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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/29524-8.txt b/29524-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e49bc49 --- /dev/null +++ b/29524-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,13881 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Masked Bridal, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +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: The Masked Bridal + +Author: Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +Release Date: July 27, 2009 [EBook #29524] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASKED BRIDAL *** + + + + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Suzanne Shell, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + Transcriber's Note: + + The Table of Contents is not part of the original book. + + + + + THE MASKED + + BRIDAL + + + + _By_ MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON + + AUTHOR OF + + "Edrie's Legacy," "Max," "Faithful Shirley," + "Marguerites Heritage," "A True + Aristocrat," etc. + + + + + + A. L. BURT COMPANY + + PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + + + + Copyright 1894, 1895, 1900 + + BY STREET & SMITH + + * * * * * + + + + + Contents + + Page + PROLOGUE. 3 + I TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS. 5 + II A STANCH FRIEND MAKES A VAIN APPEAL. 11 + III THE YOUNG LAWYER EXPERIENCES TWO EXTRAORDINARY + SURPRISES. 16 + IV A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 20 + V A MOTHER'S LAST REQUEST. 26 + VI A HERITAGE OF SHAME. 30 + VII TWO NEW ACQUAINTANCES. 36 + VIII THE VENOM OF JEALOUSY. 43 + IX THE HOUSEKEEPER AT WYOMING. 50 + X "THE GIRL IS DOOMED! SHE HAS SEALED HER OWN FATE!" 58 + XI "NOW MY VINDICATION AND TRIUMPH WILL BE COMPLETE!" 65 + XII THE MASKED BRIDAL. 71 + XIII THE DASTARDLY PLOT IS REVEALED. 79 + XIV "YOUR FAITHLESSNESS TURNED ME INTO A DEMON." 88 + XV "OH, GOD! I KNEW IT! YOU ARE ISABEL!" 95 + XVI "YOU SHALL NEVER WANT FOR A FRIEND." 104 + XVII "WOULD YOU DARE BE FALSE TO ME, AFTER ALL + THESE YEARS?" 111 + XVIII "I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE EITHER OF YOU FOR YOUR + SIN AGAINST ME." 119 + XIX "I WILL NEVER BREAK BREAD WITH YOU, AT ANY TABLE." 128 + XX EDITH RESOLVES TO MEET HER ENEMIES WITH THEIR + OWN WEAPONS. 137 + XXI A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER PAYS EDITH AN UNEXPECTED + VISIT. 146 + XXII "I WILL RISE ABOVE MY SIN AND SHAME!" 154 + XXIII A SURPRISE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION. 164 + XXIV A SAD STORY DISCLOSED TO AN EAGER LISTENER. 173 + XXV A NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED. 181 + XXVI AN EXCITING INTERVIEW AND AN APPALLING DISCOVERY. 189 + XXVII MRS. GODDARD BECOMES AN EAVESDROPPER. 199 + XXVIII ISABEL STEWART ASTOUNDS MR. GODDARD. 208 + XXIX "OUR WAYS PART HERE, NEVER TO CROSS AGAIN." 217 + XXX "I HATE YOU WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF MY ITALIAN + BLOOD." 226 + XXXI RECORDS SOME STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS. 234 + XXXII "YOU WILL VACATE THESE PREMISES AT YOUR EARLIEST + CONVENIENCE." 242 + XXXIII MR. BRYANT MEETS WITH UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES. 250 + XXXIV AN UNEXPECTED MEETING RESULTS IN A WONDERFUL + DISCOVERY. 259 + XXV "THAT MAN MY FATHER!" 268 + XXXVI FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. 276 + XXXVII "MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!" 285 +XXXVIII AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER. 292 + XXXIX CONCLUSION. 298 + + * * * * * + + + + +THE MASKED BRIDAL. + +PROLOGUE. + + +The most important and the most sacred event in a woman's life is her +marriage. It should never be lightly considered, no matter what may be +the allurement--honor, wealth, social position. To play at marriage, +even for a plausible pretext, is likely to be very imprudent, and may +prove a sin against both God and man. + +The story we are about to tell chiefly concerns a refined and +beautiful girl who, for the ostensible entertainment of a number of +guests, agreed to represent a bride in a play. + +The chief actors, just for the sake of illustrating a novel situation, +and perhaps to excite curiosity among the spectators, were to have +their faces concealed--it was to be a masked bridal. + +Already the guests are assembled, and, amid slow and solemn music, the +principals take their places. + +The clergyman, enacted by a gentleman who performs his part with +professional gravity and impressive effect, utters the solemn words +calling for "any one who could show just cause why the two before him +should not be joined in holy wedlock, to speak, or forever hold his +peace." + +At the sound of these words, the bride visibly shudders; but as she is +masked, it can only be inferred that her features must indicate her +intense emotion. + +But why should she exhibit emotion in such a scene? Is it not a play? +She cannot be a clever actress when she forgets, at such a time, that +it is the part of a bride--a willing bride--to appear supremely happy +on such a joyous occasion. + +It is strange, too, that as the bride shudders, the bridegroom's hand +compresses hers with a sudden vigorous clutch, as if he feared to lose +her, even at that moment. + +Was it merely acting? Was this "stage business" really in the play? Or +was it a little touch of nature, which could not be suppressed by the +stage training of those inexperienced actors? + +The play goes on; the entranced spectators are now all aroused from +the apathy with which some of them had contemplated the opening part +of the remarkable ceremony. + +As the groom proceeds to place the ring upon the finger of the bride, +she involuntarily resists, and tries to withdraw her hand from the +clasp of her companion. There is an embarrassing pause, and for an +instant she appears about to succumb to a feeling of deadly faintness. + +She rouses herself, however, determined to go on with her part. + +Every movement is closely watched by one of the witnesses--a woman +with glittering eye and pallid cheek. When the bride's repugnance +seemed about to overmaster her, and perhaps result in a swoon, this +woman gave utterance to a sigh almost of despair and with panting +breath and steadfast gaze anxiously watched and waited for the end of +the exciting drama. + +The grave clergyman notices the bride's heroic efforts to restrain her +agitation, and the ceremony proceeds. At length the solemn sentence is +uttered which proclaims the masked couple man and wife. + +Then there is a great surprise for the spectators. + +As they behold the bride and groom, now unmasked, there is a stare of +wonder in every face, and expressions of intense amazement are heard +on all sides. + +Then it dawns upon the witnesses that the principal actors in the play +are not the persons first chosen to represent the parts of the bride +and groom. + +Why was a change made? What means the unannounced substitution of +other actors in the exciting play? + +Ask the woman who caused the change--the woman who, with pallid cheek +and glittering eye, had intently watched every movement of the +apparently reluctant bride, evidently fearing the failure of the play +upon which she had set her heart. + +It became painfully evident that the play was not ended yet, and some +there present had reason to believe that it was likely to end in a +tragedy. + +Now let us portray the events which preceded the masked bridal. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS. + + +It was a cold, raw night in December, and the streets of New York +city, despite their myriads of electric lights and gayly illuminated +shop windows, were dismal and forlorn beyond description. + +The sky was leaden. A piercing wind was blowing up from the East +River, and great flakes of snow were beginning to fall, when, out of +the darkness of a side street, there came the slight, graceful figure +of a young girl, who, crossing Broadway, glided into the glare of the +great arclight that was stationed directly opposite a pawnbroker's +shop. + +She halted a moment just outside the door, one slender, +shabbily-gloved hand resting irresolutely upon its polished knob, +while an expression of mingled pain and disgust swept over her pale +but singularly beautiful face. + +Presently, however, she straightened herself, and throwing up her head +with an air of resolution, she turned the knob, pushed open the door, +and entered the shop. + +It was a large establishment of its kind, and upon every hand there +were indications that that relentless master, Poverty, had been very +busy about his work in the homes of the unfortunate, compelling his +victims to sacrifice their dearest possessions to his avaricious +grasp. + +The young girl walked swiftly to the counter, behind which there stood +a shrewd-faced Israelite, who was the only occupant of the place, and +whose keen black eyes glittered with mingled admiration and cupidity +as they fastened themselves upon the lovely face before him. + +With an air of quiet dignity the girl lifted her glance to his, as she +produced a ticket from the well-worn purse which she carried in her +hand. + +"I have come, sir, to redeem the watch upon which you loaned me three +dollars last week," she remarked, as she laid the ticket upon the +counter before him. + +"Aha! an' so, miss, you vishes to redeem de vatch!" remarked the man, +with a crafty smile, as he took up the ticket under pretense of +examining it to make sure that it was the same that he had issued to +her the week previous. + +"Yes, sir." + +"An' vat vill you redeem 'im mit?" he pursued, with a disagreeable +leer. + +"With the same amount that you advanced me, of course," gravely +responded the girl. + +"Ah! ve vill zee--ve vill zee! Vhere ish de money?" and the man +extended a huge soiled hand to her. + +"I have a five-dollar gold-piece here," she returned, as she took it +from her purse and deposited it also upon the counter; for she shrank +from coming in contact with that repulsive, unwashed hand. + +The pawnbroker seized the coin greedily, his eyes gleaming hungrily at +the sight of the yellow gold, while he examined it carefully to assure +himself that it was genuine. + +"So! so! you vill vant de vatch," he at length observed, in a sullen +tone, as if he did not relish the idea of returning the valuable +time-piece upon which he had advanced the paltry sum of three dollars. +"Vell!" and irritably pulling out a drawer as he spoke, he dropped the +coin into it. "Ah!" he cried, with a sudden start and an angry frown, +as it dropped with a ringing sound upon the wood, "vat you mean? You +would sheat me!--you vould rob me! De money ish not goot--de coin ish +counterfeit! I vill send for de officer--you shall pe arrested--you +von little meek-faced robber! Ah!" he concluded, in a shrill tone of +well-simulated anger, as he shook his fist menacingly before his +companion. + +The fair girl regarded him in frightened astonishment as he poured +forth this torrent of wrathful abuse upon her, while her beautiful +blue eyes dilated and her delicate lips quivered with repressed +excitement. + +"I do not understand you!--what do you mean, sir?" she at length +demanded, when she could find voice for speech. + +"You play de innocence very vell!" he sneered; then added, gruffly: +"You vill not get der vatch, for you haf prought me bad money." + +"You are mistaken, sir; I have just received that gold-piece from a +respectable lawyer, for whom I have been working during the week, and +I know he would not take advantage of me by paying me with counterfeit +money," the young girl explained; but she had, nevertheless, grown +very pale while speaking. + +"Ah! maybe not--maybe not, miss; not if he knew it," said the +pawnbroker, now adopting a wheedling and pitiful tone as he drew forth +the shining piece and pushed it toward her. "Somebody may haf sheeted +him; but it haf not der true ring of gold, and you'll haf to bring me +der t'ree dollars some oder time, miss." + +The girl's delicate face flushed, and tears sprang to her eyes. She +stood looking sadly down upon the money for a moment, then, with a +weary sigh, replaced it in her purse, together with the ticket, and +left the shop without a word; while the tricky pawnbroker looked after +her, a smile of cunning triumph wreathing his coarse lips, as he +gleefully washed his hands, behind the counter, with "invisible soap +in imperceptible water." + +"Oh, mamma! poor mamma! what shall I do?" murmured the girl, with a +heart-broken sob, as she stepped forth upon the street again. "I was +so happy to think I had earned enough to redeem your precious watch, +and also get something nice and nourishing for your Sunday dinner; but +now--what can I do? Oh, it is dreadful to be so poor!" + +Another sob choked her utterance, and the glistening tears rolled +thick and fast over her cheeks; but she hurried on her way, and, after +a brisk walk of ten or fifteen minutes, turned into a side street and +presently entered a dilapidated-looking house. + +Mounting a flight of rickety stairs, she entered a room where a dim +light revealed a pale and wasted woman lying upon a poor but +spotlessly clean couch. + +The room was also clean and orderly, though very meagerly furnished, +but chill and cheerless, for there was not life enough in the +smoldering embers within the stove to impart much warmth with the +temperature outside almost down to zero. + +"Edith, dear, I am so glad you have come," said a faint but sweet +voice from the bed. + +"And, mamma, I never came home with a sadder heart," sighed the weary +and almost discouraged girl, as she sank upon a low chair at her +mother's side. + +"How so, dear?" questioned the invalid; whereupon her daughter gave an +account of her recent interview with the pawnbroker. + +"I know Mr. Bryant would never have given me the gold-piece if he had +not supposed it to be all right, for he has been so very kind and +considerate to me all the week," she remarked, in conclusion, with a +slight blush. "I am sure he would exchange it, even now; but he left +the office at four, and I do not know where he lives; so I suppose I +shall have to wait until Monday; but I am terribly disappointed about +the watch, while we have neither food nor fuel to get over Sunday +with." + +The sick woman sighed gently. It was the only form of complaint that +she ever indulged in. + +"Perhaps the money is not counterfeit, after all," she remarked, after +a moment of thought. "Perhaps the pawnbroker did not want to give up +the watch, and so took that way to get rid of you." "That is so! how +strange that I did not think of it myself!" exclaimed Edith, starting +eagerly to her feet, the look of discouragement vanishing from her +lovely face. "I will go around to the grocery at once, and perhaps +they will take the coin. What a comforter you always prove to be in +times of trouble, mamma!" she added, bending down to kiss the pale +face upon the pillow. "Cheer up; we will soon have a blazing fire and +something nice to eat." + +She again put on her jacket and hat, and drew on her gloves, +preparatory to going forth to breast the storm and biting cold once +more. + +"I cannot bear to have you go out again," said her mother, in an +anxious tone. + +"I do not mind it in the least, mamma, dear," Edith brightly +responded, "if I can only make you comfortable over Sunday. Next week +I am to go again to Mr. Bryant, who thinks he can give me work +permanently. You should see him, mamma," she went on, flushing again +and turning slightly away from the eyes regarding her so curiously; +"he is so handsome, so courteous, and so very kind. Ah! I begin to +have courage once more," she concluded, with a little silvery laugh; +then went out, shutting the door softly behind her. + +Half an hour later she returned with her arms full of packages, and +followed by a man bearing a generous basketful of coal and kindlings. + +Her face was glowing, her eyes sparkling, and she was a bewildering +vision of beauty and happiness. + +"The money wasn't bad, after all mamma," she said, when the man had +departed; "they didn't make the slightest objection to taking it at +the grocery. I believe you were right, and that the pawnbroker did not +want to give up the watch, so took that way to get rid of me. But I +will have it next week, and I shall have a policeman to go with me to +get it." + +"Did you tell the grocer anything about the trouble you have had?" the +invalid inquired. + +"No, mamma; I simply offered the coin in payment for what I bought, +and he took it without a word," Edith replied, but flushing slightly, +for she felt a trifle guilty about passing the money after what had +occurred. + +"I almost wish you had," said her mother. + +"I thought I would, at first, but--I knew we must have something to +eat, and fuel to keep us warm between now and Monday, and so I allowed +the grocer to take it upon his own responsibility," the young girl +responded, with a desperate little glitter in her lovely eyes. + +Her companion made no reply, although there was a shade of anxiety +upon her wan face. + +Edith, removing her things, bustled about, and soon had a cheerful +fire and an appetizing meal prepared. + +Her spirits appeared to rise with the temperature of the room, and she +chatted cheerfully while about her work, telling a number of +interesting incidents that had occurred in connection with her +employment during the week. + +"Now come, mamma," she remarked, at length; "let me help you into your +chair and wheel you up to the table, for supper is ready, and I am +sure you will enjoy these delicious oysters, which I have cooked as +you like them best." + +Mother and daughter were chatting pleasantly, enjoying their meal, +when the door of their room was thrown rudely open and two men strode +into their presence. + +Edith started to her feet in mingled indignation and alarm, then grew +deadly pale when she observed that one of the intruders was an +officer, and the other the grocer of whom she had made her recent +purchases. + +"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" she demanded, trying in vain +to keep her tones steady and her heart from sinking with a terrible +dread. + +"There! Mr. Officer; that is the girl who passed the counterfeit money +at my store," the grocer exclaimed, his face crimson with anger. + +Edith uttered a smothered cry of anguish, then sank weakly back into +her chair, as the man went forward to her side, laid his hand upon +her shoulder, and remarked: + +"You are my prisoner, miss." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A STANCH FRIEND MAKES A VAIN APPEAL. + + +Beautiful Edith Allandale and her gentle, refined mother had been +suddenly hurled from affluence down into the very depths of poverty. + +Only two years previous to the opening of our story the world had been +as bright to them as to any of the petted favorites of fortune who +dwell in the luxurious palaces on Fifth avenue. + +Albert Allandale had been a wealthy broker in Wall street; for years +Fortune had showered her favors upon him, and everything he had +touched seemed literally to turn to gold in his grasp. + +His family consisted of his wife, his beautiful daughter, and two +bright sons, ten and twelve years of age, upon whom the dearest hopes +of his life had centered. + +But like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, an illness of less than a +week had deprived him of both of his sons. + +Diphtheria, that fell destroyer, laid its relentless hand upon them, +and they had died upon the same day, within a few hours of each other. + +The heart-broken father was a changed man from the moment, when, +sitting in speechless agony beside these idolized boys, he watched +their young lives go out, and felt that the future held nothing to +tempt him to live on. + +His mind appeared to be impaired by this crushing blow; he could +neither eat nor sleep; his business was neglected, and, day by day, he +failed, until, in less than six months from the time that death had so +robbed him, he had followed his boys, leaving his wife and lovely +daughter to struggle as best they could with poverty; for their great +wealth had melted like snow beneath the blazing sun when Mr. Allandale +lost his interest in the affairs of the world. + +Keenly sensitive, and no less proud--crushed by their many sorrows, +the bereaved wife and daughter hid themselves and their grief from +every one, in a remote corner of the great city. But misfortune +followed misfortune--Mrs. Allandale having become a confirmed +invalid--until they were reduced to the straits described at the +opening of our story. + +The week preceding they had spent their last dollar--obtained by +pawning one after another of their old-time treasures--and Edith +insisted upon seeking employment. + +She had seen an advertisement for a copyist in one of the daily +papers, and, upon answering it in person, succeeded in obtaining the +situation with the young lawyer already mentioned. + +Every day spent in her presence only served to make him admire her the +more; and, before the week was out, he had altogether lost his heart +to her. + +When Saturday evening arrived, he paid her with the golden coin which +was destined to bring fresh sorrow upon her, and she went out from his +presence with a strange feeling of pride and independence over the +knowledge that she had earned it with her own hands, and henceforth +would be able to provide for her own and her mother's comfort. + +But Royal Bryant had been conscience-smitten when he saw her beautiful +face light up with mingled pride and pleasure as he laid that tiny +piece of gold in her palm. + +He would gladly have doubled the amount; but five dollars had been the +sum agreed upon for that first week's work, and he feared that he +would wound her pride by offering her a gratuity. + +So he had told her that she would be worth more to him the next week, +and that he would continue to increase her wages in proportion as she +acquired speed and proficiency in her work. + +Thus she had started forth, that dreary Saturday night, with a +comparatively light heart, to redeem her watch, before going home to +tell her mother her good news. + +But, alas! how disastrously the day had closed! + +"Come, miss," impatiently remarked the officer, as she sat with bowed +head, her face covered with her hands, "get on your things! I've no +time to be fooling away, and must run you into camp before it gets any +later." + +"Oh, what do you mean?" cried Edith, starting wildly to her feet. +"Where are you going to take me?" + +"To the station-house, of course, where you'll stay until Monday, when +you'll be taken to court for your examination," was the gruff reply. + +"Oh, no! I can never spend two nights in such a place!" moaned the +nearly frantic girl, with a shiver of horror. "I have done no +intentional wrong," she continued, lifting an appealing look to the +man's face. "That money was given to me for some work that I have been +doing this week, and if any one is answerable for it being +counterfeit, it should be the person who paid it to me." + +"Who paid you the money?" the officer demanded. + +"A lawyer for whom I have been copying--Mr. Royal Bryant; his office +is at No. ---- Broadway." + +"Then you'll have to appeal to him. But of course it's too late now to +find him at his office. Where does he live?" + +"I do not know," sighed Edith, dejectedly. "I have only been with him +one week, and did not once hear him mention his residence." + +"That's a pity, miss," returned the officer, in a gentler tone, for he +began to be moved by her beauty and distress. The condition of the +invalid, who had fallen back weak and faint in her chair when he +entered, also appealed to him. + +"Unless you can prove your story true, and make up the grocer's loss +to him, I shall be obliged to lock you up to await your examination." + +Edith's face lighted hopefully. + +"Do you mean that if I could pay Mr. Pincher I need not be arrested?" +she eagerly inquired. + +"Yes; the man only wants his money." + +"Then he shall have it," Edith joyfully exclaimed. "I will give him +back the change he gave me, then I will go to Mr. Bryant the first +thing Monday morning and tell him about the gold-piece, when I am sure +he will make it all right, and I can pay Mr. Pincher for what I bought +to-night." + +"No, you don't, miss," here interposed the grocer himself. "I've had +that game played on me too many times already. You'll just fork over +five dollars to me this very night or off you go to the lock-up. I'm +not going to run any risk of your skipping out of sight between now +and Monday, and leaving me in the lurch." + +"But I have no money, save the change you gave me," said Edith, +wearily. "And do you think I would wish to run away when my mother is +too sick to be moved?" she added, indignantly. "I could not take her +with me, and I would not leave her. Oh, pray do not force me to go to +that dreadful place this fearful night! I promise that I will stay +quietly here and that you shall have every penny of your money on +Monday morning." + +"She certainly will keep her word, gentlemen," Mrs. Allandale here +interposed, in a tremulous voice. "Do not force her to leave me, for I +am very ill and need her." + +"I'm going to have my five dollars now, or to jail she will go," was +the gruff response of the obdurate grocer. + +"Oh, I cannot go to jail!" wailed the persecuted girl. + +Mrs. Allandale, almost unnerved by the sight of her grief, pleaded +again with pallid face and quivering lips for her. But the man was +relentless. He resolutely turned his back upon the two delicate women +and walked from the room, saying as he went: + +"Do your duty, Mr. Officer, and I'll be on hand Monday morning, in +court, to tell 'em how I've been swindled." + +With this he vanished, leaving the policeman no alternative but to +enforce the law. + +"Oh, mamma! mamma! how can I live and suffer such shame?" cried the +despairing girl, as she sank upon her knees in front of the sick +woman, and shuddered from head to foot in view of the fate before her. + +Mrs. Allandale was so overcome that she could not utter one word of +comfort. She was only able to lift one wasted hand and lay it upon the +golden head with a touch of infinite tenderness; then, with a gasp, +she fainted dead away. + +"Oh, you have killed her!" Edith cried, in an agonized tone. "What +shall I do? How can I leave her? I will not. Oh! will no one come to +help me in this dreadful emergency?" + +"Sure, Miss Allandale, ye know that Kate O'Brien is always willin' to +lend ye a hand when you're in trouble--bless yer bonny heart!" here +interposed a loud but kindly voice, and the next instant the +good-natured face of a buxom Irishwoman was thrust inside the door, +which the grocer had left ajar when he went out. "What is the matter +here?" she concluded, glancing from the officer to the senseless woman +in her chair, and over whom Edith was hanging, chafing her cold hands, +while bitter tears rolled over her face. + +A few words sufficed to explain the situation, and then the +indignation of the warm-hearted daughter of Erin blazed forth more +forcibly than elegantly, and she berated the absent grocer and present +officer in no gentle terms. + +Kate O'Brien would gladly have advanced the five dollars to the +grocer, but, unfortunately, she herself was at that moment almost +destitute of cash. + +"Come, Miss Allandale," said the officer, somewhat impatiently, "I +can't wait any longer." + +"Oh, mamma! how can I leave you like this?" moaned the girl, with a +despairing glance at the inanimate figure which, as yet, had given no +signs to returning life. + +"She has only fainted, mavourneen," said Kate O'Brien, in a tender +tone, for she at last realized that it would be worse than useless to +contend against the majesty of the law. "She'll soon come to hersel', +and ye may safely trust her wid me--I'll not lave her till ye come +back again." + +And with this assurance, Edith was forced to be content, for she saw, +by the officer's resolute face, that she could hope for no reprieve. + +So, with one last agonizing look, she pressed a kiss upon the pallid +brow of her loved one; then, again donning her hat and shawl, she told +the policeman that she was ready, and went forth once more into the +darkness and the pitiless storm, feeling, almost, as if God himself +had forsaken her, and wondering if she should ever see her dear mother +alive again. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE YOUNG LAWYER EXPERIENCES TWO EXTRAORDINARY SURPRISES. + + +The next morning, in the matron's room of the Thirtieth street +station-house, a visitor came to see Edith Allandale. The visitor was +Kate O'Brien, who, after announcing the condition of the prisoner's +mother, declared her willingness to aid Edith in any way in her power. + +Edith intrusted a letter to her for Mr. Royal Bryant, and early Monday +morning Kate was at the lawyer's office, and placed the missive in his +hands. + +The young man instantly recognized the handwriting of his fair +copyist, and flushed to his brow at sight of it. + +"Ah! she is ill and has sent me word that she cannot come to the +office to-day!" he said to himself. + +"Sit down, madam," he said to his visitor, and he eagerly tore open +the letter and read the following: + + "MR. BRYANT:--Dear Sir:--I am sorry to have to tell you that + the five-dollar gold-piece which you gave me on Saturday + evening was a counterfeit coin. I passed it at a grocery, + near which I reside, in payment for necessaries which I + purchased, and, half an hour later, was arrested for the + crime of passing spurious money. I could not appeal to you + at the time, for I did not know your address; but now I beg + that you will come to my aid to-morrow morning, when I shall + have to appear in court to answer the charge, for I do not + know of any one else upon whom to call in my present + extremity. Oh, pray come at once, for my mother is very ill + and needs me. + + "Respectfully yours, + + "EDITH M. ALLANDALE." + +Royal Bryant's face was ghastly white when he finished reading this +brief epistle. + +"Good heavens!" he muttered, "to think of that beautiful girl being +arrested and imprisoned for such an offense! Where is Miss Allandale?" +he added, aloud, turning to Mrs. O'Brien, who had been watching him +with a jealous eye ever since entering the room. + +"In the Thirtieth street station-house, sir," she briefly responded. + +"Infamous!" exclaimed the young man, in great excitement. "And has she +been in that vile place since Saturday evening?" + +"She has, sir; but not with the common lot; the matron has been very +good to her, sir, and gave her a bed in her own room," the woman +explained. + +"Blessed be the matron!" was Royal Bryant's inward comment. Then, +turning again to his companion, he inquired. + +"What is your name, if you please, madam?" + +"Kate O'Brien, at your service, sir." + +"Thank you; and do you live near Miss Allandale?" + +"Jist forninst her, sir--on the same floor, across the hall." + +"She writes that her mother is very ill," proceeded the young man, +referring again to the letter. + +"Whisht, sir; the poor lady's dyin', sir," said Kate in a tone of awe. + +"Dying!" exclaimed Royal Bryant, aghast. + +"Yes, sir; she has consumption; and just afther the officer--bad luck +to 'im!--took the young lady away, she had a bad coughin' spell, and +burst a blood-vessel, and she has been failin' ever since," the woman +explained, with trembling lips. + +"Who is with Mrs. Allandale now?" questioned Mr. Bryant, with a look +of deep anxiety. + +"The docthor, sir; he promised to stay wid her till I come back." + +"Well, then, Mrs. O'Brien, if you will be good enough to hurry back +and care for Mrs. Allandale, I will go at once to her daughter; and I +am very sure that I can secure her release within a short time. Tell +her mother so, and that I will send her home immediately upon her +release." + +"Bless yer kind heart!" cried the woman, heartily, and she hurried +away to take the blessed news to Edith's fast-failing mother. + +The moment the door closed after her, Royal Bryant seized his overcoat +and began to put it on again, his face aflame with mingled indignation +and mortification. + +"In a common city lock-up for the crime of passing counterfeit money!" +he muttered, hoarsely. "And to think that I brought such a fate upon +her!--I, who would suffer torture to save her a pang. Two nights and +an endless day, and her mother dying at home!--how she must have +suffered! I could go down upon my knees to ask her pardon, and yet I +cannot understand it. That money came directly from the bank into my +possession." + +He was just fastening the last button of his coat when there came a +knock upon his door. + +"Come in," he said, but frowning with impatience at the unwelcome +interruption and the probable detention which it portended. + +An instant later a rather common-looking man, of perhaps forty years, +entered the room. + +"Ah, Mr. Knowles! good-morning, good-morning," said young Bryant, with +his habitual cordiality. "What can I do for you to-day?" + +"I--I have called to pay an installment upon what I owe you, Mr. +Bryant," the man responded, flushing slightly beneath the genial +glance of the lawyer. + +"Ah, yes; I had forgotten that this was the date for the payment. I +hope, however, that you are not inconveniencing yourself in making it +to-day," remarked the young lawyer, as he observed that his client was +paler than usual and wore an anxious, care-worn expression. + +"There is nothing that inconveniences me more than debt," the man +evasively replied, but quickly repressing a sigh, as he drew forth a +well-worn purse, while his companion saw that his lips trembled +slightly as he said it. + +Opening the purse, Mr. Knowles produced a small coin and extended it +to the lawyer. + +It was a five-dollar gold-piece. + +Mr. Bryant took it mechanically, and thanked him; but at the same +time, feeling a strange reluctance in so doing, for he was sure the +man needed the money for his personal necessities, while his small +claim against him for advice rendered a few weeks previous could wait +well enough, and he would never miss the amount. + +He experienced a sense of delicacy, however, about giving expression +to the thought, for he knew the gentleman to be both proud and +sensitive, and he did not wish to wound him by assuming that he was +unable to make the payment that had become due. + +He stood awkwardly fingering the money and gazing absently down upon +it as these thoughts flitted through his mind, and thinking, too, that +it was somewhat singular that Mr. Knowles should have paid him in gold +coin and of the very same denomination as he had given Edith less than +forty-eight hours previous, and which had been the means of causing +her such deep trouble. + +Almost unconsciously, he turned the money over, his glance still +riveted upon it. + +As he did so he gave a violent start which caused his companion to +regard him curiously. + +"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, in vehement excitement, as he bent to +examine the coin more closely, "this is the strangest thing that ever +happened to me in all my experience!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. + + +Mr. Knowles regarded his companion with undisguised astonishment. + +"Is there anything wrong about the money?" he inquired, a gleam of +anxiety in his eyes. + +"Pardon me," said Royal Bryant, flushing, as he was thus recalled to +himself; "you are justified in asking the question, and I trust you +will not regard me as impertinently inquisitive if I inquire if you +can remember from whom you received this piece of money." + +"Certainly I remember," Mr. Knowles replied, but flushing painfully in +his turn at the question. + +"Will you kindly tell me the name of the person from whom you took +it?" + +Mr. Knowles appeared even more embarrassed than before, and hesitated +about replying. + +"I have a special and personal reason for asking you," Mr. Bryant +continued. "See!" he added, holding the gold-piece before him where +the light struck full upon it, "you perceive this coin is marked," and +he pointed out some vertical scratches which had been made just inside +the margin. "I made those marks myself." + +"Can that be possible!" exclaimed his companion, astonished. + +"Yes. This very piece of money was in my possession as late as five +o'clock last Saturday afternoon." + +"I cannot understand," said Mr. Knowles, looking mystified. + +"Let me explain," returned Mr. Bryant. "I owed my copyist exactly five +dollars, and, having nothing smaller in bills than tens, I was obliged +to pay her with this coin. While she was getting ready to leave the +office, I sat toying with it and scratched it, as you see, with the +point of my penknife; then I gave it to Miss Allandale, and thought +no more about the matter. But just before you came in this morning, I +received a note from her saying she had been arrested for passing the +coin with which I had paid her, it having been declared counterfeit, +and she begged me to come at once to her assistance and try to prove +her innocence. I was just on the point of doing so when you called." + +"What a very singular circumstance," Mr. Knowles remarked, +reflectively. "It appears all the more so to me from the fact that I +also received this piece of money no later than seven o'clock on last +Saturday evening." + +"You amaze me!" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. "Pray explain to me how you came +by it--it may help to solve this very perplexing mystery, for I am +confident that the coin is genuine, in spite of the trouble it has +brought upon Miss Allandale." + +"Yes, I will be frank with you," his companion returned, but flushing +again, "and tell you that, in order to make this payment to you, I was +obliged to borrow the money and gave, as security, a valuable mantel +clock, which was one of my wife's wedding gifts. In other words, I +pawned it. It goes against my pride to confess it; but the idea of +debt is horrible to me: and, having been in very straitened +circumstances of late, from sickness in my family and other causes, I +had no other means of meeting my obligations to you, while I hoped to +be able to redeem the clock before the time allotted should expire." + +"Mr. Knowles, I thank you heartily for telling me this, while, at the +same time, I am deeply pained," gravely returned Royal Bryant. "I +would not have had you so pressed for a great deal; my claim against +you can wait indefinitely, and you need feel no anxiety regarding it. +Take your own time about it, for I am sure that I can safely trust a +man to whom the idea of debt is so repulsive." + +"You are very good," said Mr. Knowles, in a grateful tone. + +"I shall return you this amount," the young lawyer resumed, "but in +bills, for I wish to retain this gold-piece; and I beg that you will +go at once and redeem your wife's clock. I am also going to throw a +little business in your way, for I would like to retain you as a +witness for Miss Allandale, and you shall be well paid for your +services. Now please give me the name of the pawnbroker from whom you +took the money." + +"Solon Retz, No. ---- Third avenue." + +"Ah, yes; I know him for a scheming and not over-scrupulous person. I +fought a tough battle with him a year or so ago." + +But Royal Bryant still looked greatly perplexed. + +He could not understand how the pawnbroker could have had that +particular gold-piece to loan upon Mr. Knowles' clock, before seven +o'clock on Saturday evening, when Edith Allandale had been arrested, +that same night, for trying to pass it off upon the grocer of whom she +had spoken in her note. + +To him it seemed an inexplicable mystery. + +However, he knew--he could take his oath--that the coin which he now +held in his hand was the identical piece of money which he had paid to +his beautiful but unfortunate copyist for her last week's work, and he +was also reasonably sure that it was not a counterfeit. + +"I suppose you will have no objection to testifying as to how and from +whom you received the money?" he inquired of Mr. Knowles, after a few +moments' reflection. + +"Certainly not, if such testimony will be of any benefit to the young +lady's cause," he readily replied. "And," he added, "I can easily +prove the truth of my assertions, as I have here the ticket which I +received from the pawnbroker." + +"Ah! that is well thought of, and will undoubtedly score a strong +point for Miss Allandale," Mr. Bryant exclaimed, with animation. "And +now allow me to advance you the fee for your services as a witness," +he added, as he pressed a ten-dollar note into his companion's hand. +"This will be sufficient to redeem your clock and remunerate you for +the time you may lose in appearing as a witness. Hereafter, Mr. +Knowles, if you find yourself short of cash, pray do not be troubled +about what is owing me--do not try to pay it until it is perfectly +convenient for you to do so." + +"You are very considerate, Mr. Bryant," the man returned, with evident +emotion. "I cannot tell you how your generosity touches me, for the +world has gone very badly with me of late." + +"Well, we will hope for better times in the future for you, sir," was +the cheery response of the noble-hearted young lawyer. "Now I must be +off," he added, "and I would like you to meet me at the Thirtieth +street station-house in an hour from now. I shall know by that time +what I shall be able to do for my young friend." + +He bade the man good-morning and bowed him out of his office, and, +five minutes later, was on his way to the assistance of beautiful +Edith Allandale. + +Before boarding a car, he stepped into a bank near-by and had the gold +coin tested. + +It proved to be just as he had thought--it was perfectly good, and if +Edith had been arrested for passing it, some one would have to stand +damages for having subjected her to such an injustice. + +Upon his arrival at the station-house, and requesting an interview +with Miss Allandale as her attorney, the police sergeant conducted him +directly to the room occupied by Edith, who looked so pale and wan +from anxiety and confinement that the young man's conscience smote him +keenly, although his heart bounded with sudden joy when he saw how her +sad face lighted at the sight of him. + +"This is the most outrageous thing I ever heard of, Miss Allandale," +he exclaimed, as he clasped her cold hand and looked regretfully into +the heavy blue eyes raised to his. + +"I was sure you would come," she murmured, with a sigh of relief, but +flushing for an instant beneath his ardent gaze, while her lips +quivered with suppressed emotion, for his tone of sympathy had almost +unnerved her. + +"Of course I would come--I would go to the ends of the earth to serve +you," he began, eagerly. "I am filled with remorse when I think what +you must have suffered and that I am responsible for your trouble, +though unintentionally and unconsciously." + +"Yes, I am sure you could not have known that the money was +counterfeit," said Edith, wearily. + +"And it was not," he quickly returned. "It is a genuine coin and +negotiable anywhere." + +"But I was told by two different persons that it was spurious," Edith +replied, in a tone of surprise. + +"Then you were misinformed in both cases, for I have had it tested at +a bank, and it has been pronounced good," returned her companion. + +"You have had it tested? How can that be possible, when the grocer who +caused me to be arrested has the money in his possession this moment?" +the young girl exclaimed, in amazement. + +Royal Bryant smiled as he drew forth the half-eagle which he had +received from Mr. Knowles, and laid it in her palm. + +"That is the five-dollar gold-piece that I gave you on Saturday +evening," he remarked, in a quiet tone. + +"Have you seen the grocer? Did you get it from him?" Edith gasped. + +"No; an old client of mine brought it to me, about half an hour ago, +in part payment of a debt which he owes me." + +"I do not understand--it cannot be the same," said Edith, with a look +of perplexity. + +"But it is," was the smiling reply. "Look at it closely, and you will +find some fresh scratches upon one side of it--do you see?" + +"Yes," the young girl admitted. + +"Very well; I made them with my penknife during a fit of +absent-mindedness, while you were putting on your hat and shawl on +Saturday evening," Royal Bryant explained. "It was all the money I +had, excepting some large bills, and I was obliged to give it to you, +even though I knew it was not a convenient form--one is so liable to +lose such a small piece. I am sure I do not know what possessed me to +deface it in the way I did," he continued, after a slight pause; "but +there the marks are, fortunately, and I could swear to the coin among +a hundred others of the same denomination." + +"Yes, I remember, now," Edith remarked, reflectively; "I noticed the +gold-piece in your hands and that you were using your knife upon it; +but how could it have come into the possession of your client? Surely +the grocer would not have parted with it voluntarily, for it was all +the proof he had against me." + +"No; my client, Mr. Knowles, obtained it from a pawnbroker at No. ---- +Third avenue," Mr. Bryant replied. + +Instantly the red blood mounted to the girl's fair brow, and, like a +flash, Royal Bryant comprehended how all her trouble had come about. + +"Yes," she sighed, after a moment, as if in reply to some question +from him, "the week before I went into your office I was obliged to +borrow some money upon a beautiful watch of mamma's. It was a very +valuable one, but the man would only advance me three dollars upon it. +Of course I felt that I must redeem it with the very first money I +earned, and I went immediately to the pawnbroker's to get it on +leaving your office. He seemed averse to the early redemption of the +watch, and threw my money impatiently into the drawer. The next +instant he gave it back to me, angrily telling me that it was +counterfeit, and charging me with trying to cheat him. But, even now, +I cannot understand--" + +"So the pawnbroker threw your money into his drawer, did he?" +interposed Mr. Bryant, eagerly grasping at this important point. + +"Yes; but, as I said, he returned it immediately to me, and I was +obliged to go home without my watch. I was in great distress because, +Mr. Bryant, it was all the money I had, and there were things that +mamma and I must have in order to be comfortable over Sunday," Edith +confessed, with crimson cheeks and downcast eyes, the sight of which +made her companion's heart ache for her. "Mamma suggested that the +money might not be bad, after all," she continued, determined that he +should know the whole truth about the matter; "that, possibly, the +pawnbroker had taken that way to retain the watch, with the hope of +ultimately securing it; so I started out to make my purchases. The +grocer made no objection to the money and gave me my change without a +word. But half an hour later he appeared with an officer and had me +arrested. He would not have pressed the matter if I could have +returned his money; but, as I could not, and he claimed he had +suffered from so many similar cases of swindling, he was obdurate, and +I was obliged to come here." + +"It was shameful!" said the young lawyer, indignantly. "It was a +heartless thing to do. But, my little friend, I think we have a very +clear case, and you will soon be fully vindicated." + +"Oh! do you? I shall be very grateful--" Edith began, then stopped, +choking back a sob that had almost burst from her trembling lips. + +"I see you do not quite comprehend how that can be," continued her +friend, ignoring her emotion. "But the piece of money which the +pawnbroker pretended to return to you was not the same that you had +received from me--it was a spurious one which he had at hand for the +express purpose evidently of tricking the unwary, and Mr. Solon Retz +will, ere long, be compelled to exchange places with you, if I can +possibly bring him to justice." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +A MOTHER'S LAST REQUEST. + + +Two hours later, Royal Bryant was at the pawnbroker's shop, and had +redeemed Edith's watch, much against the wish of the money-lender, who +desired to retain it. And as the lawyer placed the watch in his +pocket, he made a sign to an officer on the street, who had +accompanied him to the spot. + +Solon Retz was astounded when he found himself a prisoner, on the +charge of passing counterfeit money. He was hurried to court, and the +judge investigated the case at once. Mr. Bryant and Mr. Knowles gave +their testimony, and it was conclusively demonstrated that the +spurious coin must have come from the pawnbroker's drawer. + +At Royal Bryant's suggestion the pawnbroker was ordered to be +searched, when no less than three more bogus pieces were found +concealed upon his person. + +This was deemed sufficient proof of his guilt, without further +testimony, and he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, without +Edith having been called to the witness stand to testify against him. + +As the crestfallen pawnbroker was led away, Royal Bryant went eagerly +to Edith's side. + +"You are free, Miss Allandale," he exclaimed, with a radiant face, +"and I think we are to be congratulated upon having made such quick +work of the case." + +"It is all owing to your cleverness," Edith returned, lifting a pair +of grateful eyes to his face. "How can I thank you?" + +"You do not need to do that, for I feel that I alone have been to +blame for all your trouble," he said, in a self-reproachful tone; then +he added, with a roguish gleam in his fine eyes: "I shall never be +guilty of paying my copyist in gold again. Now come, I have a carriage +waiting for you and will send you directly home to your mother," the +young man concluded, as he lifted her shawl from the chair where she +had been sitting and wrapped it about her shoulders. + +Edith followed him to the street, where a hack stood ready to take her +home. + +Mr. Bryant assisted her to enter it, when he laid a small package in +her lap. + +"It is your watch," he said, in a low tone. Then, extending his hand +to her, he added: "I shall not ask you to return to the office for two +or three days--you need rest after your recent anxiety and excitement, +while I am to be away until Wednesday noon. Come to me on Thursday +morning, if you feel able, when I shall have plenty of work for you." + +He pressed the hand he was holding with an unconscious fondness which +brought a rich color into the young girl's face, then, closing the +carriage door, he gave the order to the coachman, smiled another +adieu, as he lifted his hat to her, and the next moment Edith was +driven away. + +There was a glad light in her eyes, a tender smile on her red lips, +and, in spite of her poverty and many cares, she was, for the moment, +supremely happy, for Royal Bryant's manner had been far more +suggestive to her than he had been aware of, and she was thrilled to +her very soul by the consciousness that he loved her. + +She sat thus, in happy reverie, until the carriage turned into the +street where she lived; then, suddenly coming to herself, her +attention was again attracted to the package in her lap. + +"There is something besides mamma's watch here!" she murmured, as she +noticed the thickness of it. + +Untying the string and removing the wrapper, she found a pretty purse +with a silver clasp lying upon the case containing the watch. + +With burning cheeks she opened it, and found within a crisp ten-dollar +note and Royal Bryant's card bearing these words upon the back: + + "I shall deem it a favor if you will accept the inclosed + amount, as a loan, until you find yourself in more + comfortable circumstances financially. Yours, R.B." + +Edith caught the purse to her lips with a thrill of joy. + +"How kind! how delicate!" she murmured. "He knew that I was nearly +penniless--that I had almost nothing with which to tide over the next +few days, during his absence. He is a prince--he is a king among men, +and I--" + +A vivid flush dyed her cheeks as she suddenly checked the confession +that had almost escaped her lips, her head drooped, her chest heaved +with the rapid beating of her heart, as she realized that her deepest +and strongest affections had been irrevocably given to the +noble-hearted young man who had been so kind to her in her recent +trouble. + +The carriage stopped at last before the door of her home--if the +miserable tenenment-house could be designated by such a name--and she +sprang eagerly to the ground as the coachman opened the door for her +to alight. + +"The fare is all paid, miss," he said, respectfully, as she hesitated +a moment; then she went bounding up the stairs to be met on the +threshold of her room by Kate O'Brien--who had seen the carriage +stop--with her finger on her lips and a look in her kind, honest eyes +that made the girl's heart sink with a sudden shock. + +"My mother!" she breathed, with paling lips. + +"Whisht, mavourneen!" said the woman, pitifully; then added, in a +lower tone: "She has been mortal ill, miss." + +"And now?" panted Edith, leaning against the door-frame for support. + +"'Sh! She is asleep." + +Edith waited to hear no more. Something in the woman's face and manner +filled her with a terrible dread. + +She pushed by her, entered the room, and glided swiftly but +noiselessly to the bed, looked down upon the scarcely breathing figure +lying there. + +It was with difficulty that she repressed a shriek of agony at what +she saw, for the shadow of death was unmistakably settling over the +beloved face. + +The invalid stirred slightly upon her pillow as Edith came to her side +and bent over her. + +"My darling," she murmured weakly, as her white lids fluttered open, +and she bent a look full of love upon the fair face above her, "I--am +going--" + +"No, no, mamma!" whispered the almost heart-broken girl, but +struggling mightily with her agony and to preserve calmness lest she +excite the invalid. + +"Bring me the--Japanese box--quick!" the dying woman commanded, in a +scarcely audible tone. + +Without a word Edith darted to a closet, opened a trunk, and from its +depths drew forth a beautiful casket inlaid with mother-of-pearl and +otherwise exquisitely decorated. + +"The--key," gasped the sick one, fumbling feebly among the folds of +her night-robe. + +Edith bent over her and unfastened a key from a golden chain which +encircled her mother's neck. + +"Open!" she whispered, glancing toward the casket. + +The girl, wondering, but awed and silent, unlocked the box and threw +back the cover, thus revealing several packages of letters and other +papers neatly arranged within it. + +Mrs. Allandale reached forth a weak and bloodless hand, as if to take +something out of the box, when she suddenly choked, and in another +instant the red life-current was flowing from her lips. + +"Letters--burn--" she gasped, with a last expiring effort, and then +became suddenly insensible. + +In an agony of terror, Edith dashed the box upon the nearest chair and +began to chafe the cold hand that hung over the side of the bed, while +Mrs. O'Brien came forward, a look of awe on her face. + +The frail chest of the invalid heaved two or three times, there was a +spasmodic twitching of the slender fingers lying on the young girl's +hand, then all was still, and Edith Allandale was motherless. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A HERITAGE OF SHAME. + + +We will not linger over the sad details of the ceremonies attending +Mrs. Allandale's burial. Suffice it to say that on Tuesday afternoon +her remains were borne away to Greenwood, and laid to rest, in the +family lot, beside those gone before, after which Edith returned to +her desolate abode more wretched than it is possible to describe. + +She had made up her mind, however, that she could not remain there any +longer--that she must find a place for herself in a different +locality and among a different class of people. This she knew she +could do, since she had the promise of permanent work and now had only +herself to care for. + +The change, too, must be made upon the following day, as Mr. Bryant +would expect her at his office on Thursday morning. + +There was much to be done, many things to be packed for removal, while +what she did not care to retain must be disposed of; and, eager to +forget her grief and loneliness--for she knew she would be ill if she +sat tamely down and allowed herself to think--she began at once, upon +her return from the cemetery, to get ready to leave the cheerless home +where she had suffered so much. + +She decided, first of all, to pack all wearing apparel; and, on going +to her closet to begin her work, the first thing her eyes fell upon +was the casket of letters, which her mother had requested her to bring +to her just before she died. + +The sight of this unnerved her again, and, with a moan of pain, she +sank upon her knees and bowed her head upon it. + +But the fountain of her tears had been so exhausted that she could not +weep; and, finally becoming somewhat composed, she took the beautiful +box out into the room and sat down near a light to examine its +contents. + +"Mamma evidently wanted these letters destroyed," she murmured, as she +threw back the cover. "I will do as she wished, but I will first look +them over, to be sure there is nothing of value among them." + +She set about her task at once and found that they were mostly +missives from intimate friends, with quite a number written by herself +to her mother, while she was away at boarding-school. + +All these she burned after glancing casually at them. Nothing then +remained in the box but a small package of six or eight time-yellowed +epistles bound together with a blue ribbon. + +"What peculiar writing!" Edith observed, as she separated one from +the others and examined the superscription upon the envelope. "Why, it +is postmarked Rome, Italy, away back in 18--, and addressed to mamma +in London! That must have been when she was on her wedding tour!" + +Her curiosity was aroused, and, drawing the closely-written sheet from +its inclosure, she began to read it. + +It was also dated from Rome, and the girl was soon deeply immersed in +a story of intense and romantic interest. + +She readily understood that the letter had been written by a dear +friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth--one who had been both school and +roommate, and who unreservedly confided all her secrets and +experiences to her bosom companion. And yet, it was strange, Edith +thought, that she had never heard her mother speak of this friend. + +It seemed that there had been quite an interval in their +correspondence, for the writer spoke of the surprise which her friend +would experience upon receiving a letter from her from that locality, +when she had probably believed her to be in her own home, living the +quiet life of a dutiful daughter. + +Then it spoke of an "ideal love" that "had come to beautify her life;" +of a noble and wealthy artist who had won her heart, but who, for some +unaccountable reason, had not been acceptable to her parents, and they +had sternly rejected his proposal for her hand. + +Next came the _denouement_, which told that the girl had eloped with +her lover and flown with him to Italy. + +"I suppose it was not the right thing to do, darling," the missive +ran; "but papa, you know, is a very austere, relentless man, and when +he has once made up his mind, there is no hope of ever turning him; so +I have taken my fate into my own hands--or, rather, I have given it +into the keeping of my dear one, and we are so happy, Edith darling, +and lead an ideal life in this quaint old city of the seven hills, at +whose feet runs, like a thread of gold, the yellow Tiber. My husband +is everything to me--so noble, so kind, so generous; it is so very +strange that papa could not like him--that is the only drop of +bitterness in my overflowing cup of happiness." + +There was much more of the same tenor, from which it is not necessary +to quote; and, after reading the letter through, Edith took up +another, interested to know how the pretty love-story of her mother's +friend would terminate. The second one, written a month later, was +more subdued, but not less tender, although the young girl thought she +detected a vein of sadness running through it. + +The next two or three mentioned the fact that the writer was left much +alone, her "dear one" being obliged to be away a great deal of the +time, upon sketching expeditions, etc. + +After an interval of three months another letter spoke in the fondest +manner of the "dear little stranger," that had come to bless and cheer +her loneliness--"lonely, dear Edith, because my husband's art +monopolizes his time, while he is often absent from home a week at a +time in connection with it, and I do not know what I should do, in +this strange country away from all my friends, if it were not for my +precious baby girl whom I have named for you, as I promised, in memory +of those happy days which we spent together at Vassar." + +"Then mamma's friend had a daughter, who was also named Edith," mused +our fair heroine, breaking in upon her perusal of the letter. "I +wonder if she is living, and where? Those letters tell me nothing, +give no last name by which to identify either the writer or her +husband." + +She turned back to the epistle, and read on: + +"She is such a comfort to me," it ran, "and gives me an object in +life--something besides myself and my trou"--these last three words +were crossed out--"to think about. When will you come to Rome, dear +Edith? Your last letter was dated from St. Petersburgh. I am very +anxious that you should see your little namesake, and make me that +long-promised visit." + +There was scarcely a word in this letter referring to her husband, +except those three crossed-out words; but it overflowed with praises +and love of her beautiful child, although it was evident that the +young wife was far from experiencing the conjugal happiness that had +permeated her previous missives. + +There was only one more letter in the package, and Edith's face was +very grave and sympathetic as she drew it from its envelope. + +"I am sure that her husband proved to be negligent of and unkind to +her," she murmured, "and that she repented her rashness in leaving her +home and friends. Oh, I wonder why girls will be so foolish and +headstrong as to go directly contrary to the advice of those who love +them best, and run away with men of whom they know comparatively +nothing!" + +With a sigh of regret for the unfortunate wife, of whom she had been +reading, she unfolded the letter in her hands and began to read, +little dreaming what strange things she was to learn from it. + +"Oh, Edith darling," it began, "how can I tell you?--how can I write +of the terrible calamity that has overtaken me? My heart is broken--my +life is ruined, and all because I would not heed those who loved me, +and who, I now realize, were my best and kindest counselors. I could +bear it for myself, perhaps--I could feel that it was but a just +judgment upon me for my obstinacy and unfilial conduct, and so drag +out my weary existence in submission to the inevitable; but when I +think of my innocent babe--my lovely Edith--your namesake! oh! I would +never have had her christened thus, I could not have insulted you so, +had I known! I feel almost inclined to doubt the justice and love of +God--if, indeed, there is a God." + +The letter here looked as if the writer must have been overcome with +her wretchedness, and wept tears of bitter despair, for it was badly +blurred and defaced. + +But Edith, her face now absolutely colorless, read eagerly on. + +"I cannot bear it and live," the writer resumed, "and so--I am going +to--die. Edith, my husband--no, my betrayer, I ought rather to +say--has deserted me! He has gone to Florence with a beautiful +Italian countess, who is also very rich, and is living with her there +in her elegant palace, just outside the city. He has long been +attentive to her, but I never dreamed how far matters had gone until +yesterday, when I came upon them, unawares, in Everard's studio, and +heard him tell her how he loved her--that 'I was not his wife, only +his ----' I cannot write the vile word that makes my flesh creep with +horror. Then I learned of his base conduct to me, whom, as he +expressed it, he 'had cleverly deceived, and coaxed to run away with +him to while away his solitude during his sojourn in a strange +country.' It is a wonder that I did not drop dead where I stood--slain +by the dreadful truth; but the wicked lovers did not dream of being +overheard, and so I listened to the whole of their vile plot and then +stole away to try and decide upon a course of action. When Everard +came home, I charged him with his perfidy. Then--pity me, Edith--he +boldly told me that he was weary of me; that he would pay me a +handsome sum of money and I might take my child and go back to my +parents! Oh! I cannot go into details, or tell you what I have +suffered--no one will ever know that but God! Why, oh, why does He +permit such evil to exist? He does not--there is no God! there is no +God!" + +There was a huge blot here, as if the pen had fallen from the fingers +that had dared to deny the existence of Deity; then the missive was +resumed in a different tone, as if a long interval of thought had +intervened. + +"Edith, I am calmer now, and I am going to ask a great favor of you. +You are happily married, you have a noble husband and abundant means, +and you know we once pledged ourselves to befriend each other, if +either should ever find herself in trouble. Presuming upon that +pledge, I am going to ask if you will take my darling, my poor +innocent little waif, bring her up as your own, and never let her know +anything about the stain that rests upon her birth? She is pure; she +is not to blame for the sins of her parents, and I cannot bear the +thought of her growing up to learn of her heritage of shame, as she +would be sure to do if I should live and rear her as my child. Your +last letter tells me that you will be in Rome in less than a +fortnight. I cannot meet you--I can never again meet any one whom I +have known; and so, Edith--I am going to die. I give my child to +you--I believe you will not refuse my last request--and you will find +her, with the woman who nursed me when she was born, at No. 2 Via del +Vecchia. The woman has my instructions--she believes that I am only +going away on a little trip with my husband; but you will show her +this letter, and prove to her that you have authority to take the +child away. When you go home, you will take her with you, as your own, +and no one need ever know that she is not your own. Do not ever reveal +the truth to her; let her grow up happy and care-free, like other +girls who are of honorable birth; and if the dead can watch over and +shield the living, you and yours shall be so shielded and watched over +by your lost but still loving. BELLE." + +"She was my mother! I am that child of shame!" came hoarsely from +Edith's bloodless lips as she finished reading that dreadful letter. + +Then the paper slipped from her nerveless fingers, her head dropped +unconsciously upon the table before her, and she knew nothing more +until, long afterward, when she awoke from her swoon to find her lamp +gone out and the room growing cold, while her heart felt as if it had +been paralyzed in her bosom. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +TWO NEW ACQUAINTANCES. + + +Edith, when consciousness returned, had not a doubt that the letters, +which she had been reading, had been penned by the hand of her own +mother; that she was that little baby who had been born in Rome--that +child of shame whose father had so heartlessly deserted it; whose +mother, her brain turned by her suffering and wrongs, had planned to +take her own life, rather than live to taint her little one's future +with the shadow of her own disgrace. + +The knowledge of this seemed to blight, as with a lightning flash, +every hope of her life. + +She groped her way to the bed, for she was becoming benumbed with the +cold, and threw herself upon it, utterly wretched, utterly hopeless. +For hours she lay there in a sort of stupor, conscious only of one +terrible fact--her shame--her ruined life! + +She had never dreamed, until within that hour, that she was not the +daughter of those whom she had always known as her father and mother. + +She had known that they had gone abroad immediately after their +marriage, and had spent more than a year visiting foreign countries. + +She had been told that she was born in Rome, in 18--, and she now +realized that the letters which she had just read had been mostly +written during the same year. + +Mrs. Allandale had never meant that she should learn this terrible +secret, and that is why she had been so anxious during her last +moments that the contents of the Japanese box should be destroyed. + +Edith wondered why she had kept the letters at all--why she had not +destroyed them immediately upon adopting her, and thus prevented the +possibility of a revelation like this. + +To be sure, no one save herself need ever know of the fact unless she +chose to disclose it; nevertheless, she felt just as deeply branded by +it as if all the world had known of it. + +"Oh, I had begun to hope that--" she began, then abruptly ceased, a +burning flush suffusing her face as her thoughts thus went out toward +Royal Bryant, whose eyes had only the day before told her, as plainly +as eyes could speak, that he loved her, while her heart had thrilled +with secret joy over the revelation, and the knowledge that her own +affection had been irrevocably given to him, even though they had +known each other so short a time. + +Even in the midst of her sorrow over her dead, the thought that she +loved and was beloved had been like the strains of soothing music to +her, and she had looked forward to her return to the young lawyer's +office as to a place of refuge, where she would meet with kindness and +sympathy that would comfort her immeasurably. + +But these beautiful dreams had been ruthlessly shattered; she could +never be anything to Royal Bryant--he could never be anything to her, +after learning what she had learned that night. + +Edith determined to leave New York at once. With this object in view, +she disposed of most of her furniture to a broker, who gave her sixty +dollars for it. She reserved articles she presented to her stanch +friend, Kate O'Brien. These matters attended to, she wrote a letter to +Mr. Bryant, mailed it, and a few hours later was on the train, en +route to Boston. + +On Thursday morning Mr. Bryant, returning to town from a business +trip, cheerfully entered his office, expecting to behold there the +radiant face of Edith. To his great disappointment, she was absent; +and her absence was explained in the appended letter, which he read +with dismay and dejection. + + "DEAR MR. BRYANT:--Inclosed you will find the amount which + you so kindly loaned me on Monday, and without which I + should have been in sore straits. On reaching home that day, + I found my mother dying. She was buried yesterday afternoon, + and I am now entirely alone in the world. I find that + circumstances will not permit me to return to your employ, + and when you receive this I shall have left New York. Pray + do not think that because I do not see you and thank you + personally before I go, I am ungrateful for all your recent + and unexampled kindness to me. I am not, I assure you; I + shall never forget it--it will be one of the sacred memories + of my life, that in you, in a time of dire need, I found a + true friend and helper. + + Sincerely yours, + EDITH ALLANDALE." + +The lawyer lost no time in hastening to Edith's late residence. There +he learned from Kate O'Brien that Edith had already gone, but she +knew not her destination. He stated that he wished to consult the +young lady upon a business matter and that if Mrs. O'Brien should +learn of her address, it would be considered a great favor if she +would bring it to him. This the kind-hearted Irish woman agreed to do, +and with a heavy heart the young lawyer returned to his place of +business. + +Meanwhile, Edith was being wheeled along the rails toward her +destination. When the train reached New Haven, feeling faint, for she +had not been able to eat much breakfast, she got out to purchase a +lunch. + +She entered the station and bought some sandwiches, together with a +little fruit, and then started to return to the train. + +Just in front of her she noticed a fine-looking, richly-clad couple +who were evidently bound in the same direction. + +The gentleman opened the door for his companion to pass out, but as +she did so, the heel of her boot caught upon the threshold, and she +would have fallen heavily to the platform if Edith had not sprung +forward and caught her by the hand which she threw out to save +herself. + +As it was, she was evidently badly hurt, for she turned very white and +a sharp cry of pain was forced from her lips. + +"Are you injured, madam? Can I do anything for you?" Edith inquired, +while her husband, springing to her aid, exclaimed, in a tone of +mingled concern and impatience: + +"What have you done, Anna?" + +"Turned my ankle, I think," the woman replied, as she leaned heavily +against his shoulder for support. + +Edith stooped to pick up the beautiful Russia leather bag which she +had dropped as she stumbled, and followed the couple to the train, +where, with the help of a porter, the injured lady was assisted into a +parlor car. + +The one adjoining it was the common passenger coach in which Edith had +ridden from New York. + +"Here is madam's bag, sir," she remarked to the gentleman, as, +supporting his wife with one arm, he was about to pass into the +Pullman. + +"Are you going on this train?" he inquired, looking back over his +shoulder at her. + +"Yes, sir; but I do not belong in the parlor car." + +"Never mind; we will fix that all right. Bring the bag along, if you +will be so kind," he returned, as he went on with his companion. + +So Edith followed them to the little state-room at one end of the car, +where madam sank heavily into a chair, looking as if she were ready to +swoon. + +"Oh, get off my boot!" she pleaded, thrusting out her injured foot. + +Edith drew forward a hassock for it to rest upon, and then, with a +face full of sympathy, dropped upon her knees and began to unbutton +the boot, which, however, was no easy matter, as the ankle was already +much swollen. + +The train began to move just at this moment, and the young girl +started to her feet, an anxious look sweeping over her face. + +"Never mind," said the gentleman, reassuringly. "Unless you have +friends aboard the train to be troubled about you, I will take you +back to your car presently." + +"I have no one--I am traveling alone," Edith responded, and flushing +slightly, as she encountered the gaze of earnest admiration which he +bestowed upon her. + +The gentleman's face lighted at her reply. + +"Then would it be presuming upon your kindness too much to ask you to +remain with my wife?" he inquired. "I am perfectly helpless, like most +men, when any one is ill and we know no one on the train." + +"I will gladly stay, and do whatever I can for her," eagerly returned +Edith, who felt that it would be a great relief and safeguard if she +could complete her journey under the protection of these prepossessing +people; while, too, it would give her something to think of and keep +her from dwelling upon her own sorrows. + +As Edith, from time to time, continued her ministering to the injured +foot, rubbing it with alcohol, to reduce the inflammation, she was +questioned by her new acquaintances, and informed them of her recent +bereavement and of her lonely condition, and stated that she was going +to Boston to try to secure employment. + +She was applying the alcohol when the lady said: + +"That will do for the present, Miss ---- What shall I call you, +please?" she remarked, signifying that she did not care to have the +foot rubbed any longer at that time. + +"Edith Allen--Oh, what have I done?" the young girl suddenly cried +out, in a voice of pain, as the woman winced and gave vent to a moan +beneath her touch. + +"Nothing--do not be troubled, dear--only you happened to touch a very +tender spot," exclaimed the lady, trying to smile reassuringly into +the girl's startled face. "So your name is Edith Allen; that sounds +very nice," she continued. "I am fond of pretty names as I am of +pretty people." + +Edith opened her lips to correct her regarding her name; then suddenly +checked herself. + +It did not matter, she thought, if they did not know her full name. +She might never see them again; she had a right to use only the first +half of her surname, if she chose, and it would not be nearly so +conspicuous as Allandale, which was so familiar in certain circles in +New York. + +Thus she concluded to let the matter rest as it was. + +The acquaintance thus begun was productive of an utterly unexpected +result. Before the trip was ended, the lady had induced Edith to +accept the position of traveling companion to her, at a salary of +twenty-five dollars a month. She stated that about a month previous +she had lost the services of the female who had filled the position, +and until this time had been unable to find a suitable person for the +place. + +Edith decided to try the position for a month; "then," she added, "if +I meet your requirements, we can arrange for a longer time." + +"Very well; I am pleased with that arrangement. And now, Edith--of +course I am not going to be so formal as to address you as Miss +Allen--" + +"Certainly not," interposed Edith, with a charming little smile and +blush. + +"I was about to remark," the lady went on, "that I think it is time we +were formally introduced to you. My husband is known as Gerald +Goddard, Esq., of No. ---- Commonwealth avenue, Boston, and I am--Mrs. +Goddard." + +Edith wondered why she should have paused before speaking thus of +herself; why she should have shot that quick, flashing glance into her +husband's face as she did so. + +She was a very handsome woman of perhaps forty-two or forty-three +years. She was slightly above the medium height, with a magnificently +proportioned figure. Her hair was coal-black, with a tendency to curl; +her eyes were of the same color, very large and brilliant, and +rendered peculiarly expressive by the long raven lashes which shaded +them. Her complexion was a pale olive, clear and smooth as satin; her +features were somewhat irregular, but singularly pleasing when she was +animated; her cheeks slightly tinted, her lips a vivid scarlet, her +teeth white as alabaster. + +Later, when Edith saw her arrayed for an evening reception, she +thought her the most brilliantly handsome woman she had ever seen. + +As Mrs. Goddard finished speaking, Edith involuntarily glanced up at +Mr. Gerald Goddard, when she was startled to find him sharply +scrutinizing her, with a look which seemed to be trying to read her +through and through. + +His glance sent a strange chill running through her veins--a sensation +almost of fear and repulsion; and she found herself hoping that she +would not be obliged to see very much of the gentleman, even though +she was destined to become an inmate of his home. + +He was evidently somewhat older than his wife, for his hair was almost +white and his face somewhat lined--whether from time, care, or +dissipation, Edith could not quite determine. + +He would have been called and was regarded by the society in which he +moved as a remarkably handsome and distinguished looking man, who +entertained "like a prince," and possessed an exhaustless fund of wit +and knowledge. + +Nevertheless, Edith was repelled by him, and felt that he was not a +man to be either trusted or loved, even though she had not been an +hour in his presence before she was made to realize that his wife +adored him. