the world, you and +I. We have each other, that shall be world enough +for us."</p> + +<p>"Not to the world do I owe you, Adrien," said +Lady Constance gravely, "but to another woman." +Drawing him to the marble slab, which stood close +to the porch, she bent down and placed her bridal +bouquet of white roses on the grave of Jessica. +"But for her, life would have ended for both of us +that summer day."</p> + +<p>Adrien was deeply moved by her remembrance +of the child.</p> + +<p>"My darling," he said tenderly, "we have passed +together through the dark shadows. Let us enter +now into the sunlight of our love."</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p>THE END</p> +<br> +<br> +<br> +<p>PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, +BRUNSWICK ST., STAMFORD ST., S.E. 1, AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.</p> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adrien Leroy, by Charles Garvice + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIEN LEROY *** + +***** This file should be named 16682-h.htm or 16682-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/8/16682/ + +Produced by Julie Barkley and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Adrien Leroy + +Author: Charles Garvice + +Release Date: September 11, 2005 [EBook #16682] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIEN LEROY *** + + + + +Produced by Julie Barkley and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + ADRIEN LEROY + + + + CHARLES GARVICE + + + LONDON + + GEORGE NEWNES, LIMITED SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, W.C. + + + + CHAPTER I + + +It was a cold night in early spring, and the West End streets were +nearly deserted. The great shutters of the shops were being drawn down +with a dull rumble, and every moment the pavements grew more dreary +looking as the glories of the plate-glass windows were hidden. + +Tired workers with haggard faces were making their way homeward; to them +the day was at an end. But to the occupants of the whirring taxis and +smart motors, as they sped westward, the round of their day was but +half-way through; for them, the great ones of the earth, the +all-important hour of dinner was at hand. + +At the entrance of one of the most luxurious clubs in Pall Mall two men, +in immaculate evening dress, stood carelessly surveying the hurrying +throngs of people. + +"Seven," said one, as the hour struck from the nearest church. "I +thought Standon said seven." + +"Yes, and like a woman, meant half-past," returned the other, hiding a +yawn. + +"Stan's too young to value his dinner properly, but Leroy ought to have +been punctual. Oh, here _is_ Stan!" as a slight, well-dressed man sprang +hastily from a smart motor and came towards them. + +"Hello!" said the new-comer, shaking hands, "you two fellows first? I +hope I'm not late, Shelton." + +"Of course you're late," growled Shelton, with characteristic pessimism. +"You always are, and Leroy is worse. Come along, we may as well wait +inside as in this beastly draught." + +In the great dining-hall the snowy-covered tables were being taken +rapidly by members about to dine; silent-footed waiters were hurrying to +and fro, carrying out their various duties, while intermittently the +sound of opening champagne bottles mingled with the buzz of conversation +and the ripple of laughter. + +The three men, Mortimer Shelton, Lord Standon and Frank Parselle, seated +themselves at a table in a comfortable recess and took stock of the +room, responding to numerous nods and smiles of recognition, while +grumbling at the unpunctuality of their friend. + +"Ten past seven!" groaned Shelton, looking at his watch. "I might have +known that Leroy would be late. Shall we wait?" + +"Oh, yes!" said Parselle; "Adrien might not like it, you know. It is a +bore, though! The soup will be as thick as mud!" + +"By Jove! I'd forgotten," interrupted Standon suddenly. "I met Leroy +yesterday, and he asked me to tell you he might be late, as he was off +to Barminster Castle last night. We were not to wait. He gave me a note, +and--if I haven't left it in my other coat--" He fumbled in his pocket. +"No; here it is." He produced the note with an air of triumph, and +Shelton, with a muttered exclamation of disgust, ordered dinner to be +served before he opened it. As he did so and ran his eye over the +contents, he frowned. + +"Just listen to this," he said irritably. + + +"'MY DEAR MORTIMER, + +A letter from Jasper takes me down to the Castle. I will return in time +to join your little party and, with your leave, bring Jasper along too; +but don't wait on any account. + +"'Yours, + +"'ADRIEN LEROY.'" + + +"Jasper--always Jasper!" commented Standon. "I'd like to know by what +means Jasper Vermont has obtained such influence over Leroy." + +"Ah, that's the mystery!" said Parselle, frowning. + +"It's as plain as a pikestaff," growled Mortimer Shelton. "Leroy saved +Vermont's life years ago--at Oxford, I think. That's enough for Adrien. +If a cat or dog, or even a one-eyed monkey, placed itself under his +protection, Adrien Leroy would stick to it through thick and thin. You +know his little way; and this Vermont is no fool. He intends to make +full use of his friend." + +"And yet Leroy is not easily taken in," remarked Parselle thoughtfully. + +"Every man has his weak point," retorted Shelton with a shrug, "and +Jasper is Leroy's one vulnerable spot. He will believe nothing against +him." + +"He's a lucky chap, Vermont," said Standon pensively. "No one really +knows what he is or where he springs from; yet he always seems to have +plenty of money, and apparently the whole of Leroy's passes through his +hands." + +"Something near a million," put in Parselle enviously, "and with the run +of a castle like a palace. No, Vermont's no fool!" + +Mortimer Shelton nodded. + +"The Castle's all right," he said curtly. "You can trust the Leroys to +have the best of everything. They treat money like dirt, and bow before +nothing but Royalty and women. Yet, with it all, there's no stauncher +friend than a Leroy." + +"As Vermont knows only too well," muttered Standon dryly. "By the way, I +saw Ada Lester in the Park this morning. Jove! Such furs!" + +"In that quarter Adrien certainly treats his money like dust," said +Parselle, with a short laugh. "I can't think what he sees in her; to me +she seems an insatiate animal--and about as difficult to satisfy. It's a +jolly good job for Leroy that, thanks to his father's generosity, his +income runs into five figures--nothing else would stand the strain." + +"Do you know, some one told me at the Casket the other night that Leroy +had made the theatre over to Ada entirely, and settled a thousand a year +on her into the bargain," said Standon, leaning forward. + +"I daresay," Mortimer commented dryly. "He's fool enough for anything. +The place runs him into eight thousand a year as it is--not including +Ada Lester, the lady manager--so he might just as well hand it over to +her altogether. I wish to goodness the wretched building would burn +down! 'Pon my word, I shall set it alight myself one fine night----" + +"Hush! Here he is," said Lord Standon; adding quickly, "with Vermont, of +course." + +The others looked round towards the new-comers. One was a dark-haired +man of about forty years of age. His face was pale, with an almost +unhealthy pallor, from which his small dark eyes glittered restlessly; +his thin lips, tightly closed, were set in an almost straight line. +Clean-shaven, sleek of hair, he wore an expression of cautious slyness +that implied a mental attitude ever on guard against some sudden +exposure of his real feelings. Such was Jasper Vermont. + +His companion was of a different calibre. Still apparently in the early +thirties, tall, and with clear-cut aristocratic features, he was +decidedly good to look upon. His face, fair as that of a woman, was +perhaps slightly marred by the expression of weakness which lurked round +the finely-moulded lips; but for all that it was stamped with the latent +nobility which characterised his race. + +The Hon. Adrien Leroy, only son of Baron Barminster, was one of the most +noted figures in fashionable society. His father, who since the death of +Lady Barminster had lived almost as a recluse, spent the days in the old +Castle, and had practically abdicated in favour of his son. So that the +colossal income accruing from the coal mines of Wales, the rentals of +the Leroy estates in the Southern Counties, and the ground rents of a +considerable acreage in one of the most fashionable parts of London, all +passed through the hands of Adrien, who, in his turn, spent it like +water, leaving Jasper Vermont--his one-time college friend and now his +confidential steward--to watch over his affairs. + +Leroy, with a genial smile of greeting for all, but a grave, almost +weary expression in his blue eyes, parried the numerous questions and +invitations that beset him on all sides, and, taking Vermont's arm, drew +him towards the table where his three friends awaited him. + +"I'm sorry we're late," he said in a pleasant voice, which was clear and +unaffected, in strong contrast to the chatter which buzzed round him at +their entry. "Blame Jasper, who, if he is as hungry as I am, is punished +already." + +His good-humoured laugh as he seated himself drew echoes from his +friends; Leroy's popularity was never more apparent than in a gathering +of this sort, composed exclusively of his own sex. + +"So, have just come up from Barminster," said Shelton presently, "How is +the Castle looking?" + +Adrien, busily satisfying a vigorous appetite, merely nodded and smiled +in reply; but Jasper Vermont answered for him. + +"Beautiful!" he said, with a smile which showed his white, even teeth. +"Beautiful! It's a charming view; but we saw little of it this visit. +Ah, Shelton, you are really an epicure! We don't get clear turtle like +this at the Pallodeon--eh, Adrien?" + +"No," replied the young man, looking up. "We ought to have Shelton on +the committee. No wonder they love you here, Shelton! And so the colt +has lost the steeplechase? I saw the news as I came along." + +"And you have lost, how much--two thousand?" queried Parselle. + +"Five," said Vermont, not quickly, but just before Adrien could speak. + +"Is it five?" asked Leroy indifferently. "I thought I'd backed 'Venus' +for more." + +"I backed her myself for a couple of hundred," put in Lord Standon +ruefully. "She's a beautiful creature, though, and I'd like to buy her." + +"You can have her, my dear Stan, for a mere song," said Leroy cordially. + +"I'm afraid that's impossible," interposed Jasper with suavity. "She's +sold." + +Adrien looked up in surprise. + +"Sold! To whom?" he asked. + +"To the knacker," was the calm reply. "Don't you remember, Adrien, that +she threw Fording and broke her leg over the last hurdle?" + +Leroy's race resumed its usual air of bored indifference. + +"Ah, yes, so you told me. My dear Stan, I'm awfully sorry! I had +completely forgotten." He looked round the table. "Any of you seen the +papers?" he inquired. "Last night was the first of the new comedy at the +Casket--how did it go?" + +Frank Parselle laughed. "I was there," he admitted. "Ada played finely, +but they hissed once or twice." + +"Lost on my horse and on my new play. That is bad luck!" exclaimed +Adrien, looking, however, very little disturbed by the news. "It must be +withdrawn." + +"Certainly," agreed Vermont amiably. "Certainly." + +"By Jove! what did you tell me the mounting cost?" asked Parselle, +addressing Vermont, but glancing significantly at the others. + +"Three thousand pounds," answered Vermont glibly, while Adrien ate his +fish with the most consummate indifference. + +"Three thousand for four nights, that's about it. The public ought to be +grateful to you," said Shelton with a tinge of sarcasm in his voice, as +he nodded across at Leroy. + +Adrien laughed. + +"Or I to them," he said cheerfully. "It's no light thing to sit through +a bad play. But how is that, Jasper? You said it would run." + +"I?" protested Vermont, with a pleasant smile. "No, Adrien, not so +certainly as that. I said I thought the play well written, and that in +my opinion it ought to run well--a very different thing. Eh, Shelton?" + +"Ah!" replied Shelton, who had been watching him keenly. "So you were +out in your reckoning for once. It is to be hoped you didn't make the +same mistake with the colt. I think you were also favourably inclined to +that, weren't you?" + +"Yes," admitted Vermont, leaning back with an admirable air of content. +"I laid my usual little bet, and lost--of course." + +"You should have hedged," said Shelton, who knew as a positive fact that +Vermont had done so. + +"I have no judgement," Vermont responded deprecatingly. "I am a man of +no ideas, and I admit it. Now Adrien is all acuteness; without him I +should soon go astray. I am supposed to look after his interests; but, +by Jove! it is he who supplies the brains and I the hands. I am the +machine--a mere machine, and he turns the handle!" He laughed gently at +his own joke, and held up his glass for replenishment. + +"A pretty division of labour," commented Shelton, with a faint sneer. +"Now _we_ give _you_ the credit for all the tact and business capacity." + +"Ah, what a mistake!" replied Vermont, spreading out his fat hands with +a gesture of amusement. "Well, since you give me credit, I will assume +the virtue, though I have it not." + +He changed the subject adroitly to one of general interest; and as the +wine came and disappeared with greater rapidity, the talk ran on with +more wit and laughter, Vermont always handling the ball of conversation +deftly, and giving it an additional fillip when it seemed to slacken. +Adrien Leroy spoke little; though when he did make a remark, the rest +listened with an evident desire to hear his opinion. + +At length Vermont rose, with a lazy look round. + +"Well, I must be off," he said smoothly. "Good-night, Adrien. I shall be +with you to-morrow at twelve." + +Having bade the rest of the company a hasty adieu, he turned once more +to his host. + +"Good-night, Shelton," he said smilingly. "Thanks for the excellent +dinner. Rome would not have perished had you lived with the last of +Caesars." + +"And Adrien Leroy would not go to the dogs so quickly, if you did not +show him the way," murmured Shelton inaudibly, as Vermont departed, with +the bland smile still hovering round his thin lips. + + + + + CHAPTER II + + +Outside the club door, Vermont's motor was drawn up at the side waiting +for him. He looked at his watch, and was surprised at the lateness of +the hour. Stepping hastily into the vehicle, he held up two fingers to +the chauffeur, who apparently needed no other instructions; for the car +glided off, and Vermont, as he passed the club, looked up at the windows +with an ugly smile. + +As Lord Standon had said, few knew his origin or his business; but, in +reality, his antecedents were of a very ordinary nature. He was the son +of a solicitor who had lived with but one object in his sordid life, +namely, the desire to make his son a man of position with the power to +mix as an equal among that portion of society which only came to Malcolm +Vermont when it wanted its scandals glossed over, or to obtain money. +Ill-natured people were apt to hint that he had amassed his wealth by +means of usury and the taking up of shady cases. At any rate, he made +sufficient to bring up his son in luxury and send him to Oxford, where +Jasper had first come in contact with Adrien Leroy. At the death of his +father, Vermont found himself possessed of an income of a thousand a +year, which enabled him to become a member of Adrien's set, +notwithstanding that the amount was a much smaller one than he had been +led to expect, and, in his opinion, savoured almost of aristocratic +poverty. + +The car had rolled silently into a side street off St. James's, where +the chauffeur pulled up sharply at the door of one of the old-fashioned, +though now newly-painted houses. Vermont sprang out and rang the bell +twice. + +"Has Miss Lester returned yet?" he asked of the smart maid who opened +the door. + +"Yes, sir," she answered, and promptly led the way up a newly-carpeted +staircase, redolent of Parma violet scent and glistening with white +enamelled woodwork and plaster casts. The walls were adorned with +pictures in the worst possible taste and the most glaring colours. As +Vermont reached the first floor, a strong, savoury odour filled the air. + +He smiled sarcastically, and sniffed as if the perfume were familiar to +him. + +"Miss Lester at supper?" he asked the white-capped maid, as she threw +open the door on the first floor, and stood aside to let the visitor +precede her. + +"Yes, sir; supper's been served," was the demure answer. + +Vermont passed into the room, which was furnished with the same lack of +taste as the staircase. Two women were seated at the table, apparently +just finishing their supper. + +At first glance they might have been mistaken for mother and daughter, +as the elder woman was clad in a sombre black velvet dress, and had a +pale, thin face, crowned with heavy masses of grey hair. On closer +inspection, however, one perceived that Julia Lester was far from +old--indeed, not more than about forty-five, and with a peculiarly +gentle, almost child-like expression, which at first took one almost by +surprise. + +On the other hand, her sister, though only about ten years younger, +would easily have passed as twenty-five, especially when behind the +footlights, which was her usual environment. + +"Oh, it's you, Jasper, is it?" she remarked carelessly, pausing in the +act of lighting a cigarette. "Didn't hear you come in. You're so quiet +on your pins." + +Like the house she inhabited, Miss Lester combined in her person +prodigality of colours with a fine disregard of taste. Beautiful she +undoubtedly was, with the black-browed, dark-eyed beauty of a Cleopatra, +for there was some Italian blood in her veins. It was given out +occasionally by the Press that she had been a theatre-dresser, an +organ-grinder, and fifty other things; but nevertheless, illiterate, +common and ill-bred, she had yet achieved fame--or rather, perhaps, +notoriety---by her dancing and sheer animal good looks. + +As a matter of fact she owed her success primarily to Jasper Vermont, +who, as a young man and during a quarrel with his father, had lodged in +the same house with the handsome sisters, Julia, and Ada Lester, the +latter then being only about fifteen years of age. He had fallen +violently in love with Julia, then in the height of her beauty, and had +cruelly deceived her. To appease the indignation of the younger sister +he had got her an introduction to the manager of the Rockingham Theatre, +who was about to put on a new Egyptian ballet, and from that time +onwards it had been plain sailing for Ada. Later on came a meeting with +Leroy, planned by Jasper's connivance; and Adrien, attracted by the +woman's ripe beauty, had been blind, so far, to the deficiencies of her +mind and character. + +To-night she looked a veritable daughter of the South. Her dress was of +scarlet, touched with black, and she was wearing diamonds--gifts from +her many admirers--of such intrinsic value as to render many a countess +jealous. + +"Yes, it is I," said Vermont. "Onions and cigarettes! I thought Leroy +objected to both." + +Ada laughed. + +"It's the smell he don't like," she said lightly. "He's so particular. +But he's not coming to-night; leastways, he said he wasn't." + +"Ah!" said Vermont smiling, as he seated himself at the table and took +up a small bottle which proved to be empty, "Is there anything left to +drink?" + +"Have some fizz," said Ada hospitably. "Ring the bell, Ju, and give me +another chop. Well, Jasper, what's the news?" + +"Just the question I was about to ask," he replied, as the maid-servant +brought in a bottle of champagne and glasses on a silver tray. "How did +the comedy go?" + +"Rotten!" pronounced Ada shortly. "I told Adrien it wouldn't go, though +I did my best--didn't I, Ju? The frocks were really first-class--blue +satin and silver, with loads of pearls, and my turquoise armlets. All +right, eh?" + +"Yes," agreed Vermont, adding, with a sneer, "Perhaps the stupid public +got tired of looking at the blue satin." + +"Then they could have looked at me instead," retorted Ada tartly. "But +I've no patience with Adrien. Why can't he get 'em something lively? A +musical comedy now--I could make that go, if you like! Plenty of songs +and no talky-talky business. Besides, I _can_ dance." + +"But can't act," murmured Jasper, with his sarcastic smile. + +"Can't I!" cried Ada furiously. "That's all you know about it. Why +didn't you come last night?" + +"Business," he answered carelessly, sipping his wine; adding, as he saw +her about to question him, "With which I won't trouble you, my fair +Ada." + +"Oh won't you!" was that lady's retort. "You're mighty polite, I must +say. I suppose you were down at that old Castle again, and Adrien too! +What were you doing there?" + +"Minding our own business," he replied smilingly, as he lit a cigarette. + +"Close as a fox, you are," she declared, with a short, disagreeable +laugh. "Where's Adrien? Down there still?" + +"No; at the Thessalian. I left him there with Mortimer Shelton." + +"I hate that man," said Miss Lester viciously. + +"So do I," agreed Vermont, "but I don't say so. Anyhow, Adrien's safe +there for another hour, and I came on to give you a word of warning." + +He turned to her companion, who had been quietly finishing her supper as +if unconscious of anyone's presence. + +"Julia, you look tired; you'd better get off to bed." + +She rose and hesitated for a moment, looking from him to Ada; then +quietly left the room. Vermont gazed after her, much as he would have +watched a useless piece of furniture in course of removal; then he leant +back in his chair, and, before resuming, regarded fixedly Ada's flushed, +handsome face. + +"Well?" she queried, impatiently striking the table with her fork. + +Jasper leant forward and spoke with calm, unpleasant deliberation. + +"Ada," said he, "there was once a person who killed the goose that laid +him golden eggs; there was another who beat his horse till it pitched +him into the ditch; but neither of these attained such a height of folly +as Miss Lester bids fair to reach, if she persists in worrying her prize +donkey into kicking her to the ground and leaving her in the mud." + +"Oh, don't be an idiot, Jasper!" she exclaimed irritably. "Speak out +plain, can't you?" + +"I certainly can, and will, my dear lady. To put it plainly, then, you +are going the quickest way to make Adrien tired of you. After all, if +you happen to possess a goose with the propensity to lay golden eggs, +surely it is wise to humour him. And if the said goose happens to +dislike the smell of onions, why fill the house with that particular +perfume, sufficient to suffocate an elephant? Again, is it not the +height of folly to stick plaster statues on the staircase which he +ascends daily, when you know this particular goose detests imitation +art? In short, my dear Ada, if you persist in thrusting vulgarity down +his throat, you will find yourself very soon out of the graces of our +friend, Adrien Leroy." + +Ada, who had been beating a loud tattoo with the fork which she still +held in her hand, sprang to her feet and struck the table with a force +which set the glasses jingling. + +"Jasper!" she almost shouted. "You'll drive me mad! Why don't you speak +out and say what you mean? What's the matter with Adrien? What does he +want? Aren't there a hundred men who'd be glad enough to furnish a house +for me as I like? And can't I even eat what I choose without Adrien +Leroy's delicate nose being turned up in disapproval?" + +"You can go to the deuce, if you like, my dear," declared Jasper with a +calm smile. "I merely warn you that you are on the way to finding +yourself in the street, if I may be allowed to speak out. Have another +cigarette, and spray some patchouli about the room. There are more geese +than one, as you say; and, after all, it is hard if you can't indulge in +onions in your own room at one o'clock in the morning." + +Goaded almost to desperation by the sneering sarcasm of Vermont's words, +the woman threw down her fork, thereby smashing a champagne glass, and +thrust her angry, flushed countenance close to his. + +"What's your game?" she hissed. "Are you playing with me and Adrien? Are +you setting him against me? I know your artful tricks; but don't you +play 'em on me, Jasper! What are you doing up at the Castle so often? +Making yourself pleasant to old Lord Barminster's niece there, I'll be +bound. P'raps she ain't fond of scent or a pork chop or two, and she can +have real statues if she likes. You don't remind him of that, do you? +Oh, no, of course not! But you mind your skin, Jasper, for you can't +play fast and loose with me. Shuffle him on to that Constance girl, and +I'll make you pay for it. I know something you wouldn't like my lord to +hear about; so, if you don't want me to open my mouth and split on your +little games, don't you play me any of your tricks, that's all, or I'll +go straight to Adrien and tell him all!" + +She stopped, out of breath, and Jasper Vermont, springing to his feet, +glared down at her in impotent fury. But she only laughed at his angry +face. + +"Oh, no, you wouldn't like Adrien to know how you fooled poor Julia, +though it is over twenty years ago. I haven't forgotten, if you have, +how you took her over to Paris while I was away on my first tour, and +went through some form of marriage with her. You wouldn't like him to +know how you told her what you'd done, when there was no longer need to +keep it dark from your father, and of the attack of brain fever it +brought on, poor dear! You were a nice brute to her, you were, Jasper +Vermont; and it's a lucky thing for you and her too that when she +recovered her memory had gone, and she forgot you as well as the child." + +Jasper stirred uneasily. + +"I didn't think she would have cared so much," he said. "Besides, she's +all right now; she only forgets those few years." + +"Lucky thing for you," repeated Ada dryly. + +"What have you done with the child?" he asked suddenly. + +His companion's face lighted up with malicious triumph. + +"I've put her where you can't find her, anyhow," she said. "You shan't +break her heart, as you did her mother's." + +"Oh, nonsense, Ada!" said Vermont contemptuously. "Don't begin to +rant--you're not on the stage now. I kept all my promises to you, at any +rate. I got you on at the Rockingham and I introduced you to Leroy; and +if you had only played your cards properly you would have hooked him by +this time. As it is, he'll marry his cousin, if you're not careful." + +"If he does, it'll be your fault," she snarled. "And I'll tell Adrien +all, and how you're fooling him in other ways as well." + +Jasper sprang across the room, his face working with anger. There was +something so deadly in the light of his dark eyes, such murderous hate +in every line of his face, that the woman shrank back and uttered a cry +of fear, instinctively glancing at a knife which lay on the table close +to Jasper's other hand. + +How far Vermont's anger might have carried him she did not know, for, to +her intense relief, the door opened and Adrien Leroy himself entered the +room. He gazed in surprise at the two occupants, and in an instant +Jasper had regained his self-control. He did not release Ada's wrist, +but, smoothing his scowl into a sleek smile, he said with a careless +laugh: + +"No, Ada, your arm is as slim as ever. The bracelet will just fit you." +He relaxed his grip as he spoke and turned to Leroy. "Ada has bet me +that the new bracelet you bought her is too small, Adrien," he explained +glibly. "She thought she was getting stout." + +Adrien nodded indifferently; while Ada, with a little cry of relief, ran +towards him. + +"Adrien, how good of you to come!" she exclaimed. "I did not expect you +so soon." + +Leroy did not seem to notice her, but looked round the room with evident +displeasure. The table, with its remains of supper; the stained cloth; +above all, the undesirable odour of food and stale tobacco; all seemed +to fill him with disgust. Gently, but firmly, he put Ada from him. + +"Jasper," he said, turning to Vermont, "you know why I came. Give Miss +Lester the deeds of the Casket Theatre. I am tired and am going home." + +With a courteous good-night to Ada, who, without attempting to thank him +for his gift, stood scowling and sullen, he passed out of the room; +while Vermont leaned back against the table with folded arms and his +inevitable, but significant, smile on his face. + + + + + CHAPTER III + + +The night was bitterly cold; but, disdaining a taxi for so short a +distance, Leroy buttoned up his coat and strode swiftly along towards +his chambers in Jermyn Court, W. As he turned the corner of the square, +he stumbled sharply over the slight figure of a girl, crouched near one +of the doorsteps, and, with his habitual courtesy, he stopped to see if +any harm had been done. + +"Have I hurt you?" he asked gently, placing his hand on her shoulder. + +At his touch the girl started up with a cry of distress; and, as the +shawl fell back from her head, Leroy was almost startled by the vivid +freshness of her beauty. + +"Oh," she exclaimed in terrified accents, "I wasn't doing any harm! I +will move on--I--I was only resting." Then, as she saw the kindly face +looking into hers, she subsided into silence. + +She was quite young, not more than about sixteen, and so slenderly +formed as to appear almost a child. Her features were clear-cut as a +cameo and she had a slightly foreign air. Her eyes were brown, but as +the light of the gas-lamp fell full on her upturned face, they showed so +dark and velvety as almost to appear black, while masses of dark hair +clustered in heavy waves round her forehead. + +Unconsciously Leroy raised his hat as he repeated his question. She +shook her head at him as he bent over her, but made no reply. + +"How is it you are out on such a night as this?" he asked. "Have you no +home? Where do you live?" + +"Cracknell Court, Soho," she replied, in tones singularly free from any +trace of Cockney accent. + +"With your parents?" queried Leroy, feeling for some money. + +"No," said the girl, her red lips quivering for a moment. "Haven't got +any--only Johann and Martha--and _they_ don't care." + +"Who is Johann?" said Leroy, with an encouraging smile. + +"I don't know," she answered listlessly. "He's Johann Wilfer, that's +all." + +"Why have you run away, then?" + +"Johann came home drunk and beat me--so I ran out." + +She pushed back her ragged shawl and held up her arm, on which bruises +showed up cruelly distinct. Leroy uttered an exclamation of anger. + +"You poor child!" he said almost tenderly. "What can I do for you? If I +give you money----" + +"Johann will take it and make me beg for more," she interrupted; and +Leroy withdrew his hand from his pocket, fearing this to be but too +true. + +"Will you go home, if I take you?" he began. + +The girl shook her head, and dragged the old shawl closer round her +shivering body. + +"Not till morning," she said decidedly. "I shall be all right then." + +"But you'll freeze to death here!" + +She laughed harshly. + +"I wish I was dead," she said, with an earnestness that made Leroy's +heart ache, as he thought of her extreme youth and saw the bitter +despair in the great dark eyes. + +He drew himself up sharply as if he had decided on his course of action. + +"I cannot leave you here," he said quietly, "and money is of no use to +you to-night. Will you come with me?" He held out his hand as he spoke, +and, without a word, the girl rose wearily and laid her own cold one in +his. They proceeded thus, in silence, for the length of the square; but +Leroy soon saw that, whether, from cold or from hunger, the girl's steps +were growing feebler and more uncertain. Without further ado, he picked +her up in his arms, wrapping her shawl more warmly round her. + +"We are nearly there," he said reassuringly, "and you are as light as a +feather." + +She lay back, perfectly content, her head pressed against his broad +shoulder, her dark eyes closed trustfully. + +Adrien Leroy hurried on, for the wind cut with the force of a knife; but +his face was very thoughtful as he approached his chambers. + +"What else can I do?" he asked himself. "She is such an innocent child. +Can I take her to my rooms without injury to her poor shred of +reputation? Yet no houses are open at this hour, and I cannot hand her +over to that drunken brute. There's no help for it!" + +It evidently never occurred to him to turn back and deliver her into the +charge of Miss Lester. Indeed, he thought that would have been greater +cruelty than to have left her in the streets. + +Having reached the block of buildings in which were his own rooms, +Adrien walked up the stairs and opened a door on the first floor. In the +hall a light was burning, held by a statuette of white marble; and +Leroy, after gently setting the girl down on her feet, led her into his +study. + +The room in which she found herself was not lofty, but the ceiling was +exquisitely painted, while from the four corners hung electric lights +'neath delicate shades. The furniture was rich in colour, solid as +befitted a man's room, while on the walls were a few rare engravings. A +couple of gun-cases in one corner and a veritable stock of fishing +implements in another showed that Leroy was not unaccustomed to sport; +it was one of his man Norgate's complaints that he was not allowed to +pack them away, but must leave them there, close at hand, just as Leroy +might want them. + +It was not these, however, that held the girl's attention so fixedly, +but the cut Venetian glass on the inlaid cabinets and the gold ornaments +on the carved Florentine mantel. + +"Home at last," he said with a smile; and, opening another door on the +left, he led her unresistingly into a second room. + +But here the girl seemed as if struck dumb with astonishment. She was +evidently overwhelmed by the magnificence and luxury on which her eyes +rested, and Leroy smiled in amusement at her unspoken admiration. + +"Come and warm yourself," he said kindly, drawing one of the divans +nearer to the fire. + +Lightly she trod over the rose carpet, and dropped with a sigh into the +chair. + +"Give me your hands. Don't hold them near the fire yet," he said, and +began to gently chafe the poor blue fingers, for he knew the danger of +too sudden heat. "That is better--they will soon get warm. And now we +will have something to eat." + +He crossed over to the bell; and in a few moments the door opened +noiselessly. + +"Let us have some supper, Norgate," said Leroy; and the dignified +man-servant disappeared as silently as he had entered, while his master +returned to the fire-place, and stood looking down at the girl he had +rescued. + +As yet she had not spoken; but her eyes had been wandering over the many +splendours of the room. Suddenly she lifted them to the handsome face +above her, and said in a low, awe-struck whisper: + +"Is this the king's palace? And are you a prince?" + +Adrien Leroy smiled. + +"By no means," he said. "Ah! here comes something you require, I know," +he added, as the door opened, and Norgate entered, bearing a large +silver tray. + +Having set the chairs to table, and placed the wine and glasses at hand, +the man announced respectfully that supper was served. His master +dismissed him, guessing that the girl would be less embarrassed if alone +with him; and Norgate retired with a face as expressionless as if the +entertaining of "street waifs"--as he mentally termed the young +visitor--were of nightly occurrence. + +Adrien placed a plate of cold chicken on a low table beside her. + +"You are warm there," he said, as he poured her out a glass of wine. + +The girl looked up into his face with a mute, questioning glance; then, +taking courage from the kindly eyes, she picked up her knife and fork +with long, thin, but well-shaped hands. + +Leroy turned to the table, and by dint of helping himself from various +dishes, under a pretence of making a hearty meal, he gave her +confidence; and presently he saw that she had commenced to eat. Adrien +rose from time to time, and waited on her with a delicacy and tenderness +with which few of his friends would have credited him; till, with a sigh +of content, she laid down the knife and fork. + +"Are you better now?" he asked as he took her plate. + +She looked up at him in speechless adoration, and her eyes filled with +tears. + +"How good you are to me," she said. "I never dreamt there could be such +a beautiful place as this. Do you often bring people in out of the +cold?" + +His face became grave. + +"No," he said evasively--"not as often as I should, I'm afraid. And now, +suppose you tell me your name." + +"Jessica," she replied simply. + +"And have you no relatives--no friends to help you?" he continued. + +She shook her head sadly. + +"Only Martha and Johann," was the hopeless reply. + +"You poor child! And what does friend Johann do for a living?" + +Again she shook her head. + +"I don't know. He gets drunk." + +"An overfilled profession that," said Leroy, with a sigh. "And now, what +are we to do with you, little Jessica?" + +She looked up with frightened eyes. + +"Oh," she cried breathlessly, "are you going to turn me out into the +cold again? Must I go? Oh, I knew it was too good to last!" + +In her terror she had started up; but Leroy put her back gently into the +chair. + +"No, little one, we won't turn you out to-night," he promised. +"To-morrow, we will see what can be done to make your road softer in +future." + +She did not understand half his words; but as with an almost womanly +tenderness he placed a silken cushion beneath her head, she nestled +down, smiling into his eyes with the gratitude of a child that neither +questions nor doubts. To her he appeared like a being from another +world--a world or which she had scarcely dared to dream, and her eyes +were eloquent. + +Adrien Leroy stood for a little while watching her, till her gentle +breathing showed him she had fallen asleep. + +"A beautiful child," he said under his breath. "She will be a still more +beautiful woman." He sighed. "Poor little thing! Rich and poor, young +and old, how soon the world's poison reaches us!" Then, throwing a +tiger-skin over the slender body, he turned out the lights and left the +room. Summoning Norgate, he gave instructions that his nocturnal visitor +should not be disturbed in the morning by the housekeeper, but should be +allowed to sleep on. Then he made his way to his own room, not long +before the dawn broke. + +He had befriended this young human thing as he would have rescued a +wounded bird, and with as little thought for the consequences; yet the +day was to come when he should look back on this action as one inspired, +in very truth, by his guardian angel. + + + + + CHAPTER IV + + +The sun had risen cold and bright when Adrien Leroy awoke, and his first +question was for the child, Jessica. But here a surprise awaited him, +for the bird had flown. Norgate and the housekeeper had found the room +tenantless. For some inexplicable reasons of her own she must have +stolen noiselessly out while the other occupants of the flat were still +sleeping. + +Adrien made no comment, but proceeded to undergo the labours of the +toilet. A cold bath is an excellent tonic; and when Leroy entered the +dining-room his calm face bore no traces of his comparatively sleepless +night. He sat down to breakfast, waited on by the attentive Norgate, and +turned over the heap of letters which lay beside his plate. During his +leisured meal he opened them. They were principally invitations, though +a few of them were bills--big sums, many of them, for horses, +dinner-parties, supper-parties, jewellery, flowers--all the +hundred-and-one trifles which were as necessary to a man in his position +as light and air. + +With a gesture of weariness, he pushed the pile from him, and throwing +them carelessly into the drawer of a buhl cabinet, left them until such +time as Jasper Vermont could attend to them. + +"Where do I dine to-night?" he asked presently. + +"At the Marquis of Heathcotes', sir--at eight," replied Norgate, who +knew his master's engagements better than did the young man himself. + +Leroy nodded absently. + +"Order the new motor for four o'clock. I want to see how it goes." + +"Yes, sir." The confidential servant coughed and looked slightly +embarrassed. "I may mention, sir, that Perrier has sent in his account +for the costumes made for the Fancy Dress Carnival at Prince's." + +"Refer him to Mr. Vermont," was the calm reply. "I have sir, several +times, but he wants to see you personally. It's a matter of +discount----" + +"Send him to Mr. Vermont. I know nothing of his bill or his discount. +Surely you know that, Norgate," Leroy interrupted impatiently. + +The discreet Norgate retreated silently; and ten minutes later Leroy +started for his morning canter in the Row. Here, meeting and chatting +with his numerous friends, the morning passed quickly enough; and when +Leroy returned to his chambers again, Norgate was putting the finishing +touches to the table already set for lunch. + +"Covers for four?" said his master, as he entered the room. "Who is +coming?" + +"Mr. Shelton, Lord Standon, and Mr. Paxhorn, sir." + +"Ah, yes, to be sure," replied the host, who had completely forgotten +the invitation. "I thought it was for to-morrow." + +The loud hoot of a motor outside told him that his visitors were +arriving; and in another moment the door was flung open, and Mortimer +Shelton, followed by Lord Standon, entered the room. + +"Well, Leroy, old man," exclaimed the former cheerily, as they shook +hands, "you look as fresh as if you had awoke with the dawn!" + +"Nothing new in that," said Lord Standon, laughing. "Nothing upsets +Leroy." + +"Except a bad dinner," murmured Algernon Paxhorn, the fourth member of +the party, who had just entered the room. He was the latest literary +lion, and a fast friend--in more senses than one--of Adrien and the +members of his set. + +With jest and laughter they took their places at the table. + +"Well, how's the steeplechase going?" asked Leroy, turning to Shelton. +"What do you think of my 'King Cole'? Does he stand a chance?" + +"A chance!" echoed all three. + +"The odds are four to one on him, and few takers," announced Shelton. + +Lord Standon set down his glass. + +"Ah, that was yesterday," he said. "I was there later, and the odds were +being lifted. You can lay what you like on him, my dear fellow, and you +will have no difficulty in finding takers." + +"Oh!" commented Adrien, almost listlessly. "Something better in the +field, I suppose? I thought the roan was not to be touched." + +"And I, also," said Mortimer Shelton; "I can't understand it! The only +new entry was a weedy chestnut, listed by a Yorkshireman in the +afternoon. 