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE VENOM OF JEALOUSY. + + +And thus Edith became companion to the wife of the wealthy and +aristocratic Gerald Goddard, who was known as one of Boston's +millionaires. + +They had a beautiful home on Commonwealth avenue, where they spent +their winters, a fine estate in Wyoming, besides a villa at Newport, +all of which were fitted up with an elegance which bespoke an +abundance of means. And so Edith was restored to a life of luxury akin +to that to which she had always been accustomed, previous to the +misfortunes which had overtaken her less than two years ago. + +Her duties were comparatively light, consisting of reading to Mrs. +Goddard, whenever she was in the mood for such entertainment; singing +and playing to her when she was musically inclined; and accompanying +her upon drives and shopping expeditions, when she had no other +company. + +Edith, however, was not long in the household before she made the +discovery that there was a skeleton in the family. At times Mr. +Goddard was morose and irritable, and his wife displayed symptoms of +intense jealousy. About five weeks after Edith's installation in the +home, Mrs. Goddard's brother, Monsieur Correlli, a young sculptor, +came there, on a visit to his sister. He was handsome and talented, +and had come from France, to "do the United States," during a long +vacation. + +Mrs. Goddard was proud of her brother, and often attended receptions +and parties with him as her escort, and was delighted to show him off +to her friends and acquaintances in the most select of Boston society. + +On returning to her home, after one of these receptions, she heard +merry laughter in the library. Listening attentively, she discovered +that it emanated from her husband and Edith, who sometimes, at his +request, read to him during the frequent absences of his wife. + +The demon of jealousy at once took possession of her. Suddenly +entering the library she requested Edith to at once attend her in her +boudoir. On arriving there the enraged woman gave way to her passion +of jealousy. In blunt words she taunted the girl with attempting to +steal the affections of her husband, and closed her bitter comments +with the threat that "the woman who tried to win my husband from me +would never accomplish her purpose. _I would kill her!"_ + +Edith did her best to assure the angry woman that her suspicions were +unfounded, and in a little time Mrs. Goddard was half convinced that +she had been too hasty in her accusations. + +That night the pure girl calmly deliberated upon the subject, and +recalled several occasions when Mr. Goddard had seemed to be deeply +absorbed in the contemplation of her features, eyeing her with glances +of undisguised admiration and rapture. She determined, therefore, to +be a little more circumspect hereafter, and avoid giving him such +opportunities. + +Another trial awaited her about a week later. Emil Correlli had become +quite attentive to her, seeking every chance to be alone with her, +showering compliments upon her, and extolling her charms. On one of +these occasions he was bold enough to propose marriage, and, before +she could recover from her astonishment, had the effrontery to steal a +kiss from her unwilling lips. + +This bold affront, added to the previous unfounded accusations of Mrs. +Goddard made Edith decide to leave the house at once. She announced +her decision to her mistress; but that lady, in great humiliation, +begged her to overlook her brother's impetuosity, saying that his +conduct should be considered only "a tribute to her manifold charms," +and that hereafter she would have no cause for complaint of either him +or her. + +The proud woman's deep contrition, and her earnest appeals, had the +effect intended, and Edith decided to remain. + +That evening a prolonged interview occurred between Mrs. Goddard and +her brother. The result of it was that the sister agreed to do her +utmost to place Edith beyond the reach of her husband by combining a +scheme which would make her the bride of Emil Correlli. + +Some days elapsed, and then an incident worthy of record occurred. +Edith had been out for a stroll, and, just as she was retracing her +steps along Commonwealth avenue, an elegant carriage came slowly +around the corner. The driver was in dark green livery, and seemed to +be under the influence of stimulants. Suddenly he leaned sideways, and +fell off the box, landing on the ground. + +Edith impulsively started forward, shouted "Whoa!" to the horses, and +lifted the reins. The animals stopped immediately, and in a moment a +lovely face was thrust from the carriage window, and a sweet voice +asked, + +"Thomas, what is the matter?--what has happened?" + +She stepped from the carriage and was soon informed of the accident, +and its probable cause. She was a tall, elegantly-formed woman, of +perhaps forty-three years, with large, dark brown eyes and rich brown +hair. Her skin was fair and flawless, as that of a girl of twenty, +with a delicate flush upon her cheeks, and Edith thought her face the +most beautiful she had ever seen. + +A policeman presently appeared upon the scene, and the lady requested +him to secure some competent person who would drive the vehicle to its +stable. To secure attention to this request, she gave the policeman a +bank note, and named the location of the stable. She then said to the +coachman, who was engaged in brushing the dust from his clothing: + +"Thomas, you may come to me at nine o'clock to-morrow morning--without +the carriage." + +As the coachman staggered off, the lady turned to Edith, thanked her +for the service she had performed, and gave her a card bearing a name +and address--"Mrs. I. G. Stewart, Copley Square Hotel, Boston, Mass." + +At the solicitation of the lady, Edith gave her name, and stated that +she was the companion to Mrs. Gerald Goddard, of Commonwealth avenue. + +This information caused Mrs. Stewart to turn pale, and otherwise +manifest a strange agitation. She quickly recovered, however, and +stated: + +"Ah! I was introduced to Mrs. Goddard's brother, Monsieur Correlli, a +few evenings ago, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. +Goddard. Now it is time for me to go, and I shall have to take an +electric car to get back to my hotel. Again let me thank you for your +timely service. I hope you and I will meet again some time; and, dear, +if you should ever need a friend, do not fail to come to me. +Good-afternoon." + +Shortly after the departure of Mrs. Stewart, as Edith was walking +homeward, she was overtaken by Emil Correlli, who begged permission to +attend her, as they were both bound for the same destination. It would +have been rude to refuse, so Edith consented, although she would have +preferred to go alone. + +They had not advanced far before Edith became aware that they were +followed by a woman, who kept parallel with them, on the opposite side +of the street. Monsieur Correlli seemed unconscious of this fact, as +he was apparently engrossed in the effort to entertain his companion +with animated conversation. When they were within a few yards of Mrs. +Goddard's residence, the woman suddenly darted across the avenue and +placed herself directly in their path. + +In an instant Emil Correlli seemed turned to stone, so motionless and +rigid did he become. For a full minute his gaze was riveted upon the +stranger, as if in horrible fascination. + +"_Giulia!_" he breathed, at last, in a scarcely audible voice. "_Le +diable!_" + +The woman had a veil over her face, but Edith could see that she was +very handsome, with a warm, Southern kind of beauty, although it was +of a rather coarse type. She was evidently a foreigner, with brilliant +black eyes, an olive complexion, scarlet lips and cheeks, and a wealth +of purple-black hair, which was coiled in a massive knot at the back +of her head. + +She was of medium height, with a plump but exquisitely proportioned +figure, as was revealed by her closely-fitting garment of navy-blue +velvet. + +The moment Emil Correlli spoke her name, she burst passionately forth, +and began to address him in rapidly uttered sentences of some foreign +language, which Edith could not understand. + +It was not French, for she could converse in that tongue, and she knew +it was not German. She therefore concluded it must be either Italian +or Spanish. + +As the girl talked, her eyes roved from the man's face to Edith's, +with angry, jealous glances, while she gesticulated wildly with her +hands, and her voice was fierce and intense with passion. + +She would not give Monsieur Correlli an opportunity to say one word, +until she had exhausted her seemingly endless vocabulary; but he was +as colorless as a piece of his own statuary, and a lurid, desperate +light burned in his eyes--a gleam, which, if she had been less intent +upon venting her own passion, would have warned her that she was doing +her cause, whatever it might be, more harm than good by the course she +was adopting. + +At last she paused in her tirade, simply because she lacked breath to +go on, when Emil Correlli replied to her, in her own tongue, and with +equal fluency; but in tones that were both stern and authoritative, +while it was evident that he was excessively annoyed by her sudden and +unexpected appearance there. + +Finally, after another attempt upon the girl's part to carry her +point, he stamped his foot imperatively, to emphasize some command, +and, with a look which made her cringe like a whipped cur before him; +when, shooting a glance of fire and hate at Edith, she turned away, +with a crestfallen air, and went, dejectedly, down the street. + +Edith would have been glad, and had tried, to escape from this scene, +for after the first moment of surprise upon being so unceremoniously +confronted by the beautiful stranger, she had stepped aside, ascended +the steps, and rang the bell. + +But, for some reason, no one came to the door, and she was obliged to +repeat the summons, but feeling very awkward to have to stand there +and listen to the altercation that was being carried on so near her, +although she could not understand a word that was said. + +At last, just as Monsieur Correlli had delivered his authoritative +command, the butler made his appearance, and let Edith in. + +Before she could enter, the woman was gone, and Emil Correlli sprang +up the steps, and was by her side. + +He glanced anxiously down upon her face, which wore a grave and +pre-occupied look. + +He knew that she was wondering who the fiery, but beautiful and +richly-dressed stranger was; knew that she could not fail to believe +that there must be something suspicious and mysterious in his +relations with her, and he was greatly exercised over the unfortunate +encounter. + +He had set his heart upon winning her--he had vowed that nothing +should stand in the way of her becoming his wife, and now this--the +worst of all things--had happened, to compromise him in her eyes, and +he secretly breathed the fiercest anathemas upon the head of the +marplot who had just left them. + +Later that evening, Emil Correlli took the first opportunity to +explain the unfortunate _contretemps_ to the wondering Edith. He +stated that the girl was the daughter of an Italian florist, who had +audaciously presumed to dun him for a small bill he owed her father +for floral purchases. + +This matter, satisfactorily explained, as he thought, he renewed his +protestations of love to Edith, solicited her hand in marriage, and +was staggered by her emphatic refusal. + +Her refusal was reported to Mrs. Goddard by that lady's brother, and +she counseled him to be patient. + +"I have in mind," she said, "the germ of a most cunning plot, which +must succeed in your winning Edith Allen," and then she proceeded to +unfold her plan, which, for boldness, craft, and ingenuity, would have +been worthy of a French _intriguante_ of the seventeenth century. + +"Anna, you are a trump!" Emil Correlli exclaimed, admiringly, when she +concluded. "If you can carry that out as you have planned it, it will +be a most unique scheme--the best thing of its kind on record!" + +"I can carry it out if you will let me do it in my own way; only you +must take yourself off. I will not have you here to run the risk of +spoiling everything," said Mrs. Goddard, with a determined air. + +"Very well, then; I will go this very night. I will take the eleven +o'clock express on the B. and A. I have such faith in your genius that +I am willing to be guided wholly by you, and trust my fate entirely in +your hands." + +"I can write you from time to time, as the plan develops," she +replied, "and send you instructions regarding the final act." + +"All right, go ahead--I give you _carte blanche_ for your expenses," +said Monsieur Correlli, as he rose to leave the room. + +Five hours later, he was fast asleep in a Pullman berth, and flying +over the rails toward New York. + +Meanwhile Edith, who was inclined to leave the house, and throw +herself upon the kindness of Mrs. Stewart, found her mistress +unusually gracious, seeking her aid in forwarding invitations for a +reception, and in planning for what she called "a mid-winter frolic." +She also incidentally announced, to the great gratification of Edith, +that Monsieur Correlli had hurriedly departed for New York, with the +intention of being absent a considerable time. + +Little did Edith then suspect that she was assisting in a plan which +was intended to force her into a detested marriage. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HOUSEKEEPER AT WYOMING. + + +The invitations for the merry-making were at length printed and +forwarded to the favored guests, but the family were not to go to +Wyoming for a week or so, and meantime, Mrs. Goddard devoutly hoped +that the weather would change and send them a fine snowstorm, so that +there would be good sleighing during their sojourn in the country. + +She had her wish--everything seemed to favor the schemes of this +crafty woman, for, three days later, there came a severe storm, which +lasted as many more, and when at length the sun shone again there lay +on the ground more than a foot of snow on a level, thus giving promise +of rare enjoyment upon runners and behind spirited horses and musical +bells. + +At last the day of their departure arrived, and about ten o'clock, +Mrs. Goddard and Edith, well wrapped in furs and robes, were driven +over the well-trodden roads, in a hansome sleigh, and behind a pair of +fine horses, toward Middlesex Falls. + +It was only about an hour's drive, and upon their arrival they found +the Goddards' beautiful country residence in fine order, with blazing +fires in several of the rooms. + +The housekeeper, Mrs. Weld, had attended to all the details of +preparation, and was complimented by both Mr. and Mrs. Goddard. In +appearance the housekeeper was very peculiar, very tall and very +stout, and in no way graceful in form or feature. Mrs. Goddard voted +her as "a perfect fright," with her eyes concealed behind large, +dark-blue glasses. She had been employed through the agent of an +intelligence office, and had come highly recommended. A close observer +would have noted many oddities about her; and Edith, coming suddenly +upon her in her own apartment, had reason to suspect that the +housekeeper was not what she seemed--in fact, that she was disguised. + +Noiselessly Mrs. Weld went about her duties, her footfalls dropping as +quietly as the snow. On one occasion, arriving unexpectedly within +hearing of her master and mistress, she heard him entreating her to +give him possession of a certain document. This Mrs. Goddard refused +until he had performed some act which, as it was apparent from the +conversation, she had long been urging upon him as a duty. + +Fearing discovery, Mrs. Weld did not wait to hear more, but silently +walked away. + +A few busy days succeeded, and then the guests began to arrive at +Wyoming. The housekeeper seemed to take a great fancy to Edith, and +the latter cheerfully assisted her in many ways. Various amusements +were planned for the guests. The weather was cold, but fine; the +sleighing continued to be excellent, and the gay company at Wyoming +kept up their exciting round of pleasure both day and night. + +A theatrical performance, planned by Mrs. Goddard, was one of the +amusements arranged for the entertainment of the guests. On the +afternoon of the day set for the presentation of the little dramatic +episode, a great packing case arrived from the city, and was taken +directly to madam's rooms. + +A few minutes later, Edith was requested to go to her, and, upon +presenting herself at the door of her boudoir, was drawn mysteriously +inside, and the door locked. + +"Come," said madam, with a curious smile, as she led the way into the +chamber beyond, "I want you to assist me in unpacking something." + +"Certainly, I shall be very glad to help you," the young girl replied, +with cheerful acquiescence. + +"It is one of the costumes that is to be worn this evening, and must +be handled very carefully," Mrs. Goddard explained. + +As she spoke, she cut the cords binding the great box, and, lifting +the cover, revealed some articles enveloped in quantities of white +tissue paper. + +"Take it out!" commanded madam, indicating the upper package. + +Edith obeyed, and, upon removing the spotless wrappings, a beautiful +skirt of white satin, richly trimmed with lace of an exquisite +pattern, was revealed. + +"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed the young girl, as shaking it carefully +out, she laid the dainty robe upon the bed. + +Next came the waist, or corsage, which was also a marvel of artistic +taste and beauty. + +This was laid against the skirt when the costume, thus complete, was a +perfect delight to the eye. + +"It looks like a bride's dress," Edith observed, as she gazed, +admiringly, upon it. + +"You are right! It is for the bride who figures in our play to-night," +said madam. "This must be the veil, I think," she concluded, lifting a +large box from the case, and passing it to her companion. + +Edith removed the cover, and uttered an involuntary cry of delight, +for before her there lay a great mass of finest tulle, made up into a +bridal veil, and surmounted by a coronet of white waxen +orange-blossoms. + +An examination of two other boxes disclosed a pair of white satin +boots, embroidered with pearls, and a pair of long white kid gloves. + +"Everything is exquisite, and so complete," murmured Edith, as she +laid them all out beside the dress, and then stood gazing in wrapt +admiration upon the outfit. + +"Yes, of course, the bride will be the most conspicuous figure--the +cynosure of all eyes, in fact--so she would need to be as complete and +perfect as possible," Mrs. Goddard explained, but watching the girl, +warily, out of the corners of her eyes. + +"Who is going to wear it?" Edith inquired, as she caressingly +straightened out a spray of orange blossoms that had caught in a mesh +of the lace. + +Madam's eyes gleamed strangely at the question. + +"Miss Kerby takes the part of the heroine of the play," she answered, +"whom, by the way, I called Edith, because I like the name so much. I +did not think you would mind." + +"Oh, no," said the girl, absently. Then, with a little start, she +exclaimed, as she lifted something from the box from which the gloves +had been taken: "But what is this?" + +It was a small half-circle of fine white gauze, edged with a fringe of +frosted silver, while a tiny chain of the same material was attached +to each end. + +"Oh! that is the mask," said Mrs. Goddard. + +"The mask?" repeated Edith, surprised. + +"Yes; I don't wonder you look astonished, to find such a thing among +the outfit of a bride," said madam, with a peculiar little laugh; "but +although it is a profound secret to everybody outside the actors, I +will explain it to you, as the time is so near. You understand this is +a play that I have myself written." + +"Yes." + +"Well, I have entitled it 'The Masked Bridal,' and it is a very +cunningly devised plot, on the part of a pair of lovers whose obdurate +parents refuse to allow them to marry," Madam explained. "Edith +Lancaster is an American girl, and Henri Bernard is a Frenchman. They +have a couple of friends whose wedding is set for a certain date, and +who plan to help them outwit the parents of Edith and Henri. The scene +is, of course, laid in Paris, where everybody knows a marriage must be +contracted in church. The friends of the two unfortunate lovers send +out their cards, announcing their approaching nuptials, and also the +fact that they will both be masked during the ceremony." + +"How strange!" Edith murmured. + +"Yes, it is both a novel and an extravagant idea," Mrs. Goddard +assented; "but, of course, nobody minds that in a play--the more +extravagant and unreal, the better it suits the public nowadays. Well, +the parents and friends of the couple naturally object to this +arrangement, but they finally carry their point. Everything is +arranged, and the wedding-day arrives. Only the parents and a few +friends are supposed to be present, and, at the appointed hour, the +bridal party--consisting of the ushers and four bridesmaids, a +maid-of-honor, and the bride, leaning upon her father's arm, proceed +slowly to the altar, where they are met by the groom, best man, and +clergyman. Then comes the ceremony, which seems just as real as if it +were a _bona-fide_ marriage, you know; and when the young couple turn +to leave the church, as husband and wife, they remove their masks, and +behold! the truth is revealed. There is, of course, great +astonishment, and some dismay manifested on the part of the obdurate +parents, who are among the invited guests; but the deed is done--it +would not do to make a scene or any disturbance in church, and so they +are forced to make the best of the affair, and accept the situation." + +"But what becomes of the couple who planned all this for their +friends?" Edith inquired. + +"Oh, they were privately married half an hour earlier, and come in at +a rear door just in season to follow the bridal party down the aisle, +and join in the wedding-feast at home." + +"It is a very strange plot--a very peculiar conception," murmured +Edith, musingly. + +"Yes, it is very Frenchy, and extremely unique, and will be carried +out splendidly, if nothing unforeseen occurs to mar the acting, for +the amateurs I have chosen are all very good. But now I must run down +to see that everything is all right for the evening, before I dress. +By the way," she added, as if the thought had just occurred to her, "I +would like you to put on something pretty, and come to help me in the +dressing-room during the play. Have you a white dress here?" + +"Yes; it is not a very modern one, but it was nice in its day," Edith +replied. + +"Very well; I shall not mind the cut of it, if it is only white," said +madam. "Now I must run. You can ring for some one to take away this +rubbish," she concluded, glancing at the boxes and papers that were +strewn about the room; then she went quickly out. + +Edith obeyed her, and remained until the room was once more in order, +after which she went up to her own chamber to ascertain if the dress, +of which she had spoken, needed anything done to it before it could be +worn. + +Unpacking her trunk, she drew a box from the bottom, from which she +took a pretty Lansdown dress, which she had worn at the wedding of one +of her friends nearly two years previous. She had nice skirts, and a +pair of pretty white slippers to go with it, and although it was, as +she had stated, somewhat out of date, it was really a very dainty +costume. + +She laid everything out upon the bed, in readiness for the evening, +and then went down to her dinner, which she always took with the +housekeeper before the family meal was served. + +Edith found Mrs. Weld looking unusually nice--although she was always +a model of neatness in her attire--in a handsome black silk, with +folds of soft, creamy lace across her ample breast, while upon her +head she wore a fashionable lace cap, adorned with dainty bows of +white ribbon. + +"Oh! how very nice you are looking," Edith exclaimed, as she entered +the room. "What a lovely piece of silk your dress is made of, and your +cap is very pretty." + +"I do believe," she added, to herself, "that she would be quite good +looking if it were not for those horrid moles and dreadful blue +glasses." + +"Thank you, child," the woman responded, a queer little smile lurking +about her mouth. "Of course, I had to make a special effort for such +an occasion as this." + +"If you would only take off your glasses, Mrs. Weld," said the young +girl, as she leaned forward, trying to look into her eyes. "Couldn't +you, just for this evening?" + +"No, indeed, Miss Edith," hastily returned the housekeeper, her color +deepening a trifle under the sallow tinge upon her cheeks. "With all +the extra lights, I should be blinded." + +"But you have such lovely eyes--" + +"How do you know?" demanded Mrs. Weld, regarding her companion +curiously. + +"Partly by guess--partly by observation," said Edith, laughing. "Let +me prove it," she continued, playfully, as she deftly captured the +obnoxious spectacles, and then looked mischievously straight into the +beautiful but startled orbs thus disclosed. + +"Child! child! what are you doing?" exclaimed the woman, in a nervous +tone, as she tried to get possession of her property again. "Pray, +give them back to me at once." + +But Edith playfully evaded her, and clasped them in her hands behind +her. + +"I knew it! I knew it!" she cried, in a voice of merry triumph. "They +are remarkably beautiful, and no one would ever believe there was +anything the matter with them. Oh! I love such eyes as yours, Mrs. +Weld--they are such a delicious color--so clear, so soft, and +expressive." + +And Edith, inspired by a sudden impulse, leaned forward and kissed the +woman on the forehead, just between the eyes which she had been so +admiring. + +Mrs. Weld seemed to be strangely agitated by this affectionate little +act. + +Tears sprang into her eyes, and her lips quivered with emotion for a +moment. + +Then she put out her arms and clasped the beautiful girl in a fond +embrace, and softly returned her caress. + +"You are a lovable little darling--every inch of you," she said, with +sudden fervor. + +"What a mutual admiration society we have constituted ourselves, Mrs. +Weld! But, I am sure, I am very happy to know that there is some one +in the world who feels so tenderly toward me." + +"No one who knew you could help it, my dear," gently returned the +woman, "and I shall always remember you very tenderly, for you have +been so kind and helpful to me in many ways since we have been here. +I suppose the affair to-night will wind up the frolic here," she went +on, thoughtfully. "You will go your way, I shall go mine, and we may +never meet again; but, I shall never forget you, Miss Allen--" + +"Why, Mrs. Weld! how strangely you appear to-night!" Edith +involuntarily interposed. "You do not seem like yourself." + +"I know it, child; but the Goddards expect to return to town +to-morrow, and I may not have an opportunity to see you again alone," +returned the housekeeper, with a strange smile. "I do not want you to +forget me, either," she went on, drawing a little box from her pocket, +"so I am going to give you a souvenir to take away with you, if you +will do me the favor to accept it." + +She slipped the tiny box into Edith's hand as she concluded. + +More and more surprised, the fair girl opened it, and uttered a low +cry of admiration as she beheld its contents. Within, on a bed of +spotless cotton, there lay a gold chain of very delicate workmanship, +and suspended from it, by the stem, as fresh and green, apparently, as +if it had that moment been plucked from its native soil, was a +shamrock, in the heart of which there gleamed a small diamond of +purest water. + +"Why, Mrs. Weld, how beautiful!" exclaimed Edith, flushing with +pleasure; "but--but--isn't the gift a little extravagant for me?" + +"You are worthy of a stone ten times the size of that," said her +companion, smiling; "but, if you mean to imply that I have +impoverished myself to purchase it for you, do not fear; for it was a +little ornament that I used to wear when I was a girl, so it costs me +nothing but the pleasure of giving it to you." + +"Thank you, a thousand times!" returned the happy girl, with starting +tears, "and I shall prize it all the more for that very reason. Now, +pray pardon me," she added, flushing, as she returned the glasses she +had so playfully captured, "I am afraid I was a little rude to remove +them without your permission." + +"Never mind, dear; you have done no harm," said the housekeeper, as +she restored them to their place. "Come, now, we must have our dinner, +or I shall be late, and there must be no mistakes to-night, of all +times." + +When the meal was finished, Mrs. Weld hastened away to attend to her +numerous duties, while Edith went slowly upstairs to dress herself for +the evening. + +"There is something very, very queer about Mrs. Weld," she mused. "I +do not believe she is what she appears at all. She has come into this +house for some mysterious purpose--as mysterious, I believe, as the +people who have employed her." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +"THE GIRL IS DOOMED!--SHE HAS SEALED HER OWN FATE!" + + +Edith looked very lovely when her toilet for the evening was +completed. + +We have never seen her in any but very ordinary costumes, for she had +worn mourning for her dear ones for two years, but if she was +attractive in these somber garments, symbols of her sorrows, she was a +hundred-fold more so in the spotless and dainty dress which was almost +the only souvenir that she possessed of those happy, beautiful days +when she had lived in a Fifth avenue palace, and was the petted +darling of fortune. + +There was not a single ornament about her, excepting the pretty chain +and diamond-hearted shamrock which Mrs. Weld had that evening given to +her, and which she had involuntarily kissed before clasping it about +her neck. + +Mrs. Goddard had commissioned her to superintend the dressing-rooms, +to see that the maids provided everything needful for the comfort of +her guests and to look in upon them occasionally and ascertain if +they were attending to their duties, until everybody had arrived; +after which she was to come to her behind the scenes in the +carriage-house. + +Thus, after her toilet was completed, she descended to the second +floor, to see that these orders were carried out. + +In the ladies' dressing-rooms, she found everything in the nicest +possible order, and then passed on to those allotted to the gentlemen, +in one of which she found that the maids had neglected to provide +drinking water. + +She was upon the point of leaving the room to have the matter attended +to, when Mr. Goddard, attired in full evening dress, even to gloves, +entered. + +"Where is Mollie?" he inquired, but with a visible start of surprise, +as he noticed Edith's exceeding loveliness. + +"I think she is in one of the other rooms," she replied. "Shall I call +her for you?" + +"Yes, if you please; or--" with a lingering glance of +admiration--"perhaps you will help me with these gloves. I find it +troublesome to button them." + +"Certainly," replied the young girl, but flushing beneath his look, +and, taking the silver button-hook from him, she proceeded to perform +the simple service for him, but noticed, while doing so, the taint of +liquor on his breath. + +"Thank you," he said, appreciatively, when the last button was +fastened. Then bending lower to look into her eyes, he added, softly: +"How lovely you are to-night, Miss Edith!" + +She drew herself away from him, with an air of offended dignity, and +would have passed from the room had he not placed himself directly in +her way, thus cutting off her escape. + +"Nay, nay, pretty one; do not be so shy of me," he went on, +insinuatingly. "Why have you avoided me of late? We have not had one +of our cozy social chats for a long time. Did madam's unreasonable fit +of jealousy that day in the library frighten you? Pray, do not mind +her--she has always been like that ever since--well, for many years." + +"Mr. Goddard! I beg you will cease. I cannot listen to you!" cried +Edith. "Let me pass, if you please. I have an order to give one of the +housemaids." + +"Tut! tut! little one; the order can wait, and it is not kind of you +to fly at me like that. I have been drawn toward you ever since you +came into the family, and every day only serves to strengthen the +spell that you have been weaving about me. Come now, tell me that you +will try to return my fondness for you--" + +"Mr. Goddard! what is the meaning of this strange language? You have +no right to address me thus; it is an insult to me--a wicked wrong +against your wife--" + +"My wife!" the man burst forth, mockingly, and with a strangely bitter +laugh. + +A frown contracted his brow, and his lips were compressed into a +vindictive line, as he again bent toward the fair girl. + +"I do not love her," he said, hoarsely; "she has killed all my +affection for her by her infernally variable moods, her jealousy, her +vanity, and her inordinate passion for worldly pleasure, to the +exclusion of all home responsibilities. Moreover--" + +"I must not listen to you! Oh! let me go!" cried Edith, in a voice of +distress. + +Before Edith was aware of his intention, he bent his lips close to her +face, and whispered something, in swift sentences, that made her +shrink from him with a sudden cry of mingled pain and dismay, and +cover her ears with her pretty hands. + +"I do not believe it!" she panted; "oh! I cannot believe it. I am sure +you do not know what you are saying, Mr. Goddard." + +Her words appeared to arouse him to a sense of the fact that he was +compromising himself most miserably in her estimation. + +"No, I don't suppose you can," he muttered, a half-dazed expression on +his face; "and I've no business to be telling you any such things. +But, all the same, I am very fond of you, pretty one, and I do not +believe this is any place for you. You are too fair and sweet to +serve a woman with such a disposition as madam possesses, and I wish +you would leave her when we go back to the city. I know you are poor, +and have no friends upon whom you can depend; but I would settle a +comfortable annuity upon you, so that you could be independent, and +make a pretty little home for your--" + +"How dare you talk to me like this? Do you think I have no pride--no +self-respect?" Edith demanded, as she haughtily threw back her proud +head and confronted the man with blazing eyes. + +Her act and the flash of the diamond attracted his attention to the +little chain and shamrock upon her breast. + +The sight seemed to paralyze him for a moment, for he stood like one +turned to marble. + +"Where did you get it?" he at last demanded, in a scarcely, audible +voice, as he pointed a trembling finger at the jewel. "Tell me!--tell +me! how came you by it?" + +Edith regarded him with astonishment. + +Involuntarily she put up her hand and covered the ornament from his +gaze. + +"It was given to me," she briefly replied. + +"Who gave it to you?" + +"A friend." + +"Was it your--a relative?" cried the man, in a hoarse whisper. + +"No, it was simply a friend." + +"Tell me who!" + +Edith thought a moment. If she should tell Mr. Goddard that the +shamrock had been given to her by the housekeeper, it might subject +the woman to an unpleasant interview with the master of the house, +and, perhaps, place her in a very awkward position. + +She resolved upon the only course left--that of refusing to reveal the +name of the giver. + +"All that I can tell you, Mr. Goddard," she gravely said, at last, "is +that the chain and ornament were given to me very recently by an aged +friend--" + +"Aged!" the man interposed, eagerly. + +"Yes, by a person who must be at least sixty years of age," the young +girl replied. + +"Ah!" The ejaculation was one of supreme relief. "Excuse me, Miss +Allen!" he continued, in a more natural manner than he had yet spoken. +"I did not mean to be curious, but--a--a person whom I once knew had +an ornament very similar to the one you wear--" + +He was interrupted just at this point by the sound of a rich, mellow +laugh that echoed down the hall like a strain of sweetest music; +whereupon Gerald Goddard jumped as if some one had dealt him a heavy +blow on the back. + +"Good Heaven! who was that?" he cried, with livid lips. + +But Edith, taking advantage of the diversion, glided swiftly from the +room, telling herself that nothing could induce her to dwell with the +family a single day after their return to the city, and that she would +take care not to come in contact with Mr. Goddard again--at least to +be alone with him--while she did remain with his wife. + +The man stood motionless for a moment after her departure, as if +waiting for the sound, which had so startled him, to be repeated. + +But it was not, and going to the door, he peered into the hall to see +who was there. + +There was no one visible save the housekeeper, who just at that +moment, accosted a housemaid, to whom she appeared to be giving some +directions. + +"Ah! it was only one of the guests," he muttered, "but the voice was +wonderfully like--like--Ugh!" + +He waited a few moments longer, trying to compose his nerves, which +had been sadly unstrung, both by the wine he had drank in much larger +quantities than usual, and the incidents that had just occurred, and +then sought his own room, where he rang for a brandy-and-soda, and +after taking it, went below to attend to his duties as host. + +But neither he nor Edith dreamed that their recent interview had been +observed by a third party, or had seen the white, convulsed face that +had been looking in upon them, between the blinds at one of the +windows, near which they had been standing. + +Anna Goddard had sought her own room, directly after dinner, to make +some little change in her toilet, and get her gloves, which she had +left lying upon her dressing case. + +As she opened the door of her boudoir she came very near giving +utterance to a scream of fear upon coming face to face with a man. + +The man was Emil Correlli, who had gained entrance to the apartment by +climbing the vine trellis which led to the window. His secret return +was in accordance with a plan previously agreed upon. + +He informed his sister that he had sent a card of invitation to Mrs. +Stewart of the Copley Square Hotel. + +"I am glad you did," she responded; "I have long desired to meet her." + +They then proceeded to discuss the important event of the evening, and +Mrs. Goddard assured him that their plot was progressing admirably. +Still, she manifested a twinge of remorse as she thought of the +despicable trick she had devised against the fair girl whom her +brother was so eager to possess. + +"Anna, you must not fail me now!" he exclaimed, "or I will never +forgive you! The girl must be mine, or--" + +"Hush!" she interposed, holding up her finger to check him. "Did some +one knock?" + +"I heard nothing." + +"Wait, I will see," she said, and cautiously opened the door. No one +was there. + +"It was only a false alarm," she murmured, glancing down the hall; +then she started, as if stung, as she caught sight of two figures in +the room diagonally opposite hers. + +Her face grew ghastly, but her eyes blazed with a tiger-like ferocity. + +She closed the door noiselessly, then with stealthy, cat-like +movements, she stole toward the French door, leading out upon the +veranda, throwing a long mantle over her light dress and bare +shoulders. Then she passed out, and crept along the veranda toward a +window of the room where her husband and Edith were talking. + +She could see them distinctly through the slats of the blinds, which +were movable--could see the man bending toward the graceful girl, whom +she had never seen so beautiful as now, his face eager, a wistful +light burning in his eyes, while his lips moved rapidly with the tale +that he was pouring into her ears. + +She could not hear a word, but her jealous heart imputed the very +worst to him. + +She could see that Edith repudiated him--that she was indignant and +dismayed; but this circumstance did not soothe her in the least. + +It was enough to arouse all the worst elements of her fiery nature to +know that the girl's charms were alluring the man whom she worshiped, +and a very demon of jealousy and hatred possessed her. + +She watched them until she saw her husband give that guilty start, of +which Edith took advantage to escape, and then, her hands clenched +until the nails almost pierced the tender flesh, her lips +convulsed--her whole face distorted with passion and pain, she turned +from the spot. + +"I have no longer any conscience," she hissed, as she sped swiftly +back to her room. "The girl is doomed--she has sealed her own fate. As +for him--if I did not love him so, I would--" + +A shudder completed her sentence, but smoothing her face, she removed +her wraps, and went to tell her brother that she must go below, but +would have his dinner sent up immediately. + +Then drawing on her gloves, she hastened down to join her guests in +the drawing-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +"NOW MY VINDICATION AND TRIUMPH WILL BE COMPLETE!" + + +When Anna Goddard descended to her spacious and elegant parlors, her +face was wreathed with the brightest smiles, which, alas! covered and +concealed the bitterness and anger of her corrupt heart, even while +she circulated among her friends with apparently the greatest +pleasure, and with her usual charm and grace and manner. + +After a short time spent socially, the guests repaired to the spacious +carriage-house, where the theatrical performance was to take place, to +secure the most desirable seats for the play, before the multitude +from outside should arrive. + +The place had been very handsomely decorated, and lighted by +electricity, for the occasion. Potted flowers, palms, and ferns were +artistically grouped in the corners, and handsome draperies were hung +here and there to simulate windows and doors, and to conceal whatever +might otherwise have been unsightly. + +The floor had been covered with something smooth, linoleum or +oilcloth, and then thoroughly waxed, for after the play was over, the +place was to be cleared for dancing. + +Across one end, a commodious stage had been erected, although this was +at present concealed by a beautiful drop-curtain of crimson felt, +bordered with old gold. + +The room filled rapidly, and long before the time for the curtain to +ascend, every seat was occupied. + +At eight o'clock, precisely, the signal was given, and the play began. + +Programs had been distributed among the audience--dainty little cards +of embossed white and gold they were, too--announcing the title, "The +Masked Bridal," giving the names of the participants, and promising +that the affair would close with a genuine surprise to every one. + +The piece opened in an elegantly appointed library, with a spirited +scene and dialogue between a young couple, who were desirous of +marrying, and the four objecting parents. + +The actors all rendered their parts well, the heroine being especially +pretty and piquant, and winning the admiration and sympathy of the +audience at the outset. + +In the next scene the unfortunate young couple are represented as +plotting with two other lovers, whose wedding-day is set, to +circumvent their obdurate parents, and carry out their determination +to become husband and wife. + +This also was full of energy and interest, several bright hits and +witticisms being cleverly introduced, and the curtain went down amid +enthusiastic applause; then, while the stage settings were being +changed for the final act and the church wedding, some music was +introduced, both vocal and instrumental, to while away the time. + +Edith, who had assisted madam in the dressing-room as long as she was +needed, had come outside, at the beginning of the scene, and stationed +herself at the back of the room to watch the progress of the play. + +But she had been there only for a few moments when some one touched +her on the shoulder to attract her attention. + +Glancing around, she saw a young girl, one of the guests in the house, +who remarked: + +"Mrs. Goddard wished me to tell you to come to her at once in her +boudoir. Please be quick, as the matter is important." + +Edith immediately glided from the room, but wondering what could have +happened that madam should want her in her own apartments, when she +supposed her to be behind the scenes. + +Meantime, while the guests were being entertained with the play of +which their hostess was the acknowledged author, a mysterious scene +was being enacted within the mansion. + +When the hour for the entertainment drew near, the house, as we know, +had been emptied of its guests, until only the housekeeper, the +butler, and the other servants remained as occupants. + +The butler had been instructed to keep ward and watch below, while +Mrs. Weld went upstairs, ostensibly to ascertain that everything was +as it should be there, but in reality, to carry out a project of her +own. + +Seeking the maids, who, since they had no duties at that particular +moment to occupy them, had gathered in the dressing-rooms, and were +discussing the merits of the various costumes which they had seen, she +remarked, in her kindly, good-natured way: + +"Girls, I am sure you would like a peep at the play, and Mrs. Goddard +gave me permission to send you out, if you could be spared. I will +look after everything up here, and you may go now, if you like, only +be sure to hurry back the moment it is over, for you will then be +needed again." + +They were of course delighted with this privilege, but Mollie, who was +an unusually considerate girl, and always willing to oblige others, +inquired: + +"Wouldn't you like to see the play, Mrs. Weld? I will stay and let you +go." + +"No, thank you, child. I had enough of such things years ago," the +housekeeper returned, indifferently. "Run along, all of you, so as to +be there when the curtain goes up." + +And the girls, only too eager for the sport, needing no second +bidding, sped away, thanking her heartily for the privilege. + +Thus the upper portion of the mansion was entirely deserted, but for +the housekeeper and the unsuspected presence of Emil Correlli, who was +locked within his own room, awaiting from his sister the signal for +his appearance upon the stage below. + +The moment the housemaids were beyond hearing, Mrs. Weld gave +utterance to a long sigh of relief, whipped off her blue spectacles, +and with a swift, noise-less step, wholly unlike her usual waddling +gait, hurried down the hall, and into Mrs. Goddard's room, carefully +closing and locking the door after her. + +Proceeding to the dressing-room, a quick, searching glance showed her +the object she was looking for--my lady's jewel-casket, standing wide +open upon a small, marble-top table near a full-length mirror. + +It had been rifled of most of its contents, madam herself having worn +many of her jewels, while others had been loaned to the actors to +embellish their costumes for the play. + +"Ah! my task is made much easier than I expected," murmured the woman, +as she peered curiously into the velvet-lined receptacle. + +She saw only an empty tray, which she carefully removed, only to find +another exactly like it underneath. + +This also she took out, revealing the bottom of the box, covered with +its velvet cushion, upon which there were indentations, to receive a +full set of jewelry, necklace, bracelets, tiara, brooch and ear-rings. + +The housekeeper's face was ghastly pale, or would have been but for +the stain which gave her complexion its olive tinge, and she was +trembling with excitement. + +"She surely took that paper from this box," she muttered, a note of +disappointment in her voice, as if she had expected to find what she +sought upon removing the second tray. + +"I wonder if this cushion can be removed?" she continued, as she tried +to lift it from its place. + +But it fitted so closely that she could not stir it. + +Looking around the room for something to assist her in this effort, +she espied a pair of scissors on the dressing-case. + +Seizing them, she attempted to pry up the cushion with them. + +It was not an easy thing to do, without defacing the velvet, but, at +length, she succeeded in lifting one side, when she found no +difficulty in removing the whole thing. + +Her agitation increased as her glance fell upon several papers snugly +packed in the bottom of the box. + +"Ah! if it should prove to be something of no account to me!" she +breathed, with trembling lips. + +At last she straightened herself with sudden resolution, and putting +her hand into the box drew forth the uppermost paper. + +It was yellow with time, and so brittle that it cracked apart in one +of the creases as she opened it; but paying no heed to this, she +stepped to the dressing-case, and spread it out before her, while her +eager eyes swept the mystic page from top to bottom. + +Then a cry that ended in a great sob burst from her hueless lips. + +"It is! it is!" she gasped, in voiceless agitation. "Ah, Heaven, thou +art gracious to me at last! Now, I know why she would not surrender it +to him--now I know what the condition of its ransom must have been! + +"How long has she had it, I wonder? and when did she first learn of +its existence?" she murmured. "Ah! but it does not matter--I have it +at last--I, who dared not hope for its existence, believing it must +have been destroyed, until the other day; and now"--throwing back her +head with an air that was very expressive--"my vindication and triumph +will be complete!" + +With the greatest care, she refolded the paper, after which she +impulsively pressed it to her lips; then, putting it away in her +pocket, she turned back to the jewel-casket, and peered curiously into +it once more. + +"I wonder what other intrigues she has been guilty of?" she muttered, +regarding its contents with a frown. + +She laid her hand upon one of the papers, as if to remove it, then +drew back. + +"No," she said, "I will touch nothing else; I have what I came to +seek, and have no right to meddle with what does not concern me. Let +her keep her other vile secrets to herself; my victory is already +complete." + +She replaced the velvet cushion, pressing it hard down into its +place. + +She then restored the trays as she had found them, but did not close +the casket, since she had found it open. + +She retraced her steps into the boudoir, where, as she was passing +out, she trod upon something that attracted her attention. + +She stooped to ascertain what it was, and discovered a gentleman's +glove. + +"Ah," she said, as she picked it up and examined it, "I should say it +belongs to madam's brother! In that case, he must have returned this +evening to attend the grand finale, although I am sure he was not at +the dinner-table." + +She dropped the glove upon the floor where she had found it, but there +was a look of perplexity upon her face as she did so. + +"It seems a little strange," she mused, "that the young man should +have been away all this time; and if he was to return at all, I cannot +understand why there should have been this air of secrecy about it. He +has evidently been in this room to-night, but I am sure he has not +been seen about the house." + +She opened the door and passed out into the hall, when she was +startled to hear the voice of Mrs. Goddard talking, in the hall below, +with the butler. + +Mrs. Weld quietly slipped across to the room opposite--the same one in +which Edith and Mr. Goddard had held their interview earlier in the +evening--where, seating herself under a light, she caught up a book +from the table, and pretended to be deeply absorbed in its contents. + +A moment later, madam, having ascended the stairs, came hurrying down +the hall, and saw her there. + +She started. + +It would never do for the woman to suspect the truth regarding what +she was about to do. + +No one must dream that Edith was not lending herself willingly to the +last scene in the drama of the evening, and she expected to have some +difficulty in persuading her to take the part. + +There must be no possibility of any one hearing any objections that +she might make, for, in that case, the charge of fraud could be +brought and proved against her and her brother, after all was over. + +But after the first flash of dismay, the cunning woman devised a +scheme which would take the housekeeper out of her way, and leave the +field clear for her operations. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE MASKED BRIDAL. + + +"Oh, Mrs. Weld!" Mrs. Goddard exclaimed, in tones of well-assumed +eagerness. "I am so glad you are here! I fear I have taken cold and am +going to have a chill; will you be so good as to go down and mix me a +hot lemonade and send it out behind the stage to me? for I must go +back directly, and I will drink it there." + +The housekeeper arose at once and went out into the hall, where she +saw that madam appeared excited and trembling, while her face was very +pale, although her eyes were unusually bright. + +Somehow, she did not believe her to be ill; but she cheerfully acceded +to her request, and went directly below to attend to her commission. + +As she passed down the back stairs, Edith came hurrying up the front +way. + +"What has happened?" she inquired, as she observed madam's unusual +excitement. + +"The most unfortunate thing that could occur," she nervously replied. +"Miss Kerby and her brother, who had the leading parts in the play, +have just been summoned home, by telegraph, on account of sickness in +the family, and that leaves us without our hero and heroine." + +"That is unfortunate, surely; the play will have to be given up, I +suppose?" Edith remarked. + +"No, indeed! I should die of mortification!" cried madam, with +well-assumed consternation. + +"But what can you do?" innocently inquired the young girl. + +"The only thing to be done is to supply their places with others," was +the ready answer. "I have a gentleman friend who will take Mr. Kerby's +place, and I want you, Edith, to assume the part of the bride; you are +just about the size of Alice Kerby, and the costume will fit you to +perfection." + +"But I am afraid I cannot--I never took part in a play in my life," +objected Edith, who instinctively shrank from becoming so conspicuous +before such a multitude of people. + +"Nonsense! there is but very little for you to do," said madam, "you +have simply to walk into the church, upon the arm of the supposed +bride's father. You will be masked, and no one will see your face +until after all is over, and you have not a word to say, except to +repeat the marriage service after the clergyman." + +Edith shivered, and her face had grown very pale. She did not like the +idea at all; it was exceedingly repugnant to her. + +"I wish you could find some one else," she said, appealingly. + +"There is no time," said madam. + +"Oh! but it seems almost like sacrilege to me, to stand before such an +audience and repeat words so solemn and significant, when they will +mean nothing, when the whole thing will be but a farce," Edith +tremulously remarked. + +A strange expression swept over madam's face at this objection. + +"You are absurdly conscientious, Edith," she coldly observed. "There +is not another girl in the house upon whom I can call--they are all +too large or too small, and the bridal costume would not fit one of +them. Pray, pray, Miss Allen, pocket your scruples, for once, and help +me out of this terrible predicament--the whole affair will be ruined +by this awkward _contretemps_ if you do not, and I, who have promised +so much to my friends, shall become the laughing-stock of every one +present." + +Still the fair girl hesitated. + +Some unaccountable influence seemed to be holding her back, and yet +she felt that it would be very ungenerous, very disobliging of her, to +allow Mrs. Goddard to be so humiliated before her hundreds of guests, +when this apparently slight concession upon her part would smooth +everything over so nicely. + +"Oh, Edith! say you will!" cried the woman, appealingly. "You must!" +she added, imperatively. "Come to my room--the costume is there all +ready, and we will soon have you dressed." + +She threw her arm around the girl's slender waist and almost compelled +her to accompany her. + +The moment they were within Mrs. Goddard's chamber, the woman +nervously began to unfasten the young girl's dress, but her fingers +trembled so with excitement, showing how wrought up she was, that +Edith yielded without further demur, and assisted in removing her +clothing. + +"That is good of you, dear," said madam, smiling upon her, "for we +must work very rapidly while the scenery is being changed--we have +just fifteen minutes"--glancing at the clock. "How fortunate it is +that I asked you to wear white this evening!" the crafty woman +remarked, as Edith's dress was removed, thus revealing her dainty +underwear, "for you are all ready for the wedding costume without any +other change. Here, dear, just help me, please, with this skirt, for +the train is so long it needs to be handled with care." + +She lifted the beautiful satin skirt from the bed as she spoke, and +together they carefully slipped it over the young girl's head. + +The next moment it was fastened about her waist, and the lustrous +material fell around her slender form in graceful and artistic folds. + +The corsage was then put on and--wonderful to relate--it fitted her to +perfection. + +"How strange! one would almost think it was made for me!" she +remarked, all unsuspicious that her measure had been accurately taken +from a dress that had been left in the city. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed madam, in musical exultation, "I should say that it +was a very fortunate coincidence, and it shows that I made a wise +choice when I selected you to take Miss Kerby's place. I did not know +who else to call upon--of course I could not go out into the audience +to find some one, and thus betray my predicament to everybody; neither +could I take one of the housemaids, because she would have been sure +to blunder and be so awkward. Oh! isn't this dress just lovely?" + +Thus madam chattered, while she worked, wholly unlike herself, +nervous, anxious, and covertly watching every expression of Edith's +sensitive face. + +But the girl did not have the slightest suspicion that she was being +tricked. + +The emergency of the moment appeared sufficient to tax the nerves of +any one to the utmost, and she attributed everything to that. + +"It certainly is a very rich and elegant costume," Edith gravely +responded to the woman's query. "It seems to me to be far too nice and +elaborate for the occasion." + +Mrs. Goddard reddened slightly, and shot a quick, searching look at +the girl's face. + +"Well, of course it had to be nice to correspond with everything +else," she explained, "for all the other young ladies are to wear +their ball costumes, which are very elegant, and since the bride is to +be the most conspicuous of all, it would not do to have her less +richly attired. There!"--as she fastened a beautiful cluster of +orange-blossoms to the corsage and stepped back to study the +effect--"aren't you just lovely in it?" + +"Now the veil," she continued, catching it up from the bed. +"Oh!"--with an expression of dismay--"we have forgotten the boots, and +you must not sit down to crush the dress. Here, support yourself upon +this chair, hold out your foot, and I will put them on for you." + +And the haughty woman went down upon her knees and performed the +menial service, regardless, in her excitement, of her own elegant +costume, which was being crushed in the act. + +Then the veil was adjusted, madam chatting all the while to keep the +girl's attention, and Edith, catching a glimpse of her reflection in +the glass and under the influence of her companion's magnetism and +enthusiasm, began to be imbued with something of the spirit of the +occasion and to enjoy seeing herself adorned with these beautiful +garments, which so enhanced her beauty. + +When everything was done, madam stood back to look at her work, and +uttered an exclamation of delight. + +"Oh! you are simply perfect, Edith!" she said. "You are just too +lovely for anything! Miss Kerby would not have made nearly so +beautiful a bride, and--and--I could almost wish that you were really +going to be married." + +"Oh, no!" cried the fair girl, shrinking back from the strange gleam +that shone from the woman's eyes, as she made this remark, while her +thoughts flew, with the speed of light and with a yearning so intense +that it turned her white as snow, to Royal Bryant, the man to whom, +all unasked, she had given her heart. + +Then, as if some instinct had accused her of unmaidenly presumption, a +flush, that was like the rosy dawn upon the eastern sky, suffused her +fair face, neck, and bosom. + +"Ha! ha! not if you could marry the man of your choice?" queried +madam, with a gleam of malice in her dark eyes and a strange note of +triumph in her silvery laugh that again caused her companion to regard +her curiously. + +"Oh! please do not jest about it in this light way--marriage is too +sacred to be treated with levity," said Edith, in a tremulous tone. +"But where is the mask?" she added, glancing anxiously toward the bed. +"You know you said the face of the bride was not to be seen." + +"Here it is," responded madam, snatching the dainty thing from the +bed. "See! it goes on under the veil, like this"--and she dextrously +slipped the silver-fringed piece of gauze beneath the edge of the veil +and fastened the chain under the orange-wreath behind. + +The fringe fell just to Edith's chin, thus effectually concealing her +features, while it was not thick enough to prevent her seeing, +distinctly, everything about her. + +A few other details were attended to, and then Mrs. Goddard hurriedly +said: + +"Come, now, we must hasten," and she gathered up the voluminous train +and laid it carefully over Edith's arm. "We shall have to go the back +way, through the billiard-room, because no one must see you until you +appear upon the stage." + +The carriage-house adjoined the mansion, and was connected with it by +a door, at the end of a hall, that opened into a large room over it +which had been devoted to billiards. + +In the rear of this there was a stairway, which led down to the first +floor and behind the stage; thus Madam and Edith were enabled to reach +the dressing-room without being seen by any one, and just as the +orchestra were playing the closing bars of the last selection before +the raising of the curtain. + +Here they found a tall, elderly gentleman, in full evening dress, who +was to represent the supposed bride's father in giving his child away +to the groom. + +All the other actors were already grouped upon the stage or in their +respective places behind the scenes awaiting the coming of the bride. + +Outside, the audience were all upon the _qui vive_, for, not only was +the closing act of the very clever play looked forward to with much +interest, for its own sake, but the genuine surprise promised them was +a matter for much curious conjecture and eager anticipation. + +As Edith stepped upon the stage, leaning upon the arm of her escort, +the bridesmaids and maid of honor filed into place before them from +the wings, and all were ready for the _grand finale_ just as the +signal was given for the curtain to go up. + +A shiver ran over Edith, shaking her from head to foot as that sharp, +incisive sound from the silver bell went ringing through the room. + +For, as she had stepped upon the stage and Mrs. Goddard laid her hand +upon the arm of the elderly gentleman, she had observed the two +exchange meaning smiles, while the maids and ushers, as they had filed +into place, had regarded her with marked and admiring curiosity. + +The curtain was raised, revealing to the appreciative audience the +interior of a beautiful little church. + +It was perfect and complete in all its appointments, even to the +stained glass windows, the altar, the chancel, the organ, and the +exquisite floral decorations suitable for a wedding ceremony. + +Simultaneously with this revelation there broke upon the ear and the +breathless hush that prevailed throughout the rooms the sound of an +organ playing the customary wedding-march. + +Presently, at the rear of the church, a door opened, and four ushers +entered, "with stately tread and slow," followed by as many +bridesmaids, dressed in exquisite costumes. + +Then came the maid of honor, clad in pale-blue satin, and carrying a +huge bunch of pink roses that contrasted beautifully with her dainty +toilet. + +Next, the veiled and masked bride appeared, leaning upon the arm of +her attendant and clasping a costly bouquet of white orchids, which +Mrs. Goddard had produced from some mysterious source, and thrust into +her hands at the last moment. + +A thrill of awe, mingled with intensest curiosity, pervaded the +audience as the graceful figure of the beautiful girl came slowly into +view. + +The whole affair was so vividly real and impressive that every one +watched the scene with breathless interest. + +And now, at one side of the chancel, another door was seen to open, +when a spotlessly-gowned clergyman, followed by the groom and best +man, entered and proceeded slowly toward the altar. + +The two men behind the minister were in full evening dress, the only +peculiar thing noticeable being the mask of black gauze edged with +silver fringe which the groom wore over his face. + +They reached the altar at the same moment that the rest of the bridal +party paused before it. + +Then, as the clergyman turned his face toward the audience and the +light from the chandelier above him fell full upon him, a flutter of +excitement ran throughout the room, while many persons were seen to +exchange glances of undisguised astonishment, for they had recognized +a popular young divine--the pastor of a church, which many of those +present, together with their hostess, were in the habit of attending. + +What could it mean? + +Surely, no ordained minister who respected himself and reverenced his +calling would lend himself to a sensational farce, such as they had +witnessed that evening--at least, to carry it to such an extent as to +read, in mockery, the service of the sacred ordinance of marriage over +a couple of giddy actors! + +There was a nervous, fluttering of programs, a restless movement among +the fashionable throng, which betrayed that, however much they might +be given to pleasure and levity in certain directions, they could not +quite countenance this perversion of a divine institution as a matter +of amusement. + +The manner and bearing of the man, however, was most reverential and +decorous, and, as he opened and began to read from the elegant +prayer-book which he carried in his hands, a breathless hush again +settled upon every person in the room. + +For, like a flash, it had seemed to burst upon every mind that there +was to be a _bona fide_ marriage--that this was to be the "Genuine +Surprise" that had been promised them! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE DASTARDLY PLOT IS REVEALED. + + +Every thought and feeling was now merged in intense interest and +curiosity regarding the participants in the strange union, which was +being consummated before them. Who was the beautiful bride, so perfect +in form, so graceful in bearing, so elegantly and richly adorned? + +Who the strange groom? + +The parts of the plotting lovers of the play had hitherto been taken +by the brother and sister--Walter and Alice Kerby, who were well-known +in society. + +But of course every one reasoned that they could not both officiate as +principals in the scene now being enacted before them. + +The figure and bearing of that veiled bride upon the stage were +similar to that of Miss Kerby; but that young lady was known to be +engaged to a young lawyer who was now seated with the audience; +therefore, no one, who knew her, believed for a moment that she could +be personating the masked bride now standing before the altar, while +the groom beside her was neither so stout nor as tall as Walter Kerby. + +The ceremony proceeded, according to the Episcopal form, although the +young minister was known to be a Universalist, and when he reached the +charge, calling for any one "who could show just cause why the two +before him should not be joined in lawful wedlock, to speak or forever +hold his peace," those sitting nearest the stage were startled to see +the bride shiver, from head to foot, while a deadly pallor seemed to +settle over that portion of her face that was visible, and to even +extend over her neck. + +The service went on without any interruption, the groom making the +responses in clear, unfaltering tones, although those of his companion +were scarcely audible. When the symbol of their union was called for, +it was also noticed that Edith shrank from having the ring placed upon +her finger, but it was only a momentary hesitation, and the service +was soon completed with all due solemnity. + +After the blessing, when the couple arose from their knees, the maid +of honor stepped forward, and, lifting the mask of the bride, adjusted +it above her forehead with the jeweled pin, while the audience sat +spell-bound, awaiting with breathless suspense the revelation that +would ensue. + +At the same moment the groom also removed the covering from his face, +when those who could see him instantly recognized him as Emil +Correlli, the handsome and wealthy brother of the hostess of the +evening. + +His countenance was white to ghastliness, betraying that he was +laboring under great excitement and mental strain. + +But the fair young bride! who was she? + +Not one in that great company recognized her for the moment, for +scarcely any one had ever seen her before--excepting those, of course, +who had been guests in the house during the week, and these failed to +identify her in the exquisite costume which was so different from the +simple black dresses which she had always worn, and enveloped, as she +was, in that voluminous, mist-like veil. + +The clergyman omitted nothing, and immediately, upon the lifting of +the masks, greeted and congratulated the young couple with every +appearance of cordiality and sincerity. + +To poor, reluctant Edith the whole affair had been utterly distasteful +and repulsive. + +Indeed, she had felt as if she was almost guilty of a crime in +allowing herself to participate lightly in anything of so sacred a +nature, and, throughout the entire ceremony, she had shivered and +trembled with mingled nervousness and repugnance. + +When the ring--an unusually massive circlet of gold--had been slipped +upon her finger, she had involuntarily tried to withdraw her hand from +the clasp of the man who was holding it, a sensation of deadly +faintness almost overpowering her for the moment. + +But feeling that she must not fail madam and spoil everything at this +last moment, she braced herself to go on with the farce (?) to the +end. + +She was so relieved when it was ended, so eager to get away from the +place and have the dread ordeal over, that she scarcely heard a word +the clergyman uttered while congratulating her. She was dimly +conscious of the clasp of his hand and the sound of his voice, but did +not even notice the hated name by which he addressed her. + +Neither had she once glanced at the groom, though as he took her hand +and laid it upon his arm, when they turned to go out, she wondered +vaguely why he should continue to hold it clasped in his, and what +made his clinging fingers tremble so. + +But Emil Correlli, now that his scheme was accomplished, led her, with +an air of mingled triumph and joy which sat well upon him, directly +out to the ladies' dressing-room, where they found madam alone +awaiting them. + +She could not have been whiter if she had been dead, and her teeth +were actually chattering with nervousness as the two came toward her, +Edith still with bowed head and downcast eyes--her brother beaming +with the exultation he could not conceal. + +But she braced herself to meet them with a brave front. + +"Dear child, you went through it beautifully," she said, in a +caressing voice as she took Edith into her arms and kissed her upon +the forehead. "Let me thank and congratulate you--and you also, Emil." + +At the sound of this name, Edith uttered a cry of dismay and turned +her glance, for the first time, upon the man at her side. + +"You!" she gasped, starting away from him with a gesture of horror, +and marble could not have been whiter, nor a statue more frozen than +she for a moment after making this amazing discovery. + +"Hush!" imperatively exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, who quickly arose to the +emergency. "Do not make a scene. It could not be helped--some one had +to take Mr. Kerby's place, and Emil, arriving at the last moment, was +pressed into the service the same as yourself." + +"How could you? It was cruel! it was wicked! I never would have +consented had I suspected," cried the girl, in a voice resonant with +indignation. + +"Hush!" again commanded madam, "you must not--you shall not spoil +everything now. The actors are all to hold an informal reception in +the parlors while this room is being cleared for dancing, and you two +must take your places with them--" + +"I will not! I will not lend myself to such a wretched farce for +another moment!" Edith exclaimed, and never for an instant suspecting +that it was anything but a farce. + +The face of Mrs. Goddard was a study, as was also her brother's, as +these resolute words fell upon her ears; but she had no intention of +undeceiving the girl at present, for she knew that if she threw up the +character which she had thus far been impersonating, their plot would +be ruined and a fearful scandal follow. + +If they could only trick her into standing with the others to receive +the congratulations of her guests--to be publicly addressed as, and +appear to assent to the name of, Mrs. Correlli, she believed it would +be comparatively easy later on to convince her of the truth and compel +her to yield to the inevitable. + +But she saw that Edith was thoroughly aroused--that she felt she had +been badly used--that she had been shamefully imposed upon by having +been cheated into figuring thus before hundreds of people with a man +who was obnoxious to her. + +Madam was at her wits' end, for the girl's resolute air and blazing +eyes plainly indicated that she did not intend to be trifled with any +longer. + +She shot a glance of dismay at her brother, only to see a dark frown +upon his brow, while he angrily gnawed his under lip. + +She feared that, with his customary impulse, he might be +contemplating revealing the truth, and such a course she well knew +would result in a scene that would ruin the evening for everybody. + +But just at this instant the bridesmaids came trooping into the room +and created a blessed diversion. + +"Here we are, dear Mrs. Goddard," a gay girl exclaimed. "Didn't it all +go off beautifully, and isn't it time we were in our places for the +reception?" + +"Yes, yes; run along, all of you. Lead the way, Nellie, please--you +know how to go up through the billiard-room," said Mrs. Goddard, +nervously, as she gently pushed the girl toward the stairway. Then +bending toward Edith, she whispered, imploringly: + +"I beg, I entreat you, Edith, not to spoil everything--everybody will +wonder why you are not with the others, and I cannot explain why you +refused to stand with my brother. Go! go! you must not keep my guests +waiting. Emil, take her," and with an imperative gesture to her +brother, she swept on toward the stairway after the others to arrange +them effectively in the drawing-room. + +Emil Correlli shot a searching look into the face of the girl beside +him. + +It was cold and proud, the beautiful eyes still glowing with +indignation. But resolving upon a bold move, he reached down, took her +hand, and laid it upon his arm. + +"Pardon me just this once," he said, humbly, "and let me add my +entreaties to my sister's," and he tried gently to force her toward +the stairway. + +Edith drew herself up and took her hand from his arm. + +"Go on," she said, haughtily, "and I will follow. Since I have been +tricked into this affair so far, a little more of the same folly +cannot matter, and rather than subject Mrs. Goddard to a public +mortification, I will yield the point." + +She made a gesture for him to proceed, and he turned to obey, a gleam +of triumph leaping into his eyes at her concession. + +Without a word they swiftly made their way back into the house and +down to the elegant parlors where, at the upper end, the first object +to greet their eyes was a beautiful floral arch with an exquisite +marriage bell suspended from it. + +On either side of this the bridesmaids and ushers had taken their +places, and into the center of it Emil Correlli now led his companion. + +And now ensued the last and most fiendish act in the dastardly plot. + +Hardly were they in their places when the guests came pouring into the +room, and the ushers began their duties of presentation, while Edith, +with a sinking heart, but growing every moment more indignant and +disgusted with what appeared to her only a horrible and senseless +mockery, was obliged to respond to hundreds of congratulations and +bear in silence being addressed as Mrs. Correlli. + +It galled her almost beyond endurance--it was torture beyond +description to her proud and sensitive spirit to be thus associated +with one for whom she had no respect, and who had made himself all the +more obnoxious by lending himself to the deception which had just been +practiced upon her. + +Once, when there was a little pause, she turned haughtily upon the man +at her side. + +"Why am I addressed thus?" she demanded. + +"Why do you allow it? Why do you not correct these people and tell +them to use the name that was used in the play rather than yours?" + +The man grew white about the lips at these questions. + +"Perhaps they forget--I--I suppose it seems more natural to address me +by my name," he faltered. + +"I do not like it--I will not submit to it a moment longer," Edith +indignantly returned. + +"Hush! it is almost over," said her companion, in a swift whisper, as +others came forward just then, and she was obliged, though rebellious +and heart-sick, to submit to the ordeal. + +But it was over at last, for, as the introductions were made, the +guests passed back to the carriage-house, which had been cleared for +dancing, and where the musicians were discoursing alluring strains in +rhythmic measure. + +Even the bridesmaids and ushers, tempted by the sounds, at last +deserted their posts, and Emil Correlli and his victim were finally +left alone, the sole occupants of the drawing-room. + +"Will you come and dance?" he inquired, as he turned a pleading look +upon her. "Just once, to show that you forgive me for what I have done +to-night." + +"No, I cannot," said Edith, coldly and wearily. "I am going directly +upstairs to divest myself of this mocking finery as soon as possible." + +A swift, hot flush suffused Emil Correlli's face, at these words. + +"Pray do not speak so bitterly and slightingly of what has made you, +in my eyes at least, the most beautiful woman in this house to-night," +he said, with a look of passionate yearning in his eyes. + +"Flattery from you, sir, after what has occurred, is, to speak mildly, +exceedingly unbecoming," Edith haughtily responded and turned proudly +away from him as if about to leave the room. + +But, at that moment, Mr. Goddard, who had not presented himself +before, came hurriedly forward and confronted them. His face was very +pale, but there was an angry light in his eyes and a bitter sneer upon +his lips. + +"Well, Correlli, I am bound to confess that you have stolen a march +upon us to-night, in fine style," he remarked, in a mocking tone, "and +madam--Mrs. Correlli, I should say--allow me to observe that you have +outshone yourself this evening, both as an actress and a beauty! +Really, the surprise, the _denouement_, to which you have treated us +surpasses anything in my experience; it was certainly worthy of a +Dumas! Permit me to offer you my heartiest congratulations." + +Edith crimsoned with anger to her brows and shot a look of scorn at +the man, for his manner was bitterly insolent and his tone had been +violent with wounded feeling and derision throughout his speech. + +"Let this wretched farce end here and now," she said, straightening +herself and lifting her flashing eyes to his face. "I am heartily sick +of it, and I trust you will never again presume to address me by the +name that you have just used." + +"Indeed! and are you so soon weary of your new title? Not yet an hour +a bride, and sick of your bargain!" retorted Gerald Goddard, with a +mocking laugh. + +"I am no 'bride,' as you very well know, sir," spiritedly returned +Edith. + +The man regarded her with a look of astonishment. + +He had been very much interested in his wife's clever play, until the +last act, when he had been greatly startled by the change in the +leading characters, both of whom he had instantly recognized in spite +of their masks. He wondered why they had been substituted for Alice +and Walter Kerby; when, upon also recognizing the clergyman, it had +flashed upon him that this last scene was no "play"--it was to be a +_bona fide_ marriage planned, no doubt, by his wife for some secret +reason best known to her and the young couple. + +He did not once suspect that Edith was being tricked into an unwilling +union. + +He had known that Emil Correlli was fond of her, but he had not +supposed he would care to make her his wife, although he had no doubt +the girl would gladly avail herself of such an offer. Evidently the +courtship had been secretly and successfully carried on; still, he +could not understand why they should have adopted this exceedingly +strange way to consummate their union, when there was nothing to stand +in the way of a public marriage, if they desired it. + +He was bitterly wounded and chagrined upon realizing how he had been +ignored in the matter by all parties, and thus allowed to rush +headlong into the piece of folly which he had committed, earlier in +the evening, in connection with Edith. + +Thus he had held himself aloof from the couple until every one else +had left the parlors, when he mockingly saluted them as already +described. + +"No bride?" he repeated, skeptically. + +"No, sir. I told you it was simply a farce. I was merely appealed to +to take the place, in the play, of Miss Kerby, who was called home by +telegram," Edith explained. + +Mr. Goddard glanced from her to his brother-in-law in unfeigned +perplexity. + +"What are you saying?" he demanded. "Do you mean to tell me that you +believe that last act was a farce?