'Holdfast' they call him." + +"He'll require more hustling than holding," returned Paxhorn +sarcastically. + +Lord Standon finished his wine. + +"I'll back the roan while there's a penny to borrow," he said with +sublime confidence. "There's nothing can touch him." + +"That's what Jasper said," remarked Leroy, "and he ought to know." + +"Oh, yes, he's a good judge of a horse," grudgingly admitted Shelton, +who frankly hated him; "and of men too--when it pays him." + +Leroy's face darkened slightly. Vermont was his friend, and he resented +a word spoken against him far more than he would have done one against +himself. + +"You misjudge him, Shelton," he said briefly. + +"Possibly," retorted the other, unabashed. "What you find so fascinating +in him I can't imagine. Still, my dear fellow, setting Vermont aside, +there can be no two opinions respecting your chef. Sarteri is a +possession I positively envy you. There is not another chef in England +that understands entrees as he does." + +"None," echoed Lord Standon. "Leroy will be famous for one thing, at +least, if it's only for his cook." + +The meal came to an end, and the table was cleared by the silent +Norgate. Cards were produced, and the four were soon deep in the +intricacies of bridge. They played high and recklessly; and after little +more than an hour, Shelton and Leroy had lost over five hundred pounds. + +"A close run, eh, Shelton?" laughed Leroy as he took the notes from an +open drawer. "Had they played the knave we should have won. Time for +another round?" + +"Not I," replied his friend, with a regretful shake of his head. "I'm +due at Lady Martingdale's." + +"Picture galleries again?" laughed Standon, who knew that lady's +weaknesses. + +"Yes," Shelton confessed, "and with Miss Martingdale too." + +The others laughed significantly. + +"Say no more, Mortimer," begged Lord Standon, with mock grief. "Your +days are numbered. Already I see myself enacting the part of chief +mourner--I should say, best man--if you will allow me." + +Shelton rose, laughing good-humouredly. + +"Thanks, I'll remember--when it comes to that!" + +"You're incorrigible, Stan," said Leroy, as his guests were taking their +leave. "You'd better settle down yourself first, and leave Shelton +alone." + +When they had all gone, the host stood looking at the empty chairs. They +seemed, as it were, typical of the weary, empty hours of his life, and +for the first time a wholesome distaste of it all swept over him. Day +in, day out, an everlasting whirl--wherein he and his companions turned +night into day and spent their lives in a hollow round of gaiety, in +which scandal, cards, women and wine were chief features. And, at the +end! What would be the end? + +Then he shook himself from his unaccustomed reverie; Adrien Leroy, the +popular idol of fashionable society, was not given long to +introspection. + +"What next?" he asked himself. + +It was Norgate who answered the unspoken query, by announcing that the +motor was at the door. + +As Adrien descended the stairs, Jasper Vermont entered the hall below +him. + +"Ah, just in time!" he said with his amicable smile. "You're off to the +Park, I suppose?" + +"I don't know yet," returned Adrien evasively. "What do you think of the +motor?" + +"Worthy even of Adrien Leroy," replied Jasper, with the faintest +suspicion of a sneer, which, however, passed unperceived by his friend. +"By the way," he continued, as they walked to the door together, "I have +just left Ada in tears, poor girl; repentance followed closely on +repletion. She vows solemnly to refrain from onions and patchouli for +the future, and begs for the return of your favour." + +Leroy smiled gravely at his companion's flippant tones. + +"You make an eloquent advocate; but there's little need for pity in her +case; her tastes are natural to her class. I was to blame for not +realising it before; but she'll be well set up for the future," he said, +and forthwith dismissed the subject from his mind. "But Jasper, what of +this chestnut entered the steeplechase?" + +Vermont's dark, restless eyes dropped for a moment; then he said +lightly: + +"Do you mean that Yorkshire screw? Oh, he is all right! Can't run the +course, I should say, let alone the last rise. Nothing can touch the +roan. If I weren't a beggar, I'd cover 'King Cole's' back with guineas." + +"Do it for me," said Leroy carelessly, as he settled into the waiting +Daimler, which was his latest purchase. + +"What, another thousand?" asked Jasper almost eagerly. + +"Two, if you like," said his friend, as the chauffeur started the car, +and with a smile to Vermont he took his departure. + +Vermont stood looking after him, his gaze almost still in its fixity; +then he turned and passed up the stairs. In the dining-room he found +Norgate, clearing away the cards and glasses, in no very amiable humour. + +"Has there been a luncheon party?" queried Mr. Vermont. + +"Yes, sir," answered Norgate aggrievedly; "Mr. Shelton, Lord Standon and +Mr. Paxhorn." + +"And bridge?" murmured Mr. Vermont inquiringly. + +"Yes, sir; and from what I heard, I believe Mr. Leroy lost." + +"Ah," commented the other softly, "I fear Mr. Leroy always does lose, +doesn't he?" + +"He's made me lose my time to-day with his fads and fancies," grumbled +Norgate, removing the folding card-table; "what with bringing in street +wenches at one o'clock in the morning; and they mustn't be disturbed, if +you please." + +Jasper Vermont was instantly on the alert. He was not above encouraging +a servant to gossip, and, although Norgate was not given to err in this +direction as a rule, upon the present occasion his grievance got the +better of him, and Vermont was soon in possession of such slight facts +as could be gleaned. + + + + + CHAPTER V + + +Johann Wilfer, Jessica's adopted father, was German by birth, and the +son of an innkeeper in one of the tiny villages on the banks of the +Rhine. In his youth he had studied as an art-student at Munich; but, +finally, by his idle and dissolute behaviour, so angered the authorities +that he had been compelled to return home. Tiring of the rural life +there, he finally obtained from his parents sufficient money to come to +London to try his fortune. + +Here he soon obtained some work from the smaller art dealers, which +enabled him to live in comparative comfort, and had it not been for his +unreliability and his love of drink he might have seen to be a good +artist. + +Wilfer was a handsome young fellow in those days, and while on one of +his wandering tours in Kent he met and won the heart of a simple little +country girl, named Lucy Goodwin. Lucy believed her lover to be +everything that was good, and, trusted him even to the extent of her +betrayal; so that, under some pretence, young Wilfer was able to entice +the girl to Canterbury, where, a few weeks later, he deserted her. + +She was the only daughter of a widower, a clerk in the employ of a +country bank, who, broken-hearted at his daughter's ruin, threw up his +situation, changed his name to that of George Harker, and fled to London +with his beloved child. Here he found it extremely difficult to obtain +work. His savings soon evaporated, and alas! further trouble was in +store for him; for one afternoon a smooth-faced gentleman appeared at +their quiet lodgings. This was none other than Jasper Vermont, who in a +long private interview with the unhappy Harker informed him that he had +heard of Lucy's escapade, and threatened to proclaim her shame, if Mr. +Harker failed to comply with a proposition he was about to make to him. +The business which he suggested was one entirely abhorrent to the +ex-bank clerk; but with money running short, and the thought of his +daughter's misery should her secret be revealed, what could the father +do but submit? + +The result of this interview was that, a month or two later, a new +moneylending firm sprang up in a narrow street in the city, under the +title of Harker's Ltd., and none of the numerous clients who patronised +it ever recognised that the manager, Mr. Harker, was speaking the +literal truth when he repeatedly asserted his own impotence in the +business. Every one believed the story to be a fictitious one, invented +to assist him in his extortions. + +Time passed on, and Lucy's pretty face and modest ways, perhaps her very +sadness, which clung to her in never-ending remorse, caught the heart of +a simple-minded man, one John Ashford. He was a flourishing grocer in a +village on the banks of the Thames, and was then staying in London on a +visit. After a hard struggle with herself the poor girl returned his +love, and ventured to become his wife. + +Wilfer, from inquiries made by Mr. Harker, was supposed to be dead. +None, she thought, knew her secret except her father, for Lucy believed +that Vermont had employed Mr. Harker out of friendship and sympathy, and +did not know until long after her marriage that she, and therefore her +husband, were in his power. So she ventured to grasp the happiness held +out to her, thus strengthening the chain which bound her father and +herself in slavery to Jasper Vermont's will. For if they feared +disclosure before, how much more did they dread it now, when Lucy was +married to a man who prided himself upon his good name and untarnished +respectability! + +Johann Wilfer, however, was not dead, nor had he left London. He had +become a member of a gang of ingenious rascals, who lived by imitating +the less known gems of the old masters, and palming them off on the +credulous public and wealthy collectors as genuine. The impostures were +very cleverly manipulated, and quite a little system was instituted to +bring them to perfection. Mr. Wilfer's part of the undertaking was +"toning"; that is, bringing to the imitations the necessary mistiness +and discoloration supposed to be produced by age. + +He did very well at this business; so well, indeed, that he took a house +in Cracknell Court, Soho, and if he could have restrained himself from +the drinking of beer and spirits he would have been in comfortable +circumstances. + +This perpetual intoxication eventually made its mark upon Mr. Wilfer's +countenance, and contorted his face into a caricature--with its mottled +skin and bleary eyes--of the good looks which had won Lucy Goodwin's +heart in former times. His language had also degenerated as well as his +looks. All trace of German accent had been carefully obliterated, in +order that no suspicion should be aroused when selling a faked picture. +He played the part of a Cockney so frequently and so well that that +particular accent seemed, as it were, to be his mother-tongue. + +As the years went by even the gang became tired of his habitual +intoxication, and only occasionally gave him employment, so that he +turned his attention to scenery painting for the stage. In this way, +when engaged at the Rockingham Theatre, he met Martha Feltham, Ada +Lester's dresser, and by means of boasting of his wealth finally +persuaded her to marry him. It was in this manner that Jessica had first +come under his sway. + +When Ada found that her sister would never recover from the mental shock +inflicted by Jasper Vermont when he told her that their marriage was +illegal, she had made arrangements to get the child out of the house. +Naturally the little girl was an eyesore and an encumbrance to her; +especially as Julia--blissfully ignorant that she herself was the +mother--was always worrying her sister as to the reason of Jessica's +presence. Accordingly, when Ada, by reason of her improved position and +higher salary, moved away from the Bloomsbury lodgings into a house of +her own, she gave the child over to the care of her dresser, Martha, now +Mrs. Wilfer, and had always paid regularly for her board and keep. + +Mr. Wilfer did not object to this addition to his income, though he +still worked occasionally for the picture gang; and it was on one of +their jobs that he came within reach of Jasper Vermont. + +One day he had been sent to play the usual proceedings to Mr. George +Harker, presuming, naturally enough, that being a moneylender he was +rich, and hearing that he had a liking for "old masters." + +Johann Wilfer saw Mr. Harker, and notwithstanding the changes which time +brings to us all, and the entire transformation of name and +surroundings, recognised him as the father of the girl whom he had once +so cruelly deceived. + +The old man never having heard the name of Lucy's betrayer--for she had +purposely kept it from him--knew nothing of his visitor, and eventually +purchased the picture, after consulting with Jasper, who discovered the +imposition at a glance, but saw in the impostor a possible new tool. + +He instructed Harker to obtain a written guarantee of the genuineness of +the picture, and Wilfer, being half intoxicated at the time, for once +forgot his usual caution, and gave the required pledge. With that in his +possession, Jasper Vermont had Wilfer in his power, and only left him +undisturbed because he saw no present opportunity of using him. + +But when he wanted him he knew that he had only to exert the authority +which the warrant gave him, and Johann Wilfer would be his obedient +servant, as many better men were already. + +The picture he intended--through Mr. Harker--to compel one of the firm's +wealthy clients to take as part of a loan, a well-known trick of the +worst class of moneylenders. + +Quite unconscious of the sword that hung over him, Mr. Wilfer, after a +bout of hard drinking, went home, and it was in his drunken frenzy that +he had struck Jessica. She, bruised and frightened, fled into the +streets, where Adrien Leroy found her. + +Left to himself--for his wife was away for a day or two--Mr. Wilfer fell +into a deep slumber, in which he remained for the rest of the evening. + +Early for him, on the following morning he was roused by a loud knocking +at his front door. Now thoroughly sobered, he hurriedly dressed, +stumbled down the rickety staircase, and opened the door, to himself +confronted by Miss Ada Lester. Her face was flushed, and the angry light +Jasper Vermont had called up by his sneers at her vulgarity the previous +evening still shone in her dark eyes. + +"Where is the gal?" she asked abruptly. + +"The gal!" he repeated, staring at her in stolid amazement. + +"Yes--Jessica!" retorted Miss Lester, her jewels flashing in a chance +ray of sunlight which had found its way through the dingy court. "Where +is she?" + +"She is not at home," said Mr. Wilfer. "She and Martha 'ave gone out for +the day to Greenwich. If you'd wrote a-sayin' you was goin' to call I'd +have made 'em stay till you came." + +Miss Lester looked at him keenly. + +"If you don't believe me," said Wilfer, "go upstairs and look at her +room." + +Ada ran past him up the stairs, and quickly returned. + +"It's locked," she said. + +"Of course; she's quite the lady--keeps the keys 'erself," sneered +Johann. "Look 'ere, 'ere's her hat and coat; there's one of 'er boots, +so she must be comin' back afore long." + +Miss Lester appeared convinced. She breathed more freely, as if a weight +had been taken off her mind. + +"Here," she said, putting some gold coins in his hand, "is something to +make up for my troubling you. But I was real anxious to know if +everything was right with the gal." + +Wilfer--debauched and demoralised by drink--was disposed to look at the +worst side of things; and from this point of view thought she meant the +reverse of what she said. + +"Would you be very much cut up," he said slyly, "if she wasn't able to +trouble you any more or answer awkward questions, miss?" + +She turned on him with a fierceness that made him recoil. + +"If anything happens to that gal," she shouted, "I'll turn the police on +you. For, mind my words--I mean them--I shouldn't have cared yesterday +very much if I had learnt she was dead, but now I want her. Do you hear? +I want her, and you take care she's alive and ready when I come for +her." + +Then, without vouchsafing any further information, she flounced away, +leaving Mr. Wilfer staring blankly after her, and wishing for once that +he had stayed his hand, instead of driving the girl into the miseries +and dangers of the streets. + +Little did Wilfer or Miss Lester imagine that Jessica had found safety +and refuge in Adrien Leroy's chambers. + + + + + CHAPTER VI + + +Love is the universal epidemic, effectual in all climes and conditions; +there is no inoculation that will secure exemption from its influence; +only given a warm human heart, and there is the natural susceptibility. + +So it is from high to low. The little blind god takes no count of +difference in fortune or rank in life. Dynasties fall, thrones totter to +the ground, crowns tumble to dust on kingly heads; but love rules and +lives on, immortal, triumphant, unconquerable. + +Jessica had never heard of Romeo and Juliet, of Faust and Marguerite, or +King Cophetua and the beggar maid. All she knew was that she loved, was +conscious only that for a kind word from the lips of the man who had +befriended her, for a glance from those dark eyes; she would gladly have +given up all the other glories the world could have put before her. + +Poor Jessica, how sweet and yet how bitter had been the awakening in +that gilded cabinet. How sweet to find herself there in reality, and not +only in a dream; how bitter to know that she had no right there and that +she must go! + +That splendid golden room, with, all the wonderful undreamt-of things, +was not for her. She looked down at her wet, dirt-stained dress, at her +worn, ragged shoes, at her cold, red hands, and shuddered. She had no +right there. Should she take advantage of his goodness to remain and +sully the beauty of his palace--for to her it seemed little less--by her +unworthy presence? No, woman-child as she was, she shrank from the +thought; then caught up her hat and arose, resolute. + +"He will think me ungrateful," she murmured with half-closed eyes. "He +will think--no matter, he will forget me before half an hour. I will go +back to Johann and chance the beating. This is no place for one like +me." + +With a little graceful gesture she bent over the mantel and pressed her +lips to the spot where Adrien had rested his arm; then with noiseless +steps she stole from the room. + +The sun was breaking through the morning mist, but she shivered as its +warm rays touched her, and with a weary sigh turned towards Soho. + +It was all over, the little patch of fairy-light in the dreary darkness +of her existence, and as she reminded herself of this fact she shuddered +again. + +Looking back, she remembered but little beyond the days she had passed +with Johann and his shrewish wife. This strange adventure had been the +first ray of sunshine in her poor existence. No wonder that she was +unhappy at parting with it. + +Suddenly as she passed into Oxford Street she stopped, struck with an +idea that sent her blood flowing into her pale cheek, flushing it into +living beauty. Her large eyes grew thoughtful and full of a strange +light. + +"Why should I go back to Johann?" she murmured. "Can't I follow him--the +kind gentleman? Can't I be his servant?" + +The answer came quick enough from her inner consciousness. No, she must +go back. Of what service could she be to such a man as Adrien? There was +nothing for it but to return to Cracknell Court. So, wearily, but still +with that grace which Southern blood bestows, even though it runs in the +veins of a gipsy, or such a street waif as Jessica, she walked on and +reached Johann Wilfer's house. + +Jessica knew that the man was not her father, but she knew little more +than that. She had never asked him or Martha for any information about +her parentage--indeed, had scarcely wished for any; it was enough for +her than Johann gave her sufficient bread to keep life within her. + +That gentleman was, at the moment of her arrival, absent, engaged on +business concerning the sale of the faked picture to Mr. Harker, and +Martha was still away; so Jessica, pausing at the door of the +living-room to ascertain that it was empty, softly ascended the stairs +leading to the garret which served as her special apartment. + +It was as small and as squalid as all the other rooms in that crowded +court; but it was different from them in one respect--it was clean. + +A miserable chair bedstead of the cheapest kind, covered with a +threadbare quilt; a chair with the back broken off; a washstand on three +legs, and a triangular piece of silvered glass, the remains of a cheap +mirror, composed the furniture. + +This peculiarly-shaped piece of common glass reflected the girl's +beautiful face in all manner of distorted forms. The quilt just kept her +from perishing with the cold. But yet the mirror, the bed, and the room +itself were precious to her, for they were her own. Beyond its sacred +threshold Johann or Martha never passed. She had a key to it; and to +enter now she unlocked the door. + +After the luxury of Adrien's rooms the mean quality of her own apartment +struck the girl more forcibly than usual, and sinking upon the bed, she +covered her face with her hands and gave way to a flood of tears. But +the weakness did not last long; and after a moment of two, with a sudden +gesture, almost Italian in its intensity, she flung back her head and +rose from her crouching position. + +"I will not think of the beautiful place. I will not think of him, she +told herself passionately. + +"But oh! will he be sorry that I ran away, or will he laugh, and ask +that proud servant to see that I haven't stolen anything?" + +She shook her head mournfully at her own distorted reflection in the +cracked mirror, then she sighed and went downstairs. + +Johann had returned, wonderful to relate, still fairly sober; but this +was probably due to the necessity of maintaining at least the appearance +of sobriety in his transaction on behalf of the gang concerning the sale +of the picture. + +He was counting the coins on the table, some of them gold--for Jessica's +quick eyes caught the shimmer of it--and he looked up half fiercely, +half contemptuously as the girl entered. + +"Well, where have been? You're like a cat or a policeman--never to +be found when you're wanted. There was a fine lady came to see you this +morning--a real swell, my girl." He laughed coarsely. "But of course, +you were out of the way. Where had you got to?" + +"Anywhere, nowhere," replied Jessica, who did not fear him when he was +sober, though she hated him always. + +"Ah, that's the style! The swell lady ought to have heard you talk like +that. She'd say I was bringing you up well. Come here and let's have a +look at you." + +Jessica did not move, but stared at him steadily. + +"What! You won't come?" he said with a grin. "Well, there's something +for your obstinacy, you little mule!" + +He flung a half-crown across to her, and Jessica took it up, then looked +him questioningly in the face. + +"You're thinking I'm mighty generous, eh? So I am, my girl--foolishly +generous." He laughed mockingly, "Well, what do you say if all the lot's +for you, eh?" + +"All for me!" repeated the girl, stopping short in her task of making +the mantelshelf neat; "all for me!" + +"Yes, when you get it, little cat! All for you, indeed! No! it's for me; +and I've a good mind to take the half-crown back. A fool and his money's +soon parted; but he's more idiotic to part with other people's. I'm +going out. I shall want some grub when I get back--'arf a pound of +steak, an' a pot of porter, an' don't forget the gin. Mind you remember +now, or I'll break every bone in your body." With which forcible +admonition the man shuffled out. + +After a few hours he returned, not blindly drunk, but spiteful, +ill-tempered, and stupidly brutal. + + +About the same time on that day Adrien Leroy was making his way in the +new car through the crowded thoroughfare of Oxford Street. + +"Soho? Yus, sir. Crack'ell Court, fust turnin' on the left. I'll show +yer, sir," piped the ragged urchin, whose heartfelt interest Leroy had +purchased, along with his query, by means of a shilling. + +Cracknell Court was small, evil-smelling, and teeming with children. +Bidding the chauffeur wait at the entrance to the court, Adrien, to whom +dust, noises, and evil smells were things of absolute pain, entered one +of the dens and asked for Mr. Wilfer. + +"There he is," said another urchin; and Leroy turned to face that +individual, who was leaning against an open door. + +"Am I speaking to Mr. Johann Wilfer?" he asked courteously. + +"You are," returned Wilfer, taking the begrimed pipe from his mouth, and +staring with bloodshot eyes at the handsome, high-bred face before him. + +"Can you tell me if a young girl named Jessica returned to you safely +this morning?" Leroy enquired. + +"My niece, Jess, d'ye mean?" replied Wilfer, eyeing him suspiciously. +"Ain't seen 'er fer months; run away last June, after 'elping 'erself to +some of my cash, an' ain't been back since. 'Sides, what's it got to do +with you, Guv'nor, I'd like to know? You mind yer own bus'ness." + +He leered drunkenly at Leroy, who turned away with a look of disgust. He +knew how useless it was to expect truth from such a quarter. + +As the gentleman stepped out into the dirty court and returned to his +car Johann Wilfer blinked his eyes in relief; then with an oath he +stumbled up the rickety stairs into the living-room, and confronted +Jessica, who was standing near the window. + +"So that's yer little game, is it?" he said with a sneer; "you're goin' +in for swells right away, are yer, my gal? Got your name as pat as a +poll-parrot. Knows all my private business, I dessay; I'll break every +bone in yer body!" + +He stumbled towards her where she stood--her face still transfigured +with joy at the sound of her benefactor's voice--and made a sudden grab +at her hair. But, alert and lithe as a leopardess, she bounded over the +table, and slipped past him down the staircase, from the top of which he +launched forth a long volley of curses. + +Quivering and shaking, both with fear of Wilfer's violence and her sense +of injury at his denial of her presence to Leroy, Jessica ran, as fast +as her frail body would permit her, through the intricate smaller +streets and passages which abound in the Soho district. Having gone far +enough, in her opinion, to be fairly safe from any danger of Wilfer's +pursuit, she stopped to consider whether she should endeavour to find +Leroy. + +"After all," she thought, "perhaps it is best as it is. He would give +me money, or perhaps a few kind words, and only make me long for him +more. Let him go, believing Johann's falsehoods." + +As she walked wearily along dim remembrances of earlier days thronged +her brain; of two women--one whom she knew she had called Auntie--and +who had treated her kindly enough, before Johann had got her into his +power. Mingled with these thoughts came those of the man who had +befriended her and even sought her out this day. When she remembered how +he had rescued her from cold, hunger, and the dangers of the streets her +eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Yet, though knowing how quickly he +would aid her were she but to return to the beautiful room from which +she had fled that very morning, she could not bring herself to seek his +charity or ask his pity. She realised well enough that one such as she +could never hope to win a look of love from him; but like the moth that +hovers round the flame which brings it danger she nevertheless +determined to see him again. + +With this object in view she slowly wended her way to Jermyn Court, +wherein was the room in which she had supped and slept so delightfully. +Afterwards she thought she would try to gain some work that would at +least secure food and lodging, however poor, where she could be safe +from the cruelty of Wilfer; surely in all London there was something she +could do. + +When darkness came, worn out by watching and waiting in vain for Adrien, +she again found herself without a home and without shelter; so, +crouching on a doorstep, as she had done the previous evening, overcome +with fatigue, she fell asleep. + +In the course of the night a dark-robed woman, passing on the usual +round of duty assigned to her, stopped and looked at her. She was one of +the band of Good Samaritan Sisters of Mercy established in some of our +London suburbs, who seek out the helpless and downtrodden in the race of +life--with healing in their hands and pity in their hearts--striving to +raise them up from their hopeless position to something better. She +stopped, bent down, and, drawing her veil aside, looked closely at the +motionless face. Then she sighed and turned her head away. + +"So beautiful! So young! Can it be possible? Sister, sister!" + +Jessica awoke at the gentle touch, and sprang to her feet. + +"Johann! Don't strike me," she exclaimed, with her eyes half closed. +"I----" + +"My poor girl, no one shall beat you. Will you come with me?" + +"With you?" repeated Jessica, now fully awake, but still eyeing the +Sister with some suspicion. "Where? Not far?" + +"No, not far. But why do you say that? Is there any one you particularly +wish to be near?" + +"No," replied Jessica, adding to herself, as the sister of Mercy took +her hand, "but she shall not take me far away from him." + +"A roof of thatch is better than that of heaven," is an old Spanish +proverb, and means, doubtless, that the poorest accommodation is better +than none, or that which the streets provide. Jessica, clinging to the +Sister of Mercy's succouring hand, was gently led from the silence of +the streets to the still greater silence of an attic in a quiet byway. + +Here, seated by the remains of a small fire in a narrow grate, she +watched with awkward interest, that was much like indifference, the +efforts of her rescuer to revive the dying embers. Soup was warmed for +her, but for a time she refused to take it. + +"I am not hungry," she said. "Only tired--so tired! Why did you wake me, +lady?" + +"I awoke you because you were unhappy, and it was dangerous for one so +young as you to lie asleep in the streets," replied the meek-eyed woman. +"But you must not call me 'lady'; I am not a lady. Call me 'Sister.'" + +"But you are not my sister," said Jessica petulantly. "I haven't any +sister or brother, or father or mother." + +"Poor thing!" said the woman, who by this time had made up a bed, plain +enough it is true, but luxurious after the cold doorsteps, and she now +helped Jessica to undress. "Poor thing, you are quite cold; and what are +all these bruises? Ah! why will men be so cruel, when Heaven is so +kind?" + +"I don't know," said Jessica, who took the question as directed to +herself. "I don't know anything. Besides, all men ain't cruel. _He_ +wasn't; he was kind--oh, so kind!" + +"He--whom?" said the Sister. Then, as the girl did not reply, she looked +hard at her and sighed again. + +"Now you will sleep," she said, "Will you kiss me?" + +With the impulsiveness of girlhood Jessica threw her arms round the +linen-banded neck and kissed the Sister's pale face." + +"Good-night," she said. + +The Sister smoothed the coarse pillow, covered her up, and went softly +from the room. + +When Jessica awoke the woman was again beside her with a cup of tea, and +some bread-and-butter. But the girl refused to eat. + +"I am not hungry. I am not tired now, either, and I will go." + +The Sister put her hand on the girl's arm. "Not yet," she said. "Where +have you to go?" + +"Nowhere," Jessica answered listlessly. + +"Then stay with me," said the woman kindly. "See"--she brought a basket +to the bedside--"here's some work. I will teach you to do this, and we +will live together. Will you not stay?" + +Jessica looked at the work, and silently nodded acquiescence. But +nevertheless she sighed. To a nature such as hers freedom was life +itself, and she was bartering it away for mere food. Besides, how could +she now follow the one who had been so kind to her? + +But she stayed, and patiently worked all day, striving earnestly to +catch the knack of the needle, and emulating the tireless industry of +the Sister, who worked thus during daylight that she might pursue her +mission of mercy and succour at night. Thus passed some days, and then +Jessica's blood grew restless; the narrow room seemed to her stifling +and unendurable, and she pined for the open air, as a caged blackbird +longs for its native woods. + +The longing grew so irresistible that at last she succumbed to it; and +one day, finding herself alone, she threw down the piece of work on +which she was employed, and rising, snatched up her weather-stained hat. + +"I can't stay," she sobbed; "I can't breathe here! I must go, or I shall +die. I'll leave before she comes back. Oh! I wish she had not been so +kind to me. I feel a worthless, miserable, ungrateful creature!" + +Then she stole down the stairs, very much as she had slipped away from +Adrien's residence, and gained the streets anew. + + + + + CHAPTER VII + + +It was the night of the great ball at Lady Merivale's town house. A Blue +Hungarian Band was playing dreamily the waltz of the season, to the +accompaniment of light laughter and gaily tripping feet. The scent of +roses filled the air. Masses of their great pink blooms lurked in every +small nook and corner; while in the centre of the room, half-hidden by +them, a fountain sent its silver spray into the heated air. + +If wealth and luxury alone could bring happiness, then surely Eveline +Merivale should have been the most envied woman in the world. A renowned +beauty, a leader of fashion, with every wish and ambition +gratified--save the one which, at present, the chief object of her +life--to enslave and retain, as her exclusive property, Adrien Leroy. + +Her husband, the Earl of Merivale, she regarded as a necessary +encumbrance, inevitable to the possession of the famous Merivale +diamonds. His hobby was farming, and he detested Society; though quite +content that his wife should be made queen so long as he was left in +peace with his shorthorns. + +Certainly Eveline Merivale was not in love with her husband; but, on the +other hand, neither was she in love with Adrien Leroy. It simply added a +zest to her otherwise monotonous round of amusements to imagine that she +was; and it pleased her vanity to correspond in cypher, through the +medium of the Morning Post, though every member of her set might have +read the flippant messages if put in an open letter. There was a spice +of intrigue, too, in the way in which she planned meetings at their +mutual friends' houses, or beneath the trees of Brierly Park, or at +Richmond. + +Not for worlds would her ladyship have risked a scandal. She prized her +position, and loved her diamonds far better than she was ever likely to +love any human being under the sun. Still, it was the fashion to have +one special favourite; and it was a great thing to have conquered the +handsome and popular Adrien Leroy. It was little wonder, therefore, +that, when midnight had struck and still Leroy was absent from her side, +Eveline Merivale beneath the calm conventional smile, was secretly +anxious and inclined to be angry. + +She was looking her best to-night; and although she had already been +surfeited with compliments from duke to subaltern, she yet longed to +hear one other voice praise her appearance. There was, indeed, every +reason why Lady Merivale should be lauded as the greatest beauty of her +time, for she carried all before her by the sheer force of her +personality. Dazzlingly fair, with hair of a bronze Titian hue, which +clustered in great waves about her forehead; her eyes of a deep, +lustrous blue, shading almost to violet. To-night she would have borne +off the palm of beauty from any Court in the world, for her dress was a +creation of Paquin, and enhanced to perfection her delicate colouring, +which needed no artificial aids. + +Diamonds glistened round her perfect throat, upon her head rested a +magnificent tiara of the same stones, her hands flashed as if touched +with living fire. She might have stood as a figure of Undine--as +beautiful and as soulless. + +All around her the little band of courtiers thronged ever-changing, and +passing on to the ball-room as others eagerly took their place. +Half-past twelve struck, and she grew more impatient; the blue eyes +sparkled frostily, the red lips became more tightly set. + +"Lady Merivale looks riled," Mortimer Shelton said to his partner as +they passed her. "You can see that by the sweetness of the smile with +which she has just favoured Hadley. She wishes him anywhere--I know. +Funny thing about you ladies! the madder you are with one poor +dev--fellow, the sweeter and deadlier you are to the rest of us." + +His partner laughed; she was a bright little brunette, flushed with the +dance, and thoroughly happy. + +"Why should we wear our hearts upon our sleeves for cynics such as you +to peck at?" she replied. "The art of dissembling is one of our few +privileges. But do you think the Countess is angry? She is so +beautiful." + +"Marvellous!" exclaimed the cynic, raising his eyebrows. "Dear Lady +Chetwold, is it possible that I hear one beautiful woman praise +another's looks?" + +The little lady flushed. + +"It would be a greater marvel still if you men gave us credit for just a +_little_ generosity. But, tell me Mr. Shelton, where is Adrien Leroy?" + +"My dear lady," said Shelton, with a wicked twinkle in his eyes, "if I +knew that Lady Merivale would be down on me like the proverbial load of +bricks. He was to have been here; but his movements are as uncertain as +her ladyship's smiles. See, she has fairly extinguished poor +Hadley--drowned in sweetness!" + +"You are a horror," laughed his companion as the waltz came to an end. +"I shall be quite afraid of you in the future--I'd no idea you were so +cynical." + +"I could never be cynical with _you_," he said gallantly. "By the way, +have you seen Prince Pfowsky to-night?" + +"Yes," said Lady Chetwold, "I am engaged to him for the next dance--if +he remembers it. He is always so forgetful." + +"'Put not your trust in princes,'" quoted Shelton. "But if his Highness +should be so ungrateful, perhaps you will allow me the pleasure----" + +"Certainly not," she retorted brightly; "Caesar or nothing!" + +"And here he comes," laughed Mortimer; adding softly, as the Prince came +up to claim his partner, "and here is some one even more +interesting--look." + +Lady Chetwold followed the direction of his gaze and saw Adrien Leroy +advancing up the rose-decked room. As usual, his appearance created +something like a stir, for he was popular with men and women alike, and +no smart gathering seemed quite complete without him. But the young man +appeared totally unconscious of the interest he was evoking as he bent +over his hostess's hand with a murmured greeting, then turned to make +his bow to the Prince, who, as firm an admirer as the rest of Society, +had paused to exchange a word before the dance commenced. + +Adrien sank on to the velvet lounge beside the Countess. + +"Don't scold me, belle amie," he said in his soft tones; "lay the blame +on Mr. Paxhorn. I dined with him at the club. You know what Paxhorn +is--there was simply no getting away. But, now, have you saved me a +dance?" + +"You do not deserve one," she said, all the irritation melting beneath +the magic of his smile and the music of his voice. + +"It's a mercy," he retorted lightly, "that one does not get all one's +deserts in this world!" + +"I saved you the next," she said, giving him her programme. "You see, I +am as foolishly forgiving as ever." + +"You are gracious and sweet!" he murmured in her ear. "How could you +ever be otherwise?" + +The soft phrase passed unreproved. + +"You have been down to Barminster again?" she inquired. + +"Yes," he replied, as he settled himself more comfortably. + +"You have been very attentive to your father lately," she said a little +suspiciously; "I thought filial affection was not the Leroys' strong +point." + +"Nor is it," he said with a laugh; "but it is business, my dear Eveline, +odious business, into which Jasper inveigles me." + +"I thought Mr. Vermont was the new machine that was to save you +trouble?" + +"Yes, that's what I thought," was the languid reply. "But one has to +turn the handle, even of machines. There are signatures, and leases, and +Heaven knows what besides." + +"How is Lord Barminster?" she inquired. + +"Splendid." + +"Lady Constance also well?"--with the slightest tinge of restraint in +her voice. + +"Yes," he answered indifferently; adding, "but you haven't asked after +'King Cole.'" + +"Ah, no, but you would have told me at first if anything had been wrong +with him." + +Leroy smiled. He knew that to be true. + +"He will win, you think?" she asked anxiously. + +"Oh, yes!" was the careless reply. "Vermont says there is nothing to +touch him." + +The countess raised her eyebrows. + +"You trust this Vermont with a great deal, Adrien. Your horses, your +wine, and your legal business. He must be a wonderful man." + +"Yes," he answered confidently. "Jasper's a treasure. Nothing comes +amiss to him. I should be in my grave if I had to face half the worries +he wrestles with daily. Come," he added, as the first bars of the new +waltz floated from the gallery; and with a sigh of enjoyment she rose +for the promised dance. + +"No one's step suits me like yours," she breathed, when they paused for +rest. "Adrien, shall I back 'King Cole' for another two hundred?" + +The two sentences were, perhaps, rather incongruous, but curiously +characteristic of her ladyship; for, in addition to a natural love of +intrigue, she had a partiality for betting on the turf and speculation +on 'Change--both, of course, sub rosa. + +"Oh, yes," he said, as they started again. "Jasper has put two thousand +more of mine on to-day. There he is," he broke off, as the sleek, +carefully dressed figure of Mr. Vermont entered the ball-room. + +"Talk of angels," murmured Lady Merivale, but with a glance implying +that she meant a being very far removed from that celestial grade. + +Jasper Vermont did not excel at dancing; yet, strange to say, he was +invariably invited to every big function of the season. Indeed, the +hostesses of Mayfair would almost as soon have omitted the name of +Adrien Leroy himself as that of his friend. + +It was difficult to explain this other than on account of his engaging +amiability. Probably Vermont would have transformed the famous advice of +Uriah Heep to "Always be obliging." Certainly, no pleasanter company +could be found, whether for man or woman; whatever the hour, however +mixed the company, Jasper Vermont had always a smile, a jest, or a new +and piquant scandal. In the smoking-room he would rival Mortimer Shelton +in apparently good-natured cynicism. In a duchess's boudoir he would +enliven the afternoon tea hour with the neatest of epigrams and the +spiciest slander of her Grace's dearest friend. Nothing came amiss to +him; as Adrien Leroy had once said, he was "a walking encyclopaedia." + +Yet with all Mr. Vermont's charm of manner, he could resent, smiling +still, an impertinence or a snub, and deal back a tongue thrust that +would effectually put his opponent hors de combat. Truly of him might be +quoted, "I smile, and murder while I smile." + +To-night he was apparently enjoying the gay scene before him. His sharp +black eyes were like little snakes, darting here, there, and everywhere, +while he wagged his smooth head to the time of the music, as if in keen +enjoyment. + +Mortimer Shelton noticed him; "gloating over his future victims," he +commented, almost audibly, as he and his partner passed close to where +he was standing. Vermont, however, apparently did not hear him, but +continued to smile, amiably as the dancers whirled by. + +It was nearly daybreak when the carriages drew up outside the great +house to take the guests to their respective homes; and, having +successfully steered a young marchioness into her electric brougham, +Leroy found himself standing close to Vermont, not far from where his +own motor awaited him. + +"They call this pleasure, Jasper," he said, almost scornfully, watching +the struggling, aristocratic crowd with a half-contemptuous smile on his +lips. "Why, it's hard work. They fight and push for the sake of a few +hours spent in a crowded, poisoned room; and there's no prophet to rise +up and proclaim it madness." + +"No," laughed Vermont cynically; "prophets nowadays have no liking for +being stoned; and, after all, life would be unendurable, were it not for +its pleasures. Let me remind you that it is nearly four o'clock, and you +are due at Lord Standon's rooms." + +With a sigh Leroy turned and jumped into the motor, followed by his +faithful squire; and the powerful car hooted its way through the +twilight of the dawn. + +They reached Lord Standon's chambers, to find the finish of a theatre +party. The room was filled with beautiful women, mostly stars of the +musical comedy stage, including Ada Lester, who was evidently on her +best behaviour. + +Here, amidst light and laughter, the goddess of pleasure was being feted +by her youthful worshippers, and none appeared a more eager votary than +Adrien Leroy. Yet, as he stood, champagne glass in hand, propounding the +toast of the evening--or rather morning, for the dawn was breaking in +the sky--there was none to tell him of the impending cloud of treachery +that hung over his head. None who dare warn him to beware of the +friendship of--Mr. Jasper Vermont. + + + + + CHAPTER VIII + + +High up in the woods of Buckinghamshire stood Barminster Castle, so old +that one-half of its pile dated back to Norman times; while the whole, +with the wings and parts added by the successive generations of Leroys, +might have passed for a royal palace by reason of its splendour and +magnificence. + +Needless to say, the Leroys were proud of their ancestral home, for +there had been Leroys since William the Conqueror had calmly annexed the +land on which it now stood, and had given it to his faithful baron, +Philip Le Roi. But they valued still more the love and respect of their +people, who in hamlet and village surrounded the castle as naturally as +did the woods. + +Yet the present Lord Barminster had done little to keep the flame of +loyalty alight in the hearts of his tenants. He was an old man, nearing +seventy, tall, white-headed and haughty--every feature clear-cut, as if +carved from marble. Few people had ever seen the stern lines of that +face relax in light-hearted laughter since the death of his young wife, +which had occurred a few years after the birth of Adrien. None, outside +his immediate family circle, had ever known the curtness of his speech +to be softened unless in sarcasm; and his habitual expression was one of +haughty tolerance. + +His friends feared him, even as they respected him, for if he had the +faults of his race, he also possessed its great virtue--justice. No man, +prince or peasant, friend or foe, ever appealed to Lord Barminster for +that in vain. + +Now, in the clear brightness of the spring morning he paced to and fro +on the south terrace. + +Behind him glittered the long French windows of the morning-room, one of +which stood open, revealing the luxury of the room beyond; the table +with its silver and delicate china service, and the purple hangings of +the walls. + +Presently he stopped in his stroll and turned his stern eyes towards the +landscape stretching beneath him. Through the confusion of the dark +woods there lay a long line of turf, cut here and there by formidable +hedges, and divided by a streak of glittering silver, which was in +reality a dangerous stream--indeed, higher up it became a +torrent--forming the final obstacle of the Barminster steeple-course. +All the Leroys had been fond of horses. The Barminster stables had sent +many a satin-coated colt to carry off the gold cup; and this race-course +had been carefully kept and preserved by the family for many +generations. + +While he stood gazing on it a light footstep sounded behind him, and a +slender hand was laid on his shoulder. He turned slowly, and with a kind +of kingly courtesy kissed the long white fingers. + +"You are early as usual, Constance," he said approvingly. + +Lady Constance Tremaine smiled as she turned with him and walked along +the mosaic pavement of the terrace. She was little more than a girl, +with a slim, graceful figure, and clad in a simple white morning gown, +which served to enhance her youthful beauty. Her face was a pure oval, +with clear-cut features and an exquisitely curved, sensitive mouth, +while her grey-blue eyes gazed from beneath their thick lashes with a +calm serenity that bred faith and confidence in those who looked upon +them. Crowned with a wealth of pale golden hair, together with her +delicate complexion, she looked as if she had stepped from one of the +old Florentine pictures of the saints. + +As the two so typical of youth and age stood side by side in the clear +morning light, the resemblance between them was marked. Indeed, they +were related, for the Tremaines were a distant branch of the Leroy +family, and the same proud blood ran in their veins. Lady Constance had +been brought up in the Barminster household, and Adrien had grown to +regard her in the light of a loved and trusted sister; but, as yet, +nothing more. + +"Won't you come in to breakfast?" she said, as they reached the end of +the terrace. "Aunt Penelope is not coming down; her nerves are bad this +morning." + +Miss Penelope Leroy, Lord Barminster's only sister, was not strictly +speaking Constance's aunt, merely a distant cousin; but as a child +Constance had been accustomed to call her so, and the habit had grown up +with her. + +Lord Barminster smiled grimly. + +"I advised her to let the cucumber alone last night," was his only +comment as he turned towards the breakfast room. + +Constance smiled too, for she knew that when Miss Penelope complained of +her nerves, it was in reality nothing but a case of indigestion. + +"How bright the course looks this morning!" she said, with a charitable +wish to change the subject, for Lord Barminster was apt at times to wax +caustic over his sister's small weaknesses. + +"Yes," he said grimly; "like all things dangerous, it is pleasant to the +eye. I hate that strip of green--it is the grave of many a Leroys' best +hope. The turf has always been a fatal snare to our race. But, come," he +broke off, "let us go in. Thank goodness, Adrien arrives to-day." + +"To-day?" repeated Lady Constance, a delicate flush rising to her sweet +face. "I thought he was not going to arrive until the morning of the +race." + +"The race is to-morrow, but he comes to-day," answered Lord Barminster. +"I had a note from him last night saying he would be here by lunch time, +and was bringing a few friends down with him." + +"And Mr. Vermont, too?" inquired Lady Constance almost timidly. + +The old man's face darkened and his thin lips set in a hard line. + +"Yes," he said fiercely, "I suppose so. Adrien is as much in love with +him as a young fellow with his first sweetheart. I know that he's a +scoundrel and a rogue--but there, what would you? Times have changed +since my day; we have replaced horses by motors, to spoil our roads and +ruin our lands, and gentleman friends by base-born, scheming +adventurers." + +"Oh, but, uncle," Lady Constance timidly remonstrated, "surely Mr. +Vermont is a gentleman?" + +"Yes, by Act of Parliament!" snapped the old man, in whose aristocratic +eyes a lawyer was but little removed from the criminal whose case he +defended. + +"Certainly it is strange that Adrien should be so attached to him," the +girl said musingly; she, herself, had little liking for the gentleman in +question, though her sense of justice had made her speak a good word for +him. "But he is a clever steward, at least." + +"A rogue's only virtue," said Lord Barminster dryly. + +"Amusing, too," she suggested. + +"We've no longer need of a court jester," returned her companion, with +sarcasm. "But never mind, Adrien will find out his mistake for himself +one day. Certainly, I am not going to attempt to strip the mask off his +friend's face. Give him rope enough, and he will hang himself. +Meanwhile, give me some more coffee, and leave the fellow's name alone; +I hate even the thought of him." + +Lady Constance refilled his cup and brought it to the end of the table, +for she loved to wait on the old man. As she did so, his sharp eyes +caught the glitter of a piece of needlework across the back of her +chair, and with a curt gesture towards it, he said: + +"What is that?" + +She blushed, almost deeply, then took it up, and opened it out for him +to see. It was a silk riding jacket, in the scarlet and white racing +colours of the Leroys, and their coat of arms, worked in silver, upon +the breast. + +"For the Grand National," said Lady Constance, as she refolded the +jacket. + +"You worked it yourself?" questioned the old man abruptly. + +"Yes," she replied, blushing again. Then, as he was silent for some +minutes, she said almost timidly: "You do not mind, uncle, do you?" + +He started. "Mind! Good Heavens, child, why should I? You know the wish +of my heart only too well. What better favour could he wear than yours? +As far as I am concerned, you were plighted in your cradles. Leroy and +Tremaine are no unequal match. No--no--my dear, make his jacket, and win +his heart--if you can!" + + +Some few hours later, panting and throbbing, the Daimler motor drew up +in the Castle courtyard--Adrien and his friends had arrived for the +great steeplechase. + +Attracted by the sound of the barking dogs, who apparently disliked the +unaccustomed monster--Lord Barminster himself invariably using +horses--Lady Constance stepped from her room on to the balcony which +looked down upon the courtyard beneath. The gentlemen's hats flew off in +greeting, and, as Adrien looked up, an unusual thrill ran through him as +he noted the simple beauty of the girl above him. + +"We thought we'd left the sun behind us, Constance, but evidently 'she' +is still overhead," he said, smiling. + +She looked down with mock reproof, playfully shaking at him a flower +which she held in her hand. + +"I thought compliments were out of date, Adrien. Have you enjoyed your +drive?" + +"Not half so much as the welcome," was the courteous reply, as he caught +the rose which she had let fall. + +She laughed, and blushed a little, then turned to the other members of +the party, who had now alighted from the car. + +"Ah, Lord Standon, I did not know you were coming." Then, as that young +man's face lengthened, she added quickly: "Unexpected pleasures are +always welcome. I am glad to see you, Mr. Paxhorn." + +After a word of greeting to Mortimer Shelton, she drew back into her +room; while the men, laughing and chatting, passed into the great hall, +where they found Lord Barminster awaiting them. His stern face softened +into a welcome, as, with outstretched hand, he came forward to greet his +guests. + +"Ah, Shelton!" he said, "so you keep my boy company, and you, Paxhorn +and Standon. Gentlemen, you are welcome--though there's no need to +remind you of that, I know. Adrien," turning to his son, "you have a +fine day, did you drive or ride?" + +"We motored down, sir," answered the young man, in his soft, melodious +voice. + +His father frowned slightly. He heartily detested all modern +innovations, and would never hold that motors--or, indeed, any increased +facilities for travelling--were improvements. "They breed discontent, +sir," he would declaim vigorously. "In my young days people were content +to stay in the place in which they had been born, and do their duty. +Now, forsooth, they must see this country and that, and visit a dozen +places in the year, where their grandparents visited one. Anything for +an excuse to fritter away their hard-earned savings!" + +On this occasion, however, he made no comment, but turned to Mortimer +Shelton. + +"You'll find the roads here better suited for horses than for oil-cans," +he said grimly. "We are primitive, as you know." + +Shelton laughed; but he knew his host's ideas on this subject, and was +apt to respect them. + +"So much the better, sir," he said in a cheerful tone; "I am a bit tired +of the smell of petrol myself. Give me Nature without a corset." + +"You'll certainly get that here," Lord Barminster replied, favouring his +young guest with an approving glance. + +Shortly afterwards, they made their way to the morning-room. Here, +luncheon had been laid, and Lord Barminster, Miss Penelope, with Lady +Constance, were awaiting them. The little party sat down to table, each +one secretly only too ready for the meal; for the ride through the +fresh, country air had been a fairly long one. + +"I was really hungry, Constance," Adrien said, with his low, careless +laugh. "There must be magic in the air of Barminster." + +"Yet still you come here so seldom," returned his cousin gently. + +"Business and the cares of State," quoted Adrien, with a smile. "But I +might retaliate. Why do we not see you up in town? Society misses one of +its brightest stars." + +Lady Constance toyed idly with the grapes on her plate; then she looked +up. + +"Society has many brighter lights than I, Adrien," she said quietly. +"But now, tell me about the race--auntie is terribly anxious over it; +are you not, dear?" + +"Yes, my love," returned Miss Penelope, who, in reality, hardly knew one +horse from another. + +"Oh, Adrien always wins," put in Lord Standon. "That's a foregone +conclusion. Have you seen the 'King' lately, Lady Constance?" + +"Oh, yes," she replied, "He is exercised in the paddock every morning, +and is in fine form." + +Adrien smiled. + +"Poor 'King Cole'; he'll be worth his weight in gold if he wins +to-morrow! What about the other horses, Stan; are they down?" + +"Yes," replied Lord Standon; "my man saw some of them at the station; +but no sign of the Yorkshire chestnut." + +"So much the better," said Adrien; "perhaps his owner has thought +discretion the better part of valour and withdrawn him." + +The conversation then flowed into other channels; Paxhorn provoking +roars of merriment by his stories and epigrams. Presently the ladies +withdrew; Lady Constance to prepare for a ride with Adrien, which he had +just suggested, and Miss Penelope to rest her "nerves." + +While waiting for his cousin to rejoin him Adrien crossed over to the +window, which commanded a view of the Castle entrance, and stood gazing +idly down. Outside stood a smart motor, and from it was alighting the +trim figure of Jasper Vermont. + +"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "I had forgotten Jasper." + +He tapped at the window, and waved his hand in affectionate greeting to +his friend, who looked up with his most amiable smile, as he brushed +aside the servants who had hurried out to meet him. + +There are people who are served well from sheer force of personality, +and who, though neither generous nor unselfish themselves, yet contrive +to abstract the very essence of these qualities from those around them; +and of these Jasper Vermont was one. His tips were few, though he was +lavish in smiles and honeyed words; yet not one of the retinue of +servants at Barminster Castle but would fly to attend to his wants, as +they would those of Adrien or Lord Barminster himself. + +A few minutes later he strolled into the room where the rest of the +guests were seated. As he did so Lord Barminster involuntarily drew +himself up with a slight frown. He had hoped that the "adventurer," as +he invariably termed him, would remain in town and not thrust his +unwelcome presence upon the guests at the Castle. But, in another +minute, his natural courtesy reasserted itself; and, though it was +patent to the least observant that the new arrival was not as welcome as +he might have been, he answered Jasper's amiable inquiry as to his +health politely enough. + +"Thank you, Mr. Vermont," he said grimly, "I am quite well. But you, I +fear, are an invalid." + +His sharp eyes glanced towards the closed motor, which was gliding round +the bend of the drive. + +"No, sir, I am quite well, I assure you," Jasper replied, meekly, as if +unconscious of any irony. + +"But I have learned enough wisdom to feel convinced that all journeys, +including that of life itself, should be taken as comfortably as +possible. I prefer, therefore, to have the dust and smell outside the +car instead of in. Am I not right?" + +"Perfectly," returned his opponent, with a sarcastic smile; "you should +surely know your own constitution best. It was an unfortunate error on +my part." + +At this moment, Adrien, who had been listening to the point-and-thrust +conversation, exceedingly ill at ease, intervened, and under some +pretext drew his father out with him into the corridor. + +"I do detest that fellow so," said the old man apologetically, as though +ashamed at having displayed his feelings. + +"It's a pity, sir," returned Adrien, respectfully; for his father was +the only person who dared say a word in disfavour of his friend. "He +takes any amount of pains to save me trouble." + +"Well, it pays him," retorted Lord Barminster dryly; then with a wave of +the hand as if to dismiss an unpleasant subject, he added, "You're off +to the stables, I suppose?" + +"Yes, sir," replied Adrien, "I want to have a look at 'King Cole.'" With +a friendly nod, he ran lightly down the wide oak staircase and +disappeared in the direction of the stables. + +For a few moments Lord Barminster stood gazing after him, his stern face +relaxed, his keen eyes softened. Adrien was more to him than all his +possessions, which were vast enough to have provided for a dozen sons. +Therefore, he denied him nothing, however extravagant or reckless in +price, and refrained from any comment on his line of conduct. + + + + + CHAPTER IX + + +Adrien's appearance in the stable-yard was the signal for much +excitement among the hands there; and presently the head groom made his +appearance, struggling into his coat, while coughing with embarrassed +respect. + +"Good morning, Markham," said his master with a nod; "where's the +'King'?" + +"In the south stable, sir," replied the man, as he fumbled in his pocket +for the keys. "You would like to see him, sir?" + +Adrien nodded, and made his way to the stable, accompanied by the groom. + +"No one else is allowed to enter the stable but yourself, Markham?" he +asked, as the man unlocked the door. + +"No one, sir. I'm always here when he's being littered or fed. Not a +soul touches him without I'm at his side. He's in fine condition, sir; I +never saw him in better." + +Adrien passed his hand over the satiny coat of the race-horse. The +dainty creature pricked up his finely-pointed ears, and turned to his +master with a whinny of delight. + +"He looks well enough," he admitted. "Has he had his gallop this +morning?" + +"Yes, sir; but would you like to see him across the paddock?" + +"Yes," said Adrien. "By the way, who rides him to-morrow?" + +"Peacock, sir." + +"Ah, the new jockey." + +"Yes, sir; Mr. Vermont's lad," returned the groom. + +"A good seat?" asked Adrien. + +"Capital, never saw a better, sir, and weighs next to nothing. I'll send +for him." He whistled, and half a dozen stable helpers rushing forward, +he despatched them to find the jockey. While waiting, the groom had the +precious "King" brought into the yard and saddled; and in a few moments +the man arrived. Markham had called him a lad; but in reality he was +almost middle-aged, with the stunted stature of a child. Adrien looked +him over critically. + +"So you ride the 'King' to-morrow?" he asked. + +"Yes, sir," replied the dwarf humbly. + +"Let me see you take him round the paddock," said Adrien. The man threw +off his coat, showing himself to be in shabby riding costume; then, +vaulting into the saddle, he took the racer to the meadow at the back of +the stable-yard. Adrien watched the bird-like flight of the superb +animal, and nodded approvingly when he presently returned to the +starting-point. + +"You'll do," he said, as the jockey dismounted; "ride like that +to-morrow, and we shall win. There is something for you, but no +drinking, mind." + +He held out a ten-pound note as he spoke. The man stared at it for a +moment, then crouching almost like a dog, took it gingerly by the edge. + +"Don't be afraid, man; one would think you expected a blow," said +Adrien, with a smile. + +Touching his forelock, the man took the note, and Adrien turned away. As +he walked out of the stable-yard he happened to glance back at Markham, +who was re-covering the "King," and he saw that the jockey was still +gazing after him, with a tense, almost longing expression in his small, +deep-set eyes. + +"Poor devil!" said Leroy to himself as he went up the drive, "I must get +Jasper to do something for him, especially if he wins--I only hope he +doesn't get drunk!" + +In the courtyard Lady Constance's horse and his own were waiting for him +and in a few moments the girl herself appeared, accompanied by the +ever-smiling Jasper Vermont. + +Blessed by nature with a good figure, Art, as represented by French +modistes and Redfern, had put the finishing touches, with the result +that Lady Constance Tremaine, whether in evening dress or the blue cloth +riding-habit of the field, was a joy to the eye. As she stood now, +waiting Adrien's approach, he could not help mentally contrasting her +natural, spiritual type of beauty with the made-up and coarsened charms +of Ada Lester, and he wondered how he could have been so blind as not to +notice it before. + +He was not the only one who admired her. Jasper Vermont had elected +himself as the girl's chief slave, and whenever he was at Barminster +Castle invariably managed to carry out her lightest whims--indeed, would +even endeavour to forestall them. Now it was he who attended to her +saddle, and helped her into it before Adrien had fully realised what he +was about to do; and for once Leroy experienced just the least feeling +of resentment towards his devoted friend. + +For a while the two rode almost in silence; but after the first canter +Adrien reined up his horse close to that of his companion. Lady +Constance purposely brought the conversation round to his estates, for, +with all his dissipation and languor, Leroy was no indifferent landlord, +and Lord Barminster invariably referred all complaints--such few as +there were--to his son. + +"I'm sorry you would not renew the lease for Farmer Darrell," she said +gently; "he is almost heart-broken at having to leave Briar Farm." + +Adrien pulled up his horse sharply. + +"Farmer Darrell to leave Briar Farm!" he said quickly. "What do you +mean, Constance?" + +She looked at him steadily, as she replied: + +"I rode over there yesterday, and found them all in great trouble. They +told me Mr. Vermont, acting under your orders, had refused to grant them +new leases. I promised to speak to Uncle Phillip; but you know how angry +he gets whenever any one mentions Mr. Vermont's name, so I thought I +would ask you myself." She blushed crimson, as if at her own boldness. +"Of course, you mustn't do it just on my account, but--" + +"Mustn't I?" interrupted her cousin, looking keenly, almost +affectionately at the slim, girlish figure, and pretty piquant face. "I +should certainty grant whatever you asked me if it lay in my power. As a +matter of fact, however, I think Jasper said that, as they were unable +to make Briar Farm pay, would I lower the rent; and as that would be +creating a precedent for all the other tenants--I refused." + +Lady Constance nodded her head. "Quite right," she agreed; "but I happen +to know that the farm does pay splendidly, and--" + +"In any case, Constance," interrupted Adrien, almost tenderly, "it is +quite sufficient, if you wish it so. But I think--I am sure--Jasper must +have made a mistake." + +Lady Constance did not reply, but wisely changed the subject; she was +too clever to pursue her advantage, and she had gained her point--sown +the least little doubt of Mr. Jasper Vermont's rectitude in Adrien's +mind. + +Meanwhile, Mr. Vermont had also betaken himself to the stables; but he +did not ask to see "King Cole"--contenting himself with beaming +admiringly on Mr. Markham, while the head groom held forth on all the +precautions he was taking with regard to the precious animal's safety. + +"An' if he's got at, Mr. Vermont, sir, I'll eat my head," was his +parting speech. + +In reply to which Mr. Vermont murmured inaudibly, as he walked away: +"It's a lucky job, my good fellow, that I shan't make you keep your +word!" + +At the end of the plantation, beyond the stable buildings, there was a +little cottage attached to the straw-yard. Having reached this, Jasper +listened attentively; then, without any warning knock, he lifted the +latch, and entered. + +To all appearances the room was empty, save for some pieces of poor +furniture. But the visitor, blinking at the sudden transition from light +to darkness, walked over to a rough couch, where lay the misshapen +jockey Peacock, either asleep or deep in thought. Jasper shook him +angrily by the shoulder, and a sullen scowl darkened the little +monkey-like face as he recognised his visitor. + +"Well?" he said gruffly, without attempting to change his position. + +"Short, and not polite!" retorted Jasper, shaking him again. "Didn't I +tell you I'd come here to-day, you imp of darkness?" + +"You did, guv'nor," the man replied sullenly. + +"Well, here I am. You're not drunk, are you? Here--let's look at you." +With a cruel smile, the soft, amiable Mr. Vermont seized the ear of the +dwarfed jockey and dragged him to the light. "No, not drunk--for a +wonder. Well, you know what to do to-morrow?" + +The man nodded sulkily. + +"Tighten and choke off at the last hurdle. Mind you do it neatly, too. +You _can_ do it, I know; and it won't be the first little affair you've +sold, eh? You sold one too many, though, when you crossed my path, and +you know what will happen if you fail me." + +"All right," the jockey muttered hoarsely. + +"I hope it will be all right," said his persecutor, shaking him gently +to and fro by the ear. "If not, you'll find yourself in the care of a +paternal Government--I tell you--picking oakum." + +The man gave a sudden jerk and released himself from the cruel grasp; +then he looked up almost piteously. + +"Must we do it, guv'nor?" he said hoarsely. "I've seen 'im----" + +"Him! whom, you idiot?" + +"Him--Mr. Leroy--as we're to sell." + +"You're to sell, you mean, you gallows-bird," returned Jasper. + +The man eyed him viciously. + +"Yus," he growled, "you think you're going to git off scot-free, don't +yer? What if I don't do it? He giv' me a tenner, he did. 'E's a real +gent. What if I don't do it?" he repeated. + +Mr. Vermont's eyes narrowed till he looked like a snake about to strike. +Raising the riding-whip which he had in his hand, he seized the wretched +creature once more, and brought the whip down again and again on his +almost skeleton body. + +"Play me false, you hound, and I'll kill you," he almost hissed; and, +half beside himself with pain and rage, the jockey gasped brokenly: + +"Stop! stop! I'll do it." + + +It was just five o'clock when Lady Constance and Leroy returned from +their ride. During the course of it Adrien had realised something of his +cousin's beauty of character, as well as of face. Until that day he had +only regarded her as a younger sister, pretty, perhaps, in a quiet, +retiring way, but nothing more. Now, as he lifted her down from the +saddle, he could have bent and reverently kissed the little foot that +lodged so lightly in the stirrup. + +Woman-like, she was quick to notice the change in him, and her heart +beat high with hope. + +"He will love me yet," she whispered to herself triumphantly, as, with +outward calmness, she bade him au revoir till they should meet at +dinner. + +Adrien went straight to his own rooms. An unusual restlessness was upon +him, and his pulses throbbed wildly, but as yet he did not understand +what these things meant. He, who had played the lover so lightly all his +life, did not realise that it was now his turn to feel Cupid's dart, and +that he was becoming as deeply enamoured of his pretty cousin as any raw +boy straight from college. + +As he paced up and down his luxurious study, thoughtfully smoking a +cigar, his past life rose before him, with all its idleness and wasted +years. He knew that with most women he had only to throw down the glove +for it to be snatched up eagerly; women had loved him, petted and spoilt +him ever since he could remember. But here was one who thought of him as +nothing but a means to save her people--or, rather, his people---from +distress. It said much for Lady Constance's powers of reserve that she +had impressed him thus, and had she known it, nothing could have helped +her cause more. + +Throwing himself into a chair, the young man reviewed again the +incidents of their ride. How beautiful she had looked; how pointedly and +yet gently she had reproved him for his long absences from his estates +and the people who loved him. Well, it should come to an end now, and +there and then he formed a resolve to return to town directly after the +race, and go through his affairs with Jasper. His friend would help him +to lead a worthier and more useful life, he thought--if any one could do +so. + +When he went down to dinner that night few would have noticed any +difference in his calm face and demeanour; none, indeed, save Lady +Constance herself, who, with the subtlety which seems inbred in even the +best of her sex, devoted her attention almost exclusively to Mr. Jasper +Vermont. It was he who was allowed to sit next her at dinner; it was to +him she turned when the race, with which all present were concerned, was +the subject under discussion. + +Adrien noted all this, and his heart grew heavy within him. But he did +not grudge Jasper her favour--as yet; he blamed himself too deeply for +the neglect of his past opportunities. + +Jasper skilfully turned the conversation to Lady Merivale's ball, which +he described in detail to Lady Constance; adding many little realistic +touches concerning the fair hostess and Adrien, till he had convinced +her--as he thought--that there was a great deal more between them than +was really the case. For Vermont, as had been said before, was "no +fool"; and he realised only too well in what direction events were +tending with Lady Constance and her cousin. + +But she showed no signs either of understanding or misunderstanding his +allusions to Adrien, and began to discuss a ball which Miss Penelope was +trying to arrange. + +"Mr. Shelton, I am counting on you to help us," she said, turning to the +gentleman on her other side. "Auntie has been besieging uncle for the +last two months; and has, I think, carried the citadel." + +"What is the motive of the attack?" inquired Mortimer Shelton. + +"Aunt Penelope wants a fancy dress dance in the ball-room in the east +wing," she returned gaily, adding, as she looked across at her cousin, +who was listening attentively: "Adrien, if you would add your word, we +should get it. Won't you do so?" + +"A fancy dress ball here?" he replied. "But if my father has refused +you, it is scarcely likely that I shall have any more influence." He +turned to his aunt. "Why not have Barminster House, Aunt Penelope?" This +was the town house, supposed to be given up almost exclusively to the +young man's use, though he generally inhabited his own chambers in +Jermyn Street. "I will hand it over to you from cellar to attic, and +will bind myself to be your faithful slave from early morn to dewy eve." + +His aunt laughed. + +"No, thank you, Adrien, I know your idea of slavery," she said. "You +would hand it over to Mr. Vermont, and he does quite enough of your work +already." Vermont was a favourite with Miss Penelope, owing chiefly to +his frequent gifts of marron glaces--a great weakness of hers. +"Besides," she continued, "Barminster House is too modern. I want to +revive a ball, just as it happened two or three centuries ago. It must +be Barminster Castle or nothing." + +Adrien smiled across at her. + +"Your word is law, my dear aunt; but if I were you, and it comes off at +all, I'd leave the arranging of it to Jasper." + +Mr. Vermont beamed. Nothing seemed to please him so much as the idea of +work, especially when it involved the spending of money other than his +own. + +"I am at your service, dear lady," he said amiably. + +Miss Penelope rose, and gave the signal for the ladies to retire. + +"I shall take you at your word, Mr. Vermont," she said graciously, as +she passed out. + +After the ladies had gone, the wine circulated freely, and in the merry +badinage that followed it must be admitted that Jasper Vermont was the +life and soul of the party. He had the newest scandal at his +finger-tips, the latest theatrical news; and all was related in a witty +manner that kept his listeners in a perpetual roar of laughter. + +Adrien, though compelled by politeness to take his share in the +conversation, was yet glad when they adjourned to the silver +drawing-room. This was one of the smallest of the half-dozen +drawing-rooms in Barminster Castle, and was decorated entirely in blue +and silver. The furniture was upholstered in pale blue stain and silver +embroideries. Curtains, hangings, and even carpet, were all of the same +colour, while the mirrors and ornaments were entirely of silver. + +To-night, Lady Constance's dress matched the room, for it was of palest +azure silk, veiled with chiffon, on which were Etruscan silver ornaments +and silver-thread embroidery. It was a colour which suited her +shell-like complexion; and she looked her best in it. + +She was at the piano when the men entered; and Leroy, who was +passionately fond of music, and a musician of no mean order himself, +came straight over to her. At his request, Constance sang song after +song; while Vermont sat a little apart, listening, and occasionally +glancing thoughtfully at the beautiful profile of the singer. Then his +cold, malignant eyes would wander with an almost sinister expression +over the rapt face of his friend and benefactor, as he leaned over the +piano. But at any movement of the other guests his countenance would +assume its usual amiability of expression, as though a mask were +re-adjusted, while his fat, white hand softly beat time to the music. + +At last Lady Constance declared she was tired, and turned to Adrien, +begging him to sing instead. He hesitated for a moment; then, as if +throwing off the unusual moodiness that oppressed him, he seated himself +at the piano; and, after a few moments of restless improvisation, he +sang song after song from Schumann's "Dichter-liebe," with an intensity +of passion in the clear tenor notes that thrilled the soul of every +listener. + +In the silence which fell on the little company when the last chords +died away, Jasper Vermont, half-hidden by the curtain, opened the +window, and slipped out on the terrace. The moon shone full on his white +face, distorted with an unaccountable fury, as he muttered through his +clenched teeth: "Curse the fellow! How I hate him!" + + + + + CHAPTER X + + +The morning of the race dawned clear and bright, and the Leroy course +shone like a strip of emerald velvet in the crisp, sparkling air. + +Since sunrise, throngs of people, men, women, and children, had been +streaming in from the outlying districts, some many miles away; while at +the side of the course stretched a long line of vehicles of all kinds, +which had already disbursed their load. + +In twos and threes the late horses arrived swaddled in cloths, and +surrounded by the usual crowd of bow-legged grooms and diminutive +jockeys; while the air reeked with the smell of the stable and the oaths +and slang of the men. + +Later still came the bookmakers with their brisk, business-like method +of entering the bets, big or small; the "swell's" thousand or the +countryman's shilling were all one to them. And lastly, amid all the din +and turmoil of the most crowded meeting Barminster had ever witnessed, +came the army of the Castle servants to put the finishing touches to the +boxes in the grand stand, over which floated the Leroy colours. + +Towards noon, the hour at which the first race was to be run, the crowd +grew denser, the excitement keener. + +"Two to one on 'King Cole'--three to one 'Miracour'--and five to one +'Bay Star'--six to one, bar three"--all these cries rose in a loud, +turbulent roar. It was known to all that the "swells"--as they termed +the Castle people--had backed their champion "King Cole" for sums which, +as Jasper Vermont had rightly said the preceding night, would almost +equal his weight in gold; and such was their faith in him that no other +horse had been entered from that same county. + +Twelve o'clock struck, and no signs as yet of the Leroy party; that is +to say, with the exception of one man, namely, Mr. Jasper Vermont. + +"Your swells are always late," said a thick-lipped turfite, biting his +stubby pencil prior to booking a favourable bet. "They gives any money +for style, an' plays it high on us. It ain't their way to be to time for +anything, not they--only us poor chaps." + +The surrounding crowd echoed his shout of "two to one on 'King Cole,'" +despite his diatribes against the swells; when suddenly attention was +caught by a dark chestnut, thin in the flank, and badly groomed, which +was led into the paddock by a dirty, close-shaven countryman, who looked +as nonchalant and self-satisfied as if he held the bridle of "King Cole" +himself. + +Presently, while the crowd pushed around the sacred enclosure, Jasper +Vermont walked swiftly up to the Yorkshireman, and whispered behind a +sheltering cough: + +"That will do. Take him off. The plant's safe without him." + +Three minutes later, a laugh of derision arose as the announcement was +made that the chestnut was "scratched." But further discussion died +down, as the Leroy carriages arrived---only just in time, for the +saddling bell had already rang. + +The course was now looking its best. Long lines of glittering motors and +smart carriages had joined their humbler brethren of traps and +omnibuses. The seats and stands were filled with gaily-dressed people; +women in their furs, velvets and exquisite hats, giving the impression +from a distance of a huge living flower garden. + +On the appearance of Adrien Leroy, the excitement reached its height, +for he was known to everybody by name and sight, and was, moreover, the +owner of the favourite. + +The carriage containing Lord Barminster had been drawn up as near the +course as possible, and as far from the crowd as space would permit; for +his lordship invariably refused to mix with any concourse of people, +even when they consisted of his own order. + +Adrien, having seen that he was comfortable, escorted the ladies down to +their seats on the grand stand; then he betook himself to the paddock, +where "King Cole" had just been saddled. + +At the sound of the loved voice the beautiful animal turned his head, +with a whinny of delight. Then, as the two people he disliked with every +fibre of his being approached him--Jasper Vermont and Peacock, the +jockey--he laid his ears back with every appearance of alarm and +distrust. It seemed as if his animal instincts were keener than those of +his master. + +Leroy stroked the soft nose of the race-horse, while Jasper passed his +hand admiringly over the satiny neck. + +"Beautiful as a daisy," he exclaimed, and as Mr. Vermont would hardly +have recognised that humble flower if he had seen it, this was rather +qualified praise. + +"Too long in the leg," murmured a man whom Jasper had previously +introduced as a sporting friend of his. + +Adrien turned round and surveyed the speaker calmly for a moment. + +"Too leggy, you think, do you? I'll lay two to one upon them." + +"Done," said the man sharply. "Hundreds or thousands?" + +"Thousands," said Adrien quietly. + +Jasper touched him on the arm and whispered, in gentle remonstrance: + +"Steady, old chap, there's pots of money on him as it is. Don't you +think it would be as well--" + +"Make it thousands," interrupted Adrien, almost haughtily, as he turned +on his heel. + +The man booked the bet, bowed to Vermont, as to an utter stranger, and +the two gentlemen passed to the weighing-seat. Peacock had already gone +to don his riding-clothes, and without waiting to see him again, Adrien +and his companion returned to the grand stand. Here Leroy stopped to +speak to Lady Merivale, who, with her sister, the Marchioness of Caine, +had motored down from London to witness the race. + +The marchioness was a lady with a passion for bridge, and an intense +admiration for Adrien Leroy. + +"You are quite sure your horse, that pretty creature with the long neck, +is going to win?" she inquired, as he stood by her chair. + +Her sister, Lady Merivale, looked up mockingly. + +"Of course he's going to win, Alicia. Did not Lady Constance Tremaine +say so? Surely _she_ ought to know!" + +Leroy did not appear to notice the jealous sarcasm of this speech. + +"I hope he will win," he said gravely. "Nothing is certain in this +world, and race-horses are said to be as fickle as your sex, dear lady." +This was a mild thrust at Lady Merivale; but she only smiled sweetly in +response. "Still, I think you may safely bet on the 'King'; he's in fine +form." Then he turned to his cousin. "Here is your beau cavalier, +Constance," he said, almost jealously, as Jasper Vermont came leisurely +up the steps of the grand stand; then, with a swift glance at the girl +which was not lost upon Lady Merivale, he went down once more to his +father. + +"The bell is about to ring now," he said. "Are you sure you can see?" + +"Quite sure," replied Lord Barminster curtly. "How is the horse?" + +"In splendid form, sir," Adrien answered cheerfully. "I should think it +is a safe thing. If you are quite all right, I'll get back to the others +now, before the crush begins." + +His father nodded, and the young man made his way back to the stand. +Here he found the Castle guests already seated. Harsh cries from the +betting-ring still ascended at intervals, though the majority of the +vast crowd had settled down to watch the race. With a thrill of +pleasure, Adrien saw that Lady Constance had kept a seat vacant for him +beside herself; and with a light word to Lady Merivale as he passed, he +took his place, and unstrapping the heavy field-glasses, arranged them +to Lady Constance's liking. + +"Can you see all right?" he asked. + +"Beautifully," she replied, as she tried them. "What excitement they are +all in," she added, as she surveyed the seething crowd. + +Adrien smiled, pleased because she was pleased; for himself, except that +he wished his horse to win in order that it should gain fresh laurels, +he had no interest in the affair. Certainly he never gave a thought to +the fearful amount of money involved. + +Then, amid a murmur of excitement, the starting-gate went up, and the +horses were off. For a while "Miracour" led; "Bluebell" running close +beside him; the "King" striding along in cool, quiet canter that covered +the miles at greater speed than the little mare could hope to maintain. + +"There goes the 'King'!" exclaimed Lady Caine, almost rising from her +seat in her excitement. "Oh, I do hope he will win don't you, Mr. +Vermont?" + +Jasper smiled. + +"I do, indeed," he said, while his little steely eyes rested upon the +shrivelled figure of Peacock, the jockey, with a keen, cold scrutiny. + +Meanwhile the horses pounded away over the course, still in the same +order. "Miracour" leading, "Bluebell" falling behind, and the "King" +creeping up easily to the second place. + +The first fence placed nearly half the horses out of the running; the +next threw out two more, though the "King" cleared it in his stride, so +close in the wake of his rival that a speck of white foam flecked the +haunches of the leader. + +Adrien nodded approvingly. + +"That fellow knows how to ride," he said. "If he keeps the 'King' like +that, the race is ours." + +"Oh yes," agreed Vermont, smiling grimly; "he understands him, +evidently. It is to be hoped he keeps him cool till the spurt comes." + +"Which will be after the last jump," put in Lord Standon, as he shifted +his field-glasses. + +"Exactly," purred Jasper. + +Hedge after hedge was cleared, and still "Miracour" was leading; but it +was evident that the high blood of the "King" was burning to get away, +and that his jockey was playing a waiting game. + +It was at the stream that the strain began to tell. "Bluebell," the +Irish mare, had struggled on gamely; but at the last she refused to +leap, she stopped short, and her jockey was pitched forward into the +water. + +A laugh arose even in the midst of the excitement; but it was +speedily drowned in the cries of "The 'King' wins. No! No! +'Miracour!'--'Vicket'--beats. No! No! the 'King'--the 'King's' got +away!" + +They were right, for Peacock had thought it wisest to put the spurt on +already, and the "King," with every fibre stretched to its utmost, had +darted ahead. "Miracour" caught up again, and side by side they raced +over the level flat, cheered and shouted at by the frantic crowd. + +A roar like that of the sea broke forth as the two animals neared the +last obstacle, a great hedge filled with thorn, and like a miniature +mountain. Neck and neck they seemed to be, when suddenly the "King" +darted forward, and, amid terrific shouts of astonishment, took the leap +too short, fell sideways, and pitched his jockey into the short scrub, a +dozen feet away. + +"Miracour" rose for the leap, and clearing it, cantered in the winner by +sixty lengths. + +For a moment there was tense silence, broken by a roar of surprise, rage +and disappointment, as the crowd broke away and swarmed over the course +to the spot where the jockey still lay. A murmur of horror had also gone +throughout the length of the grand stand; but whether of disappointment, +or at the fall of the rider, it was hard to say. + +All eyes were turned on Adrien. His face was rather pale, but quite +calm, and closing up his field-glasses he said: + +"'Miracour' ran finely. I can't understand the 'King' falling at the +last jump. Jasper, let us go down and see if the fellow is hurt." + +Making their excuses to the ladies they hurried down the steps, and +strode swiftly over the course, the crowd making way for them in hushed +silence, for they recognised Leroy as the owner of the defeated +favourite. + +Reaching the spot from which the crowd was being kept back, they found +two men bending over the little heap of scarlet silk and leather. +Shelton, who had been one of the stewards, looked up as Adrien +approached, and shook his head. + +Adrien bent down beside him, and gazed at the thin, shrivelled face of +the jockey. + +"Have you sent for a doctor, Shelton?" he asked. + +"Yes," replied his friend in a hushed voice. "But I think he will be too +late, his spine----" + +At the sound of Adrien's voice, the heavy eyelids raised themselves; the +bloodstained lips parted as if about to speak. + +"What is it?" said Shelton, bending closer. + +"Where--where is he?" gasped the man in disjointed words. "I +want--to--see him." + +"Whom?" asked Mortimer Shelton gently. "Whom do you want to see, my poor +fellow?" + +Mr. Vermont pushed his way forward, his face alight with eager sympathy. + +"Perhaps I can be of use," he said, "I know him; perhaps he wants to +tell me----" + +The jockey raised his head. It seemed as if the soft, smooth voice gave +him strength to speak. He glared at Jasper, then his glance fell on the +pitying face of Leroy. With a sudden light in his eyes, he stretched out +his hand. + +"Him--him, the swell--I tell him the race--was--sold! He--Mr. +Vermont----" + +His breath came fast in great sobs; he glared from Adrien to Jasper, +then back to Leroy, as if seeking to convey some warning, but in vain; +with the last words, he fell back. + +A gentleman pushed his way forward. + +"Allow me, I am Doctor Blake," he said, and he knelt down beside the +still form. + +"He is dead," he declared solemnly, as he placed his hand on the body. + +The crowd fell back still further, with murmurs of horror. There was a +silence, broken at last by Jasper Vermont. + +"Dear, dear!" he exclaimed in tones in which, had it not been for the +absurdity of the idea, one might have fancied there was almost a spark +of satisfaction. "How very, very sad. I wouldn't have had this happen +for _anything!_" + + + + + CHAPTER XI + + +It was night and the race-course lay deserted and silent beneath the +pallid moon. The noisy crowd had tramped and driven its way back to +London. But there was one whom the noise and bustle of a race meet would +never rouse again--Peacock the jockey, who lay dead in the stable house. + +His death had cast a depression over the entire Castle, and though both +Adrien and his father--to say nothing of Jasper--had striven their +utmost to keep the minds of the guests away from the unhappy event, it +was yet an almost gloomy party that gathered after dinner in the silver +drawing-room. + +Nearly all had lost heavily through the fall of poor "King Cole." They +had had such entire faith in their champion, that his loss of the race +had come like a thunder-bolt; and most of all to Adrien himself. The +actual monetary loss did not seem to trouble him; indeed, it was +probable that he himself was unaware of the immensity of the sum +involved. Only Jasper knew, Jasper who wore his usual calm, serene +smile, and certainly worked hard to banish all regrets concerning such a +trifle as a dead steeplechaser, as well as any lingering memories of his +dying words. + +"One thing is certain," said Lord Standon to Lady Constance, who had +been sighing over the defeat. "Adrien will not allow any one to ride the +'King' again but himself. I heard him say so." + +"He has lost heavily, I'm afraid," the girl said in a low voice. + +"Immensely," replied Lord Standon, who himself had, lost more than he +could afford--indeed, there was little doubt that this race would almost +prove his ruin; but, nevertheless, his inordinate good humour and +optimistic nature triumphed above every other consideration. Certainly, +no word of blame or self-pity would he allow to pass his lips. "Yes, he +has lost more heavily than any of us, as Mr. Vermont knows; I'll be +bound," he broke off, as that gentleman approached. + +Jasper Vermont smiled, as he did at every question or assertion made to +him. + +"I'm afraid he has plunged deeply this time," was his smooth reply. +"Unfortunately, he only has himself to blame, though I deplore the fact +that I was not with him at the time." + +Both Lady Constance and Lord Standon looked up, startled by his tone as +much as by his words; and Jasper continued glibly: + +"He gave the jockey a ten-pound note last night, and, of course, the man +got drunk. Consequences--an unsteady hand this morning, a hasty push at +the last rise, and a clear loss of the race, not to mention the colossal +sum in bets. All his own fault! If he will be so recklessly generous, +what is to be done? But, as I said before, I blame myself for not +watching him more closely." + +"No one blames you, Mr. Vermont," said Lord Standon coldly, for even he, +the least suspicious of men, seemed to detect the false sorrow in the +speaker's voice. + +Lady Constance looked at him gratefully; and Lord Standon was encouraged +thereby to proceed: + +"Adrien is generous to a fault; and if in this case it has had +disastrous results, it is usually a fault which few imitate." + +Jasper raised his eyebrows; then, with a low bow to Lady Constance, and +a gentle, deprecatory shrug of his shoulders, walked away. + +The girl waited till he was out of earshot, then turned impulsively to +Lord Standon. + +"I hate that man," she said in a low voice; "and sometimes I believe he +hates Adrien too." + +"So do I," returned Lord Standon, looking with intense admiration into +her lovely, troubled face. + +"Do you?" she murmured. "Oh, if you would only try to open my cousin's +eyes to his friend's falseness--I know he's false, but Adrien is so +blind." + +It seemed as if he were blind in more than one direction; for at that +minute Leroy himself crossed the room, with an aspect that, in any other +man, would have been termed glum. The sight of the girl with whom he was +so rapidly falling in love, sitting in rapt conversation with Lord +Standon--even though that young man was his friend--had roused a strong +feeling of resentment within his heart. He restrained himself, however, +though it was in a rather cold, forced voice that he asked Lady +Constance if she would sing. She rose demurely enough; for his very +coldness and jealousy, slight as it was--careless as she knew it to +be--proved to her that the love she so ardently desired was awakening at +last. + +The evening passed quietly. Adrien himself refused to sing, though he +stayed close by his cousin's side, and turned over the pages of her +music with such a devoted air that at last the ladies of the party began +to whisper knowingly amongst themselves. + +Luckily for Adrien's peace of mind--for he loathed and dreaded scenes of +any description--Lady Merivale had not returned with the party to the +Castle, much as Miss Penelope had wished it. Eveline Merivale was only +too cognisant of what was passing between Lady Constance and her cousin; +and though she knew that Adrien and herself had merely played at love, +and greatly against his will, at that, still she was just as unwilling +to see him the devoted slave of another woman, who was younger, if not +more beautiful, than herself. + +After the ladies had retired for; the night, Adrien gave himself up to +unaccustomed reverie. The tenor of his life had been changed. The inane +senseless round of dissipation had begun to tire him; the homage and +flattery cloyed on his palate. And now, with his newborn love for +Constance filling his heart and mind, had come the overwhelming failure +of his beloved horse, and the death of his jockey; the last causing him +more pain than the light-hearted companions around him would have +believed possible. Neither had the half-defined charge made against +Jasper escaped his notice, though he had disdained to make any mention +of it. + +Shelton noticed his absent manner, as they smoked their last cigar +before going to bed. + +"Counting up the losses, Adrien?" he asked casually. + +Adrien started at the question, and smiled. + +"Not I," he said, "I leave that to Jasper--I call him my walking +account-book. I'm sorry you fellows were let in though; I can't +understand it; although"--with a rueful laugh--"I suppose it was my +fault with that tenner. Yet, I must say, I noticed the man as he +galloped past, and saw no, signs of anything wrong." + +"Nor I," put in Vermont. "I was in the weighting-room, and saw him +scaled. He was all right then. He always was white and seedy-looking. I +saw nothing wrong." + +"Nor I," echoed the others. + +Adrien lit another cigar, and the light fell full on his grave face. + +"The losses are heavy all round; yet, speaking for myself," he said, "I +would have rather dropped treble the amount than that poor fellow should +have lost his life by a horse of mine." + +"His own fault. It was absolutely a case of suicide," declared Lord +Standon angrily. "He put the 'King' to that last hurdle half a minute +too soon. The horse was not to blame; he would have taken the hedge, and +another on top of that, but for that unlucky spurt. 