--that you do not know that you have +been really and lawfully married to the man beside you?" + +"Certainly I have not! What do you mean, sir, by such an unwarrantable +assertion?" spiritedly retorted the young girl, but losing every atom +of color, as a suspicion of the terrible truth flashed through her +mind. + +Gerald Goddard turned fiercely upon his brother-in-law at this, for he +also now began to suspect treachery. + +"What does she mean?" he cried, sternly. "Has she been led into this +thing blindfolded?" + +"I think it would be injudicious to make a scene here," Emil Correlli +replied, in a low tone, but with white lips, as he realized that the +moment which he had so dreaded had come at last. + +"What do you mean? Why do you act and speak as if you believed that +mockery to be a reality?" exclaimed Edith, looking from one face to +the other with wildly questioning eyes. + +"Edith," began Mr. Goddard, in an impressive tone, "do you not know +that you are this man's wife?--that the ceremony on yonder stage was, +in every essential, a legal one, and performed by the Rev. Mr. ---- of +the ---- church in Boston?" + +"No! never! I do not believe it. They never would have dared do such a +dastardly deed!" panted the startled girl, in a voice of horror. + +Then drawing her perfect form erect, she turned with a withering +glance to the craven at her side. + +"Speak!" she commanded. "Have you dared to play this miserable trick +upon me?" + +Emil Correlli quailed beneath the righteous indignation expressed in +her flashing glance; his eyes drooped, and conscious guilt was shown +in his very attitude. + +"Forgive me--I loved you so," he stammered, and--she was answered. + +She threw out her hands in a gesture of repudiation and horror; she +flashed one withering, horrified look into his face, then, with a moan +of anguish, she swayed like a reed broken by the tempest, and would +have fallen to the floor in her spotless robes had not Gerald Goddard +caught her senseless form in his arms, and, lifting her by main +strength, he bore her from the room and upstairs to her own chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +"YOUR FAITHLESSNESS TURNED ME INTO A DEMON." + + +Emil Correlli followed Mr. Goddard and his unconscious burden, looking +like anything but a happy bridegroom. + +He had expected that Edith would weep and rave upon discovering the +trap into which she had been lured; but he had not expected that the +revelation would smite her with such terrible force, laying her like +one dead at his feet, as it had done, and he was thoroughly alarmed. + +When Mr. Goddard reached the girl's room he laid her upon her bed, and +then sent one of the servants for the housekeeper. But Mrs. Weld could +not be found, so another maid was called, and Edith was gradually +restored to consciousness. + +But the moment her glance fell upon Emil Correlli, who insisted upon +remaining in the room, and she realized what had occurred, she +relapsed into another swoon, so deathlike and prolonged that a +physician, who happened to be among the guests, was summoned from the +ball-room to attend her. + +He excluded every one but the maids from the room, when he ordered his +patient to be undressed and put into bed, and after long and +unwearied efforts, she was again revived, when she became so unnerved +and hysterical that the physician, becoming alarmed, was about to give +her a powerful opiate, when she sank into a third fainting fit. + +Meanwhile, in the ball-room below, gayety was at its height. There had +been a little stir and commotion when it was learned that Edith had +fainted; but the matter was passed over with a few well-bred comments +of regret, and then forgotten for the time. But as soon as she could +do so without being observed, madam stole from the place and went into +the house to ascertain how the girl was. + +She was, of course, aware of the cause of the swoon, and, as may be +readily imagined, was in no comfortable frame of mind. She was met at +the head of the second flight of stairs by her husband, whose face was +grave and stern. + +"How is she?" madam inquired. + +"In a very critical condition; Dr. Arthur says she is liable to have +brain fever," he tersely replied. + +"Brain fever!" exclaimed his wife, in a startled tone. "Surely, she +cannot be as bad as that!" + +"Woman, what have you done?" the man demanded, in a hoarse whisper. +"How have you dared to plot and carry out the dastardly deed that you +have perpetrated this night?" + +Anna Goddard's eyes began to blaze defiance. + +"That is neither the tone nor the manner you should employ in +addressing me, Gerald, as you very well know," she retorted, with +colorless lips. + +"Have done with your tragic airs, madam," he cried, laying a heavy +hand upon her arm. "I have had enough of them. I ask you again, how +have you dared to commit this crime?" + +"Crime?" she repeated, with a start, but flashing him a glance that +made him wince as she shook herself free from his grasp. "You use a +harsh term, Gerald; but if you desire a reason for what has occurred +to-night, I can give you two." + +"Name them," her companion curtly demanded. + +"First and foremost, then--to protect myself." + +"To protect yourself--from what?" + +"From treachery and desertion." + +"Anna!" + +A bitter sneer curled the beautiful woman's lips. + +"You know how to do it very well, Gerald," she tauntingly returned. +"That air of injured innocence is vastly becoming to you, and would be +very effective, if I did not know you so well; but it has disarmed me +for the last time. Pray never assume it again, for you will never +blind me by it in the future." + +"Explain yourself, Anna. I fail to understand you." + +"Very well; I will do so in a very few words; I was a witness of your +interview with the girl just after dinner to-night." + +"You?" ejaculated the man, flushing hotly, and looking considerably +crestfallen. "Well, what of it?" he added, defiantly, the next moment. + +"What of it, indeed? Do you imagine a wife is going to stand quietly +by and see her husband make love to her companion?" + +"What nonsense you are talking, Anna! I went in search of one of the +housemaids to button my gloves for me, met Miss Allen instead, and she +was kind enough to oblige me." + +"Bah! Gerald, I was too near you at the time to swallow such a very +lame vindication," vulgarly sneered his wife. "You were making love to +her, I tell you--you were telling her something which you had no +business to reveal, and I swore then that her fate should be sealed +this very night." + +Gerald Goddard realized that there was no use arguing with his wife in +that mood, while he also felt that his case was rather weak, and so he +shifted his ground. + +"But you must have plotted this thing long ago, for your play was +written, and your characters chosen before we left the city," he +remarked. + +"Well?" + +"But you said you had two reasons; what was the other?" + +"Emil's love for the girl. He became infatuated with her from the +moment of his coming to us, as you must have noticed." + +"Yes." + +"Well, he tried to win her--he even asked her to marry him, but she +refused him. Think of it--that little nobody rejecting a man like +Emil, with his wealth and position!" + +"Well, if she did not love him, she had a right to refuse, him." + +"Oh, of course," sneered madam, irritably. "But you know what he is +when he once gets his heart set upon anything, and her obstinacy only +made him the more determined to carry his point. He appealed to me to +help him; and, as I have never refused him anything he wanted, if I +could possibly give it to him--" + +"But this was such a wicked--such a heartless, cowardly thing to do!" +interposed Mr. Goddard, with a gesture of horror. + +"I know it," madam retorted, with a defiant toss of her head; "but you +may thank yourself for it, after all; for, almost at the last moment, +I repented--I was on the point of giving the whole thing up and +letting the play go on without any change of characters, when your +faithlessness turned me into a demon, and doomed the girl." + +"I believe you are a 'demon'--your jealousy has been the bane of your +whole life and mine; and now you have ruined the future of as +beautiful and pure a girl as ever walked the earth," said Gerald +Goddard, with a threatening brow, and in a tone so deadly cold that +the woman beside him shivered. + +"Pshaw! don't be so tragic," she said, after a moment, and assuming an +air of lightness, "the affair will end all right--when Edith comes +fully to herself and realizes the situation, I am sure she will make +up her mind to submit gracefully to the inevitable." + +"She shall not--I will help her to break the tie that binds her to +him." + +"Will you?" mockingly questioned his wife. "How pray?" + +"By claiming that she was tricked into the marriage." + +"How will you prove that, Gerald?" was the smiling query. + +The man was dumb. He knew he could not prove it. + +"Did she not go willingly enough to the altar?" pursued madam. "Did +she not repeat the responses freely and unhesitatingly? Was she not +married by a regularly ordained minister? and was she not introduced +afterward to hundreds of people as the wife of my brother, and did she +not respond as such to the name of Mrs. Correlli? I hardly think you +could make out a case, Gerald." + +"But the fact that the Kerbys were called away by telegram, and that +some one was needed to supply their places, would prove that Edith had +no knowledge of the affair--at least until the last moment," said Mr. +Goddard, eagerly seizing upon that point. + +But madam broke into a musical little laugh as he ceased. + +"Do you imagine that I would leave such a ragged end as that in my +plot?" she mockingly questioned. "The Kerbys were not called away by +telegram, and no one can prove that either was ever told they were. +The Kerbys are still here, dancing away as heartily as any one below, +and they have known, from the first, that they would not appear in the +last act--they and they only, were let into the secret that the play +was to end with a real marriage." + +"It is the most devilish plot I ever heard of," said her companion, +passionately, through his tightly-locked teeth. "Your insane jealousy +and suspicion, during the years we have lived together, have shriveled +whatever affection I hitherto possessed for you!" + +"Gerald!" + +The name came hoarsely from the woman's white lips. + +It was as if some one had stabbed her, and her heart had died with the +utterance of that loved name. + +He left her abruptly, and descended the stairs, never once looking +back, while she watched him with an expression in her eyes that had +something of the fire of madness in it, as well as that of a breaking +heart. + +When he reached the lower hall, she dashed down to the second floor, +and into her own room, locking herself in. + +Fifteen minutes later she came out again, but in place of the usual +glow of health upon her cheeks, she had applied rouge to conceal the +ghastliness she could not otherwise overcome, while there was a look +of recklessness and defiance in her dark eyes that bespoke a nature +driven to the verge of despair. + +Making her way back to the ball-room, she was soon mingling with the +merry dancers, and with a forced gayety that deceived every one save +her husband. + +To all inquiries for the bride, she replied that she had recovered +consciousness, but it was doubtful if she would be able to make her +appearance again that night. + +Then as her glance fell upon a tall, magnificently-formed woman, who +was standing near, and the center of an admiring group, she inquired, +in a tone of surprise: + +"Why! who is that lady in garnet velvet and point lace?" + +"That is a Mrs. Stewart, a very wealthy woman, who resides at the +Copley Square Hotel," was the reply. + +"Oh, is that Mrs. Stewart?" said madam, with eager interest. + +"Yes; but are you not acquainted with her?" questioned her guest, with +a look of well-bred astonishment. + +"No; and no wonder you think it strange that she should be here by +invitation, and I have no personal acquaintance with her," the hostess +remarked, with a smile; "but such is the case, nevertheless; a card +was sent to her at the request of my brother, who has met her several +times, and who admires her very much. What magnificent diamonds she +wears!" + +"Yes; she is said to be worth a great deal of money." + +"She must have come in while I was upstairs inquiring about Edith," +madam observed. "I must find my brother, and be presented to her. +Excuse me--I will see you later." + +With a graceful obeisance, madam turned away and went in search of +Emil Correlli. + +But, as she went, she wondered if she could ever have seen Mrs. +Stewart before. + +The woman's face seemed strangely familiar to her, and yet she could +not remember having met her before. + +The sensation was something like those mysterious occurrences which +sometimes make people feel that they are but a repetition of +experiences in a previous state of existence. + +The stranger was an undeniably handsome woman. She was more than +handsome, for there was a sweet grace and influence about her every +movement and expression that proclaimed her to be a woman of noble and +lovely character. + +She was a woman to be singled out from the multitude on account of the +taste and elegance of her costume, as well as for her great personal +beauty. + +"She cannot have less than fifty thousand dollars' worth of diamonds +on her person," murmured Anna Goddard, with a pang of envy, as she +covertly watched her strange guest while she made her way through the +throng in search of her brother. + +She met him near the door, he having just come in from the house, to +excuse himself to his sister, after having been to Edith's door for +the sixth time to inquire for her. + +His face was pale, his brow gloomy, his eyes heavy with anxiety. + +"Well, how is she now?" questioned his sister. + +"She has fallen into her third swoon, and the doctor thinks she is in +a very critical state. He says her condition must have been induced by +a tremendous shock of some kind." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, looking relieved. "Judging from that, I +should say that the girl has not yet revealed the true state of +affairs." + +"No; Dr. Arthur did not appear to know how to account for her +condition, and asked me if I knew anything that could have caused it." + +"Of course, you did not?" said madam, meaningly. + +"No; except the excitement, etc., of the occasion." + +"Well, don't worry," Mrs. Goddard returned; "everything will come out +all right in time. It is a great piece of luck that she did not wail +and rave and let out the whole story before the doctor and the maids. +Your Mrs. Stewart is here--you must come and greet her and introduce +me," she concluded, glancing toward her guest as she spoke. + +"I was coming to tell you that I am going to my room and to bed--I +have no heart for any gayety to-night," said Emil Correlli, gloomily. + +"Nonsense! don't be so absurdly foolish, Emil," responded his sister, +impatiently. + +"Indeed! I think it would be improper for me to remain when my wife is +so ill," he objected, but flushing as he uttered the word. + +"Well, perhaps; do as you choose. But come and introduce me to Mrs. +Stewart before you go; she must feel rather awkward to be a guest here +and not know her hostess." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +"OH, GOD! I KNEW IT! YOU ARE--ISABEL!" + + +With a somewhat reluctant air, Emil Correlli offered his arm to his +sister and led her toward the woman around whom a group of +distinguished people had gathered, and whom she was entertaining with +an ease and grace that proclaimed her perfectly at home among the +_crême de la crême_ of society. + +She appeared not to perceive the approach of her hostess and her +brother, but continued the animated conversation in which she was +engaged. + +A special observer, however, would have noticed the peculiar fire +which began to burn in her beautiful eyes. + +When Mr. Correlli presented his sister, she turned with fascinating +grace, making a charming acknowledgment, although she did not offer +her hostess her hand. + +"You are very welcome, Mrs. Stewart," Mrs. Goddard remarked, in +response to some words of apology for being a guest in the house +without a previous acquaintance. "I only regret that we have not met +before." + +"Thanks; I, too, deplore the complication of circumstances which has +prevented an earlier meeting," was the sweet-voiced response. + +But there was a peculiar shading in the remark which, somehow, grated +harshly upon Anna Goddard's ears and nerves. + +"Who is she, anyhow?" she questioned within herself with a strange +feeling of unrest and perplexity. "I never even heard of her until +after Emil came; yet there is something about her that makes me feel +as if we had met in some other sphere." + +She stole a searching glance at the woman's face, only to find her +great, luminous eyes fastened upon her with an equally intent gaze. + +"Ah!" and with this voiceless ejaculation and a great inward start, +some long dormant memory seemed suddenly to have been aroused within +her. + +There was an instant of awkwardness; then madam, who seldom allowed +anything to disturb her self-possession, remarked: + +"I am sorry, Mrs. Stewart, that you did not arrive earlier to witness +our little play." + +But while she was giving utterance to this polite regret, she was +saying to herself: + +"Yes, there certainly is a look about her that reminds me of--Ugh! +She may possibly be a relative, or the resemblance may be merely a +coincidence. All the same, I shall not like her any the better for +recalling that horror to me." + +"Thank you," Mrs. Stewart replied; "no doubt I should have enjoyed it, +especially as, I am told, it was original with you and terminated in a +real and very pretty wedding." + +"Yes; my brother finds that he must leave the city earlier than he +anticipated; and, as he was anxious to take his bride with him, he +chose this opportunity to celebrate his marriage, and to introduce his +wife to our friends." + +"Ah! I did not even know that Monsieur Correlli was contemplating +matrimony. Who is the favored lady of his choice?" Mrs. Stewart +inquired. + +"A Miss Edith Allen." + +"Edith Allen!" repeated the beautiful stranger, with a start. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Goddard, regarding her with surprise, but unmixed +with anxiety. "Did you ever meet her?" + +"Is she very fair and lovely, with golden hair and deep-blue eyes, a +tall, slender figure, and charming manners?" eagerly questioned Mrs. +Stewart. + +"Yes, you have described her exactly," answered madam, yet secretly +more disturbed than before; "but I am surprised that you should know +her, for she has been in the city only a short time, and I did not +suppose she had made a single acquaintance outside the family." + +"Oh, I cannot lay claim to an acquaintance with her, as I have only +seen her once, and our meeting was purely accidental," the lady +responded. "She rendered me efficient service one day when she was out +for a walk, and I inquired her name." + +She then proceeded to explain the nature of that service and the +accident that had called it forth, and concluded by remarking: + +"Allow me to say I think that Monsieur Correlli has shown excellent +taste in his choice of a wife. I was charmed with the young lady, and +I would like to meet her again. Will you introduce me?" and she looked +eagerly about the room in search of the graceful form and lovely face +which she was so desirous of seeing. + +"I am very sorry that I cannot comply with your request," said Mrs. +Goddard, flushing slightly; "but Edith is rather delicate and the +reception, after the marriage, was such a strain upon her that she +fainted and was obliged to retire." + +"That was very unfortunate," Mrs. Stewart observed, while she searched +her companion's face curiously, "but I trust that I may have the +pleasure of meeting her later." + +"I cannot promise as to that," madam replied, "as it is my brother's +intention to go abroad as soon as he can complete his arrangements to +do so, although no date has been set as yet. But--have you ever met my +husband. Mrs. Stewart?" she inquired, as that gentleman was seen +approaching their way that moment. + +"No, I have never had that honor," the lady returned; then added, with +a light laugh: "I feel very much like an intruder to be here to-night +as a stranger to both my host and hostess." + +"Pray do not be troubled on that account," madam hastened cordially to +reply: "any friend of my brother would be a welcome guest, and I am +charmed to have made your acquaintance." + +"Thank you," responded the beautiful stranger; but madam marveled at +the line of white encircling the scarlet lips, as she signaled to her +husband and called him by name: + +"Gerald." + +He glanced up, and both women noticed the expression of weariness and +trouble upon his brow. + +"You have not been introduced to Emil's friend, I think," his wife +continued. "Allow me to present Mrs. Stewart--Mrs. Stewart, my +husband, Mr. Goddard." + +The gentleman bowed with all his accustomed courtesy, but did not +fairly get a glimpse of the lady's face until they both assumed an +upright position again, when he found himself looking straight into +the magnificent eyes of his guest. + +As he met them it seemed as if some one had stabbed him to the heart, +so sudden and terrible was the shock that he experienced. + +He changed an involuntary groan into a cough, but he could not have +been more ghastly if he had been dead, while he continued to gaze upon +her as if fascinated. + +"Ha! he has noticed it also!" said madam to herself, with a sudden +heart-sinking. + +Then realizing that something must be done to relieve the awkwardness +of the situation, she hastened to observe: + +"Mrs. Stewart has only just arrived--she did not come in season to +witness our little drama." + +Mr. Goddard murmured some polite words of regret, but feeling all the +while as if he were turning to stone. + +Mrs. Stewart, however, responded in a pleasant vein, and chatted +sociably for a few moments, when, some other friends joining them, +more introductions followed, and the conversation became general. + +Gerald Goddard improved this opportunity to slip away; but his wife, +who was covertly watching his every look and movement, noticed that he +walked with the uncertain step of one who was either blind or +intoxicated. + +A feeling of depression settled upon her--a sense of impending evil, +which, try as she would, she could neither forget nor shake off. + +She began to be very impatient of all the glitter, glare, and gayety +around her, and told herself that she would be heartily glad when the +last dance was over, and the last guest had departed. + +Truly, there is many an aching heart hidden beneath costly raiment and +glittering jewels; and society is, to a large extent, but a smiling +mask in which people hold high revel over the tombs of dead hopes and +disappointed ambitions. + +But fashion and folly must have their time; and so, in spite of +madam's heart-ache and weariness, the dancing and merriment went on, +no one dreamed of the phantom memories and the ghosts from out the +past that were stalking about the beautiful rooms of that elegant +mansion; or that its enviable (?) master and mistress were treading +upon the verge of a volcano which, at any moment, was liable to burst +all bounds and pour forth its furious lava-tide to consume them. + +An hour later Mrs. Stewart again sought her hostess and wished her +good-night, remarking that circumstances which she could not control +compelled her to take an early leave. + +"Ah! that is unfortunate, for supper will shortly be announced; cannot +you possibly remain to partake of it?" madam urged, with cordial +hospitality. + +"Thanks, no; but I am promising myself the pleasure of meeting you +again in the near future," Mrs. Stewart returned, shooting a searching +glance at her hostess. + +Her language and manner were perfect; but, for the second time that +evening, Anna Goddard noticed the peculiar shading in her words, and a +chill that was like a breath from an iceberg went shivering over her. + +She, however, replied courteously, and then Mrs. Stewart swept from +the room upon the arm of her attendant. + +Many earnest and curious glances followed the stately couple, for the +lady was reported to be immensely rich, while it had also been +whispered that the gentleman attending her--a distinguished +artist--had long been a suitor for her hand; but, for some reason best +known to herself, the lady had thus far turned a deaf ear to his +entreaties, although it was evident that she regarded him with the +greatest esteem, if not with sentiments of a tenderer nature. + +After passing through the covered walk leading to the house, the two +separated--the gentleman to attend to having their carriage called, +the lady to go upstairs for her wraps. + +As she was about to enter the dressing-room to get them, a picture +hanging between two windows at the end of the hall attracted her eye. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, catching her breath sharply, and moving swiftly +toward it, she seemed to forget everything, and stood, with clasped +hands and heaving bosom, spell-bound before it. + +It represented a portion of an old Roman wall--a marvelously +picturesque bit of scenery, with climbing vines that seemed to cling +to the gray stones lovingly, as if to conceal their irregular lines +and other ravages which time and the elements had made upon them; +while here and there, growing out from its crevices, were clusters of +delicate maiden-hair fern, the bright green of which contrasted +beautifully with the weather-beaten wall and the darker, richer +coloring of the vines. + +Just underneath, partly in the shadow of the wall, there sat, upon a +rustic bench, a beautiful Italian girl, dressed in the costume of her +country, while at her feet reclined her lover, his hat lying on the +grass beside him, his handsome face upturned to the maiden, whom it +was evident he adored. + +It was a charming picture, very artistic, and finely executed, while +the subject was one that appealed strongly to the tenderest sentiments +of the human heart. + +But the face of the woman who was gazing upon it was deathly white. +She was motionless as a statue, and seemed to have forgotten time, +place, and her surroundings, as she drank in with her wonderful eyes +the scene before her. + +"It is the wall upon the Appian Way in Rome," she breathed at last, +with a long-drawn sigh. + +"You are right, madam," responded a voice close at hand, the sound of +which caused the woman to press her clasped hands hard upon her +heaving bosom, though she gave no other sign of being startled. + +The next moment she turned and faced the speaker. + +It was Gerald Goddard. + +"I heard no one approaching--I thought I was alone," she said, as she +lifted those wonderful eyes of hers to his. + +He shrank from her glance as under a lightning flash that had burst +upon him unawares. + +But quickly recovering himself, he courteously remarked: + +"Pardon me--I trust I have not startled you." + +"Only momentarily," she replied; then added: "I was admiring this +painting; it is very lovely and--most faithfully portrays the scene +from which it was copied." + +"Ah! you recognize the--the locality?" + +"Perfectly." + +"You--you have been in--Rome?" the man faltered. + +"Oh, yes." + +"Recently?" + +There was a sort of breathless intensity about the man as he asked +this question. + +"No; I was in Rome--in the year 18--." + +At this response, Gerald Goddard involuntarily put out his hand and +laid it upon the balustrade, near which he was standing, while he +gazed spell-bound into the proud, beautiful face before him, searching +it with wild, eager eyes. + +After a moment he partially recovered himself, and remarked: + +"Is it possible? I myself was in Rome during the same year and painted +this picture at that time. Were--were you in the city long?" he +concluded, in a voice that trembled in spite of himself. + +"From January until--until June." + +For the second time that evening Mr. Goddard suppressed a groan with a +cough. + +"Ah! It is a singular coincidence, is it not, that I also was there +during those months?" he finally managed to articulate. + +"A coincidence?" his companion repeated, with a slight lifting of her +shapely brows, a curious gleam in her eyes. Then throwing back her +head with an air of defiance which was intensified by the glitter of +those magnificent stones which crowned her lustrous hair, and with a +peculiar cadence ringing through her tones, she observed: "Rome is a +lovely city--do you not think so? And, as it happened, I resided in a +delightful portion of it. Possibly you may remember the locality. It +was a charming little house, with beautiful trees--oleander, orange, +and fig--growing all around the spacious court. This pretty ideal home +was Number 34, Via Nationale." + +The wretched man stared helplessly at her for one brief moment when +she had concluded, then a cry of despair burst from him. + +"Oh, God! I knew it! You--you are Isabel?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you were not--you did not--" + +"Die? No," was the brief response; but the beautiful eyes looking so +steadily into his seemed to burn into his very soul. + +A mighty shudder shook Gerald Goddard from head to foot as he reeled +backward and leaned against the wall for support. + +"Oh, God!" he cried again, in a voice of agony; then his head dropped +heavily upon his breast. + +His companion gazed silently upon him for a minute; then, turning, she +brushed by him without a word and went on into the dressing-room for +her wraps. + +Presently she came forth again, enveloped from head to foot in a long +garment richly lined with fur, the scarlet lining of the hood +contrasting beautifully with her clear, flawless complexion and her +brown eyes. + +Gerald Goddard still stood where she had left him. + +She would have passed him without a word, but he put out a trembling +hand to detain her. + +"Isabel!" he faltered. + +"Mrs. Stewart, if you please," she corrected, in a cold, proud tone. + +"Ha! you have married again!" he exclaimed, with a start, while he +searched her face with a despairing look. + +"Married again?" she repeated, with curling lips. "I have not so +perjured myself." + +"But--but--"' + +"Yes, I know what you would say," she interposed, with a proud little +gesture; "nevertheless, I claim the matron's title, and 'Stewart' was +my mother's maiden name," and she was about to pass on again. + +"Stay!" said the man, nervously. "I--I must see you again--I must talk +further with you." + +"Very well," the lady coldly returned, "and I also have some things +which I wish to say to you. I shall be at the Copley Square Hotel on +Thursday afternoon. I will see you as early as you choose to call." + +Then, with an air of grave dignity, she passed on, and down the +stairs, without casting one backward glance at him. + +The man leaned over the balustrade and watched her. + +She moved like a queen. + +In the hall below she was joined by her attendant, whom she welcomed +with a ravishing smile, and the next moment they had passed out of the +house together. + +"Heavens! and I deserted that glorious woman for--a virago!" Gerald +Goddard muttered, hoarsely, as he strode, white and wretched, to his +room. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +"YOU SHALL NEVER WANT FOR A FRIEND." + + +Up in the third story, poor Edith lay upon her bed, still in an +unconscious state. + +All the wedding finery had been removed and carried away, and she lay +scarcely less white than the spotless _robe de nuit_ she wore, her +lips blue and pinched, her eyes sunken and closed. + +A physician sat beside her, his fingers upon her pulse, his eyes +gravely fixed upon the beautiful, waxen face lying on the pillow. + +Two housemaids, looking frightened and anxious, were seated near him, +watching him and the still figure on the bed, but ready to obey +whatever command he might issue to them. + +After introducing his sister to Mrs. Stewart, Emil Correlli had +slipped away from the scene of gayety, which had become almost +maddening to him, and mounted to that third-story room to inquire +again regarding the condition of the girl he had so wronged. + +"No better," came the answer, which made him turn with dread, and a +terrible fear to take possession of his heart. + +What if Edith should never revive? What if she should die in one of +these dreadful swoons? + +His guilty conscience warned him that he would have been her murderer. + +He could not endure the thought, and slinking away to his own room, he +drank deeply to stupefy himself, and then went to bed. + +Gerald Goddard also was strangely exercised over the fair girl's +condition, and half an hour after his interview with Mrs. Stewart he +crept forth from his room again and went to see if there had been any +change in her condition. + +"Yes," Dr. Arthur told him, "she is coming out of it, and if another +does not follow, she will come around all right in time. If you could +only find that housekeeper," he added, "she must have good care +through the night." + +"I will go for her again," said Mr. Goddard, and he started downstairs +upon his quest. + +He met the woman on the second floor and just coming up the back +stairs. + +"Ah! Mrs. Weld, I am glad to find you. We have needed you sadly," he +eagerly exclaimed. + +"I am sorry," the woman replied, in a regretful tone. "I was +unavoidably engaged and came just as soon as I was at liberty. What is +this I hear?" she continued, gravely; "what is this story about the +poor child being cheated into a real marriage with madam's brother? Is +it true?" + +"Hush! no one must hear such a version," said Mr. Goddard, looking +anxiously about him. + +He then proceeded to explain something of the matter, for he saw that +she knew too much to keep still, unless she was told more, and +cautioned not to discuss the matter with the servants. + +"I knew nothing of the plot until it was all over--I swear to you I +did not," he said, when she began to express her indignation at the +affair. "I never would have permitted anything of the kind to have +been carried out in my house, if I had suspected it. It seems that +Correlli has been growing fond of her ever since he came. She has +refused him twice, but he swore that he would have her, in spite of +everything, and it seems that he concocted this plot to accomplish his +end." + +"Well, sir, he is a dastardly villain, and, in my opinion, his sister +is no better than himself," Mrs. Weld exclaimed, in tones of hot +indignation, and then she swept past him and on up to Edith's room. + +She opened the door and entered just as the poor girl heaved a long +sigh and unclosed her eyes, looking about with complete consciousness +for the first time since she fell to the floor in the parlor below. + +The physician immediately administered a stimulant, for she was +naturally weak and her pulses still feeble. + +As this began to take effect, memory also resumed its torturing work. + +Lifting her eyes to the housekeeper, who went at once to her side, a +spasm of agony convulsed her beautiful features. + +"Oh, Mrs. Weld!" she moaned, shivering from head to foot. + +"Hush, child!" said the woman, bending over her and laying a gentle +hand upon her head; "it will all come right, so just shut your eyes +and try to go to sleep. I am going to stay with you to-night, and +nobody else shall come near you. Don't talk before the servants," she +added, in a swift whisper close to her ear. + +An expression of intense relief swept over the fair sufferer's face at +this friendly assurance, and lifting a grateful look to the +housekeeper's face, she settled herself contentedly upon her pillow. + +Dr. Arthur then drew Mrs. Weld to the opposite side of the room, where +he gave her directions for the night and what to do in case the +fainting should return--which, however, he said he did not anticipate, +as the action of the heart had become normal and the circulation more +natural. + +A little later he took his leave, after which the housemaids were +dismissed and Edith was alone with her friend. + +When the door closed after them the girl stretched forth her hands in +a gesture of helpless appeal to the woman. + +"Oh, Mrs. Weld," she wailed, "must I be bound to that wretch during +the remainder of my life? I cannot live and bear such a fate! Oh, what +a shameful mockery it was! I felt, all the time, as if I were +committing a sacrilege, and yet I never dreamed that I was being used +so treacherously--" + +The housekeeper sat down beside the excited girl, whose eyes were +burning with a feverish light, and who showed symptoms of returning +hysteria. + +She removed her spectacles, and taking both of those trembling hands +in hers, looked steadily into the troubled eyes. + +"My child," she said, in a gentle, soothing tone, "you must not talk +about it to-night--you must not even think about it. I have told you +that it will all come out right; no man could hold you to such a +marriage--no court would hold you bound when once it is understood how +fraudulently you had been drawn into it." + +"But who is going to be able to prove that it was fraudulent?" +questioned Edith with increasing anxiety. "Apparently I went to the +altar with that man of my own free will; with all the semblance of +sincerity I took those marriage vows upon me and then received the +congratulations of all those guests as if I were a real wife. Oh, it +was terrible! terrible! terrible!" and her voice arose almost to a +shriek of agony as she concluded. + +"Hush! not another word! Edith look at me!" commanded Mrs. Weld with +gentle but impressive authority. + +The young girl, awed to silence in spite of her grief and nervous +excitement, looked wonderingly up into those magnetic eyes which +almost seemed to betray a dual nature. + +"Oh, dear Mrs. Weld, you do not seem at all like yourself," she +gasped. "What--who are you?" + +"I am your friend, my dear," was the soothing response, "and I am +going to prove it, first by forbidding you to refer to this subject +again until after you have had a nice, long sleep. Trust me and obey +me, dear; I am going to stand by you as long as you need a friend, and +I promise you that you shall never be a slave to the man who has so +wronged you to-night. Now put it all out of your mind. I do not want +to give you an opiate if I can avoid it, for you would not be so well +to-morrow after taking it; but I shall have to if you keep up this +excitement." + +She continued to hold the girl's trembling hands in a strong, +protecting clasp, while she still gazed steadily into her eyes, +until, as if overcome by a will stronger than her own--her physical +strength being well-nigh exhausted--the white lids gradually drooped, +the rigid form relaxed, the lines smoothed themselves out of her brow, +and she was soon sleeping quietly and restfully. + +When her regular breathing assured the watcher beside her that +oblivion had sealed her senses for the time, she bent over her, +touched her lips softly to her forehead, and murmured: + +"Dear heart, they shall never hold you to that wicked ceremony--to +that unholy bond! If the law will not cancel it, if they have sprung +the trap upon you so cunningly that the court cannot free you, they +shall at least leave you in peace and virtually free, and you shall +never want for a friend as long as--as--Gertrude Weld lives," she +concluded, a peculiar smile wreathing her lips. + +While this strange woman sat in that third-story room and watched her +sleeping patient, the hours sped by on rapid wings to the merry +dancers below, very few of whom concerned themselves about, or even +knew of, the tragic ending of the marriage which they had witnessed +earlier in the evening. + +But oh, how heavily these hours dragged to one among that smiling +throng! + +Anna Goddard could scarcely control her impatience for her guests to +be gone--for the terrible farce to end. + +How terrible it all was to her not one of the gay people around her +could suspect, for she was obliged to fawn and smile as if she were in +thorough sympathy with the scene, and to attend to her duties as +hostess and to all the petty details required by so-called etiquette, +in order to preserve the prestige which she had acquired for +entertaining handsomely. + +But there was a deadly fear at her heart--an agony of apprehension, a +dread of a fate which, to her, would have been worse than death. + +Her husband and brother had disappeared entirely from the ball-room, a +circumstance which only added to her perplexity and distress. + +When she saw signs of the ball breaking up she sent an imperative +message to her husband to join her, for she knew that it would cause +unpleasant remarks if the master of the house should fail to put in an +appearance to "speed the parting guest." + +But she almost wished, when he came to her side, that she had not sent +for him, for he seemed like one who had lost his hold upon every hope +in the world, and looked so coldly upon her that she would rather have +had him plunge a dagger into her heart. + +But the weary evening was over at length--the last guest from outside +was gone--the last visitor in the house had retired. + +Her husband also had watched his opportunity, when she was looking +another way, and had slipped out of the room and upstairs to escape +having any complaints or questions from her. + +And so Anna Goddard stood alone in her elegant drawing-room, a most +miserable woman, in spite of the luxury that surrounded her. + +She had everything that heart could wish of this world's goods--a +beautiful home in the city, another in the country, horses, carriages, +servants, fine raiment, costly jewels, and fared sumptuously every +day. + +But her heart was like a sepulcher, full of corruption that had +tainted her whole life; and now, as she stood there beneath the glare +of a hundred lights, so fair to look upon in her gleaming satins and +flashing jewels, it seemed to her that she would gladly exchange +places with the humblest country-woman if thereby she could be at +peace with herself and with God, and be the center of a loving and +loyal family, happy in the performances of her simple duties as a wife +and mother. + +Finally, with a weary sigh, the unhappy woman went slowly upstairs, +feeling as if, in spite of the smiles and compliments which she had +that evening received, she had not a real friend in the world. + +Going to her dressing-case, she began to remove her jewels. + +The house was very still--so still that it almost seemed deserted, and +this feeling only served to add to the sense of loneliness and +desolation that was oppressing her. + +Her face was full of pain, her beautiful lips quivered with suppressed +emotion as she gathered up her costly treasures in both hands and +stood looking at them a moment, thinking bitterly how much money they +represented, and yet of how little real value they were to her as an +essential element in her life. + +She moved toward her casket to put her gems carefully away. + +She stood looking down into the box for a minute, then, as if impelled +by some irresistible impulse, she laid the priceless stones all in a +heap upon the table, when, taking hold of a loop, which had escaped +the housekeeper's notice, she lifted the cushion from its place, thus +revealing the papers which had been concealed beneath it. + +She seized the uppermost one with an eager hand. + +"I believe I will destroy it," she mused, "I am afraid there is +something more in his desire to possess it than he is willing to +admit, for he is so determined to get possession of it." + +She half unfolded the document as if to examine it, when a sudden +shock went quivering through her frame and a look of amazement +overspread her face. + +"What can this mean?" she exclaimed, in a tone of alarm, as she dashed +it upon the floor and seized another. + +This also proved disappointing. + +"It was here the last time I looked! I am sure I left it on top of the +others!" she muttered, with white lips, as, with trembling hands and +heaving bosom, she overturned everything in search of the missing +document. + +But the most rigid examination failed to reveal it, and, with a cry of +mingled agony and anger, she sank weak and trembling upon the nearest +chair. + +"It is gone!" she whispered, hoarsely; "some one has stolen it!" + +She sat there looking utterly helpless and wretched for a few +moments. + +Then her eyes began to blaze and her lips to twitch spasmodically. + +"He has done this!" she cried, starting to her feet once more. "That +was why he was absent so long from the ball-room to-night." + +Seizing the papers she had removed from the box, she hastily replaced +them, also the cushion, restoring the jewels to their places, after +which she shut and locked the casket, taking care to remove the key +from its lock. + +This done, she hurried from the room, looking more like a beautiful +fiend than a woman. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"WOULD YOU DARE BE FALSE TO ME, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?" + + +With her exquisite robe trailing unheeded after her, Anna Goddard +swept swiftly down the hall and rapped imperatively upon the door of +her husband's room. + +There was no answer from within. + +She tried the handle. The door would not yield--it was locked on the +inside. + +"Gerald, are you in bed?" his wife inquired, putting her lips to the +crack and speaking low. + +"What do you wish, Anna?" the man questioned. + +"I wish to see you--I must speak with you, even if you have retired," +she returned, imperatively. + +There was a slight movement within the room, then the door was thrown +open, and Gerald Goddard stood before her. + +But she shrank back almost immediately, a low exclamation of surprise +escaping her as she saw his face, so white, so pain-drawn, and +haggard. + +"Gerald! what is the matter?" she demanded, forgetting, for the +moment, her own anger and even her errand there, in the anxiety which +she experienced for him. + +"I am feeling quite well, Anna," he responded, in a mechanical tone. +"What is it you wish to say to me?" + +Sweeping into the room, she closed the door after her, then confronted +him with accusing mien. + +"What do I wish to say to you?" she repeated, her voice quivering with +passion, her eyes blazing with a fierce expression. "I want that paper +which you have stolen from me." + +"I--I do not understand you, Anna," the man began, in a pre-occupied +manner. "What paper--what--" + +"I will bear no trifling," she passionately cried, interrupting him. +"You know very well what paper I refer to--I never had but one +document in my possession in which you had any interest; the one you +have so beset me about during the last few weeks." + +"That?" exclaimed the man, at last aroused from the apathy which had +hitherto seemed to possess him. + +"That!" retorted his companion, mockingly imitating his tone, "as if +you did not very well know it was 'that,' and no other. Gerald +Goddard, I have come to demand it of you," she went on shrilly. "You +have no right to enter my rooms, like a thief, and steal my treasures! +I--" + +"Anna, be still!" commanded her husband, sternly. "You are losing +control of yourself, and some of our guests may overhear you. I know +nothing of the document." + +"You lie!" hissed the woman, almost beside herself with mingled rage +and fear. "Who, but you, could have any interest in the thing? who, +save you, even knew of its existence, or that it had ever been in my +possession? Give it back to me! I will have it! It's my only +safeguard. You knew it, and you have stolen it, to make yourself +independent of me." + +"Anna, you shall not demean either yourself or me by giving expression +to such unjust suspicions," Gerald Goddard returned with cold dignity. +"I swear to you that I do not know anything about the paper. I have +not even once laid my eyes upon it since you stole it from me. If it +has been taken from the place where you have kept it concealed," he +went on, "then other hands than mine have been guilty of the theft." + +There was the ring of truth in his words, and she was forced to +believe him; yet there was a mystery about the affair which was beyond +her fathoming. + +"Then who could have taken it," she gasped, growing ghastly white at +the thought of there being a third party to their secret--"who on +earth has done this thing?" + +Gerald Goddard was silent. He had his suspicions, suspicions that made +him quake inwardly, as he thought of what might be the outcome of them +if they should prove to be true. + +"Gerald, why do you not answer me?" his companion impatiently +demanded. "Can you think of any one who would be likely to rob us in +this way?" + +"Have you no suspicion, Anna?" the man asked, and looking gravely into +her eyes. "Was there no one among your guests to-night, who--" + +"Who--what--!" she cried, as he faltered and stopped. + +"Was there no one present who made you think of--of some one whom +you--have known in the--the past?" + +"Ha! do you refer to Mrs. Stewart?" said madam. "Did you also notice +the--resemblance?" + +"Could any one help it?--could any one ever mistake those eyes? +Anna--she was Isabel herself!" + +"No--no!" she panted wildly, "she may be some relative. Are you losing +your mind? Isabel is--dead." + +"She lives!" + +"I tell you no! I--saw her dead." + +"You? How could that be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Goddard, in +astonishment. "We were both in Florence at the time of that tragedy." + +"Nevertheless, I saw her dead and in her coffin," persisted his +companion, with positive emphasis. + +"Now you talk as if you were losing your mind," he answered, with +white lips. + +"I am not. Do you not remember I told you one morning, I was going to +spend a couple of days with a friend at Fiesole?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I had read of that tragedy that very day, and then hid the +paper, but I did not go to Fiesole at all. I took the first train for +Rome." + +"Anna!" + +"I wanted to be sure," she cried, excitedly. "I was jealous of her, +I--hated her; and I knew that if the report was true I should be at +rest. I went to the place where they had taken her. Some one had cared +for her very tenderly--she lay as if asleep, and looked like a +beautiful piece of sculpture in her white robe; one could hardly +believe that she was--dead. But they told me they were going to--to +bury her that afternoon unless some one came to claim her. They asked +me if I had known her--if she was a friend of mine. I told them +no--she was nothing to me; I had simply come out of curiosity, having +seen the story of her tragic end in a paper. Then I took the next +train back to Florence." + +"Why have you never told me this before, Anna?" Gerald Goddard +inquired, with lips that were perfectly colorless, while he laid his +hand upon the back of a chair for support. + +"Why?" she flashed out jealously at him. "Why should I talk of her to +you? She was dead--she could never come between us, and I wished to +put her entirely out of my mind, since I had satisfied myself of the +fact." + +"Did--did you hear anything of--of--" + +"Of the child? No; all I ever knew was what you yourself read in the +paper--that both mother and child had disappeared from their home and +both were supposed to have suffered the same fate, although the body +of the child was not found." + +"Oh!" groaned Gerald Goddard, wiping the clammy moisture from his +brow. "I never realized the horror of it as I do at this moment, and I +never have forgiven myself for not going to Rome to institute a search +for myself; but--" + +"But I wouldn't let you, I suppose you were about to add," said madam, +bitterly. "What was the use?" she went on, angrily. "Everything was +all over before you knew anything about it--" + +"I could at least have erected a tablet to mark her resting-place," +the man interposed. + +"Ha! ha! it strikes me it was rather late then to manifest much +sentiment; that would have become you better before you broke her +heart and killed her by your neglect and desertion," sneered madam, +who was driven to the verge of despair by this late exhibition of +regard for a woman whom she had hated. + +"Don't, Anna!" he cried, sharply. Then suddenly straightening himself, +he said, as if just awaking from some horrible nightmare: "But she did +not die. I have not that on my conscience, after all." + +"She did--I tell you she did!" hoarsely retorted the excited woman. + +"But I have seen and talked with her to-night, and she told me that +she was--Isabel!" he persisted. + +Anna Goddard struck her palms together with a gesture bordering upon +despair. + +"I do not believe it--I will not believe it!" she panted. + +"He began to pity her, for he also was beginning to realize that, if +Isabel Stewart were really the woman whom he had wronged more than +twenty years previous, her situation was indeed deplorable. + +"Anna," he said, gravely, and speaking with more calmness and +gentleness than at any time during the interview, "this is a stern +fact, and--we must look it in the face." + +His tone and manner carried conviction to her heart. + +She sank crouching at his feet, bowing her face upon her hands. + +"Gerald! Gerald! it must not be so!" she wailed. "It is only some +cunning story invented to cheat us and avenge her. That woman shall +never separate us--I will never yield to her. Oh, Heaven! why did I +not destroy that paper when I had it? Gerald, give it to me now, if +you have it; it is not too late to burn it even now, and no one can +prove the truth--we can defy her to the last." + +The man stooped to raise her from her humiliating position. + +"Get up, Anna," he said, kindly. "Come, sit in this chair and let us +talk the matter over calmly. It is a stern fact that Isabel is alive +and well, and it is useless either to ignore it or deplore it." + +With shivering sobs bursting from her with every breath, the wretched +woman allowed herself to be helped to the chair, into which she sank +with an air of abject despair. + +Anna Goddard's was not a nature likely to readily yield to humiliation +or defeat, and after a few moments of silent battle with herself, she +raised her head and turned her proud face and searching eyes upon her +companion. + +"You say that it is a 'stern fact' that Isabel lives," she remarked, +with compressed lips. + +"I am sure--there can be no mistake," the man replied. Then he told +her of the interview which had occurred in the hall, where he had +found the woman standing before the picture which he had painted in +Rome so many years ago. + +"She recognized it at once," he said; "she located the very spot from +which I had painted the scene." + +"Oh, I cannot make it seem possible, for I tell you I saw her lying +dead in her casket," moaned madam, who, even in the face of all +proofs, could not bring herself to believe that her old rival was +living and had it in her power to ruin her life. + +"She must have been in a trance--she must have been resuscitated by +those people who found her. As sure as you and I both live, she is +living also," Mr. Goddard solemnly responded. + +"Oh, how could such a thing be?" + +"I do not know--she did not tell me; she was very cold and proud." + +"What was she doing here? How dared she enter this house?" cried +madam, her anger blazing up again. + +"I cannot tell you. It was a question I was asking myself just as you +came to the door," said Mr. Goddard, with a sigh. "I have no doubt she +had some deep-laid purpose, however." + +"Do you imagine her purpose was to get possession of that document?" +questioned madam. + +"I had thought of that--I have felt almost sure of it since you told +me it had disappeared." + +"But how could she have known that such a paper was in our possession? +You did not receive it until long after--" + +"Yes, I know," interposed Mr. Goddard, with a shiver; "nevertheless I +am impressed that it is now in her possession, even though I did not +suppose that any one, save you and I and Will Forsyth, ever knew of +its existence." + +There ensued an interval of silence, during which both appeared to be +absorbed in deep thought. + +"If she has it, what will she do with it?" madam suddenly questioned, +lifting her heavy eyes to her companion. + +"I am sure I cannot tell, Anna," he coldly returned. + +His tone was like a match applied to powder. + +"Well, then, what will you do, Gerald Goddard, in view of the fact, as +you believe, that she is alive and has learned the truth?" she +imperiously demanded. + +"I--I do not think it will be wise for us to discuss that point just +at present," he faltered. + +"Coward! Is that your answer to me after twenty years of adoration and +devotion?" cried the enraged woman, springing excitedly to her feet, +the look of a slumbering demon in her dusky eyes. + +"After twenty years of jealousy, bickering, and turmoil, you should +have said, Anna," was the bitter response. + +"Beware! Beware, Gerald! I have hot blood in my veins, as you very +well know," was the menacing retort. + +"I have long had a proof of that," he returned, with quiet irony. + +"Oh!" she cried, putting up her hand as if to ward off a blow, "you +are cruel to me." Then, with sudden passion, she added: "Perhaps, +after all, that document is in your possession--or at least that you +know something about it." + +"I only wish your surmise were correct, Anna; for, in that case, I +should have no cause to fear her," said Mr. Goddard, gravely. + +"Ha! Even you do 'fear' her?" cried madam, eagerly. "In what way?" + +"Can you not see? If she has gained possession of the paper, she has +it in her power to do both of us irreparable harm," the gentleman +explained. + +Anna Goddard shivered. + +"Yes, yes," she moaned, "she could make society ring with our +names--she could ruin us, socially; but"--shooting a stealthy glance +at her companion, who sat with bowed head and clouded brow--"I could +better bear that than that she should assert a claim upon you--that +she should use her power to--to separate us. She shall not, Gerald!" +she went on, passionately; "there are other countries where you and I +can go and be happy, utterly indifferent to what she may do here." + +The man made no reply to these words--he was apparently absorbed in +his own thoughts. + +"Gerald! have you nothing to say to me?" madam sharply cried, after +watching him for a full minute. + +"What can I say, Anna? There is nothing that either of us can do but +await further developments," the man returned, but careful to keep to +himself the fact that he had an appointment with the woman whom she so +feared and hated. + +"Would you dare to be false to me, after all these years?" his +companion demanded, in repressed tones, and leaning toward him with +flaming eyes. + +"Pshaw, Anna! what a senseless question," he replied, with a forced +laugh. + +"But you admire--you think her very beautiful?" she questioned, +eagerly. + +"Why, that is a self-evident fact--every one must admit that she is a +fine-looking woman," was the somewhat evasive response. + +Anna Goddard sprang to her feet, her face scarlet. + +"You will be very careful what you do, Gerald," she hissed. "I have +never had overmuch confidence in you, in spite of my love for you; but +there is one thing that I will not bear, at this late day, and that +is, that you should turn traitor to me; so be warned in time." + +She did not wait to see what effect her words would have upon him, +but, turning abruptly, swept from the room, leaving him to his own +reflections. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE EITHER OF YOU FOR YOUR SIN AGAINST ME." + + +The morning following the great Goddard ball at Wyoming, found Edith +much better, greatly to the surprise of every one. + +She was quite weak, as was but natural after such a shock to her +system, both physically and mentally; but she had slept very quietly +through the night, after the housekeeper had gone to her and thrown +the protection of her presence around her. + +At Emil Correlli's request, the physician had remained in the house +all night, in case he should be wanted; and when he visited her quite +early in the morning, he expressed himself very much gratified to find +her so comfortable, and said she would do well enough without any +further medical treatment, but advised her to keep quiet for a day or +two. + +This Edith appeared perfectly willing to do, and lay contentedly among +her pillows, watching her kind nurse while she put the room in order, +making no remarks, asking no questions, but with a look of grave +resolve growing in her eyes and about her sweet mouth, which betrayed +that she was doing a good deal of thinking upon some subject. + +Mrs. Goddard came to her door immediately after breakfast, but Edith +refused to see her. + +She had told Mrs. Weld not to admit any one; therefore, when the lady +of the house sought admittance, the housekeeper firmly but +respectfully denied her entrance. + +"But I have something very important to say to Edith," madam +persisted. + +"Then it had best be left unsaid until the poor girl is stronger," +Mrs. Weld replied, without moving her portly proportions and holding +the door firmly in her hand. + +"I have a message from my brother for her--it is necessary that I +should deliver it," Mrs. Goddard obstinately returned. Mrs. Weld +looked back into the room inquiringly. + +"I do not wish to see any one," Edith weakly responded, but in a voice +of decision which told the listener outside that the girl had no +intention of yielding the point. + +"Very well; then I will wait until she feels stronger," said the +baffled woman, whereupon she beat an ignominious retreat, and the +invalid was left in peace. + +Mrs. Weld spent as much time as possible with her, but she of course +had her duties below to attend to; so, at Edith's request, she locked +her in and took the key with her when she was obliged to go +downstairs. + +Once, while she was absent, some one crept stealthily to the door and +knocked. + +Edith started up, and leaned upon her elbow, a momentary look of fear +sweeping her face; but she made no response. + +The knock was repeated. + +Still the girl remained motionless and voiceless, only her great blue +eyes began to blaze with mingled indignation and contempt, for she +knew, instinctively, who was seeking admission. + +"Miss Al--Edith, I must speak with you--I must have an interview with +you," said the voice of Emil Correlli from without. + +Still no answer from within; but the dazzling gleam in the girl's eyes +plainly showed that that voice had aroused all the spirit within her +in spite of her weak condition. + +"Pray grant me an interview, Edith--I have much to say to you--much +to explain--much to entreat of you," continued the voice, with a note +of earnest appeal. + +But he might as well have addressed the walls for all the effect he +produced. + +There was a moment or two of silence, then the man continued, with +something of authority: + +"I have the right to come to you, Edith--I have a right to demand that +you regard my wishes. If you are not prepared to receive me just now, +name some time when I can see you, and I will wait patiently your +pleasure; only speak and tell me that you will comply with my +request." + +It was both a pretty and a striking picture behind that closed door, +if he could but have seen it--the fair girl, in her snowy robe, over +which she had slipped a pretty light blue sack, reclining upon her +elbow, her beautiful hair falling in graceful confusion about her +shoulders; her violet eyes gleaming with a look of triumph in her +advantage over the man without; her lips--into which the color was +beginning to flow naturally again--parted just enough to reveal the +milk-white teeth between them. + +When the man outside asserted his right to come to her, the only sign +she had made was a little toss of her golden-crowned head, indicative +of defiance, while about the corners of her lovely mouth there lurked +a smile of scorn that would have been maddening to Emil Correlli could +he have seen it. + +At last a discontented muttering and the sound of retreating steps in +the hall told her that her persecutor had become discouraged, and +gone. Then, with a sigh of relief, she sank back upon her pillow +feeling both weak and weary from excitement. + +Left alone once more, she fell into deep thought. + +In spite of a feeling of despair which, at times, surged over her in +view of the trying position in which she found herself, the base +deception practiced upon her, aroused a spirit of indomitable +resistance, to battle for herself and her outraged feelings, and +outwit, if possible, these enemies of her peace. + +"They have done this wicked thing--that woman and her brother," she +said to herself; "they have cunningly plotted to lure me into this +trap; but, though they have succeeded in fettering me for life, that +is all the satisfaction that they will ever reap from their scheme. +They cannot compel me, against my will, to live with a man whom I +abhor. Even though I stood up before that multitude last evening, and +appeared a willing actor in that disgraceful sacrilegious scene, no +one can make me abide by it, and I shall denounce and defy them both; +the world shall at least ring with scorn for their deed, even though I +cannot free myself by proving a charge of fraud against them. But, +oh--" + +The proud little head suddenly drooped, and with a moan of pain she +covered her convulsed face with her hands, as her thoughts flew to a +certain room in New York, where she had spent one happy, blissful week +in learning to love, with all her soul, the man whom she had served. + +She had believed, as we know, that her love for Royal Bryant was +hopeless--at least she had told herself so, and that she could never +link her fate with his, after learning of her shameful origin. + +Yet, now that there appeared to have arisen an even greater barrier, +she began to realize that all hope had not been quite dead--that, in +her heart, she had all the time been nursing a tender shoot of +affection, and a faint belief that her lover would never relinquish +his desire to win her. + +But these sad thoughts finally set her mind running in another +channel, and brought a gleam of hope to her. + +"He is a true and honorable man," she mused, "I will appeal to him in +my trouble; and if any one can find a loop-hole of escape for me I am +sure he will be able to do so." + +When Mrs. Weld brought her lunch, she sat up and ate it eagerly, +resolved to get back her strength as soon as possibly in order to +carry out her project at an early date. While she was eating, she told +her friend of Emil Correlli's visit and its result. + +"Why cannot they let you alone!" the woman cried, indignantly. "They +shall not persecute you so." + +"No, I do not intend they shall," Edith quietly replied, "but I think +by to-morrow morning, I shall feel strong enough for an interview, +when we will have my relations toward them established for all time," +and by the settling of the girl's pretty chin, Mrs. Weld was convinced +that she would be lacking in neither spirit nor decision. + +"If you feel able to talk about it now, I wish you would tell me +exactly how they managed to hoodwink you to such an extent. Perhaps I +may be of some service to you, when the matter comes to a crisis," the +woman remarked, as she studied the sweet face before her with kind and +pitying eyes. + +And Edith related just how Mrs. Goddard had drawn her into the net by +representing that two of her actors had been called away in the midst +of the play and that the whole representation would be spoiled unless +she would consent to help her out. + +"It was very cleverly done," said Mrs. Weld, when she concluded; but +she looked grave, for she saw that the entire affair had been so +adroitly managed, it would be very difficult to prove that Edith had +not been in the secret and a willing actor in the drama. "But do not +worry, child; you may depend upon me to do my utmost to help you in +every possible way." + +The next morning Edith was able to be up and dressed, and she began to +pack her trunk, preparatory to going away. The guests had all left on +the previous day, and everything was being put in order for the house +to be closed for the remainder of the winter, while it was stated that +the family would return to the city on the next day, which would be +Thursday. + +Edith had almost everything ready for removal by noon, and, after +lunch was over, sent word to Mrs. Goddard that she would like an +interview with her. + +The woman came immediately, and Edith marveled to see how pale and +worn she looked--how she had appeared to age during the last day or +two. + +"I am so glad that you have decided to see me, Edith," she remarked, +in a fondly confidential tone, as she drew a chair to the girl's side +and sat down. "My brother is nearly distracted with grief and remorse +over what has happened, and the attitude which you have assumed toward +him. He adores you--he will be your slave if you only take the right +way to win him. Surely, you will forgive him for the deception which +his great affection led him to practice upon you," she concluded, with +a coaxing smile, such as she would have assumed in dealing with a +fractious child. + +"No," said Edith, with quiet decision, "I shall never forgive either +of you for your sin against me--it is beyond pardon." + +"Ah! I will not intercede for myself--but think how Emil loves you," +pleaded her companion. + +"You should have said, 'think how he loves himself,' madam," Edith +rejoined, with a scornful curl of her lips, "for nothing but the +rankest selfishness could ever have led a person to commit an act of +such duplicity and sacrilege as that which he and you adopted to +secure your own ends. He does not desire to be pardoned. His only +desire is that I should relent and yield to him--which I never shall +do." + +As she uttered these last words, she emphasized them with a decided +little gesture of her left hand that betrayed a relentless purpose. + +"Ah!" she cried, the next moment, with a start, the movement having +attracted her eye to the ring upon her third finger, which until that +moment she had entirely forgotten. + +With a shiver of repulsion, she snatched it off and tossed it into the +lap of her companion. + +"Take it back to him," she said. "I had forgotten I had it on; I +despise myself for having worn it even until now." + +Madam flushed angrily at her act and words. + +"You are very hard--you are very obdurate," she said, sharply. + +"Very well; you can put whatever construction you choose upon the +stand I have taken, but do not for a moment deceive yourself by +imagining that I will ever consent to be known as Emil Correlli's +wife; death would be preferable!" Edith calmly responded. + +"Most girls would only be too eager and proud to assume the +position--they would be sincerely grateful for the luxuries and +pleasures they would enjoy as my brother's wife," Mrs. Goddard coldly +remarked, but with an angry gleam in her eyes. + +A little smile of contempt curled the corners of Edith's red mouth; +but otherwise she did not deign to notice these boasting comments, a +circumstance which so enraged her companion that she felt, for a +moment, like strangling the girl there and then. + +But there was far more to be considered than her own personal +feelings, and she felt obliged to curb herself for the time. + +If scandal was to be avoided, she must leave no inducement untried to +bend Edith's stubborn will, and madam herself was too proud to +contemplate anything so humiliating; she was willing to do or bear +almost anything to escape becoming a target for the fashionable world +to shoot their arrows of ridicule at. + +"Edith, I beg that you will listen to me," she earnestly pleaded, +after a few moments of thought. "This thing is done and cannot be +undone, and now I want you to be reasonable and think of the +advantages which, as Emil's wife, you may enjoy. You are a poor girl, +without home or friends, and obliged to work for your living. There is +an escape from all this if you will be tractable; you can have a +beautiful house elegantly furnished, horses, carriages, diamonds, and +velvets--in fact, not a wish you choose to express ungratified. You +may travel the world over, if you desire, with no other object in view +than to enjoy yourself. On the other hand, if you refuse, there will +be no end of scandal--you will ruin the reputation of our whole +family--Emil will become the butt of everybody's scorn and ridicule. I +shall never be able to show my face again in society, either in Boston +or New York; and my husband, who has always occupied a high position, +will be terribly shocked and humiliated." + +Edith listened quietly to all that she had to say, not once +attempting to interrupt her; but when madam finally paused, in +expectation of a reply, she simply remarked: + +"You should have thought of all this, madam, before you plotted for +the ruin of my life; I am not responsible for the consequences of your +treachery and crime." + +"Crime! that is an ugly word," tartly cried Mrs. Goddard, who began to +find the tax upon her patience almost greater than she could bear. + +"Nevertheless, it is the correct term to apply to what you have +done--it is what I shall charge you with--" + +"What! do you dare to tell me that you intend to appeal to the +courts?" exclaimed madam, aghast. + +She had fondly imagined that, the deed once done, the girl having no +friends whose protection she could claim, would make the best of it, +and gracefully yield to the situation. + +"That is what I intend to do." + +Anna Goddard's face was almost livid at this intrepid response. + +"And you utterly refuse to listen to reason?" she inquired, struggling +hard for self-control. + +"I utterly refuse to be known as Emil Correlli's wife, if that is what +you mean by 'reason,'" said Edith, calmly. + +"Girl! girl! take care--do not try my patience too far," cried her +companion, with a flash of passion, "or we may have to resort to +desperate measures with you." + +"Such as what, if you please?" inquired Edith, still unmoved. + +"That remains to be seen; but I warn you that you are bringing only +wrath upon your own head. We shall never allow you to create a +scandal--we shall find a way to compel you to do as we wish." + +"That you can never do!" and the beautiful girl proudly faced the +woman with such an undaunted air and look that she involuntarily +quailed before her. "It is my nature," she went on, after a slight +pause, "to be gentle and yielding in all things reasonable, and when I +am kindly treated; but injustice and treachery, such as you have been +guilty of, always arouse within me a spirit which a thousand like you +and your brother could never bend nor break." + +"Do not be too sure, my pretty young Tartar," retorted madam, with a +disagreeable sneer. + +"I rejected Monsieur Correlli's proposals to me some weeks ago," Edith +resumed, without heeding the rude interruption. "I made him clearly +understand, and you also, that I could never marry him. You appeared +to accept the situation only to scheme for my ruin; but, even though +you have tricked me into compromising myself in the presence of many +witnesses, it was only a trick, and therefore no legal marriage. At +least I do not regard myself as morally bound; and, as I have said +before, I shall appeal to the courts to annul whatever tie there may +be supposed to exist. This is my irrevocable decision--nothing can +change it--nothing will ever swerve me a hair's breadth from it. Go +tell your brother, and then let me alone--I will never renew the +subject with either of you." + +And as Edith ceased she turned her resolute face to the window, and +Anna Goddard knew that she had meant every word that she had uttered. + +She was amazed by this show of spirit and decision. + +The girl had always been a perfect model of gentleness and kindness, +ready to do whatever was required of her, obliging and invariably +sweet-tempered. + +She could hardly realize that the cold, determined, defiant, undaunted +sentences to which she had just listened could have fallen from the +lips of the mild, quiet Edith whom she had hitherto known. + +But, as may be imagined, such an attitude from one who had been a +servant to her was not calculated to soothe her ruffled feelings, and +after the first flash of astonishment, anger got the better of her. + +"Do you imagine you can defy us thus?" she cried, laying an almost +brutal grip upon the girl's arm, as she arose to abandon, for the +time, her apparently fruitless task. "No, indeed! You will find to +your cost that you have stronger wills than your own to cope with." + +With these hot words, Anna Goddard swept angrily from the room, +leaving her victim alone. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +"I WILL NEVER BREAK BREAD WITH YOU, AT ANY TABLE." + + +As the door closed after the angry and baffled woman, the portly form +of the housekeeper entered the room from an apartment adjoining, +where, as had been previously arranged between Edith and herself, she +had been stationed to overhear the whole of the foregoing +conversation. + +"What can I do?" sighed the young girl, wearily, and lifting an +anxious glance to her companion; for, in spite of her apparent +calmness throughout the recent interview, it had been a terrible +strain upon her already shattered nerves. + +"Nothing just yet, dear, but to try and get well and strong as soon as +possible," cheerfully responded Mrs. Weld. + +"Did you hear how she threatened me?" + +"Yes, but her threats were only so many idle words--they cannot harm +you; you need not fear them." + +"But I do; somehow, I am impressed that they are plotting even greater +wrongs against me," sighed Edith, who, now that the necessity of +preserving a bold front was passed, seemed to lose her courage. + +"They will not dare--" began Mrs. Weld, with some excitement. Then, +suddenly checking herself, she added, soothingly: "But do not worry +any more about it now, child--you never need 'cross a bridge until you +come it.' Lie down and rest a while; it will do you good, and maybe +you will catch a little nap, while I go down to see that everything is +moving smoothly in the dining-room and kitchen." + +Edith was only too willing to heed this sensible advice, and, shortly +after the housekeeper's departure, fell into a restful sleep. + +She did not awake until it was nearly dark, when, feeling much +refreshed, she arose and dressed herself resolving that she would not +trouble tired Mrs. Weld to bring up her dinner, but go downstairs and +have it with her, as usual. + +The house was very quiet, for, all the guests having gone, there was +only the family and the servants in the house. + +Edith remained in her room until she heard the dinner-bell ring, when +she went to the door to listen for Mr. and Mrs. Goddard and Emil +Correlli to go down, before she ventured forth, for she had a special +object in view. + +Presently she heard them enter the dining-room, whereupon she stole +softly down after them and slipped into the library in search of the +daily papers. + +She found one, the _Transcript_, and then hurried back to her room, +lighted the gas, and sat down to read. + +Immediately a low cry of dismay burst from her, for the first thing +that caught her eye were some conspicuous head-lines announcing: + + "A STARTLING SURPRISE IN HIGH LIFE." + +These were followed by a vivid description of the festivities at the +Goddard mansion in Wyoming, on the previous evening, mentioning the +"unique and original drama," which had wound up with "the great +surprise" in the form of a "_bona fide_" marriage between the brother +of the beautiful and accomplished hostess, Mrs. Goddard, and a lovely +girl to whom the gentleman had long been attached, and whom he had +taken this opportune and very novel way of introducing to his friends +and society in general. + +Then there followed a _résumé_ of the play, giving the names of the +various actors, an account of the fine scenery and brilliant costumes, +etc. + +The appearance of the masked bride and groom was then enlarged upon, +an accurate description of the bride's elegant dress given, and a most +flattering mention made of her beauty and grace, together with the +perfect dignity and repose of manner with which she bore her +introduction to the many friends of her husband during the reception +that followed immediately after the ceremony. + +No mention was made of her having fainted afterward, and the article +concluded with a flattering tribute to the host and hostess for the +success of their "Winter Frolic," which ended so delightfully in the +brilliant and long-to-be-remembered ball. + +Edith's face was full of pain and indignation after reading this +sensational account. + +She was sure that the affair had been written up by either madam or +her brother, for the express purpose of bringing her more +conspicuously before the public, and with the intention of fastening +more securely the chain that bound her to the villain who had so +wronged her. + +"Oh, it is a plot worthy to be placed on record with the intrigues of +the Court of France during the reign of Louis the Thirteenth and +Richelieu!" Edith exclaimed. "But in this instance they have mistaken +the character of their victim," she continued, throwing back her proud +little head with an air of defiance, "for I will never yield to them; +I will never acknowledge, by word or act, the tie which they claim +binds me to him, and I will leave no effort untried to break it. +Heavens! what a daring, what an atrocious wrong it was!" she +exclaimed, with a shudder of repugnance; "and I am afraid that, aside +from my own statements, I cannot bring one single fact to prove a +charge of fraud against either of them." + +She fell into a painful reverie, mechanically folding the paper as she +sat rocking slowly back and forth trying to think of some way of +escape from her unhappy situation. + +But, at last, knowing that it was about time for Mrs. Weld to have her +dinner, she arose to go down to join her. + +As she did so the paper slipped from her hands to the floor. + +She stooped to pick it up when an item headed, in large letters +"Personal" caught her eye. + +Without imagining that it could have any special interest for her, she +glanced in an aimless way over it. + +Suddenly every nerve was electrified. + +"What is this?" she exclaimed, and read the paragraph again. + +The following was the import of it: + + "If Miss Allandale, who disappeared so suddenly from New + York, on the 13th of last December, will call upon or send + her address to Bryant & Co., Attorneys, No. ---- Broadway, + she will learn of something greatly to her advantage in a + financial way." + +"How very strange! What can it mean?" murmured the astonished girl, +the rich color mounting to her brow as she realized that Royal Bryant +must have inserted this "personal" in the paper in the hope that it +would meet her eye. + +"Who in the world is there to feel interested in me or my financial +condition?" she continued, with a look of perplexity. + +At first it occurred to her that Mr. Bryant might have taken this way +to ascertain where she was from personal motives; but she soon +discarded this thought, telling herself that he would never be guilty +of practicing deception in any way to gain his ends. If he had simply +desired her address he would have asked for that alone without the +promise of any pecuniary reward. + +She stood thinking the matter over for several moments. + +At last her face cleared and a look of resolution flashed into her +eyes. + +"I will do it!" she murmured, "I will go back at once to New York--I +will ascertain what this advertisement means, then I will tell him all +that has happened to me here, and ask him if there is any way by which +I can be released from this dreadful situation, into which I have been +trapped. I am sure he will help me, if any one can." + +A faint, tender smile wreathed her lips as she mused thus, and +recalled her last interview with Royal Bryant; his fond, eager words +when he told her of her complete vindication at the conclusion of her +trial in New York--of his tender look and hand-clasp when he bade her +good-by at the door of the carriage that bore her home to her mother. + +She began to think that she had perhaps not used him quite fairly in +running away and hiding herself thus from him who had been so true a +friend to her; and yet, if she remained in his employ, and he had +asked her to be his wife, she knew that she must either have refused +him, without giving him a sufficient reason, or else confessed to him +her shameful origin. + +"It would have been better, perhaps, if I had never come away," she +sighed, "still it is too late now to regret it, and all I can do is to +comply with the request of this 'personal.' I would leave this very +night, only there are some things at the other house that I must take +with me. But to-morrow night I will go, and I shall have to steal +away, or they will find some way to prevent my going. I will not even +tell dear Mrs. Weld, although she has been so kind to me; but I will +write and explain it all to her after my arrival in New York." + +Having settled this important matter in her mind, Edith went quietly +downstairs, and returned the paper to the library, after which she +repaired to the tiny room where she and Mrs. Weld were in the habit of +taking their meals. + +The kind-hearted woman chided her for coming down two flights of +stairs, while she was still so weak; but Edith assured her that she +really began to feel quite like herself again, and could not think of +allowing her to wait upon her when she was so weary from her own +numerous duties. + +They had a pleasant chat over their meal, the young girl appearing far +more cheerful than one would have naturally expected under existing +circumstances. She flushed with painful embarrassment, however, when a +servant came in to wait upon them, and gave her a stare of undisguised +astonishment, which plainly told her that he thought her place was in +the dining-room with the family. + +She understood by it that all the servants knew what had occurred the +previous night, and believed her to be the wife of Emil Correlli. + +But nothing else occurred to mar the meal, and when it was finished +Edith started to go up to her room again. + +She went up the back way, hoping thus to avoid meeting any member of +the family. + +She reached the landing upon the second floor and was about to mount +another flight when there came a swift step over the front stairs, +and, before she could escape, Emil Correlli came into view. + +Another instant and he was by her side. + +"Edith!" he exclaimed, astonished to see her there, "where have you +been?" + +"Down to my dinner," she quietly replied, but confronting him with +undaunted bearing. + +"Down to your dinner?" he repeated, flushing hotly, a look of keen +annoyance sweeping over his face. "If you were able to leave your room +at all, your place was in the dining-room, with the family, and," he +added, sternly, "I do not wish any gossip among the servants regarding +my--wife." + +It was Edith's turn to flush now, at that obnoxious term. + +"You will please spare me all allusion to that mockery," she bitterly, +but haughtily, retorted. + +"It was no mockery--it was a _bona fide_ marriage," he returned. "You +are my lawful wife, and I wish you, henceforth, to occupy your proper +position as such." + +"I am not your wife. I shall never acknowledge, by word or act, any +such relationship toward you," she calmly, but decidedly, responded. + +"Oh, yes you will." + +"Never!" + +"But you have already done so, and there are hundreds of people who +can prove it," he answered, hotly, but with an air of triumph. + +"It will be a comparatively easy matter to make public a true +statement of the case," said the girl, looking him straight in the +eyes. + +"You will not dare set idle tongues gossiping by repudiating our +union!" exclaimed the young man, fiercely. + +"I should dare anything that would set me free from you," was the +dauntless response. + +Her companion gnashed his teeth with rage. + +"You would find very few who would believe your statements," he said; +"for, besides the fact that hundreds witnessed the ceremony last +night, the papers have published full accounts of the affair, and the +whole city now knows about it." + +"I know it--I have read the papers," said Edith, without appearing in +the least disconcerted. + +"What! already?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, what did you think of the account?" her companion inquired, +regarding her curiously. + +"That it was simply another clever piece of duplicity on your part, +the only object of which was the accomplishment of your nefarious +purposes. I believe you yourself were the author of it." + +Emil Correlli started as if he had been stung. + +He did not dream that she would attribute the article to him--the last +thing he could wish would be that she should think it had emanated +from his pen. + +Nevertheless, his admiration for her was increased tenfold by her +shrewdness in discerning the truth. + +"You judge me harshly," he said, bitterly. + +"I have no reason for judging you otherwise," Edith coldly remarked; +then added, haughtily: "Allow me to pass, sir, if you please." + +"I do not please. Oh, Edith, pray be reasonable; come into Anna's +boudoir, and let us talk this matter over amicably and calmly," he +pleaded, laying a gentle hand upon her arm. + +She shook it off as if it had been a reptile. + +"No, sir; I shall discuss nothing with you, either now or at any other +time. If," she added, a fiery gleam in her beautiful eyes, "it is ever +discussed in my presence it will be before a judge and jury!" + +The man bit his lips to repress an oath. + +"Yes, Anna told me you threatened that; but I hoped it was only an +idle menace," he said. "Do you really mean that you intend to file an +application to have the marriage annulled?" + +"Most assuredly--at least, if, indeed, after laying the matter before +the proper authorities, such a formality is deemed necessary," said +the girl, with a scornful inflection that cut her listener to the +quick. + +He grew deadly white, more at her contemptuous tones than her threat. + +"Edith--what can I say to win you?" he cried, after a momentary +struggle with himself. "I swear to you that I cannot--will not live +without you. I will be your slave--your lightest wish shall be my law, +if you will yield this point--come with me as my honored wife, and let +me, by my love and unceasing efforts, try to win even your friendly +regard. I know I have done wrong," he went on, assuming a tone and air +of humility; "I see it now when it is too late. I ask you to pardon +me, and let me atone in whatever way you may deem best. See!--I +kneel--I beg--I implore!" + +And suiting the action to the words, he dropped upon one knee before +her and extended his hands in earnest appeal to her. + +"In whatever way I may deem best you will atone?" she repeated, +looking him gravely in the face. "Then make a public confession of the +fraud of which you have been guilty, and give me my freedom." + +"Ah, anything but that--anything but that!" he exclaimed, flushing +consciously beneath her gaze. + +She moved back a pace or two from him, her lips curling with contempt. + +"Your appeal was but a wretched farce--it is worse than useless--it is +despicable," she said, with an accent that made him writhe like a +whipped cur. + +"Will nothing move you?" he passionately cried. + +"Nothing." + +"By Heaven! then I will meet you blade to blade!" he cried, furiously, +and springing to his feet, his eyes blazing with passion. "If +entreaties will not move you--if neither bribes nor promises will +cause you to yield--we will try what lawful authority will do. I have +no intention of being made the laughing stock of the world, I assure +you; and, hereafter, I command that you conduct yourself in a manner +becoming the position which I have given you. In the first place, +then, to-morrow morning, you will breakfast in the dining-room with +the family--do you hear?" + +Edith had stood calmly regarding him during this speech; but, wishing +him to go on, if he had anything further to say, she did not attempt +to reply as he paused after the above question. + +"Immediately after breakfast," he resumed, with something less of +excitement, and not feeling very comfortable beneath her unwavering +glance, "we shall return to the city, and the following morning you +and I will start for St. Augustine, Florida--thence go to California +and later to Europe." + +The young girl straightened herself to her full height, and she had +never seemed more lovely than at that moment. + +"Monsieur Correlli," she said, in a voice that rang with an +irrevocable decision, "I shall never go to Florida with you, nor yet +to California, neither to Europe; I shall never appear anywhere with +you in public, neither will I ever break bread with you, at any table. +There, sir, you have my answer to your 'commands.' Now, let me pass." + +Without waiting to see what effect her remarks might have upon him, +she pushed resolutely by him and went swiftly upstairs to her room. + +The man gazed after her in undisguised astonishment. + +"By St. Michael! the girl has a tremendous spirit in that slight frame +of hers. She has always seemed such a sweet little angel, too--no one +would have suspected it. However, there are more ways than one to +accomplish my purpose, and I flatter myself that I shall yet conquer +her." + +With this comforting reflection, he sought his sister, to relate what +had occurred, and enlist her crafty talents in planning his next move +in the desperate game he was playing. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +EDITH RESOLVES TO MEET HER ENEMIES WITH THEIR OWN WEAPONS. + + +The morning following her interview with Emil Correlli, when Edith +attempted to leave her room to go down to breakfast, she found, to her +dismay, that her door had been fastened on the outside. + +An angry flush leaped to her brow. + +"So they imagine they can make me bend to their will by making a +prisoner of me, do they?" she exclaimed, with flashing eyes and +scornful lips. "We shall see!" + +But she was powerless just then to help herself, and so was obliged to +make the best of her situation for the present. + +Presently some one knocked upon her door, and she heard a bolt +moved--it having been placed there during the night. Then Mrs. Goddard +appeared before her, smiling a gracious good-morning, and bearing a +tray, upon which there was a daintily arranged breakfast. + +"We thought it best for you to eat here, since you do not feel like +coming down to the dining-room," she kindly remarked, as she set the +tray upon the table. + +Edith opened her lips to make some scathing retort; but, a bright +thought suddenly flashing through her mind, she checked herself, and +replied, appreciatively: + +"Thank you, Mrs. Goddard." + +The woman turned a surprised look upon her, for she had expected only +tears and reproaches from her because of her imprisonment. + +But Edith, without appearing to notice it, sat down and quietly +prepared to eat her breakfast. + +"Ah! she is beginning to come around," thought the wily woman. + +But, concealing her secret pleasure at this change in her victim, she +remarked, in her ordinary tone: + +"We shall leave for the city very soon after breakfast, so please have +everything ready so as not to keep the horses standing in the cold." + +"Everything is ready now," said Edith, glancing at her trunk, which +she had locked just before trying the door. + +"That is well, and I will send for you when the carriage comes +around." + +Edith simply bowed to show that she heard, and then her companion +retired, locking the door after her, but marveling at the girl's +apparent submission. + +"There is no way to outwit rogues except with their own +weapons--cunning and deceit," murmured the fair prisoner, bitterly, as +she began to eat her breakfast. "I will be very wary and apparently +submissive until I have matured my plans, and then they may chew their +cud of defeat as long as it pleases them to do so." + +After finishing her meal she dressed herself for the coming drive, but +wondered why Mrs. Weld had not been up to see her, for, of course, she +must know that something unusual had happened, or that she was ill +again, since she had not joined her at breakfast. + +A little later she heard a stealthy step outside her door, and the +next moment an envelope was slipped beneath it into her room; then the +steps retreated, and all was still again. + +Rising, Edith picked up the missive and opened it, when another sealed +envelope, addressed to her, in a beautiful, lady-like hand, and +postmarked Boston, was revealed, together with a brief note hastily +written with a pencil. + +This latter proved to be from Mrs. Weld. + + "Dear Child," it ran, "I have been requested not to go to + you this morning, as you are particularly engaged, which, of + course, I understand as a command to keep out of the way. + But I want you to know that I mean to stand by you, and + shall do all in my power to help you. I shall manage to see + or write to you again in a day or two. Meantime, don't lose + heart. + + "Affectionately yours, + + "GERTRUDE WELD. + + "P.S.--The inclosed letter came for you in last night's + mail. I captured it for you." + +With an eager light in her eyes, Edith opened it and read: + + "Boston, Feb. --, 18--. + + "MY DEAR MISS ALLEN:--I have learned of the wretched + deception that has been practiced upon you, and hasten to + write this to assure you that my previous offer of + friendship--when we met at the time of the accident to my + coachman--was not a mere matter of form. Again I say, if you + need a friend, come to me, and I will do my utmost to shield + you from those who have shown themselves your worst enemies, + and whom I know to be unworthy of the position which they + occupy in the social world. Come to me when you will, and I + promise to protect you from them. I cannot say more upon + paper. + + "Sincerely yours, + + ISABEL STEWART." + +"How very kind, and yet how very strange!" murmured Edith, as she +refolded the letter. "I wonder who could have told her about that +wretched affair of Tuesday evening. I wonder, too, what she knows +about the Goddards, and if I had better accept her friendly offer." + +She reflected upon the matter for a few minutes, and then continued: + +"I think I will go to New York first, as I had planned, see what Mr. +Bryant can do for me, and ascertain the meaning of that strange +personal; then I think I will come back and ask her to take me as a +companion--for I do not believe that what I shall learn to my +financial advantage will amount to enough to preclude the necessity of +my doing something for my support. I suppose I ought to answer this +letter, though," she added, meditatively; "but I believe I shall not +dare to until I am safely away from Boston, for if my reply should +fall into the hands of any member of this family, my plans might be +frustrated." + +She carefully concealed both notes about her person, and then sat down +to await orders to go below. + +A little later Mrs. Goddard came to her and said they were about ready +to leave for the city, and requested her to go down into the hall. + +Edith arose with apparent alacrity, and madam noticed with an +expression of satisfaction that her bearing was less aggressive than +when they had last met. + +She followed Mrs. Goddard downstairs and seated herself in the hall to +await the signal for departure. + +Presently Mr. Goddard came in from outdoors. + +He started slightly upon seeing Edith, then paused and inquired kindly +if she was feeling quite well again. + +Edith thanked him, and briefly remarked that she was, when he startled +her by stooping suddenly and whispering in her ear: + +"Count upon me as your friend, my child; I promise you that I will do +all in my power to help you thwart your enemies." + +He waited for no answer, but passed quickly on and entered the +library. + +Edith was astonished, and while, for the moment, she was touched by +his unexpected offer of assistance, she at the same time distrusted +him. + +"I will trust myself and my fate with no one but Royal Bryant," she +said to herself, a flush of excitement rising to her cheek. + +A few minutes later the carriage was driven to the door--the snow +having become so soft they were obliged to return to the city on +wheels--when Mrs. Goddard came hurrying from the dining-room, where +she had been giving some last orders to the servants, and bidding +Edith follow her, passed out of the house and entered the carriage. + +Edith was scarcely seated beside her when Emil Correlli made his +appearance and settled himself opposite her. + +The young girl flushed, but, schooling herself to carry out the part +which she had determined to assume for the present, made no other sign +to betray how distasteful his presence was to her. + +She could not, however, bring herself to join in any conversation, +except, once or twice, to respond to a direct question from madam, +although the young man tried several times to draw her out, until, +finally discouraged, he relapsed into a sullen and moody silence, +greatly to the disgust of his sister, who seemed nervously inclined to +talk. + +Upon their arrival in town, Mrs. Goddard remarked to Edith: + +"I have been obliged to take, for a servant, the room you used to +occupy, dear; consequently, you will have to go into the south chamber +for the present. Thomas," turning to a man and pointing to Edith's +trunk, "take this trunk directly up to the south chamber." + +Edith's heart gave a startled bound at this unexpected change. + +The "south chamber" was the handsomest sleeping apartment in the +house--the guest chamber, in fact--and she understood at once why it +had thus been assigned to her. + +It was intended that she should pose and be treated in every respect +as became the wife of madam's brother, and thus the best room in the +house had been set apart for her use. + +She knew that it would be both useless and unwise to make any +objections; the change had been determined upon, and doubtless her old +room was already occupied by a servant, to prevent the possibility of +her returning to it. + +Thus, after the first glance of surprise at madam, she turned and +quietly followed the man who was taking up her trunk. + +But, on entering the "south chamber," another surprise awaited her, +for the apartment had been fitted up with even greater luxury than +previous to their leaving for the country. + +The man unstrapped her trunk and departed, when Edith looked around +her with a flushed and excited face. + +A beautiful little rocker, of carved ivory, inlaid with gold, was +standing in the bay-window overlooking the avenue, and beside it there +was an exquisite work-stand to match. + +An elegant writing-desk, of unique design, and furnished with +everything a lady of the daintiest tastes could desire, stood near +another sunny window. The inkstand, paper weight, and blotter were of +silver; the pen of gold, with a costly pearl handle. + +There were several styles of paper and envelopes, and all stamped in +gilt with a monogram composed of the initials E. C., and there was a +tiny box of filigree silver filled with postage stamps. + +It was an outfit to make glad the heart of almost any beauty-loving +girl; but Edith's eyes flashed with angry scorn the moment she caught +sight of the dainty monogram, wrought in gold, upon the paper and +envelopes. + +On the dressing-case there was a full set of toilet and manicure +utensils, in solid silver, and also marked with the same initials; +besides these there were exquisite bottles of cut glass, with gold +stoppers filled with various kinds of perfumery. + +Upon the bed there lay an elegant sealskin garment, which, at a +glance, Edith knew must have been cut to fit her figure, and beside it +there was a pretty muff and a Parisian hat that could not have cost +less than thirty dollars, while over the foot-board there hung three +or four beautiful dresses. + +"Did they suppose that they could buy me over--tempt me to sell myself +for this gorgeous finery?" the indignant girl exclaimed, in a voice +that quivered with anger. "They must think me very weak-minded and +variable if they did." + +But her curiosity was excited to see how far they had carried their +extravagant bribery; and, going back to the dressing-case, she drew +out the upper drawer. + +Notwithstanding her indignation and scorn, she could not suppress a +cry of mingled astonishment and admiration at what she saw there, for +the receptacle contained the daintiest lingerie imaginable. + +There were beautiful laces, handkerchiefs, and gloves, suitable for +every occasion; three or four fans of costly material and exquisite +workmanship; a pair of pearl-and-gold opera glasses. + +More than this, and arranged so as to cunningly tempt the eye, there +were several cases of jewels--comprising pearls, diamonds, emeralds, +and rubies. + +It was an array to tempt the most obdurate heart and fancy, and Edith +stood gazing upon the lovely things with admiring eyes while, after a +moment, a little sigh of regret accompanied her resolute act of +shutting the drawer and turning the key in its lock. + +The second and third contained several suits of exquisite underwear of +finest material, and comprising everything that a lady could need or +desire in that line; in the fourth drawer there were boxes of silken +hose of various colors, together with lovely French boots and slippers +suitable for different costumes. + +"What a pity to spend so much money for nothing," Edith murmured, +regretfully, when she had concluded her inspection. "It is very +evident that they look upon me as a silly, vacillating girl, who can +be easily managed and won over by pretty clothes and glittering +baubles. I suppose there are girls whose highest ambition in life is +to possess such things, and to lead an existence of luxury and +pleasure--who would doubtless sell themselves for them; but I should +hate and scorn myself for accepting anything of the kind from a man +whom I could neither respect nor love." + +She gave utterance to a heavy sigh as she closed the drawer and turned +away from the dressing-case; not, however, because she longed to +possess the beautiful things she had seen, but in view of the +difficulties which might lie before her to hamper her movements in the +effort to escape from her enemies. + +"I suppose I must remain here for a few hours at least," she +continued, an expression of anxiety flitting over her face, "and if I +expect to carry out my plans successfully I must begin by assuming a +submissive role." + +She removed her hat and wraps, hanging them in a closet; then, going +to her trunk, she selected what few articles she would absolutely need +on her journey to New York, and some important papers--among them the +letters which her own mother had written--and after hastily making +them up into a neat package, returned them again to the trunk for +concealment, until she should be ready to leave the house. + +This done, she sat down by a window to await and meet, with what +fortitude she could command, the next act in the drama of her life. + +Not long after she heard a step in the hall, then there came a knock +on her door, and madam's voice called out: + +"It is only I, Edith; may I come in?" + +"Yes, come," unhesitatingly responded the girl, and Mrs. Goddard, her +face beaming with smiles and good nature, entered the room. + +"How do you like your new quarters, dear?" she inquired, searching +Edith's fair face with eager eyes. + +"Of course, everything is very beautiful," she returned, glancing +admiringly around the apartment. + +"And are you pleased with the additions to the furnishings?--the +chair, the work-table, and writing-desk?" + +"I have never seen anything more lovely," Edith replied, bending +forward as if to examine more closely the filigree stamp box on the +desk, but in reality to conceal the flush of scorn that leaped into +her eyes. + +"I knew you would like them," said madam, with a little note of +triumph in her voice; "they are exquisite, and Emil is going to have +them carefully packed, and take them along for you to use wherever you +stop in your travels. And the cloak and dresses--aren't they perfectly +elegant? The jewels, too, and other things in the dressing-case; have +you seen them?" + +"Yes, I have seen them all; but--but I am very sorry that so much +money should have been spent for me," Edith faltered, a hot flush, +which her companion interpreted as one of pleasure and gratified +vanity, suffusing her cheeks. + +"Oh, the money is of no account, if you are only happy," Mrs. Goddard +lightly remarked. "And now," she went on eagerly, "I want you to dress +yourself just as nicely as you can, and be ready, when the bell rings, +to come down to lunch, as it becomes--my sister. Will you, dear?" she +concluded, coaxingly. "Do, Edith, be reasonable; let us bury the +hatchet, and all be on good terms." + +"I--I do not think I can quite make up my mind to go down to lunch," +Edith faltered, with averted face. + +Madam frowned; she had begun to think her victory was won, and the +disappointment nettled her. But she controlled herself and remarked +pleasantly: + +"Well, then, I will send up your lunch, if you will promise to come +down and dine with us, will you?" + +Edith hesitated a moment; then, drawing a long breath, she remarked, +as if with bashful hesitancy: + +"I think, perhaps--I will go down later--by and by." + +"Now you are beginning to be sensible, dear," said madam, flashing a +covert look of exultation at her, "and Emil will be so happy. Put on +this silver-gray silk--it is so lovely, trimmed with white lace--and +the pearls; you will be charming in the costume. I am sorry I have to +go directly after lunch," she continued, regretfully, "but I have a +call to make, and shall not be back for a couple of hours; but Emil +will be here; so if you can find it in your heart to be a little kind +to him, just put on the gray silk--or anything else you may +prefer--and go down to him. May I tell him that you will?" + +"I will not promise--at least until after you return," murmured Edith, +in a low voice. + +Madam could have laughed in triumph, for she believed the victory was +hers. + +"Well, perhaps you would feel a trifle shy about it," she said, +good-naturedly, "it would be pleasanter and easier for you, no doubt, +if I were here, so I will come for you when I get back. Good-by, till +then." + +And with a satisfied little nod and smile, madam left her and went +downstairs to tell her brother that his munificence had won the day, +and he would have no further trouble with a fractious bride. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER PAYS EDITH AN UNEXPECTED VISIT. + + +Edith listened until she heard madam descend the stairs, when she +sprang to her feet in a fever of excitement. + +"Oh, how I hate myself for practicing even that much of deceit!" she +bitterly exclaimed; "to allow her to think for a moment that I have +been won over by those baubles. Although I told her no lie, I do +intend to go down by and by if I can see an opportunity to get out of +the house. But I did so long to stand boldly up and repudiate her +proposals and all these costly bribes. Dress myself in those things!" +she continued, with a scornful glance toward the bed; "make myself +look 'pretty and nice,' with the price of my self-respect, and then go +down to flaunt before the man who has grossly insulted me by assuming +that he could bribe me to submission! I would rather be clothed in +rags--the very sight of these things makes me sick at heart." + +She turned resolutely from them, and, drawing the stiffest and hardest +chair in the room to a window, sat down with her back to the +allurements around her and gazed out upon the street. + +She remained there until her lunch was sent up, when she ate enough to +barely satisfy her hunger, after which she went back to her post to +watch for the departure of Mrs. Goddard. + +The house stood upon a corner, and thus faced upon two streets--the +avenue in front, and at the side a cross-street that led through to +Beacon street. Thus, Edith's room being upon the front of the +mansion, she had a wide outlook in two directions. + +Not long after stationing herself at the window, she saw Mrs. Goddard +go out, and then she began to wonder how she could manage to make her +escape before her return. + +She knew that she was only a prisoner in the house, in spite of the +fact that her door was not locked; that Emil Correlli had been left +below simply to act as her keeper; and, should she make the slightest +attempt to escape, he would immediately intercept her. + +She could not get out of the house except by the front way, and to do +this she would have to pass down a long flight of stairs and by two or +three rooms, in any one of which Emil Correlli might be on the watch +in anticipation of this very proceeding. + +There was a back stairway; but as this led directly up from the area +hall, the door at the bottom was always carefully kept locked--the key +hanging on a concealed nail for fear of burglars; and Edith, knowing +this, did not once think of attempting to go out that way. + +While she sat by the window, trying to think of some way out of her +difficulties, her attention was attracted by the peculiar movements of +a woman on the opposite side of the street--it was the side street +leading through to Beacon. + +She was of medium height, richly clad in a long seal garment, but +heavily veiled, and she was leading a little child, of two or three +years, by the hand. + +But for her strange behavior, Edith would have simply thought her to +be some young mother, who was giving her little one an airing on that +pleasant winter afternoon. She appeared very anxious to shun +observation, dropping her head whenever any one passed her, and +sometimes turning abruptly around to avoid the gaze of the curious. + +She never entirely passed the house, but walked back and forth again +and again from the corner to a point opposite the area door near the +rear of the dwelling, while she eagerly scanned every window, as if +seeking for a glimpse of some one whom she knew. Moreover, from time +to time, her eyes appeared to rest curiously upon Edith, whom she +could plainly perceive at her post above. + +For nearly half an hour she kept this up; then, suddenly crossing the +street, disappeared within the area entrance to the house, greatly to +the surprise of our fair heroine. + +"How very strange!" Edith remarked, in astonishment. "She is certainly +too richly clad to be the friend of any of the servants, and if she +desires to see Mrs. Goddard, why did she not go to the front entrance +and ring?" + +While she was pondering the singular incident, she saw the gas-man +emerge from the same door, and pass down the street toward another +house; then her mind reverted again to her own precarious situation, +and she forgot about the intruder and her child below. + +The house was very still--there was not even a servant moving about to +disturb the almost uncanny silence that reigned throughout it. It was +Thursday, and Edith knew that the housemaid and cook's assistant were +to have that afternoon out, which, doubtless, accounted in a measure +for the unusual quiet. + +But this very fact she knew would only serve to make any movement on +her part all the more noticeable, and while she was wondering how she +should manage her escape before the return of Mrs. Goddard, a slight +noise behind her suddenly warned her of the presence of another in the +room. + +She turned quickly, and a low cry of surprise broke from her as she +saw standing, just inside the door, the very woman whom, a few moments +before she had seen disappear within the area door of the house. + +She was now holding her child in her arms and regarding Edith through +her veil with a look of fire and hatred that made the girl's flesh +creep with a sense of horror. + +Putting the little one down on the floor, she braced herself against +the door and remarked, with a bitter sneer, but in a rich, musical +voice, and with a foreign accent: + +"Without doubt I am in the presence of Madam Correlli." + +Edith flushed crimson at her words. + +"I--I do not understand you," she faltered, filled with surprise and +dismay at being thus addressed by the veiled stranger. + +"I wish to see Madam Correlli," the woman remarked, in an impatient +and bitter tone. "I am sure I am not mistaken addressing you thus." + +"Yes, you are mistaken--there is no such person," Edith boldly +replied, determined that she would never commit herself by responding +to that hated name. + +"Are you not the girl whose name was Edith Allen?" demanded her +companion, sharply. + +"My name is Edith Allen--" + +She checked herself suddenly, for she had unwittingly come near +uttering the rest of it. She went a step or two nearer the woman, +trying to distinguish her features, which were so shadowed by the veil +she wore that she could not tell how she looked. + +"Ah! so you will admit your identity, but you will not confess to the +name by which I have addressed you. Why?" demanded the unknown +visitor, with a sneer. + +"Because I do not choose," said Edith, coldly. "Who are you, and why +have you forced yourself upon me thus?" + +"And you will also deny this?" cried the stranger, in tones of +repressed passion, but ignoring the girl's questions, as she pulled a +paper from her pocket and thrust under her eyes a notice of the +marriage at Wyoming. + +Edith grew pale at the sight of it, when the other, quick to observe +it, laughed softly but derisively. + +"Ah, no; you cannot deny that you were married to Emil Correlli, only +the night before last, in the presence of many, many people," she +said, in a hoarse, passionate whisper. "Do you think you can deceive +me? Do you dare to lie to me?" + +"I have no wish to deceive you. I would not knowingly utter a +falsehood to any one," Edith gravely returned. "I know, of course, to +what you refer; but"--throwing back her head with a defiant air--"I +will never answer to the name by which you have called me!" + +"Ha! say you so! And why?" eagerly exclaimed her companion, regarding +her curiously. "Can you deny that you went to the altar with Emil +Correlli?" she continued, excitedly. "That a clergyman read the +marriage service over you?--that you were afterward introduced to many +people as his wife?--and that you are now living under the same roof +with him, surrounded by all this luxury"--sweeping her eyes around the +room--"for which he has paid?" + +"No, I cannot deny it!" said Edith, with a weary sigh. "All that you +have read in that paper really happened; but--" + +"Aha! Well, but what?" interposed the woman, with a malicious sneer +that instantly aroused all Edith's spirit. + +"Pardon me," she said, drawing herself proudly erect and speaking with +offended dignity, "but I cannot understand what right you, an utter +stranger to me, have to intrude upon me thus. Who are you, madam, and +why have you forced yourself here to question me in such a dictatorial +manner?" + +"Ha! ha! ha!" The mirthless laugh was scarcely audible, but it was +replete with a bitterness that made Edith shiver with a nameless +horror. "Who am I, indeed? Let me assure you that I am one who would +never take the stand that you have just taken; who would never refuse +to be known as the wife of Emil Correlli, or to be called by his name +if I could but have the right to such a position. Look at me!" she +commanded, tearing the veil from her face. "We have met before." + +Edith beheld her, and was amazed, for it needed but a glance to show +her that she was the girl who had accosted Emil Correlli on the street +that afternoon when he had overtaken and walked home with her after +the singular accident and encounter with Mrs. Stewart. + +"Aha! and so you know me," the girl went on--for she could not have +been a day older than Edith herself, Although there were lines of care +and suffering upon her brilliant face--seeking the look of recognition +in her eyes; "you remember how I confronted him that day when he was +walking with you." + +"Yes, I remember; but--" + +"But that does not tell you who--or what I am, would perhaps be the +better way of putting it," said the stranger, with bitter irony. "Look +here; perhaps this will tell you better than any other form of +introduction," she added, almost fiercely, as, with one hand, she +snatched the cap off her child's head and then turned his face toward +Edith. + +The startled girl involuntarily uttered a cry of mingled surprise and +dismay, for, in face and form and bearing, she beheld--a miniature +Emil Correlli! + +For a moment she was speechless, thrilled with greater loathing for +the man than she had ever before experienced, as a suspicion of the +truth flashed through her brain. + +Then she lifted her astonished eyes to the woman, to find her +regarding her with a look of mingled curiosity, hatred, and triumph. + +"The boy is--his child?" Edith murmured at last, in an inquiring tone. + +A slow smile crept over the mother's face as she stood for a moment +looking at Edith--a smile of malice which betrayed that she gloried in +seeing that the girl at last understood her purpose in bringing the +little one there. + +"Yes, you see--you understand," she said, at last; "any one would know +that Correlli is his father." + +"And you--" Edith breathed, in a scarcely audible voice, while she +began to tremble with a secret hope. + +"I am the child's mother--yes," the girl returned, with a look of +despair in her dusky orbs. + +But she was not prepared for the light of eager joy that leaped into +Edith's eyes at this confession--the new life and hope that swept +over her face and animated her manner until she seemed almost +transformed, from the weary, spiritless appearing girl she had seemed +on her entrance, into a new creature. + +"Then, of course, you are Emil Correlli's wife," she cried, in a glad +tone; "you have come to tell me this--to tell me that I am free from +the hateful tie which I supposed bound me to him? Oh, I thank you! I +thank you!" + +"You thank me?" + +"Yes, a thousand times." + +"Ha! and you say the tie that binds you to him is hateful?" whispered +the strange woman, while she studied Edith's face with mingled wonder +and curiosity. + +"More hateful than I can express," said Edith, with incisive +bitterness. + +"And you do not--love him?" + +"Love him? Oh, no!" + +The tone was too replete with aversion to be doubted. + +"Ah, it is I who do not understand now!" exclaimed Edith's visitor, +with a look of perplexity. + +"Let me tell you," said the young girl, drawing nearer and speaking +rapidly. "I was Mrs. Goddard's companion, and quite happy and content +with my work until he--her villainous brother--came. Ah, perhaps I +shall wound you if I say more," she interposed, and breaking off +suddenly, as she saw her companion wince. + +"No, no; go on," commanded her guest, imperatively. + +"Well, Monsieur Correlli began to make love to me and to persecute me +with his attentions soon after he came here. He proposed marriage to +me some weeks ago, and I refused to listen to him--" + +"You refused him!" + +"Why, yes, certainly; I did not love him; I would not marry any one +whom I could not love," Edith replied, with a little scornful curl of +her lips at the astonished interruption, which had betrayed that her +guest thought no girl could be indifferent to the charms of the man +whom she so adored. + +"He was offended," Edith resumed, "and insisted that he would not take +my refusal as final. When I finally convinced him that I meant what I +had said, he and his sister plotted together to accomplish their +object, and make me his wife by strategy. Madam planned a winter +frolic at her country residence; she wrote the play of which you have +an account in that paper; she chose her characters, and it was +rehearsed to perfection. At the last moment, on the evening of its +presentation before her friends, she removed the two principal +characters--telling me that they had been called home by a +telegram--and substituted her brother and me in their places. She did +not even tell me who was to take the gentleman's place--she simply +said a friend; it was all done so hurriedly there was no time, +apparently, for explanations. And then--oh! it is too horrible to +think of!" interposed Edith, bringing her hands together with a +despairing gesture, "she had that ordained minister come on the stage +and legally marry us. From beginning to end it was all a fraud!" + +"Stop, girl! and swear that you are telling me the truth!" cried her +strange companion, as she stepped close to Edith's side, laid a +violent hand upon her arm, and searched her face with a look that must +have made her shrink and cower if she had been trying to deceive. + +"Oh, I would give the world if it were not true!" Edith exclaimed, +with an earnestness that could not be doubted--"if the last scene in +that drama had never been enacted, or if I could have been warned in +time of the treachery of which I was being made the victim!" + +"Suppose you had been warned!" demanded her guest, still clutching her +arm with painful force, "would you have dared refuse to do their +bidding?" + +"Would I have dared refuse?" exclaimed Edith, drawing herself +haughtily erect. "No power on earth could have made me marry that +man." + +"I don't know! I don't know! He is rich, handsome, talented," muttered +the other, regarding her suspiciously. "Will you swear that it was +fraud--that you did not know you were being married to him? Do not +try to lie to me," she went on, warningly. "I came here this afternoon +with a heart full of bitter hatred toward you; in my soul I believe I +was almost a murderess. But--if you also are the victim of a bad man's +perfidy, then we have a common cause." + +"I have told you only the truth," responded Edith, gravely. "Monsieur +Correlli was utterly repulsive to me, and I never could have consented +to marry him, under any circumstances. I know he is considered +handsome--I know he is rich and talented; but all that would be no +temptation to me--I could never sell myself for fortune or position. I +am very sorry if you have been made unhappy because of me," she went +on gently; "but I have not willfully wronged you in any way. And if +you have come here to tell me that you are Monsieur Correlli's wife, +you have saved me from a fate I abhorred--and I shall be--I am free! +and I shall bless you as long as I live!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +"I WILL RISE ABOVE MY SIN AND SHAME!" + + +Edith's strange visitor stood contemplating her with a look of mingled +perplexity and sadness. + +It was evident that she could not understand how any one could be glad +to renounce a man like Emil Correlli, with the fortune and position +which he could give the woman of his choice. + +The two made a striking tableau as they stood there facing each other, +with that beautiful child between them; for in style and coloring, +they were exactly the opposite of each other. + +Edith, so fair and slight, with her delicate features and golden hair, +her great innocent blue eyes, graceful bearing, and cultivated manner, +which plainly betrayed that she had been reared in an atmosphere of +gentleness and refinement. + +The other was of a far different type, yet, perhaps, not less striking +and beautiful in her way. + +She was of medium height, with a full, voluptuous form, a complexion +of pale olive, with brilliantly scarlet lips, and eyes like "black +diamonds," and hair that had almost a purple tinge in its ebon masses; +her features, though far from being regular, were piquant, and when +she was speaking lighted into fascinating animation with every passing +emotion. + +"I shall be free!" Edith murmured again with a long-drawn sigh of +relief, "for of course you will assert your claim upon him, and"--with +a glance at the child--"he will not dare to deny it." + +"You are so anxious to be free? You would bless me for helping you to +be free?" repeated her companion, studying the girl's face earnestly, +questioningly. + +"Ah, yes; I was almost in despair when you came in," Edith replied, +shivering, and with starting tears; "now I begin to hope that my life +has not been utterly ruined." + +Her visitor flushed crimson, and her great black eyes flashed with +sudden anger. + +"My curse be upon him for all the evil he has done!" she cried, +passionately. "Oh! how gladly would I break the bond that binds you to +him, but--I have not the power; I have no claim upon him." + +Edith regarded her with astonishment. + +"No claim upon him?" she repeated, with another glance at the little +one who was gazing from one to another with wondering eyes. + +The mother's glance followed hers, and an expression of despair swept +over her face. + +"Oh, Holy Virgin, pity me!" she moaned, a blush of shame mantling her +cheeks. + +Then lifting her heavy eyes once more to Edith, she continued, +falteringly: + +"The boy is his and--mine; but--I have no legal claim upon him--I am +no wife." + +For a moment after this humiliating confession there was an unbroken +silence in that elegant room. + +Then a hot wave of sympathetic color flashed up to Edith's brow, while +a look of tender, almost divine, compassion gleamed in her lovely +eyes. + +For the time she forgot her own wretchedness in her sympathy for her +erring and more unfortunate sister--for the woman and the mother who +had been outraged beyond compare. + +At length she raised her hand and laid it half-timidly, but with +exceeding kindness, upon her shoulder. + +"I understand you now," she said, gently, "and I am very sorry." + +The words were very simple and commonplace; but the tone, the look, +and the gesture that accompanied them spoke more than volumes, and +completely won the heart of the passionate and despairing creature +before her for all time. + +They also proved too much for her self-possession, and, with a moan of +anguish, throwing herself upon her knees beside her child, she clasped +him convulsively in her arms and burst into a flood of weeping. + +"Oh! my poor, innocent baby! to think that this curse must rest upon +you all your life--it breaks my heart!" she moaned, while she +passionately covered his head and face with kisses. "They tell me +there is a God," she went on, hoarsely, as she again struggled to her +feet, "but I do not believe it--no God of love would ever create +monsters like Emil Correlli, and allow them to deceive and ruin +innocent girls, blackening their pure souls and turning them to fiends +incarnate! Yes, I mean it," she panted, excitedly, as she caught +Edith's look of horror at her irreverent and reckless expressions. + +"Listen!" she continued, eagerly. "Only three years ago I was a pure +and happy girl, living with my parents in my native land--fair, +beautiful, sunny Italy--" + +"Italy?" breathlessly interposed Edith, as she suddenly remembered +that she also had been born in that far Southern clime. Then she grew +suddenly pale as she caught the eyes of the little one gazing +curiously into her face, and also remembered that "the curse" which +his mother had but a moment before so deplored, rested upon her as +well. + +Involuntarily, she took his little hand, and lifting it to her lips, +imprinted a soft caress upon it, at which the child smiled, showing +his pretty white teeth, and murmured some fond musical term in +Italian. + +"You are an angel not to hate us both," said his mother, a sudden +warmth in her tones, a gleam of gratitude in her dusky eyes. "But were +you ever in Italy?" she added, curiously. + +"Yes, when I was a little child; but I do not remember anything about +it," said Edith, with a sigh. "Do not stand with the child in your +arms," she added, thoughtfully. "Come, sit here, and then you can go +on with what you were going to tell me." + +And, with a little sense of malicious triumph, Edith pulled forward +the beautiful rocker of carved ivory, and saw the woman sink wearily +into it with a feeling of keen satisfaction. It seemed to her like the +irony of fate that it should be thus occupied for the first time. + +She would have been only too glad to heap all the beautiful clothes, +jewels, and laces upon the woman also, but she felt that they did not +belong to her, and she had no right to do so. Taking her little one on +her knee, the young woman laid his head upon her breast, and swaying +gently back and forth, began her story. + +"My father was an olive grower, and owned a large vineyard besides, in +the suburbs of Rome. He was a man of ample means, and took no little +pride in the pretty home which he was enabled to provide for his +family. My mother was a beautiful woman, somewhat above him socially, +although I never knew her to refer to the fact, and I was their only +child. + +"Like many other fond parents who have but one upon whom to expend +their love and money, they thought I must be carefully reared and +educated--nothing was considered too good for me, and I had every +advantage which they could bestow. I was happy--I led an ideal life +until I was seventeen years of age. When carnival time came around, +we all went in to Rome to join in the festivities, and there I met my +fate, in the form of Emil Correlli." + +"Ah! but I thought that he was a Frenchman!" interposed Edith, in +surprise. + +"His father was a Frenchman, but his mother was born and reared in +Italy, where, in Rome, he studied under the great sculptor, Powers," +her guest explained. Then she resumed: "We met just as we were both +entering the church of St. Peter's. He accidently jostled me; then, as +he turned to apologize, our eyes met, and from that moment my fate was +sealed. I cannot tell you all that followed, dear lady, it would take +too long; but, during the next three months it seemed to me as if I +were living in Paradise. Before half that time had passed, Emil had +confessed his love for me, and made an excuse to see me almost every +day. But my parents did not approve; they objected to his attentions; +his mother, they learned by some means, belonged to a noble family, +and 'lords and counts should not mate with peasants,' they said." + +"Then I made the fatal mistake of disobeying them and meeting my lover +in secret. Ah, lady," she here interposed with a bitter sigh, "the +rest is but the old story of man's deception and a maiden's blind +confidence in him; and when, all too late, I discovered my error, +there seemed but one thing for me to do, and that was to flee with him +to America, whither he was coming to pursue his profession in a great +city." + +"And--did he not offer to--to marry you before you came?" queried +Edith, aghast. + +"No; he pretended that he dared not--he was so well-known in Rome that +the secret would be sure to be discovered, he said, and then my father +would separate us forever; but he promised that when we arrived in New +York, he would make everything all right; therefore, I, still blindly +trusting him, let him lead me whither he would. + +"I was very ill during the passage, and for weeks following our +arrival, and so the time slipped rapidly by without the consummation +of my hopes, and though he gave me a pleasant home and everything +that I wished for in the house where we lived, even allowing it to +appear that I was his wife, we had not been here long before I saw +that he was beginning to tire of me. I did everything I could to keep +his love, I studied tirelessly to master the language of the country, +and kept myself posted upon art and subjects which interested him +most, in order to make myself companionable to him. Time after time I +entreated him to fight the wrong he was doing me and another, who +would soon come either into the shelter of his fatherhood or to +inherit the stigma of a dishonored mother; but he always had some +excuse with which to put me off. At last this little one came"--she +said, folding the child more closely in her arms--"and I had something +pure and sweet to love, even though I was heart-broken over knowing +that a blight must always rest upon his life, and something to occupy +the weary hours which, at times, hung so heavily upon my hands. After +that Emil seemed to become more and more indifferent to me--there +would be weeks at a time that I would not see him at all; I used +sometimes to think that the boy was a reproach to him, and he could +not bear the stings of his own conscience in his presence." + +"Ah," interposed Edith, with a scornful curl of her red lips, "such +men have no conscience; they live only to gratify their selfish +impulses." + +"Perhaps; while those they wrong live on and on, with a never-dying +worm gnawing at their vitals," returned her companion, repressing a +sob. + +"At last," she resumed, "I began to grow jealous of him, and to spy +upon his movements. I discovered that he went a great deal to one of +the up-town hotels, and I sometimes saw him go out with a handsome +woman, whom I afterward learned was his sister--the Mrs. Goddard, who +lives here, and who visits New York several times every year. I did +not mind so much when I discovered the relationship between them, +although I suffered many a bitter pang to see how fond they were of +each other, while I was starving for some expression of his love. + +"This went on for nearly two years; then about two months ago, Emil +disappeared from New York, without saying anything to me of his +intentions, although he left plenty of money deposited to my account. +He was always generous in that way, and insisted that Ino must have +everything he wished or needed--I am sure he is fond of the child, in +spite of everything. By perseverance and ceaseless inquiry, I finally +learned that he had come to Boston, and I immediately followed him. I +am suspicious and jealous by nature, like all my people, and that day, +when I saw him walking with you, and looking at you just as he used to +look at me in those old delicious days in Italy, all the passion of my +nature was aroused to arms. Braving everything, I rushed over to him +and denounced him for his treachery to me, also accusing him of making +love to you." + +"And did it seem to you that I was receiving his attentions with +pleasure?" questioned Edith, with a repugnant shrug of her shoulders. +"I assure you he had forced his company upon me, and I only endured it +to save making a scene in the street." + +"I did not stop to reason about your appearance," said the woman; "at +least not further than to realize that you were very lovely, and just +the style of beauty to attract Emil; but he swore to me that you were +only the companion of his sister, and he had only met you on the +street by accident--that you were nothing to him. He asked me to tell +him where he could find me, and promised that he would come to me +later. He kept his word, and has visited me every few days ever since, +treating me more kindly than for a long time, but insisting that I +must keep entirely out of the way of his sister. And so it came upon +me like a deadly blow when I read that account of his marriage in +yesterday's paper. I was wrought up to a perfect frenzy, especially +when I came to the statement that Monsieur and Madam Correlli would +return immediately to Boston, but leave soon after for a trip South +and West, and ultimately sail for Europe. That was more than outraged +nature could bear, and I vowed that I would wreak a swift and sure +revenge upon you both, and so, for two days, I have haunted this +house, seeking for an opportunity to gain an entrance unobserved. I +saw you sitting at the window--I recognized you instantly. I believed, +of course, that you were a willing bride, and imagined that if I could +get in I should find you both in this room. While I watched my chance, +one of the servants came to the area door to let in the gas-man, and +carelessly left it ajar, while she went back with him into one of the +rooms. In a moment I was in the lower hall, looking for a back +stairway; if any one had found me I was going to beg a drink of water +for my child. There was a door there, but it was locked; but +desperation makes one keen, and I was not long in finding a key +hanging up on a nail beneath a window-sill. The next instant the door +was unlocked, and I on my way upstairs--" + +"And the key! oh! what did you do with the key?" breathlessly +interposed Edith, grasping at this unexpected chance to escape. + +"I have it here, lady," said her companion, as she produced it. "I +thought it might be convenient for me to go out the same way, so took +possession of it." + +"Ah, then the door to the back stairway is still unlocked?" breathed +Edith, with trembling lips. + +"Yes; I did not stop to lock it after me; I hurried straight up here, +but--expecting to have a very different interview from what I have +had," responded the woman, with a heavy sigh. "Now, lady, you have my +story," she continued, after a moment of silence, "you can see that I +have been deeply wronged, and though from a moral standpoint, I have +every claim upon Emil Correlli, yet legally, I have none whatever; +and, unless you can prove some flaw in that ceremony of night before +last--prove that he fraudulently tricked you into a marriage with him, +you are irrevocably bound to him." + +Edith shivered with pain and abhorrence at these last words, but she +did not respond to them in any way. + +"I came here with hatred in my heart toward you," the other went on, +"but I shall go away blessing you for your kindness to me; for, +instead of shrinking from me, as one defiled and too depraved to be +tolerated, you have held out the hand of sympathy to me and listened +patiently and pityingly to the story of my wrongs." + +As she concluded, she dropped her face upon the head of her child with +a weary, disheartened air that touched Edith deeply. + +"Will you tell me your name?" she questioned, gently, after a moment +or two of silence. "Pardon me," she added, flushing, as her companion +looked up sharply, "I am not curious, but I do not know how to address +you." + +"Giulia Fiorini. Holy Mother forgive me the shame I have brought upon +it!" she returned, with a sob. "I have called him"--laying her +trembling hand upon the soft, silky curls of her child--"Ino Emil." + +"Thank you," said Edith, "and for your confidence in me as well. You +have been greatly wronged; and if there is any justice or humanity in +law, this tie, which so fetters me, shall be annulled; then, +perchance, Monsieur Correlli may be persuaded to do what is right +toward you. + +"No, lady, I have no hope of that," said Giulia, dejectedly, "for when +a man begins to tire of the woman whom he has injured he also begins +to despise her, and to consider himself ill-used because she even +dares to exist." + +"Perhaps you would wish to repudiate him," suggested Edith, who felt +that such would be her attitude toward any man who had so wronged her. + +"Oh, no; much as I have suffered, I still love Emil, and would gladly +serve him for the remainder of my life, if he would but honor me with +his name; but I know him too well ever to hope for that--I know that +he is utterly selfish and would mercilessly set his heel upon me if I +should attempt to stand in the way of his purposes. There is nothing +left for me but to go back to my own country, confess my sin to my +parents, and hide myself from the world until I die." + +"Ah! but you forget that you have your child to rear and educate, his +mind and life to mold, and--try to make him a better man than his +father," said Edith, with a tender earnestness, which instantly melted +the injured girl to tears. + +"Oh, that you should have thought of that, when I, his mother, forget +my duty to him, and think only of my own unhappiness!" sobbed the +conscience-stricken girl, as she hugged the wondering child closer to +her breast. "Yesterday I told myself that I would send Ino to him, and +then end my misery forever." + +"Don't!" exclaimed Edith, sharply, her face almost convulsed with +pain. "Your life belongs to God, and--this baby. Live above your +trouble, Giulia; never let your darling have the pain and shame of +learning that his mother was a suicide. If you have made one mistake, +do not imagine that you can expiate it by committing another a +hundred-fold worse. Ah! think what comfort there would be in rearing +your boy to a noble manhood, and then hear him say, 'What I am my +mother has made me!'" + +She had spoken earnestly, appealingly, and when she ceased, the +unhappy woman seized her hand and covered it with kisses. + +"Oh, you have saved me!" she sobbed; "you have poured oil into my +wounds. I will do as you say--I will rise above my sin and shame; and +if Ino lives to be an honor to himself and the world, I shall tell him +of the angel who saved us both. I am very sorry for you," she added, +looking, regretfully, up at Edith; "I could almost lay down my life +for you now; but--Correlli is rich--very rich, and you may, perhaps, +be able to get some comfort out of life by--" + +Edith started to her feet, her face crimson. + +"What?" she cried, scornfully, "do you suppose that I could ever take +pleasure in spending even one dollar of his money? Look there!" +pointing to the elegant apparel upon the bed. "I found all those +awaiting me when I came here to-day. In the dressing-case yonder there +are laces, jewels, and fine raiment of every description, but I would +go in rags before I would make use of a single article. I loathe the +sight of them," she added, shuddering. "I should feel degraded, +indeed, could I experience one moment of pleasure arrayed in them." + +Suddenly she started, and looked at her watch, a wild hope animating +her. + +It was exactly quarter past two. + +A train left for New York, via the Boston & Albany Railroad, at three +o'clock. + +If she could reach the Columbus avenue station, which was less than +fifteen minutes' walk from Commonwealth avenue, without being missed, +she would be in New York by nine o'clock, and safe, for a time at +least, from the man she both hated and feared. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A SURPRISE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION. + + +"Will you help me?" Edith eagerly inquired, turning to her companion, +who had regarded her wonderingly while she repudiated the costly gifts +which Emil Correlli had showered upon her. + +"How can I help you, lady?" Giulia inquired, with a look of surprise. + +"Call me Edith--I am only a poor, friendless girl, like yourself," she +gently returned. "But I want to go away from this house immediately--I +must get out of it unobserved; then I can catch a train that leaves +Boston at three o'clock, for New York." + +"Ah! you wish to run away from Emil!" exclaimed Giulia, her face +lighting with eagerness. + +"Yes--I would never own myself his wife for a single hour. I was +planning, when you came in, to get away to-night when the house was +quiet; but doubtless they would lock my door if I continued to be +obstinate, and it would be a great deal better for me, every way, if I +could go now," Edith explained. + +"Yes, I will help you--I will do anything you wish," said Giulia, +heartily. + +"Then come!" exclaimed Edith, excitedly, "I want you to go down to +him; he is in one of the rooms below--in the library, I think--a room +under the one opposite this. He will be so astonished by your +unexpected visit that he will be thrown off his guard, and you must +manage to occupy his attention until you are sure I am well out of the +house--which will be in less than ten minutes after you are in his +presence--and then I shall have nothing more to fear from him." + +"I will do it," said the Italian girl, rising, a look of resolve on +her handsome but care-lined face. + +"Thank you! thank you!" returned Edith, earnestly. "I am going +straight to New York, to friends; but of course, you will not betray +my plans." + +"No, indeed; but do you think your friends can help you break with +Emil--do you believe that ceremony can be canceled?" breathlessly +inquired Giulia. + +"I hope so," Edith gravely answered; "at all events, if I can but once +put myself under the protection of my friends, I shall no longer fear +him. I shall then try to have the marriage annulled. Perhaps, when he +realizes how determined I am, he may even be willing to submit to it." + +"Oh, do you think so?--do you think so?" cried Giulia, tremulously, +and with hopeful eagerness. + +"I will hope so," replied Edith, gravely, "and I will also hope that I +may be able to do something to make you and this dear child happy once +more. What a sweet little fellow he is!" she concluded, as she leaned +forward and kissed him softly on the cheek, an act which brought the +quick tears to his mother's eyes. + +Again she seized the girl's delicate hand and carried it to her lips. + +"Ah, to think! An hour ago I hated you!