'Pon my soul," he +concluded hotly, "if I didn't know how well he'd been cared for, I +should have said it was done on purpose!" + +Unlucky youth! he little knew the harm he had done his empty pockets by +this rash speech. Jasper Vermont's eyes narrowed, as was their wont when +anything occurred to annoy him, and he registered a mental note against +the unfortunate peer's name. + +Adrien frowned, as he rose with the rest. + +"That is impossible," he said, almost sternly; "Jasper saw to that too +well. But, in future, no one shall ride the 'King' but myself; he's just +up to my weight," he concluded. "Jasper, enter him for the Cup. We will +give him a chance to retrieve this day's failure." + +Jasper had risen with him, and amid a volley of good-nights, the two men +passed into the corridor. As Adrien was about to ascend the stairs to +his own apartment, he turned to Vermont, and said quietly: + +"Jasper, I should like that poor fellow to have a Christian burial in +the private chapel; and if there are relations, find them out----" He +broke off abruptly. "There, you know better than I what to do, and how +to do it. Oh! just one word more; of course, I shall see that no notice +is taken of his delirious ravings. Good-night, old man." + +Jasper thanked him and returned his "good-night" with sympathetic +cordiality; then turned softly to his own apartment. Having reached it, +he gave himself up to a spasm of silent laughter. + +"Christian burial!" he chuckled. "Oh, yes, he shall have Christian +burial in the family vaults. Lucky job for me the hound died, or the +game would have been all up. As it is, that fool--that popinjay, almost +guessed. Well, deny everything and demand proof, that's my line. After +all, it's the very risks and chances that make the game so fascinating." + +He sat down and drew out a little note-book--only a very ordinary penny +note-book; for it was wonderful how mean this man could be when he had +to expend his own money. Save clothes, which necessarily had to be of +good material, though quiet in colour, he never failed to buy the +cheapest article obtainable; unless, of course, when, on the principle +of "throwing a sprat to catch a herring," he stood to make a profit. + +In this little book there lay the records of fortunes. A fortune spent +by Leroy--a fortune gained by Jasper Vermont. He smiled to himself, as +he closed one eye, and counted up the gains he had netted through this +day's work. + +"Eight--ten, with Yorkshire Twining's last little touch--ten thousands +pounds. Ah, if those fools knew how the 'intruder' was stripping them of +golden plumes, how mad they would be! Ten thousand pounds! But Twining +was too risky," he muttered, frowning at the recollection, "My grand +knight might have smelled a rat. Just like his noble lordship; two to +one, because some stranger doubts the strength of the animal's legs." + +He chuckled again as he thought how carefully he had stage-managed the +day's comedy. Of the tragedy into which it had been turned by the death +of his poor tool and accomplice, Peacock, he gave no thought, his whole +mind was bound up in his jealous hatred of Leroy. Just why he hated him +so he, himself, could hardly have explained; but with men of Jasper +Vermont's calibre, the mere fact that one possesses so much--wealth, +position, and popularity--while the other must perforce live by his +wits, is quite sufficient to arouse all the evil passions of which he is +capable. + +"A mighty regal way he has with him," he muttered again, as he put away +his book. "Ten thousand pounds! Go on, Jasper, my boy--persevere! The +game starts well, the winning cards are yours. Gentlemen, make your +game, the ball is rolling." + +With this invitation to mankind in general, and his titled and wealthy +acquaintances in particular, Mr. Jasper Vermont made his preparations +for the night. He kept no valet; men of his type seldom care to have +another in such close relations as must necessarily happen when one man +holds the keys of another. It has been said by some cynic, that "the man +who takes off your coat sees what is passing in the heart beneath it," +and with this statement Mr. Vermont probably agreed. + +"I am a simple-minded, rough-and-ready creature," he often assured his +friends; "a man to worry my tie, and force me to buy a new coat, because +he desires my old one, would drive me mad." + +So he undressed himself slowly, reckoning up his gains, smiling at his +mask of a face in the large mirror, and hatching his little plots every +knot he untied, every button he released. At last he got into bed, and +slept as easily and serenely as any simple-minded farmer. + + + + + CHAPTER XII + + +But that night Adrien Leroy could not sleep. Dismissing his valet, he +threw himself into a chair, and began to review the events of the day, +which had affected him more deeply than he would confess to. Then the +mere sight of Lady Constance with Lord Standon had convinced him that +any hope of ever winning her for his wife was at an end. For so many +years had he himself been wooed and sought after, without response, that +he was as ignorant of the rules of the game of love as any child. Love! +he had sneered at it, jested at its power all his life; but now he was +beginning to suffer from its pangs himself. He rose hastily, and +throwing open the window of his dressing room, stepped out on the +balcony. + +It was an exquisite night, and the stars shone like diamonds. Yet their +very distance and detachment from all things earthly only served to +deepen Adrien's melancholy. Before him stretched, in seemingly endless +vista, the woods and lands of his heritage. As far as eye could reach, +the earth and all within it and upon it belonged to him; and yet he +sighed for the love and devotion of one frail girl, which, had he but +known, were already his. + +As he walked to and fro, he was again assailed by a wholesome distaste +of his present empty, aimless existence, and a great longing came over +him to break away from it and start afresh. Yes! he was very tired of it +all. The men and women with whom he had up to this spent his time were +becoming abhorrent to him. The thought of the soft lips and glances that +had hitherto beguiled him, and lulled him into a state bordering upon +stupor, now filled him with shame. Love, that marvellous panacea, had +driven out the false, the impure visions of his heart, as surely and as +thoroughly as ever Hercules cleansed the Augean stables. + +The blood of his race stirred with him; he would have liked to have +snatched Constance, and borne her away on his trusty steed, as his +forefathers would have done. But instead he must stand aside, and see +her married to another. Nay, he himself would be asked to attend the +wedding, perhaps even give her away to the man who was surely no more +worthy of her than Adrien himself. + +Jasper Vermont had indeed done his work well. No sooner had he seen the +light of love shining in his friend's face, than he had set to work; +and, like the grim spider of evil he resembled, had filled Adrien's mind +with the suggestion that Constance loved--in fact, was secretly engaged +to, Lord Standon. + +His reasons for this were twofold. If Adrien married Constance, Ada +Lester would--whether with or without cause--hold him responsible, and +was more than capable of carrying out her threat to unmask him to his +patron. Moreover, Jasper looked upon Lady Constance with an appreciative +and covetous eye, and felt that if he could ever ingratiate himself with +her sufficiently for her to promise to become his wife, the summit of +his ambition would be reached. + +Adrien was easily deceived; for, with all his faults, he was not +conceited. He did not guess that Constance's very openly expressed +pleasure in the company of Lord Standon was to prevent the discovery of +her real and passionate longing for that of her cousin. + +Henceforth, he told himself, he must do his best to hide the pain that +was gnawing at his heart. Henceforward, the pleasure of life would be as +Dead Sea fruit to him. His hand fell on the balustrade in his +unconscious despair; and at that moment, another window farther down the +long balcony opened, and the figure of Lord Barminster stepped out into +the moonlight. + +Adrien was in no humour to meet even his father; he was too weary in +spirit to confront the old man's satire with his usual calm; so he +shrank back into the shadow of the buttress against which he leaned. But +Lord Barminster's eyes were quick to perceive him; and, striding +forward, he laid his hand on his son's shoulder. + +"Well, Adrien," he commenced, "what is wrong? Can't you sleep, or are +you given to spending the small hours in star-gazing?" + +"I might retort in kind, sir," returned Adrien, pulling his scattered +thoughts together, and smiling faintly. + +"Ah! I am old," said his father. "Age has its penalties as well as its +privileges; and the freedom to speak plainly is one of the latter. Come, +my boy, what is wrong? At your age I was happy enough; but you seem to +have taken the troubles of the world on your shoulders. Are you ill?" + +"No, sir, I am well enough," returned Adrien quietly. + +"Then are you worrying over your debts through that unlucky horse? +Because, although, as you know, I do not interfere with your money +matters as a rule, you are quite at liberty to draw on my bank if you +care to do so." + +His son turned to him affectionately. + +"No, no, sir," he said gratefully. "I don't suppose they are as bad as +all that. Jasper will see to them." + +The words were scarcely out of his mouth when he regretted them. His +father's face darkened; his eyes grew fierce. + +"Jasper! always Jasper," he snarled, even as Mortimer Shelton had done. +"It's a pity he didn't break his neck this morning, instead of his +miserable tool." + +Adrien uttered a protesting exclamation; he would have sacrificed +anything sooner than have given his father this opportunity to revile +his friend. + +"You must be blind, sir," continued Lord Barminster, now working himself +up into a rage. "Did not you see and hear enough from that jockey this +morning to make you realise what that precious friend of yours had done? +I tell you, Adrien, that Jasper Vermont bribed that miserable man to +rope your horse. For him, you have allowed your friends, my guests, to +be swindled out of their money." + +It was the first time in Adrien's recollection that the proud old man +had ever even hinted that Barminster Castle was not entirely his son's +yet; that the guests were those of his father's choice as well of his +own. + +Adrien's eyes blazed. + +"Father," he said in a low voice, but as hard as steel, "I know you have +always hated Mr. Vermont, but this goes farther than hate. Forgive me if +I ask you, but surely you have some proofs? Otherwise you would not have +accused him of such villainy. Give them to me, and I promise you to +punish him as severely as you yourself could wish." + +"Proofs!" his father repeated sternly with knitted brows. "What proofs +would such a clever scoundrel leave about? This morning's work should be +sufficient proof even to satisfy you." + +Adrien drew himself up to his full height, and confronted his father +with a resolute air. + +"It is no use, sir," he said. "I cannot take a drunken jockey's +ramblings as proof of such an awful thing as that. Jasper is my friend, +and besides, it is more to his interest to help me than to hate me." + +Lord Barminster sighed deeply. The experience of age had taught him the +impossibility of convincing youth against its will. + +"Well, my boy," he said, "have your own way, but mark my words, you will +live to repent your folly! I have no more proof, and to me no more is +needed. Men on their death-beds do not lie, and I am as firmly convinced +that Jasper Vermont forced that man to sell the race, as though I had +the confession on paper. Still, I will say no more; you are young, and +'Youth knows All.' Find out for yourself the man's character, I shall +not warn you again. You are placing your faith in a thankless cur; don't +grumble when he turns round and bites the hand that has helped him. As +for me, I will wait. Believe me, I would far rather know myself to be +wrong than deal you any further unhappiness, so let us drop the subject +for a time. I did not mean to bring up the man's name. I want to speak +to you of far more important things." + +His voice grew more grave, indeed almost solemn. + +"Adrien, I am an old man, nearing the grave, and, as is only natural, my +thoughts turn to the future of our race. You are the last of our line, +it is to you I look to carry it on. You are no longer a boy, with a +youth's follies and tastes; it is time you took up your +responsibilities." + +Adrien made as if to speak; but his father checked him, with a gesture +of his hand. + +"Stay, hear me out," he said. "When I was your age, your mother was at +my side, I had given the House of Leroy its son and heir. I was married, +and had left the lighter loves of the world for a more lasting and +responsible one. You know I have never interfered much with your life; +but though I am no longer of the gay world, I yet hear something of its +doings. You 'live the pace,' they tell me, and are the idol of the smart +set. Barminster Castle, Adrien, looks for something higher than that in +its lord and master. I repeat, sir, at your age I was married." + +"And loved," said Adrien softly. + +"Yes, indeed," exclaimed Lord Barminster, his face lighting up at the +thought of the woman whom he had lost, and mourned so long. "Your mother +was that which ranks above rubies, a good and virtuous woman, worthy of +any man's love." + +Adrien turned his pale face away, as if to avoid scrutiny, then he said +gently: + +"I admit your right to speak like this, sir, and if it rested with me I +would obey you at once." + +"It does rest with you, Adrien," returned his father quickly. "Surely +you are blind, not to see that Constance Tremaine loves you with her +whole heart." + +Adrien started up, his face alight and quivering with excitement. + +"Impossible, sir!" he exclaimed. "Would to heaven it were true; for I +know no other woman to whom I would so gladly devote my life." + +The grim old face softened and relaxed. He had not expected such an +overwhelming victory. + +"Why do you say it is impossible?" he asked. + +Adrien did not answer for a moment, then he slip hoarsely: + +"She is already engaged to Lord Standon." + +An exclamation of astonishment burst from the old man's lips. He put out +his hand in involuntary sympathy, and the two so strangely alike, yet so +wide apart in years, clasped hands. Then, as if ashamed of the momentary +emotion, the old man turned away, saying quietly: + +"This is, of course, a surprise to me. Its truth yet remains to be +proved, but I should feel inclined to doubt it myself." With which he +went back to his own apartments. + +Left alone once more, Adrien walked restlessly to and fro. + +"If Constance really cared for me," he said to himself, "nothing else in +the world would matter. Lucky Standon! I dare not think of the future, +it what Jasper said was true." + +At last he, too, returned to his room; but it was almost morning before +he fell into a troubled slumber. + + + + + CHAPTER XIII + + +The morning following the disastrous steeple-chase, Mr. Jasper Vermont +ordered his car, and then sat down to write to Adrien. He told him that +he regretted having to leave the Castle so suddenly, but urgent business +required his presence in London, and that he would return to Barminster +as soon as possible. + +On the appearance of the motor, he took his departure, travelling direct +to Jermyn Court, where he stayed to lunch, waited on by the attentive +Norgate as though he had been Adrien himself. Then, having filled his +cigar-case with his friend's choicest Cabanas, he strolled through the +fashionable parts of the Park. + +The loungers and idle men of fashion who usually frequented it at that +time of the day knew him well, and nodded with forced smiles of +friendship--it was clearly to their interest to be on good, if possible, +cordial terms with a man who always had the entree to the innermost +circles, and who had won the confidence of a popular favourite like +Adrien Leroy. + +Those who had not been personally introduced to Jasper, had still heard +reports of his position, and looked after him with that half-envious air +which says so plainly: + +"There goes the kind of prosperous, wealthy man I myself should like to +be." + +Mr. Vermont strolled along, his face wreathed in a perpetual smirk of +recognition, his hat off half a dozen times a minute, acknowledging the +smiling glances accorded to him. + +When he had nearly come to Hyde Park Gate, he was confronted by one of +the loungers--an old acquaintance of his--whose woe-begone countenance +seemed expressive of acute mental distress. + +Jasper Vermont recognised him in spite of his altered +appearance--usually a very gay one--and stopped him. + +"What, Beau!" he exclaimed with seemingly effusive warmth; "you here; +whatever have you been doing--committing murder? Or have you married in +haste, to repent of it at leisure?" + +"Neither, my dear boy," answered the well-groomed young man--a captain +in the "Household" Guards--one of the fastest and most generally liked +fellows in town. "Neither, Vermont; but I have just come from the City." + +"City of the Tombs!" drawled Jasper facetiously. + +Captain Beaumont laughed, but rather mournfully. + +"Yes," he said, "all my hopes are buried in that beastly place.' Really, +the County Council ought to put a notice over the west side of Temple +Bar monument instead of that heraldic beast: 'Abandon hope, all ye who +enter here,'" + +Mr. Vermont laughed, in his usual quiet way. + +"How's that? The City is good enough in its way. What have they been +doing to you; won't they lend you any more money?" + +"Worse even than that," said the young spend-thrift; "they actually want +me to repay all that I owe them already, on short notice, with the usual +threats if I fail to comply within their time." + +"Oh!" remarked Mr. Vermont simply; but his "oh" was full of meaning and +apparent sympathy for the misfortunes of his friend. + +"Yes, that hard-hearted old skinflint, Harker--what a mean brute he is! +I should like to bury him, and would attend his funeral gladly to be +certain I had seen the last of him. He holds a pretty little tot-up in +the way of bills of mine; and I expected, naturally enough, when I call +on the firm, that they would renew them at the usual Shylock rates, and +I could try elsewhere for something to go on with." + +"Yes," said Mr. Vermont, "of course, that's the way you have done for +years." + +Captain Beaumont nodded. + +"Yes, that's so; but Harker only shook that long head of his, and +refused me; and nothing I could say would change the old skinflint's +mind either. You know that cock-and-bull story he always tells, about +his not being the principal, but only the servant? Well, he says his +principal has instructed him to call in my bills, and it is impossible +for him to renew them; and that the usual steps will be taken if I am +not able to meet them." + +Jasper laughed, with gentle sarcasm. + +"Of course, that's always the moneylender's excuse. I'm afraid he will +sell you up, Beau." + +Captain Beaumont whistled. + +"My dear Vermont, it will be an awful shock for the guv'nor. He can only +give us younger sons a small allowance, and he certainly won't be able +to settle this matter; it would be altogether beyond him." + +"What is the amount?" inquired Jasper. He was as well aware as was the +young captain himself, of Lord Dunford's financial difficulties. + +"Well, not much," replied Captain Beaumont. "Only seven thousand; but +it's no good my going to the guv'nor for a penny piece, and how to clear +it up is more than I can tell. But why do you ask?" he added, though +with but faint eagerness. "Do you think you could find any one able to +help me out of this beastly hole?" + +"Well, I might," said Jasper, eyeing his cigar meditatively, as if +seeking from its fumes some inspiration as to a method of aiding his +friend. + +"I only know one way to prevent Harker taking extreme measures," went on +the troubled debtor; "that is, if I could get some one to back new +bills. Now if, say, Adrien Leroy were to back some bills for me, Harker +certainly would not refuse; but I am hardly in a position to ask Leroy." + +"But I am," said Vermont, smiling with the consciousness of power; "and I +will do it for you, for old friendship's sake." + +"You will!" exclaimed the captain gratefully. "Jasper, you're a brick! I +feel sure, somehow, he will do it for you. _I_ should stand no chance. +You are a good fellow to come to my rescue in this fashion." + +"Ah," said Mr. Vermont, with a smile; "but can we be sure that Harker +will accept Leroy's name of the bills?" + +"Why, of course, Harker or anybody--who wouldn't?" asked the Guardsman, +as the cloud dispelled from his face at hope coming so quickly from this +unexpected quarter. "Why, it's as good as the Bank of England. Harker +take it?---he'll snap at it. Only try him and see his greedy eyes +glisten. What could Harker get by selling me up?--absolutely nothing. +Besides, it would do him harm by letting others know how harshly he +served me. Oh, no, Harker will not sell me up if he can find such an +easy, safe way out of the difficulty." + +"True," said Jasper pleasantly. "Well, I'll interview Leroy and see if I +can persuade him to assist you, as a friend of mine; I believe I can do +it for you. Going to Lady Merivale's to-night? Yes? Then we shall meet +again; till then, au revoir." + +So, with a shake of his fat, smooth hand, the benevolent, unselfish Mr. +Vermont took his departure, still smiling serenely, on the business +which had brought him that day to London. + +Nobody knew Jasper's private address. He was always to be found with +Adrien Leroy, and all letters were addressed to his club; or to Jermyn +Court; but of the locality of that place which Mr. Vermont would +sanctify by the name of "home," every one was ignorant. Whenever +questioned on this subject--he never obtruded the matter on anybody--it +was his custom to answer lightly: + +"Home! what does such a waif, such a jetsam and flotsam of the world's +flowing tide, want with a home? Really, my dear boy"--or madam, if the +speaker happened to be of the gentler sex--"if ever you have occasion to +see me, I am sure to be at one of these three places: Leroy's chambers, +my club--the Pallodeon, or Barminster Castle." + +And accordingly, to one of these places his fashionable acquaintances +directed their inquiries for him. Mr. Vermont, however, really possessed +a home, small, it is true, but one quite suitable to his needs, and +absolutely secluded from the possible knowledge of his friends in the +gay world. + +After leaving Captain Beaumont, he had himself driven to the City. +Alighting in front of a large jeweller's shop, apparently with the +intention of purchasing something, he dismissed his car; then when it +had disappeared, walked quickly along the crowded thoroughfare for some +distance. At last, looking round furtively--for he was ever cautious--he +dived into one of the small entrances in Lawrence Lane, and mounting two +flights of stairs, entered the front room. This was the home, or rather, +perhaps, refuge from the conventions of society, that Mr. Vermont +possessed. Here he could find shelter at any time of the night, for he +possessed a private key; and by his orders the bed was kept constantly +aired and ready by the housekeeper; who had her own rooms on the floor +above. It was no unusual thing for her to leave the rooms tenantless +late in the evening, and find them occupied when she rose in the +morning, Jasper having arrived during the dead of night, silently as was +his invariable custom. + +The second morning after his sudden return to town, Mr. Vermont was in +his sitting-room, which was very plainly furnished indeed, partaking of +a breakfast so simple that his fashionable friends would scarcely have +believed the evidence of their own eyes. When he had finished, and the +table had been cleared, he went over to the roll-top desk which stood in +an angle by the window, and opened it, disclosing piles of letters, +sheets, of closely written foolscap and slips of memorandum forms. On +the corner of the desk stood a telephone, which communicated with +Harker's private room, downstairs in the offices; they were dignified by +the name of Harker's "Bank," and were, of course, those of the +moneylending business which was carried on by Vermont in that name. +Taking up the receiver now, he asked Harker to come up to him as soon as +possible. + +Within the next few minutes, George Harker was standing before the +master he both hated and feared. He was very tall, with a thin, lined +face, from which all light and hope seemed to have fled. His whole being +appeared wrapped up in attendance on Jasper Vermont. He watched him +eagerly now, not speaking until he was spoken to, but simply waiting +patiently, doggedly, till his master was ready to attend to him. + +Vermont drew the heap of various papers towards him--with keen eyes and +quick brain grasped the multitude of facts they set forth, checked the +long column of figures, struck the balances; and, with a nod of +satisfaction, looked up at the man before him. + +"All right, Harker, as far as I can see--and, as you know, that's all +the way and a little beyond. But we must do better than that. Where's +the private account?" + +"Here, sir," said Harker, in a dry, rasping voice, somewhat like the +creaking of an old, rusty-hinged door. + +"Where?--oh, yes, I see. Oh, Paxhorn has come to us, has he? Writing +poetry is not a paying game, eh? Or is it the fine, grand company that +runs away with the golden counters? Well, all fish--or idiots--that come +to our net are welcomed, no matter what wind drives them. Thirty per +cent. from Paxhorn. No more?" + +"I could not get any more, sir," said Harker earnestly; "I tried--tried +hard--indeed I did, I assure you. I would not give in until he +threatened to go to another office." + +"Hem! well, I suppose it's the truth; though, of course, all +moneylenders are rogues--and you're only a moneylender, you know." He +looked up for a moment to laugh at the logical joke. "Who backs his +paper? Lord Standon. Oh, my lord is pretty deep in our books already, +isn't he? Where are his statistics?" + +"Here, sir," said Harker, taking one of the papers from the heap. + +Jasper Vermont glanced at it, and laid it down again with an evil smile +on his face. + +"Oh, he's good for more than that, Harker; but be cautious. We'll lend +him another ten thousand; but put on five per cent. Lords must pay, to +set the fashion to commoner folk. By the way, Captain Beaumont----" + +"Whose bills you instructed me to call in, sir." + +"Yes; well, I met him yesterday and promised to intercede for him you." +He laughed harshly. "What fun it is, poor idiot! He shook my hand with +profuse expressions of gratitude. Mr. Leroy will back the renewal and +you can let it run. Beaumont's the second son, Lord Dunford is on his +last legs, and the heir won't live another year, we can come down like +kites when the gallant captain has the title and estates. Till then +we'll wait; but stick out for another two-and-a-half per cent. Make the +calves bleed, Harker; it will do them and me good." + +About that small matter of the young artist, Wilson, sir?" + +"Eh! Wilson? Oh, yes. You got instructions to proceed in the usual way +to sell him up." + +"Yes, sir, that was your order. He called yesterday, and pleaded for +another week. His wife is dying, and they are starving. He begs hard for +another week----" + +Stuff, another week! the dog means another year. He should have thought +of the time for repaying when he was borrowing. Another week--not +another day. Start proceedings at once. Mind, I say it. Didn't I hear +him call me a 'parasite from the pavement' one night at a ball? Screens +have ears, Mr. Wilson, and parasites have memories. Sell him up--do you +hear, Harker?" + +"I do sir; it shall be done," replied his servant meekly. + +"And now for Leroy's account." With a gleam of fiendish delight in his +eyes, he scrutinized the figures and statements. "Ah! you are getting +them in fast." + +"All Mr. Leroy's bills we are getting in--buying up wherever they are +met with, sir, according to your instructions." + +"Right, get him into your hands--you know how. Be prepared for--you +know!" + +Mr. Harker inclined his head. + +"Now for the women. Ah, those dear butterfly creatures will come to the +nasty sticky papers that were meant to catch bluebottles only; well, +then, they must take the consequences. What! Lady Merivale--the fair +Eveline. Does she want to borrow money?" + +"She dabbles in the Stock Exchange. I know her business man; he owes us +money, sir, and we know some of his secrets. She has been losing lately, +and has deposited her diamonds, sir--" + +"Her diamonds? The famous Merivale diamonds? Where are they?" + +"Here, sir." Mr. Harker produced from his long pocket a shallow morocco +case which he tendered mechanically to his employer. + +Jasper Vermont opened the case, and gazed on its contents with twinkling +eyes; then, shutting it with a laugh, he leaned back in his chair, +rubbing his smooth fat hands over his chin. + +"What will her ladyship do for them, and when were those left? I saw her +last night and--by Heaven! she wore--" + +"Paste imitations, sir. I had them made up for her. Did you think the +counterfeit good?" + +"Capital. Oh, isn't it rich! that old idiot must have eyed her proudly, +gloating over his famous diamonds on his wife's fair bosom, little +guessing they were Mr. Harker's tawdry glass mockeries. Capital, Harker, +but take care, take care. Remember the duchess who brought her jewels to +pledge, and discovered that they were paste already, and that the duke +had done the transmutation before her. Beware!" + +"I am careful, sir, I am careful, very; I do not think--I trust--there +have been no losses, not even small ones. I do my best to secure your +interests." + +"Well, I believe you. You keep up the appearances, I hope? Never forget +to tell people that you are only a subordinate, that you are acting for +others and strictly on the instructions given to you by them. The more +you assert it the more they'll think it a falsehood. Keep it up, Harker, +and then, well, you know I keep my promises. By the way, how is the +little Lucy?" + +As he spoke the name, half scornfully, half indifferently, a visible +change came over his tool and puppet. His face became paler, if that +were possible, his head seemed to drop, his whole figure was expressive +of deepest dejection, fear, supplication. + +"Well, sir, quite well, and deeply grateful for your kindness," he said, +wetting his dry lips. + +"Ah! and so she should be, young hussey. A fine thing for her. Married +and respectable. If that soft-hearted, simple little husband of hers +knew all I know! Strange that I should have dropped on to her and that +first lover of hers down in that quiet place. Strange, wasn't it? Now I +daresay they thought they were as safe as at the bottom of the sea. +Didn't think that Mr. Jasper Vermont, a friend of the family, could be +staying at the same hotel. He ought to have married her, of course. +Better that he didn't, eh? Yet that weak, amiable grocer, innocent and +unsuspecting, lets her have it all her own way, and believes her just a +little purer and whiter than the angels. Clever little thing, Lucy. +Makes him think she loves him, I daresay." + +"My poor child loves her husband better than her own life, sir," +breathed the father. "She is so happy, they love each other so, and she +is my own flesh and blood. Forget that accursed night and the devil that +led her astray. Forget that she is anything but the wife of an honest +man. Have mercy on her, sir." + +"Well, Harker, I will; I am all mercy. Do your duty by me and I won't go +down to tell the story of that night to Lucy's good, trusting husband. +But don't ask me to forget, my good fellow, for that's folly. I never +forget!" + +"Thank you, sir, thank you," Harker said, wiping the perspiration from +his brow. "I will do my duty and work day and night in your interests, +if you will only spare my child and keep others from knowing of that one +false step." + +Mr. Jasper Vermont leaned back in his chair, and regarded his servant's +agitation with quiet amusement for a few minutes; then he gathered all +the papers together, put them away in his desk, and dismissed Mr. Harker +with a nod, saying: + +"You can go now. Don't forget the Leroy paper, renew Beaumont, but sell +up that artist scamp to the last stick and stone. Parasites can bite as +well as cling, Mr. Wilson." + + + + + CHAPTER XIV + + +The afternoon following the race the Castle guests returned to town, +Lord Standon amongst them, and as that light-hearted gentleman departed +without making any formal proposal for the hand of his young ward, Lord +Barminster was greatly puzzled. + +All that day he had watched Lady Constance with an unceasing vigilance, +of which, fortunately, she was unaware; but he could detect no traces of +affection in her intercourse with Lord Standon, nor could he find any +reason for his son's despair. Like a wise man, however, he made no +reference whatever to the conversation of the preceding night, for which +Adrien was exceedingly grateful, as he felt ashamed of having exposed +his real feelings, even to his father. + +Instead, therefore, Lord Barminster endeavoured to find out the true +state of the case from his sister Penelope. + +That lady, disturbed from her afternoon slumber, was inclined to be +testy. As far as she was concerned, she was very much against the idea +of Constance marrying any one, for the girl's presence saved her a great +deal of trouble in many ways; the consultations with the housekeeper, +the choosing of books, the writing of invitations, these and a hundred +other trifles which in the event of Constance's marriage would be +shifted back on to her own shoulders. + +Naturally, therefore, she considered the suitor who would be less likely +to inconvenience her; and he, of course, was Adrien. For if he married +Constance, there would be, at least, some time during the year in which +she would be at Barminster, and leave Miss Penelope free to resume the +novel reading of which she was so inordinately fond. She scoffed, +therefore, at any likelihood of Lord Standon's suit, and flatly refused +to believe a word of it. + +Meanwhile, Adrien was in a state of restless excitement, for which he +himself could scarcely account, and accordingly he determined to return +to London next day. + +That night they were a family party of four, and Lady Constance noticed +that her guardian's manner was considerably more cheerful than was its +wont, and that during dinner he glanced with even more affection than +usual at the handsome face of his only son. Afterwards, when the old man +had returned to his own apartments, Adrien found his cousin in the +silver drawing-room, with Miss Penelope. The latter had taken up her +latest novel, and was devouring it with rapt attention. + +Lady Constance, with a smile, beckoned to her cousin and made room for +him beside her on the Chesterfield. He sank down with a sigh of content. + +"You leave us to-morrow then?" she began, in a tone of calm inquiry. + +He was filled with an insane longing to seize her in his arms, and cover +her face with kisses; but he restrained himself, though he bent nearer +to her as he said in a low voice: + +"Yes, I am going back to try and put my affairs in better order. My +father has been pulling me up--quite rightly, of course. I ought to have +seen to these things before. I am afraid I have not been a good son to +him." + +"You do not see him very often, do you?" said Lady Constance, who knew +to a day how often Adrien had visited the Castle during the last twelve +months, during which she herself had sighed for his absence. + +"No," he admitted. "I always seem to have so many engagements; but now I +am going to try a new mode of life--thanks to your words." + +"My words?" echoed Lady Constance, in genuine surprise. "I thought you +said uncle had been speaking to you." + +"Yes," he agreed. "But it was what you said to me during our ride that +decided me really--about the tenants, and all that." + +"You must not listen to all my complaints," she said, smilingly. "I am +proud of the Barminster estates, naturally; and I cannot bear that they +should be inferior to those of our neighbour----" + +"Who is that?" he inquired quickly. + +"Why, Lord Standon, of course," was the calm reply. + +He started at the sound of the name of one he deemed his rival. The +jealous blood rushed to his face and his heart beat fast. + +"Naturally," he said, in tones as quiet as he could make them, "you +would compare all estates with his--_now!_" + +With womanly intuition she saw his meaning, but did not choose to dispel +his suspicions just then. Not that she was a coquette or flirt, for she +loved this man with all the strength of her being; but, on the other +hand, she knew, or thought she knew, his disposition only too well, and +she feared to yield to her natural inclinations, which were to allow him +to see that he had only to speak, and she was ready and willing to +listen. Instead, therefore, she merely said lightly: + +"Yes, he makes a good landlord, for all he declares to the contrary. +Then, too, he has a capable agent." + +"Like Jasper," put in her companion, trying to keep his eyes away from +her pretty, vivacious face. + +Lady Constance was silent. However much she might dislike and distrust +Vermont, she never expressed her opinion of him to Adrien. She therefore +turned the subject quickly by inquiring after the next race. + +"'The Brigades'--in two months' time," he replied. + +"The 'King' will run, I suppose?" she asked. + +"Yes, and I shall ride him," said Adrien quietly. "After an accident +such as has occurred, none shall ride him save myself; then if anything +should happen----" + +"Ah! no! no!" cried Lady Constance, her face paling, and her blue eyes +full of alarm; "you mustn't!--you shan't!" She stopped short. "I mean," +she went on, speaking more quietly, "you must think what it would be--to +your father--and auntie----" + +"And you," he said eagerly, catching at her hands. "Would you care, +too?" + +She gently drew her fingers from his grasp. + +"Of course I should," she replied, in her usual quiet tones. "Am I not a +sort of cousin?" + +"Constance," he broke in passionately, "I have no right to speak to you, +I know; but tell me just this, if--if----" + +Alas! for Adrien. Alas! for poor Lady Constance. The book in Miss +Penelope's hand had slid quickly from her grasp, as she sat dozing near +the fire-place. At this, the most critical moment, it came with a sudden +crash to the floor, and Miss Penelope opened her eyes, and sat up +briskly. + +Nothing more could be said under the circumstances, and Adrien was +perforce obliged to spend the evening as best he might, turning over the +pages of his cousin's music, and watching her with longing, ardent eyes; +while Miss Penelope sat near by, tactlessly wide awake. + +Presently she glanced up. + +"Adrien, did you ask your father about the ball?" she asked. + +Her nephew looked abashed. Truth to tell, he had completely forgotten +it. + +"No," he admitted candidly, "I did not. But forgive me, this time; I +will ask him to-night." + +A little later the ladies rose to retire. + +"Good-night, my dear boy," said Miss Penelope, gathering up her precious +book and chocolates. "You go to town to-morrow? Oh, then, I shall not +see you again. Good-bye; and don't forget about the ball." + +Adrien held the door open for her, and she passed out; then he closed it +again. + +"Good-night, Constance," he said, gazing longingly into his cousin's +face. + +"Good-night," she said, giving him her hand. "Good-night, and a pleasant +journey." + +"Will you not wish me a speedy return?" + +"That might be an ill wish," she answered lightly--"if you did not care +to come." + +"You know I do," he whispered, and he raised her fingers to his lips. + +With a vivid blush, Lady Constance withdrew her hand from his grasp, and +left the room. Going straight up to her own apartment, she flung herself +on her knees. The kiss he had impressed on her fingers seemed to burn +them; the sound of his voice rang in her ears; yet, with a strength of +mind extraordinary in a girl so young, she put away the sweetness of his +half-formed declaration, hoping that his journey to town meant the +cutting free of all entanglements, and the settling of his affairs. + +Early the following morning, the sound of a motor, and the barking of +dogs, brought Lady Constance to her window; below her was Adrien, +followed by a servant with the travelling case, which was placed beside +the chauffeur. + +Adrien had already entered the car, and was about to have it set in +motion, when a sudden idea seemed to strike him, and he glanced up at +Lady Constance's window. Seeing this, she opened the casement and stood +framed by the surrounding greenery. + +Adrien waved his hand to her; then, hastily scribbling something in a +note-book, he tore the page out, and evidently despatched it by one of +the waiting servants. + +She watched every movement, with eyes shining with eagerness, and could +have cried bitterly at the thought of his absence. She knew, too, that +she was playing a dangerous game, when she allowed him to return to +town, his passion still undeclared; yet she felt that this was the only +means of holding his affections; for she was a firm believer in the +adage--"Absence makes the heart grow fonder." She sighed deeply, +however, as with a parting wave of his hand, and bareheaded, Adrien was +rapidly driven away. + +A few minutes later the servant brought her the hastily written note. It +was only a scrap of paper, and unfolding it, she read the two lines: + + +"My father grants us the ball. We will make it an eventful +one.