--now I worship you!" she +cried, in an impassioned tone, a sob bursting from her trembling lips. + +"You must go," said Edith, advancing to the door, and softly opening +it. "I have no time to lose if I am to catch my train. Remember, the +room under the one opposite this--you will easily find it. Now +good-by, and Heaven bless you both." + +With a look of deepest gratitude and veneration, Giulia Fiorini, her +child clasped in her arms, passed out of the room and moved swiftly +toward the grand staircase leading to the lower part of the house; +while Edith, closing and locking the door after her, stood listening +until she should reach the library, where she was sure Emil Correlli +sat reading. + +She heard the sweep of the girl's robes upon the stairs; then, a +moment later, a stifled exclamation of mingled surprise and anger fell +upon her ears, after which the library door was hastily shut, and +Edith began to breathe more freely. + +She hastened to put on her jacket, preparatory to leaving the house. +But an instant afterward her heart leaped into her throat, as she +caught the sound of the hurried opening and shutting of the library +door again. + +Then there came swift steps over the stairs. + +Edith knew that Emil Correlli was coming to ascertain if she were safe +within her room; that he feared if Giulia had succeeded in gaining an +entrance there, without being discovered, she might possibly have +escaped in the same way. + +She moved noiselessly across the room toward the dressing-case and +opened a drawer, just as there came a knock on her door. + +"Is that you, Mrs. Goddard?" Edith questioned, in her usual tone of +voice, though her heart was beating with great, frightened throbs. + +"No; it is I," responded Emil Correlli. "I wish to speak with you a +moment, Edith." + +"You must excuse me just now, Mr. Correlli," the girl replied, as she +rattled the stopper to one of the perfumery bottles on the +dressing-case; "I am dressing, and cannot see any one just at +present." + +"Oh!" returned the voice from without, in a modified tone, as if the +man were intensely relieved by her reply. "I beg your pardon; but when +can I see you--how long will it take you to finish dressing?" + +Edith glanced at the clock, and a little smile of triumph curled her +lips, for she saw that the hands pointed to half-past two. + +"Not more than fifteen or twenty minutes, perhaps," she returned. + +"Ah, you are relenting!" said the man, eagerly. "You will come down by +and by--you will dine with us this evening, Edith?" he concluded, in +an appealing tone. + +There was again a moment of hesitation on Edith's part, as if she were +debating the question with herself; but if he could have seen her +eyes, he would have been appalled by the look of fire and loathing +that blazed in them. + +"Mr. Correlli," she said at last, in a tone which he interpreted as +one of timid concession, "I--I wish to do what is right and--I think +perhaps I will come down as soon as I finish dressing." + +His face lighted and flushed with triumph. + +He believed that she was yielding--won over by the munificent gifts +with which he had crowded her room. + +"Ah! thank you! thank you!" he responded, with delight. "But take your +own time, dear, and make yourself just as beautiful as possible, and I +will come up for you in the course of half an hour." + +He flattered himself that he would be well rid of Giulia by that time; +and having assured himself that Edith was safe in her room, and, as he +believed, gradually submitting to his terms, he retraced his steps +downstairs, the cruel lines about his mouth hardening as he went, for +he had resolved to cast off forever the girl who had become nothing +but a burden and an annoyance to him. + +Edith did not move until she heard him enter the library again and +close the door after him. + +Then, hurriedly buttoning her jacket and pinning on her hat, she took +from her trunk the package which she had made up an hour before, stole +softly from her room and down the back stairs to the area hall. + +The outer door was closed and bolted--the gas-man having long since +finished his errand and departed--and she could hear the cook and one +of the maids conversing in the kitchen just across the hall. + +Evidently no one had attempted to go upstairs since Giulia's entrance, +consequently the key had not yet been missed nor the door discovered +to be unlocked. + +Cautiously slipping the bolt to the street door, Edith quickly passed +out, closing it noiselessly after her. + +Another moment she was in the street, speeding with swift, light steps +across the park. + +Then, bending her course through Dartmouth street, she came to a +narrow, crooked way called Buckingham street, which led her directly +out upon Columbus avenue, when, turning to the left, she soon came to +the station known by the same name. + +Here she had ten minutes to wait, after purchasing her ticket, and the +uneasiness with which she watched the slowly moving hands upon the +clock in the gloomy waiting-room may be imagined. + +Her waiting was over at last, and, exactly on time, the train came +thundering to the station. + +Edith quickly boarded it, then sank weak and trembling upon the +nearest empty seat, her heart beating so rapidly that she panted with +every breath. + +Then the train began to move, and, with a prayer of thankfulness over +her escape, the excited girl leaned back against the cushion and gave +herself up to rest, knowing that she could not now be overtaken before +arriving in New York. + +This feeling of security did not last long, however, and she was +filled with dismay as she thought that Emil Correlli would doubtless +discover her flight in the course of half an hour, if he had not +already done so, when he would probably surmise that she would go +immediately to New York and so telegraph to have her arrested upon her +arrival there. + +This was a difficulty which she had not foreseen. + +What should she do?--how could she circumvent him? how protect herself +and defy his authority over her? + +A bright idea flashed into her mind. + +She would telegraph to Royal Bryant at the first stop made by the +train, ask him to meet her upon her arrival, and thus secure his +protection against any plot that Emil Correlli might lay for her. + +The first stopping-place she knew was Framingham, a small town about +twenty miles from Boston. + +The first time the conductor came through the car she asked him for a +Western Union slip, when she wrote the following message and addressed +it to Royal Bryant's office on Broadway: + + "Shall arrive at Grand Central Station, via. B. & A. R. R., + at nine o'clock. Do not fail to meet me. Important. + + "EDITH ALLANDALE." + +When the conductor came back again, she gave this to him, with the +necessary money, and asked if he would kindly forward it from +Framingham for her. + +He cheerfully promised to do so. Then, feeling greatly relieved, Edith +settled herself contentedly for a nap, for she was very weary and +heavy-eyed from the long strain upon her nerves and lack of sleep. + +She did not wake for more than three hours, when she found that +daylight had faded, and that the lamps had been lighted in the car. + +At New Haven she obtained a light lunch from a boy who was crying his +viands through the train, and when her hunger was satisfied she +straightened her hat and drew on her gloves, knowing that another two +hours would bring her to her destination. + +Then she began to speculate upon possible and impossible things, and +to grow very anxious regarding her safety upon her arrival in New +York. + +Perhaps Royal Bryant had not received her message. + +He might have left his office before it arrived; maybe the officials +at Framingham had even neglected to send it; or Mr. Bryant might have +been out of town. + +What could she do if, upon alighting from the train, some burly +policeman should step up to her and claim her as his prisoner? + +She had thus worked herself up to a very nervous and excited state by +the time the lights of the great metropolis could be seen in the +distance; her face grew flushed and feverish, her eyes were like two +points of light, her temples throbbed, her pulses leaped, and her +heart beat with great, frightened throbs. + +The train had to make a short stop where one road crossed another just +before entering the city, and the poor girl actually grew faint and +dizzy with the fear that an officer might perhaps board the train at +that point. + +Almost as the thought flashed through her brain, the car door opened +and a man entered, when a thrill of pain went quivering through every +nerve, prickling to her very finger-tips. + +A second glance showed her that it was a familiar form, and she almost +cried out with joy as she recognized Royal Bryant and realized that +she was--safe! + +He saw her immediately and went directly to her, his gleaming eyes +telling a story from his heart which instantly sent the rich color to +her brow. + +"Miss Allandale!" he exclaimed, in a low, eager tone, as he clasped +her outstretched hand. "I am more than glad to see you once again." + +"Then you received my telegram," she said, with a sigh of relief. + +"Yes, else I should not be here," he smilingly returned; "but I came +very near missing it. I was just on the point of leaving the office +when the messenger-boy brought it in. I suppose our advertisement is +to be thanked for your appearance in New York thus opportunely." + +"Not wholly," Edith returned, with some embarrassment. "If it had been +that alone which called me here, I need not have telegraphed you. I +saw it only yesterday; but my chief reason for coming hither is that I +am a fugitive." + +"A fugitive!" repeated her companion, in surprise. "Ah, yes, I +wondered a little over that word 'important' in your message. It +strikes me," he added, smiling significantly down upon her, "that you +left New York in very much the same manner." "Yes," she faltered, +flushing rosily. + +"From whom and what were you fleeing, Edith? Surely not from one who +would have been only too glad to shield you from every ill?" said the +young man, in a tenderly reproachful tone, the import of which there +was no mistaking. + +She shot one swift glance into his face and saw that his eyes were +luminous with the great love that was throbbing in his manly heart, +and with an inward start of exceeding joy she dropped her lids again, +but not before he had read in the look and the tell-tale flush that +flooded cheek, brow, and neck, that his affection was returned. + +"I will forgive you, dear, if you will be kind to me in the future," +he whispered, taking courage from her sweet shyness and bashfulness. +"And now tell me why you are a fugitive from Boston, for your telegram +was dated from that city." + +Thus recalled to herself, and a realization of her cruel situation, +Edith shivered, and a deadly paleness banished the rosy blushes from +her cheeks. + +"I will," she murmured, "I will tell you all about the dreadful things +that have happened to me; but not here," she added, with an anxious +glance around. "Will you take me to some place where I shall be safe?" +she continued, appealingly. "I have no place to go unless it is to +some hotel, and I shrink from a public house." + +"My child, why are you trembling so?" the young man inquired, as he +saw she was shaking from head to foot. "I am very glad," he added, +"that I was inspired to board the train at the crossing, and thus can +give you my protection in the confusion of your arrival." + +"I am glad, too; it was very thoughtful of you," said Edith, +appreciatively; "but--but I am also going to need your help again in a +legal way." + +He started slightly at this; but replied, cheerfully: + +"You shall have it; I am ready to throw myself heart and hand between +you and any trouble of whatever nature. Now about a safe place for you +to stay while you are in the city. I have a married cousin who lives +on West Fortieth street; we are the best of friends and she will +gladly entertain you at my request, until you can make other +arrangements." + +"But to intrude upon an entire stranger--" began Edith, looking +greatly disturbed. + +"Nellie will not seem like a stranger to you, two minutes after you +have been introduced to her," the young man smilingly returned. "She +is the dearest, sweetest little cousin a man ever had, and she has an +equal admiration for your humble servant. She will thank me for +bringing you to her, and I am sure that you will be happy with her. +But why do you start so?--why are you so nervous?" he concluded, as +she sprang from her seat, when the train stopped, and looked wildly +about her. + +"I am afraid," she gasped. + +"Afraid of what?" he urged, with gentle persistence. + +"Of a man who has been persecuting me," she panted, the look of +anxious fear still in her eyes. "I ran away from him to-day, and I +have been afraid, all the way to New York, that he would telegraph +ahead of the train, and have me stopped--that was why I sent the +message to you." + +"I am very glad you did," said the young man, gravely. "But, Edith, +pray do not look so terrified; you are sure to attract attention with +that expression on your face. Calm yourself and trust me," he +concluded, as he took her hand and laid it upon his arm. + +"I do--I will," she said; but her fingers closed over his with a +spasmodic clasp which told him how thoroughly wrought up she was. + +"Have you a trunk?" he inquired, as they moved toward the door, the +train having now entered the Grand Central Station. + +"No; I left everything but a few necessary articles--I can send for it +later by express," she responded. + +The young man assisted her from the train, then replacing her hand +upon his arm, was about to signal for a carriage when they were +suddenly confronted by a policeman and brought to a halt in the most +summary manner. + +"Sorry to trouble you, sir," said the man, speaking in a business-like +tone to Mr. Bryant, "but I have orders to take this lady into +custody." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +A SAD STORY DISCLOSED TO AN EAGER LISTENER. + + +Royal Bryant was not very much surprised by this abrupt information +and interference with their movements. + +What Edith had said to him, just before getting out of the train, had +suggested the possibility of such an incident, consequently he was not +thrown off his guard, as he might otherwise have been. + +At the same time he flushed up hotly, and, confronting the officer +with flashing eyes, remarked, with freezing hauteur: + +"I do not understand you, sir. I think you have made a mistake; this +lady is under my protection." + +"But I have orders to intercept a person answering to this lady's +description," returned the policeman, but speaking with not quite his +previous assurance. + +"By whose orders are you acting, if I may inquire?" demanded the young +man. + +"A Boston party." + +"And the lady's name, if you please?" + +"No name is given, sir; but she is described as a girl of about +twenty, pure blonde, very pretty, slight and graceful in figure, +wearing a dark-brown dress and jacket and a brown hat with black +feathers. She will be alone and has no baggage," said the policeman, +reading from the telegram which he had received some two hours +previous. + +Mr. Bryant smiled loftily. + +"Your description hits the case in some respects, I admit," he +observed, with an appreciative glance at Edith, who stood beside him +outwardly calm and collected, though the hand that rested upon his arm +was tense with repressed emotion, "but in others it is wide of its +mark. You have her personal appearance, in a general way, and the +dress happens to correspond in everything but the hat. You will +observe that the lady wears a black hat with a scarlet wing instead of +a brown one with black feathers. She did not arrive alone, either, as +you perceive, we got off the train together." + +The officer looked perplexed. + +"What may your name be, sir, if you please?" he inquired, with more +civility than he had yet shown. + +"Royal Bryant, of the firm of Bryant & Co., Attorneys. Here is my +card, and you can find me at my office between the hours of nine and +four any day you may wish," the young man frankly returned, as he +slipped the bit of pasteboard into the man's hand. + +"And will you swear that you are not aiding and abetting this young +lady in trying to escape the legal authority of friends in Boston?" +questioned the policeman, as he sharply scanned the faces before him. + +"Ahem! I was not aware that I was being examined under oath," +responded the young lawyer, with quiet irony. "However, I am willing +to give you my word of honor, as a gentleman, that this lady is +accountable to no one in Boston for her movements." + +"Well, I reckon I have made a mistake; but where in thunder, then, is +the girl I'm after?" muttered the officer, with an anxious air. + +"Does your telegram authorize you to arrest a runaway from Boston?" +Mr. Bryant inquired, with every appearance of innocence. + +"Yes, a girl from the smart set, who don't want any scandal over the +matter," replied the man, referring again to the yellow slip in his +hand. + +"But she may not have come by the Boston and Albany line," objected +Mr. Bryant. "There are several trains that leave the city from +different stations about the same time; you may find your bird on a +later train, Mr. Officer," he concluded, in a reassuring tone. + +"That is so," was the thoughtful response. + +"Then I suppose you will not care to detain us any longer," Mr. Bryant +courteously remarked. "Come, Edith," he added, turning with a smile to +his companion, and then he started to move on. + +"Hold on! I'm blamed if I don't think I'm right after all," said the +policeman, in a tone of conviction, as he again placed himself in +their path. + +Royal Bryant flashed a look of fire at him. + +"Have you a warrant for the lady's arrest?" he sternly demanded. + +"No; I am simply ordered to detain her until her friends can come on +and take charge of her," the man reluctantly admitted, while he heaved +a sigh for the fat plum that had been promised him in the event of his +"bagging his game." + +"Then, if you are not legally authorized in this matter, I would +advise you, as a friend, to make no mistake," gravely returned the +young lawyer. "You might heap up wrath for yourself; while, if your +patrons are anxious to avoid a scandal, you are taking the surest way +to create one by interfering with the movements of myself and my +companion. This young lady is my friend, and, as I have already told +you, under my protection; as her attorney, also, I shall stand no +nonsense, I assure you." + +"Beg pardon, sir; but I'm only trying to obey orders," apologized the +official. "But would you have the goodness to tell me this young +lady's name." + +At any other time and under any other circumstances Mr. Bryant would +have resented this inquiry as an impertinence; but it occurred to him +that an appearance of frankness and compliance might save them further +inconvenience. + +"Certainly," he responded, with the utmost cheerfulness, "this lady's +name is Miss Edith Allandale and she is the daughter of the late +Albert Allandale, of Allandale & Capen, bankers." + +"It is all right, sir," said the officer, at last convinced that he +had made a mistake, for Allandale & Capen had been a well-known firm +to him. "You can go on," he added, touching his hat respectfully, +"and I beg pardon for troubling you." + +Without more ado he turned away, while Edith and her escort passed on, +but the frightened girl was now trembling in every limb. + +"Calm yourself, dear," whispered her companion, involuntarily using +the affectionate term, as he hastened to lead her into the fresh air. +"You are safe, and I will soon have you in a place where your enemies +will never think of looking for you." + +He beckoned to the driver of a carriage as he spoke, and in another +minute was assisting Edith into it; then, taking a seat beside her, he +gave the man his order, and as the vehicle moved away in the darkness, +the poor girl began to breathe freely for the first time since +alighting from the train. + +Mr. Bryant gave her a little time to recover herself, and then asked +her to tell him all her trouble. + +This she was only too glad to do; and, beginning with the death of her +mother, she poured out the whole story of the last three months to +him, dwelling mostly, however, upon the persecutions of Emil Correlli +and the climax to which they had recently attained. + +He listened attentively throughout, but interrupting her, now and +then, to ask a pertinent question as it occurred to him. + +"I was in despair," Edith finally remarked in conclusion, "until +yesterday, when, by the merest chance, my eye fell upon that +advertisement of yours and it flashed upon me that the best course for +me to pursue would be to come directly to New York and seek your aid; +I felt sure you would be as willing to help me as upon a previous +occasion." + +"Certainly I would--you judged me rightly," the young man responded, +"but"--bending nearer to her and speaking in a slightly reproachful +tone--"tell me, please, what was your object in leaving New York so +unceremoniously?" + +He felt the slight shock which went quivering through her at the +question, and smiled to himself at her hesitation before she replied: + +"I--I thought it was best," she faltered at last. + +"Why for the 'best'?--for you or for me? Tell me, please," he pleaded, +gently. + +"For--both," she replied in a scarcely audible tone that thrilled him +and made his face gleam with sudden tenderness. + +"I--you will pardon me if I speak plainly--I thought it very strange," +he remarked gravely. "It almost seemed to me as if you were fleeing +from me, for I fully expected that you would return to the office on +Thursday morning, as I had appointed. Had I done anything to offend +you or drive you away--Edith?" + +"No--oh, no," she quickly returned. + +"I am very glad to know that," said her companion, a slight +tremulousness in his tones, "for I have feared that I might have +betrayed my feelings in a way to wound or annoy you; for, Edith--I can +no longer keep the secret--I had learned to love you with all my heart +during that week that you spent in my office, and I resolved, on +parting with you at the carriage, the morning of your release, to +confess the fact to you as soon as you returned to the office, ask you +to be my wife and thus let me stand between you and the world for all +time. Nay,"--as Edith here made a little gesture as if to check +him--"I must make a full confession now, while I have the opportunity. +I was almost in despair when I received your brief note telling me +that you had left the city and without giving me the slightest clew to +your destination. All my plans, all my fond anticipations, were dashed +to the earth, dear. I loved you so I felt that I could not bear the +separation. I love you still, my darling--my heart leaped for joy this +afternoon when I received your telegram. And now, while I have you +here all to myself, I have dared to tell you of it, and beg you to +tell me if there is any hope for me? Can you love me in return!--will +you be my wife--?" + +"Oh, hush! you forget the wretched tie that binds me to that villain +in Boston," cried Edith, and there was such keen pain in her voice +that tears involuntarily started to her companion's eyes, while at +the same time both words and tone thrilled him with sweetest hope. + +"No tie binds you to him, dear," he whispered, tenderly. "Do you think +I would have opened my heart to you thus if I had really believed you +to be the wife of another?" + +"Oh, do you mean that the marriage was not legal? Oh, if I could +believe that!" Edith exclaimed, with a note of such eager hope in her +tones that it almost amounted to the confession her lover had +solicited from her. + +But he yearned to hear it in so many words from her lips. + +"Tell me, Edith, if I can prove it to you, will there be hope for me?" +he whispered. + +Ought she to answer him as her heart dictated? Dare she confess her +love with that stigma of her mother's early mistake resting upon her? +she asked herself, in anguish of spirit. + +She sat silent and miserable, undecided what to do. + +If she acknowledged her love for him, without telling him, and he +should afterward discover the story of her birth, might he not feel +that she had taken an unfair advantage of him. + +And yet, how could she ever bring herself to disclose the shameful +secret of that sad, sad tragedy which had occurred twenty years +previous in Rome? + +"I--dare not tell you," she murmured at last. + +The young man started, then bent eagerly toward her. + +"You 'dare' not tell me!" he cried, joyfully. "Darling, I am answered +already! But why do you hesitate to open your heart to me?" + +A sudden resolve took possession of her; she would tell him the whole +truth, let come what might. + +"I will not," she said. "I have a sad story to tell you; but first, +explain to me what you meant when you said that no tie binds me to +that man?" + +"I meant that that marriage was simply a farce, in spite of the +sacrilegious attempt of your enemies to legalize it," said the young +lawyer, gravely. + +"Can that be possible?" sighed Edith, her voice tremulous with joy. + +"I will prove it to you. You have told me that this man Correlli lived +with that Italian woman here in New York for two years or more." + +"Yes." + +"Do you know whether he allowed her to be known by his name?" + +"No; but she told me that he allowed her to appear as his wife in the +house where they lived." + +"Well, then, if that can be proven--and I have not much doubt about +the matter--the girl, by the laws of New York, which decree that if a +couple live together in this State as husband and wife, they are +such--this girl, I say, is the legal wife of Emil Correlli, +consequently he can lay no claim to you without making himself liable +to prosecution for the crime of bigamy." + +"Are you sure?" breathed Edith, and almost faint from joy, in view of +this blessed release from a fate which to her would have been worse +than death. + +"So sure, dear, that I have nothing to fear for your future, regarding +your connection with this man, and everything to hope for regarding +your happiness and mine, if you will but tell me that you love me," +her lover returned, as he boldly captured the hand that lay alluringly +near him. + +She did not withdraw it from his clasp. + +It was so sweet to feel herself beloved and safe, under the protection +of this true-hearted man, that a feeling of restfulness and content +swept over her, and for the moment every other was absorbed by this. + +Still, Royal Bryant realized that she had some reason for hesitating +to acknowledge her affection for him, and after a moment of silence he +said, gently: + +"Forgive my impatience, dear, and tell me the 'sad story' to which you +referred a little while ago." + +A heavy sigh escaped Edith. + +"You will be surprised to learn," she began, "that Mr. and Mrs. +Allandale were not my own parents--that I was their adopted daughter." + +"Indeed! I am surprised!" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. + +"I did not discover the fact, however," the young girl pursued, "until +the night after my mother's burial." + +And then she proceeded to relate all that had occurred in connection +with the box of letters which Mrs. Allandale had desired, when dying, +to be burned. + +She told of her subsequent examination of them, especially of those +signed "Belle," and the story which they had revealed. How the young +girl had left her home and parents to flee to Italy with the man whom +she loved; how she had discovered, later, that her supposed marriage +with him was a sham; how, soon after the birth of her child--Edith--her +husband had deserted her for another, leaving her alone and unprotected +in that strange land. + +She related how, in her despair, her mother had resolved to die, and +pleaded with her friend, Mrs. Allandale, to take her little one and +rear it as her own, thus securing to her a happy home and life without +the possibility of ever discovering the stigma attached to her birth +or the cruel fate of her mother. + +Royal Bryant listened to the pathetic tale without once interrupting +the fair narrator, and Edith's heart sank more and more in her bosom +as she proceeded, and feared that she was so shocking him by these +revelations that his affection for her would die with this expose of +her secret. + +But he still held her hand clasped in his; and when, at the conclusion +of her story, she gently tried to withdraw it, his fingers closed more +firmly over hers, when, bending still nearer to her, he questioned, in +fond, eager tones: + +"Was this the reason of your leaving New York so abruptly last +December?" + +"Yes." + +"Was it because you loved me and could not trust yourself to meet me +day after day without betraying the fact when you feared that the +knowledge of your birth might become a barrier between us? Tell me, my +darling, truly!" + +"Yes," Edith confessed; "but how could you guess it--how could you +read my heart so like an open book?" + +The young man laughed out musically, and there was a ring of joyous +triumph in the sound. + +"'Tis said that 'love is blind,'" he said, "but mine was keen to read +the signs I coveted, and I believed, even when you were in your +deepest trouble, that you were beginning to love me, and that I should +eventually win you." + +"Why! did you begin to--" Edith began, and then checked herself in +sudden confusion. + +"Did I begin to plan to win you so far back as that?" he laughingly +exclaimed, and putting his own interpretation upon her half-finished +sentence. "My darling, I began to love you and to wish for you even +before your first day's work was done for me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +A NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED. + + +"And now, love," the eager wooer continued, as he dropped the hand he +had been holding and drew the happy girl into his arms, "you will give +yourself to me--you will give me the right to stand between you and +all future care or trouble?" + +"Then you do not mind what I have just told you?" questioned Edith, +timidly. + +"Not in the least, only so far as it occasions you unhappiness or +anxiety," unhesitatingly replied the young man. "You are unscathed by +it--the sin and the shame belong alone to the man who ruined the life +of your mother. You are my pearl, my fair lily, unspotted by any +blight, and I should be unworthy of you, indeed, did I allow what you +have told me to prejudice me in the slightest degree. Now tell me, +Edith, that henceforth there shall be no barrier between us--tell me +that you love me." + +"How can I help it?" she murmured, as with a flood of ineffable joy +sweeping into her soul she dropped her bright head upon his breast and +yielded to his embrace. + +"And will you be my wife?" + +"Oh, if it is possible--if I can be," she faltered. "Are you sure that +I am not already bound?" + +"Leave all that to me--do not fret, even for one second, over it," her +lover tenderly returned. Then he added, more lightly: "I am so sure, +sweetheart, that to-morrow I shall bring you a letter which will +proclaim to all whom it may concern, that henceforth you belong to +me." + +He lifted her face when he ceased speaking, and pressed his first +caress upon her lips. + +A little later he inquired: + +"And have you no clue to the name of your parents?" + +"No; all the clue that I have is simply the name of 'Belle' that was +signed to the letters of which I have told you," Edith replied, with a +regretful sigh. + +"It is perhaps just as well, dear, after all," said her lover, +cheerfully; "if you knew more, and should ever chance to meet the man +who so wronged your mother, it might cause you a great deal of +unhappiness." + +"I have not a regret on his account," said Edith, bitterly; "but I +would like to know something about my mother's early history and her +friends. I have only sympathy and love in my heart for her, in spite +of the fact that she erred greatly in leaving her home as she did, +and, worse than all, in taking her own life." + +"Poor little woman!" said Royal Bryant, with gentle sympathy; "despair +must have turned her brain--she was more sinned against than sinning. +But girls do not realize what a terrible mistake they are making when +they allow men to persuade them to elope, leave their homes and best +friends, and submit to a secret marriage. No man of honor would ever +make such proposals to any woman--no man is worthy of any pure girl's +love who will ask such a sacrifice on her part; and, in nine cases out +of ten, I believe nothing but misery results from such a step." + +"As in the case of poor Giulia Fiorini," remarked Edith, sadly. "But +maybe she will be somewhat comforted when she discovers that she is +Emil Correlli's legal wife." + +"I fear that such knowledge will be but small satisfaction to her," +her companion responded, "for if she should take measures to compel +him to recognize the tie, he would doubtless rebel against the +decision of the court; and, if she still loves him as you have +represented, he would make her very wretched. However, he can be +forced to make generous settlements, which will enable her to live +comfortably and educate her child." + +"And he will be entitled to his father's name, will he not?" inquired +Edith, eagerly; "that would comfort her more than anything else." + +"Yes, if he has ever acknowledged her as his wife, or allowed it to be +assumed that she was, the child is entitled to the name," returned her +lover. Then, as the carriage stopped, he added: "But here we are, my +darling and I am sure you must be very weary after your long journey." + +"Yes, I am tired, but very, very happy," the fair girl replied, +looking up into his face with a sigh of content. + +He smiled fondly upon her as he led her up the steps of a modest but +pretty house, between the draperies at the windows of which there +streamed a cheerful light. + +"Well, we will soon have you settled in a cozy room where you can rest +to your heart's content," he remarked, and at the same time touching +the electric button by his side. + +"Really, Mr. Bryant, I cannot help feeling guilty to intrude upon an +entire stranger at this time of night," Edith observed, in a troubled +tone. + +"You need not, dear, for I assure you Nellie will be delighted; +but"--bending over her with a roguish laugh--"Mr. Bryant does not +enjoy being addressed with so much formality by his fiancee. The name +I love best--Roy--my mother gave me when I was a boy, and I want +always to hear it from your lips after this." + +A servant admitted them just at that moment, and upon responding to +Mr. Bryant's inquiry, said that Mrs. Morrell was at home, and ushered +them at once to her pretty parlor. + +Presently the young hostess--a lady of perhaps twenty-five years--made +her appearance and greeted her cousin With great cordiality. + +"You know I am always glad to see you, Roy," she said, giving him both +her hands and putting up her red lips for a cousinly kiss. + +"I know you always make a fellow feel very welcome," said the young +man, smiling. "And, Nellie, this is Miss Edith Allandale; she has just +arrived from Boston, and I am going to ask you to receive her as your +guest for a few days," he concluded, thus introducing Edith. + +Mrs. Morrell turned smilingly to the beautiful girl. + +"Miss Allandale is doubly welcome, for her own sake, as well as +yours," was her gracious response, as she clasped Edith's hand, and if +she experienced any surprise at thus having an utter stranger thrust +upon her hospitality at that hour, she betrayed none, but proceeded at +once to help her remove her hat and wraps. + +Tears sprang to the eyes of the homeless girl at this cordial +reception, and her lips quivered with repressed emotion as she thanked +the gentle lady for it. + +"What was that Roy was saying--that you have come from Boston this +afternoon?" queried Mrs. Morrell, hastening to cover her embarrassment +by changing the subject. "Then you must be nearly famished, and you +must have a lunch before you go to rest." + +"Pray, do not trouble yourself--" Edith began. + +"Please let me--I like such 'trouble,' as you are pleased to term it," +smilingly interposed the pretty hostess; and with a bright nod and a +hurried "excuse me," she was gone before Edith could make further +objections. + +"Nellie is the most hospitable little woman in the universe," Mr. +Bryant remarked, as the door closed after her; "she is never so happy +as when she is feeding the hungry or making somebody comfortable." + +Fifteen minutes later she reappeared, a lovely flush on her round +cheeks, her eyes bright with the pleasure she experienced in doing a +kind act for the young stranger, toward whom she had been instantly +attracted. + +"Come, now," she said, holding out a hand to her, "and I know Roy will +join us--he never yet refused a cup of tea of my own brewing." + +"You are right, Nellie," smilingly replied that gentleman; "and I +believe I am hungry, in spite of my hearty dinner at six o'clock. A +ride over the pavements of New York will prepare almost any one for an +extra meal. I only hope you have a slice of Aunt Janes's old-fashioned +gingerbread for me." + +Mrs. Morrell laughed out musically at this last remark. + +"I never dare to be without it," she retorted, "for you never fail to +ask for it. This cousin of mine, Miss Allandale, is always hungry when +he comes to see me, and is never satisfied to go away without his +slice of gingerbread. Perhaps," she added, shooting a roguish glance +from one face to the other, for she had been quick to fathom their +relations, "you will some time like to have mamma's recipe for it." + +A conscious flush mantled Edith's cheek at this playful thrust, while +the young lawyer gave vent to a hearty laugh of amusement in which a +certain joyous ring betrayed to the shrewd little woman that she had +not fired her shot amiss. + +Then she led them into her home-like dining-room, where a table was +laid for three, and where, over a generous supply of cold chicken, +delicious bread and butter, home-made preserves, and the much lauded +gingerbread, the trio spent a social half-hour, and Edith felt a sense +of rest and content such as she had not experienced since leaving her +Fifth avenue home, more than two years previous. + +As soon as the meal was finished, Mrs. Morrell, who saw how weary and +heavy-eyed the fair girl appeared, remarked to her cousin, with a +pretty air of authority, that she was "going to carry her guest off +upstairs to bed immediately." + +"You stay here until I come back, Roy," she added. "Charlie was +obliged to go out upon important business, and I shall be glad of your +company for a while." + +"Very well, Nellie! I will stay for a little chat, for I have +something important which I wish to say to you." + +As he concluded he darted a smiling glance at Edith, which again +brought the lovely color to her cheeks and revealed to her the nature +of the important communication that he intended to make to his cousin. + +She bade him a smiling good-night, and then gladly accompanied her +hostess above, for she was really more weary than she had +acknowledged. + +When Mrs. Morrell returned to the parlor, Roy related to her something +of Edith's history, and also confessed his own relationship toward +her, while the little woman listened with an absorbed attention which +betrayed how thoroughly she enjoyed the romance of the affair. + +"She is lovely!" she remarked, "and"--with a thoughtful air--"it seems +to me as if I have heard the name before. Edith Allandale!--it sounds +very familiar to me. Why, Roy! she was one of Sister Blanche's +classmates at Vassar, and she has her picture in her class album!" + +"That is a singular coincidence!" the young man observed, no less +surprised at this revelation, "and it makes matters all the more +pleasant for me to learn that she is not wholly unknown to the +family." + +"And you mean to marry her very soon?" inquired his cousin. + +"Just as soon as I can settle matters with that rascal in Boston to +her satisfaction," responded the young man, with a gleam of fire in +his eyes. "I do not apprehend any serious trouble about the affair; +still, it may take longer than I wish." + +"And may I keep her until then?" eagerly inquired Mrs. Morrell. + +"Nellie! that is like your kind, generous heart!" exclaimed the young +man, gratefully; "and I thank you from the bottom of mine. But, of +course, that will have to be as Edith herself decides, while this +business which I have in charge for her may interfere with such an +arrangement." + +"Oh, you mean in connection with the strange gentleman who has been +searching for her." + +"Yes. But I must go now; it is getting late, and I have a couple of +letters to write yet. Take good care of my treasure, Nellie, and I +will run in as early to-morrow as possible to see you both." + +He kissed her affectionately, then bade her good-night and hurried +away to his rooms at his club; while pretty Mrs. Morrell went back to +her parlor, after letting him out, to await her husband's return, and +to think over the romantic story to which she had just listened with +deep interest. + +There had been so much of a personal and tender nature to occupy their +minds that Mr. Bryant had not thought to tell Edith anything about the +circumstances that had led him to advertise in various papers for +intelligence of her. + +Some three weeks previous, a gentleman, of about fifty years, and +calling himself Louis Raymond, had presented himself in his office, +and inquired if he could give him any information regarding the late +Albert Allandale's family. + +He stated that he had spent most of his life abroad, but, his health +beginning to fail, he had decided to return to his own country. + +He had been quite ill since his arrival, and he began to fear that he +had not long to live, and it behooved him to settle his affairs +without further delay. + +He stated that he had no relatives or family--he had never married; +but, being possessed of large wealth, he wished to settle half of it +upon Mrs. Allandale, if she could be found, or, if she was not living, +upon her children. The remaining half he designed as a legacy to a +certain charitable institution in the city. + +He stated that he had been searching for the Allandales for several +weeks; he had learned of Mr. Allandale's financial troubles and +subsequent death, but could get no trace whatever of the other members +of the family. He was wearied out with his search, and now wished to +turn the matter over to some one stronger than himself, and better +versed in conducting such affairs. + +Mr. Bryant could not fail to regard it as a singular coincidence that +this business should have been thrown into his hands, especially as he +was also so anxious to find Edith; and it can well be understood that +he at once entered into the gentleman's plans with all his heart and +soul. + +He, of course, related all he knew of her history, and when he spoke +of Mrs. Allandale's death he was startled to see his client grow +deathly white and become so unnerved that, for a moment, he feared the +shock would prove more than he could sustain. + +But he recovered himself after a few moments. + +"So she is gone!" he murmured, with a look in his eyes that told the +secret of a deathless but unrequited love. "Well, Death's scythe +spares no one, and perhaps it is better so. But this girl--her +daughter," he added, rousing himself from his sad reflections; "we +must try to find her." + +"We will do our utmost," said the young lawyer, with a heartiness +which betrayed the deep interest he felt in the matter. "As I have +told you, I have not the slightest knowledge of her whereabouts, but +think she may possibly be in Boston. Her letter to me, written just +previous to her departure, gave me not the slightest clew to her +destination. She promised to write to a woman who had been kind to +her, and I arranged with her to let me know when she received a +letter; but I have never seen her since--I once went to the house +where she lived, but she had moved, and no one could tell me anything +about her." + +It may be as well to state here that shortly after Edith left New +York, poor Mrs. O'Brien fell and broke her leg. She was taken to a +hospital, and her children put into a home, consequently she never +received Edith's letter, which was of course addressed to her old +residence. + +"I think our wisest course will be to advertise," the young lawyer +pursued; "and if we do not achieve our end in that way, we can adopt +other measures later on." + +"Well, sir, do your best--I don't mind expense; and if the young lady +can be found, I have a story to tell her which I think will deeply +interest her," the gentleman returned. "If we should not be successful +in the course of a few weeks, I will make a settlement upon her, to be +left, with some other papers, in your hands for a reasonable period, +in the event of my death. But if all your efforts prove unavailing, +the money will eventually go, with the rest, to the institution I have +named." + +Thus the matter had been left, and Mr. Bryant had immediately +advertised, as we have seen, in several New York and Boston papers. + +Three weeks had elapsed without any response, and Royal Bryant was +beginning to be discouraged when he was suddenly made jubilant by +receiving the telegram which Edith had written on the train after +leaving Boston. + +Thus, after leaving the house of his cousin, he repaired to his club, +where he wrote a letter to his client, Mr. Raymond, telling him that +Miss Allandale was found, and asking him to meet him at his office at +as early an hour the following morning as possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +AN EXCITING INTERVIEW AND AN APPALLING DISCOVERY. + + +We must now transport ourselves to Boston, in order to find out how +Edith's flight was discovered, and what effect it produced in the +Goddards' elegant home on Commonwealth avenue. + +Emil Correlli had been seated in the handsome library, reading a +society novel, when his sister went out to make her call, leaving him +as guard over their prisoner above. + +He had been much pleased with the report which she brought him from +Edith, namely, that she believed she was yielding, and would make her +appearance at dinner; at the same time he did not allow himself for a +moment to become so absorbed in his book as to forget that he was on +the watch for the slightest movement above stairs. + +He and Mrs. Goddard had agreed that it would be wise not to make the +girl a prisoner within her room, lest they antagonize her by so doing. + +But while they appeared to leave her free to go out or come in, they +intended to guard her none the less securely, and thus Monsieur +Correlli kept watch and ward below. + +He knew that Edith could not leave the house by the front door without +his knowing it, and as he also knew that the back stairway door was +locked on the outside, he had no fear that she would escape that way. + +He, had not reckoned, however, upon the fact of an outsider entering +by means of the area door and going upstairs, thus leaving that way +available for Edith; and Giulia Fiorini had accomplished her purpose +so cleverly and so noiselessly that no one save Edith dreamed of her +presence in the house. + +The two girls had carried on their conversation in such subdued tones +that not a sound could be heard by any one below, and thus Emil +Correlli was taken entirely by surprise when there came a gentle knock +upon the half-open library door to interrupt his reading. + +"Come in," he called out, thinking it might be one of the servants. + +But when the door was pushed wider, and a woman entered, bearing a +child in her arms, the astonished man sprang to his feet, an angry +oath leaping to his lips, and every atom of color fading out of his +face. + +"Giulia?" he exclaimed, under his breath. + +"Papa! papa!" cried the child, clapping his little hands, as he +struggled out of his mother's arms, and ran toward him. + +He took no notice of the child, but frowningly demanded, as he faced +the girl: + +"How on earth did you ever get into this house?" + +"By a door, of course," laconically responded the intruder, but with +crimson cheeks and blazing eyes, for the man's rude manner had aroused +all her spirit. + +"Well, and what do you want?" he cried, angrily; then, with a violent +start, he added, nervously: "Wait; sit down, and I will be back in a +moment." + +It had occurred to him that if Giulia had been able to gain admittance +to the house without his hearing her, Edith might find it just as easy +to make her escape from it. + +So, darting out of the room, he ran swiftly upstairs, to ascertain, as +we have seen, if his captive was still safe. + +We know the result, and how adroitly Edith allayed his suspicions; +whereupon, wholly reassured regarding her, he returned to the library +to settle, once for all, as he secretly resolved, with his discarded +plaything. + +"Well, Giulia," he began, as he re-entered her presence, "what has +brought you here? what is your business with me?" + +"I have come to ascertain if this is true, and what you have to say +about it," she answered, as she brought forth the newspaper which she +had shown Edith, and pointed to the article relating to the wedding at +Wyoming. + +The man tried to smile indifferently, but his eyes wavered beneath her +blazing glance. + +"Well, what of it?" he at last questioned, assuming a defiant air; +"what if it is true?" + +"Is it true?" she persisted; "have you really married that girl?" + +"And what if I have?" he again questioned, evasively. + +"I want the truth from your own lips--yes or no, Emil Correlli." + +"Well, then--yes," he said, with a flash of anger. + +"You own it--you dare own it to me, and--in the presence of your +child?" almost shrieked the outraged woman. + +"Stop, Giulia!" commanded her companion, sternly. "I will have no +scene here to create a scandal among the servants. I intended to see +you within a day or two; but, since you have sought me, we may as well +at once come to an understanding. Did you think that you could hold me +all my life? A man in my position must have a home in which to receive +his friends, also a mistress in it to entertain them--" + +"Have you forgotten all your vows and promises to me?" interposed +Giulia, in tremulous tones; "that you swore everlasting fidelity to +me?" + +"A man vows a great many things that he finds he cannot fulfill," was +the unfeeling response. "Surely, Giulia, you must realize that neither +your birth nor education could entitle you to such a position as my +wife must occupy." + +"My birth was respectable, my education the best my country afforded," +said the girl, with white lips. "Had you no intention of marrying me +when you enticed me from my home to cross the ocean with you?" + +"No." + +The monosyllable seemed to fall like a heavy blow upon the girl's +heart, for she shivered, and her face was distorted with agony. + +"Oh, had you no heart? Why did you do such a fiendish thing?" she +cried. + +"Because you were pretty and agreeable, and I liked pleasant company. +I have been accustomed to have whatever I wished for all my life." + +"And you never loved me?" + +"Oh, yes, for nearly three years I was quite fond of you--really, +Giulia, I consider that I have been as faithful to you as you could +expect." + +"Oh, wretch! but you love this other girl more?" + +"It would be worse than useless to attempt to deceive you on that +point," said the man, his whole face softening at this mention of +Edith. + +"You lied to me, then, Emil Correlli!" cried the miserable woman, +hoarsely; "you swore to me that the girl was nothing to you--that she +was simply your sister's companion." + +"And I simply told you the truth," he retorted. "She was nothing to me +at that time; she was 'only my sister's companion.' However," he +added, straightening himself haughtily, "there is no use in wrangling +over the matter any further. I married Edith Allen the night before +last, and henceforth she will be the mistress of my home. I confess it +is a trifle hard on you, Giulia," he continued, speaking in a +conciliatory tone, "but you must try to be sensible about it. I will +settle a comfortable annuity upon you, and you can either go back to +your parents or make a pleasant home for yourself somewhere in this +country." + +"And what of this boy?" questioned the discarded girl, laying her +trembling hand upon the head of her child, who was looking from one to +the other, a wondering expression on his young face. + +Emil Correlli's lips twitched spasmodically for a moment. He would +never have confessed it to a human being, but the little one was the +dearest object the world held for him. + +"I will provide handsomely for his future," he said, after considering +for a minute. "If you will give him up to me he shall be reared as +carefully as any gentleman's son, and, when he attains a proper age, I +will establish him in some business or profession that will enable him +to make his mark in the world." + +"You would take him away from me to do this?" Giulia exclaimed, as she +passionately caught her darling to her breast. + +"That would be necessary, in order to carry out my purpose as I wish," +the man coldly replied. + +"Never! You are a monster in human form to suggest such a thing. Do +you think I would ever give him up to you?" + +"Just as you choose," her companion remarked, indifferently. "I have +made you the proposition, and you can accept or reject it as you see +fit, but if I take him, I cannot have his future hampered by any +environments or associations that would be likely to mar his life." + +"Coward!" the word was thrown at him in a way that stung him like a +lash, "do you dare twit me for what you alone are to blame? Where is +your honor--where your humanity? Have you forgotten how you used every +art to persuade me to leave the shelter of my pleasant home--the +protection of my honest father and mother, to come hither with you? +how you promised, by all that was sacred, to make me your wife if I +would do your bidding? What I am you have made me--what this child is, +you are responsible for. Ah, Emil Correlli, you have much to answer +for, and the day will yet come when you will bitterly repent these +irreparable wrongs--" + +"Come, come Giulia! you are getting beside yourself with your tragic +airs," her companion here interposed, in a would-be soothing tone. +"There is no use working yourself up into a passion and running on +like this. What has been done is done, and cannot be changed, so you +had best make the most of what is left you. As I said before, I will +give you a handsome allowance, and, if you will keep me posted +regarding your whereabouts, I will make you and the boy a little visit +now and then." + +The girl regarded him with flashing eyes and sullen brow. + +"You will live to repent," she remarked, as she gathered the child up +in her arms and arose to leave the room, "and before this day is ended +your punishment shall begin; you shall never know one moment of +happiness with the girl whom you have dared to put in my place." + +"Bah! all this is idle chatter, Giulia," said Emil Correlli, +contemptuously; nevertheless, he paled visibly, and a cold chill ran +over him, for somehow her words impressed him as a prophecy. + +"What! are you going in such a temper as that?" he added, as she +turned toward the door. "Well, when you get over it, let me hear from +you occasionally." + +"Never fear; you will hear from me oftener than you will like," she +flashed out at him, with a look that made him cringe, as she laid her +hand upon the knob of the door. + +"Stay, Giulia! Aren't you going to let me have a word with Ino? Here, +you black-eyed little rascal, haven't you anything to say to your +daddy?" he added, in a coaxing tone to the child. + +"Mamma, may I talk to papa?" queried the little one, turning a +pleading glance upon his mother. + +"By the way," interposed the man, before she could reply, "you must +put a stop to the youngster calling me that; it might be awkward, you +see, if we should happen to meet some time upon the street. I like the +little chap well enough, but you must teach him to keep his mouth shut +when he comes near me." + +"Who taught him the name?" sharply retorted Giulia. "Who boasted how +bright and clever he was the first time he uttered the English word?" + +Her listener flushed hotly and frowned. + +"Your tongue is very sharp, Giulia," he said. "It would be more to +your advantage to be upon good terms with me." + +She made no reply, but, opening the door, passed out into the hall, he +following her. + +"As you will," he curtly said; then added, imperatively: "Come this +way," and, leading her to the front door, he let her quietly out, glad +to be rid of her before the butler or any of the other servants could +learn of her presence in the house. + +He watched her pass down the steps and out upon the street, then, +softly closing the door, went back to the library. + +He threw himself into a chair with a long-drawn sigh. + +"I am afraid she means mischief," he muttered, with a frown. "I must +get Edith away as soon as possible; I would not have them meet for +anything. What a little vixen the girl is, curse her!" + +He glanced at the clock. + +It was five minutes of three, and twenty-fire since he went up to +Edith's room. + +"It is about time she came down," he mused, with a shrug of +impatience. + +He arose and paced the room for a few moments, then passed out into +the hall and listened. + +The house was very still; he could not detect a sound anywhere. + +He went slowly upstairs, walked up and down the hall once or twice, +then rapped again upon Edith's door. + +There was no response from within. + +He knocked again. + +Still silence! + +He tried the door. + +It was not locked; it yielded to his touch, and he pushed it open. + +A quick glance around showed him that no one was there, and with a +great heart-throb of fear he boldly entered. + +Everything was exactly as he had left it when, the day before, he had +so carefully arranged the room for the girl's comfort and pleasure. + +The beautiful dresses hung over the foot-board of the bed--not even a +fold had been disturbed--while the elegant sealskin cloak and the +dainty hat and muff lay exactly as he had placed them, to display them +to the best advantage. + +The veins swelled out hard and full on his forehead--a gleam of +baffled rage leaped into his eyes. + +He sprang to the closet, throwing wide the door. + +It was empty. + +"She may have gone to the toilet-room," he muttered, grasping at this +straw of hope. + +He dashed across the hall and rapped upon the door. + +But he met with no response. + +He entered. The place was empty. + +Back into the south chamber he sprang again, and began to search for +Edith's hats and wraps. + +Not an article of her clothing was visible. + +He tried to open her trunk. + +Of course it was locked. + +He was now white as death, and actually shaking with anger. + +He went to the dressing-case and mechanically opened the upper drawer. + +All the costly treasures that he had purchased to tempt his bride lay +there, exactly as he had placed them; he doubted if she had even seen +them. + +With a curse on his lips he went out, and looked into every other room +on that floor; but it was, of course, a fruitless search. + +Then he turned into the rear hall and went down the back stairs. + +Ah! the door at the bottom was ajar. + +Another moment he was in the lower hall, to find the area door +unfastened; then he knew how his bird had flown. + +He instantly summoned the servants, and took them to task for their +negligence. + +Both the cook and the chambermaid avowed that no one but the gas-man +had entered or gone out by the area door that afternoon. + +But, upon questioning them closely, Emil Correlli ascertained that the +outer door had been left unfastened "just a moment, while the man went +to the meter, to take the figures." + +A close search revealed the fact that the key to the stairway door was +missing, and, putting this and that together, the keen-witted man +reasoned out just what had happened. + +He believed that Giulia had stolen in through the area door close upon +the heels of the gas-man; that she had found the key, unlocked the +stairway-door, and made her way up to the library to seek an interview +with him--he did not once suspect her of having seen Edith--while +Edith, upon reconnoitering and finding the back way clear, had taken +advantage of the situation and flown. + +He was almost frantic with mingled rage and despair. + +He angrily berated the servants for their carelessness, and vowed +that he would have them discharged; then, having exhausted his +vocabulary upon them, he went back to the library, wrathfully cursing +Giulia for having forced herself into his presence to distract his +attention, and thus allow his captive an opportunity to escape. + +Mr. and Mrs. Goddard returned about this time, both looking as if they +also had met with some crushing blow, for the former was white and +haggard, and the latter wild-eyed, and shivering from time to time, as +if from a chill. + +Both were apparently too absorbed in some trouble of their own to feel +very much disturbed by the flight of Edith, although Mr. Goddard's +face involuntarily lighted for an instant when he was told of her +escape. + +Emil Correlli flew to the nearest telegraph office and dashed off a +message to a New York policeman, with whom he had had some dealings +while living in that city, giving him a description of Edith, and +ordering him, if he could lay his hands upon her, to telegraph back, +and then detain her until he could arrive and relieve him of his +charge. + +He reasoned--and rightly, as we have seen--that Edith, would be more +likely to return to her old home, where she knew every crook and turn, +rather than to seek refuge in Boston, where she was friendless and a +comparative stranger. + +A few hours later he received a reply from the policeman, giving him +an account of his adventure with Miss Edith Allandale and her escort. + +"By heavens, she shall not thus escape me!" he exclaimed; and at once +made rapid preparations for a journey. + +Half an hour afterward he was on the eleven o'clock express train, in +pursuit of the fair fugitive, in a state of mind that was far from +enviable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +MRS. GODDARD BECOMES AN EAVESDROPPER. + + +When, after her interview with Edith, Mrs. Goddard went out to make +her call, leaving her brother to keep watch and ward over their fair +captive, she proceeded with all possible speed to the Copley Square +Hotel, where she inquired for Mrs. Stewart. + +The elevator bore her to the second floor, and the pretty maid, who +answered her ring at the door of the elegant suite to which she had +been directed, told her that her mistress was engaged just at present, +but, if madam would walk into the reception-room and wait a while, she +had no doubt that Mrs. Stewart would soon be at liberty. "Would madam +be kind enough to give her a card to take in?" + +Mrs. Goddard pretended to look for her card-case, first in one pocket +of her wrap, then in another. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I must have left my cards at home! How +unfortunate! But it does not matter," she added, with one of her +brilliant smiles; "I am an old acquaintance, and you can simply +announce me when I am admitted." + +The girl bowed and went away, leaving the visitor by herself in the +pretty reception-room, for she had been told not to disturb her +mistress until she should ring for her. + +Mrs. Goddard looked curiously around her, and was impressed with the +elegance of everything in the apartment. + +Exquisite paintings and engravings graced the delicately tinted walls; +choice statuettes, bric-a-brac, and old-world curios of every +description, which she knew must have cost a small fortune even in the +countries where they were produced, were artistically arranged about +the room. + +There was also an air of refinement and rare taste in the draperies, +carpets, and blending of color, which proclaimed the occupant of the +place to be above the average lady in point of culture and +appreciation of all that was beautiful. + +Impressed with all this, and looking back to her meeting with Mrs. +Stewart, on the evening of the ball at Wyoming--remembering her beauty +and grace, and the elegance of her costume, madam's heart sank within +her, and she seemed to age with every passing moment. + +"Oh, to think of it!--to think of it, after all these years! I will +not believe it!" she murmured, with white, trembling lips, as she +arose and nervously paced the room. + +Presently the sound of muffled voices in a room beyond attracted her +attention. + +She started and bent her ear to listen. + +She could catch no word that was spoken, although she could +distinguish now a man's and then a woman's tones. + +With stealthy movements she glided into the next room, which was even +more luxuriously furnished than the one she had left, when she +observed that the portieres, draping an arch leading into still +another apartment, were closely drawn. + +And now, although she could not hear what was being said, she suddenly +recognized, with a pang of agony that made her gasp for breath, the +voice of her husband in earnest conversation with the woman who had +been her guest two nights previous. + +As noiselessly as a cat creeps after her prey, Anna Goddard stole +across that spacious apartment and concealed herself among the +voluminous folds of the draperies, where she found that she could +easily hear all that was said. + +"You are very hard, Isabel," she heard Gerald Goddard remark, in a +reproachful voice. + +"I grant you that," responded the liquid tones of his companion, "as +far as you and--that woman are concerned, I have no more feeling than +a stone." + +At those words, "that woman," spoken in accents of supreme contempt, +the eyes of Anna Goddard began to blaze with a baneful gleam. + +"And you will never forgive me for the wrong I did you so long ago?" +pleaded the man, with a sigh. + +"What do you mean by that word 'forgive?'" coldly inquired Mrs. +Stewart. + +"Pardon, remission--as Shakespeare has it, 'forgive and quite forget +old faults,'" returned Gerald Goddard, in a voice tremulous with +repressed emotion. + +"Forget!" repeated the beautiful woman, in a wondering tone. + +"Ah, if you could," eagerly cried her visitor; then, as if he could +control himself no longer, he went on, with passionate vehemence: "Oh, +Isabel! when you burst upon me, so like a radiant star, the other +night, and I realized that you were still in the flesh, instead of +lying in that lonely grave in far-off-Italy--when I saw you so grandly +beautiful--saw how wonderfully you had developed in every way, all the +old love came back to me, and I realized my foolish mistake of that +by-gone time as I had never realized it before." + +Ah! if the man could have seen the white, set face concealed among the +draperies so near him--if he could have caught the deadly gleam that +shone with tiger-like fury in Anna Goddard's dusky eyes--he never +would have dared to face her again after giving utterance to those +maddening words. + +"It strikes me, Mr. Goddard, that it is rather late--after twenty +years--to make such an acknowledgment to me," Isabel Stewart retorted, +with quiet irony. + +"I know it--I feel it now," he responded, in accents of despair. "I +know that I forfeited both your love and respect when I began to yield +to the charms and flatteries of Anna Correlli. She was handsome, as +you know; she began to be fond of me from the moment of our +introduction; and when, in an unguarded moment, I revealed the--the +fact that you were not my wife, she resolved that she would supplant +you--" + +"Yes, 'the woman--she gavest me and I did eat,'" interposed his +companion, with a scathing ring of scorn in the words. "That is always +the cry of cowards like you, when they find themselves worsted by +their own folly," she went on, indignantly. "Woman must always bear +the scorpion lash of blame from her betrayer while the world also +awards her only shame and ostracism from society, if she yields to the +persuasive voice of her charmer, admiring and believing in him and +allowing him to go unsmirched by the venomous breath of scandal. It is +only his victim--his innocent victim oftentimes, as in my case--who +suffers; he is greeted everywhere with open arms and flattering +smiles, even though he repeats his offenses again and again." + +"Isabel! spare me!" + +"No, I will not spare you," she continued, sternly. "You know, Gerald +Goddard, that I was a pure and innocent girl when you tempted me to +leave my father's house and flee with you to Italy. You were older +than I, by eight years; you had seen much of the world, and you knew +your power. You cunningly planned that secret marriage, which you +intended from the first should be only a farce, but which, I have +learned since, was in every respect a legal ceremony--" + +"Ha! I thought so!" cried her companion, with a sudden shock. "When +did you hear?--who told you?" + +"I met your friend, Will Forsyth, only two years ago--just before my +return to this country--and when I took him to task for the shameful +part which he had played to assist you in carrying out your +ignominious plot, telling him that you had owned to his being +disguised as an aged minister to perform the sacrilegious ceremony, he +confessed to me that, at the last moment, his heart had failed him, +whereupon he went to an old clergyman, a friend of his father, +revealed everything, and persuaded him to perform the marriage in a +legal manner; and thus, Gerald Goddard, I became your lawful wife +instead of your victim, as you supposed." + +"Yes, I know it. Forsyth afterward sent me the certificate and +explained everything to me," the man admitted, with a guilty flush. "I +received the paper about a year after the report of your death." + +"Ah! that could not have been very gratifying to--your other--victim," +remarked Mrs. Stewart, with quiet sarcasm. + +"Isabel! you are merciless!" cried the man, writhing under her scorn. +"But since you have learned so much, I may as well tell you +everything. Of course Anna was furious when she discovered that she +was no wife, for I had sworn to her that there was no legal tie +between you and me--" + +"Ah! then she also learned the truth!" interposed his companion. "I +almost wonder you did not try to keep the knowledge from her." + +"I could not--she was present when the document arrived, and the shock +to me was so great I betrayed it, and she insisted upon knowing what +had caused it, when she raved like an insane person, for a time." + +"But I suppose you packed her by being married over again, since you +have lived with her for nearly twenty years," remarked Mrs. Stewart. + +"No, I did not," returned her visitor, hotly. "To tell the truth, I +had begun to tire of her even then--she was so furiously jealous, +passionate, and unreasonable upon the slightest pretext that at times +she made life wretched for me. So I told myself that so long as I held +that certificate as proof that she had no legal hold upon me, I should +have it in my power to manage her and cow her into submission when she +became ungovernable by other means. I represented to her that, to all +intents and purposes, we were man and wife, and if we should have the +ceremony repeated, after having lived together so long, it would +create a scandal, for some one would be sure to find it out, sooner or +later. For a time this appeared to pacify her; but one day, during my +absence from home, she stole the certificate, although I thought I had +concealed it where no one would think of looking for it. It has been +in her possession ever since. I have tried many times to recover it; +but she was more clever than I, and I never could find it, while she +has always told me that she would never relinquish it, except upon one +condition--" + +"And that was--what?" + +"Ever the same old demand--that I would make her legally my wife." + +"But she never could have been that so long as I lived," objected Mrs. +Stewart. + +"True; but she would have been satisfied with a repetition of the +ceremony, as we did not know that you were living." + +"If you have been so unhappy, why have you lived with her all these +years?" + +The man hesitated for a moment before replying to this question. At +length he said, although he flushed scarlet over the confession: + +"There have been several reasons. In spite of her variable moods and +many faults, Anna is a handsome and accomplished woman. She entertains +magnificently, and has made an elegant mistress for our establishment. +We have been over the world together several times, and are known in +many cities both in this country and abroad, consequently it would +have occasioned no end of scandal if there had been a separation. +Thus, though she has tried my patience sorely at times, we have +perhaps, on the whole, got along as amicably as hundreds of other +couples. Besides--ahem!--" + +The man abruptly ceased, as if, unwittingly, he had been about to say +something that had better be left unsaid. + +"Well--besides what?" queried his listener. + +"Doubtless you will think it rather a humiliating confession to make," +said Gerald Goddard, with a crestfallen air, "but during the last few +years I have lost a great deal of money in unfortunate speculation, +so--I have been somewhat dependent upon Anna in a financial way." + +"Ah! I understand," remarked Mrs. Stewart, her delicate nostrils +dilating scornfully at this evidence of a weak, ease-loving nature, +that would be content to lean upon a rich wife, rather than be up and +doing for himself, and making his own way in the world. "Are you not +engaged with your profession?" + +"No; Anna has not been willing, for a long time, that I should paint +for money." + +"And so your talents are deteriorating for want of use." + +The scorn in her tones stung him keenly, and he flushed to his +temples. + +"You do not appear to lack for the luxuries of life," he retorted, +glancing about the elegant apartment, with a sullen air, but ignoring +her thrust. + +"No, I have an abundance," she quietly replied; but evidently she did +not deem it necessary to explain how she happened to be so favored. + +"Will you explain to me the mystery of your existence, Isabel?" Mr. +Goddard inquired, after an awkward silence. "I cannot understand it--I +am sometimes tempted to believe that you are not Isabel, after all, +but some one else who--" + +"Pray disabuse yourself of all such doubts," she quickly interposed, +"for I assure you that I am none other than that confiding but +misguided girl whom you sought to lure to her destruction twenty years +ago. If it were necessary, I could give you every detail of our life +from the time I left my home until that fatal day when you deserted me +for Anna Correlli." + +"But Anna claims that she saw you dead in your casket." + +A slight shiver shook the beautiful woman from head to foot at this +reference to the ghastly subject. + +"Yes, I know it--" + +"You know it!" exclaimed the man, amazed. + +"Exactly; but I will tell you the whole story, and then you will no +longer have any doubt regarding my identity," Mrs. Stewart remarked. +"After you left Rome with Anna Correlli, and I realized that I had +been abandoned, and my child left to the tender mercies of a world +that would not hesitate to brand her with a terrible stigma, for which +her father alone was to blame, I resolved that I would not live. +Grief, shame, and despair for the time rendered me insane, else I, who +had been religiously reared, with a feeling of horror for the +suicide's end, would never have dared to meditate taking the life that +belonged to God. I was not so bereft of sense, however, but that my +motherhood inspired me to make an effort to provide for my little one, +and I wrote an earnest appeal to my old schoolmate and friend, Edith +Allandale, who, I knew, would shortly be in Rome, asking her to take +the child and rear her as her own--" + +"What! Then you did not try to drown the child as well as yourself!" +gasped Gerald Goddard, in an excited tone. + +"No; had I done so, I should never have lived to tell you this story," +said the woman, tremulously. "But wait--you shall learn everything, as +far as I know, just as it happened. Having written my appeal, which I +felt sure would be heeded, I took my baby to the woman who had nursed +me, told her that I had been suddenly called away, and asked her to +care for her until my return. She readily promised, not once +suspecting that a stranger would come for her in my place, and that it +was my purpose never to see her again. From the moment of my leaving +the woman's house--that last straw of surrendering my baby was more +than my heart and brain could bear--everything, with one exception, +was a blank to me until I awoke to consciousness, five weeks later, to +find myself being tenderly cared for in the home of a young man, who +was spending the winter in Rome for his health. His sister--a lovely +girl, a few years his senior--was with him, acting both as his nurse +and physician, she having taken her degree in a Philadelphia medical +college, just out of love for the profession. And she it was who had +cared for me during my long illness. She told me that her brother was +in the habit of spending a great deal of his time upon the Tiber; that +one evening, just at dusk, as he was upon the point of passing under a +bridge, a little way out of the city, he was startled to see some one +leap from it into the water and immediately sink. He shot his boat to +the spot, and when the figure arose to the surface, he was ready to +grasp it. It was no easy matter to lift it into his boat, but he +succeeded at last, when he rowed with all possible speed back to the +city, where, instead of notifying the police and giving me into their +hands to be taken either to a hospital or to the morgue, as the case +might demand, he procured a carriage and took me directly to his home, +where he felt that his sister could do more for me than any one else." + +"Who was this young man?" Gerald Goddard here interposed, while he +searched his companion's face curiously. + +"Willard Livermore," calmly replied Mrs. Stewart, as she steadily met +his glance, although the color in her cheeks deepened visibly. + +"Ha! the man who accompanied you to Wyoming night before last?" + +"Yes." + +"I have heard that he has long wanted to marry you--that he is your +lover," said Mr. Goddard, flashing a jealous look at her. + +"He is my friend, stanch and true; a man whom I honor above all men," +was the composed reply; but the woman's voice was vibrant with an +earnestness which betrayed how much the words meant to her. + +"Then why have you not married him?" + +"Because I was already bound." + +"But you have told me that you did not know you were legally bound +until within the last two years." + +Isabel Stewart lifted a grave glance to her companion's face. + +"When, as a girl, I left my home to go with you to Italy," she said, +solemnly, "I took upon myself vows which only death could cancel--they +were as binding upon me as if you had always been true to me; and so, +while you lived, I could never become the wife of another. I have +lived my life as a pure and faithful wife should live. Although my +youth was marred by an irrevocable mistake, which resulted in an act +of frenzy for which I was not accountable, no willful wrong has ever +cast a blight upon my character since the day that Willard Livermore +rescued me from a watery grave in the depths of the yellow Tiber." + +And Gerald Goddard, looking into the beautiful and noble face before +him, knew that she spoke only the truth, while a blush of shame surged +over his own, and caused his head to droop before the purity of her +steadfast eyes. + +"All efforts upon the part of Miss Livermore and her brother to +resuscitate me," Mrs. Stewart resumed, going on with her story from +the point where she had been interrupted, "were unavailing. Another +physician was called to their assistance; but he at once pronounced +life to be extinct, and their efforts were reluctantly abandoned. Even +then that noble brother and sister would not allow me to be sent to +the morgue. They advertised in all the papers, giving a careful +description of me, and begging my friends--if there were such in +Rome--to come to claim me. Among the many curious gazers +who--attracted by the air of mystery which enveloped me--came to look +upon me, only one person seemed to betray the slightest evidence of +ever having seen me before. That person was Anna Correlli--Ah! what +was that?" + +This sudden break and startled query was caused by the rattling of the +rings which held the portieres upon the pole across the archway +between the two rooms, and by the gentle swaying of the draperies to +and fro. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +ISABEL STEWART ASTOUNDS MR. GODDARD. + + +But there was not a sound to be heard in the room beyond, although the +curtains still continued to vibrate gently, thus showing the presence +of some object that had caused the movement. + +Mrs. Stewart arose to investigate, for the conversation in which she +had been engaged and the story she was relating were of such a nature +that she did not care to have a third party, especially a servant, +overhear it. + +She parted the draperies and looked curiously into the room beyond. + +But her act only revealed a pretty maltese kitten, which, being thus +aroused from its slumbers in its cozy place of concealment, rolled +over on its back and began to play with the heavy fringe that bordered +the costly hangings. + +"Ah, Greylocks! so you are the rogue who has startled us!" said the +lady, with an amused smile. "I feared that we had an eavesdropper. You +are a very innocent one, however, and we will not take the trouble to +banish you." + +She went back to her chair reassured, and without a suspicion of the +presence of one who hated her with a deadly hatred, and who still +stood, pale and trembling, concealed by the voluminous folds of the +draperies, but waiting with eager curiosity to overhear what should +follow. + +Meantime the maid who had admitted Mrs. Goddard, feeling that she must +become wearied with her long waiting, had returned to the +reception-room to ascertain if she still desired to remain until her +mistress should be at liberty; but finding it empty, had concluded +that the lady had left the house, and so went about her business, +thinking no more of the matter. + +"Yes," resumed Mrs. Stewart, after she had resumed her seat, "I knew, +from the description which my kind friends afterward gave me, that +Anna Correlli had come there to assure herself that her rival was +really dead. When--suspecting from her manner that she might know +something about me--they questioned her, she told them that, 'from +what she had read in the papers, she feared it might be some one whom +she knew; but she was mistaken--I was nothing to her--she had never +seen me before.' Then she went away with an air of utter indifference, +and I was left fortunately to the kindness of that noble hearted +brother and sister. They did everything that the fondest relatives +could have done, and, in their divine pity for one so friendless and +unfortunate, neglected not the smallest detail which they would have +bestowed upon an own sister. Only they, besides the undertaker and the +one Protestant pastor in the city, were present during the reading of +the service; and when that was over, Willard Livermore, actuated by +some unaccountable impulse, insisted upon closing the casket. He bent +over me to remove a Roman lily which his sister had placed in my +hands, and which he wished to preserve, and, while doing so, observed +that my fingers were no longer rigid--that the nails were even faintly +tinted. He was startled, and instantly summoned his sister. Hardly had +her own fingers pressed my pulse in search of evidence of life, when +my eyes unclosed and I moaned: + +"'Don't let her come near me! She has stolen all the love out of my +life!" + +"Then I immediately relapsed again into unconsciousness without even +knowing I had spoken. Later, when told of the fact, I could dimly +recall the sensation of a sudden shock which was instantly followed by +a vision of Anna Correlli's face and the sound of her voice, and I +firmly believe, to-day, that it was her presence alone that startled +my chilled pulses once more into action and thus awoke to new life the +torpid soul which had so nearly passed out into the great unknown." + +Could the narrator have seen the face of the listener outside, her +tongue would have been paralyzed and the remainder of her story would +never have been told; for Anna Goddard, upon learning that she had +been the means of calling back to earth the woman whose existence had +shorn her of every future hope, looked--with her wild eyes and +demoniac face--as if she could be capable of any act that would +utterly annihilate the unsuspicious companion of the man whom her +untamed soul worshiped as only such a fierce and selfish nature could +worship a human being. + +But she made no sign or sound to betray her presence, for she was +curious to hear the remainder of this strange story--to learn how her +beautiful rival had risen from disgrace and obscurity to her present +prosperity and enviable position in society. + +"Of course," Mrs. Stewart resumed, "Mr. and Miss Livermore were both +thrown into a state of great excitement at such an unexpected +manifestation; but my words told them that there was some sad and +mysterious story connected with my life and the rash deed I had +committed, and they resolved to still surround me with their care and +protection until I should recover--if that were possible--instead of +committing me to a hospital, as many would have done. + +"They bound both the clergyman and the undertaker to the strictest +secrecy; then I was immediately conveyed to Miss Livermore's own room, +where that noble girl cared for me as tenderly as a mother would nurse +her own child. For weeks I hovered between life and death, then slowly +began to mend. When I was able, I related to my kind friends the story +of my wrongs, to receive only gentle sympathy and encouragement, +instead of coldness and censure, such as the world usually metes out +to girls who err as I had erred. As I grew stronger, and realized that +I was to live, my mother-heart began to long for its child. Miss +Livermore agreed with me that it would be better for me to have her, +and went herself to make inquiries regarding her. But the nurse had +moved and none of her neighbors could give any information about her, +except that for a time she had charge of an infant, but after its +parents had come to claim it, she had moved away, and no one could +tell whither she had gone. + +"From this I knew that my old friend, Edith Allendale, had responded +nobly to my appeal--that she had taken my child and adopted it as her +own. At first I was inclined to be disappointed, and contemplated +writing to Edith, telling her what had happened and ask her to +surrender the little one to me; but after thinking the matter over +more at length, I reasoned that it would be best to let everything +rest just as it was. I knew that my darling would be tenderly reared +in her new home; she would grow up to a happy womanhood without ever +knowing of the blight that rested upon her birth, or that her father +had been a villain, her mother a wronged and ruined woman--almost a +suicide. So I decided that I would never reveal myself to my old +friend, or undeceive her regarding my supposed fate, to disturb her +peace or her enjoyment of the child. + +"But, following the advice of my new friends, I finally wrote to my +father and mother, confessing everything to them, imploring their +forgiveness for the grief and shame I had brought upon them, and +asking their counsel and wishes regarding my future. Imagine my joy +and gratitude when, three weeks later, they walked in upon me and took +me at once to their hearts, ignoring all the past, as far as any +censure or condemnation were concerned, and began to plan to make my +future as peaceful and happy as circumstances would allow. + +"They had come abroad with the intention of remaining, they told me; +they would never ask me to return to my former home, where the fact +that I had eloped with an artist was known, but would settle in +London, where my father had some business interests, and where, +surrounded by the multitude, our former friends would never be likely +to meet us. We lived there, a quiet, peaceful, prosperous life, I +devoting myself assiduously to study to make up for what I had +sacrificed by leaving school so early, and to keep my mind from +dwelling upon my unhappy past. + +"So the time slipped away until, five years ago, this tranquil life +was suddenly interrupted by my father's death. Six months later my +mother followed him, and I was again left alone, without a relative in +the world, the sole heiress to a half-million pounds--" + +"A half-million pounds?" interposed Gerald Goddard, in a tone of +amazement. + +"Yes; but of what value is money without some one to share it with +you?" questioned Isabel Stewart, in a voice of sadness. + +Her companion passed his hand across his brow, a dazed expression upon +his face, while he was saying to himself, that, in his folly, he had +missed an ideal existence with this brilliantly beautiful and +accomplished woman, who, in addition, was now the possessor of two and +a half million dollars. + +What an idiot he had been! What an unconscionable craven, to +sacrifice this pure and conscientious creature to his passion for one +who had made his life wretched by her variable moods and selfishness! + +"Occasionally I heard from my child," Mrs. Stewart resumed, after a +moment of silence, while tears started into her beautiful eyes. "My +father crossed the ocean from time to time, for the sole purpose of +learning something of her, in order to satisfy my hungry heart. He +never revealed the fact of my existence to any one, however, although +he managed to learn that my darling was happy, growing up to be a pure +and lovely girl, as well as a great comfort to her adopted parents, +and with nothing to mar her future prospects. Of course such tidings +were always gleams of great comfort to my sad and quiet life, and I +tried to be satisfied with them--tried to be grateful for them. But, +oh! since the death of my parents, I have yearned for her with an +inexpressible heart-hunger--" + +A sob of pain burst from the beautiful woman's lips and interrupted +her narrative at this point. + +But she recovered herself almost immediately, and resumed: + +"A year or two after I was left alone I happened to meet your former +friend, Will Forsyth, and from him learned that I had always been your +legal wife, and that he had sent you proofs of the fact, about a year +after your desertion of me. + +"This astonishing intelligence animated me with a new purpose, and I +resolved that I would seek the world over for you, and demand that +proof from you. + +"I returned immediately to this country and established myself in New +York, where, Mr. Forsyth told me, he thought you were residing. Soon +after my arrival I learned, to my dismay, that Mr. Allandale had +recently died, leaving his family in a destitute condition. This +knowledge changed my plans somewhat; I gave up my quest for you, for +the time, and began to search for my old friend who, for eighteen +years, had been a mother to my child. I had no intention of +interrupting the relations between them--my only thought was to +provide for their future in a way to preclude the possibility of +their ever knowing the meaning of the word poverty. But my utmost +efforts proved unavailing--I could learn nothing of them; but I +finally did get trace of you, and two months ago came on to Boston, +determined to face you and compel you to surrender to me the +certificate of our marriage." + +"Ha! did you expect that I would yield to you?" questioned Gerald +Goddard, a note of defiance in his voice. + +"Certainly--I knew I could compel you to do so." + +"Indeed? You were sanguine! By what arguments did you expect to +achieve your desire? How could you even prove that I had such a +paper?" + +"I do not know that I could have proven that you possessed the +certificate," quietly responded Mrs. Stewart; "but I could at least +prove that such a paper once existed, for Mr. Forsyth assured me that, +if I needed assistance to establish the fact of my marriage he would +be ready to give it at any time. I did not think I should need to call +upon him, however; I reasoned that, rather than submit to an arrest +and scandal, for--bigamy, you would quietly surrender the certificate +to me." + +Gerald Goddard shivered at the sound of those three ugly words, while +the listener, behind the draperies, clinched her hands and locked her +teeth to keep herself from shrieking aloud in her agony, and thus +revealing her presence. + +"I am afraid you will find that you have reckoned without your host, +madam," the man at length retorted, for he was stung to the soul with +the covert threat which had suggested the possibility that he, Gerald +Goddard, the noted artist, the distinguished society man, and princely +entertainer, might be made to figure conspicuously in a criminal court +under a charge that would brand him for all time. + +"Ah! how so?" quietly inquired his companion. + +"No power on earth would ever have compelled me to relinquish it, Mr. +Forsyth's assurance to the contrary notwithstanding." + +The man paused, to see what effect this assertion would have upon his +listener; but she made no response--she simply sat quietly regarding +him, while a curious little smile hovered about her beautiful mouth. + +"You look skeptical," Mr. Goddard continued, gazing at her +searchingly; "but let me tell you that you will find it no easy matter +to prove the statements you have made--no person of common sense would +credit your story." + +"Indeed! But have you not already admitted that you received the +certificate of which Mr. Forsyth told me?" + +"Yes; but we have been here alone, with no witness to swear to what +has passed between us. However, as I have already told you, Anna stole +the paper from me years ago, and I have never seen it since." + +"Yes, I know you told me so!" + +"Do you not believe me?" + +"I think my past relations with you have not served to establish a +feeling of excessive confidence in you," was the quietly ironical +response. + +The man flushed hotly, while anger for the moment rendered him +speechless. + +"Possibly you might be able to induce your--companion to surrender the +document," the lady added, after a minute of awkward silence. + +Gerald Goddard gnawed his under lip in impotent wrath at this +sarcastic reference to the woman who had shared his life for so many +years; while the wretched eavesdropper herself barely suppressed a +moan of passionate anguish. + +"You have very little idea of Anna's spirit, if you imagine that she +would ever yield one jot to you," Mr. Goddard at length retorted, his +face crimson with rage. + +Isabel Stewart arose from her chair and stood calm and cold before +him. + +She gazed with a steady, searching look into his eyes, then remarked, +with slow emphasis: + +"She will never be asked to yield to me, and I am spared the necessity +of suing to either of you, for--that all-important certificate of +marriage is already in my possession." + +As we know, Gerald Goddard had feared this; he had even suggested the +possibility to Anna, on the night of the ball at Wyoming, when she +told him of the disappearance of the paper. + +Nevertheless, the announcement of the fact at this time came upon him +like a thunderbolt, for which he was utterly unprepared. + +"Zounds!" he cried, starting to his feet, as if electrified, "can you +mean it? Then you stole it the night of the ball!" + +"You are greatly mistaken, Mr. Goddard; it was in my possession before +the night of the ball," quietly returned his companion. + +"I do not believe it!" cried the man, excitedly. + +"I will prove it to you if you desire," Mrs. Stewart remarked. + +"I defy you to do so." + +"Very well; I accept your gage. You will, however, have to excuse me +for a few moments," and, with these few words, the stately and +graceful woman turned and disappeared within a chamber that opened +from the room they were in. + +It would be difficult to describe the conflict of emotions that raged +in Gerald Goddard's breast during her absence. + +While he was almost beside himself with anger and chagrin, over the +very precarious position in which he found himself, he was also +tormented by intense disappointment and a sense of irritation to think +he had so fatally marred his life by his heartless desertion of the +beautiful woman who had just left him. + +Anna was not to be compared with her; she was perhaps more brilliant +and pronounced in her style; but she lacked the charm of refinement +and sweet graciousness that characterized Isabel; while, more than all +else, he lamented the loss of the princely inheritance which had +fallen to her, and which he would have shared if he had been true to +her. + +Ten minutes passed, and then he was aroused from his wretched +reflections by the opening of the chamber door near him, when his late +housekeeper at Wyoming walked into the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +"OUR WAYS PART HERE, NEVER TO CROSS AGAIN." + + +Gerald Goddard arose from his chair, and stared at the woman in +unfeigned astonishment. + +"Really, Mrs. Weld! this is an unexpected meeting--I had no thought of +seeing you here, or even that you were acquainted with Mrs. Stewart," +he remarked, while he searched his recent housekeeper's face with +curious eyes. + +"I have known Isabel Haven all her life," the woman replied, without +appearing in the least disconcerted by the gentleman's scrutiny. + +"Can that be possible?" exclaimed her companion, but losing some of +his color at the information. + +"Yes." + +"Then I presume you are familiar with her history." + +"I am; with every item of it, from her cradle to the present hour." + +"And were you aware of her presence in Boston when you applied for +your position at Wyoming?" + +"I was." + +"Perchance it was at her instigation that you sought the place," Mr. +Goddard remarked, a sudden suspicion making him feel sick at heart. + +"Mrs. Stewart certainly knew that I was to have charge of your house," +calmly responded Mrs. Weld. + +"Then there was a plot between you--you had some deep-laid scheme in +seeking the situation." + +"I do not deny the charge, sir." + +"What! do you boldly affirm it? What was your object?" demanded the +man, in a towering rage, but growing deathly white at the explanation +that suggested itself to his mind. + +"I perceive that you have your suspicions, Mr. Goddard," coolly +remarked the woman, without losing an atom of her self-possession in +view of his anger. + +"I have. Great Heavens! I understand it all now," cried her companion, +hoarsely. "It was you who stole that certificate from my wife's room!" + +"Yes, sir; I was fortunate enough to find it, two days previous to the +ball." + +"You confess it!--you dare own it to me, madam! You are worse than a +professional thief, and I will have you arrested for your crime!" and +Gerald Goddard was almost beside himself with passion at her cool +effrontery. + +"I hardly think you will, Mr. Goddard," was the quiet response. "I +imagine that you would hesitate to bring such a charge against me, +since such a course would necessitate explanations that might be to +you somewhat distasteful, if not mortifying. You would hardly like to +reveal the character of the document, which, however, you have made a +mistake in asserting that I stole--" + +"But you have admitted the charge," he excitedly interposed. + +"I beg your pardon, I have not acknowledged the crime of theft--I +simply stated that I was fortunate enough to find the document in +question." + +"It seems to me that that is a distinction without a difference," he +sneered. + +"One can hardly be accused of stealing what rightly belongs to one's +self," Mrs. Weld composedly said. + +"What--what on earth can you mean? Explain yourself." + +"Certainly; that is exactly what I came here to do," she answered, as, +with a dexterous movement, she tore the glasses from her eyes, and +swept the moles from her face, after which she snatched the cap and +wig from her head, and stood before her companion revealed as Isabel +Stewart herself. + +"Good Heaven!" he gasped, then sank back upon his chair, staring in +blank amazement at her. + +Mrs. Stewart seized this opportunity to again slip from the room, and +when she returned, a few minutes later, her superabundance of cellular +tissue (?) had disappeared and she was her own peerless self once +more. + +She quietly resumed her seat, gravely remarking, as she did so: + +"A woman who has been wronged as you have wronged me, Gerald Goddard, +will risk a great deal to re-establish her good name. When I first +learned of your whereabouts I thought I would go and boldly demand +that certificate of you. I tried to meet you in society here, but, +strange to say, I failed in this attempt, for, as it happened, neither +you nor your--Anna Correlli frequented the places where I was +entertained, although I did meet Monsieur Correlli two or three times. +Then I saw that advertisement for a housekeeper to go out to Wyoming, +to take charge of your house during a mid-winter frolic; and, prompted +by a feeling of curiosity to learn something of your private life with +the woman who had supplanted me, I conceived the idea of applying for +the situation and thus trying to obtain that certificate by strategy. +How did I know that it was you who advertised?" she interposed, as Mr. +Goddard looked up inquiringly. "Because I chanced to overhear some one +say that the Goddards were going out of town for the same purpose as +that which your notice mentioned. So I disguised myself, as you have +seen, went to your office, found I was right, and secured the +position." + +"Now I know why I was so startled that day, when you dropped your +glasses in the dining-room," groaned the wretched man. + +"Yes; I saw that you had never forgotten the eyes which you used to +call your 'windows of paradise,'" responded his companion, with quiet +irony, and Gerald Goddard shrank under the familiar smile as under a +blow. + +"Gerald," she went on, after a moment of painful silence, but with a +note of pity pervading her musical tones, "a man can never escape the +galling consciousness of wrong that he has done until he repents of +it; even then the consequences of his sin must follow him through +life. Yours was a nature of splendid possibilities; there was scarcely +any height to which you might not have attained, had you lived up to +your opportunities. You had wealth and position, and a physique such +as few men possess; you were finely educated, and you were a superior +artist. What have you to show for all this? what have you done with +your God-given talents? how will you answer to Him, when He calls you +to account for the gifts intrusted to your care? What excuse, also, +will you give for the wreck you have made of two women's lives? You +began all wrong; in the first place, you weakly yielded to the selfish +gratification of your own pleasure; you lived upon the principle that +you must have a good time, no matter who suffered in consequence--you +must be amused, regardless of who or what was sacrificed to subserve +that end--" + +"You are very hard upon me, Isabel; I have been no worse than hundreds +of other men in those respects," interposed Gerald Goddard, who +smarted under her searching questions and scathing charges as under a +lash. + +"Granted that you 'are no worse than hundreds of other men,'" she +retorted, with scornful emphasis, "and more's the pity. But how does +that lessen the measure of your responsibility, pray tell me? There +will come a time when each and every man must answer for himself. I +have nothing to do with any one else, but I have the right to call you +to account for the selfishness and sins which have had such a baneful +influence upon my life; I have the right, by reason of all that I have +suffered at your hands--by the broken heart of my youth--the loss of +my self-respect--the despair which so nearly drove me to crime--and, +more than all else, by that terrible renunciation that deprived me of +my child, that innocent baby whom I loved with no ordinary +affection--I say I have the right to arraign you in the sight of +Heaven and of your own conscience, and to make one last attempt to +save you, if you will be saved." + +"What do you care--what does it matter to you now whether I am saved +or lost?" the man huskily demanded, and in a tone of intense +bitterness, for her solemn words had pierced his heart like a +double-edged dagger. + +"I care because you are a human being, with a soul that must live +eternally--because I am striving to serve One who has commanded us to +follow Him in seeking to save that which is lost," the fair woman +gravely replied. "Look at yourself, Gerald--your inner self, I mean. +Outwardly you are a specimen of God's noblest handiwork. How does your +spiritual self compare with your physical frame?--has it attained the +same perfection? No; it has become so dwarfed and misshapen by your +indulgence in sin and vice--so hardened by yielding to so-called +'pleasure,' your intellect so warped, your talents so misapplied that +even your Maker would scarcely recognize the being that He Himself had +brought into existence. You are forty-nine years old, Gerald--you may +have ten, twenty, even thirty more to live. How will you spend them? +Will you go on as you have been living for almost half a century, or +is there still a germ of good within you that you will have strength +and resolution to develop, as far as may be, toward that perfect +symmetry which God desires every human soul to attain? Think!--choose! +Make this hour the turning point in your career; go back to your +painting, retrieve your skill, and work to some purpose and for some +worthy object. If you do not need the money such work will bring, for +your own support, use it for the good of others--of those unfortunate +ones, perchance, whose lives have been blighted, as mine was blighted, +by those 'hundreds of other men' like you." + +As the beautiful woman concluded her earnest appeal, the +conscience-smitten man dropped his head upon the table beside which he +sat, and groaned aloud. + +For the first time in his life he saw himself as he was, and loathed +himself, his past life, and all the alluring influences that had +conspired to decoy him into the downward path which he had trodden. + +"I will! I will! Oh, Isabel, forgive and help me," he pleaded, in a +voice thrilling with despair. + +"I help you?" she repeated, in an inquiring tone, in which there was a +note of surprise. + +"Yes, with your sweet counsel, your pure example and influence." + +"I do not understand you, quite," she responded, her lovely color +waning as a suspicion of his meaning began to dawn upon her. + +He raised his face, which was drawn and haggard from the remorse he +was suffering, and looked appealingly into hers. But, as he met the +gaze of her pure, grave eyes, a flush of shame mounted to his brow as +he realized how despicable he must appear to her in now suing so +humbly for what he had once trampled under foot as worthless. + +Yet an unspeakable yearning to regain her love had taken possession of +him, and every other emotion was, for the moment, surmounted by that. + +"I mean, come back to me! try to love me again! and let me, under the +influence of your sweet presence, your precepts and noble example, +strive to become the man you have described, and that, at last, my own +heart yearns to be." + +His plea was like the cry of a despairing soul, who realized, all too +late, the fatal depths of the pit into which he had voluntarily +plunged. + +Isabel Stewart saw this, and pitied him, as she would have pitied any +other human being who had become so lost to all honor and virtue; but +his suggestion, his appeal that she would go back to him, live with +him, associate with him from day to day, was so repulsive to her that +she could not quite repress her aversion, and a slight shiver ran over +her frame, so chilling that all her color faded, even from her lips; +and Gerald Goddard, seeing it, realized the hopelessness of his desire +even before she could command herself sufficiently to answer him. + +"That would not be possible, Gerald," she finally replied. "Truth +compels me to tell you plainly that whatever affection I may once have +entertained for you has become an emotion of the past; it was killed +outright when I believed myself a deserted outcast in Rome. I should +do sinful violence to my own heart and nature if I should heed your +request, and also become but a galling reproach to you, rather than a +help." + +"Then you repudiate me utterly, in spite of the fact that the law yet +binds us to each other? I am no more to you than any other human +being?" groaned the humbled man. + +"Only in the sense that through you I have keenly suffered," she +gravely returned. + +"Then there is no hope for me," he whispered, hoarsely, as his head +sank heavily upon his breast. + +"You are mistaken, Gerald," his companion responded, with sweet +solemnity; "there is every hope for you--the same hope and promise +that our Master held out to the woman whom the Pharisees were about to +stone to death when he interfered to save her. I presume to cast no +revengeful 'stone' at you. I do not arrogantly condemn you. I simply +say as he said, 'Go and sin no more.'" + +"Oh, Isabel, have mercy! With you to aid me, I could climb to almost +any height," cried the broken-spirited man, throwing out his hands in +despairing appeal. + +"I am more merciful in my rejection of your proposal than I could +possibly be in acceding to it," she answered. "You broke every moral +tie and obligation that bound me to you when you left me and my child +to amuse yourself with another. Legally, I suppose, I am still your +wife, but I can never recognize the bond; henceforth, I can be nothing +but a stranger to you, though I wish you no ill, and would not lift my +hand against you in any way--" + +"Do you mean by that that you would not even bring mortification or +scandal upon me by seeking to publicly prove the legality of our +marriage?" Mr. Goddard interposed, in a tone of surprise. + +"Yes, I mean just that. Since the certificate is in my possession, and +I have the power to vindicate myself, in case any question regarding +the matter arises in the future, I am content." + +"But I thought--I supposed--Will you not even use it to obtain a +divorce from me?" stammered the man, who suddenly remembered a certain +rumor regarding a distinguished gentleman's devotion to the beautiful +Mrs. Stewart. + +"No; death alone can break the tie that binds me to you," she +returned, her lovely lips contracting slightly with pain. + +"What! Have you no wish to be free?" he questioned, regarding her with +astonishment. + +"Yes, I would be very glad to feel that no fetters bound me," she +answered, with clouded eyes; "but I vowed to be true as long as life +should last, and I will never break my word." + +"True!" repeated her companion, bitterly. + +A flush of indignation mounted to the beautiful woman's brow at the +reproach implied in his word and tone. + +But she controlled the impulse to make an equally scathing retort, and +remarked, with a quiet irony that was tenfold more effective. + +"Well, if that word offends you, I will qualify it so far as to say +that, at least, I have never dishonored my marriage vows; I never will +dishonor them." + +Gerald Goddard threw out his hands with a gesture of torture, and for +a moment he became deathly white, showing how keenly his companion's +arrow had pierced his conscience. + +There was a painful silence of several moments, and then he inquired, +in constrained tones: + +"What, then, is my duty? What relations must I henceforth sustain +toward--Anna?" + +"I cannot be conscience for you, Gerald," said Isabel Stewart, coldly; +"at least, I could offer no suggestion regarding such a matter as +that. I can only live out my own life as my heart and judgment of what +is right and wrong approve; but if you have no scruples on that +score--if you desire to institute proceedings for a divorce, in order +to repair, as far as may be, the wrong you have also done Anna +Correlli--I shall lay no obstacle in your way." + +She arose as she ceased speaking, thus intimating that she desired the +interview to terminate. + +"And that is all you have to say to me? Oh, Isabel!" Gerald Goddard +gasped, and realizing how regally beautiful she had become, how +infinitely superior, physically and morally, spiritually and +intellectually, she was to the woman for whose sake he had trampled +her in the dust. And the fact was forced upon him that she was one to +be worshiped for her sweet graciousness and purity of character--to be +reverenced for her innate nobility and stanch adherence to principle, +and to be exultantly proud of, could he have had the right to be--as a +queen among women. + +"That is all," she replied, with slow thoughtfulness, "unless, as a +woman who is deeply interested in the moral advancement of humanity in +general, I urge you once more to make your future better than your +past has been, that thus the world may be benefited, in ever so slight +a measure, because you have lived. As for you and me, our ways part +here, never to cross again, I trust; for, while I have ceased to +grieve over the blighted hopes of my youth, it would be painful to be +reminded of my early mistakes." + +"Part--forever? I do not feel that I can have it so," said Gerald +Goddard, with white lips, "for--I love you at this moment a thousand +times more than I ever--" + +"Stop!" Isabel Stewart firmly commanded. "Such an avowal from you at +this time is but an added insult to me, as well as a cowardly wrong +against her who, in the eyes of the world, at least, has sustained the +relationship of wife to you for many years." + +The head of the proud man dropped before her with an air of humility +entirely foreign to the "distinguished" Gerald Goddard whom the world +knew; but, though crushed by a sense of shame and grief, he could but +own to himself that her condemnation was just, and the faint hope that +had sprung up in his heart died, then and there, its tragic death. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +"I HATE YOU WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF MY ITALIAN BLOOD." + + +Isabel Stewart felt that she could not bear the painful interview any +longer, and was about to touch the electric button to summon her +servant to show her visitor out, when he stayed her with a gesture of +appeal. + +"One moment more, Isabel, I implore," he exclaimed; "then I will go, +never to trouble you again." + +Her beautiful hand dropped by her side, and she turned again to him +with a patient, inquiring glance. + +"You have spoken of our--child," the man went on, eagerly, though a +flush of shame dyed his face as he gave utterance to the pronoun +denoting mutual possession. "Do you intend to continue your search for +her?" + +"Certainly; that will now be the one aim of my life. I could never +take another moment of comfort knowing that my old friend and my child +were destitute, as I have been led to believe they are." + +"And if--you find her--shall--you tell her--your history?" faltered +Gerald Goddard, as he nervously moistened his dry lips. + +His companion bent her head in thought for a moment. At length she +remarked: + +"I shall, of course, be governed somewhat by circumstances in such a +matter; if I find Edith still in ignorance of the fact that she is an +adopted daughter, I think I shall never undeceive her, but strive to be +content with such love as she can give me, as her mother's friend. If, +on the other hand, I find that she has learned the truth--especially if +she should happen to be alone in the world--I shall take her into my +arms and tell her the whole story of my life, beg her to share my +future, and let me try to win as much as possible of her love." + +"If you should find her, pray, pray do not teach her to regard me as a +monster of all that is evil," pleaded her companion, in a tone of +agony that was pitiful. "Ah, Isabel, I believe I should have been a +better man if I could have had the love of little children thrown +about me as a safeguard." + +Isabel Stewart's red lips curled with momentary scorn at this attempt +to shift the responsibility of his wasted and misguided life upon any +one or anything rather than himself. + +"What a pity, then, that you did not realize the fact before you +discarded the unhappy young mother and her innocent babe, so many +years ago," she remarked, in a tone that pierced his heart like a +knife. + +"I did go back to Rome for the child--I did try to find her after--I +had heard that--that you were gone," he faltered. "I was told that the +infant had doubtless perished with you, though its body was never +found; but I have mourned her--I have yearned for her all my life." + +"And do you imagine, even if you should meet her some time in the +future, that she would reciprocate this affection which, strangely +enough, you manifest at this late day?" + +"Perhaps not, if you should meet her first and tell her your story," +the man returned, with a heavy sigh. + +"Which I shall assuredly do," said Mrs. Stewart, resolutely; "that is, +if, as I said before, I find her alone in the world; that much +justification is my due--my child shall know the truth; then she shall +be allowed to act according to the dictates of her own heart and +judgment, regarding her future relationship toward both of us. I feel +sure that she has been most carefully reared--that my old friend Edith +would instill only precepts of truth and purity in her mind, and my +heart tells me that she would be likely to shrink from one who had +wronged her mother as you have wronged me." + +"I see; you will keep her from me if you can," said Mr. Goddard, with +intense bitterness. + +"I am free to confess that I should prefer you never to meet," said +Mrs. Stewart, a look of pain sweeping over her beautiful face; "but +Edith is twenty years of age, if she is living; and if, after learning +my history, she desires to recognize the relationship between herself +and you, I can, of course, but submit to her wish." + +"It is very evident to me that you will teach her to hate her father," +was the sullen retort. + +"Her father?" the term was repeated with infinite scorn. "Pray in what +respect have you shown yourself worthy to be so regarded?--you who +even denied her legitimate birth, and turned your back upon her, +totally indifferent to whether she starved or not." + +"How hard you are upon me, Isabel!" + +"I have told you only facts." + +"I know--I know; but have some pity for me now, since, at last, I have +come to my senses; for in my heart I have an insatiable longing for +this daughter who, if she is living, must embody some of the virtues +of her mother, who--God help me!--is lost, lost to me forever!" + +The man's voice died away in a hoarse whisper, while a heart-broken +sob burst from his lips. + +"Go, Gerald," said Mrs. Stewart, in a low, but not unkindly imperative +tone; "it is better that this interview should terminate. The past is +past--nothing can change it; but the future will be what we make it. +Go, and if I ever hear from you again, let me know that your present +contrition has culminated in a better life." + +She turned abruptly from him and disappeared within her chamber, +quietly shutting the door after her, while Gerald Goddard arose to +"go" as he had been bidden. + +As, with tottering gait and a pale, despairing face, he crossed the +room and parted the draperies between the two pretty parlors, he found +himself suddenly confronted by a woman so wan and haggard that, for an +instant, he failed to recognize her. + +"Idiot!" hissed Anna Correlli, through her pallid, tightly-drawn lips; +"traitor! coward! viper!" + +She was forced to pause simply because she was exhausted from the +venom which she had expended in the utterance of those four +expletives. + +Then she sank, weak and faint, upon a chair, but with her eyes +glittering like points of flame, fastened in a look of malignant +hatred upon the astonished man. + +"Anna! how came you here?--how long have you been here?" he finally +found voice to say. + +"Long enough to learn of the contemptible perfidy and meanness of the +man whom, for twenty years, I have trusted," she panted, but the tone +was so hollow he never would have known who was speaking had he not +seen her. + +He opened his dry lips to make some reply; but no sound came from +them. + +He put out his hand to support himself by the back of her chair, for +all his strength and sense seemed on the point of failing him; while +for the moment he felt as if he could almost have been grateful to any +one who would slay him where he stood, and thus put him out of his +misery--benumb his sense of degradation and the remorse which he +experienced for his wasted life, and the wrongs of which he had been +guilty. + +But, by a powerful effort, he soon mastered himself, for he was +anxious to escape from the house before the presence of his wife +should be discovered. + +"Come, Anna," he said; "let us go home, where we can talk over this +matter by ourselves, without the fear of being overheard." + +He attempted to assist her to rise, but she shrank away from him with +a gesture of aversion, at the same time flashing a look up at him that +almost seemed to curdle his blood, and sent a shudder of dread over +him. + +"Do not dare to touch me!" she cried, hoarsely. "Go--call a carriage; +I am not able to walk. Go; I will follow you." + +Without a word, he turned to obey her, and passed quickly out of the +suite without encountering any one, she following, but with a gait so +unsteady that any one watching her would have been tempted to believe +her under the influence of some intoxicant. + +Mr. Goddard found a carriage standing near the entrance to the hotel, +and they were soon on their way home. + +Not a word was spoken by either during the ride, and it would have +been impossible to have found two more utterly wretched people in all +that great city. + +Upon entering their house, they found Emil Correlli in a state +bordering on frenzy, occasioned by the escape of Edith, and this +circumstance served for a few moments to distract their thoughts from +their own troubles. + +Mr. Goddard was intensely relieved by the intelligence, and plainly +betrayed it in his manner. + +When angrily called to account for it by his brother-in-law, he at +once replied, with an air of reckless defiance: + +"Yes, I am glad of it--I would even have helped the girl to get away; +indeed, I was planning to do so, for such a dastardly fraud as you +perpetrated upon her should never be allowed to prosper." + +He was rewarded for this speech, so loyal to Edith, only by an angry +oath, to which, however, he paid no attention. + +Strangely enough, Anna Correlli, after the first emotion of surprise +and dismay had passed, paid no heed to the exciting conversation; she +had sunk into a chair by the window, where she sat pale and silent, +and absolutely motionless, save for the wild restlessness of her fiery +black eyes. + +Mr. Goddard, finding the atmosphere so disagreeable, finally left the +room, and, mounting the stairs, shut himself in his own chamber, while +the enraged lover dashed out of the house to the nearest telegraph +office to send the message that caused the policeman to intercept +Edith upon her arrival in New York. + +A few moments later, Mrs. Goddard--as we will, from courtesy, still +call her--crept wearily up to her room, where, tottering to a couch, +she threw herself prone upon her face, moaning and shivering with the +agony she could no longer control. + +The blow, which for twenty years she had been dreading, had fallen at +last; but it was far more crushing and bitter than she had ever +dreamed it could be. + +She had come at last to the dregs of the cup which once had seemed so +sweet and alluring to her senses, and they had poisoned her soul unto +death. + +She knew that never again while she lived would she be able to face +the world and hide her misery beneath a mask of smiles; and the +bitterest drop of all, the sharpest thorn in her lacerated heart, was +the fact that the little insignificant girl who had once been her +hated rival in Rome, should have developed into the peerlessly +beautiful woman, whom all men admired and reverenced, and whom Gerald +Goddard now idolized. + +An hour passed, during which she lay where she had fallen and almost +benumbed by her misery. + +Then there came a knock upon her door, which was immediately opened, +and Mr. Goddard entered the room. + +He was still very pale, but grave and self-contained. + +The woman started to a sitting posture, exclaiming, in an unnatural +voice: + +"What do you want here?" + +"I have come, Anna, to talk over with you the events of the +morning--to ask you to try to control yourself, and look at our +peculiar situation with calmness and practical common sense," he +calmly replied. + +"Well?" was all the response vouchsafed, as he paused an instant. + +"I have not come to offer any excuses for myself, or for what you +overheard this morning," he thoughtfully resumed; "indeed, I have none +to offer--my whole life, I own, has, as Isabel rightly said, been a +failure thus far, and no one save myself is to blame for the fact. Do +not sneer, Anna," he interposed, as her lips curled back from her +dazzling teeth, which he saw were tightly locked with the effort she +was making at self-control. "I have been thoroughly humiliated for +the first time in my life--I have been made to see myself as I am, and +I have reached a point where I am willing to make an effort to atone, +as far as may be, for some of the wrongs of which I have been guilty. +Will you help me, Anna?" + +Again he paused, but this time his companion did not deign to avail +herself of the opportunity to reply, if, indeed, she was able to do +so. + +She had not once removed her glittering eyes from his face, and her +steady, inscrutable look gave him an uncanny sensation that was +anything but agreeable. + +"I have come to propose that we avail ourselves of the only remedy +that seems practicable to relieve our peculiar situation," he +continued, seeing she was waiting for him to go on. "I will apply to +have the tie which binds me to Isabel annulled, with all possible +secrecy--it can be done in the West without any notoriety; then I will +make you my legal wife, as you have so often asked me to do, and we +will go abroad again, where we will try to live out the remainder of +our lives to some better purpose than we have done heretofore. I ask +you again, will you try to help me? It is not going to be an easy +thing at first; but if each will try, for the sake of the other, I +believe we can yet attain comparative content, if not positive +happiness." + +"Content! happiness!" + +The words were hissed out with a fierceness of passion that startled +him, and caused him to regard her anxiously. + +"Happiness!" she repeated. "Ha! ha! What mockery in the sound of that +word from your lips, after what has occurred to-day!" + +"I know that you have cause to be both grieved and angry, Anna," said +Gerald Goddard, humbly; "but let us both put the past behind us--let +us wipe out all old scores, and from this day begin a new life." + +"'Begin a new life' upon a heap of ashes, without one spark among them +to ignite the smallest flame!" was the mocking rejoinder. Then, with a +burst of agony, she continued: "Oh, God! if you had taken a dagger +and stabbed me to death in that room to-day, you could not have slain +me more effectually than by the words you have uttered. Begin a new +life with you, after your confessions, your pleadings and +protestations to Isabel Stewart? Heaven! Never! I hate you! hate you; +hate you! with all the strength of my Italian blood, and warn +you--beware! And now, begone!" + +The woman looked like a maniac as she poured this wild torrent upon +him, and the man saw that she was in no mood to be reasoned with or to +consider any subject; that it would be wiser to wait until the +fierceness of her anger had spent itself. + +He had broached the matter of their future relations, thus giving her +something to think of, and now he would leave her to meditate upon it +by herself; perhaps, in a few days, she would be in a more reasonable +frame of mind, and look at the subject from a different point of view. + +"Very well, Anna," he said, as he arose, "I will obey you. I do not +pretend to claim that I have not given you cause to feel aggrieved in +many respects; but, as I have already said, that is past. I simply ask +you to do what I also will do--put all the old life behind us, and +begin over again. I realize that we cannot discuss the question to any +purpose now--we are both too wrought up to think or talk calmly, so I +will leave you to rest, and we will speak of this at another time. Can +I do anything for you before I go?--or perhaps you would like your +maid sent to you?" + +"No," she said, briefly, and not once having removed her wild eyes +from his face while he was speaking. + +He bowed, and passed out of the room, softly shutting the door after +him, then walked slowly down the hall to his own apartment. + +The moment he was gone Anna Goddard sprang like a cat to her feet. + +Going to her writing-desk, she dashed off a few lines, which she +hastily folded and slipped into an envelope, which she sealed and +addressed. + +She then touched the electric button above her desk to summon her +maid, after which she sat motionless with the missive clasped in her +hands until the girl appeared. + +"Dress yourself for the street, Mary, and take this note to Mr. +Clayton's office. Be quick about it, for it is a matter of +importance," she commanded, while she forced herself to speak with +outward calmness. + +But Mary regarded her mistress with wonder, for, in all her +"tantrums," as she termed them, she had never seen the awful look upon +her face which was stamped upon it at that moment. + +But she took the note without comment, and hastened away upon her +errand, while Mrs. Goddard, throwing herself back in her chair, sat +there waiting with an air of expectation that betrayed she was looking +for the appearance of some one. + +Half an hour later a gentleman was admitted to the house, and was +shown directly up to my lady's boudoir. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +RECORDS SOME STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS. + + +The gentleman caller referred to in the last chapter was closeted with +Mrs. Goddard for fully two hours, when he quietly left the house. + +A few moments later, however, he returned, accompanied by two other +men--clerks from a neighboring drug store--whom he admitted with a +latch-key, and then conducted them up to Mrs. Goddard's boudoir. + +The strangers did not remain long; whatever their errand, it was soon +finished, and they departed as silently as they had come. + +Mr. Clayton remained some time longer, conversing with the mistress of +the house, but their business being finally concluded, he also went +away, bearing a package of papers with him. + +Emil Correlli returned just in season for dinner, which, however, he +was obliged to partake of alone, as Mr. and Mrs. Goddard did not make +their appearance at the table. + +The young man paid slight heed to ceremony, but after eating a hasty +meal, sought his sister and informed her that he was going to start +for New York on the late evening train. + +The woman gave him one wild, startled glance, and seemed strangely +agitated for a moment over his announcement. + +He could not fail to notice her emotion, and that she was excessively +pale. + +"You look like a ghost, Anna," he remarked, as he searched her face +with some anxiety. "What is the matter with you? I fear you are going +to be ill." + +"I am ill," she said, in a hoarse, unnatural tone. + +"Then let me call your physician," said her brother, eagerly. "I am +going out immediately, and will leave a message for him." + +"No, no," she nervously replied; then with a hollow laugh that smote +heavily upon her companion's heart, she added: "My case is beyond the +reach of Dr. Hunt or any other physician." + +"Anna, have you been quarreling with Gerald again?" + +"Yes," was the brief response. + +"Well, of course I can understand that such matters are beyond the +skill of any physician," said the young man, with a half-impatient +shrug of his shoulders; "neither have I any business to interfere +between you," he added; "but my advice would be to make it up as soon +as possible, and then try to live peaceably in the future. I do not +like to leave you looking so white and miserable, but I must go. Take +good care of yourself, and I shall hope to find you better and happier +when I return." + +He bent down to give her a farewell caress, and was amazed by the +passion she manifested in returning it. + +She threw her arms around his neck and held him in a convulsive +embrace, while she quivered from head to foot with repressed emotion. + +She did not utter one word of farewell, but a wild sob burst from her; +then, as if she could bear no more, she pushed him from her and rushed +into her chamber, shutting and locking the door behind her. + +Emil Correlli left the boudoir, a puzzled expression on his handsome +face; for, although his sister was subject to strange attacks, he had +never seen her like this before. + +"Anna will come to grief some day with that cursed temper of hers," he +muttered, as he went to his room to pack his portmanteau, but he was +too intent upon his own affairs to dwell long upon even the trouble of +his sister, and a couple of hours later was on his way to New York to +begin his search for his runaway bride. + +The next morning Mrs. Goddard was "too ill to rise," she told her +maid, when she came at the usual hour to her door. She would not admit +her, but sent word to her husband that she could not join him at +breakfast. + +He went up later to see if she would allow him to call a physician for +her, but she would not see him, simply telling him she "would do well +enough without advice--all she needed was rest, and she did not wish +to be disturbed by any one until she rang." + +Feeling deeply disappointed and depressed by her unusual obstinacy, +the wretched man went downstairs and shut himself into the library, +where he remained all day, while there was such an atmosphere of +loneliness and desolation about the house that even the servants +appeared to feel it, and went about with solemn faces and almost +stealthy steps. + +Could any one have looked behind those closed doors he could not have +failed to have experienced a feeling of pity for the man; for if ever +a human being went down into the valley of humiliation, Gerald Goddard +sounded its uttermost depths, while he battled alone with all the +powers of evil that beset his soul. + +When night came he was utterly exhausted, and sought his couch, +looking at least ten years older than he had appeared forty-eight +hours previous. + +He slept heavily and dreamlessly, and did not awake till late, when +an imperative knock upon the door and a voice, calling in distress, +caused him to spring suddenly from his bed, and impressed him with a +sense of impending evil. + +"What is it, Mary?" he inquired, upon recognizing the voice of his +wife's maid. + +"Oh, sir! come--come to madam; she is very ill!" cried the girl, in a +frightened tone. + +"I will be there immediately. Send James for the doctor, and then go +back to her," commanded her master, as he hurriedly began to dress. + +Five minutes later he was in his wife's room, to find her lying upon +the lounge, just as he had seen her thirty-six hours previous. + +It was evident that she had not been in bed at all for two nights, for +she still had on the same dress that she had worn at the Copley Square +Hotel. + +But the shadow of death was on her white face; her eyes were glazed, +and though only partially closed, it was evident that she saw nothing. + +She was still breathing, but faintly and irregularly. Her hands were +icy cold, and at the base of the nails there was the unmistakable +purple tint that indicated approaching dissolution. + +Gerald Goddard was shocked beyond measure to find her thus, but he +arose to the occasion. + +With his own hands and the assistance of the maid, he removed her +clothing, then wrapped her in blankets and put her in bed, when he +called for hot water bottles to place around her, hoping thus by +artificial heat to quicken the sluggish circulation and her failing +pulses. + +But apparently there was no change in her, and when the physician came +and made his examination, he told them plainly that "no effort could +avail; it was a case of sudden heart failure, and the end was but a +question of moments." + +Mr. Goddard was horrified and stricken with remorse at the hopeless +verdict, for it seemed to him that he was in a measure accountable for +the untimely shock which was fast depriving of life this woman who +had loved him so passionately, though unwisely. + +He put his lips to her ear and called her by name. + +"Anna! Anna! You must try to arouse yourself," he cried, in a voice of +agony. + +At first the appeal seemed to produce no effect, but after several +attempts he thought he detected a gleam of intelligence in the almost +sightless eyes, while the cold fingers resting on his hand made an +effort to close over his. + +These slight signs convinced him that though she was past the power of +speech, she yet knew him and clung to him, in spite of the clutch +which the relentless enemy of all mankind had laid upon her. + +"Doctor, she knows me!" he exclaimed. "Pray give her some stimulant to +arouse her dormant faculties, if only for a moment." + +"I fear it will be of no use," the physician replied, "but I will +try." + +He hurriedly prepared and administered a powerful restorative; then +they waited with breathless interest for several moments for some sign +of improvement. + +It came at last; she began to breathe a trifle more regularly; the set +features became a little less rigid, and the pulse a shade stronger, +until finally the white lids were lifted and the dying woman turned +her eyes with a pitiful expression of appeal upon the man whom, even +in death, she still adored. + +"Leave us alone!" commanded Gerald Goddard, in a hoarse whisper, and +physician and servants stole noiselessly from the room. + +"Anna, you know me--you understand what I am saying?" the wretched man +then questioned. + +A slight pressure from the cold fingers was the only reply. + +"You know that you are dying?" he pursued. + +Again that faint sign of assent. + +"Then, dear, let us be at peace before you go," he pleaded, gently. +"My soul bows in humiliation and remorse before you; for years I have +wronged you. I wronged you in those first days in Rome. I have no +excuse to offer. I simply tell you that my spirit is crushed within me +as I look back and realize all that I am accountable for. I would have +been glad to atone, as far as was in my power, could you have lived to +share my future. Give me some sign of forgiveness to tell me that you +retract those last bitter words of hate--to let me feel that in this +final moment we part in peace." + +At his pleading a look of agony dawned in the woman's failing eyes--a +look so pitiful in its yearning and despair that the strong man broke +down and sobbed from sorrow and contrition; but the sign he had begged +for was not given. + +"Oh, Anna! pray show me, in some way, that you will not die hating +me," he pleaded. "Forgive--oh, forgive!" + +At those last words those almost palsied fingers closed convulsively +over his; the look of agony in those dusky orbs was superseded by one +of adoration and tenderness; a faint expression of something like +peace crept into the tense lines about the drawn mouth, and the +repentant watcher knew that she would not go out into the great +unknown bearing in her heart a relentless hatred against him. + +That effort was the last flicker of the expiring flame, for the white +lids drooped over the dark eyes; the cold fingers relaxed their hold, +and Gerald Goddard knew the end had almost come. + +He touched the bell, and the physician instantly re-entered the room. + +"It is almost over," he remarked, as he went to the bedside, and his +practiced fingers sought her pulse. + +Even as he spoke her breast heaved once--then again, and all was +still. + +Who shall describe the misery that surged over Gerald Goddard's soul +as he looked upon the still form and realized that the grandly +beautiful woman, who for twenty years had reigned over his home, was +no more--that never again would he hear her voice, either in words of +fond adoration or in passionate anger; never see her again, arrayed in +the costly apparel and gleaming jewels which she so loved, mingling +with the gay people of the world, or graciously entertaining guests in +her own house? + +He felt almost like a murderer; for, in spite of Dr. Hunt's verdict +that she had died of "sudden heart failure," he feared that the proud +woman had been so crushed by what she had overheard in Isabel +Stewart's apartments that she had voluntarily ended her life. + +It was only a dim suspicion--a vague impression, for there was not the +slightest evidence of anything of the kind, and he would never dare to +give voice to it to any human being; nevertheless, it pressed heavily +upon his soul with a sense of guilt that was almost intolerable. + +A message was immediately sent flying over the wires to New York to +inform Emil Correlli of the sad news, and eight hours later he was +back in Boston crushed for the time by the loss of the sister for whom +he entertained perhaps the purest love of which his selfish heart was +capable of experiencing. + +We will not dwell upon the harrowing events of the next few days. + +Suffice it to say that society, or that portion of it that had known +the brilliant Mrs. Goddard, was greatly shocked by the sudden death of +one of its "brightest ornaments," and gracefully mourned her by +covering her costly casket with choicest flowers; then closed up its +ranks and went its way, trying to forget the pale charger which they +knew would come again and again upon his grim errand. + +The day following Anna Correlli's interment in Forest Hill Cemetery, +Mr. Goddard and his brother-in-law were waited upon by the well-known +lawyer, Arthur Clayton, who informed them that he had an important +communication to make to them. + +"Two days previous to her death I received this note from Mrs. +Goddard," he remarked, at the same time handing a daintily perfumed +missive to the elder gentleman. "In it you will observe that she asks +me to come to her immediately. I obeyed her, and found her looking +very ill, and seemingly greatly distressed in body and mind. She told +me she was impressed that she had not long to live--that she had an +affection of the heart that warned her to put her affairs in order. +She desired me to draw up a will at once, according to her +instructions, and have it signed and witnessed before I left the +house. I did so, calling in at her request two witnesses from a +neighboring drug store, after which she gave the will into my keeping, +to be retained until her death. This is the document, gentlemen," he +remarked, in conclusion, "and here, also, is another communication, +which she wrote herself and directed me to hand to you, sir." + +He arose and passed both the will and the letter to Mr. Goddard, who +had seemed greatly agitated while he was speaking. + +He simply took the letter, remarking: + +"Since you are already acquainted with the contents of the will, sir, +will you kindly read it aloud in our presence?" + +Mr. Clayton flushed slightly as he bowed acquiescence. + +The document proved to be very short and to the point, and bequeathed +everything that the woman had possessed--"excepting what the law would +allow as Gerald Goddard's right"--to her beloved brother, Emil +Correlli, who was requested to pay the servants certain amounts which +she named. + +That was all, and Mr. Goddard knew that in the heat of her anger +against him she had made this rash disposition of her property--as she +had the right to do, since it had all been settled upon her--to be +revenged upon him by leaving him entirely dependent upon his own +resources. + +At first he experienced a severe shock at her act, for the thought of +poverty was anything but agreeable to him. + +He had lived a life of idleness and pleasure for so many years that it +would not be an easy matter for him to give up the many luxuries to +which he had been accustomed without a thought or care concerning +their cost. + +But after the first feeling of dismay had passed, a sense of relief +took possession of him; for, with his suspicions regarding the cause +of Anna's death, he knew that he could never have known one moment of +comfort in living upon her fortune, even had she left it unreservedly +to him rather than to her brother. + +Emil Correlli was made sole executor of the estate; and, as there was +nothing further for Mr. Clayton to do after reading the will, he +quietly took his departure leaving the two men to discuss it at their +leisure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +"YOU WILL VACATE THESE PREMISES AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE." + + +"Well, Gerald, I must confess this is rather tough on you!" Monsieur +Correlli remarked, in a voice of undisguised astonishment, as soon as +the lawyer disappeared. "I call it downright shabby of Anna to have +left you so in the lurch." + +"It does not matter," returned the elder man, but somewhat coldly; +for, despite his feeling of relief over the disposition of her +property, he experienced a twinge of jealousy toward the more +fortunate heir, whose pity was excessively galling to him under the +circumstances. + +Although the two men had quarreled just before Monsieur Correlli's +departure for New York, all ill-feeling had been ignored in view of +their common loss and sorrow, and each had conducted himself with a +courteous bearing toward the other during the last few days. + +"What in the world do you suppose possessed her to make such a will?" +the young man inquired, while he searched his companion's face with +keen scrutiny. "And how strange that she should have imagined all of +a sudden that she was going to die, and so put her affairs in order!" + +Mr. Goddard saw that he had no suspicion of the real state of things, +and he had no intention of betraying any secrets if he could avoid +doing so. + +No one--not even her own brother--should ever know that Anna had not +been his wife. He would do what he could to shield her memory from +every reproach, and no one should ever dream that--he could not divest +himself of the suspicion--she had died willfully. + +Therefore, he replied with apparent frankness: + +"I think I can explain why she did so. On the day of our return from +Wyoming, Anna and I had a more serious quarrel than usual; I never saw +her so angry as she was at that time; she even went so far as to tell +me that she hated me; and so, I presume, in the heat of her anger, she +resolved to cut me off with the proverbial shilling to be revenged +upon me." + +"Well, she has done so with a vengeance," muttered his brother-in-law. + +"I went to her afterward and tried to make it up," his companion +resumed, "but she would have nothing to say to me. She was looking +very ill, also; and when the next morning she sent me word that she +was not able to join me at breakfast, I went again to her door and +begged her to allow me to send for Dr. Hunt, but she would not even +admit me." + +"What was this quarrel about?" + +"Oh, almost all our quarrels have been about a certain document which +has long been a bone of contention between us, and this one was an +outgrowth from the same subject." + +"Was that document a certificate of marriage?" craftily inquired Emil +Correlli. + +"Yes." + +"Gerald, were you ever really married to Anna?" demanded the young +man, bending toward him with an eager look. + +His companion flushed hotly at the question, and yet it assured him +that he did not really know just what relations his sister had +sustained toward him. + +"Isn't that a very singular question, Emil?" he inquired, with a cool +dignity that was very effective. "What led you to ask it?" + +"Something that Anna herself once said to me suggested the thought," +Emil replied. "I know, of course, the circumstances of your early +attachment--that for her you left another woman whom you had taken to +Rome. I once asked Anna the same question, but she would not answer me +directly--she evaded it in a way to confirm my suspicions rather than +to allay them. And now this will--it seems very strange that she +should have made it if--" + +"Pray, Emil, do not distress yourself over anything so absurd," coldly +interposed Gerald Goddard, but with almost hueless lips. "However, if +you continue to entertain doubts upon the subject, you have but to go +to the Church of the ---- the next time you visit Rome, ask to see the +records for the year 18--, and you will find the marriage of your +sister duly recorded there." + +"I beg your pardon," apologized the doubter, now fully reassured by +the above shrewdly fashioned answer, "but Anna was always so +infernally jealous of you, and made herself so wretched over the fear +of losing your affection, that I could think of no other reason for +her foolishness. Now, about this will," he added, hastily changing the +subject and referring to the document. "I don't feel quite right to +have all Anna's fortune, in addition to my own, and no doubt the poor +girl would have repented of her rash act if she could have lived long +enough to get over her anger and realize what she was doing. I don't +need the money, and, Gerald, I am willing to make over something to +you, especially as I happen to know that you have sunk the most of +your money in unfortunate speculations," the young man concluded, Mr. +Goddard's sad, white face appealing to his generosity in spite of +their recent difference. + +"Thank you, Emil," he quietly replied; "but I cannot accept your very +kind offer. Since it was Anna's wish that you should have her +property, I prefer that the will should stand exactly as she made it. +I cannot take a dollar of the money--not even what 'the law would +allow' in view of our relations to each other." + +Those last words were uttered in a tone of peculiar bitterness that +caused Monsieur Correlli to regard him curiously. + +"Pray do not take it to heart like that, old boy," he said, kindly, +after a moment, "and let me persuade you to accept at least a few +thousands." + +"Thank you, but I cannot. Please do not press the matter, for my +decision is unalterable." + +"But how the deuce are you going to get along?" questioned the young +man. + +"I shall manage very well," was the grave rejoinder. "I have a few +hundreds which will suffice for my present needs, and, if my hands +have not lost their cunning, I can abundantly provide for my future by +means of my profession. By the way, what are your own plans?--if I may +inquire," he concluded, to change the subject. + +The young man paled at the question, and an angry frown settled upon +his brow. + +"I am going to return immediately to New York--I am bound to find that +girl," he said, with an air of sullen resolution. + +"Then you were not successful in your search?" Mr. Goddard remarked, +dropping his lids to hide the flash of satisfaction that leaped into +his eyes at the words. + +"No, and yes. I found out that she arrived safely in New York, where +she was met by a young lawyer--Royal Bryant by name--who immediately +spirited her away to some place after dodging the policeman I had set +on her track. I surmise that he has put her in the care of some of his +own friends. I went to him and demanded that he tell me where she was, +but I might just as well have tried to extract information from a +stone as from that astute disciple of the law--blast him! He finally +intimated that my room would be better than my company, and that I +might hear from him later on." + +"Ah! he has doubtless taken her case in hand--she has chosen him as +her attorney," said Mr. Goddard. + +"It looks like it," snapped the young man; "but he will not find it an +easy matter to free her from me; the marriage was too public and too +shrewdly managed to be successfully contested." + +"It was the most shameful and dastardly piece of villainy that I ever +heard of," exclaimed Gerald Goddard, indignantly, "and--" + +"And you evidently intend to take the girl's part against me," sneered +his companion, his anger blazing forth hotly. "If I remember rightly, +you rather admired her yourself." + +"I certainly did; she was one of the purest and sweetest girls I ever +met," was the dignified reply. "Emil, you have not a ghost of a chance +of supporting your claim if the matter comes to trial, and I beg that +you will quietly relinquish it without litigation," he concluded, +appealingly. + +"Not if I know myself," was the defiant retort. + +"But that farce was no marriage." + +"All the requirements of the law were fulfilled, and I fancy that any +one who attempts to prove to the contrary will find himself in deeper +water than will be comfortable, in spite of your assertion that I +'have not a ghost of a chance.'" + +"Possibly, but I doubt it. All the same, I warn you, here and now, +Correlli, that I shall use what influence I have toward freeing that +beautiful girl from your power," Mr. Goddard affirmed, with an air of +determination not to be mistaken. + +"Do you mean it--you will publicly appear against me if the matter +goes into court?" + +"I do." + +The young man appeared to be in a white rage for a moment; then, +snapping his fingers defiantly in his companion's face, he cried: + +"Do your worst! I do not fear you; you can prove nothing." + +"No, I have no absolute proof, but I can at least give the court the +benefit of my suspicions and opinion." + +"What! and compromise your dead wife before a scandal-loving public?" + +"Emil, if Anna could speak at this moment, I believe she would tell +the truth herself, and save that innocent and lovely child from a fate +which to her must seem worse than death," Mr. Goddard solemnly +asserted. + +"Thank you--you are, to say the least, not very flattering to me in +your comparisons," angrily retorted Monsieur Correlli, as he sprang +from his chair and moved toward the door. + +He stopped as he laid his hand upon the silver knob and turned a +white, vindictive face upon the other. + +"Well, then," he said, between his white, set teeth, "since you have +determined to take this stand against me, it will not be agreeable for +us to meet as heretofore, and I feel compelled to ask you to vacate +these premises at your earliest convenience." + +"Very well! I shall, of course, immediately comply with your request. +A few hours will suffice me to make the move you suggest," frigidly +responded Gerald Goddard; but he had grown ghastly white with wounded +pride and anger at being thus ignominiously turned out of the house +where for so many years he had reigned supreme. + +Emil Correlli bowed as he concluded, and left the room without a word +in reply. + +As the door closed after him Mr. Goddard sank back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, as he realized fully, for the first time, how entirely +alone in the world he was, and what a desolate future lay before him, +shorn, as he was, of home and friends and all the wealth which for so +long had paved a shining way for him through the world. + +His head sank heavily upon his breast, and he sat thus for several +minutes absorbed in painful reflections. + +He was finally aroused by the shutting of the street door, when, +looking up, he saw the new master of the house pass the window, and he +knew that henceforth he would be his bitter enemy. + +He glanced wistfully around the beautiful room--the dearest in the +house to him; at the elegant cases of valuable books, every one of +which he himself had chosen and caused to be uniformly bound; at the +choice paintings in their costly frames upon the walls, and many of +which had been painted by his own hands; at the numerous pieces of +statuary and rare curios which he knew would never assume their +familiar aspect in any other place. + +How could he ever make up his mind to dismantle that home-like spot +and bury his treasures in a close and gloomy storage warehouse? + +"Homeless, penniless, and alone?" he murmured, crushing back into his +breast a sob that arose to his throat. + +Then suddenly his glance fell upon the table beside him and rested +upon the letter that Mr. Clayton had given to him, and which, in the +exciting occurrences of the last hour, he had entirely forgotten. + +He took it up and sighed heavily again as the faint odor of Anna's +favorite perfume was wafted to his nostrils. + +"How changed is everything since she wrote this!