--ADRIEN." + + +Her face glowed. "We will, indeed," she murmured. "It is a high stake I +play for; but it is worth the struggle. Heaven grant me his whole heart! +I ask nothing else." + +Carefully locking the scrap of paper away, she descended into the +morning-room, where Lord Barminster was already seated at the +breakfast-table. His grim face softened at the entry of the girl he had +always looked upon as a daughter, and loved even more intensely--if that +were possible--now that he meant to win her for his son's bride. + +"So Adrien has left us again?" he began, as she poured out his coffee. + +She flushed slightly at his significant tones. + +"Yes," she replied. "Uncle, thank you so much for letting us have the +ball----" + +"Nonsense, my dear" he returned. "Adrien told me you wanted it, and that +was sufficient. Why didn't you ask me yourself? Have I been such a cruel +guardian?" + +"No, no," she cried, and coming round to him impulsively, she pressed +her lips to his forehead. "You've been the dearest uncle in the world. +Indeed, no father could have been better." + +He smiled at her earnestness. + +"I've done my best, my dear, though I admit I'd like you for my very own +daughter-in-law." + +Lady Constance blushed scarlet. This was carrying the war into the +enemy's camp with a vengeance. + +"'Nobody axed me, sir, she said,'" she sang gaily. + +"Ah, but whose fault is that?" asked Lord Barminster, pleased that she +had not refused to discuss the question. + +"Please, Uncle Philip," she said, with a sudden quiver in her voice, +"I'd rather not talk about it--if you don't mind." + +"Quite right, my dear," replied Lord Barminster, patting her hand +reassuringly. + +For a few minutes there was silence. His lordship drank his coffee, +while his companion stared dreamily through the window at the +magnificent view of park and woods. The old man was the first to speak. + +"We shall miss Lord Standon," he said, with a meaning glance at her. + +Lady Constance looked up with a start; then, as she realised the +significance of this simple statement, she smiled. She knew she could +trust her uncle not to betray her woman's secret; and, though she had no +scruple in using Lord Standon as a means to spur on Adrien, she would +not allow the old man to be worried unnecessarily by doubts of her +fidelity to his beloved son. + +"Yes," she answered, quietly. "But he only came down for the race; and I +daresay he was anxious to rejoin his fiancee." + +It was her uncle's turn to start, and his intense surprise told Lady +Constance only too well that her speculations were correct. Adrien had +believed her in love with Lord Standon, and his father had undertaken to +find out the truth. She was not afraid of Adrien's being undeceived now; +for, even if Lord Barminster wrote--which was very unlikely--the spur +would have done its work. + +"I did not know he was engaged," the old man exclaimed. + +"No, the news has not been made public; but he told me in confidence," +Lady Constance returned calmly, as she rose from the breakfast-table. +Then, having seen her companion installed with his newspaper, she passed +out to the terrace. + +To the astonishment of every one in Barminster Castle, some few hours +later, Mr. Vermont reappeared. + +In his turn he seemed quite as surprised when he learned that Leroy had +already returned to London. + +"Gone," he echoed, "just a few hours ago? Dear! dear! I must have missed +him by telling my chauffeur to take the road across the moor." + +He entered the Castle while he was speaking, and the servants hastened +to learn his commands; for, next to the sun, there is nothing better +than the moon--next to the Hon. Adrien came his friend and agent, Mr. +Jasper Vermont. But Jasper waved them amiably aside, as he entered the +dining-room. + +"You would like some luncheon, sir?" inquired the butler, coming forward +respectfully. + +Jasper nodded. + +"Just a snack, Judson. Don't put yourselves out for me, I'm off again +directly." + +While the estimable Judson went off to get this snack--which resolved +itself into an exquisitely-laid lunch--Mr. Vermont dropped into a chair, +and surveyed the scene through the open window. Strange to say, his +thoughts seemed to run similarly to those of Lady Constance, earlier in +the day; for he exclaimed under his breath: + +"It's a large stake, worth playing for. Awkward my missing him." He +smoothed out a pile of deeds and documents and replaced them in his +leather bag. "He would have signed these without a word here; at his +chambers, he'll amuse himself by reading them, confound it!" + +A rustle of silken skirts attracted his attention; the scowl vanished, +and he readjusted his smiling mask as the door opened and Lady Constance +entered the room. + +She had been informed of his sudden arrival; and, though heartily +disliking him, she was yet bound to play the part of hostess while her +aunt was resting. + +Mr. Vermont bowed low over her extended hand, as over that of an +empress. + +"I hope your ladyship is well?" he asked. + +"Quite, thank you, Mr. Vermont," she said with cold indifference. "I +suppose you have come down to see Adrien? He started for London before +breakfast this very morning." + +"So I have just heard," he returned sweetly. + +"I am not greatly surprised, as Lady Merivale was asking after him last +night. I expect she summoned him." + +The girl's face paled ever so slightly, though she strove to give no +sign that his shaft had hit home. Adrien had received a letter that +morning, as she knew, one having been brought up to her by mistake. + +"Very likely," she said imperturbably. "I daresay he had to attend to +some business too." + +"Adrien is very changeable," Vermont said reflectively, "one can never +count on his movements; following him is like wild duck shooting, down +the river on Monday, and up the Fens on Tuesday. I'm sorry I missed him, +though, for I have several papers which he must see." + +Lady Constance tried to appear sympathetic. + +"It is a pity you weren't earlier," she said with a smile. "Still, I +daresay you know where to find him." + +"Oh, yes," returned Mr. Vermont, glancing at her from the corner of his +eye, as he aimed his second shaft. "He will be either with Miss +Lester or her ladyship; he fluctuates between these two points of +happiness as a rule." + +Lady Constance did not appear perturbed in any way by this news. + +"Lady Merivale is a charming woman," she said briefly. "But who is Miss +Lester?" + +"She is also a charming woman," was the smooth reply; "but with the +difference that she is unattached--save to the theatre." + +"Oh! an actress!" exclaimed his companion with patrician contempt. "That +reminds me," she continued. "What is your last success at the Casket?" + +"_My_ success," echoed Mr. Vermont, with an air of pained astonishment. + +"Yes, are you not the manager of that building?" she asked simply. + +He bowed and smiled. + +"No, Lady Constance," he said. "I fear the world gives me too much +credit. I have nothing to do with this whim of Adrien's save to pay out +the salaries for the company. The management is his--or rather, perhaps, +I should say, Miss Lester's; and I am not answerable for its failure or +its successes. I believe, too, he is about to give the whole place to +Miss Lester." + +Lady Constance started almost unconsciously, and Jasper knew that his +words had hit home at last. + +"I am sure you do your best to help him," she said, after a moment's +pause. + +"You are most kind," he returned with a bow and an ironic smile. "I +trust you will let me prove my friendship both to Adrien and yourself." + + + + + CHAPTER XV + + +It was the night on which Adrien had returned to town. Jessica, ignorant +that he had ever left it, had found her way to his chambers, and waited +there patiently and hungrily in the hope of once more seeing him. As the +clock struck eight she decided that it was useless to remain any longer, +and accordingly retraced her steps through the crowded thoroughfares. + +Anything would be better than waiting like this, she thought +despairingly. + +After the silence of the deserted street, the crowds, pushing and +jostling her, brought her almost a feeling of satisfaction. Even if she +were alone, at least she could not be solitary while the world rushed +past her, in its eager search for pleasure. + +At one point near Charing Cross a few curious loafers had collected on +either side of the brilliantly-lit facade of a theatre, over which, in +coloured lights, was the name, "The Casket." + +As Jessica stood watching listlessly, indeed almost unconsciously, a +handsome motor rolled up before the imposing entrance. The little group +surged back before the white-gloved commissionaire, who hurried forward, +but the door of the car had already been thrown open by the chauffeur, +and a gentleman and lady stepped out. + +At the sight of one of them, Jessica's indifference became changed to a +feverish eagerness. The colour left her face, her eyes dilated, her lips +parted. She swayed back, half fearful, half desirous that he should see +her; for it was he, the man for whom she had waited so long, the man she +had enshrined within her heart. + +Adrien, all his doubts as to the possibility of winning Constance's love +returning to him in full force once he had left her presence, had come +down to the theatre with two objects. One to distract his thoughts from +his hopes and fears, the other to arrange with Jasper for the entire +transfer of the theatre to Ada. He meant this to be the last night as +far as the Casket and Ada Lester were concerned. + +Absorbed in his own reflections, he hardly saw the group of humble +spectators, and did not appear to hear their murmurs of recognition, but +turned and held out his hand to assist the lady who accompanied him. + +Jessica's eyes flashed fiercely as they wandered from his face to that +of the woman beside him. + +"She is beautiful," she murmured beneath her breath. "She is beautiful, +and with him!" + +All the love which had been aroused in her passionate heart surged up, +and, for the minute, almost turned to jealous hate. "Beautiful, and with +him." It was agony to her to see him as he bent down to catch some light +words of his companion, whose perfumed satin cloak swept by the +crouching girl, as the pair passed into the theatre. + +Full well she knew that she herself could never hope to hear his voice, +or feel the pressure of his hand; yet it was with the bitterness of +death that she saw him pass her by in the company of this beautiful +woman. Mingled also with her jealousy was another feeling, that of +partial recognition. For the moment--she could not remember where--but +at some time in the past, she fancied she had seen that dark, +highly-coloured face, and heard the harsh vulgar voice. + +As Leroy turned from the motor, she heard him say to the chauffeur: + +"Be here at eleven." + +"At eleven," she thought, "then I will be here too, and see him once +more." + +She hung on the outskirts of the group and listened with greedy ears for +any chance word that might arise about her idol. + +"A reg'lar beauty, I should just think so," said a man, addressing +another who had passed a remark on the lady in question. "She's the +biggest star on the stage, you bet! Ada Lester knows her value, and +ain't likely to forget it neither." + +The other man ventured a remark concerning the lady's escort. + +"Him? That's Leroy--son of Lord Barminster--the richest of 'em all. She +belongs to him, she does; so does the whole theatre. Costs him a pretty +penny, you bet. But lor' bless yer, he don't mind! Can't spend his money +fast enough. My brother's one of the shifters; and the things he cud +tell yer about 'er, and 'er temper, 'ud make yer 'air stand on end." + +Jessica moved away, while members of the group aired their knowledge of +the rapidly entering, smartly-dressed audience. + +"That's Mr. Leroy's friend, Mr. Vermont," commenced the first speaker +again. "I've 'eard tell 'e does all the work and pays out all the other +one's money; but he ain't no class himself--he's not a real tip-top +swell like them others." He pointed to a little group of +white-waistcoated, immaculately-dressed men, now standing on the steps +of the vestibule. "Lord! this 'ere Casket'll be crammed with all the +swells to-night--'cos it's the fashion." + +"So Ada Lester is the fashion now, eh?" commented his companion, who had +probably known her in her poorer days, and therefore was inclined to be +interested in her. + +"Not 'arf, she ain't," agreed the man, with the Londoner's pride in +laying down the law on the subject. "She's got a house like a duchess, +and can eat off gold or silver if she chooses; an' all for her face, for +she can't act for nuts. I've seen 'er so I know!" With which lordly +criticism, he closed the subject. + +As for Jessica, sick at heart with jealousy, she turned up one of the +side streets to commence her long wait for Adrien Leroy; while the group +dispersed, laughing and chattering. + +The Casket was filled now to its utmost capacity. It was the first night +of a new piece. The unfortunate comedy which Ada had so strongly +condemned had been withdrawn, and a so-called musical farce--consisting +of very bad music, and still worse comedy--hastily put on in its stead. +As usual, no expense had been spared in the mounting, and Adrien's money +had been poured out like water on extraordinary costumes, gorgeous, +highly-coloured scenery, and a hundred embellishments for this new piece +of elaborate and senseless burlesque, Prince Bon-Bon. But with all its +deficiencies as regarded culture, the piece appeared to be a success. + +Ada Lester could dance, if she could not act; and she could shout a +vulgar patter song, if she could not sing; therefore after a tumultuous +first act, during which she had been "Hongkored"--as she expressed +it--to her heart's content, she was standing in the wings, with a +cigarette between her painted lips, radiant with content and gratified +vanity. + +"Well, Shelton," said Leroy, as his friend approached him, where he +leaned against a stack of scenery. "What do you think of the show this +time?" + +"As beautiful as it is senseless," was that gentleman's sarcastic reply. +"Heaven alone knows what it cost you," he added. + +"I certainly don't know myself," admitted Adrien, knocking the ash from +his cigarette. "Ask Paxhorn--he wrote the lyrics, and had the +management; or better still Vermont, whom I'm going to see myself +presently. But this will be a success, Mortimer, and I shall make a +fortune." + +"Yes," said Shelton quietly, "for Paxhorn and Vermont. Well, it's no +business of mine, of course." + +He turned to Ada, who had been tapping her foot angrily during this +little conversation. "Well, Miss Lester," he said, "haven't you a word +for me to-night?" + +She glared at him viciously, for Mortimer was not a favourite of hers. + +"Yes," she snapped. "I hate the sight of you!" + +Both men laughed as though amused. + +"That was a fair hit," said Shelton, with mock grief in his voice. +"Don't kill me right out, Miss Lester. Let me open a bottle of champagne +for you." + +"I don't want it," said the popular dancer, her eyes flashing angrily. +Then, turning her back on him, she said to Adrien, "Ain't you going to +the front to see me dance?" + +"I can see you from here," was his answer. "You look charming, my dear +Ada; doesn't she, Mortimer?" + +"Yes, and as good as she is beautiful," declared that gentleman, making +her a low bow. + +With a furious glance at him, and a furtive look at Adrien, she passed +them, and, accompanied by a burst of music from the orchestra and a +storm of clapping from the audience, she commenced her dance. + +Shelton watched her with a sneer. + +"Hark! how they applaud," he said, glancing up at the crowded and +delighted house. "They seem to admire her, anyway. Long live Miss Ada, +Queen of dancers. Adrien, why do you put up with that painted vixen?" + +Leroy smiled at his sudden change of tone. + +"Don't let her hear you," he said. "And don't worry yourself about me, +old fellow." + +"You're afraid of her," continued his friend. "Oh, yes, you may think it +an impertinence if you like, but I know you are. You'd face a cannon's +mouth sooner than that woman's angry abuse. You dread a scene as a +musician does a false note. For me, I'm sick of the whole world." + +"Why do you remain in it, then?" asked Adrien, laughing. + +"For the same reason as yourself," replied the cynic. "Neither of us +know what the next will be like." + +Adrien laughed, but before he could explain to his friend his plan with +regard to Ada, a crowd of pretty dancers in silver gauze surrounded him, +begging for real bon-bons, instead of the painted property sweets given +out to them. + +"Do you girls think I am made of bon-bons, like the piece?" he said, +waving them back. "Why, you'll make yourselves ill." + +"Oh, Mr. Leroy," pouted one, "we've danced so hard, too!" + +"Go to Mr. Vermont, then," was the indolent reply; "he'll give you what +you want," and with a rush they swept back on to the stage. + +"Always Jasper," murmured Shelton sadly, as his friend, with a genial +wave of the hand, picked his way past cardboard castles and paper trees, +till he disappeared through the door that would lead him to his +stage-box. + +At eleven o'clock the play was over; the superbly-dressed women, with +their escorts, were descending the wide staircase, laughing and +discussing the piece, which seemed likely to become the success of the +season. Outside, the pavement was filled with the gay, excited crowds. +Whistles resounded for taxis hovering in the immediate vicinity, like +steel-plated birds of prey. Carriages were being shouted for, and +throughout all the bustle and excitement, a slight girlish form doggedly +kept its vigil near the main entrance. + +The crowd of pleasure-seekers and onlookers had melted away, and the +attendants were busy turning out the lights, when the glass doors swung +open again, and three or four gentlemen came out, laughing and talking. + +"Quite a success," said one of them. + +"Yes, indeed," from another. "Paxhorn, I congratulate you again, old +man." + +"Thank you," replied the author, his face beaming with satisfaction. +"Thanks to Leroy, it will run for a hundred nights, and my name will be +made." + +"On Bon-bons," sneered Shelton; "what a thing it is to be a popular +playwright." + +"Better to be a popular dancer," whispered Paxhorn, as the door swung +open again, and Adrien came out, with Ada Lester on his arm, Mr. Jasper +Vermont following behind them. + +"All here?" asked Leroy in his clear voice, as they descended the steps +to where the motors stood waiting. "Come along"--turning to the rest of +the party--"we are all going to supper to celebrate Ada's triumph. +Paxhorn, dismiss your car, old man, and come with us; we want to hear +the rustle of your laurels." + +Laughingly, they entered the vehicles, while, above all the others, rang +the harsh voice of the woman, and Jessica, hearing it, shuddered +involuntarily. Then they were gone. + +Suddenly, while the girl's eyes were straining after them, the last +motor stopped, and Jasper Vermont jumped out and hastened back into the +theatre. More out of idle curiosity than anything else, or perhaps again +prompted by the guardian angel of Leroy's honour, she waited to see him +come out again. In a few minutes he re-emerged, bearing in his hand a +small roll of papers, one of which he was reading, with a malicious +smile on his face. + +Jessica unwittingly stood in his path, and he crashed into her with such +force as to knock his hat to the ground. With an oath he struggled to +regain it, pushing her roughly aside. + +"Out of my way, girl," he exclaimed, thinking she was about to beg from +him. "I have nothing for you." + +At the sound of his voice Jessica's face whitened, and she turned away, +frightened, and trembling; as she did so, her foot struck against +something light lying on the kerb. She stooped and found it was a small +roll of papers, part of those which had been in the gentleman's hand, +and which he had been studying so attentively. + +She did not trouble to open it, but slipped it into the bosom of her +dress and walked dreamily away. + + + + + CHAPTER XVI + + +"Is it a Rubens, or is it not? That is the question," drawled Frank +Parselle, as he dropped his eyeglass. + +On an easel in Lady Merivale's drawing-room, stood a picture, before +which were grouped a small assembly of her friends, including one or two +artists and connoisseurs. + +Lord Merivale was also present, having been dragged away from his +beloved farm, and worried into the purchase of this picture--the usual +"Portrait of a gentleman"--by his beautiful wife. He himself knew +nothing whatsoever about it, either as to its value or its genuineness; +it was worn and dirty-looking, and, in his opinion, would have been dear +at a five-pound note. + +"Yes, that is the question," echoed Lord Standon. "It's not a bad face +though. I should vote it genuine right enough." + +"It's extremely dirty," yawned Lord Merivale, casting a longing look at +the green grass of the park opposite and thinking of his new shorthorns +in Somersetshire. + +"Philistine!" exclaimed his wife, tapping him playfully on the arm. "You +are incorrigible. Dirty! why, that is tone." + +"Ah," returned her husband, turning away and gazing admiringly at a +bull by Potter. He was as wise as he had been before; for the jargon of +Art and fashionable society was not one of his accomplishments. + +"I tell you who would be a good judge," put in Mr. Paxhorn. + +The rest turned inquiring eyes on him. + +"Who?" asked Lord Standon. + +"Adrien Leroy. He is an artist, though he keeps his talents as secret as +if they were crimes. It was he who did the designs for my last book." + +A murmur of astonishment ran through the room. Nearly every one knew +that it was to the illustrations the book owed the greater portion of +its success. + +"A modesty quite unfashionable," exclaimed Lady Merivale, whose +beautiful face had flushed ever so slightly at the mention of Adrien's +name. + +"Yes," admitted Paxhorn. "Men have to proclaim their gifts very loudly +in the market-place, before they sell their wares nowadays." + +"Oh, Adrien is a veritable Crichton," put in Lord Standon. "There is +very little he does not know, and even that is made up by the estimable +Jasper." + +"Yes, I saw them together got half an hour ago," said Paxhorn. "If I had +known of this picture, I would have got them to come with me; for +Vermont is a genius at settling any question under the sun." + +"He's not always right, though," put in Lord Merivale, quietly. "What +about that horse of Leroy's? Wasn't it Vermont who was so sure of his +winning the race? Yet his Majesty did not win, did he?" + +"No, I know that," said Standon, with a rueful smile, as he thought of +his added debts. + +"That was not Vermont's lack of judgment," put in Paxhorn, who, for +private reasons of his own, always stood up for that gentleman. "I am +sure the horse would have won had it not been for Adrien's ill-timed +generosity." + +"What was that?" inquired Lady Merivale, looking keenly over at him. + +"He gave the jockey a ten-pound note the night before the race; and, of +course, the fellow got drunk and pulled the 'King' up at the last +fence." + +"And lost his life, did he not?" asked one of the artists. + +Lord Standon nodded, thoughtfully. He was attached to his friend Leroy, +and did not see why he should be blamed unnecessarily. + +"Yes," he replied; "the strangest part of it all was the way the poor +fellow raved at Vermont." + +"What do you mean?" asked Lady Merivale, sharply. + +"We were all standing round him," explained Lord Standon, "and when +Vermont came up the man seemed to go off his head, and practically said +he had sold the race. Of course, it was all nonsense, though I believe +Lord Barminster is having some inquiries made." + +"But why should Vermont have sold the race? Really, it's too absurd," +put in Paxhorn scornfully. "Especially as he'd backed him for five +hundred pounds himself. It's hardly likely he'd do such a thing for his +own sake, apart from his sense of honour, and his friendship for Leroy." + +Lady Merivale glanced sceptically at the speaker. Her faith in Jasper's +sense of honour was not very strong. Then she gave a deep sigh. + +"Why, Eveline," said her husband, looking up, "you seem quite grieved. +Not on your own account, I hope?" The idea of his wife betting was very +repugnant to him, and Lady Merivale always endeavoured to keep her +little flutters, whether on 'Change or on the turf, entirely to herself. +She laughed lightly, therefore, as she answered: + +"Oh, no, indeed; I lost a dozen of gloves, that was all." A vision of +the cheque for five hundred pounds, which she had drawn, arose before +her as she spoke. + +"I'm afraid it will take a little more than that to settle Leroy's +book," said Lord Merivale carelessly. + +At this moment the door opened and Adrien Leroy himself was announced. +There was the usual buzz of welcome, and her ladyship's eyes flashed +just one second, as he bent over her hand. + +"I am so glad you have come, Mr. Leroy," she said. "You can settle a +knotty question for us. This is my latest acquisition. Now have I been +deceived, or have I not? Is it a Rubens?" + +Adrien smiled at the two artists, who were slight acquaintances of his. + +"You ask me while such judges are near? Cannot you decide, Alford--nor +you, Colman?" + +"Well, I say it is," said the first. + +"While I think it is forgery," laughed the second; and thereupon ensued +a lengthy and detailed criticism. + +Adrien bent nearer to the picture under examination; then he said +quietly: + +"Where two such lights cannot discover the truth, who may? I agree with +you, Alford, and so I do with you, Colman. Both your arguments are so +convincing that if Rubens had painted it, and were present, to hear you, +Colman, he'd be persuaded he hadn't; and if he had not painted it, you, +Alford, could almost convince him that he had." + +There was a general smile at the artists' expense; and Adrien continued: + +"Rubens' touch"--examining the face--"but--what is this?" He pointed to +a small weapon thrust into the girdle of the figure. + +"That is a dagger," said Alford. "Here, where are the glasses?" + +"Thanks," said Adrien, "but I don't require them. It is a dagger, and a +Florentine one at that. Ah! Lady Merivale, I'm afraid your picture is +more a specimen of what a modern impostor can rise to than that of an +old master. That dagger is of comparatively modern fashion, certainly +not earlier than the eighteenth century, while Rubens died in 1640." + +The two artists stared, as well they might, but were neither +sufficiently acquainted with Leroy to express their surprise at his +knowledge, nor had knowledge enough themselves to challenge his dates. + +It was Lord Standon who spoke first. + +"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "Adrien going in for history! Who would have +thought it? My dear fellow, why not give a lecture?" + +"On the vanity of human hopes and the folly of friendship?" inquired +Adrien, so coldly as to startle both the company and Lord Standon +himself, who not being in Lady Constance's confidence, was naturally at +a loss for the reason of this sudden anger on the part of Leroy. He drew +back in surprise, but any further reference to the matter was stopped by +the entry of Jasper Vermont. As a matter of fact, he had arrived just in +time to overhear Adrien's last words. + +"What's that?" he cried, after he had greeted Lady Merivale. "Was that +Leroy declaiming against the world? It's for those in his position to +bewail its vanities, while poor dev--I beg your pardon, Lady +Merivale--poor men like myself can only cry for them." + +Adrien smiled. + +"Quite right, Jasper. I'm wrong, as usual. + +"Mr. Vermont," said Lord Merivale, "you remind me of the clown in the +beloved pantomime of my youth." + +"An innocent memory that, at least, my lord," returned Vermont, who +never stayed his tongue in the matter of a repartee for lord or +commoner. "May I ask why?" + +"You always enter the room with a joke or an epigram," was the answer. + +Mr. Vermont smiled. + +"'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players,'" +he quoted lightly, as he turned his attention to the unfortunate +"Portrait of a gentleman." "Ah, what have we here--another picture? An +old master, I presume?" + +The artists looked pleased; it would seem as if even the great +connoisseur himself was liable to make mistakes. + +"It is ugly enough, in all conscience," he continued bluntly. "For my +part, I am an utter philistine, and like my art to be the same as my +furniture--new, pretty to look at, and comfortable, and, for the life of +me, I can't fall in love with a snub-nosed Catherine de Medici, or a +muscular apostle. What is this?" He bent down to read the title. "Ah! +'Portrait of a gentleman of the sixteenth century.' Very valuable, I +daresay, Lady Merivale?" + +Lady Merivale, who looked upon Mr. Vermont as one of her ancestors would +have regarded the Court jester, smiled indifferently. + +"It all depends on the point of view," she said. "I have paid three +hundred pounds for it." + +Mr. Vermont looked up with an air of innocent surprise; but a keen +observer might have been tempted to regard it as one of satirical +enjoyment. + +"Three hundred pounds! I daresay these gentlemen, good judges all, have +declared it a bargain?" He motioned to the little group on the other +side of Lord Merivale. + +"Not at all," returned his hostess. "On the contrary, Mr. Leroy declares +it an imposture." + +Vermont raised his eyebrows. + +"Indeed," he said. "How did he detect the fraud?" + +"By the one weak point," said Colman. "That dagger; Rubens never lived +to see such a dagger as that, so could not possibly have painted it!" + +Mr. Vermont smiled, an approving smile that seemed to mock the picture +as if it were a living thing. + +"Capital," he said. "The rogue who palmed this forgery on you was +evidently not a student of the antique. Poor fellow, how was he to guess +who was to be his judge? You will, of course, institute proceedings +against him, or send the picture back?" + +"Impossible," said Lord Merivale, with a rueful smile; "I wrote the +cheque last night; by this time it will have been cashed, and so the +swindle is complete." + +"Dear! dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont, in tones of the deepest +commiseration, though he smiled as he added: "There's only one thing to +be said, my lord. If that picture is clever enough to deceive such great +experts, surely it has achieved its object. It certainly looks old +enough to satisfy the most exacting of second-hand furniture shops." + +He turned to Lady Merivale. + +"Before I forget," he said, "let me discharge the object of my visit. +Melba sings to-morrow at the Duke of Southville's party." + +Her ladyship's face lighted up with real gratitude. Music was her one +sincere passion; and, as she had been unable to hear that divine +songstress during the season owing to various engagements, this news was +welcome. + +"Thank you," she said warmly. "How good of you to find out for me. It +was kept such a secret. How did you discover it?" + +"Ah!" said Mr. Vermont, raising his eyebrows. "If I tell you that, it +would be bad policy. I may have discovered it so easily that my services +as a solver of mysteries would sink to insignificance, or again I may +have had to commit a crime; in either case, it is best to 'draw a veil +of silence,' shall we say; sufficient be it that Melba sings, and Lady +Merivale deigns to listen." + +"Flatterer," she said lightly, as he rose, hat in hand. He glanced +across at Adrien, who was talking to Lord Merivale. "I am off on another +mission," he said, lowering his voice. "I fancy my friend must be +thinking of his honeymoon." + +Lady Merivale started violently. "What do you mean?" she asked, striving +to maintain her usual cool, indifferent tones. + +He looked down at her in innocent surprise. + +"I am commissioned to buy a residence in the Swiss Lakes district for +Leroy; and as I happen to know Lady Constance Tremaine is devoted to +mountaineering--most exhausting work, I consider--well, there is only +one construction to be laid. But, of course, this is in strictest +confidence; you will not betray me, I know." + +"Of course not," said her ladyship mechanically; her mind was working +rapidly, so that she hardly heard the rest of Jasper's purring speech; +and that gentleman, highly pleased at the pain he had so evidently +inflicted, made a parting epigram and left his poison to do its work in +Lady Merivale's mind. + +One by one, the others followed; and Lord Merivale, with an apology to +Leroy, returned to his study and the Agricultural Gazette, having his +wife and Adrien alone. + +With flushed face and outstretched hands, she turned to him +reproachfully. + +"I thought you had forgotten me." + +"Impossible," he murmured, as he raised her hand to his lips. "I have +been so bothered with various business matters, and have had so many +engagements----" + +"But yet had the time to go to the theatre with that awful creature," +she retorted. "Then you have been spending a day or two at Barminster." +She bit her lip savagely in her jealous pain and wounded vanity. +"Adrien," she entreated, "tell me it isn't true." + +"To what do you refer?" he asked steadily. + +He knew that the struggle had commenced, and he was determined to bring +this mock phantasy of love to an end. If he could not marry the one +woman who had shown him what love really meant, he would at least have +done with this foolish dalliance. + +"Your engagement to that pink-and-white cousin--Lady----" + +"Be silent," he commanded, more sternly than he had ever spoken to any +man, woman or child in his life. His face had paled; his eyes were like +steel. The very thought of hearing her name reviled by the jealous woman +before him filled him with wrath. + +She stood silent, but with flashing eyes, her breast heaving with +excitement. + +"It is true, then?" she panted. "You are going to marry her--tell me the +truth----" + +"I did not say so," he returned, slowly and painfully. + +"Then you don't love her. Ah, I knew it!" she cried triumphantly. + +He did not reply; and she read in his silence the confirmation of her +fears. + +"Adrien, is it possible--you love her, and she----" + +"Eveline," he said, "for the sake of our past friendship"--she started +at the words--"do not say any more. You know we have only played with +the divine passion. It has beguiled many a pleasant hour, but I do not +think it has been anything more than a pastime." + +"Not to you," she said almost sullenly. "But how dare you doubt my +feelings? How dare you insult me?" + +"I did not mean to hurt you," he said gently, and her voice softened at +his tone. + +"Ah, Adrien," she cried beseechingly, "you do hurt me when you treat me +like this. Try and forget her, unless"--she broke off abruptly--"unless +you are really going to marry her. Is that so?" + +"I told you," he answered wearily. "I shall never marry Constance. She +is engaged to another." + +"Thank Heaven!" was her, ladyship's mental ejaculation, but she said +nothing aloud. + +Leroy roused himself. "I must go," he said. + +"So soon?" she asked tremulously. "Where are you going?" + +"To the theatre." + +She frowned, and, seeing it, he stopped to explain. + +"It is no longer mine," he said with a faint smile. + +"Not yours!" she cried in surprise. + +"No, it belongs to Miss Lester." + +Her quick intellect grasped his meaning at once. + +"Henceforth, you mean to retire from the gay world, then?" she said, +with a faint sneer, adding quickly, as his face darkened, "Ah, forgive +me, if am bitter! I hate to see you unhappy. Try and forgive my +ill-humour." + +"You are, as ever, my queen," he said, "and can, therefore, do no +wrong." + +Lifting her hand to his lips, he turned and strode hastily from the +room. + + + + + CHAPTER XVII + + +Adrien Leroy dined alone that night--a most unusual occurrence; but the +scene with Lady Merivale moved him, and still troubled his mind. He had +hitherto only regarded his love-making with her as part in the comedy of +life, wherein he played the lover, to her lead; doffing and donning the +character at will. That she had taken either him or herself seriously +had never entered into his mind. Believing also in the hopelessness of +his love for Lady Constance, he regretted bitterly having allowed his +secret to escape him; yet so unaccustomed was he to the conventional and +inevitable lying of the world in which he moved so serenely, that it had +never occurred to him to deny the charge, and swear everlasting devotion +to the countess alone. + +Norgate, who waited on him as usual, noticed his abstraction. + +"We're getting tired of London again," said that astute servant to +himself, as he changed the dishes. "We're thinking of going East again +or my name ain't what it is." For Adrien had spent the preceding year in +Persia. + +After dinner Leroy lingered in the comfortable, luxurious room, as if +loth to start out again on the weary round of amusement. To youth and +the uninitiated, pleasure, as represented by balls, theatres or +feasting, seems to be an everlasting joy; but to those born in the midst +of it, trained and educated only to amuse or to be amused, it becomes +work, and work of a most fatiguing nature. To dance when one wishes to +rest; to stand, hour after hour, receiving guests with smile and bows, +when one would gladly be in bed; to eat, when one has no appetite for +food; all this, continued day in day out, is no longer a pleasure--it +becomes a painful duty. + +Unlike the majority of his set, Adrien Leroy was never lonely; indeed, +solitude to him was a pleasure, and one--the only one--which was +difficult to obtain. Endued with a fine intellect and highly cultivated +mind, even at college he had succeeded in studying when his companions +had spent their time in "ragging," and other senseless occupations of a +like nature. Thrown on his own resources, therefore, Leroy could have +become a power in almost any of the artistic professions. Instead, his +time, his youth and his faculties were being wasted in the ordinary +pursuits of the people amongst whom he lived. Had he been a poorer man, +he might have risen to any height by virtue of his own talents; but, +lapped in luxury, lulled by the homage of society, he remained +dissatisfied, discontented, and apathetic. + +The clock, striking eight, aroused him. Throwing aside the cigar which +had burnt itself out, he rose. He had promised Jasper to come down to +the Casket Theatre; and, however weary he might be of the tinsel and +glitter, yet he never thought of making an excuse, or of breaking his +word. + +He was about to set forth, when Norgate announced "Lord Standon," and +though Adrien's greeting was as courteous as usual, the old genial +warmth was gone. Lord Standon perceived this, and knew that he had not +been mistaken in his belief that he had somehow angered Adrien. + +Directly Norgate had closed the door behind him, therefore, he dashed, +as was his wont, straight to the heart of things. + +"Leroy," he said abruptly, "what's wrong with you?" + +Adrien stared at him. + +"Wrong!" he echoed. "What on earth do you mean? What should be wrong?" + +"I don't know," returned the other bluntly; "but I seem to have rubbed +you up the wrong way somehow----" + +"Nonsense," said Leroy, trying hard to resume his usual warmth of +manner. "What a ridiculous idea! Have you dined, or shall I ring?" He +crossed the room almost hurriedly. + +"No, no, thanks," interrupted Lord Standon. "I'm just off again; it was +only a passing idea. Sorry to have mentioned it." + +He turned, as if to go; and Leroy made no attempt to restrain him. + +"I have to congratulate you, I suppose, on your engagement?" he said +coldly, when the young man had almost reached the door. + +Lord Standon turned sharply, and stared at him. He grasped the situation +at once, but was still greatly puzzled, for he knew Leroy was but +slightly acquainted with Lady Muriel Branton. + +"Thanks, old man," he returned, rather awkwardly. "But it's a dead +secret, really; I suppose Lady Constance told you?" + +Leroy frowned. + +"Yes," he said simply, "Why not?" + +"Oh, no reason at all," said Lord Standon, flushing like a boy; "only +it's got to be kept quiet, you know--my affairs are in such a beastly +state." + +"I wonder you----" commenced Leroy. + +"Dared to ask her," put in Standon, laughing a little confusedly. "Yes, +it was a bit of cheek on my part, but 'faint heart never won fair lady,' +you know, and by Jove! if I hadn't, some other lucky devil might have +slipped in and carried her off by sheer force!" + +Leroy winced; for he himself would have endeavoured to "slip in and +carry her off" had it not been for his friend. + +"I don't see the need of secrecy," he said coldly. "Have you spoken to +her guardian?" meaning, of course, Lord Barminster. + +Unfortunately, to Lord Standon, being in love, there was only one woman +in the world, and therefore only one guardian, and that one, her father, +the Earl of Croywood. + +"Good gracious, no!" he exclaimed. "He's such an old curmudgeon--that +until I get over that beastly race----" He broke off, scarlet with +confusion. Absorbed in his own affairs, he had completely forgotten that +he was speaking to the owner of the unlucky horse. + +Leroy was pale with anger; the reference to the race annoyed him, but +still more the expression of "curmudgeon" as applied to his father. +Naturally, if he had stopped to consider, he would have realised that +there must be some mistake; for Standon would hardly have spoken thus of +Lord Barminster in his son's presence. But what lover ever does use his +common sense? He drew himself up sternly, and Standon could have kicked +himself for his unfortunate speech. + +"I don't mean--that is--it's not your fault----" he stammered. + +"Thank you," said Leroy ironically. + +"Oh, you know what I mean. Don't pull me up like that, Adrien. I wasn't +thinking of its being you--and you know what it is when a fellow's in +love with the sweetest, dearest----" + +Leroy turned sharply. It was more than any one could be expected to +bear; insult to his father, blame to his horse, and now praise of the +woman he himself loved. + +"Excuse me, Standon," he interrupted curtly, "I'm afraid I must ask you +to spare me your rhapsodies--I am due at the theatre." + +It was Standon's turn to be offended, and his good-tempered face +hardened. + +"Certainly. Pray accept my apologies for having detained you. +Good-night," he said coldly, and before Leroy could even answer, he was +gone. + +Adrien strode restlessly up and down. For the first time in all his +easy-going life trouble had touched him. He determined to forget it at +whatever cost; so telling Norgate not to wait up for him, he set out for +the Casket. It was such a lovely night that he dismissed the motor which +was awaiting him, deciding to walk across the park to Victoria Street, +and call in on Shelton, who had a flat there. + +The park was beautifully silent, and still stood open to the public. +Absorbed in his reflections, therefore, he left the main track and +wandered down one of the by-paths, in which stood several wooden +benches. Big Ben struck the half-hour. There was just time for another +cigar, and Leroy sat down. He was in no humour yet to endure the heat of +the theatre, or the chaff and vulgarity of Ada Lester. + +He lost count of time, in the pleasant quietude of the spot; and his +cigar was burnt down to an inch when, with a half-sigh, he arose to +exchange the hard seat amidst the cool trees for a lounge and a crowd of +ballet girls at the theatre. + +As he picked up his stick, he heard a footstep behind him, and turning, +saw an ill-dressed, sullen-looking man. The light from one of the lamps +near by shone full on him; and something about the stout, shambling +figure, or the dirty evil-browed face, seemed dimly familiar. + +To his surprise, the man nodded at him with a sulky frown, and said, in +a thick voice: + +"Good-evening! Don't remember me, I s'pose?" + +"No, I do not," admitted Leroy, as he scanned the bleared, swollen +countenance before him. + +"Ah! you swells 'as bad memories; I ain't forgotten you, so don't you +think it!" + +Leroy gazed at him calmly; he thought the man was intoxicated. + +"Do you want anything of me?" he asked, as he pulled on his glove. + +"That depends," responded the man, moving forward so that he stood right +in Adrien's path. "You're Mr. Leroy, ain't you?" + +"I am," said Leroy. "What is it you want?" + +"I wants to ask you a question," returned the other, bringing his face +closer to Adrien, who recoiled involuntarily--the very smell of the +fustian clothes offending his delicate nostrils. + +The man noticed this, and frowned even more heavily. + +"You're a gentleman," he said, "leastways I s'pose you calls yourself +such--p'raps you'll act like one." + +"Kindly make haste and tell me what you want, my good fellow," said +Adrien impatiently. He did not know but that this was a preliminary to +an attempt to rob him, and he was in no mood for a brawl. + +"Oh, I'll be quick enough for you," was the sullen reply. "You don't +remember me, you say; p'raps you'll remember my name--Wilfer--Johann +Wilfer." + +"Johann Wilfer," repeated Adrien, thoughtfully and slowly, wondering +where he had heard the name before. + +"Yes, Johann Wilfer, Picture Restorer, Cracknell Court, Soho." + +"Oh!" said Adrien, as a burst of memory dawned on him. "I remember you +now. What is it you want? But tell me first, has the girl Jessica +returned yet?" + +"That's just like you swells," growled the man. "Nothing like getting +your word in first. Has she returned to me? You know jolly well she +ain't. She won't come back to me till you've done with 'er, I'll be +bound." + +Adrien started, as the significance of the accusation dawned on him. He +had thought more than once of the girl, with her dark eyes and silken +hair. What had become of her? What, alas! could have been her fate, if +she had not returned to this man, her guardian? + +"What do you mean?" he said now, sternly. + +"What I say," retorted Mr. Wilfer. "She ain't returned to me, an' that's +my question to you. Where is she, an' what 'ave you done with her?" + +"How should know what has become of her?" answered Leroy, genuinely +startled. "Do you dare to insinuate that I know where she is? I have +neither seen her nor heard of her." + +"That's a lie," said the man shortly. + +Leroy surveyed him for a moment. + +"You are impertinent," he said, in his clear tones. "Stand aside, and +let me pass." + +Mr. Wilfer thrust his hands into his pockets, and stood his ground. + +"That won't go down with me," he said insolently. "I want to know where +my niece is; and by Heaven, I'll know too!" + +Leroy stopped short. + +"She was your niece, you say?" + +"She was," said the man, "though it's no business of yours; she belonged +to me." + +"So I presume, or you would not have ill-treated her," retorted Adrien +dryly. "When did you see her last?" + +"Over a month ago--as well you know," returned Wilfer coarsely. "She ran +off the morning you came gallivanting after her." + +Adrien could have knocked the man down, but he restrained the longing, +and said instead: + +"I thought you told me she'd robbed you, and had run away? That was a +lie, I suppose?" + +"'Course it was. Who wouldn't lie to save his gal from such as you fine +gentlemen? I know yer, so it's no use coming this talky-talky surprise +with me. You just tell me where she is." + +"I tell you," reiterated Adrien, "I have never seen the child since the +night I took her from the cold. Stand out of my path, or I shall hand +you over to the police." + +Mr. Wilfer laughed. + +"So that's your answer, is it? Call away, my fine gentleman, call away." + +He glanced round the deserted path from the corner of his shifty eyes; +then, with a snarl of a savage beast, he sprang upon Leroy, and strove +to bring him to the ground. + +But he was no match for Adrien, who beneath all his listless mannerism +possessed a grasp of steel and the strength of a gladiator. Almost +shuddering at the touch of the man's greasy clothes, Leroy seized his +arms, and lifting him off the ground as though he were a terrier, gave +him a good shake; then he dropped him, lightly and easily, over the park +railings, which edged the by-path, where they stood. + +Johann Wilfer was too astonished for a moment to do anything but recover +his breath, and Leroy, settling his disarranged cuffs, walked calmly +away. + +With a furious oath Wilfer sprang up, jumped back over the railings, and +was about to pursue Leroy, when from behind him a hand was put on his +collar, and he was borne rapidly and silently to the ground. + +Meanwhile, Adrien, all unconscious of his deliverance from further +disturbance, pursued his way to the theatre. + + + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + +Mr. Johann Wilfer glared vengefully at the smooth face of his assailant, +and, struggling still, breathed out, with a choice assortment of oaths, +the question: + +"Who are you? What do you want?" + +"Questions we will leave for the present, my friend," was the reply. +"Are you going to struggle much longer? because if so, I shall be under +the painful necessity of using still greater force." + +Mr. Wilfer lessened his movements. + +"Ah!" continued the suave voice. "So you decide to take things quietly. +Wise man! Now have the goodness to rise and let me see to whom I have +the pleasure of speaking." + +Whereupon our friend, Mr. Jasper Vermont, released Johann's throat from +the pressure of his knee--for it was by this means he had controlled the +other's movements--and allowed him to rise to his feet. It was a very +sullen and altogether puzzled individual that stood waiting, uncertain +whether to listen to his captor's next words or to make his escape. + +Jasper eyed him as a cat does a mouse, on the watch for the slightest +attempt to move. + +"So!" he said, as he took out his cigar-case, and drew forth one of +Leroy's choice Regalias. "So! Now we are on our feet again, we +look--well, I must say, none the less a ruffian." + +The man turned savagely as if about to run away, but Jasper was too +quick for him; with a grip of steel he caught hold of the other's arm. + +"Not so fast," he said quietly. "What is your name, my friend?" + +"What's that to you?" queried Mr. Wilfer naturally enough, as he settled +his ragged scarf, which, during the struggle, had become uncomfortably +tightened. + +"That is my affair," replied his opponent politely; "perhaps it is +merely curiosity. But as a matter of fact, I think I have had the +pleasure of meeting you before, and I never like to forget old friends." + +Mr. Wilfer grunted. + +"Come, let me think," Vermont continued, "were you ever at Canterbury?" + +Mr. Wilfer started violently. + +"Ah! I am on the right track. Yes, I remember now; it was a little inn +in the summer time, a beautiful moonlight night." + +"Wasn't me," snarled Wilfer, though his face was pale. + +"I thought you were there," said his tormentor as cheerfully and +triumphantly as if the other had admitted it. "You're not a good liar," +he continued. "If a man can't do that sort of thing well, he'd better +stick to the truth. At a little inn in Canterbury. Yes, I remember it +all now. I'm glad my memory does not play me tricks." His grasp +tightened on Wilfer's sleeve. "I don't like tricks," he purred. "How +strange that we should meet again. I think at that time you were an +artist; yes, that is what you called yourself, and there was a pretty +little girl with you, and you called her your wife. Oh, yes, my friend, +you were good at 'calling' things." + +"Look here," growled Wilfer, getting his word in at last. "You just stow +it, I don't know you----" + +"No, I know you don't," said his companion imperturbably, "But you will; +oh, yes, you will! Let us go back to Canterbury, where you manufactured +such beautiful pictures." + +Wilfer moved uneasily. + +"Beautiful pictures," continued the mocking voice, "all by Rubens and +Raphael and Titian. I shouldn't be surprised if that was one of yours I +saw at the Countess of Merivale's to-day, the 'Portrait of a gentleman,' +sold for 300 pounds. There was a warranty with it, signed, sealed and +delivered by a Mr. Johann Wilfer." + +"I didn't, it wasn't," the man stuttered, his face almost green in hue, +his voice trembling with anger and fear. + +Mr. Vermont smiled. He had his man safe and sound. + +"Who the fiend are you?" commenced Wilfer, recovering himself; but +Vermont's smooth voice interrupted him. + +"I was right, I see! What a strange coincidence, Mr. Wilfer, that I +should see your really admirable Rubens in the afternoon, and run +against--or perhaps I should say, knock you down--in the evening." + +Mr. Wilfer was goaded to desperation. + +"Look here," he almost shouted, "I don't care if you're the old 'un +himself; but that's enough of your jaw. What's your game anyhow? S'pose +you did see me in a pub at Canterbury along of a young party, s'pose I +am an artist, an' I did sell an old master, that ain't no business of +yours; that don't give you the right to knock me down or interfere with +me, so now then!" + +"Finished?" inquired Vermont, pleasantly. "I quite agree with you, Mr. +Wilfer--on some points; but it is greatly my business, as you will see. +Had I not come up at that moment, I wonder if my friend would be as safe +as he is now." + +"Your friend," echoed the other. "Is Mr. Adrien Leroy your friend?" + +"He is indeed," replied Jasper with a grin. "Now suppose you tell me +what you two gentleman were discussing." + +"Suppose I don't?" retorted Wilfer insolently. "You find out for +yourself, if you're so clever, Mr. Know-all; I'm off." He tried to push +past Vermont and thus effect his escape; but he was not to get off so +lightly. + +Jasper removed his cigar, which he had been puffing, and dropping his +soft, mocking tone, said sternly: + +"Stand back; go and sit on that bench. I haven't done with you yet, +Johann Wilfer." + +"I shan't," was that worthy's prompt answer. + +"Then I shall call the police," returned Vermont, pulling out his silver +cab-whistle. + +Wilfer started back. + +"Call 'em," he said defiantly. "I don't care. What's the police to me, +as I should be scared of 'em?" + +"A great deal," was the calm answer. "If you are mad enough to disobey +me, I shall whistle for the police; they will find me struggling with a +most villainous-looking ruffian, whom I instantly give in charge for +assault and robbery of my dear friend, Mr. Leroy, who has gone in search +of assistance." + +"It's all a lie," shouted Wilfer furiously. + +"Appearances would be too strongly against you, my friend. The law is 'a +hass,' as doubtless you have heard before; and when it comes in the +shape of a blue-coated, helmeted and thick-headed policeman, whose word +do you think would be believed, yours or mine?--to say nothing of this +evidence." Stooping, he picked up Leroy's gold watch and chain, which +had fallen from his pocket during his struggle with Wilfer. "I found +this is your hand. A clear case of assault and robbery, with penal +servitude to follow." + +Mr. Wilfer, dazed by the thickly-meshed net drawn round him, eyed the +watch and yielded. + +"Curse you!" he said. "You're a knowing one an' no mistake." + +Jasper smiled. + +"Thank you," he said; "a genuine compliment, and a candid one. Now then, +to business. What did you want with Mr. Leroy?" + +The man looked up at the smooth, masterful face, and inwardly +acknowledged his opponent's power. + +"I'm thinking, guv'nor," he answered slowly, "you heard all there was to +hear, and saw all there was to see; an' a bit more besides," he added, +as he thought of that precious gold watch he had so stupidly failed to +see. "Any'ow, if you're so anxious for me to go over it all again, I +wanted to know the whereabouts of a niece of mine--a young girl he took +to 'is 'ome, some weeks ago." + +Mr. Vermont's eyes gleamed and his hand shook slightly with excitement, +as he lit another cigar; for evidently this was the girl at whom, he +remembered, Norgate had grumbled. If she could only be kept out of +sight, Jasper thought he saw a way to getting his beloved friend into +even deeper trouble than he had ever dreamed possible. + +"You can prove it, I suppose?" he asked. + +"I can," said Mr. Wilfer; though, as a matter of fact, he would have +found this rather a difficulty. + +Mr. Jasper put his hand into his pocket; as we have said before, he was +not very generous when it came to spending his own money, but there were +occasions when it was necessary to buy fresh tools, and this was one of +them. He drew out some gold, which Mr. Wilfer eyed as greedily as a dog +would a bone. + +"Now," said Vermont, "your address?" + +"Cracknell Court, Soho, guv'nor," returned the man, his manner visibly +altering at the sight of money. + +"Well, don't you alter it without my permission," Jasper said sternly. +"I may want you to do something for me; and, if so, you can get your +revenge. Meanwhile, here's something to keep you out of mischief, that's +to say, in drink; you'll be safer like that." He handed over the +money--about three pounds. "Mind! don't go selling any more forged +pictures, like the one the bond of which I hold, or you'll get caught. +They make the sentences for fraud pretty heavy nowadays." + +Mr. Wilfer shivered. Up to now, he himself had never been imprisoned; +but other members of the gang had served various sentences, and their +reminiscences were not comforting. + +"I understand, guv'nor," he said; "but what of the gal?" + +"All you've got to do is wait till she comes back; or if you find her +about, let me know," replied Jasper. "Now, be off, and remember I can +lay my hands on you--and so can the police--any minute I like, so don't +play me any tricks. Good-night." + +With that, Mr. Vermont turned on his heel and strode swiftly and +silently away. + +Wilfer looked after him with a scowl. + +"He's a clever devil," he said, as he, too, went on his way. + +Clever, Mr. Vermont most undoubtedly was. His worst enemies would not +have denied him that virtue; but in this case his cleverness had +over-reached itself. It had so amused him to torment his victim, that +he had never questioned Wilfer's statement that the girl, Jessica, was +his niece. Had he known her identity, subsequent events might have +proved far different; but man, with all his gifts, is blind as to the +future; he sees as in a glass darkly, trusting and believing in his own +feeble powers, as if he were omnipotent. + +Meanwhile, Jasper trudged gaily along. + +"Strange," he murmured, "how things work round for me. That princely +idiot plays into my hands at every turn. What luck that I should just +have followed him to-night--I'll live to see him humbled and disgraced +yet!" With which pleasant thought he hummed Miss Lester's latest song +and pursued his way to the theatre. + +Some few hours later, he stood beside Adrien before the latter's motor. + +"Are you coming with me, Jasper?" said Leroy heartily. "I'm afraid I've +taken up a lot of your time to-night." + +"My dear Adrien, does not my whole life belong to you?" replied the +arch-hypocrite. + +Adrien waved the suggestion aside. + +"By the way, what is the time?" he said, feeling for his watch. + +"I don't know," answered his friend, "mine has stopped." + +"Well, mine has gone," said Leroy quietly. "I remember now; it was in +that affair in the park." + +"What?" exclaimed Jasper, in tones of the deepest sympathy. "Not that +valuable repeater, surely?" + +"Yes," said Adrien. "I must get another one." + +Jasper smiled, as his fingers touched furtively the watch and chain in +question. + +"Did you find your papers?" inquired Adrien, as they rolled through the +streets. "Jackson told me you lost them coming out of the theatre one +night." + +"No," answered Vermont, a flush of annoyance crossing his brow. "I have +not. But it's of no consequence; Jackson need not have bothered you +about such a trifle. Merely accounts. I dropped them somewhere between +the stage and Ada's motor, and I suppose I must look upon them as gone +for ever." + +"I hope not," said Adrien sympathetically. + +"They are of no consequence," said Vermont again, as they reached Jermyn +Court. + +Nevertheless, Mr. Vermont would have given many pounds of his +dearly-beloved money to have had those papers safely clutched in his +hand. But at present they were lying on the bosom of a wandering, +homeless girl, and it was well for Jasper that he could not foresee when +she was to cross his path again. + + + + + CHAPTER XIX + + +On the following morning, as Adrien stood before a mirror, putting the +finishing touches to his toilet, carefully supervised by Norgate, his +thoughts went back to Jessica. The idea of the child wandering about the +streets, homeless and penniless, filled him with a supreme pity. He had +meant to have spoken to Jasper about it, but he felt half ashamed; +besides, he rather dreaded to see Vermont's cynical smile at the idea of +his turning philanthropist to street-waifs. + +He had just finished his breakfast when a servant appeared, with a +dainty little note marked "Immediate." + +The envelope bore no crest; for Lady Merivale used none in her +correspondence with Adrien Leroy, from prudential motives. But he +recognised the handwriting, and the faint Oriental scent her ladyship +invariably used, and hastened to open it, fearing a lengthy epistle full +of hysterical reproaches. To his intense relief he found that it +contained but two lines. + + +"DEAR ADRIEN,--I shall spend the day with Aunt Rose at Hampton. Do you +care to accompany me as you promised?" + + +"Indeed I do," murmured Adrien. + +He recollected that on the day of the race he had promised Lady Merivale +that, when next she visited her aunt, Lady Rose Challoner, at Hampton +Court, he would meet her there, and row her to some of the pretty +islands further up the stream, and there spend the day in delicious +idleness. + +So far, engagements on both sides had prevented this plan being carried +out; but now Lady Merivale was evidently free, and he decided to cancel +any existing arrangements, and fulfil his promise. Accordingly, sitting +down at his desk, he dashed off a note: + + +"DEAR LADY MERIVALE,--I am motoring down to Hampton, and will gladly +meet you there. I shall wire for the skiff and lunch. Au revoir." + + +Having despatched this, he gave instructions to Norgate with regard to +all his engagements, and ordered the car. + +It was a splendid spring morning, just bright and hot enough to make the +vision of the cool, broad river particularly tempting; and Adrien +determined to put aside all cares, and take the day as it came. Lady +Merivale had evidently decided to set at rest her jealous fears; and, he +told himself, as Constance was not to be his, there was nothing else to +do but to pass the time as best he might. + +Whatever happened, he was glad to be done with Ada Lester. He had tired +of her almost before the first month of their so-called friendship; but +he had not had the courage--or rather the energy--necessary to relieve +himself of her. + +At any rate, Eveline's day should not be spoiled. It should be one to be +marked with a white stone. He little thought with what danger the trip +was to be fraught, or that it would prove the most momentous one of his +pleasure-filled life. + +Directly the motor appeared, Leroy dismissed the chauffeur, preferring +to drive himself, as procuring greater safety against a breath of +scandal touching her ladyship's name. + +Through the crowded streets Leroy went steadily enough; but once clear +of them, he put on speed, exhilarated by the rush through the pure +morning air. So fast was the run that, on reaching Hampton Court, he +found it would be a good half-hour before Lady Merivale was even due to +arrive; and as punctuality was not one of her ladyship's strong points, +he knew he had almost an hour to spare. + +Having put up the motor at a local garage, he strolled down to the +river, where he found his dainty little skiff, Sea Foam, ready and +waiting for him. It was just big enough to contain two, and its +upholstery of cream leather gave it the light effect which rendered its +name so appropriate. + +In order to while away the time, he rowed gently down to Richmond and +back, and on his return found Lady Merivale awaiting him on the steps +that led to the Court. She was exquisitely gowned, as usual, and in her +favourite colour, pale blue, which suited her delicate colouring to +perfection. She greeted him brightly and unrestrainedly. Evidently she +had put all thoughts of Lady Constance from her mind, and, like Adrien +himself, was determined to have the memory of at least one happy day. + +"How is Lady Rose?" asked Leroy, when he had assisted his fair companion +into the boat. + +She smiled at him. As a matter of fact, she had barely spent five +minutes with that invalid lady. + +"Oh, just the same as usual," she replied. "It is quite safe; I told her +I was going further up the river to visit some friends; so we'll enjoy +our day--such a beautiful one, too. I am so happy! It was good of you to +come, Adrien." + +Leroy's face lightened at her words, for he had expected sulks, tears, +and remonstrances, and here were only smiles and thanks. He did not +appreciate Lady Merivale's ability. Had she been a general, never a +battle would have been lost through wrong tactics. She knew Adrien too +well to attempt to hold his allegiance by force; hers were silken +strings with which to chain him to her side. She recognised well enough +that any abuse or jealousy of Lady Constance Tremaine would only send +him further from her. + +Responding to these tactics, Leroy took up the sculls, and with the long +swinging strokes which had gone so far towards helping the crew of his +college to win their contests, sent the little boat quickly up the +river. + +Few men of his temperament and training could yet boast of such +proficiency as this man seemed to possess. Rowing, skating, dancing, +riding, and just lately motoring; at all he excelled, yet no living +being had ever heard him pride himself on what he could do. + +About an hour after Adrien had started, Jasper Vermont ascended the +staircase to his chambers, to be informed by Norgate that his master was +out for the day, and all arrangements were to be cancelled. + +"Oh!" said Jasper quietly, inwardly irritated that his dupe should be +absent, even for a day, without telling him of his intention and plans. +"Oh! Where has he gone? He did mention it last night, but I have +forgotten." He put his hand to his forehead as if trying to recall it to +his mind. + +But Norgate was too sharp to be caught by this time-honoured manoeuvre. +He knew very well that the whole outing had been too hurriedly decided +upon for Jasper to have been told on the preceding night; and he had no +intention of allowing his master, to whom he was sincerely attached, to +be worried by Mr. Vermont. + +"I don't know, sir," he replied stolidly. "He did not leave word." + +As the letter had been brought round quite openly by one of the Merivale +servants, needless to say, he could have given Jasper a very fair idea +of where he had gone; but he preferred to keep his own counsel. + +"Oh, very well. I'll just go up and write a few letters, Norgate," said +Jasper, making a pretence of indifference; and he passed into the study, +Norgate returning to his own quarters. + +Mr. Vermont waited until his retreating footsteps had died away, then +with a quick hand and a keen eye he turned over the letters which lay +where Adrien had carelessly thrown them. Amongst them was one which had +been evidently overlooked, for it was unopened. It bore the Barminster +postmark, and Jasper's eyes shone. Could he but learn its contents? He +picked it up; turning it over and over in his hand. To his intense +delight it was but lightly sealed, and by dint of a little care the +letter was safely opened, uninjured and unsoiled. + +It was from Lady Constance, stating that she and Miss Penelope were to +spend the day shopping in London, and would be at Barminster House at +eleven o'clock. + +It was quite a short note, and Jasper, smiling wickedly, sealed it up. +He knew there was no fear of discovery, for there was not a more +unsuspicious man living than Leroy. His mind was working rapidly, +seeking to mature a plan by which he could separate Leroy and Lady +Constance still further. + +First of all, he continued to search through the letters, pocketing +those which were obviously bills. He looked at the last one with a sigh. + +"Not here," he mused. "I should know her handwriting in a moment. Yet I +am positive he has gone with her. She must have let him know by letter +this morning. Can he have taken it with him?" + +His eye caught a scrap of torn paper in the fireplace. Like a bird of +prey, he pounced on it, and untwisting it, his small eyes glittered as +he read. + +"Ah!" he muttered. "Lit his cigar with it, and burned all save one +corner--Hampton. Yes, that's it; under cover of Lady Rose they've +betaken themselves to the river. Now what shall I do? Follow them, or +see Lady Constance, or do both?" + +Placing the scrap of paper carefully in his pocketbook he left the flat, +and made his way to Barminster House. He had called presumably in order +to see after some slight alterations then being made, and his surprise +on finding Miss Penelope and Lady Constance established there was +beautiful to witness. + +On his entry into the drawing room, Lady Constance sprang up eagerly, +regarding him as the forerunner of the man she loved; and Jasper smiled +as he greeted them respectfully. + +"This is an unexpected pleasure, Lady Constance," he exclaimed. "I had +no idea you were coming to town." + +"It's only for the day, Mr. Vermont," she returned as calmly as +possible. "But I wrote to Adrien, for auntie, telling him all about it." + +"Dear, dear!" ejaculated Mr. Vermont sympathetically. "I have just come +from his chambers. I learned that he had gone out for the day." + +"For the day," said Miss Penelope, "after reading our letter!" + +"Perhaps he didn't get it in time," suggested Lady Constance. + +"Poor Adrien," said Jasper with apparent reluctance. "I'm afraid I +cannot even allow him that excuse; he had evidently taken away all his +correspondence this morning." + +"Oh, it's of no consequence," said the girl lightly, though her face was +pale, and her eyes shone, as if through a mist of tears. "We are only +going shopping for the ball, and that is dull work for a man." + +"Can I be of any assistance, Miss Penelope?" enquired Mr. Vermont. "Do +let me help; I love shopping!" But this neither of the ladies would +allow; and with a parting shot on the subject of Adrien's whereabouts, +Vermont took his leave. + +His next move was to Waterloo Station, where he took a train to Hampton; +and a little after noon, Jasper Vermont was strolling along the side of +the river, smoking his cigar. + +Very amiable he looked, and exceedingly interested in the boats, and +therefore it was not surprising that the man who let them out on hire +readily answered his questions as to the best season of the year, the +approximate number of customers, etc., all leading up to the main +question, had a boat with a lady and gentleman gone out that day? + +"No," the man said. "Curiously enough, sir, no boat has gone out to-day +with a lady and a gentleman in it, like what you describe." + +"Oh," said Mr. Vermont. "It was my mistake. I thought I saw a gentleman +rowing a lady down the river--rowing very well, too, in a light skiff." + +"Ah!" said the man, puffing a cloud of smoke from his rough clay pipe, +"I know who you mean, now; a gentleman--regular swell, and a lady in +blue. Lor' bless yer, that ain't one of mine, that's a private boat +that's kept up at the Court, I think. Oh, yes, he's all right; gone up +stream, they have, and a nice day they've got." + +This was what Jasper needed; and after strolling about among the boats +for a few minutes more he started off along the bank, keeping at such a +distance from the stream that, though he could see all who passed in the +boats, no one on the river could see him. + +The beauty of the day, the shimmer and sparkle of the river, with the +soft lap of its waters, the singing of the birds over his head, all had +no effect on him. His dark, beady eyes noted nothing but the boats that +passed, none of which, as yet--though the afternoon was waning +fast--contained Adrien and Lady Merivale. + +Yet he knew that he had not missed them, for he had taken his lunch on +the balcony of an inn commanding a view of the river, which he had kept +under survey from the time he had reached Hampton earlier in the day. + +Steadily, with the persistence of a bloodhound tracking its prey, he +walked on and on, until he came to a village, or rather a collection of +homesteads. Very small it was, consisting only of an inn, a house, half +cottage and half shop, and a few red-tiled cottages wherein the bargemen +lived, when they were at home, which was seldom. In the bright sunlight, +the blue sky overhead and the shining river in the foreground, it formed +a pretty enough picture. + +In the little shop parlour now sat a woman and her husband, at their +five-o'clock tea. + +"John Ashford, Grocer," was the inscription over the shop door; and +these were John Ashford and his wife Lucy. They had two children, now +playing by the river side; and were, as the bargemen's wives expressed +it, "doing comfortable." + +The man's face was a good-humoured one, round, honest in expression, and +commonplace. His wife was not so ordinary; a fair-haired, small-figured +little woman, she showed traces of having been a "village beauty" in her +young days, of the pink-and-white, shallow type. But in her eyes, and +along the corners of her somewhat weak-looking mouth, there were signs +of an ever-present fear. + +Even now, as she sat pouring out her husband's tea, her habitual +nervousness showed itself in the restless movements of her unoccupied +hand, and the sudden start with which she would greet the slightest +unexpected sound, or the knocking of a customer on the little counter. +From where she sat she could see her children, and once or twice she +smiled gently as she waved her hand to them, where they were playing +with an elder girl who was in charge of them. + +"I say, Lucy," said John, as he drank his tea noisily, "how's the girl +going on? Getting over her shyness a bit, ain't she?" + +His wife started; but he was evidently too accustomed to this to notice +her. + +"Yes," she said, reaching out for his cup. "Poor girl, she's seen some +trouble, I'll be bound; and for one so young, too, and innocent. The +world's a hard place!" + +"Yes, indeed," agreed John Ashford, with a glance through the window, +where the little group of three were playing. "Let me see, she's been +here a matter of four weeks, hasn't she--since I went over to Walton. +Rum thing me finding her at all. If I hadn't come across the moor +instead of along the road, she'd 'ave been in that furze bush still." + +Mrs. Ashford shuddered at the suggestions of his words. + +"She hasn't given us no account of herself now," he continued in his +hearty, good-tempered voice. "Not even her name, 'cept--what d'ye call +it?" + +"Jessica," put in his wife. "I call her Jessie, sounds more homelike." + +"And hasn't she told you anything more as to why she tramped out of +London?" + +"No, nothing more," said his wife, "except that she couldn't bear the +crowds. I haven't asked her either, John. She's a good girl, you can see +that; and penniless as well as homeless. I should hate to send her to +the workhouse, or perhaps worse," she half whispered. "If she's got a +secret in her heart, we'll let her keep it, dear. Perhaps we all have a +little corner in our hearts marked 'Private,'" she added in a low voice. + +"Excepting you and me, my dear!" said John, wiping his mouth as he rose +from the table, and coming round to kiss her. + +She started again and paled a little. + +"Of course, dear," she said; "I wasn't thinking of us." + +"We've no secrets," said the good-natured grocer, as he took down his +hat and coat from behind the door. "Our hearts are open like them +clocks, with all the works outside, eh, Lucy, my dear?" Laughing at his +own simile, he kissed her again. + +"If you'll take care of the shop," he went on, as he opened the door, +"I'll just run over to Richmond for those jams and things. Old Tucker's +cart is going over, and he'll lend me a hand." + +"Get along, then," replied his wife, "and don't forget we want some more +spices." + +"Right you are," said the husband, and with a wave of his hand to her he +went down the path, the two children running to meet him. + +Lucy Ashford stood at the door and looked after him wistfully. + +"Poor John," she murmured, as she went back to clear away the +tea-things. "What would he do to me, if he knew?" + +Her thoughts went back to the great secret of her life. It was that +which caused her strange nervousness. She had repented of the past truly +enough, and no better wife could have been found throughout the kingdom; +but the secret had eaten into her life. She strove now to put it away +from her; for she knew she was in reality safe enough. Only her father +and Mr. Vermont knew--and the latter she had not seen for years. + +Now, therefore, she put away her cups and saucers and called gaily to +the children, as they came running back. The girl who had been playing +with them came too; and as she approached the cottage she raised her +head and smiled. Lucy Ashford stooped to kiss the children, then said +kindly to Jessica--for it was indeed she: + +"I expect you are tired with them now, my dear. Come and sit down with +me for a little while." + +Jessica raised her dark eyes gratefully. + +"No, ma'am, thank you. I'm not tired. I love the children; they are so +good to me." + +Lucy's eyes shone. What mother does not believe that her children are +the best in the world? She had been like an angel of mercy to the tired +girl when her husband had brought her into the little home. She had put +her to bed, fed her, and clothed her in old things of her own; and she +had neither questioned nor worried her since. + +Jessica, only too thankful to find a home for the present, and realising +the hopelessness of her strange passion for Adrien Leroy, had done what +she could to repay her benefactress by helping her in the little shop, +and playing with and taking care of the children. Now, at their request, +she took them back to the river side again, while Lucy sat down at the +table before a pile of sewing. + + + + + CHAPTER XX + + +Meanwhile, Adrien's skiff was moored at the landing-place of an old inn, +some distance further up the river. Under a rustic porch Lady Merivale +was finishing her tea, while her companion enjoyed a cigarette. + +Alas! for the irony of fate! This day, during which he had strenuously +endeavoured to forget Constance, had only shown him more plainly the +utter impossibility of doing so. If he had but known the opportunity he +had missed with that letter, his mortification and despair would have +been even greater. + +Constance had regretted her policy in sending Adrien from her almost +before the day was over, and had purposely planned this way of seeing +him. Deeming his outing--thanks to Jasper's clever insinuations--to have +been undertaken on purpose to avoid her, the girl's heart was heavy +within her, and filled with something very like resentment too. + +Adrien, on the other hand, all unwitting of the harm this excursion had +done his cause, had talked long and quietly with Lady Merivale. He had +made up his mind to break away even from these silken strings. + +"So you have determined to leave me?" she said sadly. + +He nodded. + +"You know I must," he replied. "For your sake, as well as mine, it is +best." + +"Perhaps you are right," she said in a low voice. "So this is the last +happy day we shall spend together?" + +"Yes," he answered with a sigh. "Now, standing here, I see only too well +that we ought never to have spent any at all. I dread lest I have spoilt +your happiness, Eveline, lest a breath of slander should touch your +name. I will not deny that I had of late hoped to marry and settle down +as my father wishes, but it is not to be. Don't laugh at me when I tell +you I am going to turn over a new leaf. After this ball at Barminster, I +shall go abroad for awhile. That will give the world time to forget we +have ever had more than a passing acquaintance." + +Tears rolled down Eveline's face as she listened to his words. She had +played her last card, and she knew the game was lost; though it was her +vanity that suffered more than her heart. She was too clever and too +proud to resist any further, however, or sue for his favour. Presently +she rose, and said, as steadily as usual: + +"Come, Adrien, let us turn down stream and retrace our way while we can +see. It is dusk already--I had no idea it had grown so late." + +He helped her into the little skiff in silence; and as the Sea Foam +glided over the rippling waters a profound stillness seemed to descend +over the darkening landscape. + +Presently Lady Merivale peered forward. + +"This half-light is so deceptive," she said, in a rather nervous voice; +"I nearly steered you into the bank then." + +"Can you see?" he asked. "Put down the lines and let me guide the boat." + +"No, no," she replied. "I can see well enough." + +"Just as you like," he said gently. "I will row quicker. It's time we +were in Hampton. For what hour did you order the car?" + +"I came by train," she answered. + +"I have my motor," said Leroy; "I suppose you would not return in that?" + +"Good Heavens, no!" she exclaimed. "Whatever would people think? No, +I'll return by train, and take a taxi from Waterloo. I shall even then +be in time to dress for Lady Martindale's 'At Home.'" + +He did not seek to alter her decision, but sent the boat along with +rapid strokes, which broke up the placid water into ripples at each +plunge of the oars. + +Lady Merivale leaned forward and gave a sudden start. + +"Look, look!" she cried in terror-stricken tones. "What is that?" She +pointed to a sheet of spray rising and falling a few yards from them, or +rather below them. Adrien turned his head to see the cause of her alarm, +and his very heart seemed to stop beating. + +"Sit still," he cried, "for Heaven's sake. You have steered us near the +weir!" + +With all his strength he started to row back. The strain was tremendous. +That line of silver spray marked their fall to instant and certain +death. No aid was possible; the solitude of the woods and lands was as +absolute as if they had been in an unknown country. All he could do was +to keep the woman in whose safety he was concerned quiet, if not +reassured, while he exerted every nerve in his body to withdraw the +little craft from the danger line. + +"Cling to the boat," he shouted loudly, for the falling water rang in +his ears with a deafening roar. + +As he spoke, the frail craft capsized, and its occupants were plunged +into the foaming, churning water. Leroy made a frantic grasp at his +companion's dress, but missed it. A second later, he saw, in the midst +of the foam, her slight form being carried down to the weir. With a cry +of horror he struck out, in an attempt to rescue her. + +In those few awful seconds he prayed that the punishment of their +light-hearted folly might not fall on the woman, but on him; that his +life might be lost, sooner than her good name. + +Luckily, he was an expert swimmer; and aided by the stream, which was as +swift as a mill-race, he soon managed to get within reach of Lady +Merivale. With a great effort he grasped her firmly, and, turning slowly +and painfully, swung aslant the stream to the opposite bank. + +Her face was white, as if life were already extinct. Her eyes were +closed. + +"Heaven grant me her life!" he groaned, as, panting and nearly +exhausted, he dragged himself and his precious burden up on the bank. + +He laid her down and felt for some signs of life; to his intense +gratitude, she still breathed; and with a silent prayer of thankfulness, +he turned to look for assistance. + +At a little distance a light burned in a window. Without pausing an +instant, he took the still form in his arms and hastened towards it. + + +All unconscious of the struggle for life going on so close to her, Lucy +Ashford sat working busily, her pretty face lifted to the clock every +minute or so, as she waited for her husband to return. + +The children were in bed, and Jessica was just coming down the tiny +staircase when a sharp knock sounded at the outer door, causing Lucy to +drop her work in her usual terror at any unexpected sound. + +The shop had been closed, it was too late for rural customers, and +wondering who it could be, she took up her candle and went to the door. + +Timidly she pulled back the latch and peered out. A gentleman stood on +the threshold with his face towards the river. At the sound of the +opening door, he turned. Down went the candle with a crash and splutter; +up went the two hands to her face. + +Mr. Jasper Vermont stood looking down at her with a cruel, amused smile +for a moment; then in his soft, purring voice he said: + +"I'm afraid I've startled you, Miss--Mrs. Ashford. Pray let me recover +the candle. There that's better." As he spoke he pushed past her into +the dimly lighted shop. + +"Quite startled, eh?" he continued blandly. "Unwelcome visitor, I +suppose?" + +"No, no!" breathed the poor little woman, who at the moment resembled a +sparrow in the clutches of a hawk, or a mouse beneath the paw of its +enemy, the cat. "No, no, I--I am very glad to see you, sir. Will you +come in?" + +At this faint welcome Mr. Vermont smiled still more. + +"Thank you, Mrs. Lucy," he said, "I think I will," and he followed her +into the spotless sitting-room. + +Meanwhile, Jessica, at the first sound of a strange voice, and afraid of +being sought for by Wilfer, had concealed herself at the back of the +house. + +Jasper looked round the room in mock admiration. + +"What a delightful little place you have here," he continued. "Most +charming! Commerce and romance mingled together, I declare. And now," +sinking into a seat and fixing his eyes upon the white, frightened face +of his victim, "how is your husband, Mr. John Ashford?" + +"Very well, sir," faltered the miserable woman, praying with all her +heart that John might not come home. + +"And the children," continued her persecutor; "two, are there not? +Pretty little dears! I'm so fond of children, you know, Mrs. Lucy. Quite +a happy woman you must be. A most comfortable little house, I never saw +anything like it, excepting once, and that was at Canterbury." + +The poor woman, her worst fears realised, fell down on her knees, and +turned up her white face piteously to the cruel, mocking one above her. + +"Oh, sir, kind, good sir," she implored, "spare me! You will not, say +you will not ruin me? We are so happy; it will break his heart if he +learns my secret. He is so good. The children! Have pity on them at +least, sir, and do not betray me." + +Jasper smiled, and Lucy became even more incoherent. + +"Oh, sir," she cried, the tears streaming down her white face unheeded. +"I was so young, so giddy and thoughtless, and that man was so wicked. +He tempted me. Oh, Mr. Vermont, sir, I will pray every night for you as +I pray for John and my little ones, if you will but spare me and keep my +secret." + +She might just as well have prayed to the wooden table, as expect any +mercy or pity from this man, to whom such abject misery was better than +meat and drink. + +With a contemptuous gesture, as if to spurn her from his sight, he said: + +"Get up, my good woman. I shall keep your secret as long as it pleases +me. Perhaps for ever, who can tell? Good John, simple John," he laughed +maliciously. "He little thinks his wife was given to taking trips to +Canterbury with handsome young men. There! There!" he added, as a moan +of anguish burst from the dry lips of the tortured woman. "That will do. +I shan't enlighten good kind John, as long as you do what I want. I need +a bed. I'm going to sleep here to-night. Hullo! who's that?" He broke +off suddenly, as Jessica, tired of waiting outside for his departure, +entered the room, her dark eyes dilated with anxiety. + +She paused at the sound of his voice, and stared at him. She recognised +him as the man she had seen with Leroy, and some subtle instinct seemed +to tell her that he was evil. Jasper, too, stared at her uneasily. A +memory of another person, strangely like her, crossed his mind, but he +was too full of his knowledge concerning Leroy to consider any fresh +train of thought. + +Mrs. Ashford hastily composed her features. + +"Only a girl stopping here," she said hurriedly; then, turning to the +silent spectator, she said, "Go, my dear, I shall not want you at +present," and Jessica gladly left the room, while Jasper, taking her to +be a servant, gave no more thought to her. + +"Now what about a room?" he said imperiously, as he took off his light +overcoat. + +"You shall have the best, sir," replied Lucy, only too eager to +conciliate him. "Anything--everything we have is yours." + +"Very kind of you, I'm sure," yawned Jasper. "Set about it then." + +He was tired, for he had done a great deal of walking for him, who was +accustomed to use his own or his friend's motor for every journey, great +or small. Besides, he had somehow missed Adrien despite his care, and +was greatly puzzled and irritated. + +He was turning to follow Lucy, when there came a sound of footsteps, +followed by another loud knock at the door, and a man's commanding +voice: + +"Help! Quick here with a light!" + +Lucy screamed, and Jasper Vermont turned rather pale, for he instantly +recognised the voice as that of the man he had sought so diligently all +that day. But he had no desire to be discovered just then, so, taking +the frightened woman almost savagely by the arm, he whispered fiercely: + +"You may let him in--I know him. But if he finds out that I am here, I +will tell John all to-night; remember that. Hide me somewhere where I +can see--do you understand? Quick!" + +The knocking commenced again, and under its cover, Lucy, trembling like +a leaf, opened a door, the upper part of which was glazed, and which led +from the small room to the kitchen. Into this ambush Mr. Vermont +hurried, while Lucy ran to the other door and threw it open to admit +Adrien Leroy, who staggered into the room with his dripping burden in +his arms. + +"I'm sorry to knock you up," he said, trying to reassure her, "but this +lady is nearly dead; our boat upset." + +"Bring her in here, sir," said the good little woman, her courage and +self-possession returning under the emergency. "She had better come up +to the bedroom, poor lady." + +Adrien carried Eveline up the narrow staircase, followed by Lucy, who +had hastily produced some spirits with which to restore consciousness. + +"You had better fetch a doctor, sir," she called after Adrien, as he +came down again. + +Leroy hesitated. He knew that Lady Merivale valued her reputation more +than her life. To fetch a doctor might save the latter, but would most +certainly ruin the former; for no medical man would permit her to return +to London that night, and, in that case, discovery would be inevitable. + +Troubled and worn with anxiety, he paced to and fro in the room behind +the shop, regardless of his own dripping clothes, while Jasper, behind +the little window curtain, watched him sardonically, his lips wreathed +in a smile. He was well content with this finish of his day's +holiday--if such it might be called; for he knew that he held Lady +Merivale in the hollow of his hand. She, who had sneered at his +position, while yet making every use of his services, would in the +future be but another of his puppets; and he foresaw a goodly profit +from the outlay of this day's time and money. + +Presently Lucy ran down. + +"Where's the doctor, sir?" she asked. "Oh, didn't you go after all? +Well, it doesn't matter, for the lady is alive and better." + +"Thank Heaven!" ejaculated Leroy fervently. + +"She says she doesn't need one." + +"I understand," replied Adrien. "Is she well enough to sit up, or move?" + +"Yes, sir--at least, she says so," answered Lucy. "She is changing her +clothes for some of mine, sir; and she says that if you get a +carriage--" + +Adrien nodded. + +"I understand," he said again. "Is there an inn near here where I can +hire one?" + +"Oh, yes, sir," replied Lucy. She quickly directed him to the tiny river +hostel not far off, and Adrien disappeared. + +Had it not been for that grim presence behind the door, whom, in her +excitement, she had nearly forgotten, Lucy would have wished John to +come home quickly; as it was, she trembled at every fresh sound as she +went upstairs again to her patient. + +By means of that most potent magic--gold, Leroy quickly procured a +carriage, old and dusty; but a veritable thing of beauty in such a +strait as this. He meant to get to Hampton, and from there use his own +motor. He hastened back to the little shop, and, summoning Lucy, sent +her up with a message. + +"Tell the lady," he said quickly, "I have a carriage waiting, and if she +is strong enough, we can start at once." + +The news acted like a tonic; for in a marvellously short time Lady +Merivale, pale but resolute, came downstairs into the little +sitting-room. + +She was wrapped up in shawls, and a long cloak covered her from head to +foot. Too upset to speak, she motioned with her hand to Adrien to open +the door; and, laying a ten-pound note on the table, he said a few words +of thanks to Lucy, then led the unhappy countess to the carriage. + +No sooner had the horse started than her calmness gave way. She covered +her face with her hands and burst into tears. + +"Adrien," she sobbed, "I am ruined." + +"No," said Leroy reassuringly, "you are safe, now. This man is promised +ten pounds if he reaches Hampton in half an hour. My motor is waiting +there. I myself will drive you to Waterloo Station; there you can get a +taxi, without attracting any attention, and you will reach home before +ten. Your husband will think you stayed to dine with Lady Rose." + +"But you--you!" she wailed, "Will you promise----" + +"I," he said, with a laugh of scorn at her doubt of him. "This day of my +life is yours; none will ever hear from me how it was spent, and you +know it." + +"You swear?" + +"I give you my word," he said simply. "I can give no stronger oath than +that." + +Lady Merivale sank back with a sigh of relief. + +Alas! Leroy did not pause to reflect that, let happen what might, there +was one day of his life he could not account for--one whole day of which +he had sworn to keep silent. + +Faster and faster went the great car, at a pace that would have shocked +chauffeur and policeman alike, but Leroy was reckless; a woman's honour +and his own were in imminent peril. Death were sweeter than his failure +to save it. + +It was not much after nine when the car rolled into Waterloo Station, +and Leroy assisted his trembling companion to alight. Wrapped up in +Lucy's big coat, she stood quietly by while Leroy left his car in the +care of an outside porter, then led her apparently towards the booking +office. Passing through this, they manoeuvred to reach the outside, +where a taxi was hailed, and the address given. + +Thankful at their escape, Leroy stood bareheaded till it disappeared in +the throng of vehicles; then he returned to his own motor, as he +thought, unseen and unnoticed. + +Alas for his vain hopes! Miss Penelope and Constance, after a long day's +shopping, had come to Waterloo on their way back to Barminster. The +sharp eyes of Lady Constance, quickened by love, recognised the figure +of Adrien from afar; and, making some excuse to Miss Penelope, she +followed and watched the departure. + +She did not recognise the lady, it is true; but she saw sufficient to +realise that her worst fears were fulfilled. Adrien had neglected her +letter for the sake of another woman. + + +Jasper waited patiently until the sound of the carriage wheels had died +away into the distance, then he came out of his hiding-place, his face +pale, his eyes shining. + +"Lucy Ashford," he said, sinking into a chair, and holding up one finger +in solemn warning, "you may be asked some day to give an account of what +has taken place to-night. Remember this; you know nothing, you +recognised no one--till I give you leave. Disobey me, and the story of +your Canterbury trip becomes the property of the whole world. I'll +proclaim it through every newspaper in the world." + +Trembling and crying, and too ignorant to realise the absurdity of this +threat, Lucy swore to be silent; and then, to her intense relief, Mr. +Vermont changed his mind as to staying the night, and announced his +decision of returning to London. + + + + + CHAPTER XXI + + +On the night of that fateful trip, when Leroy returned to his chambers, +he found Lady Constance's letter. Already tired with the events of the +day, and the struggle in the water, this proved an overwhelming blow. +The thought that he had spent the day in idle dalliance, when he might +have been with the woman he truly loved--might have basked in the warmth +of her presence, even though she would never be his, drove him almost to +madness. + +Jasper Vermont, who had followed him back to town by the first train +obtainable, called in at Jermyn Court, and found him pacing up and down +the room, more troubled and unhappy than he had ever been in the whole +course of his pampered, shielded life. Vermont listened and sympathised, +and stabbed afresh, with his artful accounts of Lady Constance's anger +at the fancied slight. He was altogether delighted at the way in which +things had turned out, though he did not know how Fortune had aided him +still more at Waterloo Station. + +On the following morning Leroy received a cypher note from Lady +Merivale, saying that she had arrived home safely, and unnoticed; and, +with a sigh of relief, he turned his attention to his own affairs. To +Jasper's supreme annoyance, he insisted on going through a pile of +papers which Vermont had only meant him to sign; and to that gentleman's +chagrin he actually dared to interfere in the matter of rents and +leases; which proceeding, naturally, did not tend to make Jasper feel +the more kindly disposed to the world in general, and Adrien Leroy in +particular. + +When he had taken his departure, Adrien ordered the motor, and drove +down to Barminster with the intention of offering an apology for his +seeming discourtesy. He found all in confusion and excitement in view of +the coming ball; and, whether by accident or design, he found it +impossible to get a single word with Constance alone. + +The two ladies received the explanation of his absence--a river-trip +with a friend--with chilling indifference. To Miss Penelope nothing was +of any importance except the decorations of the banqueting hall, while +Lady Constance had the evidence of her own eyesight. He was compelled, +therefore, to return to London the next day in the same unhappy state of +mind. To distract his thoughts, he threw himself heart and soul into the +preparations for the festive event; and even Jasper Vermont himself +could not have worked harder. + +The announcement of the fancy dress ball to be held at Barminster had +made something like a sensation; for not only was the magnificence of +the Castle well known, but the fact that it was so seldom used for +festivities of any kind lent importance to the occasion, and had roused +society, both in town and country, to the height of expectancy. + +Preparations were carried on apace. The whole Castle was to be lighted +and decorated, regardless of expense, while even the servants' dresses +were to be manufactured by the masters of their craft, and approved of +by heraldic authorities, in order that the right effect of the period, +that of two hundred years back, might be maintained. Never had a ball +been carried out with such a wealth of detail. + +Throughout all this, and during the many visits which Adrien found +necessary to make to Barminster, journeying backwards and forwards in +his great car, Lady Constance maintained a smiling, gentle demeanour; +but she allowed him no opportunity for explanation, seeming rather to +avoid his presence. Even Lord Barminster, watching his two dear ones +closely, was not blind to the gravity of the situation; but he trusted +to Constance's love to make matters right in the end. + +At last the eventful night came. The temporary stables which the village +carpenters had been erecting close to the ordinary ones were rapidly +filling. Cars and carriages stood side by side, as guests from town and +the surrounding districts arrived; and the air resounded with the +clatter and rattle of the horses' hoofs and carriage wheels, mingled +with the hooting of motor horns. + +Within the Castle all was light and mirth. Ripples of laughter and the +buzz of conversation went on incessantly, as the guests arrived in their +varied and gorgeous costumes. + +The walls of the great reception rooms had all been covered with +priceless tapestry, and as far as possible made to represent the +ball-room of Antony Leroy, two hundred years ago. But the guests +themselves had not been asked to keep to any period of history or +fashion, and, therefore, it was the most incongruous crowd that had ever +gathered within the walls of Barminster Castle. Never were dresses more +regal or more magnificent, alike in materials, colour and decoration. +Cavaliers in silks and satins, with plumed hats and jewelled swords; +Crusaders in glittering mail and silver armour. Alsace peasant girls +mingled with Carmelite monks and Sicilian nuns. Shakespeare's characters +were legion--Portias, Cymbelines, Katherines and Shylocks, all laughed +and jested together, their identity concealed beneath their black velvet +masks. It seemed as if every character and fable had risen to throng the +halls of Barminster Castle that night. + +Up in the gallery above the great ball-room a famous orchestra poured +forth melody, and the guests were awaiting the entrance of their host as +a signal to start dancing. + +The last visitor had arrived, when Lord Barminster and his sister came +from the entrance hall, where they had stood so long. The old man had +merely donned a domino over his evening dress and carried his mask in +his hand; but Miss Penelope had had her elaborate dress copied from a +picture of Lord Antony's wife, which hung in the Picture Gallery. The +gown was composed of soft grey satin, over which hung a veil of gold +chiffon embroidered with pearls. An embroidery of gold wheat-ears sown +with pearls decorated the