--what a complete +revolution in one's life a few hours can make!" he mused. + +He broke the seal with some curiosity, but with something of awe as +well, for it seemed to him almost like a message from the other world, +and drew forth two sheets of closely-written paper. + +The missive was not addressed to any one; the writer had simply begun +what she had to say and told her story through to the end, and then +signed her name in full in a clear, bold hand. + +The man had not read half the first page before his manner betrayed +that its contents were of the most vital importance. + +On and on he read, his face expressing various emotions until by the +time he reached the end there was an eagerness in his manner, a gleam +of animation in his eyes which told that the communication had been of +a nature to entirely change the current of his thoughts and distract +them from everything of an unpleasant character regarding himself. + +He folded and returned the letter to its envelope with trembling +hands. + +"Oh, Anna! Anna!" he murmured, "why could you not have been always +governed by your better impulses, instead of yielding so weakly to the +evil in your nature? This makes my way plain at least--now I am ready +to bid farewell to this home and all that is behind me, and try to +fathom what the future holds for me." + +He carefully put the letter away into an inner pocket, then sat down +to his desk and began to look over his private papers. + +When that task was completed he ordered the butler to have some boxes +and packing cases, that were stored in the cellar, brought up to the +library, when he carefully packed away such books, pictures and other +things as he wished to take away with him. + +It was not an easy task, and he could almost as readily have committed +them to the flames as to have despoiled that beautiful home of what, +for so long, had made it so dear and attractive to him. + +When his work was completed he went out, slipped over into Boylston +street, where he knew there were plenty of rooms to be rented, and +where he soon engaged a _suite_ that would answer his purpose for the +present. + +This done, he secured a man and team to move his possessions, and +before the shades of night had fallen he had stored everything he +owned away in his new quarters and bidden farewell forever to the +aristocratic dwelling on Commonwealth avenue, where he had lived so +luxuriously and entertained so elaborately the _crême de la crême_ of +Boston society. + +Three days later he had disappeared from the city--"gone abroad" the +papers said, "for a change of scene and to recuperate from the +effects of the shock caused by his wife's sudden death." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +MR. BRYANT MEETS WITH UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES. + + +Let us now return to Edith, to ascertain how she is faring under the +care of her new friends in New York. + +On the morning following her arrival Mr. Bryant called at the house of +his cousin, Mrs. Morrell, as he had promised, to escort our fair +heroine to his office, to meet Mr. Louis Raymond, who had been so +anxiously searching for her. + +The gentleman had not arrived when they reached the place that was so +familiar to Edith, and "Roy," as she was slyly beginning to call him, +conducted her directly to his own special sanctum, and seated her in +the most comfortable chair, to await the coming of the stranger. + +"My sunshine has come back to me," he smilingly remarked, as he bent +over her and touched his lips to her forehead in a fond caress. "I +have not had one bright day since that morning when I returned from my +trip and found your letter, telling me that you were not coming to me +any more." + +"I did not think, then, that I should ever return," Edith began, +gravely. Then she added, in a lighter tone: "But now, that I am here, +will you not set me at work?" + +"Indeed, no; there shall be no more toiling for you, my darling," +returned the young man, with almost passionate tenderness. + +Edith shrank a little at his fond words, and a troubled expression +leaped into her eyes. + +Somehow she could not feel that she had a right to accept his loving +attentions and terms of endearment, precious as they were to her, +while there was any possibility that another had a claim upon her. + +Roy saw the movement, hardly noticeable though it was, and understood +the feeling that had prompted it, and he resolved that he would be +patient, and refrain from causing her even the slightest annoyance +until lie could prove to her that she was free. + +A few moments later Mr. Raymond was ushered in, and Roy, after +greeting him cordially, presented him to Edith. + +It was evident from the earnestness with which he studied her face +that the man had more than an ordinary interest in her; while, as he +clasped her hand, he appeared to be almost overcome with emotion. + +"Pardon me," he said, as he struggled for self-control, "but this +meeting with you awakens memories that have proved too much for my +composure. You do not resemble your mother, Miss Edith," he concluded, +in a tone of regret, as he gazed wistfully into her eyes. + +"No?" the fair girl returned, flushing, and feeling half guilty for +allowing him to believe that she was Mr. and Mrs. Allandale's own +child. + +But she had determined to let him tell his story, or at least reveal +the nature of his business with her, and then be governed by +circumstances regarding her own disclosures. + +"If you will kindly excuse me, I will look over my mail while you are +conversing with Miss Allandale," Roy remarked, thinking, with true +delicacy, that the man might have some communication to make which he +would not care to have a third party overhear. + +Then, with a bow and a smile, he passed from the room, leaving the two +alone. + +"I cannot tell you how gratified I am to find you, Miss Edith," Mr. +Raymond remarked, as the door closed. "I have met only disappointment +of late, and, indeed, throughout most of my life, and I feared that +our advertisements might not meet your eye. I was deeply pained upon +returning to America, after many years spent abroad, to learn of the +misfortunes of your family, while the knowledge of your mother's +privations during the last two years of her life--as related to me by +Mr. Bryant--has caused me more grief than I can express." + +"Yes, mamma's last days were very, very sad," said Edith, while tears +dimmed her eyes. + +"Tell me about them, please--tell me all about your father's death, +and how it happened that you became so reduced financially," said Mr. +Raymond. + +Then the fair girl, beginning with the loss of her young brothers, +related all that had occurred during the two years following, up to +the time of her mother's death, while she spoke most touchingly of the +patience and fortitude with which the gentle invalid had borne their +struggles with poverty and hardship. + +More than once her companion was forced to wipe the tears from his +cheeks, as he listened to the sad recital, while his eyes lingered +affectionately upon the faithful girl who--as he learned from Mr. +Bryant--had so heroically tried to provide for the necessities of one +whom, it was evident, he had loved with more than ordinary affection. + +When she had concluded her story he remained silent for a few moments, +as if to fortify himself for the revelations which he had to make; +then he remarked: + +"Your mother and I, Miss Edith, were 'neighbors and playmates' during +our childhood--'schoolmates and friends' for long years afterward, she +would have told you; but--ever since I can remember, she was the +dearest object the world held for me. This affection grew with my +growth until, when I was twenty-one years of age, I asked her to marry +me. Her answer was like obscuring the sun at midday, for she told me +that she loved another; she had met Albert Allendale, and he had won, +apparently without an effort, what I had courted for many years. I +could not blame her, for I was but too conscious that he was my +superior, both physically and mentally, while the position he offered +her was far above anything I could hope to give her--at least, for a +long time. But it was a terrible blow to me, and I immediately left +the country, feeling that I could never remain here to witness the +happiness that had been denied me. During my exile I heard from them +occasionally, through others, and of the ideal life they were leading; +but I never once thought of returning to this country until about six +months ago, when, my health suddenly failing, I felt that I would at +least like to die upon my native soil. You can, perhaps, imagine the +shock I experienced, upon arriving in New York, when I learned of Mr. +Allendale's misfortunes and death, and also that his wife and only +surviving child had been left destitute and were hiding themselves and +their poverty in some remote corner, unknown to their former friends. +I searched the city for you, and then, discouraged with my lack of +success, I put my case into the hands of Mr. Bryant, from whom I +learned of the death of your mother and your brave struggles with want +and hardships; whereupon I commissioned him to spare no effort or +expense to find you; hence the advertisement which, his note to me +last evening told me, met your eye in a Boston paper, and brought you +hither." + +"What a strange, romantic story!" Edith murmured, as Mr. Raymond +paused at this point; "and, although it is so very sad, it makes you +seem almost like an old friend to know that you once knew and loved +mamma." + +"Thank you, dear child," returned the man, eagerly, a smile hovering +for a moment around his thin lips. "I hardly expected you to greet me +thus, but it nevertheless sounds very pleasant to my unaccustomed +ears. And now, having told you my story in brief, my wish is to settle +upon you, for your dear mother's sake, as well as for your own, a sum +that will place you above the necessity of ever laboring for your +support in the future. During the last ten years I have greatly +prospered in business--indeed, I have accumulated quite a handsome +fortune--while, strange to say, I have not a relative in the world to +inherit it. The disease which has attacked me warns me that I have not +long to live; therefore I wish to arrange everything before my mind +and strength fail me. One-half of my property I desire to leave to a +certain charitable institution in this city; the remainder is to be +yours, my child, and may the blessing of an old and world-weary man go +with it." + +As he concluded, Edith raised her tearful eyes to find him regarding +her with a look of tender earnestness that was very pathetic. + +"You are very, very kind, Mr. Raymond," she responded, in tremulous +tones, "and I should have been inexpressibly happy if mamma could have +been benefited by your generosity; but--I feel that I have no right to +receive this bequest from you." + +"And why not, pray?" exclaimed her companion, in surprise, a look of +keen disappointment sweeping over his face. + +"Because--truth compels me to tell you that I am the child of Mr. and +Mrs. Allandale only by adoption," said Edith, with quivering lips, for +it always pained her to think of her relationship to those whom she +had so loved, in this light. + +"Can that be possible?" cried Mr. Raymond, in astonishment. + +"Yes, sir; it hurts me to speak of it--to even think of if; but it is +true," she replied. + +Then she proceeded to relate the circumstances of her adoption, as far +as she could do so without casting any reflections upon the unhappy +young mother who had been so wronged in Rome. + +"Of course, I loved papa and mamma just the same as if they had really +been my own parents," she remarked, in conclusion, "for I had not a +suspicion of the truth until after mamma died. I was always treated +exactly as if I had been as near to them as the children who died." + +"And have you no knowledge of your own parents?" Mr. Raymond inquired. + +"Not the slightest. The only clews I possess are some letters in my +mother's handwriting and the name Belle that she signed to him. +Strange as it may seem, there is not a surname nor any reference made +to the locality where she lived in her youth, to aid me in my search +for her relatives." + +"That seems very singular," said the gentleman, musingly. + +"It is not only that, but it is also very trying," Edith returned. "Of +course, my mother is dead; my father"--this with a proud uplifting of +her pretty head--"I have no desire even to look upon his face. I could +never own the relationship, even should we meet; but I would like to +know something about my mother's family, for, as far as I know, I +have--like yourself--not a relative in the world." + +"Then pray, Miss Edith, for the sake of that other Edith whom I loved, +regard me, while I live, as your stanch, true friend," said Mr. +Raymond, earnestly. "The fact that you were the child of Edith +Allandale only by adoption will make no difference in my plans for +you. To all intents and purposes you were her daughter--she loved you +as such--you were faithful and tender toward her until the end; +therefore I shall settle the half of my property upon you for your +immediate use. I beg that you will feel no delicacy in accepting this +provision for your future," he interposed, appealingly, as he remarked +her heightened color. "Mr. Bryant had full instructions to carry out +my wishes, and the money would have been yours unconditionally, had I +never been so happy as to meet you. The only favor I ask of you in +return is the privilege of seeing you occasionally, to talk with you +of your mother." + +The tears rolled thick and fast over the young girl's face at this +appeal, for she was deeply touched by the man's tender regard for her +interests, and by his yearning to be in sympathy with one who had +known so intimately the one love of his life. + +"You are very kind," she said, when she could command her voice +sufficiently to speak. "I have no words adequate to thank you, and it +will be only a delight to me to tell you anything you may wish to know +about her who was so dear to us both. I could never tire of talking of +mamma. More than this, I trust you will allow me to be of some +comfort to you," she added, earnestly. "When you are lonely or ill I +shall be glad to minister to you in any way that I may be able." + +"It is very thoughtful of you, Miss Edith, to suggest anything of the +kind," Louis Raymond responded, his wan face lighting with pleasure at +her words, "and no doubt I shall be glad to avail myself now and then +of your kindness; but we will talk of that at another time." + +He arose as he concluded, and, opening the door leading into the outer +office, requested Mr. Bryant to join them, when the conversation +became general. + +Later that same day, at Mr. Raymond's desire, the papers were drawn up +that made Edith the mistress of a snug little fortune in her own +right, the income from which would insure her every comfort during the +remainder of her life. + +The man was unwilling that the matter should be delayed, lest +something should interfere to balk his plans. + +When Roy took Edith back to Mrs. Morrell's he expressed his admiration +and sympathy in the highest terms for the generous-hearted invalid. + +"When we make a home for ourselves, darling, let us invite him to +share it, and we will try to make his last days his happiest days. +What do you say to the plan, sweet?" he queried, as he bent to look +into the beautiful face beside him. + +Edith flushed painfully at his question and hesitated to reply. + +"What is it, love?" he urged, forgetting for the moment the resolve he +had made earlier in the day. + +"Of course, Roy, I would be glad to do anything in the world for one +who was so devoted to mamma, and who, for her sake, has been so +considerate for my future; but--" + +"Well, what is this dreadful 'but'?" was the smiling query. + +"I am afraid that you are too sanguine regarding our prospects," +returned the fair girl, gravely. "I am somehow impressed that we +shall meet with difficulties that you do not anticipate in the way of +your happiness." + +"Do not be faint-hearted, dear," said her lover, tenderly, although a +shade of anxiety swept over his face as he spoke. "I am going +immediately to look up that woman with whom Giulia Fiorini told you +she boarded, and ascertain what evidence she can give me to sustain my +theory regarding Correlli's relations with the girl." + +He left Edith at Mrs. Morrell's door, and then hastened away upon his +errand. + +He easily found the street and number which Edith had given him, and, +to his joy, the name of the woman he sought was on the door. + +A portly matron, richly dressed, but with a very shrewd face, answered +his ring, and greeted him with suave politeness. + +"Yes, she remembered Giulia Fiorini," she remarked, in answer to his +inquiry. "She was a pretty Italian girl who had run away from her own +country, wasn't she? Would the gentleman kindly walk in? and she would +willingly respond to any further questions he might wish to ask." + +Roy followed her into a handsomely-furnished parlor, that was +separated from another by elegant portieres, which, however, were +closely drawn, thus concealing the room beyond. + +"Yes," madam continued, "the girl had a child--a boy--a fine little +fellow, whom she called Ino, and she did remember that a gentleman +visited them occasionally--the girl's brother, cousin, or some other +relation, she believed"--with a look of perplexity that would lead one +to infer that such visits had been so rare she found it difficult to +place the gentleman at all. + +"No, she did not even know his name, and she had never heard him admit +that the girl was his wife--certainly not!--nor the child call him +father or papa. There had always been something mysterious about +Giulia, but she had appeared to have plenty of money, and had paid her +well, and thus she had not concerned herself about her private +affairs." + +Roy's heart grew cold and heavy within him as he listened to these +suave and evasive replies to his every question. + +It was evident to him that she had already received instructions what +to say in the event of such a visit, and was paid liberally to carry +them out. + +He spent nearly an hour with her trying to make her contradict or +commit herself in some way, but she never once made a mistake; her +answers were very pat and to the point, and he knew no more when he +arose to leave than he had known when he entered the house. + +He was very heavy-hearted--indeed, a feeling of despair began to +settle down upon him; for, unless he could prove that Emil Correlli +had taken Giulia Fiorini to that house, and lived with her there as +her husband, he felt that he had very little to hope for regarding his +future with Edith. + +Madam ushered him out as courteously as she had invited him in, +regretting exceedingly that she could not give him all the information +he desired, and hoped that the matter was not so important as to cause +him any especial annoyance. + +She even inquired if he knew where Giulia was at that time, remarking +that she "had been invariably sweet-tempered and lady-like, and she +should always feel an interest in her, in spite of a certain air of +mystery that seemed to envelop her." + +But the moment the door closed after her visitor madam's keen, black +eyes began to glitter and a shrewd smile played about her cunning +mouth. + +A little gurgling laugh of triumph broke from her red lips as she +returned to the parlor, when the portieres between it and the room +were swept aside, and Emil Correlli himself walked into her presence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +AN UNEXPECTED MEETING RESULTS IN A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY. + + +"Well done, madam! you managed to pull the wool over his eyes in very +good shape," the man remarked, a look of evil triumph sweeping over +his face. + +"Certainly, Mr. Correlli," the woman returned, in a tone of serene +satisfaction. "Only give me my price, and I am ready to make anybody +believe that black is white, every time; and now I'll take that five +hundred, if you please," she concluded, as she extended her fat hand +for the plump fee for which she had been so zealously working. + +"You shall have it--you shall have it; I will write you a check for it +immediately," said Monsieur Correlli. "But--you are sure there is no +one in the house who knows anything about the facts of the case?" he +added, inquiringly, after a moment of thought. + +"Yes, I am sure; I haven't a single servant now that was with me when +the girl was here." + +"Have you any idea where they went after leaving you?" asked the man, +with evident uneasiness. + +"Lor', no; you needn't have the slightest fear of their turning up," +responded his companion, with a light laugh. "That lawyer might as +well try to hunt for a needle in a hay-mow as to seek them as +witnesses against you; while, as for the lodgers who were here at the +time, not one of them knew anything about your affairs. By the way," +she added, curiously, "what has become of the girl?" + +"She followed me to Boston, and is there now, doubtless." + +"Would she be likely to know anything about the laws of New York +regarding marriage?" + +"No, indeed; she is a perfect ignoramus as far as any knowledge of the +customs of this country is concerned." + +"That is lucky for you; but, if you know where she can be found, I +would advise you to send her back to Italy with all possible dispatch. +She is liable to make trouble for you if she learns the truth, +for"--madam here shot a sly look at her companion--"a man can't live a +year or two with a woman here in New York, allowing her to believe +herself his wife, and her child to call him 'papa'--paying all her +bills, without giving her a pretty strong claim upon him. However, +mum's the word with me, provided I get my pay for it," she concluded, +with a knowing wink. + +Emil Correlli frowned at her coarse familiarity and the indirect +threat implied in her last words; but, simply remarking that he "would +draw that check," he returned to the room whence he had come, while +his companion turned to a window, chuckling softly to herself. + +Presently he reappeared and slipped into her hand a check for five +hundred dollars. + +"Now, in case this matter should come to court, I shall rely upon you +to swear that the girl's story is false and the lawyer's charge simply +a romance of his imagination," he remarked. + +"You may depend on me, sir--I will not fail you," madam responded, as, +with a complacent look, she neatly folded the check and deposited it +in her purse. + +Emil Correlli had arrived in New York very early the same morning, +and, not caring to have his presence there known, he had sought a room +in the house of the woman with whom Giulia had boarded for nearly two +years. + +Having partaken of a light breakfast, he went out again to seek the +policeman to whom he had telegraphed to detain Edith. + +He readily found him, when he learned all that we already know of the +man's efforts to obey Correlli's orders. + +"That was the girl, in spite of the lawyer's interference. You should +have never let her go," he angrily exclaimed, when the officer had +described Edith and told his story. + +"But I couldn't, sir--I had no authority--no warrant--and I should +have got myself into trouble," the man objected, adding: "The lawyer +was a shrewd one and had a high and mighty way with him that made a +fellow go into his boots and fight shy of him." + +Monsieur Correlli knew that the man was right, and saw that he must +make the best of the situation; so, taking possession of Roy's card, +and making his way directly to Broadway, he prowled about the vicinity +of his office to see what he could discover. + +He had not waited very long when his heart bounded as he caught sight +of Edith coming down the street and escorted by a handsome, manly +fellow, whose beaming face and adoring eyes plainly betrayed his +secret to the jealous watcher, who gnashed his teeth in fury at the +sight. + +The happy, unconscious couple soon disappeared within an office +building, whereupon Correlli went back to his lodgings to lay his +plans for future operations. + +Some hours later, while he was conversing with his landlady in her +pretty parlor, he was startled to see Edith's champion of the morning +mounting the steps of the house. + +Like a flash he seemed to comprehend the object of his visit there; +but he was puzzled to understand how it was possible for either Edith +or him to know that he or Giulia had ever lived there. + +A few rapid words were sufficient to reveal the situation to his +landlady, to whom he promised a liberal reward if she would implicitly +follow his directions. + +The result we know; and, although his bribe had been a heavy one, he +did not begrudge the money, since he believed he had thus securely +fortified himself against all attacks from the enemy. + +Later in the day he attempted to dog the young lawyer's steps, hoping +thus to ferret out Edith's hiding place; but nothing satisfactory +resulted, for Roy, after his hard and somewhat disappointing day, +simply repaired to his club, where, after partaking of his dinner and +smoking a cigar to soothe his nerves, he retired to rest. + +But the next morning, feeling secure of his position, Emil Correlli +boldly presented himself in his rival's office and demanded of him +Edith's address. + +Roy was prepared for him, for his fruitless visit to Giulia's former +landlady had aroused his suspicions that Monsieur Correlli was in the +city. + +Therefore he had resolved neither to evade nor parley with him, but +boldly defy the man, by acknowledging himself the wronged girl's +champion and legal adviser. + +"I cannot give you Miss Allandale's address," he quietly responded to +his visitor's demand. + +"Do you mean to imply that you do not know it?" he questioned, +arrogantly. + +"Not at all, sir; the lady is under my protection, as my client; +therefore, in her interest I refuse to reveal her place of residence," +Roy coolly responded. + +"But she is my wife, and I have a right to know where she is," said +the would-be husband, his anger flaming up hotly at being thus balked +in his desires. + +"Your wife?" repeated the young lawyer, in an incredulous tone, but +growing white about the mouth from the effort he made to retain +command of himself, as the obnoxious term fell from the villain's +lips. + +"Certainly--I claim her as such; my right to do so cannot be +questioned." + +"There may be a difference of opinion regarding that matter," Roy +calmly rejoined. + +"But we were publicly married on the twenty-fifth." + +"Ah! but there are circumstances under which even such a ceremony can +have no legal significance." + +The fiery Italian was no match for the lawyer in that cool, calm mood, +and his anger increased as he realized it. + +"But I have my certificate, and can produce plenty of witnesses to +prove my statements," he retorted. + +"The court will decide whether your evidence is sufficient to +substantiate your claim," Mr. Bryant composedly remarked. + +"The court?--will she take the matter into court?--will she dare +create such a scandal?" exclaimed the man, in a startled tone. + +"I do not feel at liberty, even had I the inclination, to reveal any +points in my client's case," coldly replied the young lawyer. "This +much I will say, however," he added, sternly, "I shall leave nothing +undone to free her from a tie that is both hateful and fraudulent." + +"I warn you that you will have a battle to fight that will cost you +something," snarled the baffled villain. + +"That also remains to be seen, sir; but whether you or I win this +battle, let me tell you, once for all, that Miss Allandale will never +submit to any authority which you may imagine you have acquired over +her by tricking her into this so-called marriage; she will never live +one hour with you; she will never respond to your name." + +Royal Bryant arose as he concluded this defiant speech, thus +intimating to his visitor that he wished to put an end to the +interview, for the curb that he was putting upon himself was becoming +almost unbearable. + +Emil Correlli gazed searchingly into his face for a moment, as if +trying to measure his foe. + +He could not fail to realize the superiority of the man, mentally, +morally and physically, and the thought was maddening that perhaps +Edith had freely given to him the love for which he had abjectly sued +in vain. + +"Well," he finally remarked, as he also arose, while he revealed his +white teeth in a vicious smile, "it may be in her power to carry out +that resolution, but one thing is sure, she can never free herself +from the fetters which she finds so galling--she can never marry any +other man while I live." + +This shot told, for the blue veins in Roy's temples suddenly swelled +out full at the malignant retort. + +But he mastered his first impulse to seize the wretch and throw him +from the window into the street, and quietly remarked: + +"As I have twice before observed, sir, all these things remain to be +seen and proved. Now, can I do anything further for you to-day?" + +The man could not do otherwise than take the hint; besides, there was +that in Roy's eye which warned him that it would not be safe for him +to try him too far. So, abruptly turning upon his heel, he left the +room, while our young lawyer, with tightly compressed lips and +care-lined brow, walked the floor in troubled thought. + +After leaving his office Emil Correlli repaired to the hotel where his +letters were usually sent, and found awaiting him there a telegram +announcing the sudden death of his sister and requesting his immediate +return to Boston. + +Shocked beyond measure, and grieved to the soul by this unexpected +bereavement, he dropped everything and left New York on the next +eastward express. + +We know all that occurred in that home where death had come so +unexpectedly; how, after the burial of Mrs. Goddard, Emil Correlli had +suddenly found his already large fortune greatly augmented by the +strange will of his sister, while the man whom she had always +professed to adore was left destitute, and to shift for himself as +best he could. + +The day after he had turned Gerald Goddard out of his home, so to +speak, the young man dismissed all his servants, closed the house, and +put it into the hands of a real estate agent to be disposed of at the +best advantage. + +He made an effort to find Giulia and her child, with the intention of +settling a comfortable income upon them, provided he could make the +girl promise to return to Italy and never trouble him again. + +But she had disappeared, and he could learn absolutely nothing +regarding her movements; and, impressed with a feeling that she would +yet revenge herself upon him in some unexpected way, he finally +returned to New York, determined to ferret out Edith's hiding place. + +Meantime the fair girl had been very happy with her new friends, who +were also growing very fond of her. + +But she would not allow herself to build too much upon the hope of +attaining her freedom which Roy had tried to arouse in her heart +shortly after her arrival in New York. + +Indeed, she had begun to notice that, after the first day or two, he +had avoided conversing upon the subject, while he often wore a look of +anxiety and care which betrayed that he was deeply troubled about +something. + +In fact, Roy was very heavy-hearted, for, since his failure to learn +anything from Giulia's former landlady to prove his theory correct, he +had begun to fear that it would be a very difficult matter to free the +girl he loved from the chain that bound her to Correlli. + +If he could have found the discarded girl herself he believed that, +with her assistance, he would soon discover the servants who had been +in the house during her residence there, and, through them, find some +substantial evidence to work upon. + +But although he had advertised for her in several Boston papers, he +had not been able to get any trace of her. + +He had, however, filed a plea to have Edith's so-called marriage set +aside, and was anxiously waiting for some time to be appointed for a +hearing of the' case. + +Edith and her new acquaintance, Mr. Raymond, were fast becoming firm +friends, in spite of the suspense that was hanging over the former +regarding her future. + +The young girl had first been drawn toward the invalid from a feeling +of sympathy, and because of his old-time fondness for her mother. But, +upon becoming better acquainted with him, she began to admire him for +his many noble qualities, both of mind and heart, while she ever found +him a most entertaining companion, as he possessed an exhaustless fund +of anecdote and personal experiences, acquired during his extensive +travels, which he never wearied of relating when he could find an +appreciative listener. + +Thus she spent a great deal of time with him, while by her many little +attentions to his comfort she won a large place in his heart. + +One day Mrs. Morrell and Edith went to attend a charity exhibition +that was under the supervision of a friend of the former, at her own +house. + +Upon their arrival they were ushered into the drawing-room, which was +beautifully decorated and hung with many exquisite paintings, while +some rare gems were resting conspicuously upon easels. + +In one corner, and artistically draped with a beautiful scarf, Edith +was startled, almost at the moment of her entrance, to see a painting +that was very familiar. + +It was that representing a portion of an old Roman wall, with the +lovers resting in its shadow, which had attracted the attention of +Mrs. Stewart on the last night of the "winter frolic," at Wyoming. + +With an expression of astonishment she went forward to examine it more +closely and to assure herself that it was the original, and not a +copy. + +Yes, those two tiny letters, G. G., in one corner, told their own +story, and proved her surmise to be correct. + +"How strange that it should be here!" she breathed. + +She had hardly uttered the words when some one arose from behind the +easel, and--she stood face to face with Gerald Goddard himself. + +The girl stood white and almost paralyzed before him, and the man +appeared scarcely less astonished on beholding her. + +"Miss Allen!" he faltered. "I never dreamed of meeting you here!" + +"Oh, pray do not tell Monsieur Correlli that you have seen me," she +gasped, fear for the moment superseding every other thought. + +"Do not be troubled--he shall learn nothing from me," said the man, +reassuringly. "Correlli and I are not very good friends just now, +simply because I told him that I should do all in my power to help you +prove that he had no just claim upon you." + +"Thank you," said Edith, flushing with hope, but involuntarily +shrinking from him, for she could not forget how he had degraded +himself before her on that last horrible night at Wyoming. + +"I suppose you have heard of my--of Mrs. Goddard's death?" he +remarked, after a moment of silence. + +"Mrs. Goddard--dead?" exclaimed Edith, shocked beyond expression. + +"Yes, she died very suddenly, the second morning after you left +Boston." + +Edith was about to respond with some expression of regret and +sympathy, when she saw him start violently, and a look of agony, that +bordered on despair, leap into his eyes. + +Involuntarily she turned to see what had caused it, and was both +surprised and delighted to behold Mrs. Stewart--whom she supposed to +be in Boston--just entering the room, and looking especially lovely in +a rich black velvet costume, with a hat to match, but brightened by +two or three exquisite pink roses. + +At that instant a lady, to whom she had recently been introduced, laid +her hand upon Edith's arm, remarking in quick, incisive tones: + +"Miss Allandale, your friend, Mrs. Morrell, is beckoning you to come +to her." + +Again Gerald Goddard started, and so violently that he nearly knocked +his picture from the easel. + +He shot one quick, horrified glance at the girl. + +"Miss Allandale!" he repeated, in a dazed tone, as all that the name +implied forced itself upon his mind. + +Another in the room had also caught the name, and turned to see who +had been thus addressed. + +As her glance fell upon Edith her beautiful face grew radiant. + +"Oh, if it should be--" she breathed. + +The next moment she had crossed the room to the girl's side. + +"What did Mrs. Baldwin call you, dear?" she breathlessly inquired, +regardless of etiquette, for she had not yet greeted her hostess. "Was +it Miss Allandale?" + +"Yes, that is my name," said Edith, flushing, but frankly meeting her +look of eager inquiry. + +"But you told me--" Mrs. Stewart whispered. + +"Yes," interposed the young girl, "while I was in Boston I was known +simply as Edith Allen--why, I will explain to you at some other time; +but my real name is Edith Allandale." + +The woman seemed turned to stone for a moment by this unexpected +revelation, so statue-like did she become, as she also realized all +that this confession embodied. + +Then, as if compelled by some magnetic influence, her eyes were drawn +toward the no less statue-like man standing by that never-to-be +forgotten picture on the easel. + +Their gaze met, and each read in that one brief look the conviction +that made one heart bound with joy, the other to sink with +despair--each knew that the beautiful girl, standing so wonderingly +beside that stately woman, was the child that had been born to them in +the pretty Italian villa hard by the old Roman wall which Gerald +Goddard had so faithfully reproduced upon canvas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +"THAT MAN MY FATHER!" + + +Isabel Stewart was the first to recover herself, when, gently linking +her arm within Edith's, she whispered, softly: + +"Come with me, dear; I would like to see you alone for a few minutes." + +She led her unresistingly from the room, across the hall, to a small +reception-room, when, closing the door to keep out intruders, she +turned and laid both her trembling hands upon the girl's shoulders. + +"Tell me," she said, looking wistfully into her wondering eyes, "are +you the daughter of Albert and Edith Allandale?" + +"Yes." + +It was all the answer that Edith, in her excitement, could make. + +The beautiful woman caught her breath graspingly, and every particle +of color faded from her face. + +"Tell me, also," she went on, hurriedly, "did you ever hear your--your +mother speak of a friend by the name of Belle Haven?" + +Edith's heart leaped into her throat at this question, and she, too, +began to tremble, as a suspicion of the truth flashed through her +mind. + +"No," she said, with quivering lips, "I never heard her mention such a +person; but--" + +"Yes--'but'--" eagerly repeated her companion. + +"But," the fair girl continued, gravely, while she searched with a +look of pain the eyes looking so eagerly into hers, "the evening after +mamma was buried, I found some letters which had been written to her +from Rome, and which were all signed 'Belle.'" + +"Oh!--" + +It was a sharp cry of agony that burst from Isabel Stewart's lips. + +"Oh, why did she keep them?" she went on, wildly; "how could she have +been so unwise? Why--why did she not destroy them?" + +At these words a light so eager, so beautiful, so tender that it +seemed to transfigure her, suddenly illumined Edith's face, for they +confirmed, beyond a doubt, the suspicion and hope that had been +creeping into her heart. + +"Tell me--are you that 'Belle'?" she whispered, bending nearer to her +with gleaming eyes. + +"Oh, do not ask me!" cried the unhappy woman, a bitter sob escaping +her. + +She had never dreamed of anything so dreadful as that those fatal +letters would fall into the hands of her child, to prejudice her and +make her shrink from her with aversion. + +She had planned, if she was ever so fortunate as to find her, and had +to reveal her history to her, to smooth over all that would be likely +to shock her--that she would never confess to her how despair had +driven her to the verge of that one crime upon which she now looked +back with unspeakable horror. + +The thought that this beautiful girl knew all, and believed the +worst--as she could not fail to do, she reasoned, after reading the +crude facts mentioned in those letters--filled her with shame and +grief: for how could she ever eradicate those first impressions, and +win the love she so craved? + +Thus she was wholly unprepared for what followed immediately upon her +indirect acknowledgment of her identity. + +The gentle girl, her expressive face radiant with mingled joy, love, +sympathy, slipped both arms around her companion's waist, and dropping +her head upon her shoulder, murmured, fondly: + +"Ah, I am sure you are!--I am sure that I have found my mother, and--I +am almost too happy to live." + +"Child! my own darling! Is it possible that you can thus open your +heart of hearts to me?" sobbed the astonished woman, as she clasped +the slight form to her in a convulsive embrace. + +"Oh, yes--yes; I have longed for you, with longing unspeakable, ever +since I knew," Edith murmured, tremulously. + +"Longed for me? Ah, I never dared to hope that Heaven could be so +kind. I feared, love, that you would despise me, as a weak and willful +woman, even after I should tell you all my story, with its extenuating +circumstances; but now, while knowing and believing only the worst, +you take me into the arms of your love, and own me--your mother!" + +She broke down utterly at this point, and both, clasped in each +other's embrace, sobbed in silent sympathy for a few moments. + +"Well, dearest, this will never do," Mrs. Stewart at last exclaimed, +as she lifted her face and smiled tenderly upon Edith; "we must at +least compose ourselves long enough to make our adieus to our hostess; +then I am going to take you home with me, to have all the story of our +tangled past unraveled and explained. Come, let us sit down for a few +moments, until we get rid of the traces of our tears, and you shall +tell me how you happened to be in Boston under the name of Edith +Allen." + +She drew her toward a couch as she spoke, and there Edith related how +she had happened to meet the Goddard's on the train, between New York +and Boston, and was engaged to act as madam's companion, and how also +the mistake regarding her name had occurred. + +"And were you happy with them, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Stewart, +regarding her curiously. + +The fair girl flushed. + +"Indeed I was not," she replied, "I think they were the strangest +people I ever met." + +Almost as she spoke the door of the reception-room opened, and Gerald +Goddard himself appeared upon the threshold. + +He was pale to ghastliness, and looked years older than when Edith had +seen him in the drawing-room a few minutes previous. + +"Pardon me this intrusion, Miss--Edith," he began, shrinkingly, while +he searched both faces before him with despairing eyes; "but I am +about to leave, and I wished to give you this note before I went. If, +after reading it, you should care to communicate with me, you can +address me at the Murry Hill Hotel." + +He laid the missive upon a table near the door, then, with a bow, +withdrew, leaving the mother and daughter alone again. + +"That was Mr. Goddard," Edith explained to her companion, as she arose +to take the letter; but without a suspicion that the two had ever met +before, or that the man was her own father--the "monster" who had so +wronged her beautiful mother. + +Mrs. Stewart made no reply to the remark; and Edith, breaking the seal +of the envelope in her hands, drew forth several closely-written +pages. + +"Why!" she exclaimed, in a startled tone, "this is Mrs. Goddard's +handwriting!" + +She hastily unfolded the sheets and ran her eye rapidly down the first +page, when a low cry broke from her lips, and, throwing herself upon +her knees before her mother, she buried her face in her lap, +murmuring joyfully: + +"Saved! saved!" + +"Darling, tell me!--what is this that excites you so?" Mrs. Stewart +pleaded, as she bent over her and softly kissed her flushed cheek. + +Edith put the letter into her hands, saying, eagerly: + +"Read it--read it!--it will tell its own story." + +Her companion obeyed her, and, as she read, her face grew stern and +white--her eyes glittered with a fiery light which told of an outraged +spirit aroused to a point where it would have been dangerous for the +woman who once had deeply wronged her, had she been living, to have +crossed her path again. + +"If I had known!--if I had known--" she began, when she reached the +end. Then, suddenly checking herself, she added, tenderly, to Edith: +"My love, it seems so wonderful--all this that has happened to you and +to me! We must take time to talk it all over by ourselves. You can +excuse yourself to your friend, can you not, and come with me to the +Waldorf? Say that I wish to keep you for the remainder of the day and +night, but will return you to her in the morning." + +Edith's face beamed with delight at this proposal. + +"Yes, indeed," she said, rising to comply at once with the request. "I +am sure Nellie will willingly give me up, when I whisper the truth in +her ear. My dear--dear mother!" she added, tremulously, as she bent +forward and kissed the beautiful face with quivering lips, "this +wonderful revelation seems too joyful to be true!" + +"Edith, my child," gravely said Isabel Stewart, as she held the girl a +little away from her and searched her face with anxious eyes, "after +learning what you did of me, from those horrible letters, is there no +shrinking in your heart--is there no feeling of--of shame or of +pitiful contempt for me?" + +"Not an atom, dear," whispered the trustful maiden, whose keen +intuitions had long since fathomed the character of the woman before +her; "to me you are as pure and dear as if that man--whoever he may +have been--had never cast a shadow upon your life by the shameful +deception which he practiced upon you." + +"My blessed little comforter! you shall be rewarded for your faith in +me," returned Mrs. Stewart, her lips wreathed in fondest smiles, her +eyes glowing with happiness. "But go excuse yourself to Mrs. Morrell, +then we will take leave of our hostess, and go home." + +Ten minutes later they were on their way to the Waldorf. + +It was rather a silent drive, for both were still too deeply moved +over their recent reunion to care to enter into details just then. It +was happiness enough to sit side by side, hand clasped in hand, +knowing that they were mother and daughter, and in tenderest sympathy +with each other. + +Upon arriving at her hotel Mrs. Stewart led the way directly to her +delightful suite of rooms, where, the moment the door was closed, she +turned and once more gathered Edith into her arms. + +"I must hold you--I must feel you, else I shall not be quite sure that +I am not dreaming," she exclaimed. "I find it difficult to realize my +great happiness. Can it be possible that I have my own again, after so +many years! that you were once the tiny baby that I held in my arms in +Rome, and loved better than any other earthly object? It is wonderful! +wonderful! and strangest of all is the fact that your heart turns so +fondly to me! Are you sure, dear, that you can unreservedly accept and +love your mother, in spite of those letters, and what they revealed +regarding my past life?" + +And again she searched Edith's face and eyes as if she would read her +inmost thoughts. + +She met her glance clearly, unshrinkingly. + +"I am sure that you never committed a willful wrong in your life," she +gravely replied. "It was a sad mistake to go away from your home and +parents, as you did; but there is no intent to sin to be laid to your +charge--your soul shines, like a beacon light, through these dear +eyes, and I am sure it is as pure and lovely as your face is +beautiful." + +"May He who always judges with divine mercy bless you for your sweet +charity and faith," murmured Isabel Stewart, in tremulous tones, as +she passionately kissed the lips which had just voiced such a blessed +assurance of trust and love. + +"Now come," she went on, a moment later, while, with her own hands, +she tenderly removed Edith's hat and wrap, "we will make ourselves +comfortable, then I will tell you all the sad story of my misguided +youth." + +Twining her arms about the girl's waist, she led her to a seat, and +sitting beside her, she circumstantially related all that we already +know of her history. + +But not once did she mention the name of the man who had so deeply +wronged her; for she had resolved, if it were possible, to keep from +Edith the fact that Gerald Goddard, under whose roof she had lived, +was her father. + +The young girl, however, was not satisfied, was not content to be thus +kept in the dark; and, when her mother's story was ended, she +inquired, with grave face and clouded eyes: + +"Who was this man?--why have you so persistently retrained from +identifying him? What was the name of that coward to whom--with shame +I say it--I am indebted for my being?" + +"My love, cannot you restrain your curiosity upon that point? Will you +not let the dead past bury its dead, without erecting a tablet to its +memory?" her companion pleaded, gently. "It can do you no possible +good--it might cause you infinite pain to know." + +"Is the man living?" Edith sternly demanded. + +Mrs. Stewart flushed. + +"Yes," she replied, after a moment of hesitation. + +"Then I must know--you must tell me, so that I may shun him as I would +shun a deadly serpent," the young girl exclaimed, with compressed lips +and flashing eyes. + +Mrs. Stewart looked both pained and troubled. + +"My love, I wish you would not press this point," she remarked, +nervously. + +"Edith turned and gazed searchingly into her eyes. + +"Do you still cherish an atom of affection for him?" she inquired. + +"No! a thousand times no!" was the emphatic response, accompanied by a +gesture of abhorrence. + +"Then you can have no personal motive or sensitiveness concerning the +matter." + +"No, my child--my desire is simply to save you pain--to spare you a +shock, perchance." + +"Do I know him already?--have I ever seen him?" cried Edith, in a +startled tone. + +"Yes, dear." + +"Then tell me! tell me!" panted the girl. "Oh! if I have spoken with +him, it is a wonder that my tongue was not paralyzed in the act--that +my very soul did not shrink and recoil with aversion from him!" she +exclaimed, trembling from head to foot with excitement. + +Her mother saw that it would be useless to attempt to keep the truth +from her; that it would be better to tell her, or she might brood over +the matter and make herself unhappy by vainly trying to solve the +riddle in her own mind. + +"Edith," she said, with gentle gravity, "the man is--Gerald Goddard!" + +The girl sprang to her feet, electrified by the startling revelation, +a low cry of dismay escaping her. + +"He! that man my--father!" she breathed, hoarsely, with dilating +nostrils and horrified eyes. + +"It is true," was the sad response. "I would have saved you the pain +of knowing this if I could." + +"Oh! and I have lived day after day in his presence! I have talked and +jested with him! I have eaten of his bread, and his roof has sheltered +me!" cried Edith, shivering with aversion. "Why, oh, why did not some +instinct warn me of the wretched truth, and enable me to repudiate him +and then fly from him as from some monster of evil? Ah, I was warned, +if I had but heeded the signs," she continued, with flushed cheeks and +flaming eyes. "There were many times when some word or look would +make me shrink from him with a strange repugnance, and that last night +in Wyoming--oh, he revealed his evil nature to me in a way that made +me loathe him!" + +"My child, pray calm yourself," pleaded her mother, regarding her with +astonishment, for she never could have believed, but for this +manifestation, that the usually gentle girl could have displayed so +much spirit under any circumstances. "Come," she added, "sit down +again, and explain what you meant by your reference to that last night +at Wyoming." + +And Edith, obeying her, related the conversation that had occurred +between Mr. Goddard and herself, on the night of the ball, when the +man had come to the dressing-room and asked her to button his gloves. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. + + +"It was very, very strange that you should have drifted into his home +in such a way," Mrs. Stewart observed, when Edith's narrative was +ended. "But, dear, I am not sorry--it was perhaps the best thing that +could have happened, under the circumstances, for it afforded you an +opportunity to gain an insight into the man's character without having +been previously influenced or prejudiced by any one. If you had never +met him, you might have imagined, after hearing my story, that I was +more bitter and unforgiving toward him than he justly merited." + +"He must have recognized you instantly when you entered Mrs. Wallace's +drawing-room to-day," said Edith, musingly; "for, did you notice how +strangely he looked when Mrs. Baldwin called me Miss Allandale, and +you came to me so eagerly?" + +"Yes; the relationship you bear to us both must have flashed upon him +with as great a shock as upon me," Mrs. Stewart returned. + +"And how perfectly wretched he appeared when he came to the +reception-room door to give me the letter," Edith remarked, musingly, +as that white, pained face arose before her mind's eye. + +"Can you wonder, dear? How could he help being appalled when he +remembered the treatment you had received while you were a member of +his family?" + +"It all seems very wonderful!" said the fair girl, thoughtfully, "and +the fact of your being in the house at the same time, seems strangest +of all!" + +"It was a very bold thing to do, I admit," responded Mrs. Stewart; +"but the case demanded some risk on my part--I was determined to get +hold of that certificate, if it was in existence. I thought it better +to employ strategy, rather than come into open controversy with them, +as I wished to avoid all publicity if possible. I firmly believe that, +if Anna Correlli had suspected that I was still alive, she would have +destroyed the document rather than allow it to come into my +possession." + +"But you could have proved your marriage, through Mr. Forsyth, even if +she had," Edith interposed. + +"Yes; but it would have caused a terrible scandal, for Mr. Goddard +would have had to answer to the charge of bigamy; while the publicity +I should have had to endure would have been exceedingly disagreeable +to me. If, however, I had failed in my plans I should not have +hesitated to adopt bold measures--for I was determined, for your sake +as well as my own, to have proof that I was a legal wife and my child +entitled to bear the name of her father, even though he might be +unworthy of her respect." + +"How did you happen to discover where the certificate was concealed?" +Edith inquired. + +"Do you remember, dear, the day when you came upon me, sitting faint +and weary on the back stairs, and insisted that I should exchange work +with you?" her companion questioned, with a fond smile. + +"Yes, indeed, but I little thought that it was my own mother who was +so worn out by performing such unaccustomed labor," the young girl +responded, as she raised the hand she was holding and touched her lips +softly to it. + +"Neither of us had a suspicion of the tie between us," returned Mrs. +Stewart; "and yet, from the moment that you entered the house, I +experienced an unaccountable fondness for you." + +"And I was immediately impressed that there was something very +mysterious about you--our portly housekeeper," Edith smilingly +replied. + +"Did you?" + +"Yes; for one thing, these hands"--regarding them fondly--"never +looked as if they really belonged to portly Mrs. Weld, and, several +times, you forgot to speak in your coarse, assumed tones; while, that +evening, when I captured your hideous blue glasses, and looked into +these lovely eyes, I was almost sure that you were not the woman you +appeared to be." + +"I remember," said her mother, "and I was conscious of your +suspicions; but I did not mind, for my mission in that house was +almost ended, and I intended, as soon as I could resume my real +character, to renew my acquaintance with you, as Mrs. Stewart, and see +if I could not persuade you to leave that uncongenial atmosphere and +come to me." + +"How strange!" murmured Edith. + +"It was the motherly instinct reaching out after its own," was the +tender response. "But, about my finding the certificate: You remember +you offered to put the rooms in order, if I would sew for you +meanwhile?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, that was the time that I learned where that precious paper +could be found," and then she proceeded to relate the conversation +that she had overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Goddard, and how, +emboldened by it, she had afterward gone to the room of the latter to +find her in the act of examining the very document she wanted. + +She also told how, later, she had gone, by herself, to the room and +deliberately taken possession of it. + +She also mentioned the incident that had occurred on the same day in +the dining-room, when Mr. Goddard had knocked her glasses off and +seemed so disconcerted upon looking into her eyes. + +"He appeared like one who had suddenly come face to face with some +ghost of his past--as indeed he had," she concluded, with a sigh. + +"I do not see how it can be possible for him to have known one +peaceful moment since the day of his desertion of you in Rome," Edith +remarked, with a grave, thoughtful face. + +"I do not think he has," said her mother. "No one can be really at +peace while leading a life of sin and selfish indulgence. I would +rather, a thousand times, have lived my life, saddened and +overshadowed by a great wrong and a lasting disgrace--as I have +believed it to be--than to have exchanged places with either Gerald +Goddard or Anna Correlli." + +"How relieved you must have been when you met Mr. Forsyth and learned +that your marriage had been a legal one," Edith observed, while she +uttered a sigh of gratitude as she realized that thus all reproach had +also been removed from her. + +"Indeed I was, love; but more on your account than mine. And I +immediately returned to America to prove it, and then reveal to my +dear old friend, Edith, the fact that no stigma rested upon the birth +of the child whom she had so nobly adopted as her own. Poor Edith! I +loved her with all my heart," interposed the fair woman, with starting +tears. "I wish I might have seen her once more, to bless her, from the +depths of my grateful soul, for having so sacredly treasured the jewel +that I committed to her care. If I could but have known two years +earlier, and found her, she never need have suffered the privations +which I am sure hastened her untimely death. You, too, my darling, +would have been spared the wretched experience of which you have told +me." + +"I do not mind so much for myself, but was in despair sometimes to +see how much mamma missed and needed the comforts to which she had +always been accustomed," said Edith, the tears rolling over her cheeks +as she remembered the patient sufferer who never murmured, even when +she was enduring the pangs of hunger. + +"Well, dear, do not grieve," said Mrs. Stewart, folding her in a fond +embrace. "I know, from what you have told me, that you did your utmost +to shield her from every ill; and, judging from what you have said +regarding the state of her health at the time of Mr. Allandale's +death, I believe she could not have lived very much longer, even under +the most favorable circumstances. Now, my child," she continued, more +brightly, and to distract the girl's thoughts from the sad past, +"since everything is all explained, tell me something about these new +friends of whom you have spoken--Mr. Bryant, Mrs. Morrell and Mr. +Raymond." + +Edith blushed rosily at the mention of her lover's name, and almost +involuntarily she slipped her hand into her pocket and clasped a +letter that lay concealed there. + +"Mr. Bryant is the gentleman in whose office I was working at the time +of mamma's death," she explained. "He, too, was the one who was so +kind when I got into trouble with the five-dollar gold piece, and so +it was to him I applied for advice, after escaping from Emil +Correlli." + +"Ah!" simply remarked Mrs. Stewart, but she was quick to observe the +shy smile that hovered about the beautiful girl's mouth while she was +speaking of Roy. + +"I telegraphed him to meet me when I should arrive in New York," Edith +resumed, "because I knew it would be late, and I did not know where it +would be best for me to go. He did so, and took me directly to his +cousin, and that is how I happened to be with Mrs. Morrell." + +Mrs. Stewart put one taper finger beneath Edith's pretty, round chin, +and gently lifting her downcast face, looked searchingly into her +eyes. + +"Darling, you are very fond of Mr. Bryant, are you not?" she softly +questioned. + +Instantly the fair face was dyed crimson, and, dropping her head upon +her mother's shoulder, she murmured: + +"How can I help it?" + +"And he is going to win my daughter from me? I hope he is worthy." + +"Oh, he is noble to the core of his heart," was the earnest reply. + +"I believe he must be, dear, or you could not love him," smilingly +returned her companion, adding: "At all events, he has been very kind +and faithful to you, and therefore deserves my everlasting gratitude. +Now tell me of this Mr. Raymond." + +So Edith proceeded to relate the story of that gentleman's unfortunate +love for and devotion to Mrs. Allandale; his recent quest for her, +after learning of Mr. Allandale's misfortune and death, in order to +leave his money to her; and how, after learning from Roy that she had +died, he had then advertised for herself, and, since her return to New +York, had settled the half of his fortune upon her. + +"Really, it is like a romance, dear," said Mrs. Stewart, smiling, +though somewhat sadly, when she concluded her pathetic tale. "To think +that, after all, I should find my little girl an heiress in her own +right! What a rich little body you will be by and by, when you also +come in possession of your mother's inheritance," she added, lightly. + +"Oh, pray do not suggest such a thought!" cried Edith, clinging to +her. "All the wealth of the world could not make up to me the loss of +my mother. Now that we have found each other, pray Heaven that we may +be spared many, many years to enjoy our happiness." + +"Forgive me, Edith--I should not have spoken like that," said Mrs. +Stewart, bending forward to kiss the sweet, pained face beside her. +"We will not begin to apprehend a parting in this first hour of our +joy. Now I suppose we ought to consider what relationship we are +going to sustain to each other in the future, before the world. Of +course, neither of us would enjoy the notoriety which a true statement +of our affairs would entail; at the same time, having found you, my +darling, I feel that I can never allow you to call me anything but +'mother'--which is music to my hungry ears." + +"No, indeed--I can never be denied the privilege of owning you," cried +Edith, earnestly. + +"Well, then, suppose you submit to a second adoption?" Mrs. Stewart +suggested. "It will be very easy, and perfectly truthful, to state +that, having been a dear friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth, and +returning from abroad to find you alone in the world, I solicited the +privilege of adopting the child of my old schoolmate and providing for +her future. Such an arrangement would appear perfectly natural to the +world, and no one could criticise us for loving each other just as +tenderly as we choose, or question your right to give me the title I +desire. What do you say, dear?" + +"I think the plan a very nice one, and agree to it with all my heart," +Edith eagerly responded. + +"Then we will proceed to carry it out immediately, for I am very +impatient to set up an establishment of my own, and introduce my +darling daughter to society," smilingly returned Mrs. Stewart; adding, +as she observed her somewhat curiously, "Are you fond of society and +gay life, Edith?" + +"Y-es, to a certain extent," was the rather thoughtful reply. + +"How am I to interpret that slightly indefinite remark?" Mrs. Stewart +playfully inquired. "Most girls are only too eager for fashionable +life." + +"And I used to enjoy it exceedingly," said the young girl, gravely, +"but I have had an opportunity to see the other side during the last +two years, and my ideas regarding what constitutes true enjoyment and +happiness have become somewhat modified. I am sure that I shall still +enjoy refined society; but, mother, dear, if your means are so ample, +and you intend to set up an establishment of your own, let us, at the +outset, take a stand in the social world that no one can mistake, and +maintain it most rigidly." + +"A 'stand,' Edith! I don't quite clearly comprehend your meaning," +said Mrs. Stewart, as she paused an instant. + +"I mean regarding the people with whom we will and will not mingle. +Have you ever heard of Paula Nelson, mother?" + +"Yes, dear; I met her only a few evenings ago, at the house of Mrs. +Raymond Ventnor; she is a noble woman, with a noble mission. I begin +to comprehend you now, Edith." + +"Then let us join her, heart and hand--let us take our stand for +chastity and morality," Edith earnestly resumed. "Let us pledge +ourselves never to admit within our doors any man who bears the +reputation of being immoral, or who lightly esteems the purity of any +woman, however humble; while, on the other hand, let us never refuse +to hold out a helping hand to those poor, unfortunate girls, who, +having once been deceived, honestly desire to rise above their +mistake." + +"That is bravely spoken, my noble Edith," said Mrs. Stewart, with dewy +eyes. "And surely I, who have so much greater cause for taking such a +stand than you, will second you most heartily in maintaining it in our +future home. I believe that such a determination on the part of every +pure woman, would soon make a radical change in the tone of society." + +Both were silent for a few moments after this, but finally Edith +turned to her companion and inquired: + +"Mother, dear, where is Mr. Willard Livermore--the gentleman who +rescued you from the Tiber--and his sister, also, who cared for you so +faithfully during your long illness?" + +"Alice Livermore is in Philadelphia, where she has long been +practicing medicine for sweet charity's sake. Mr. Livermore is--here +in New York," Mrs. Stewart responded, but flushing slightly as she +spoke the name of the gentleman. + +Something in her tone caused Edith to glance up curiously into her +face, and she read there, in the lovely flush and tender eye, which +told her that her mother regarded her deliverer with a sentiment far +stronger and deeper than that of mere gratitude or admiration. + +"Ah! you--" she began, impulsively, and then stopped, confused. + +"Yes, love," confessed the beautiful woman, with shining eyes, "I will +have no secrets from you--we both love each other with an everlasting +love; for long years this has been so; and had we been sure that there +existed no obstacle to our union, it is probable that I should have +married Mr. Livermore long ago. But we both believe in the Bible +ritual, and those words, 'until death doth part,' have been a barrier +which neither of us was willing to overleap. Each knows the heart of +the other; and, though it sometimes seems hard that our lives must be +divided, when our tastes are so congenial in every particular, yet we +have mutually decided that only as 'friends' have we the right to +clasp hands and greet each other in this world." + +Edith put up her lips and softly kissed the flushed cheek nearest her. + +"How I love and honor you!" she whispered. + +"We will never speak about this again, if you please, dear," said +Isabel Stewart, in a slightly tremulous tone. "I wished you to know +the truth, but I cannot talk about it. I do not deny the affection; +that is something over which I have no control; but I can at least say +'thus far and no farther,' for the sake of conscience and +self-respect. Now, about that letter which was handed to you to-day," +she continued, suddenly changing the subject. "Suppose we look it over +again, and then I think it should go directly into the hands of Mr. +Bryant." + +She had hardly finished speaking when there came a knock upon her +door. + +Rising, she opened it, to find a servant standing without and waiting +to deliver a card that lay upon a silver salver. + +Mrs. Stewart took it and read the name of Royal Bryant, together with +the following lines, written in pencil: + + "Will Mrs. Stewart kindly excuse this seeming intrusion of a + stranger? but I understand that Miss Allandale is with you, + and it is necessary that I have a few moments' conversation + with her. + + R. B." + +"Show the gentleman up," the lady quietly remarked to the servant, +then stepped back into the room and passed the card to Edith. + +The young girl's eyes lighted with sudden joy, and the quick color +flushed her cheeks, betraying how even the sight of Roy's name and +handwriting had power to move her. + +A few moments later there came another tap to tell her that her dear +one was awaiting admittance, and she herself went to receive him. + +"Roy! I am so glad you have come!" she exclaimed, holding out both +hands to him, her face radiant with happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +"MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!" + + +The young man regarded her with astonishment, for she had never +greeted him so warmly before. + +Edith saw his look and met it with a blush. She took his hat, then led +him directly to Mrs. Stewart. + +"Roy, you will be astonished," she remarked, "but my first duty is to +introduce you to--my mother." + +With a look of blank amazement, the young man mechanically put out his +hand to greet the beautiful woman who approached and graciously +welcomed him. + +"That was rather an abrupt and startling announcement, Mr. Bryant," +she smilingly remarked, to cover his confusion; "but pray be seated +and we will soon explain the mysterious situation." + +"Pardon my bewilderment," said the young man, as he bowed over her +extended hand; "but really, ladies, I am free to confess that you have +almost taken my breath away." + +"Then you will know how to sympathize with us," cried Edith, with a +silvery little laugh, "for we have both been in the same condition +during the last few hours." + +"Indeed! Then I must say you look very bright for a person who has not +breathed for 'hours,'" he retorted, as he began to recover himself. + +"Well, figuratively speaking, our respiration has been retarded many +times, during a short interval, by the strangest developments +imaginable," Edith explained. "But how did you trace me to the +Waldorf?" + +"I had something important to tell you, so ran up to Nellie's to see +you, but was told that you had accompanied Mrs. Stewart thither," Roy +explained. "I hope, however, I shall be pardoned for interrupting your +interview," he concluded with an apologetic glance at the elder lady. + +"Certainly; and, strange to say, we were speaking of you almost at the +moment that your card was brought to us," she returned. "Edith has had +an important communication handed her to-day, which I thought you +ought to have, since you are her attorney, without any unnecessary +delay." + +"Oh! it is most wonderful, Roy! This is it," said the young girl, +producing it from her pocket. "But first I must tell you that in Mrs. +Stewart I have discovered mamma's old friend--the writer of those +letters of which I told you. She did not die in Rome, as was feared." + +"Can that be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. + +"Yes, dear. It is a long story, and I cannot stop to tell it all now," +Edith went on, eagerly, "but I must explain that she has discovered an +important document that proves what makes me the happiest girl in New +York to-day. We met at Mrs. Wallace's this afternoon, where some one +addressed me as Miss Allandale, when she instantly knew that I must be +her child. Isn't it all too wonderful to seem true?" + +After chatting a little longer over the wonderful revelations, he +suddenly remembered the "important communication" which Mrs. Stewart +had mentioned. + +"What was the matter of business which you felt needed early +consideration?" he inquired. + +Instantly Edith's lovely face was suffused with blushes, and Mrs. +Stewart, thinking it would be wise to leave the lovers alone during +the forthcoming explanations, excused herself and quietly slipped into +an adjoining room. + +Edith immediately went to the young man's side and gave her letter to +him. + +"Roy, this is even more wonderful than what I have already told you," +she gravely remarked. "Read it; it will explain itself better than any +words of mine can do." + +He drew the contents from the envelope, and began at once to read the +following confession: + + "For the sake of performing one right act in my life, I wish + to make the following statement, namely: I hereby declare + that the marriage of my brother, Emil Correlli, to Miss + Edith Allen, who, for several weeks, has acted as my + companion, was not a legal ceremony, inasmuch as it was + accomplished solely by fraud and treachery. Miss Allen was + tricked into it by being overpersuaded to personate a + supposed character in a play, entitled 'The Masked Bridal.' + The play was written and acted before a large audience for + the sole purpose of deceiving Miss Allen and making her the + wife of my brother, whom she had absolutely refused to + marry, but who was determined to carry his point at all + hazards. Motives of affection for him, and of jealousy, on + account of my husband's apparent fondness for the girl, + alone prompted me to aid him in his bold design. I hereby + declare again that it was all a trick, from beginning to + end, and it was only by my indomitable will, and by working + upon Miss Allen's sympathies, that I was enabled to carry + out my purpose." (Then followed a detailed account of the + plot of the play and its concluding ceremony, after which + the document closed as follows): "I am impressed that I have + not long to live; and wishing, if it can be done, to right + this great wrong, and make it possible for the proper + officials to declare Miss Allen freed from her bonds, I make + this confession of a fraud that weighs too heavily upon my + conscience to be borne. + + "ANNA CORRELLI GODDARD." + +The above was dated the day previous to that of madam's death, and +underneath she had appended a few lines to Mr. Goddard, stating that +she knew he was in sympathy with Edith; therefore she should leave the +epistle with her lawyer, to be given to him, in the event of her +death, and she enjoined him to see that justice was done the girl whom +she had injured. + +This was the missive that the lawyer had passed to Mr. Goddard at the +same time that he had read the woman's will in the presence of her +husband and Emil Correlli, and over which, as we have seen, he +afterward became so strangely agitated. + +We know how he had hurriedly removed from his former elegant home to a +habitation on another street; after which, instead of going abroad, as +the papers had stated, he had gone directly to New York, upon the same +quest as Emil Correlli, but with a very different purpose in +view--that of giving to Edith the precious document that was to +declare her free from the man whom she loathed. + +He could get no trace of her, however; unlike Correlli, he had no +knowledge of her acquaintance with Royal Bryant, and therefore all he +could do was to carry the letter about with him, wherever he went, in +the hope of some day meeting her upon the street, or elsewhere. + +One day he was out at Central Park, when he suddenly came upon a +former friend--Mrs. Wallace--who immediately announced to him her +intention of arranging a charitable art exhibition and solicited +contributions from him to aid her in the good work. + +Thus the appearance of that bit of old "Roman Wall" is accounted for, +as well as the presence of Mr. Goddard himself, who was particularly +requested by Mrs. Wallace to honor the occasion, and allow her to +introduce him to some of her friends. + +It would be difficult to describe the terrible shock which the man +sustained when he heard Edith addressed by and respond to the +name--Miss Allandale. + +Like a flash of light it was revealed to him that the beautiful girl +was his own daughter!