bodice and the long, grey satin train; this, +together with the family diamonds, made Miss Penelope an imposing +figure, even in that bevy of fair women and gorgeous gowns. + +Immediately behind them came Adrien and Lady Constance. The latter had +chosen to represent "Miranda," and her loveliness seemed almost +supernatural. The pale gold of her hair and the perfect shell-pink of +her complexion were set off to advantage by her gown, which, simple as +it was, yet showed by that very simplicity the hand of the master by +whom it had been designed. It was of palest green satin, edged with +chiffon in such a way as to represent the crested waves, relieved here +and there by pink sea-shells and tiny wreaths of seaweed; while her only +ornaments were pearls, the gifts of her guardian. It was little wonder +that Adrien had been unable to express the admiration he felt, when he +looked upon her fair beauty, which was now, however, covered by a velvet +mask. + +He himself had taken the character of Charles the First, and, with his +dark, deep eyes and melancholy face, fully looked the part of the +unhappy monarch. There was a faint murmur of admiration as he entered, +for every detail had been so carefully copied, from the lace collar to +the jewelled order across his breast, that it was as if Van Dyck's +famous picture itself had stepped down from its frame. + +Unconscious of the attention they provoked, Adrien led Lady Constance +out to the first dance, and opened the ball with her. + +Miss Penelope was in the seventh heaven of delight, when some little +time later Adrien came up to her. + +"What a magnificent sight, is it not, Adrien?" she said excitedly. "I +knew it would be a success; but really the dresses are wonderful. Then +the mystery is so delightful. I can't recognise any one now under the +masks. Look, who is that?" She glanced towards a lady dressed as Undine, +who seemed to float by them, so light were her movements, on the arm of +a Mephistopheles. + +"That," said Adrien, whose quick eyes readily penetrated the majority of +the disguises, "that is--yes, I cannot be mistaken--Ev--Lady Merivale." + +His voice dropped slightly as he spoke the name; for he had not expected +that she would accept Miss Penelope's invitation, and was surprised by +her presence. + +"Who is the Mephistopheles?" asked his aunt. + +Adrien glanced after the couple rather puzzled. + +"I don't know," he admitted frankly. + +"It is something, a shadow only, like Mr. Vermont," suggested Miss +Penelope. + +"It cannot be he," said Adrien, "he is not coming to-night." + +Lord Barminster, who had approached in time to hear this speech, looked +affectionately at his son, and Adrien caught the glance and understood +it. But without making any comment, he went in search of his partner for +the next waltz. + +Meanwhile, Undine and Mephistopheles had seated themselves in the deep +recess of one of the alcoves. + +"May I get you an ice, madam?" asked the Mephistopheles in a queer, +strained voice. + +Undine turned her face towards him, and her eyes flashed curiously +through the mask. + +"You may," she replied, also disguising her voice, "if you will tell me +who you are." + +"That I dare not," was the guarded reply. "My name is never mentioned in +ears polite, you know." + +Undine smiled. + +"Since you will not tell me your name, perhaps you can tell me mine +without the asking." + +"I can, madam. You are--Lady Merivale, who is so fond of the river." + +Undine started, her face turning suddenly pale. + +"I--what do you mean? Who are you?" she asked, as she peered at him with +straining eyes, seeking to pierce the clever disguise. + +"Mephistopheles!" was the calm retort. Then, as if to turn the subject, +he continued lightly: "It is a fair scene, and a fabulous one." + +Undine began to have a slight suspicion as to whom her companion might +be, and was far from comfortable in her mind. The hit at the river might +have been only a chance one; but this was doubtful, if Mephistopheles +turned out to be either Mortimer Shelton or Jasper Vermont, as she half +feared. + +She strove to conceal her uneasiness. + +"The best should be happy and satisfied to-night," she said; "it is a +great success." + +"Yes, happy!" agreed the demon, nodding his horned head, "but not +satisfied. That will never be till he sees the marriage of his beloved +son----" He stopped short. + +"With Lady Constance Tremaine," finished Lady Merivale, in a low voice, +from which all attempt at disguise had gone. + +Mephistopheles nodded again. + +"You have guessed aright, my lady," he said. "See! there they are +together. A handsome pair; an admirable match. Yet it is sad to +think----" He stopped again. + +"What?" cried Lady Merivale, grasping his scarlet-clad arm in a fierce +grip. + +"It will never be!" + +His companion trembled with suppressed eagerness. + +"What do you meant?" she exclaimed. "Can you prevent it?" + +"I both can and will," was the quiet answer. "But, come, let us seek a +more retired spot." + +He drew her almost forcibly out of the recess into the shadow of some +palms, as Adrien Leroy, with a partner on his arm, approached the +alcove. + +"Oh! Mr. Leroy," said Lady Chetwold, as they passed, "can you tell me +who this latest arrival is?" + +"I have not seen her," said Adrien rather wearily; his eyes were bent on +Lady Constance, who had left him and was now dancing with Lord Standon. + +"Oh, there she is!" exclaimed his voluble little companion. "Such a +magnificent Cleopatra, isn't she?" + +She drew his attention to a tall lady who was looking rather anxiously +and constrainedly about her. Her dress certainly deserved the name of +magnificent. It was made for the greater part of apricot-coloured satin, +with gauze and tinselled chiffon fulled over it; from the shoulders was +suspended a long train of imperial purple velvet, on which was +embroidered in dull green, various Egyptian symbols. Her jewels too, +which were abundant, consisting chiefly of diamonds and large emeralds, +made her a regal, though almost theatrical figure. Yet, as her eyes met +the steady regard of Adrien's, she looked nervously round as if to make +her escape. + +Lady Chetwold felt Adrien give a slight start, and looking up, she saw +that his lips had grown stern, and even through the mask detected the +angry gleam in his eyes. + +"Do you know her?" she whispered. + +"Yes!" he said. "But it would be a breach of confidence to betray her, +Lady Chetwold." + +At the close of the dance he surrendered the little lady her next +partner, and went in search of the Cleopatra. He soon espied her, seated +in one of the recesses, and strode across to her. She started to her +feet as Adrien approached, then sinking back into her chair, she looked +up at him defiantly. + +At that moment the band struck up the music for the cotillion, and the +mass of colours shifted in dazzling movement, as, amid the rustle of +silks and the ripple of laughter, the dance commenced. + +Adrien was engaged to Lady Constance for it; but in the height of his +anger he had forgotten the fact. + +"Ada!" he exclaimed in a low voice full of suppressed indignation. "What +is the meaning of this intrusion? You've no business here." + +"No business here! Oh, haven't I?" she answered harshly, her bosom +heaving, and her bejewelled hands clenching. + +"No," he continued, standing in front of her so that she should not be +seen by the dancers. "You know that as well as I do. How did you come?" + +"On my legs," retorted the lady defiantly. "They're good for something +else besides dancing in your theatre, Adrien. You're an unfeeling brute +to speak to me like that after the way you've treated me. Do you think +I'm going to be thrown aside like a worn-out glove, just because you +want to marry that grand swell of a cousin." + +"Silence!" said Adrien in a tense whisper, and grasping her arm almost +savagely. "Keep your mask on, and come with me. If you are discovered, I +will not answer for the consequences." + +She rose sullenly, but abashed by his unusual vehemence, for never yet +had she seen him moved from his polite calm; and opening the door at the +end of the room, he led her away from the brilliant ball-room. + +"Now," he said as he closed the door and removed the mask from his face, +"what does this mean? There is something more in your presence than I +can understand. Whether I marry or not, it can be nothing to you, Ada; +you have the money, which is all you care for." + +"No, I haven't," she retorted loudly, "and you know it!" + +He held up his hand with a gesture of contemptuous command. + +"Speak quietly, if you can," he said, "or I leave you at once. Do you +mean to tell me you have not received the deeds?" + +"I do," she replied sulkily. "It ain't no use your carrying it off in +this high-handed way, because I ain't going to be deceived by it! You +promised me that you'd make me an allowance of a thousand a year, and +give me the theatre when you left me. Well, you've left me right enough, +but where's the money? That's what I want to know." + +"I gave the deed to Jasper," said Adrien, looking down upon her with +distaste, and vaguely wondering how he could ever have endured such a +woman near him. + +"You gave it to Jasper, did you?" said Ada, pulling or rather tugging +off her mask viciously, as she spoke. "Hang me if I didn't think so all +the time!" she exclaimed with a sudden change of tactics. "That Jasper's +a thief. I heard you say something about those deeds, and Jasper told me +a long rigmarole that you wouldn't sign them. Whether that's true or +not, Heaven only knows. Jasper's a bad one, an' he's sold me. He's got +the coin, and I'll split on him, as I threatened. No, it's no use your +trying to make me hush up, I will speak out. I'll show you what a fool +he's made of you, you who have been so good to him; I'll tell you a +thing or two as will open your eyes a bit wider than they are now. +I'll--" + +"Be quiet!" said Adrien. "Not another word--there is some mistake. +Jasper has forgotten, he has some reason for not giving it to you. He +shall explain directly I can reach town. You shall have the money and +the theatre, that I promise you; you know I have never broken my word +yet. Now you must go. Every moment you stay increases your danger. My +father is old-fashioned perhaps, but he would regard this as the +greatest insult, and would punish it severely. You are no fool, Ada. How +could you have done such a mad thing? Hush! slip on that domino." He +pointed to a black masque cloak, and rang the bell. "Get away as quickly +as possible," he went on as, now thoroughly subdued, she put on the +cloak. "You shall have the money, I swear it." + +On the servant entering, he hastily gave directions for her to be driven +to the station; then without another word to her, he returned to the +ball-room, just as his father's voice was heard inquiring for him. + +"Ah! there, you are, my boy. I wondered if anything had gone wrong. Are +you ill?" He gazed keenly at Adrien's pale, unmasked face. + +"No, sir, it is rather hot though in this dress," he returned hurriedly, +hating even the very semblance of a lie. "I believe Constance is waiting +for me," he continued. "Ah, yes, there she is. The ball is going off +well, don't you think so?" + +His father nodded. + +"Yes," he said, "your friends are pronouncing it to be a success. Mr. +Paxhorn declares it is a vision of the period. But Constance is +waiting." + +Replacing his mask, Adrien made his way to his cousin, who, as usual, +was surrounded by a small group of courtiers. She glanced up as he +approached and, with a smile to the rest, took his proffered arm. As he +looked at her sweet face, a thrill ran through him at the purity of her +beauty--so great a contrast to that of the woman he had just dismissed +that he loathed the very thought of ever having touched her hand. In +that moment, the love he bore Constance welled up passionately in his +heart, refusing to be suppressed, and again he tore off the velvet mask. + +When the girl raised her calm eyes to his face, the ardent look in his +startled her, and she determined to at least listen to any explanation +he wished to give her. "Where have you been, Adrien?" she said gently. +"I thought you had forgotten me." + +"No!" he answered sharply, "that would be impossible; but I was called +away. Do you care for this dance? Or, would you give me just a few +moments with you alone on the terrace?" + +Her eyes softened. + +"Yes, if you like, Adrien," she said gently. "I am really tired now, and +longing for the air." + +"Come, then," he said; and catching up a silken wrap that lay on one of +the seats, he threw it tenderly over her. + +Together they passed out on to the terrace, and seemed to have slipped +into another world, so great a contrast was the peaceful moonlit valley +beneath them to the brilliant, heated ball-room they had just left. + +As the curtained door swung behind them, Jasper Vermont, alias +Mephistopheles--his scarlet costume now changed to ordinary evening +dress, and covered with a long black domino, similar to that which Ada +had donned--shot a sharp glance after them; then, with a sinister smile, +he left the room by another exit, and made his way into the grounds. +Keeping well within the shadow of the trees and shrubs, he crouched +down, directly under the terrace where Adrien had led Constance; here, +motionless and scarcely breathing, he listened with eager ears. + +"It is hot," said Constance, removing her mask, and letting the wrap +fall back from her shoulders. + +"All the more reason you should be careful," said Adrien, replacing it +gently. + +She smiled, as she gazed up at him. + +"You look very tired," she said softly. "This ball has been a strain on +you, has it not?" + +"Not more than usual," he returned. "At any rate, it will be my last for +some time to come." + +"Your last!" she echoed, looking up at him with wide, startled eyes. +"What do you mean, Adrien?" + +"I am going away after to-night," he said hoarsely; for the sight of her +beauty was goading him almost to despair. + +"Going away!" she hardly breathed the words; her face had paled in the +moonlight, till it looked almost unearthly. "Why?" + +"You ask me why?" he murmured, his forehead damp with the force of his +emotion. "You, who know how I love you--worship your very shadow!" + +She trembled under the passion of his gaze. + +"Adrien!" she exclaimed, in low, reproachful tones. "Why do you speak to +me like that, when I know how little your words really mean?" + +"Little!" he cried with suppressed passion. "Ah, Constance, why are you +so cruel to me? Why do you so misjudge me, when I would gladly die to +serve you?" + +The earnestness in his tones was unmistakable; but she kept her face +turned from him, and he knew only from the quick-drawn breath that she +had heard him. + +"Constance," he pleaded, "look at me, dear. Give me this one chance. I +shall never trouble you again." + +"You have no right----" she began tremulously. + +"No right to tell you I love you. Do you think I don't know that?" he +burst out. "It is just that very knowledge which has burnt itself into +me, and seared my very soul." + +"What knowledge?" she asked, forgetful, in the suddenness of his attack, +the tactics she had adopted with regard to Lord Standon. + +"The knowledge of your engagement," he answered hoarsely. "Ah, +Constance, be merciful. Surely not even Standon himself would grudge me +these last few moments." + +"What has Lord Standon to do with me?" she asked, looking him full in +the face with steadfast eyes. + +He stared at her in amazement. + +"Is he not your accepted lover?" + +His voice betrayed his agony of spirit; and, hearing this, she relented. +Holding up her left hand, the third finger of which was bare of rings, +she said quietly, almost, indeed, demurely: + +"This does not look like it, does it?" + +The light of hope, new-born, flashed into his face. He sprang forward +eagerly. + +"Constance!" he cried. "My darling! You will try to care for me +then----?" He would have taken her in his arms; but she held him off at +arm's length. + +"No! no, Adrien," she interrupted sadly. "Because I am not engaged to +Lord Standon, is that any reason why I should love one who treats me so +lightly?" + +"I treat you lightly, you--the one woman I have ever truly loved? +Constance, whatever sins I may have committed, you are my first love, +and you will be my last. I am not worthy to touch your hand, as pure as +it is white, but will you not forgive me the folly of my past life, and +let me live in hope that I may do better? I swear from this day forth to +cast off the old life, with all its emptiness and folly, and lay the +future at your feet." + +As his passionate words ceased, she turned to him. + +"Adrien, I do not know what to think," she said in low, troubled tones. +"I wrote to you last month--that day we came up to London, believing +that perhaps you had learned to care a little for me; but when you +deliberately spent the day with another woman, sooner than with me, what +am I to think?" + +"What do you mean?" he asked hoarsely. + +"I saw you," she returned simply, "when we were at the station, auntie +and I, on the twenty-second----" + +"The twenty-second!" he echoed, through blanched lips. + +"Yes, you were at Waterloo Station with some one, I did not see her +face. But what does it matter now? If you had cared----" She stopped +abruptly. + +"I do care," he reiterated passionately. "Heaven above knows that; but I +do not hope to make you believe me. Constance, I can give neither you +nor any living being the explanation of that awful day. But I swear to +you that the meeting was unsought by me. I could not help myself. I do +not know how all this has come about. I understood from Standon +that--that he was engaged to----" + +"Muriel Branton," interrupted Constance softly. "He told me himself." + +For a moment Adrien stared at her in stupefaction. + +"If I had known we were at cross-purposes!" he exclaimed. "I see it all +now--when it is too late," and sinking down on the stone seat he buried +his face in his hands. + +For a minute there was silence, broken at last by the rustle of Lady +Constance's dress as she came timidly towards him. + +"Adrien," she murmured, very low indeed, but not so low that he did not +hear. + +He looked up, gave one swift glance at her blushing face, then, with an +incoherent cry of delight, caught her in his arms. + +"My darling!" he cried. "I love you. Believe that, though I failed you +so." + +No further words were spoken--none were needed; then Adrien said gently: + +"Darling, before we return, tell me, just once--let me hear it from your +own lips, that you love me; for I can scarcely believe I am awake." + +"It is no dream, Adrien," she said, her face flushing and quivering with +pent-up emotion. "I love you, dear." + +Again he clasped her in his arms and neither heard a step behind them. +It was not until a warning cough roused them, that Adrien started, and +became aware of the presence of Mr. Jasper Vermont. + + + + + CHAPTER XXII + + +While the preparations for the ball at Barminster Castle had been going +on apace, trouble and confusion reigned in the little village on the +banks of the Thames. + +No sooner had Mr. Jasper Vermont taken his departure, than poor Lucy +Ashford sank on the floor of the shop, and burst into a flood of tears. +So great had been the strain that she was completely unnerved, and had +quite forgotten the likelihood of her husband's return from Richmond, as +well as the mysterious disappearance of Jessica, who had not been seen +in the house since the arrival of Adrien Leroy and his unconscious +burden. + +This sudden realisation of all the presentiment of evil which Lucy +Ashford had ever in her mind, had burst on her like a thunderbolt. She +had known always that the man, Mr. Jasper Vermont, who knew her secret, +was alive; but never before had she been actually threatened with its +betrayal. Her father, Mr. Harker, had always stood between her and that +dreadful possibility. + +Presently, she jumped up and called to Jessica. Then she remembered that +the girl had disappeared from the time she had sent her from the room. +Fearful that Vermont might yet change his mind and return for the night, +she ran to the door, calling out Jessica's name in a paroxysm of nervous +terror, which finally, on receiving no reply, ended in a severe attack +of hysterics, in the midst of which her husband returned and found her. + +With an exclamation of alarm, he raised her from the floor and bore her +upstairs to the bed on which Lady Merivale had lain such a short time +ago. He was greatly puzzled by the disordered appearance of the room, +and his first thought was of burglars. He gave no time to this, however, +but hastened to get his wife into bed, then rushed out for a doctor. +When he returned with him it was found that Lucy had relapsed into a +state of fever, and was talking deliriously, of an inn at Canterbury, an +individual of the name of Johann Wilfer, and most of all, making +plaintive appeals to Jasper Vermont not to betray her. + +As the next day Jessica had not returned, Ashford found all his work cut +out for him, to see after the shop and the children, as well as his +wife. A kindly neighbour came to his rescue; but John insisted on +nursing Lucy himself, while the woman remained downstairs. + +At first, the husband paid little attention to the wandering, incoherent +sentences of his wife; but as the first excitement died down, and they +began to take distinct form, he bent over her, and learned the one error +of her life. Naturally, poor John recoiled in horror; the whole thing +seemed so incredible, so impossible to believe. Yet, when he had had +time to reflect, he saw that this explained all the little strangenesses +in his wife's conduct and manner; her intense nervousness at the sight +of any stranger; her reticence as to her youthful days; all this was +borne in on his mind, and he realised that he had been deceived. His +wife, in whom he had so trusted, had loved another before him; and at +the bitter truth, John Ashford utterly broke down, and, hiding his face +in the counterpane, sobbed like a child. Tears sometimes are Nature's +own medicine, and do more to soften the heart than any words. After the +first shock had worn away, Ashford commenced to look back on the happy +days he had spent with Lucy; the way she had worked with him, and for +him. These thoughts did their healing work, and accordingly, a few days +later, when Lucy Ashford returned to consciousness, she found her +husband's eyes gazing into hers with only pitying tenderness in their +depths. + +"John," she said faintly, "have I been ill?" + +"Yes, dear," he replied gently. + +Something in his saddened tones, or perhaps strange intuition, told Lucy +that her secret was no longer hers alone. + +"John!" she cried, her voice shaking with terror and weakness. "You know +all!" And she hid her face in her hands. + +Her husband bent over her tenderly and kissed the thin cheek. + +"Yes, dear," he said. "You've told me all. Why didn't you trust me +before?" + +She looked at him in wonder, hardly believing the evidence of her own +ears. Was this all the reproach and anger he would deal out to her? +Could it be possible that, knowing all, the man she had loved, yet +feared, solely on this account, would not only forgive but take her into +his heart again? As if in answer to her bewildered thoughts, John's arm +was around her neck, and his kiss of forgiveness fell upon her lips. + +Presently, she looked up, with a look of ineffable peace and gratitude +on her face. + +"John," she said, "send for poor father; it will be new life to him to +know that this dreadful weight is off my heart, and that you, knowing +what a bad woman I have been, will still call me your wife. Oh, fetch +him to me soon, dear, that he may be happy too." + +Her husband kissed her again, and without another word left the room. +Giving some directions to the neighbour who was still in the shop, he +set out at once on his journey. He drove into Hampton and took the first +train to London, where he intended to tell his father-in-law the whole +story, and learn what details he could; for he did not wish ever to +bring up the subject again, so far as Lucy was concerned. + +Now it happened that Mr. Harker was late at the office that night, +bending, sad and wrinkled, over his interminable papers; the whole +business connected with which was so repugnant to him. Sigh after sigh +escaped his thin lips, as he read the piteous appeals, and knew that he +must refuse them; must deal out fresh misery against his will. It was +hard to be the tool of such a merciless fiend; to be the servant of such +a master of deceit, villainy and fraud; but so greatly did the father +love his child that he would scarce have hesitated in committing a +murder had Jasper Vermont set that crime as a price of his forbearance +and silence. He would have purchased his daughter's safety and happiness +with his heart's blood, if need be. + +Unconscious of the release that was so fast approaching, he worked on, +setting in order the various accounts which Vermont would require to be +laid before him on the following day; and entering in a book concise +histories of the debts and difficulties which placed dozens of Jasper's +acquaintances within his power. + +A knock at the door startled him, and roused him from his task. Hastily +shutting the ledger before which he was seated, and covering the deeds +and documents with a large sheet of paper, the old man rose and opened +the door. + +It was his son-in-law, John Ashford, and at the sight of his round, +kindly face, Harker staggered back, and clutched at the table. + +"Lucy!" he gasped out. "Is she ill?" + +"All right! All right!" said John reassuringly, but in a quieter voice +than his usual jovial one. "Don't be frightened. But when she says 'Go +and fetch father,' you see, I come and fetch you directly." + +Mr. Harker was not to be deceived by this attempt at a jest. + +"She is ill!" he cried, the perspiration breaking out on his forehead. + +John nodded. + +"She is better now," he said. "But I should like you to come down at +once. We shall catch a train to Hampton Court, and I have a trap waiting +for me there." Without any further explanation--for after thinking the +matter over, he had determined that Lucy herself should break the news +to her father--he helped the old man, still trembling and shaking, to +put on his coat, and to lock up the office; and it was not until they +were well on their way, that John told him how he had found his wife a +fortnight ago, lying unconscious on the ground. + +Mr. Harker's troubled face darkened, and his thin hands clenched and +unclenched themselves, for he knew Mr. Vermont only too well, and the +thought had already crossed his mind that this sudden illness was in +some way due to that gentleman's interference. + +Outside Hampton Court station they found the horse and cart for which +John had arranged; and the two men got in silently and started off once +more. They were within a short distance of their destination, when John +pulled up the horse with an exclamation of astonishment. They were in a +narrow lane, with barely room enough for the cart to pass along, and +almost within a yard of the horse's hoofs stood the figure of a young +girl. + +Ashford recognised her in an instant; with a shout of warning, he threw +the reins to his father-in-law and, leaping to the ground, caught the +girl by the arm. + +"Jessica!" he cried reproachfully. "What are you doing here?" + +She looked up at him in silence, and her eyes filled with tears. + +"I am coming back to you," she said at last, in a low voice, "if you +will have me? There was some one I wanted to see again in London, or I +would never have gone; for, oh! sir, I know how good you and Mrs. +Ashford have been to me." + +John appeared relieved. + +"I thought you weren't one of the sort to go off and leave my Lucy just +because she was ill and wanted extra help," he said, in a tone of +relief. + +"Ill," repeated Jessica, with a look of bewilderment. "She was not ill +when I left her. It was the other lady who was ill." + +John, of course, knew nothing of Lady Merivale, and gazed at Jessica as +though she had taken leave of her senses. + +"I don't know what lady you mean," he said; "but my wife has been very +ill for the past two weeks, and asking for you often. You see, I thought +you had run away and left her." + +"I will drive back with you, please, sir, if you have room for me. I +didn't know Mrs. Ashford was ill," said the girl, humbly following him, +as he turned towards the trap. + +He lifted her up, and fastened her in securely. + +All this time Mr. Harker had taken no notice of the little episode, save +to wonder slightly at the delay. But directly he caught sight of the +vivid, dark beauty of the girl, he started. + +"Who is this?" he asked John, who was hurriedly driving on again. + +"A poor girl whom Lucy has befriended," he replied. "Why, did you think +you recognised her?" + +Mr. Harker shook his head. She strongly resembled some one he had seen; +but, for the moment, he could not call to mind who that person was. + +"What is her name?" he inquired. + +"Jessica," replied his son-in-law. "She doesn't seem to know any other." + +They drove on in silence, broken presently by Mr. Harker, who had stolen +another glance at the silent girl. + +"A wonderful likeness," he murmured. "I could have sworn that was Ada +Lester, the actress, as she used to be." + +He relapsed again into silence, and John was too much wrapped up in his +own thoughts to question him further. + +They reached the little shop at last, and Jessica ran lightly and +quickly up to the bedroom. She was welcomed warmly by Lucy, who had +grown to like the girl, and had been greatly upset by her absence. + +"I'm glad you have come back, dear," she whispered, as Jessica bent over +her. "Where have you been?" + +"To London, dear Mrs. Ashford. I did not know you were ill. I came back +with Mr. Ashford." + +"John!" exclaimed Lucy, the colour rising in her face. "My father as +well?" + +"Yes," said the girl. "I will call them." + +She did so, and a moment later John and Mr. Harker entered the room. + +"Here he is, dear, you shall tell him the news yourself, while I take +the horse back," said the kindly John. He bent over and kissed her; and +Lucy followed him with wistful, adoring eyes, as he went out accompanied +by Jessica. + +The next half-hour was an affecting one for father and daughter. Harker +could hardly believe the good news; for so long had they tried and +succeeded in keeping the truth back from Ashford, that it seemed +incredible indeed that he had forgiven freely and wholly. Mr. Harker +looked a different being when, after kissing his daughter +affectionately, he left her and went down to the little parlour. + +John was sitting smoking his pipe; but he started up when the old man +entered. + +"What is the matter?" he said, as he looked at his pale face. "Is she +worse?" + +"No," said Harker. "She is better, thank Heaven! John Ashford," he +continued humbly, "I have come to beg your forgiveness for the pain we +have caused you. I knew my girl to be a good girl, although she had once +been so foolish. I knew she would make you a true loving wife, in spite +of her sin. It was I who overcame her scruples, and bade her marry you. +I did it for the best. I did it that she might be happy; for I knew how +she loved you, and she so feared to lose your love and respect. She +tells me you have forgiven her, but can you forgive me?" + +John grasped his hand. + +"Of course I do," he said heartily. "You did it for her so I have +nothing to forgive. If my poor darling had only plucked up courage and +told me all, the hour we were man and wife, she would have learned how +dearly I loved her, and it would have saved you both many unhappy +years." + +Tears of gratitude stood in Harker's eyes, as he returned the handclasp. + +"Heaven bless you, John," he murmured. "Not many men would be so +merciful. We will never speak of this again. You will not repent your +generosity." + +"What are you going to do?" asked Ashford; struck by something unusual +in the old man's voice. + +"I am going back to London," said Harker, smiling grimly, as in +anticipation of a pleasant task. "I have work to do, an account to +settle now--for Lucy and myself. You don't know all yet, John; you don't +know, you never will know, all that Lucy and I have suffered." + +He paused as if overcome by his emotion; then continued in trembling +voice: + +"We have been slaves all these years, trembling and shrinking under a +villain's nod and frown. I've sold myself to a demon, who, in +consideration of my services--of my body and soul--promised to keep his +talons from my poor Lucy. He discovered her mistake; and he threatened +to let the whole world know, to tell you all, if I did not bind myself +to do his villainous work. I have done it for years. I have endured +shame and agony unspeakable, that my darling's secret might be safe. I +have been his tool and his scapegoat. I, an old man, on my way to the +grave, have earned--and rightly earned--the names of usurer and thief. +All this I have done and suffered that he should never blight my child's +happiness by his presence. He has broken the contract. He came down here +that night you went to Richmond, and, with his fiendish ways and +threats, nearly killed her. Well, now his power has gone. Thanks to your +generosity, your forgiveness, Lucy is free, and I am free. Now I take my +turn, and for every tear he has wrung from my darling's eyes, I will +wring a groan from his black heart." + +John had listened to him with intense surprise. He knew his +father-in-law was in business in the City; but he did not know that the +business of "Harker's," for which he had a great respect, had anything +to do with moneylending. Still he refrained from asking any questions; +and seeing that Mr. Harker was practically exhausted by the excitement +and the news, persuaded him to spend the remainder of the night with +them, and travel back to town in the morning. + +After reflection the old man agreed to this; and it was a very happy +little party that met at the breakfast-table next day. + +Mr. Harker, unable to sleep, had let his thoughts go back to Jessica; +and in the silence of the night a picture had arisen before his eyes; a +theatre in which a dark-eyed young girl was dancing, amidst a crowd of +others. In his delight at having a clue he cried aloud, "Ada Lester, at +the Rockingham!" The more he thought of it the more sure he felt that +this girl must be the daughter, or at least some connection, of the +well-known actress. + +On questioning Jessica, all the information he could obtain from her was +that which she had given Adrien Leroy. Johann Wilfer was the boundary of +her existence. Harker remembered the name as that of the man from whom +he had bought the picture, and he also knew now that he it was who had +been responsible for Lucy's early sin. But he was not to be shaken from +his belief that in some way Jessica must be related to Ada Lester, and +he asked the girl whether she would travel up to London with him, and +trust herself to his care. + +Jessica looked up into his lined face. + +"Yes," she said simply, "if you won't give me back to Johann." + +Harker readily promised this, and, amid many smiles and wavings of hand +from the assembled Ashford family, the two started on their way. + +On reaching London, Mr. Harker's first visit was to the Casket Theatre, +which Jessica at once remembered as the one before which she had kept +watch for Adrien Leroy; and with that recollection came the memory of +the roll of papers which she had picked up. She related this little +incident to Harker; and undoing the bag in which kind-hearted Lucy had +put some clothes for her, she found the papers and gave them to him. + +Harker looked them over, and gave a cry of joy; for he realised at once +that they delivered his arch-enemy into his hands--no miracle from +Heaven itself could have done more. Jessica did not understand the +reason for his excitement, but she was quite content to let the papers +remain in his keeping. + +At the theatre he inquired for Miss Lester; and, it being matinee day, +he found that the popular actress had already arrived. It took time and +money to convince the military-looking door-keeper that it was +absolutely necessary to take an urgent message to Miss Lester, but +eventually this was done, and Mr. Harker, with Jessica---who was almost +dazed by the strangeness of her surroundings--found themselves in Miss +Lester's dressing-room, a few minutes before she was due on the stage as +Prince Bon-Bon. + +Mr. Harker at once hastened to apologise for the intrusion; but, in the +midst of his words, he broke off short, for Jessica and the actress were +gazing at one another in a mutual recognition. Jessica remembered her at +once as the lady who had been with Adrien Leroy; then came the earlier +memory, which had so puzzled her on the night she had seen the actress +entering the theatre. + +"Jessica!" exclaimed Miss Lester, blankly, and she turned on the +astounded Harker. "What's the meaning of this?" + +The few minutes were nearly up, and the call-boy and the dresser had met +in several consultations with regard to the difficulty of getting Miss +Lester on to the stage in time, before Mr. Harker's explanations were +through. + +Ada, now thoroughly assured as to her own future, thanks to her recent +visit to Barminster, was quite willing to look after her niece better +than in the past; especially as her presence formed a strong link in the +chain of evidence the actress intended shortly to bring against Jasper +Vermont. She assured Harker that she would take care of the girl, and +with this he was content; then, leaving Jessica in her aunt's charge, he +made his way to his own office, prior to taking a journey down to +Barminster Castle. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIII + + +The unexpected appearance of Jasper Vermont startled both Lady Constance +and Adrien. + +"Jasper!" exclaimed Adrien, almost sternly, drawing the silken wrap +around Lady Constance as if to shield her from all eyes but his own. "I +did not expect you here to-night." + +"No," answered Jasper. "I have travelled post-haste to try and save you +from heavy trouble; the matter is so pressing that you must give me my +way and attend to it at once. I am sure Lady Constance would forgive +this intrusion, if she only knew of what serious importance it is to +you, and, indeed, to us all." + +He moved forward as he spoke; and the light of the full moon falling on +his smooth, clean-shaven face, showed it so ghastly white, so moved by +strong emotion that Lady Constance started back a step, while Leroy +himself stared in surprise. + +"Good Heavens!" he said, "whatever is the matter to make you drive down +in such a state? What is wrong? Is it the theatre?" A faint contemptuous +smile crossed his face as he thought of Ada. + +"Pshaw!" exclaimed Vermont, scornfully. "The theatre! No, Adrien, +there's not a moment to be lost. I must speak with you at once. Don't +look at me like that. You do not grasp what imminent peril is hanging +over you." + +"Peril!" gasped Lady Constance, springing forward and placing her hand +on Adrien's arm, her movement showing, perhaps unconsciously, the state +of her feelings towards him more than anything else could have done. It +was as if she wished to share with him any approaching pain. + +Jasper glanced at her from beneath his lowered lids--the sort of hungry +look one would imagine a starving wolf might cast at a lamb. + +"Serious peril!" repeated Lady Constance. + +"Of what kind?" asked Leroy, still with that faint smile on his lips, +and quite unmoved by Jasper's solemn face. Then, without waiting for an +answer, he continued scornfully: "Peril! My dear Jasper, what danger can +I be in? This is not the Middle Ages, and there are no assassins waiting +around, are there? However, let me take Con--Lady Constance back to the +ball-room again, and then I will enjoy, or at any rate listen to all you +have to tell me." + +Jasper Vermont smiled bitterly, and took out his watch, which had been a +present from Leroy. + +"Adrien," he said slowly, "you have ten minutes between you and +dishonour!" + +Adrien turned round sharply, and half raised his arm as if to strike, +while such a stern look crossed his face that Lady Constance scarcely +recognised it as the same which, but a few minutes ago, had gazed on her +so lovingly. + +"Adrien!" she cried, almost shuddering at the tense anger shining in his +eyes. "He must be mad!" She turned proudly on Jasper. "That is +sufficient, Mr. Vermont. Pray leave us at once. If this is a jest, I +consider it is in extremely bad taste." + +Jasper bit his lip at her words, but did not shift his ground. + +"No," said Leroy, "it is no jest, dear; there is something wrong, I feel +sure. I will have a few words with him in private." He led her gently +towards the door, and with pale face and trembling heart, Lady Constance +re-entered the ball-room she had left so happily, seating herself near +the entrance in one of the many alcoves. She was overcome by a nameless +fear, and that horrible feeling of utter helplessness which overwhelms +one as in a heavy cloud, and darkens the horizon for us all when weighed +down by suspense. + +Suddenly she determined to seek Lord Barminster, and had risen to do so, +when she heard not only the voices of Adrien and Vermont, but another +also, a strange one, talking not loudly but very sternly. Hardly knowing +what to do, she was about to return to the terrace to ascertain what was +happening, when fortunately her uncle approached with Mortimer Shelton. +She went quickly to meet them, and told them her fears. + +Much surprised, both Lord Barminster and Mr. Shelton accompanied her; +and they found the voices were issuing from one of the small anterooms +adjoining the terrace. Within this room, which was far removed from +where the dancing was going on, they discovered Adrien Leroy, unmasked +and very pale, staring at a blue paper which had evidently been given to +him by the man standing at his side--an inspector of police. + +"What is the matter, Adrien?" asked his father, and seeing that Jasper +Vermont was also present, he turned his eyes to him inquiringly. But +Jasper seemed wishful to avoid his glance, and only shook his head. + +Adrien handed back the blue paper, still without speaking, then turned, +as if to address his father, who was looking sternly from one troubled +face to the other, while behind him stood Lady Constance and Mortimer +Shelton. But before any one could utter a word, the inspector came +forward, and addressing Lord Barminster, said quietly: + +"Sorry, my lord, to have to do this at such a time but I am here in the +performance of my duty. I should be glad if we could go to a more +private room, where I could explain to your lordship without your guests +being informed of the matter." + +Lord Barminster was about to sharply retort when Shelton, who seemed to +realise the seriousness of the affair, touched him lightly on the arm. + +"I think, sir," he said earnestly, "it would be as well to hear what +this man has to say quietly, as he suggests." + +Lord Barminster controlled his feelings, recognising the good sense of +the suggestion, and turning coldly to the inspector, said: + +"Perhaps it would be best, Inspector. Kindly come this way." + +At the end of a small passage outside the anteroom, the door opened into +a smaller room, which at one time had been used as a study, and was +noted for its impenetrability as to sound. Here they entered; and Lord +Barminster, asking all to be seated, bade the inspector proceed with +such explanations as he had to offer. + +"My lord," he said respectfully, "the explanation is a very simple one, +and in deference to your lordship, to make it as private as possible, I +have left my men outside the Castle. I, unfortunately, hold a warrant +for the arrest of Mr. Adrien Leroy on a charge of forgery." + +An exclamation of horror burst from all, except Adrien and Jasper; but +the speaker continued: + +"In performance of my duty, I arrest him, in the King's name." He +touched Adrien lightly on the arm as he spoke. + +Lord Barminster drew a long breath, but still hoping against his better +judgment that the affair was what its originators considered, a +practical joke, he restrained all appearance of anger. + +"Come," he said, "this may be an excellent jest; but whoever is +responsible for it must surely realise that it has gone far enough." + +"This is no jest, sir," said Adrien, and he looked at Mortimer Shelton, +who sat, white and bewildered, opposite to him. + +"I am arrested on a charge of forging Shelton's signature to a bill for +ten thousand pounds." + +"Good Heavens!" exclaimed his friend, starting up in horror. "But it is +impossible that they should think you--" + +"Shelton," continued Adrien steadily, "has written a letter saying that +the signature is a forgery." + +"I wrote last week, not knowing; but, of course"--he laughed +scornfully--"it is all a mistake, which can soon be rectified. The idea +of coming to you for such a thing! I hope you don't believe, my dear +Adrien, that I had any hand in this monstrous accusation?" + +"Of course, I know that," replied his friend, holding out his hand. "But +the writing has a distinct resemblance to mine, I admit; and two +witnesses are ready to prove, so the inspector tells me, that they saw +me enter the office of a certain 'Harker's,' I think it is, where the +bill was signed, and also that my motor was standing at the door. While +a third witness, a clerk at the office, has filed an affidavit that he +actually saw me writing on the bill, there. All this, father"--turning +once more to the old man--"passes a jest." + +"Yes, indeed," replied Lord Barminster sarcastically; "for a Leroy, who +can command a hundred thousand pounds by a stroke of his pen, to forge a +bill for ten thousand pounds is not a jest, but simple madness. The +charge is some insolent conspiracy." + +Almost unconsciously, he fixed his glance on Jasper Vermont, who, during +the whole time, had sat motionless and silent. It seemed as if he +guessed, intuitively, that that smooth individual was at the bottom of +it all. Then he turned his grey eyes to Adrien's calm face, and from his +to the white one of Lady Constance, whose eyes were flashing with anger +at the mere idea of any one doubting Adrien's honour. + +There was a moment's silence, broken by Shelton, who rose and grasped +his friend's hand. + +"Adrien," he said, in a voice charged with emotion, "Adrien, I can bear +this no longer. Give this foul accusation the lie. I know, my dear +fellow, as surely as I know that I did not write it myself, that you had +nothing to do with the accursed signature. But, for Heaven's sake, tell +the others so too." + +Adrien returned the friendly clasp with a smile that lit up his whole +face; then looking round, he said quietly: + +"I did not write it; I know nothing of it." + +Lord Barminster rose from his seat at the sound of his son's voice, and +put his hand on Adrien's shoulder; then, as if half ashamed of his +pardonable emotion, he turned to the inspector. + +"You hear, sir, Mr. Leroy knows nothing of the matter." + +"That, my lord," returned the inspector respectfully, "would not justify +me in leaving here without him. I fear he must accompany me; my +instructions under the warrant are too strict. Mere denial is, of +course, a common matter, and a usual one--begging your pardon, my +lord"--for the old man had started indignantly. + +"I should suggest, my lord," continued the inspector hurriedly, "that an +alibi would be of the most service. I do not say for one moment that Mr. +Leroy did commit the forgery; but, of course, he will be able to prove +where he was on the twenty-second of last month, at three o'clock." + +Shelton's face brightened. He wheeled round on his friend. + +"Adrien," he exclaimed, "tell us where you were on that day; not to +satisfy me, you know that, but to get this folly over." + +Leroy gazed sadly at him, but remained silent; and Shelton grew hot, and +then white with irritation, at this inexplicable silence. + +"Think, my dear Adrien," he said in a quick, impatient voice. "Were you +at the club, or your chambers, or Park Lane--where were you? Come, you +can't have forgotten." + +He stamped his foot in his impatience; for although he would have +laughed to scorn any assertion of his friend's guilt, it annoyed him +that a shadow should remain on Adrien's name for a single instant, and +especially when a few words from Leroy himself would end the matter. + +But Adrien made no indignant protest, such as might have been expected. + +"No," he said at length, "I have not forgotten where I spent the day of +the twenty-second----" + +"Then, for Heaven's sake, man, speak out," exclaimed Shelton in +excitement. + +"I cannot," answered Adrien with a sigh. "I gave my word to keep secret +certain events that happened on that day. They took place far away from +the City, but I cannot reveal where. Those who say they saw me in London +are lying, and I could easily disprove their statements; but you would +not have me break my word?" + +There was an awful silence, as he finished speaking. Not one present but +realised the gravity of the situation, and the futility of putting +further questions. + +At this point the inspector turned to Lord Barminster. + +"My lord," he said almost gently, "I'm afraid I must ask Mr. Leroy to +come back with me--and at once; but for the sake of all here, it can be +arranged so that your guests shall remain ignorant. There are not many +hours before the morning now." + +This was indeed true, for time waits for no man, be it spent in pleasure +or in crime. "I would suggest that Mr. Leroy and myself return to +London; and if he will give me his word of honour not to attempt any +escape, I will dismiss my men, who were sent down with me altogether +against my will." + +"Certainly, you may rely on my not offering any resistance," was Leroy's +reply, with a faint smile at the idea called up by the inspector's +words. "I should like to change my things to something more suitable." +He glanced down at the velvet and lace of his King Charles costume; all +this seemed like a dream from which he must awake to find himself back +in the ball-room. + +"Certainly, sir," agreed the inspector, who seemed honestly reluctant to +make the business any more unpleasant than necessary. + +"I will come with you," put in Lord Barminster suddenly. + +"I also," said Mortimer Shelton. "I will come up with you, and change +into something more fitted for the journey." + +Turning to Lady Constance, her uncle besought her to return to the +ball-room, and thus prevent any remarks being made as to the absence of +himself and Adrien. Bravely, as was to be expected of her, she turned +obediently; and with a few whispered, loving words to Adrien, left the +room, followed, almost unnoticed, by Jasper Vermont. He was quite +satisfied with the success of his plot, but had no desire to come into +contact with Lord Barminster, if he could avoid it. + +Meanwhile, having ordered refreshments for the inspector, Lord +Barminster prepared to accompany his son to London. The arrangements +took but a short time; and when the three men, accompanied by the +inspector, silently entered the car which had been brought round, the +ball was drawing to an end. Carriages and motors were driving away, +filled with tired but happy guests, who little guessed that their host +and his son were also being driven away--but to a police-station. + +Outside the Castle gates the inspector stopped to dismiss two or three +plain-clothes officers who were awaiting him, telling them to return to +London by the first train. + +"I would suggest," he said quietly, as the car rolled through the quiet +country lanes, "that we wait together in London until the court opens; +and when I have delivered up my charge, you can go before the +magistrate, and obtain bail, in whatever amounts are required. Mr. Leroy +would then be able to return to Barminster until the actual trial--if, +of course, such should be necessary." + +"A very sensible idea," agreed Shelton. "Thank you, Inspector. When this +matter is satisfactorily cleared up, you will not lose by your sympathy, +nor by the way you have conducted the business." + +Lord Barminster was also pleased at this suggestion, and, on their +arrival in London, the whole party went straight to Barminster House for +breakfast, after which the four walked down to the court, where +application for bail was made and accepted in two sureties of ten +thousand pounds each from Lord Barminster and Mortimer Shelton; then +Adrien found himself free until the day of trial. + +They returned to their town house, where his father telephoned to the +family solicitors. Within half an hour the head of the firm arrived, and +was put in possession of such meagre details as Adrien could furnish, +without disclosing his doings on the fateful date, the twenty-second. +The lawyer's face was very grave as he listened. + +"It will not be an easy task, my lord," he ventured to say to Lord +Barminster as he took his departure, "but I will do my best, and will +have opinion of the highest counsel obtainable." + +They were soon ready to undertake the return journey, and before parting +with the kindly inspector, Lord Barminster very warmly thanked him. All +felt that they had been spared a great deal of humiliation by the way he +had so far conducted the case. At the Castle they found that nothing was +known of the affair. Miss Penelope had retired to her own rooms to +recover from the fatigue of the ball, while Constance was quite serene, +strong in her loving faith in Adrien and content to ask no questions. + +Jasper Vermont had also left Barminster, but had sent a note in which be +stated that he was working in his friend's interest, and hoped to +unearth the mystery of the conspiracy. This sounded plausible and meant +nothing--which was thoroughly characteristic of Mr. Vermont. + +The cases at the Central Criminal Court were fortunately light ones, and +did not take long to settle, so that the interval between the acceptance +of bail and the date of the trial was a short one. There was, of course, +great excitement in the fashionable world over Adrien's sensational +arrest, but this the young man wisely ignored; taking refuge at +Barminster Castle from the curiosity and sympathy of friends and +reporters alike, and resolutely refusing to be interviewed. + +One thing--so characteristic of him--Adrien did at once. Notwithstanding +his own cares, he remembered his promise to Ada Lester at the ball, and +instructed the solicitors to prepare a deed by which the money and the +rights of the Casket Theatre should be made over to her, and settled on +her at once; at the same time, ordering that the papers should be handed +to her personally, thus providing against any mistakes or interference +on the part of Jasper. + +This kindly thought completely turned the scale of Ada's gratitude in +his favour. Rejoicing at the blow which she knew this would be to Mr. +Vermont, and in ignorance of his last treachery to Adrien, she +determined to show him up in his true colours at the first opportunity. + +Meanwhile, as the day of the trial approached, Lord Barminster and +Mortimer Shelton became more and more anxious. + +The solicitors had briefed the finest and best known barristers for the +defence; but one and all agreed that unless Adrien could prove an alibi, +only a miracle could save him from conviction. + +On the actual day Adrien Leroy took his place in the dock, listening +through the day with unwearied calm to the long speeches made by the +counsel on both sides. + +Witness after witness was called; but none could shake the evidence of +Harker's clerk, who swore to seeing Leroy actually sign the bill in +question, on the twenty-second of the preceding month. + +Towards the end of the case, when both judge, jury and counsel were +tired out by the conflicting statements, a note was sent to the +barrister for the defence by a veiled lady, who had sat in the back of +the court during the whole day's proceedings. + +He opened it carelessly, but after a swift glance at the few lines which +it contained, his face brightened. Resuming his usual confident tones, +he desired that a new witness might be called, namely Lady Merivale. + +At the name Adrien started forward, but it was too late. A lady in +black, pale but composed, entered the witness box, and was duly sworn. +Calmly she gave her evidence, stating that she had visited her aunt, +Lady Rose Challoner, at Hampton Court on the twenty-second of the +previous month, and while there had met Mr. Adrien Leroy. He had rowed +her up the river, and as an additional witness she could produce one of +the boatmen to whom she had spoken while at Hampton, and who had watched +them start. + +After this there was little more to be said. The miracle had indeed +happened! It was clearly a case of perjury on the part of Harker's +clerk, for whose arrest the judge ordered a warrant to be issued. + +On the delivery of the verdict in Adrien's favour, Lady Merivale left +the court. She did not glance at Leroy, nor indeed anyone present, but +walked blindly out. She knew that not only had she restored the man she +loved to freedom and to honour, but in all probability ruined her own +social position. For Jasper Vermont's veiled threats at the Barminster +fancy dress ball could not be ignored, and now that she had deliberately +gone contrary to his wishes in disclosing where Adrien had spent the +fateful twenty-second of May, she could not but doubt that Vermont would +make use of the mysterious power which he had hinted he held over her. +What this power was she could only surmise, for, of course, she was in +ignorance of Jasper's connection with "Harker's Ltd." But she had an +uncomfortable feeling that Adrien's freedom had been purchased at +considerable danger to herself, and the thought haunted her +unpleasantly. + + + + + CHAPTER XXIV + + +Mr. Harker, having arranged things to his liking at Lawrence Lane, +returned to Miss Lester and reminded her of her promise to assist him to +unmask Jasper Vermont. He found her more than willing to accompany him +to Barminster, and accordingly it was arranged that they should travel +down together on the following day, accompanied also by Jessica. Upon +the rare occasions that Vermont and Harker had met during the past week +the latter had made no sign of his recently acquired emancipation from +Jasper's rule, and that gentleman was in blissful unconsciousness of the +sword hanging over him. + +Arrived at Windleham, the nearest station to Barminster, Mr. Harker left +the two women at the little hotel facing the railway, there to await his +return or instructions to come on to the Castle. Then he made his way to +Barminster. Here he delivered a note into the care of the footman, +bidding him to take it to his master without delay. In it he had begged +Lord Barminster to grant him an interview on important personal +business, hinting that by so doing he might avert future peril for +Adrien and himself. + +In a very short time the man returned, with the message that Lord +Barminster would see him at once; and Mr. Harker was shown into the Blue +Room, in which Adrien Leroy had been arrested little more than a week +before. + +"His lordship will be with you in a few moments," said the man as he +left the room. + +Almost immediately Lord Barminster appeared, accompanied by Mortimer +Shelton. Harker rose respectfully and rather nervously, but Lord +Barminster at once put him at his ease. + +"Pray be seated, Mr. Harker," he said politely, as he and Shelton set +the example. "This is my son's friend, Mr. Shelton, and I should like +him to be present at our interview." + +Mr. Harker bowed. + +"I presume you are the Mr. Harker into whose possession came the forged +bill?" continued his lordship. + +"As a mere servant--yes, my lord," answered Mr. Harker. "I have become +aware of the identity of the man who committed the actual forgery, and +also of the fact that he is now preparing to bring further trouble on +yourself and Mr. Adrien Leroy." + +Lord Barminster started as if to speak, but Mr. Harker continued: + +"Fortunately, I am able to avert this, because I have brought the forged +bills with me; and I will explain all fully, if your lordship will hear +me through. It will take some little time, but I ask your patience." + +Lord Barminster nodded and said quietly: + +"Go on." + +With a dry cough, Mr. Harker opened the little black bag he invariably +carried with him, and drew from it a roll of papers. With slow +precision, the old man unfastened it and looked across at his listeners. + +"Five years ago," he commenced, "my master--for, as I said before, I was +merely a servant, a machine, acting under instructions--ordered me to +buy up any bills bearing your son's name. Furthermore, I was to lend the +money to any amount within my master's credit to those who brought his +name as guarantee. I did so, and every bill and liability which was +contracted either in his own name or in yours, my lord, by Mr. Leroy, +fell into the hands of this man, who carried on the business under cover +of my name. He posed as the friend of Mr. Leroy, and by means of +forgeries, and cooked accounts, he has managed to acquire control of +your entire revenue." + +"Jasper Vermont!" exclaimed Shelton involuntarily; while Lord Barminster +leaned forward eagerly. + +Mr. Harker bowed his head. "You are aware," he continued, "that all +matters of business, even the tradesmen's bills, passed through his +hands. That confidence he has abused, to how great an extent I alone can +prove; for I was his tool and slave, and held his secrets. Not a bill +was paid without his receiving his commission and adding to its amount. +He it was who lent the money to Mr. Leroy's friends, after he had +procured his name with which to back them; and he it was who, behind the +screen which I supplied, gradually, yet surely, drew your son into his +net. What object he had, besides that of gain, I know not; but he +certainly desired his utter ruin in wealth and honour, and compelled me +to help him in his schemes. Among other bills we held was one, +presumably, indorsed by Mr. Mortimer Shelton----" + +Shelton started up; but Lord Barminster said quietly: + +"Let us hear the whole story first, Mortimer." + +"That signature was a forgery," continued Mr. Harker, "double forgery +indeed; for it imitated Mr. Leroy's handwriting as well as that of Mr. +Shelton." + +"I knew it," murmured his lordship in a low tone. "But pray continue, +Mr. Harker." + +"The double forgery," went on the dry voice, "I now know was executed by +my employer's hand; but instructions were given in the name of the firm +to charge Mr. Adrien Leroy with the crime. The particular day was fixed +on the twenty-second simply because my master had found out that Mr. +Leroy had been somewhere else, and in the company of a lady whom he knew +Mr. Leroy would never betray. But this part you already know from +yesterday's trial. False evidence was brought to bear, in the statement +that your son had been in our office, and it was only owing to a plea of +illness that I escaped being made a witness also. This was but one +forgery, and I have here large numbers of bills all forged by the same +hand, and which, if presented, will amount to more than the sale of +three such estates as this could liquidate." + +Lord Barminster uttered an exclamation of horror. + +"I will leave them here with you," went on Mr. Harker, "and when the +scoundrel has been unmasked, you need have no fear of any future danger. +In my master's chain of villainy there was a single flaw; but that flaw +has broken the whole chain. The poor tool, whom he had had so long +beneath his thumb, whom he had trodden under his foot remorselessly, +suddenly regained his freedom--which he had bartered for the safety of +his only child." + +He raised his head and looked steadily into the stern eyes of Lord +Barminster. + +"My child and I," he continued, "are now freed from the chains that +bound us, and are willing to bear any results that may follow from this +exposure. Besides these bills, my lord, I have additional proof. A young +girl whom I have brought with me was fortunate enough to see Mr. +Vermont----" + +Lord Barminster's face shone with triumph, as the actual name of his +master at last fell from Harker's lips. + +"--My master--drop a roll of papers. These she picked up, and later, +when by a strange coincidence she was befriended by my daughter, showed +them to me. They clearly prove, by the many attempts to imitate the +writing, whose hand it was who eventually committed these forgeries." + +"I knew it!" cried Shelton, unable to keep silence any longer. "I knew +we should catch the snake! But, pardon my interrupting you, Mr. Harker; +you see, Mr. Leroy is my best friend." + +Mr. Harker inclined his head and proceeded steadily. + +"These forged deeds I will now, my lord, hand over to your charge, if +you prefer it. But if you will have sufficient confidence in my efforts +to save you from further trouble, I will hold them at your command until +after Vermont is dealt with, in order not to implicate you in any way; +for, of course, these bills belong to Vermont, until either he gives +them up voluntarily, or they are confiscated by law." + +"Keep them in your possession," said Lord Barminster quietly. "It would +not do for them to be in my hands just at present. I will have +confidence in you, and you shall have no cause to regret this day's +work, I assure you." + +Mr. Harker looked at him gratefully. + +"Thank you, my lord," he said. "Your confidence is not misplaced; +indeed, it is not my fault that you have not been placed in possession +of the real facts of the case before this. I certainly think it would be +best for me to retain them for the present. I would suggest now that we +arrange a plan by which Jasper Vermont shall expose his villainy in the +actual presence of your son; otherwise, we shall have difficulty, +perhaps, to convince him on my bare word." + +"That's true enough," put in Mortimer Shelton. "Adrien is so set on the +man, that even with these proofs we shall hardly convince him of his +treachery other than from Vermont's own mouth." + +"Yes," said Lord Barminster with a sigh. "I think you are right. But how +is this to be managed?" + +"I have brought with me the girl, Jessica, to whom I referred just now, +and her aunt, Miss Ada Lester," said Mr. Harker. "Both of them will be +able to assist us, and I would suggest to your lordship that they be +sent for, and brought into the Castle quietly. We should then be able to +confront Vermont." + +"Certainly," agreed Lord Barminster; and, crossing the room, he rang for +his own confidential man. + +"Simpson," he said, when the servant appeared, "I want you to drive +down, yourself, to the station." + +"The Windleham Hotel, your lordship," interrupted Mr. Harker +respectfully. "I think, too, if your lordship would have no objection, a +short note from me would be advisable." + +"Certainly," agreed Lord Barminster. He directed Harker to a small desk, +then turned once more to the waiting servant. "Bring the ladies back +with you. Take them into the Octagon Room, and ask them to wait there." +Then, as Mr. Harker came forward with the note, he added, "Give this to +a Miss Lester." + +"Yes, my lord," said Simpson, and taking the letter with a deep bow, he +departed on his mission. + + + + + CHAPTER XXV + + +Lord Barminster conducted Mr. Harker to the Octagon Room, so named from +its peculiar shape. + +"If you will wait here," he said courteously, "I will have some +refreshment sent up to you and the ladies, when they arrive." + +"Thank you, my lord," returned Mr. Harker gratefully. + +Seating himself, he waited patiently for the arrival of Miss Lester and +Jessica, secretly congratulating himself on the success of his +interview. The time passed quickly; and, while waiting, Lord Barminster +and Mortimer Shelton held a hurried consultation with him as to the best +method of exposing Vermont. Long before they had finished, Miss Lester +and her niece had arrived, the former flushed with excitement and +triumph at the prospect of at last, as she expressed it, "getting her +own back" with Jasper. + +Lord Barminster and Shelton descended to the terrace, where they found +Lady Constance; and almost immediately after came Adrien, with his +inevitable companion, Jasper Vermont. + +Lord Barminster had already arranged for his three visitors to be in the +morning-room, which opened on to the terrace, as they would there be +within call, and also within earshot. + +"A word with you, Mr. Vermont," began Shelton sternly. + +Jasper smiled, as usual, and turned towards him. + +"As many as you like, Mr. Shelton," he said smoothly. + +Mortimer looked at him steadily; then he said in a voice which was hard +as steel: + +"Mr. Vermont, Lord Barminster has kindly allowed me to speak first. We +have every reason to believe that you have had some connection with this +affair of Harker's notwithstanding your profession of friendship for +Adrien." + +Mr. Vermont drew himself up proudly. + +"I?" he said indignantly. "What should I have to do with moneylending?" + +"Be careful," said Shelton sternly, "there are not people wanting who +will fight for Leroy's honour even as it were their own." + +Vermont smiled cynically. + +"Indeed, Shelton," he said, "it is hardly for you to speak. After all, +it was you who nearly ruined Adrien by your denial of the bill, not I." + +Lord Barminster strode forward. + +"You cowardly rascal," he exclaimed furiously; but Mortimer placed +himself between them. + +"My lord," he said, "leave him to me. If force is necessary, I will +punish him." + +Jasper smiled. + +"You wrong me, Shelton," he said gently; "and not only me, but Adrien, +whom you pretend to care for. I have stood his true friend, as he knows, +and have done my best to keep trouble from him, when, indeed, none other +could have done so. But I suppose this is all the gratitude I can expect +from you for the discharge of friendship's duties. Adrien will no longer +be of the fashionable world, you think, after yesterday's case; and it +is high time to get rid of his humble friend, Jasper Vermont." + +Adrien, who had been talking to Lady Constance, now glanced appealingly +towards Mortimer; but with a gesture, as if to silence him, Shelton +turned to Vermont again. + +"Friend!" he exclaimed bitterly. "A pretty friend! But no more of this. +I advise you to leave the Castle while you are safe, for we have +sufficient proof here to send you to penal servitude." + +"Yes," Lord Barminster repeated, "leave the house at once. If I find you +within my grounds an hour hence, I will thrash you within an inch of +your life, old man as I am." + +Jasper Vermont's face grew livid with anger, and something approaching +fear as well; he clenched his hands so tightly that the carefully +manicured nails dug deep into his flesh. But with characteristic +insolence he tried to brazen it out. + +"Your grounds?" he exclaimed, in virulent scorn. "Your grounds, my lord! +First tell me where I shall find them. You have no grounds. Barminster +Castle is in the hands of a moneylender; these lands, as far as the eye +can reach, are the property of Mr. Harker, the City capitalist, by right +of countless bills and deeds which your precious son has made over to +him." + +With an exclamation of pain and astonishment, Adrien gazed on the man +whom he had so loved and trusted. There was no mistaking the bitter +hatred that was in Vermont's tones. At last, his eyes were being opened +to the man's true character. + +Lord Barminster regarded him steadily. + +"You're mad!" he said quietly. + +"Oh, no, no!" laughed Vermont. "It is not I who am mad, but you, who +foolishly handed over your wealth to your son before it was his by +right. You should have let him wait till death had removed you, before +you gave him full power over Barminster. Such lavish expenditure as his +would empty the coffers of a nation. His folly has melted every stone of +your precious Castle in the cup of pleasure, and has poured out the +costly draught at the feet of his friends and parasites. Friends? He has +never had any--leeches, perhaps, who have sucked him dry of all his +possessions, and then deserted him." + +"Speak for yourself, you cur." cried Shelton, "since it is you, and your +dishonest management of his estates, that have brought him to this +pass." + +Jasper smiled sardonically. + +"Say rather that it is I who have constantly warned him against every +fresh extravagance, knowing full well what must happen. Ask him +yourself, if you doubt my word; ask him whether I have not implored him, +time and time again, to relinquish at least some of his many ruinous +pleasures and follies; to deny himself at least one expenditure." + +Adrien turned his dark eyes to his father's stern face. + +"Sir," he said gently, "I really do not see why this scene should +continue. If any explanations are necessary, Mr. Vermont shall give them +to me." + +Vermont turned away with a scornful laugh, but Shelton grasped his arm. + +"One minute," he said, "before you sneak away." + +"Keep your hands off me, you moneyed fool," cried Vermont, wrenching +himself free from the other's grasp. "I know nothing about this City +business, you must apply to Harker himself. It is your name that is +forged, not mine--though I suppose you want to screen the real criminal +and fix on me as a scapegoat." + +Shelton was about to retort, but Adrien intervened. + +"Tell me one thing," he said quietly. "What has been your motive for all +this? I cannot believe that gain was your sole object. What harm have I +ever wrought you, Jasper? Something else must have inspired your +conduct. I ask you to give me the reason." + +There was a dead silence as the gentle words were spoken. Jasper raised +his eyes to the pale face of the man he had so basely betrayed, and bit +his bloodless lips in dogged silence. + +At this moment a commotion was heard at the lower end of the terrace. +Some of the servants were trying to prevent the approach of a man, who +was striving to get nearer to the little group. But he was too strong +for them; with a bound he had freed himself from their restraining arms, +and sprang forward, as if about to strike at Adrien. But Shelton thrust +himself forward and bore him back. + +"Who is this? Are we to have all the scum of the earth in here? Do you +know this man, Leroy?" he asked hotly. + +"Yes, I do," answered his friend in the low, restraining tones so +habitual to him. + +"Yes, I should just think you do!" exclaimed the man, struggling to push +past Mortimer's outstretched arm. It isn't likely as you'll forget +Johann Wilfer, Adrien Leroy, nor me you either." + +"This is too much!" cried Shelton, now thoroughly enraged at this fresh +interruption, and again he made as if to thrust the man away. + +"Stop," said Adrien, glancing almost sadly at Constance, who smiled +lovingly back. "Let him speak, since he is here. Come, sir, why have you +forced your way in like this? What do you want of me?" + +"What I asked a month ago," replied Wilfer. "I want my niece, Jessica. I +want her, an' I'm agoin' to have her, so you'd better own up where she +is." + +Adrien turned to the others, who were standing silent in their +astonishment. + +"This man," said Leroy, "has a fancied grievance against me; I know +nothing of where this girl is, or what has become of her." + +"That's false!" retorted Wilfer. "He does know where the girl is; he +took her from her home, and she hasn't been seen since." + +Lord Barminster glanced at him coldly. + +"My good man," he said, "you heard what my son said just. You had better +make inquiries of the police. Mr. Leroy has not seen your niece." + +"That is not quite true," put in Adrien gently, "I have seen her." + +Lady Constance raised her pale face, and looked at him with startled but +trusting eyes. + +"P'raps you'll say you didn't take her to your rooms next," said Wilfer. + +"I don't deny it," replied Adrien calmly. "I found her on a doorstep, +starving with hunger, fleeing from a drunken uncle, as she said. There +was nowhere else to take her, being late at night; so I took her to my +chambers and fed her, then gave her into the charge of Norgate and the +housekeeper until morning, when I learned that she had disappeared. That +is all I can tell you about her; for I have not seen her since." + +"But I have," came a voice--a woman's voice--behind them, "and I have +brought her here." + +The little company turned round, and Adrien started as his eyes fell +upon the three new-comers. + +"Ada," he cried. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?" + +"No intrusion this time, Mr. Leroy," she said firmly. "I am here by your +father's own invitation." + +Jasper, who during Wilfer's outburst had made no effort to go away, now, +at the sight of Miss Lester--who looked around her triumphantly, for +this was just the kind of scene she enjoyed--made an effort to slip +past; but he was held prisoner by Shelton. + +"Quite right, Miss Lester," said Lord Barminster, courteously. "Perhaps +you will tell us what you know of the young lady." He glanced kindly at +the shrinking figure of Jessica, who stood with adoring eyes fixed on +Adrien. + +"Well, I ought to know something of her," was that lady's retort. "I'm +her aunt. I paid that man"--pointing at Wilfer--"to look after her, and +a nice way he's done it, turning her out to starve, while he got drunk +on my money. You get off," she turned on the astounded Johann, "and +don't you let me hear any of your complaints, or I'll have something to +tell the police." + +At the sound of the hated word "police," Wilfer turned, and mumbling +some incoherent words, slunk away. His game was up, and seeing him +vanquished, Miss Lester now took the centre of the stage, as it were, +and turned her attention on the scowling Jasper. + +"You waste your breath with that skunk," she exclaimed, pointing a +bejewelled finger at him. "He's too tough a fox for you gentlemen. I'm +one of his own sort, and I'll show you what he's made of. Jasper, my +fine friend, you sold me as well as Mr. Leroy there, and I'm going to +cut up a bit rougher than what he has." She turned to Adrien, who had +been standing bewildered by this fresh interruption. "You want to know +what his little game is? Well, I'll tell you. He wanted your money +first; then, having ruined you and put you out of the running, he meant +to have a try for your sweetheart." + +Adrien turned on her almost fiercely, and glanced at Constance, who +motioned him to be silent. + +"That surprises you, does it?" continued Ada. "Some of you ladies and +gentlemen are as blind as bats. I could see his little game months ago. +That was his object; and he didn't care what he did to gain it. But he +went a bit too far when he tried to do me!" + +She turned to Jessica, and, laying her hand on the girl's shoulder, drew +her forward. + +"You want to know who this is? Well, it's just as I said before. She's +my niece. I don't think anybody, looking at the two of us, will deny the +relationship, either. She takes after her mother. And now you want to +know who her father is?" + +Again she paused to heighten the effect of her words; but before an +answer could be given, a girl's cry of horror rang out, and Jessica +suddenly flung herself in front of Adrien. Jasper Vermont, for the first +time catching sight of Harker, and realising at last that the game was +up, indeed, had made a sudden movement, once more wrenching himself free +from Shelton. Something glittered in his hand; then came a flash, a +report, and with that one scream of agony, the lifeless form of Jessica +fell into Adrien's arms. + +In an instant, all was in confusion. Jasper Vermont, with a mocking +laugh, had sprung over the stone balustrade, and was running across the +turf in the direction of the stream which, lower down, spanned the +race-course, and, even at this time of the year, was almost a foaming +torrent. Attracted by the sound of the shot, the servants had +approached, and now set off in hot pursuit. + +But Jasper Vermont was fleet of foot, and when he had gained the top of +the rising ground he turned for one second to laugh again. But the laugh +died on his lips, as a voice--audible even above all the hubbub and +confusion--the shrill voice of Ada Lester, screamed: + +"You villain. You have murdered your own child!" + +Those who were in pursuit saw him suddenly stagger, as he realised that +the girl, whose identity he had that day learnt for the first time, had +received the bullet he had intended for Adrien Leroy. + +With a short, sharp cry, like that of a wounded animal, he missed his +footing, fell backwards into the stream, which at this point was both +wide and deep, and was carried away; drowning before the very eyes of +the man who had so loved and trusted him, and whom he had so bitterly +wronged. + + + + + CHAPTER XXVI + + +The suddenness of the tragedy which had taken place postponed all +further discussion. + +The sunlight, streaming through the latticed windows of one of the rooms +in the Castle, shed its rays on the still form of the young girl, who +had given her life for the man she loved so well. + +Beside the bed knelt Adrien Leroy, his face buried in one hand, the +other resting upon the still one that lay, white as marble, on the +silken coverlet. He had come, overwhelmed with pain, from the scene on +the terrace, to pour forth a passionate grief and remorse over this +young life that had been so generously given up to save his. + +It mattered nothing to him that the dead girl was the daughter of the +man whom he had befriended, and who had used his generosity only as a +means by which to betray him; it mattered nothing that his grief might +even now be misconstrued by the tongues of the uncharitable. He knelt in +the deepest humility by the dead girl's side, deeming his life all +unworthy to have been saved at such a cost; and while he implored the +pardon of the great Creator for the follies of his past life he called +on the Almighty to hear the vows which he now made--that for the future +his steps would be in wiser paths. + +When he arose from his knees his face had lost all its old languid +self-possession; there was a graver, more earnest light in his eyes, and +as his lips pressed the hand of the dead girl they muttered a farewell +vow, which was never to be forgotten from that hour till his last. + +Lady Constance, bravely overcoming her own pain and horror at the double +tragedy--for Jasper's body had been recovered and brought back to the +house an hour after the death of Jessica--had retired with poor, +remorseful Ada to her own rooms, where she did her best to soothe and +comfort the unhappy woman. Overwhelmed with remorse at her previous +neglect of the girl, Ada blamed herself bitterly for not watching her +enemy more closely, and thus protecting all concerned from danger. + +Meanwhile, the last painful duty had to be done. In the Blue Room were +seated in expectant silence Lord Barminster, Mortimer Shelton, and Mr. +Harker. On the table lay the papers which Mr. Harker had brought with +him, amongst them the all-important roll which Jessica had rescued from +the streets. The three men were waiting now for Adrien, with patient +respect, knowing the cause of his absence. + +Presently the door opened, and the young man entered. Lord Barminster +held out his hand without a word, and his son, as silently, grasped it; +then, with a sigh, he seated himself at the table, prepared to learn to +what extent he had been robbed by the man he trusted so fully. + +Without comment, Shelton passed him paper after paper, all drawn up in +the clear writing of Mr. Harker; Adrien, with deep humiliation, +examining them all. With another sigh he dropped the last one upon the +table and looked up. + +"It is like some hideous dream," he said in a low, shocked voice. +"Jasper Vermont, then, was not a traitor to me, but a forger and thief. +I can scarcely believe it--though, of course, it is impossible to get +away from these proofs. He must have even bribed that jockey to lose the +race, as the man hinted. That he could so have used my trust and +confidence to gain money, and by crime, when he could have had it for +the asking, seems past belief." + +His father looked pityingly at him; he knew only too well what a blow +this was to the young man. + +"I believed in him to the last," continued Adrien, in the same low +tones. "I believed him true, in spite of all your warnings." + +He turned to his friend. + +"Shelton," he said, "I cannot thank you as I should like, nor indeed you +either, Mr. Harker. I am deeply grateful to you all for what you have +done for me. Truly a man should take heed of his self-conceit, lest he +fall, as I have done." + +He dropped his head on his hands, and his father turned to him +affectionately. + +"You do not ask if the evil this man has worked can be remedied, +Adrien," he said, in a softer tone than he had ever been known to use. +"You do not ask whether anything can be regained?" + +"I am willing to pay the penalty of my folly," said Adrien, in a low +tone; "and if only it can be arranged that you, too, do not suffer, I +shall not mind." + +"Not even if it should leave you penniless?" asked his father. + +Adrien raised his head with a mournful smile. + +"But for one reason, I am indifferent," he said. + +His father's face lit up. + +"Yes," he said, "I think I know that reason. Mr. Harker, will you be so +good as to place Mr. Leroy in possession of the facts which you have +already given me. I am almost too tired to speak, after the strain of +these last few hours." + +Adrien looked at him remorsefully; for the old man had indeed undergone +much suffering during the last eventful weeks. + +Mr. Harker laid a small book upon the table. + +"This will do so better than I can, gentlemen," he said. "It is a list +of the various investments in which Mr. Jasper Vermont placed the wealth +he had so fraudulently amassed. His expenses were small; and the +investments which were made with Mr. Leroy's money, and which he had +hoped, of course, to put to his own use, amount to a large sum. When +realised, they will cover the enormous embezzlements, when the forged +bills are destroyed." + +Adrien took up the book and glanced through it. + +"Is this true?" he said, with an earnestness that all present +understood. "Am I still a rich man?" + +"The statement is correct, sir," returned Mr. Harker respectfully. "You +will find that you have in reality benefited by his cunning and +astuteness, even after the racing debts are fully paid." + +Adrien laid the book on the table. + +"I am grateful," he said gravely. "But I would leave this room +penniless, and gladly, if by so doing I could bring one life back to +us." Then, almost overcome by his emotion, he abruptly left the room. + +On the morrow, despite all efforts to hush the matter up, the news went +flying through the land. Adrien Leroy, the well-beloved of Vanity Fair, +had been betrayed by his friend and confidant. Great was the sensation +when all the facts came out into the full light, and it was known that +Adrien had been saved by the traitor's own daughter, who had given her +life that his might be spared. + +Mr. Harker was well rewarded for the part he had taken in exposing +Jasper Vermont, and preserving the Leroys from the pitfalls and ruin he +had dug for them. All the forged bills were promptly burnt, and there +remained only those real amounts that Adrien had signed, and which, all +put together, only amounted to but a minute fraction of the supposed +sums owing by the young man. + +Jessica was buried in Windleham churchyard; the funeral was attended by +all the Leroys, as well as by many of the countryfolk, for her sad +little story had become known. Ada Lester was also present; she paid her +last visit to the neighbourhood of Barminster on that day, and, with a +tact most unusual to her, refrained from attracting any attention so far +as the Leroys were concerned. + +Well placed now in money matters, and proprietress of the Casket +Theatre, she settled down to learn the art of acting as well as dancing, +and eventually married her business manager. She also undertook to look +after her sister, who, however, died shortly afterwards, without ever +regaining her memory, or learning of the fate which had befallen the man +whom she had once loved, or the daughter of whose existence she had +forgotten since the day of her birth. + +It took some time to settle up all the details of "Harker's Ltd." Jasper +Vermont had died intestate; and although advertisements were inserted in +various papers, seeking his next-of-kin, no answers were received. The +money, therefore, reverted to the Crown; and Mr. Harker, taking up his +real name of Goodwin, settled in Kingston with his daughter and her +husband, who now, thanks to Lord Barminster, owned a flourishing +business. + +Lady Merivale never visited Barminster Castle again. She had succeeded +in convincing her husband of the harmless nature of her flirtation with +Adrien, and patiently bore the brunt of his very natural resentment at +the publicity accorded to his name at the trial; though he acknowledged +that under the circumstances she could have done nothing else but come +forward to exonerate Leroy. Then her ladyship retired into the country +with her husband, who was greatly gratified in the dutiful interest she +showed in him and his farm. All love of intrigue seemed to have died out +when her flirtation with Adrien ended, nor was it ever revived. + +Society also lost its fashionable monarch, as far as Leroy was +concerned. The vow that he had registered beside the dead body of the +girl who had so loved him, was religiously kept. He disappeared from his +former place in the world of amusement, and the devotees of pleasure +knew him no more. + +After the funeral, he stayed on at Barminster Castle for a time, with +his father and Lady Constance; but, with the consent of both, he +departed a few months later for Africa, on a big-game shooting +expedition. Living the simple but arduous life of the hunters and +trappers, he sought to bury the folly of the past, and restore his hopes +of a brighter and better future. + + +One day, about six months after the death of Vermont, Lord Barminster +sat in the dining-room of Barminster Castle. His eyes, their expression +no less keen, but far more gentle than in former years, were bent, +sometimes on the cheerful fire, sometimes on the calm face of his ward, +where she stood in the deep embrasure of the window, gazing out over the +snow. + +A book was in her hand, but it was closed; and the wistful look in her +sweet eyes showed that her thoughts had flown from the pages of fiction +to the realities of the past and the future. + +Suddenly Lord Barminster raised his head. + +"Constance, what does Lady Ankerton say in her letter?" + +The girl took it from the rack on the writing-desk. + +"She says," replied the sweet, musical voice, "that the Ashfords are +well and thriving. She has taken quite an interest in them. Mr. Harker +is rather weak, but cheerful, and so happy in the love of his +grandchildren." + +"Ah!" said Lord Barminster, "I am glad they are happy, they deserve all +the pleasure they can get." + +He sighed. "When does the African mail come in, my dear?" he asked as +Lady Constance put away the letter she had been reading. + +"To-night, usually," she returned with a sigh. A sudden flush rose to +her cheek, rendering her face still more lovely while it lasted, but +leaving her paler than ever when it had gone. + +"Still wandering," said her uncle sadly; "surely, by now, Adrien ought +to have forgotten the past." + +"He'll never come back until he does," said Lady Constance softly. + +"No," said her uncle, with a touch of pride. "He will not come back +until he can take up a worthier life with a worthy love, Constance. Ring +the bell, my dear, and inquire for the mail." + +She obeyed him and returned to the fire again, placing her hand upon the +old man's shoulder. Very beautiful she looked, as the bright gleam of +the firelight illumined her face, more lovely now because of its tender, +womanly expression; and the old man's gaze rested lovingly on her. + +"When he comes back," he said musingly, "Adrien will find a sweet prize. +He loves you, and his love will increase and endure." + +Almost before he had finished speaking there came the sound of +footsteps, and the door opened. The girl barely turned. + +"Has the mail come in?" she asked, thinking it was a servant. + +But there was no answer. The footsteps came nearer, and some one bent +down over the old man's chair. + +"Father!" exclaimed a manly voice. + +Lady Constance uttered a low cry, and Lord Barminster sprang to his feet +exclaiming. + +"Adrien, my boy!" + +"Yes, father, it is I," said Leroy, his voice hoarse with emotion. Then +he turned to Constance, who was gazing at him with tears of joy in her +eyes. + +"Constance, my darling," he said gently. "Will you forgive me my long +neglect of you? My eyes have seen you through all the darkness of these +weary months. I have hungered for you all the time, and now I have come +into the light, I want you for my own." + +As he spoke he drew her unresistingly within his arms, and the old man, +with one loving backward look, stole silently away to apprise Miss +Penelope of the joyful news. + +A month later the church of Windleham was all ablaze with winter +flowers, while crowds of happy, rosy-cheeked children thronged the steps +and porch, for it was the marriage day of Lady Constance Tremaine and +Adrien Leroy. + +There were no fashionable silk and satin-clad guests, or a body of +mighty ecclesiastics to perform the ceremony. The old rector, who had +known them both from childhood, made them man and wife, while Lord +Barminster gave the bride away. She had chosen to be but simply dressed, +and followed only by two bridesmaids--sisters of Mortimer Shelton, who +acted as best man. Among the few guests there, were also Lord Standon +and Lady Muriel Branton, soon now to be wedded themselves. + +Adrien had explained the reason for his anger long ago, and Lord Standon +too fully understood to continue the coldness which had nearly spoilt +their life-long friendship. + +Happy was the bride, that bright winter morning, and Adrien, as he felt +her loved arm against his side, was filled gratitude and love. + +"My darling," he murmured as they emerged from the church, "we do not +need the world, you and I. We have each other, that shall be world +enough for us." + +"Not to the world do I owe you, Adrien," said Lady Constance gravely, +"but to another woman." Drawing him to the marble slab, which stood +close to the porch, she bent down and placed her bridal bouquet of white +roses on the grave of Jessica. "But for her, life would have ended for +both of us that summer day." + +Adrien was deeply moved by her remembrance of the child. + +"My darling," he said tenderly, "we have passed together through the +dark shadows. Let us enter now into the sunlight of our love." + + + + THE END + + + + PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY RICHARD CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, BRUNSWICK ST., + STAMFORD ST., S.E. 1, AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Adrien Leroy, by Charles Garvice + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ADRIEN LEROY *** + +***** This file should be named 16682.txt or 16682.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/8/16682/ + +Produced by Julie Barkley and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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