--that, in her, he had, for months, been +"entertaining an angel unawares," but only to abuse his privilege in a +way to reap her lasting contempt and aversion. + +This blighting knowledge was followed by a sense of sickening despair +and misery, when, almost at the same moment, he saw Isabel Stewart +start forward to claim her child and lead her from the room, when he +knew she must learn the wretched truth regarding his life of +selfishness and sin. + +As they disappeared from sight, he sank back behind the easel that +supported his Roman picture, groaning in spirit with remorse and +humiliation. + +A little later he stole unseen from the room, and, crossing the hall, +opened the door of the reception-room, which he had seen Edith and her +mother enter. + +He had determined to give the young girl the letter that would serve +to release her from her hateful fetters; he would, perhaps, experience +some comfort in the thought that he had rendered her this one simple +service that would bring her happiness; then he would go away--hide +himself and his misery from all who knew him, and live out his future +to what purpose he could. + +We know how he carried out his resolve regarding the confession of +Anna Correlli; and the picture which met his eye, as he opened that +door and looked upon the mother and daughter clasped in each other's +arms, was one that haunted his memory during the rest of his life. + +As soon as Royal Bryant comprehended the import of Anna Correlli's +confession, he turned to Edith with a radiant face and open arms. + +"My darling! nothing can keep us apart now!" he murmured, in tones +vibrant with joy, "you are free--free as the air you breathe--free to +give yourself to me! Come!" + +With a smile of love and happiness Edith sprang into his embrace and +laid her face upon his breast. + +"Oh, Roy!" she breathed, "all this seems too much joy to be real or to +be borne in one day!" + +"I think we can manage to endure it," returned her lover, with a fond +smile. "I confess, however, that it seems like a day especially +dedicated to blessings, for I have other good news for you." + +"Can it be possible? What more could I ask, or even think of?" +exclaimed Edith, wonderingly. + +Roy smiled mysteriously, and returned, with a roguish gleam in his +eyes: + +"My news will keep a while--until you give me the pledge I crave, my +darling. You will be my wife, Edith?" he added, with tender +earnestness. + +"You know that I will, Roy," she whispered; and, lifting her face to +his, their mutual vows were sealed by their betrothal caress. + +The young man drew from an inner pocket a tiny circlet of gold in +which there blazed a flawless stone, clear as a drop of dew, and +slipped it upon the third finger of Edith's left hand. + +"I have had it ever since the day after your arrival in New York," he +smilingly remarked, "but coward conscience would not allow me to give +it to you; however, it will prove to you that I was lacking in neither +faith nor hope." + +"Now for my good news," he added, after Edith had thanked him, in a +shy, sweet way that thrilled him anew, while he gently drew her to a +seat. "I met Giulia Fiorini on the street this afternoon." + +"Oh, Roy! did you?" + +"Yes; she is here, searching for Correlli. I recognized her and the +child from your description. I boldly resolved to address her, as I +feared it might be my only opportunity. I did so, asking if I was +right in supposing her to be Madam Fiorini, and told her that I was +searching for her, at your request. She almost wept at the sound of +your name, and eagerly inquired where she could find you. I took her +to my office, where I told her what I wished to prove regarding her +relations with Correlli, and that, if I could accomplish my purpose, +it would give her and the child a claim upon him which he could not +ignore. She at once frankly related her story to me, and stated that +when they had first arrived in New York from Italy, Correlli had taken +her to Madam ----'s boarding-house, where he had made arrangements for +himself, wife and child--" + +"Oh, then that settles the question of her claim upon him!" Edith here +interposed, eagerly. + +"Yes--if we can prove her statements, and I think we can; for when I +told Giulia of my visit to madam, and how I had failed to elicit the +slightest information from her, she said that she knew where one of +the servants--who was in the house when she went there--could be +found, for she had stumbled across the girl in the street and learned +where she is now living. She gave me her address, and I went +immediately to interview her. Luck was in my favor--the girl was at +home, and remembered the 'pretty Italian girl, who was so sweet-spoken +and polite;' she also knew where her previous fellow-servant could be +found, and asserted that they would both be willing to swear that +madam herself had told them to 'always to be very attentive to the +handsome Italian's wife, for she made more out of them than out of any +of her other boarders.' So, I flatter myself that I have gathered +conclusive evidence against the man," Roy added, in a tone of +satisfaction. "I shall interview Monsieur Correlli at once, and +perhaps, when he realizes that his supposed claim upon you is null and +void, he may be persuaded to do what is right regarding his wife and +child." + +The lovers then fell to talking of their own affairs, Edith relating +what she had so recently learned from her mother, and concluded by +mentioning the plan of readoption, suggested by Mrs. Stewart, in order +to avoid the gossip of the world. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER. + + +The morning following his conference with his betrothed, our young +lawyer went early to seek an interview with Emil Correlli. + +He was fortunate enough to find him at the hotel where he had told him +he could be found if wanted. + +In a few terse sentences he stated the object of his visit, cited the +evidence he possessed of Correlli's bigamous exploit, and then +startled that audacious person by summarizing the contents of the late +Mrs. Goddard's confession. + +"If you are not already sure of the fact," the lawyer emphatically +added, "allow me to inform you that your sister was never the wife of +Mr. Gerald Goddard, as that gentleman had been married previous to his +meeting with Miss Correlli. It was supposed that his first wife was +drowned in Rome, but the report was false, as the woman is still +living." + +"I do not believe it," angrily exclaimed Emil Correlli, and yet, in +his heart, he felt that it was true, for it but verified his own +previous suspicions. "I tell you it is all a lie, for Goddard himself +told me, only two days after my sister's death, that, if I chose to +look, I would find the record of his marriage to her in the books of +the ---- Church in Rome." + +"That is true; Mr. Goddard supposed the marriage to have been legal, +because, at the time he deserted his lovely wife for Miss Correlli, he +did not know that he was lawfully bound to her. But, later, both he +and your sister learned the truth, and the secret of their unfortunate +relations embittered the lives of both, especially after they +discovered that the real Mrs. Goddard is still living," Roy exclaimed. + +"How do you know this?" hoarsely demanded his companion. + +"I have recently seen and conversed with Mrs. Goddard, and all the +facts of her history are in my possession." + +"Who is she? Under what name is she known?" + +"That is a question that I must refuse to answer, as the revelation of +the lady's identity cannot affect the case in hand; unless--it should +come before the courts and the truth be forced from me," Roy replied. + +"Then why have you told me this wretched story?" cried the man, almost +savagely. + +"A lawyer, in fighting his cases, is often obliged to use a variety of +weapons," was the significant response. "I thought it might be just as +well to warn you, at the outset, that your sister's reputation might +suffer in the event of a lawsuit, during which much might be revealed +which otherwise would remain a secret among ourselves." + +To convince Correlli of the truth of his disclosures Mr. Bryant +announced that he had in his possession, at that moment, a copy of +Mrs. Goddard's confession, and proceeded to read it, having first +declared that the original was in his office safe. + +Emil Correlli, was ghastly white when Roy stopped, after reading the +entire confession. He realized that his case was hopeless; that he had +been ignominiously defeated in his scheme to possess Edith, and +nothing remained to him but to submit to the inevitable. + +"Now I have just one question to ask you, Mr. Correlli," Roy remarked, +as he refolded the paper and laid it upon the table for him to examine +at his leisure. "What is your decision? Will you still contest the +point of Miss Allandale's freedom, or will you quietly withdraw your +claim, and allow it to be publicly announced, through the Boston +papers, that that ceremony in Wyoming was simply a farce after all?" + +"You leave me no choice," was the sullen response; "but," with a +murderous gleam in his dusky eyes, "if you had brought the original +confession with you to-day, you would never have gone out of this +house with it in your possession." + +"Excuse me for contradicting you, sir; but I think I should," Roy +returned, with the utmost courtesy. "I took all proper precautions +before coming to you, as it was--although not because of any personal +fear of you. No less than three persons in this house, and as many +more outside, know of my visit to you at this hour. And, now, since +you have decided to yield to my requirements, I have here some papers +for you to sign." + +He drew them forth as he spoke, spreading them out upon the table, +after which he arose and touched the electric button over the mantel. + +"What is that for?" curtly demanded his companion. + +"To summon witnesses to your signature to these documents." + +"Your assurance is something refreshing," sneered the elder man. "How +do you know that I will sign them?" + +"I feel very sure that you will, Mr. Correlli," was the quiet +rejoinder; "for, in the event of your refusal, there is an officer in +waiting to arrest you upon the two serious charges before mentioned." + +The baffled man snarled in impotent rage; but before he could frame a +retort, there came a knock on the door. + +Roy answered it, and bade the servant without to "show up the +gentlemen who were waiting in the office." + +Five minutes later they appeared, when Emil Correlli, without a demur, +signed the papers which Roy had brought and now read aloud in their +presence. + +His signature was then duly witnessed by them, after which they +withdrew, Mr. Bryant's clerk, who was one of the number, taking the +documents with him. + +Roy, however, remained behind. + +"Mr. Correlli," he said, as soon as the door closed, "I have one more +request to make of you, before I leave; it is that you will openly +acknowledge as your wife the woman you have wronged, and thus bestow +upon your child the name which it is his right to bear." + +"I will see them both--" + +"Hush!" sternly interrupted Roy, before he could complete his +passionate sentence. "I simply wish to give you the opportunity to do +what is right, of your own free will. If you refuse, I shall do my +utmost to compel you; and, mark my words, it can be done. That woman +and her child are justly entitled to your name and support, and they +shall have their rights, even though you may never look upon their +faces again. I give you just one week to think over the matter. You +can leave the country if you choose, and thus escape appearing in +court; but you doubtless know what will happen if you do--the case +will go by default, and Giulia and Ino will come off victors." + +The man knew that what the lawyer said was true, but he was so enraged +over his inability to help himself that he was utterly reckless, and +cried out, fiercely: + +"Do your worst--I defy you to the last! And now, the quicker you +relieve me of your presence the better I shall like it." + +The young lawyer took up his hat, bowed politely to his defeated foe, +and quietly left the room, very well satisfied with the result of his +morning's work. + +All the necessary forms of law were complied with to release Edith +from even a seeming alliance with the man who had been so determined +to win her. + +An announcement was inserted in the Boston papers explaining as much +as was deemed necessary, and thus the fair girl was free!--free to +give herself to him whom her heart had chosen. + +Then she was formally adopted by Mrs. Stewart, the old schoolmate of +the late Mrs. Allandale, and a little later, when they were settled in +their elegant residence on one of the fashionable avenues, society was +bidden to a great feast to honor the new relationship and to +congratulate the charming hostess and her beautiful daughter, who was +thus restored to a position she was so well fitted to grace. + +At the same time Edith's engagement to the young lawyer was announced, +and it seemed to the happy young couple as if the future held for them +only visions of joy. + +True to his promise, Roy gave Emil Correlli the week specified to +decide either for or against Giulia; then, not having heard from him, +he instituted proceedings to establish her claim upon him. + +Correlli did not appear to defend himself, consequently the court +indorsed her petition and awarded her a handsome maintenance. + +Once only Gerald Goddard met his daughter after she learned the facts +relating to her birth and parentage. + +They suddenly came face to face, one morning, in one of the up-town +parks. He looked ill and wretched; his hair had become white as snow, +his face thin and pale, and his clothing hung loosely about him. + +"Pardon me," he began, in uncertain tones, while he searched her face +wistfully. "No doubt you despise me too thoroughly to wish to hold any +intercourse with me; still, I feel that I must tell you how deeply I +regret, and ask your pardon for, what occurred in the dressing-room at +Wyoming on the last night of that 'winter frolic.'" + +Edith's tender heart could not fail to experience a feeling of +sympathy for the proud man in his humiliated and broken state. +Remembering that it was through him that her blessed freedom from Emil +Correlli and her present happiness had come, she forced herself to +respond in a gentle tone: + +"I have always felt, Mr. Goddard, that you were not fully conscious of +what you were saying to me at that time." + +"I was not," he eagerly returned, his face lighting a trifle that she +should judge him thus leniently. "I had been drinking too much; still, +that fact should, perhaps, also be a cause for shame. Pray assure me +of your pardon for what I can never forgive myself." + +"Certainly; I have no right to withhold it, in view of your apology," +she responded. + +"Thank you; and--and may I presume to ask you one question more?" he +pleaded. + +Edith's heart leaped into her throat at this, for she was impressed +with a knowledge and a dread of what was coming. + +For the moment she could not speak--she could only bow her assent to +his request. + +"I want to ask if--if, since you left my house, you have learned +anything regarding my previous history?" he inquired, with pale lips. + +"Yes," she said, sadly, "I know it all. My mother told me only because +I demanded the truth. She would have preferred to keep some things +from me, for your sake as well as mine, but I could not be satisfied +with any partial disclosure." + +"How you must hate me!" the man burst forth, while great drops of +agony gathered about his mouth. + +He had never believed that a human being could suffer as he suffered +at that moment, in knowing that by his own vileness he had forever +barred himself outside the affections of this lovely girl, toward whom +he had always--since the first hour of their meeting--been strangely +attracted, and whose love and respect, now that he knew she was his +own child, seemed the most priceless boons that earth could hold for +him. + +At first Edith could make no reply to his passionate outburst. + +"No," she said, at last, and lifting a regretful look to him, "I hope +that there is not an atom of 'hate' in my heart toward any human +being, especially toward any one who might experience an honest, +though late, repentance for misdeeds." + +"Ah! thank you; then have you not some word of comfort--some message +of peace for me?" tremulously pleaded the once haughty, +self-sufficient man, while he half extended his hands toward her, in a +gesture of entreaty. + +Her lips quivered, and tears sprang involuntarily to her eyes, while +it was only after a prolonged effort that she was able to respond. + +"Yes," she said, at last, a solemn sweetness in her unsteady tones, +"the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace." + +She often wondered afterward how it happened that those words of +blessing, once uttered by a patriarch of old, should have slipped +almost unconsciously from her lips. + +She did not even wait to note their effect upon her companion, but, +gliding swiftly past him, went on her way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +CONCLUSION. + + +Three months after the incidents related in our previous chapter a +large and fashionable audience assembled, one bright day, in a certain +church on Madison avenue to witness a marriage that had been +anticipated with considerable interest and curiosity among the smart +set. + +Exactly at the last stroke of noon the bridal party passed down the +central aisle. + +It was composed of four ushers, as many bridesmaids a maid of honor +and two stately, graceful figures in snow-white apparel. + +One of these latter was a veiled bride, her tall, willowy figure clad +in gleaming satin, her golden head crowned with natural orange +blossoms, and she carried an exquisite bouquet of the same fragrant +flowers in her ungloved hands--for the groom had forbidden the +conventional white kids in this ceremony--while on her lovely face +there was a light and sweetness which only perfect happiness could +have painted there. + +Her companion, a woman of regal presence and equally beautiful in her +way, was clothed in costly white velvet, richly garnished with pearls +and rare old point lace. + +The fair bride and her attendant were no other than Isabel Stewart and +her daughter. + +"Who should give away my darling save her own mother?" she had +questioned, with smiling but tremulous lips, when this matter was +being discussed, together with other preparations for the wedding. + +Edith was delighted with the idea, and thus it was carried out in the +way described. + +The party was met at the chancel by Roy, accompanied by his best man +and the clergyman, where the ceremony was impressively performed, +after which the happy couple led the way from the church with those +sweetest strains of Mendelssohn beating their melodious rhythm upon +their ears and joyful hearts. + +It was an occasion for only smiles and gladness; but, away in a dim +corner of that vast edifice, there sat a solitary figure, with bowed +head and pale face, over which--as there fell upon his ears those +solemn words, "till death us do part"--hot tears streamed like rain. + +The figure was Gerald Goddard. He had read the announcement of Edith's +marriage in the papers, and, with an irresistible yearning to see her +in her bridal robes, he had stolen into the church with the crowd, and +hidden himself where he could see without being seen. + +But the scene was too much for him, for, as he watched that peerless +woman and her beautiful daughter move down the aisle, and listened to +the reverent responses of the young couple, there came to him, with +terrible force, the consciousness that if he had been true to the same +vows which he had once taken upon himself he need not now have been +shut out of this happy scene, like some lost soul shut out of heaven. + +But no one heeded him; and, when the ceremony was over, he slipped +away as secretly as he had come, and no one dreamed that the father of +the beautiful bride had been an unbidden guest at her wedding. + +In giving Edith to Roy Mrs. Stewart had begged that she need not be +separated from her newly recovered treasure--that for the present, at +least, they would make their home with her--or, rather, that they +would take the house, which was to be a part of Edith's dowry, and +allow her to remain with them as their guest. + +This they were only too glad to do; therefore, after a delightful +wedding trip through the West, they came back to their elegant home, +where, with every luxury at their command, the future seemed to +promise unlimited happiness. + +Poor Louis Raymond had failed very rapidly during the spring months; +indeed, he was not even able to attend the marriage of the girl for +whom he had formed a strong attachment, and who had bestowed upon him +many gracious attentions and services that had greatly brightened his +last days. He passed quietly away only a few weeks after their return +to New York. + +One day, a couple of months after her marriage, Edith was about to +step into her carriage, on coming out of a store on Broadway, where +she had been shopping, when she was startled by excited shouts and +cries directly across the street from her. + +Turning to see what had caused the commotion, she saw a heavily loaded +team just toppling over, while a man, who had been in the act of +crossing the street, was borne down under it, and, with a shriek which +she never forgot, apparently crushed to death. + +Sick and faint with horror, she crept into her carriage, and ordered +her driver to get away from the dreadful scene as soon as possible. + +That same evening, as she was looking over the _Telegram_, a low cry +of astonishment broke from her, as she read the following paragraph: + +"A sad accident occurred on Broadway this morning. A carelessly loaded +team was overturned by its own top-heaviness as it was rounding the +corner of Twenty-ninth street, crushing beneath its cruel weight the +talented young sculptor, Emil Correlli. Both legs were broken, one in +two places, and it is feared that he has suffered fatal internal +injuries. He was taken in an unconscious state to the Roosevelt +Hospital, where he now lies hovering between life and death. The +surgeons have little hope of his recovery." + +Edith was greatly shocked by the account, notwithstanding her aversion +to the man. + +She had not supposed that he was in the city, for Roy believed that he +had left the country, rather than appear to defend himself against +Giulia's claims, and to escape paying the damages the court awarded +her, after proclaiming her his lawful wife. + +The woman had since been supporting herself and her child by designing +and making dainty costumes for children, a vocation to which she +seemed especially adapted, and by which she was making a good living, +through the recommendation of both Mrs. Stewart and Edith. + +The day after the accident Roy, on his way home from his office, +prompted by a feeling of humanity, went to the Roosevelt Hospital to +inquire for the injured man. + +The surgeon looked grave when he made known his errand. + +"There is hardly a ray of hope for him," he remarked; "he is still +unconscious. Do you know anything about him or his family?" he asked, +with sudden interest. + +"Yes, I have had some acquaintance with him," Roy returned. + +"Do you know his wife?" the man pursued. "A woman came here last +evening, claiming to be his wife, and insisting upon remaining by his +bedside as long as he should live." + +"Yes, he has a wife," the young man briefly returned, but deeply +touched by this evidence of Giulia's devotion. + +"Is she a dark, foreign-looking lady, of medium height, rather +handsome, and with a slight accent in her speech?" + +"That answers exactly to her description." + +"I am glad to know it, for we have been in some doubt as to the +propriety of allowing her to remain with our patient. We tried to make +her leave him, last night, even threatening to have her forcibly +removed; but she simply would not go, and is remarkably handy in +assisting the nurse, while her self-control is simply wonderful." + +Roy wrote a few lines on one of his cards, saying that if either he or +Mrs. Bryant could be of any service at this trying time, she might be +free to call upon them. + +This he gave to the surgeon to hand to Giulia, and then went away. + +The following evening the woman made her appearance in their home with +her child, whom she begged them to care for "as long as Emil should +live." + +It could not be very long, she said, with streaming eyes. She loved +him still, in spite of everything, and she must remain with him while +he breathed. + +Edith willingly received Ino, saying she would be glad to keep him as +long as was necessary; then Giulia went immediately back to her sad +vigils beside the man who had caused her nothing but sorrow and shame. + +But Emil Correlli did not die. + +Very slowly and painfully he came back to life--to an existence, +rather, from which he would gladly have escaped when he realized what +it was to be. + +When he first awakened to consciousness it was to find a pale, patient +woman beside him--one who met his sighs and moans with gentle +sympathy, and who ministered tirelessly to his every need and comfort. + +No other hand was so cool and soft upon his heated head, or so deft to +arrange his covers and pillows; no voice was so gently modulated yet +so invariably cheerful--no step so quick and light; and, though the +querulous invalid often frowned upon her, and chided her sharply for +imaginary remissness, she never wavered in her sweetness and +gentleness. + +Thus, little by little, the selfish man grew to appreciate her and to +yearn for her presence, if she was forced to be out of his sight for +even a few minutes at a time. + +"She has saved your life--she has almost forced life upon you," the +surgeon remarked to him one day, when, as he came to make his +accustomed visit, Giulia slipped away for a moment of rest and a +breath of fresh air. + +The invalid frowned. It was not exactly pleasant to be told that he +owed such a debt of gratitude to the woman he had wronged. He was too +callous to experience very much of gratitude as yet. It was only when +he was pronounced well enough to be moved, and informed that he must +make arrangements to be cared for outside, in order to make room for +more urgent cases, that he began to wonder how he should get along +without his faithful nurse and to realize how dependent he was upon +her. + +He knew that he would be a cripple for life; his broken bones had +knitted nicely, and his limbs would be as sound as ever, in time; but +his spine had been injured, and he would never walk upright +again--henceforth he would only be able to get about upon crutches. + +How, then, could he live without some one to wait upon him and bear +with him in his future state of helplessness? + +"Where shall I go?" he questioned, querulously, when, later, he told +Giulia that his removal had been ordered. "A hotel is the most dismal +place in the world for a sick man." + +"Emil, how would you like a home of your own?" Giulia gravely +inquired. + +The word "home" thrilled him strangely, making him think yearningly of +his mother and the comforts of his childhood, and an irresistible +longing took possession of him. + +"A home!" he repeated, bitterly. "How on earth could I make a home for +myself?" + +"I will make it for you--I will go to take care of you in it, if you +like," she quietly answered. + +"You!" he exclaimed in surprise, while, with sudden discernment, he +remarked a certain refined beauty in her face that he had never +observed before. + +Then he added, with a sullen glance at his useless limbs, a strange +sense of shame creeping over him: + +"Do you still care enough for me to take that trouble?" + +"I am willing to do my duty, Emil," she gravely replied. + +"Ha! you evade me!" he cried, sharply, and piqued by her answer. "Tell +me truly, Giulia, do you still love me well enough to be willing to +devote your life to such a misshapen wretch as I shall always be?" + +The woman turned her face away from him, to hide the sudden light of +hope that leaped into her eyes at his words, which she fancied had in +them a note of appeal. + +But she had been learning wisdom during her long weeks of service in +the hospital--learning that anything, to be appreciated, must be +hardly won; and so she answered as before, without betraying a sign of +the eager desire that had taken root in her heart: + +"I told you, Emil, that I was willing to do my duty. I bear your +name--you are Ino's father--my proper place is in your home; and if +you see fit to decide that we shall all live together under the same +roof, I will do my utmost to make you comfortable, and your future as +pleasant as possible. More than that I cannot promise--now." + +"And you really mean this, Giulia?" he questioned, in a low tone. + +"Yes, if my proposal meets with your approval, we can at least make +the experiment. If it should not prove a success, we can easily +abandon it whenever you choose." + +He knew that he could not do without her--knew that she had become so +essential to him that he was appalled at the mere thought of losing +her, while the sound of that magic word "home," around which clustered +everything that was comfortable and attractive, opened before him the +promise of something better than he had ever yet known in life. + +Let us slip over the six months following, to find this little family +pleasantly settled in an elegant villa a few miles up the Hudson. + +It is replete with every luxury that money can purchase. + +The choicest in art of every description decorates its walls, and +pleasant, sunny rooms, while in a spacious studio, opening out upon a +wide lawn, may be seen numerous unfinished pieces of statuary, upon +which the crippled but ambitious master of the house has already begun +to work, although his strength will permit him to do but little at a +time. + +Giulia, or "Madame Correlli," as she is now known, is the presiding +genius of this ideal spot, and she fills her place with both dignity +and grace; while her watchful care and never-failing patience and +cheerfulness are beginning to assert their charm upon the man to whom +she is devoting herself, as is noticeable in his many efforts to make +life pleasant to her, in his frequent appeals to her judgment and +approval of his work, and the courtesy which he invariably accords +her. + +Ino has grown, although he is still a beautiful child--very bright and +forward for his age, and a source of great enjoyment to his father, +who, even now, has begun to direct his tiny hands in the use of the +mallet and chisel. + + * * * * * + +It was more than a year after her marriage that Edith, accompanied by +her mother, visited the annual exhibition of the ---- Academy of Art. + +Among the numerous pictures which were shown there were two which +attracted more attention than all the others. They were evidently +intended as companion-pieces, and had been painted by the same artist. + +The scene was laid in an avenue of a park. On either side there grew +beautiful, great trees, whose widespread branches made graceful +shadows on the graveled walk beneath. In the center of this avenue--in +the first picture--two figures stood facing each other; one an elderly +man, proud and haughty in his bearing, richly dressed and with a +certain air of the world investing him, but with a face--although +possessing great natural beauty--so wretched and full of remorse, so +lined and seamed with soul-anguish, that the heart of every beholder +was instantly moved to deepest sympathy. + +Before him stood a beautiful maiden who was the embodiment of all that +was pure and happy. Her face was lovely beyond description--its every +feature perfect, its expression full of sweetness and peace, while a +divine pity and yearning shone forth from her heavenly blue eyes, +which were upraised to the despairing countenance of her companion. + +Her dress was simple white, belted at the waist with a girdle and +flowing ends of gleaming satin ribbon, while a dainty straw hat, from +which a single white plume drooped gracefully, crowned her golden +head. + +The gentleman was standing with outstretched hands, as if in the act +of making some appeal to the fair girl, whose grave sweetness, while +it suggested no yielding, yet indicated pity and sorrow for the +other's suffering. + +The second picture presented the same figures, but its import was +entirely different. + +Away down the avenue, the young girl, looking even more fair and +graceful, was just passing out of sight, while the gentleman had +turned and was gazing after her, a rapt expression on his face, the +misery all obliterated from it, the despair all gone from his eyes, +while in their place there had dawned a look of resignation and peace, +and a faint smile even seemed to hover about the previously pain-lined +mouth, which told that he had just learned some lesson from his +vanishing angel that had changed the whole future for him. + +As Edith looked upon these paintings, which betrayed a master-hand in +every stroke of the brush, a rush of tears blinded her eyes, for she +instantly recognized the scene, although there had been no attempt at +portraiture in the faces, and she read at once the story they were +intended to reveal. + +They were catalogued as "Unrest" and "Peace." + +She knew, even before she discovered the initials--"G. G."--in one +corner, that Gerald Goddard had painted these pictures, and that he +had taken for his subject their meeting in the park the previous year. + +They took the first prize, and the artist immediately received +numerous and flattering offers for them, but his agent replied to all +such that the pictures were not for sale. + +A month later a sealed package was delivered at Edith's door, and it +was addressed to her. + +Upon opening it she found a document bequeathing to her two paintings, +lately exhibited at the Academy, which would be delivered to her upon +application to a certain art dealer in the city, whose address was +inclosed. The communication stated that she was free to make whatever +disposition of them she saw fit. + +Upon a heavy card accompanying them there was written the following +words: + + "The blessing of Aaron has been fulfilled. May the same + peace rest upon thee and thine forever. G. G." + +Upon inquiring about the pictures of the dealer referred to, Edith was +informed that Gerald Goddard had died only the week previous of quick +consumption, and his body had been quietly interred in Greenwood, +according to his own instructions. + +His two paintings, "Unrest" and "Peace," were left in the care of his +friend, to be delivered to Mrs. Royal Bryant, whenever she should call +for them. + +Edith was deeply touched by this act, and by the fact that the man had +devoted the remnant of his life to picturing that scene which seemed +to have made such a deep impression upon his mind, while a feeling of +thankfulness swelled in her heart with the thought that perhaps she +had spoken the "word in season" that had helped to lead into the +"paths of peace" the weary worlding, who, even then, was treading so +swiftly toward the verge of the "Great Unknown." + +Not many weeks later the New York _Herald_ contained the following +announcement: + + "MARRIED.--On Wednesday, the 18th, the Honorable Willard + Livermore to Mrs. Isabel Stewart, both of New York." + + THE END. + + * * * * * + + + + +POPULAR BOOKS + +By MRS. 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L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS + +114-120 East 23rd Street New York + + * * * * * + + + + +Good Fiction Worth Reading. + +A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the +field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love +and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest. + + +A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE. A story of American Colonial Times. By Chauncey +C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00. + +A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of Revolutionary +scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one. It causes the true +American to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter, +until the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. The love +story is a singularly charming idyl. + + +THE TOWER OF LONDON. A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady Jane +Grey and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four +illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00. + +This romance of the "Tower of London" depicts the Tower as palace, +prison and fortress, with many historical associations. The era is the +middle of the sixteenth century. + +The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane Grey, +and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other notable +characters of the era. Throughout the story holds the interest of the +reader in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably +over half a century. + + +IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A Romance of the American Revolution. By +Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery, +and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of +the Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and We feel ourselves taking +a part in the exciting scenes described. His whole story is so +absorbing that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. As a +love romance it is charming. + + +GARTHOWEN. A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +"This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare +before us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some +strong points of Welsh character--the pride, the hasty temper, the +quick dying out of wrath.... We call this a well-written story, +interesting alike through its romance and its glimpses into another +life than ours. A delightful and clever picture of Welsh village life. +The result is excellent."--Detroit Free Press. + + +MIFANWY. The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +"This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to +read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it +is apparent at once, are as true to life as though the author had +known them all personally. Simple in all its situations, the story is +worked up in that touching and quaint strain which never grows +wearisome, no matter how often the lights and shadows of love are +introduced. It rings true, and does not tax the imagination."--Boston +Herald. + + +DARNLEY. A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. By +G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson +Davis. Price, $1.00. + +In point of publication, "Darnley" is that work by Mr. James which +follows "Richelieu," and, if rumor can be credited, it was owing to +the advice and insistence of our own Washington Irving that we are +indebted primarily for the story, the young author questioning whether +he could properly paint the difference in the characters of the two +great cardinals. And it is not surprising that James should have +hesitated; he had been eminently successful in giving to the world the +portrait of Richelieu as a man, and by attempting a similar task with +Wolsey as the theme, was much like tempting fortune. Irving insisted +that "Darnley" came naturally in sequence, and this opinion being +supported by Sir Walter Scott, the author set about the work. + +As a historical romance "Darnley" is a book that can be taken up +pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm +which those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James have +claimed was only to be imparted by Dumas. + +If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial +attention, the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic +"field of the cloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most +favorable consideration of every reader. + +There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author +has taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom +history has credited with having entertained the tender passion one +for another, and he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world +must love. + + +CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE. By Lieut. Henry A. Wise, +U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns +who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come +through the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea +and those "who go down in ships" been written by one more familiar +with the scenes depicted. + +The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which +will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is "Captain Brand," +who, as the author states on his title page, was a "pirate of eminence +in the West Indies." As a sea story pure and simple, "Captain Brand" +has never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told +without the usual embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no +equal. + + +NICK OF THE WOODS. A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By +Robert Montgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in +Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long +out of print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic +presentation of Indian and frontier life in the early days of +settlement in the South, narrated in the tale with all the art of a +practiced writer. A very charming love romance runs through the story. +This new and tasteful edition of "Nick of the Woods" will be certain +to make many new admirers for this enchanting story from Dr. Bird's +clever and versatile pen. + + +WINDSOR CASTLE. A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII., +Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, +12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00. + +"Windsor Castle" is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne +Boleyn. "Bluff King Hal," although a well-loved monarch, was none too +good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and unwarrantable +acts, none was more discreditable than his divorce from Catharine, and +his marriage to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The King's love was as +brief as it was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting maid on the Queen, +attracted him, and Anne Boleyn was forced to the block to make room +for her successor. This romance is one of extreme interest to all +readers. + + +HORSESHOE ROBINSON. A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina in +1780. By John P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical +fiction, there are none which appeal to a larger number of Americans +than Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only story which +depicts with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists +in South Carolina to defend their homes against the brutal oppression +of the British under such leaders as Cornwallis and Tarleton. + +The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread of +the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning +those times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is +never overdrawn, but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared +neither time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love +story all that price in blood and tears which the Carolinians paid as +their share in the winning of the republic. + +Take it all in all, "Horseshoe Robinson" is a work which should be +found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining +story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning +the colonists which it contains. That it has been brought out once +more, well illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to +thousands who have long desired an opportunity to read the story +again, and to the many who have tried vainly in these latter days to +procure a copy that they might read it for the first time. + + +THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND. A story of the Coast of Maine. By Harriet +Beecher Stowe. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + +Written prior to 1862, the "Pearl of Orr's Island" is ever new; a book +filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew +each time one reads them. One sees the "sea like an unbroken mirror +all around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr's Island," and +straightway comes "the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, +like the wild angry howl of some savage animal." + +Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which +came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel's wings, +without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud +blossomed? Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the +character of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest, amid +the angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother's breast. + +There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that +which Mrs. Stowe gives in "The Pearl of Orr's Island." + + +GUY FAWKES. A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison +Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. +Price, $1.00. + +The "Gunpowder Plot" was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament, the +King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of England, was +weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient scheme of +extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the Catholics. In +their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits +concluded to overthrow the government. Finally the plotters were +arrested, and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and the other +prisoners with royal vigor. A very intense love story runs through the +entire romance. + + +THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER. A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio +Valley. By Zane Grey. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +A book rather out of the ordinary is this "Spirit of the Border." The +main thread of the story has to do with the work of the Moravian +missionaries in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally the reader is given +details of the frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the +wilderness for the planting of this great nation. Chief among these, +as a matter of course, is Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and +at the same time the most admirable of all the brave men who spent +their lives battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in +comparative security. + +Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian "Village +of Peace" are given at some length, and with minute description. The +efforts to Christianize the Indians are described as they never have +been before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders +of the several Indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be +of interest to the student. + +By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid +word-pictures of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings +of the beauties of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests. + +It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by +it, perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly +braved every privation and danger that the westward progress of the +star of empire might be the more certain and rapid. A love story, +simple and tender, runs through the book. + + +RICHELIEU. A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. P. +R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00. + +In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, "Richelieu," and was +recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft. + +In this book he laid the story during those later days of the great +cardinal's life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it +was yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic +outbursts which overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost +wave of prosperity. One of the most striking portions of the story is +that of Cinq Mar's conspiracy; the method of conducting criminal +cases, and the political trickery resorted to by royal favorites, +affording a better insight into the state-craft of that day than can +be had even by an exhaustive study of history. It is a powerful +romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling and absorbing +interest has never been excelled. + + +ROB OF THE BOWL. A Story of the Early Days of Maryland. By John P. +Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00. + +This story is an authentic exposition of the manners and customs +during Lord Baltimore's rule. The greater portion of the action takes +place in St. Mary's--the original capital of the State. + +The quaint character of Rob, the loss of whose legs was supplied by a +wooden bowl strapped to his thighs, his misfortunes and mother wit, +far outshine those fair to look upon. Pirates and smugglers did Rob +consort with for gain, and it was to him that Blanche Werden owed her +life and her happiness, as the author has told us in such an +enchanting manner. + +As a series of pictures of early colonial life in Maryland, "Rob of +the Bowl" has no equal. The story is full of splendid action, with a +charming love story, and a plot that never loosens the grip of its +interest to its last page. + + +TICONDEROGA. A Story of Early Frontier Life in the Mohawk Valley. By +G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson +Davis. Price, $1.00. + +The setting of the story is decidedly more picturesque than any ever +evolved by Cooper. The story is located on the frontier of New York +State. The principal characters in the story include an English +gentleman, his beautiful daughter, Lord Howe, and certain Indian +sachems belonging to the Five Nations, and the story ends with the +Battle of Ticonderoga. + +The character of Captain Brooks, who voluntarily decides to sacrifice +his own life in order to save the son of the Englishman, is not among +the least of the attractions of this story, which holds the attention +of the reader even to the last page. + +Interwoven with the plot is the Indian "blood" law, which demands a +life for a life, whether it be that of the murderer or one of his +race. A more charming story of mingled love and adventure has never +been written than "Ticonderoga." + + +MARY DERWENT. A tale of the Wyoming Valley in 1778. By Mrs. Ann S. +Stephens. Cloth, 12mo. Four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, +$1.00. + +The scene of this fascinating story of early frontier life is laid in +the Valley of Wyoming. Aside from Mary Derwent, who is of course the +heroine, the story deals with Queen Esther's son, Giengwatah, the +Butlers of notorious memory, and the adventures of the Colonists with +the Indians. + +Though much is made of the Massacre of Wyoming, a great portion of the +tale describes the love making between Mary Derwent's sister, Walter +Butler, and one of the defenders of Forty Fort. + +This historical novel stands out bright and pleasing, because of the +mystery and notoriety of several of the actors, the tender love +scenes, descriptions of the different localities, and the struggles of +the settlers. It holds the attention of the reader, even to the last +page. + + +THE LAST TRAIL. A story of early days in the Ohio Valley. By Zane +Grey. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, +$1.00. + +"The Last Trail" is a story of the border. The scene is laid at Fort +Henry, where Col. Ebenezer Zane with his family have built up a +village despite the attacks of savages and renegades. The Colonel's +brother and Wetzel, known as Deathwind by the Indians, are the +bordermen who devote their lives to the welfare of the white people. A +splendid love story runs through the book. + +That Helen Sheppard, the heroine, should fall in love with such a +brave, skilful scout as Jonathan Zane seems only reasonable after his +years of association and defense of the people of the settlement from +savages and renegades. + +If one has a liking for stories of the trail, where the white man +matches brains against savage cunning, for tales of ambush and +constant striving for the mastery, "The Last Trail" will be greatly to +his liking. + + +THE KNIGHTS OF THE HORSESHOE. A traditionary tale of the Cocked Hat +Gentry in the Old Dominion. By Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers. Cloth, 12mo. Four +page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +Many will hail with delight the re-publication of this rare and justly +famous story of early American colonial life and old-time Virginian +hospitality. + +Much that is charmingly interesting will be found in this tale that so +faithfully depicts early American colonial life, and also here is +found all the details of the founding of the Tramontane Order, around +which has ever been such a delicious flavor of romance. + +Early customs, much love making, plantation life, politics, intrigues, +and finally that wonderful march across the mountains which resulted +in the discovery and conquest of the fair Valley of Virginia. A rare +book filled with a delicious Savor of romance. + + +BY BERWEN BANKS. A Romance of Welsh Life. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +It is a tender and beautiful romance of the idyllic. A charming +picture of life in a Welsh seaside village. It is something of a +prose-poem, true, tender and graceful. + + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by +the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York. + + * * * * * + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masked Bridal, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASKED BRIDAL *** + +***** This file should be named 29524-8.txt or 29524-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/2/29524/ + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Suzanne Shell, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://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: The Masked Bridal + +Author: Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +Release Date: July 27, 2009 [EBook #29524] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASKED BRIDAL *** + + + + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Suzanne Shell, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + +<div class="tr"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:</p> +<p class="center">The Table of Contents is not part of the original book. +</p></div> +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" width="500" height="741" /></div> +<p> </p> +<h1>THE MASKED<br /> +BRIDAL</h1> + +<p> </p> +<h2><i>By</i> MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON</h2> + +<h4>AUTHOR OF</h4> + +<h4>"Edrie's Legacy," "Max," "Faithful Shirley,"<br /> +"Marguerites Heritage," "A True<br /> +Aristocrat," etc.</h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<div class="center"><img src="images/seal.jpg" alt="Seal" width="100" height="73" /></div> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h3>A. L. BURT COMPANY</h3> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Publishers New York</span></h4> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h5>Copyright 1894, 1895, 1900</h5> + +<h5><span class="smcap">By Street & Smith</span> +</h5> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>Contents</h2> +<table summary="Contents"> +<tr> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td> </td> + <td class="tocpg f1">Page</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch"> </td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#PROLOGUE">PROLOGUE.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_3">3</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">I</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_I">TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">II</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_II">A STANCH FRIEND MAKES A VAIN APPEAL.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_11">11</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">III</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_III">THE YOUNG LAWYER EXPERIENCES TWO EXTRAORDINARY SURPRISES.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">IV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">A MYSTERY EXPLAINED.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">V</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_V">A MOTHER'S LAST REQUEST.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">VI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">A HERITAGE OF SHAME.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">VII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">TWO NEW ACQUAINTANCES.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">VIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">THE VENOM OF JEALOUSY.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">IX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">THE HOUSEKEEPER AT WYOMING.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">X</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_X">"THE GIRL IS DOOMED! SHE HAS SEALED HER OWN FATE!"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">"NOW MY VINDICATION AND TRIUMPH WILL BE COMPLETE!"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">THE MASKED BRIDAL.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">THE DASTARDLY PLOT IS REVEALED.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_79">79</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XIV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">"YOUR FAITHLESSNESS TURNED ME INTO A DEMON."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_88">88</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">"OH, GOD! I KNEW IT! YOU ARE ISABEL!"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XVI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">"YOU SHALL NEVER WANT FOR A FRIEND."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_104">104</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XVII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">"WOULD YOU DARE BE FALSE TO ME, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_111">111</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XVIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">"I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE EITHER OF YOU FOR YOUR SIN AGAINST ME."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_119">119</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XIX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">"I WILL NEVER BREAK BREAD WITH YOU, AT ANY TABLE."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_128">128</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">EDITH RESOLVES TO MEET HER ENEMIES WITH THEIR OWN WEAPONS.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_137">137</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER PAYS EDITH AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_146">146</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">"I WILL RISE ABOVE MY SIN AND SHAME!"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">A SURPRISE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_164">164</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXIV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">A SAD STORY DISCLOSED TO AN EAGER LISTENER.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_173">173</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">A NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_181">181</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXVI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">AN EXCITING INTERVIEW AND AN APPALLING DISCOVERY.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_189">189</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXVII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">MRS. GODDARD BECOMES AN EAVESDROPPER.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_199">199</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXVIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">ISABEL STEWART ASTOUNDS MR. GODDARD.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_208">208</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXIX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">"OUR WAYS PART HERE, NEVER TO CROSS AGAIN."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">"I HATE YOU WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF MY ITALIAN BLOOD."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_226">226</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">RECORDS SOME STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">"YOU WILL VACATE THESE PREMISES AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE."</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_242">242</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">MR. BRYANT MEETS WITH UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_250">250</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXIV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">AN UNEXPECTED MEETING RESULTS IN A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_259">259</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXV</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">"THAT MAN MY FATHER!"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXVI</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_276">276</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXVII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">"MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!"</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_285">285</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXVIII</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_292">292</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tocch">XXXIX</td> + <td> </td> + <td><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">CONCLUSION.</a></td> + <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_298">298</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2><a name="THE_MASKED_BRIDAL" id="THE_MASKED_BRIDAL"></a>THE MASKED BRIDAL.</h2> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="PROLOGUE" id="PROLOGUE"></a>PROLOGUE.</h2> + + +<p>The most important and the most sacred event in a woman's life is her +marriage. It should never be lightly considered, no matter what may be +the allurement—honor, wealth, social position. To play at marriage, +even for a plausible pretext, is likely to be very imprudent, and may +prove a sin against both God and man.</p> + +<p>The story we are about to tell chiefly concerns a refined and +beautiful girl who, for the ostensible entertainment of a number of +guests, agreed to represent a bride in a play.</p> + +<p>The chief actors, just for the sake of illustrating a novel situation, +and perhaps to excite curiosity among the spectators, were to have +their faces concealed—it was to be a masked bridal.</p> + +<p>Already the guests are assembled, and, amid slow and solemn music, the +principals take their places.</p> + +<p>The clergyman, enacted by a gentleman who performs his part with +professional gravity and impressive effect, utters the solemn words +calling for "any one who could show just cause why the two before him +should not be joined in holy wedlock, to speak, or forever hold his +peace."</p> + +<p>At the sound of these words, the bride visibly shudders; but as she is +masked, it can only be inferred that her features must indicate her +intense emotion.</p> + +<p>But why should she exhibit emotion in such a scene? Is it not a play? +She cannot be a clever actress when she forgets, at such a time, that +it is the part of a bride—a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> willing bride—to appear supremely happy +on such a joyous occasion.</p> + +<p>It is strange, too, that as the bride shudders, the bridegroom's hand +compresses hers with a sudden vigorous clutch, as if he feared to lose +her, even at that moment.</p> + +<p>Was it merely acting? Was this "stage business" really in the play? Or +was it a little touch of nature, which could not be suppressed by the +stage training of those inexperienced actors?</p> + +<p>The play goes on; the entranced spectators are now all aroused from +the apathy with which some of them had contemplated the opening part +of the remarkable ceremony.</p> + +<p>As the groom proceeds to place the ring upon the finger of the bride, +she involuntarily resists, and tries to withdraw her hand from the +clasp of her companion. There is an embarrassing pause, and for an +instant she appears about to succumb to a feeling of deadly faintness.</p> + +<p>She rouses herself, however, determined to go on with her part.</p> + +<p>Every movement is closely watched by one of the witnesses—a woman +with glittering eye and pallid cheek. When the bride's repugnance +seemed about to overmaster her, and perhaps result in a swoon, this +woman gave utterance to a sigh almost of despair and with panting +breath and steadfast gaze anxiously watched and waited for the end of +the exciting drama.</p> + +<p>The grave clergyman notices the bride's heroic efforts to restrain her +agitation, and the ceremony proceeds. At length the solemn sentence is +uttered which proclaims the masked couple man and wife.</p> + +<p>Then there is a great surprise for the spectators.</p> + +<p>As they behold the bride and groom, now unmasked, there is a stare of +wonder in every face, and expressions of intense amazement are heard +on all sides.</p> + +<p>Then it dawns upon the witnesses that the principal actors in the play +are not the persons first chosen to represent the parts of the bride +and groom.</p> + +<p>Why was a change made? What means the unan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span>nounced substitution of +other actors in the exciting play?</p> + +<p>Ask the woman who caused the change—the woman who, with pallid cheek +and glittering eye, had intently watched every movement of the +apparently reluctant bride, evidently fearing the failure of the play +upon which she had set her heart.</p> + +<p>It became painfully evident that the play was not ended yet, and some +there present had reason to believe that it was likely to end in a +tragedy.</p> + +<p>Now let us portray the events which preceded the masked bridal.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h2>TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS.</h2> + + +<p>It was a cold, raw night in December, and the streets of New York +city, despite their myriads of electric lights and gayly illuminated +shop windows, were dismal and forlorn beyond description.</p> + +<p>The sky was leaden. A piercing wind was blowing up from the East +River, and great flakes of snow were beginning to fall, when, out of +the darkness of a side street, there came the slight, graceful figure +of a young girl, who, crossing Broadway, glided into the glare of the +great arclight that was stationed directly opposite a pawnbroker's +shop.</p> + +<p>She halted a moment just outside the door, one slender, +shabbily-gloved hand resting irresolutely upon its polished knob, +while an expression of mingled pain and disgust swept over her pale +but singularly beautiful face.</p> + +<p>Presently, however, she straightened herself, and throwing up her head +with an air of resolution, she turned the knob, pushed open the door, +and entered the shop.</p> + +<p>It was a large establishment of its kind, and upon every hand there +were indications that that relentless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> master, Poverty, had been very +busy about his work in the homes of the unfortunate, compelling his +victims to sacrifice their dearest possessions to his avaricious +grasp.</p> + +<p>The young girl walked swiftly to the counter, behind which there stood +a shrewd-faced Israelite, who was the only occupant of the place, and +whose keen black eyes glittered with mingled admiration and cupidity +as they fastened themselves upon the lovely face before him.</p> + +<p>With an air of quiet dignity the girl lifted her glance to his, as she +produced a ticket from the well-worn purse which she carried in her +hand.</p> + +<p>"I have come, sir, to redeem the watch upon which you loaned me three +dollars last week," she remarked, as she laid the ticket upon the +counter before him.</p> + +<p>"Aha! an' so, miss, you vishes to redeem de vatch!" remarked the man, +with a crafty smile, as he took up the ticket under pretense of +examining it to make sure that it was the same that he had issued to +her the week previous.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir."</p> + +<p>"An' vat vill you redeem 'im mit?" he pursued, with a disagreeable +leer.</p> + +<p>"With the same amount that you advanced me, of course," gravely +responded the girl.</p> + +<p>"Ah! ve vill zee—ve vill zee! Vhere ish de money?" and the man +extended a huge soiled hand to her.</p> + +<p>"I have a five-dollar gold-piece here," she returned, as she took it +from her purse and deposited it also upon the counter; for she shrank +from coming in contact with that repulsive, unwashed hand.</p> + +<p>The pawnbroker seized the coin greedily, his eyes gleaming hungrily at +the sight of the yellow gold, while he examined it carefully to assure +himself that it was genuine.</p> + +<p>"So! so! you vill vant de vatch," he at length observed, in a sullen +tone, as if he did not relish the idea of returning the valuable +time-piece upon which he had advanced the paltry sum of three dollars. +"Vell!" and irritably pulling out a drawer as he spoke, he dropped the +coin into it. "Ah!" he cried, with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> sudden start and an angry frown, +as it dropped with a ringing sound upon the wood, "vat you mean? You +would sheat me!—you vould rob me! De money ish not goot—de coin ish +counterfeit! I vill send for de officer—you shall pe arrested—you +von little meek-faced robber! Ah!" he concluded, in a shrill tone of +well-simulated anger, as he shook his fist menacingly before his +companion.</p> + +<p>The fair girl regarded him in frightened astonishment as he poured +forth this torrent of wrathful abuse upon her, while her beautiful +blue eyes dilated and her delicate lips quivered with repressed +excitement.</p> + +<p>"I do not understand you!—what do you mean, sir?" she at length +demanded, when she could find voice for speech.</p> + +<p>"You play de innocence very vell!" he sneered; then added, gruffly: +"You vill not get der vatch, for you haf prought me bad money."</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, sir; I have just received that gold-piece from a +respectable lawyer, for whom I have been working during the week, and +I know he would not take advantage of me by paying me with counterfeit +money," the young girl explained; but she had, nevertheless, grown +very pale while speaking.</p> + +<p>"Ah! maybe not—maybe not, miss; not if he knew it," said the +pawnbroker, now adopting a wheedling and pitiful tone as he drew forth +the shining piece and pushed it toward her. "Somebody may haf sheeted +him; but it haf not der true ring of gold, and you'll haf to bring me +der t'ree dollars some oder time, miss."</p> + +<p>The girl's delicate face flushed, and tears sprang to her eyes. She +stood looking sadly down upon the money for a moment, then, with a +weary sigh, replaced it in her purse, together with the ticket, and +left the shop without a word; while the tricky pawnbroker looked after +her, a smile of cunning triumph wreathing his coarse lips, as he +gleefully washed his hands, behind the counter, with "invisible soap +in imperceptible water."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma! poor mamma! what shall I do?" murmured the girl, with a +heart-broken sob, as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> stepped forth upon the street again. "I was +so happy to think I had earned enough to redeem your precious watch, +and also get something nice and nourishing for your Sunday dinner; but +now—what can I do? Oh, it is dreadful to be so poor!"</p> + +<p>Another sob choked her utterance, and the glistening tears rolled +thick and fast over her cheeks; but she hurried on her way, and, after +a brisk walk of ten or fifteen minutes, turned into a side street and +presently entered a dilapidated-looking house.</p> + +<p>Mounting a flight of rickety stairs, she entered a room where a dim +light revealed a pale and wasted woman lying upon a poor but +spotlessly clean couch.</p> + +<p>The room was also clean and orderly, though very meagerly furnished, +but chill and cheerless, for there was not life enough in the +smoldering embers within the stove to impart much warmth with the +temperature outside almost down to zero.</p> + +<p>"Edith, dear, I am so glad you have come," said a faint but sweet +voice from the bed.</p> + +<p>"And, mamma, I never came home with a sadder heart," sighed the weary +and almost discouraged girl, as she sank upon a low chair at her +mother's side.</p> + +<p>"How so, dear?" questioned the invalid; whereupon her daughter gave an +account of her recent interview with the pawnbroker.</p> + +<p>"I know Mr. Bryant would never have given me the gold-piece if he had +not supposed it to be all right, for he has been so very kind and +considerate to me all the week," she remarked, in conclusion, with a +slight blush. "I am sure he would exchange it, even now; but he left +the office at four, and I do not know where he lives; so I suppose I +shall have to wait until Monday; but I am terribly disappointed about +the watch, while we have neither food nor fuel to get over Sunday +with."</p> + +<p>The sick woman sighed gently. It was the only form of complaint that +she ever indulged in.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps the money is not counterfeit, after all," she remarked, after +a moment of thought. "Perhaps the pawnbroker did not want to give up +the watch, and so took that way to get rid of you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> "That is so! how +strange that I did not think of it myself!" exclaimed Edith, starting +eagerly to her feet, the look of discouragement vanishing from her +lovely face. "I will go around to the grocery at once, and perhaps +they will take the coin. What a comforter you always prove to be in +times of trouble, mamma!" she added, bending down to kiss the pale +face upon the pillow. "Cheer up; we will soon have a blazing fire and +something nice to eat."</p> + +<p>She again put on her jacket and hat, and drew on her gloves, +preparatory to going forth to breast the storm and biting cold once +more.</p> + +<p>"I cannot bear to have you go out again," said her mother, in an +anxious tone.</p> + +<p>"I do not mind it in the least, mamma, dear," Edith brightly +responded, "if I can only make you comfortable over Sunday. Next week +I am to go again to Mr. Bryant, who thinks he can give me work +permanently. You should see him, mamma," she went on, flushing again +and turning slightly away from the eyes regarding her so curiously; +"he is so handsome, so courteous, and so very kind. Ah! I begin to +have courage once more," she concluded, with a little silvery laugh; +then went out, shutting the door softly behind her.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later she returned with her arms full of packages, and +followed by a man bearing a generous basketful of coal and kindlings.</p> + +<p>Her face was glowing, her eyes sparkling, and she was a bewildering +vision of beauty and happiness.</p> + +<p>"The money wasn't bad, after all mamma," she said, when the man had +departed; "they didn't make the slightest objection to taking it at +the grocery. I believe you were right, and that the pawnbroker did not +want to give up the watch, so took that way to get rid of me. But I +will have it next week, and I shall have a policeman to go with me to +get it."</p> + +<p>"Did you tell the grocer anything about the trouble you have had?" the +invalid inquired.</p> + +<p>"No, mamma; I simply offered the coin in payment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> for what I bought, +and he took it without a word," Edith replied, but flushing slightly, +for she felt a trifle guilty about passing the money after what had +occurred.</p> + +<p>"I almost wish you had," said her mother.</p> + +<p>"I thought I would, at first, but—I knew we must have something to +eat, and fuel to keep us warm between now and Monday, and so I allowed +the grocer to take it upon his own responsibility," the young girl +responded, with a desperate little glitter in her lovely eyes.</p> + +<p>Her companion made no reply, although there was a shade of anxiety +upon her wan face.</p> + +<p>Edith, removing her things, bustled about, and soon had a cheerful +fire and an appetizing meal prepared.</p> + +<p>Her spirits appeared to rise with the temperature of the room, and she +chatted cheerfully while about her work, telling a number of +interesting incidents that had occurred in connection with her +employment during the week.</p> + +<p>"Now come, mamma," she remarked, at length; "let me help you into your +chair and wheel you up to the table, for supper is ready, and I am +sure you will enjoy these delicious oysters, which I have cooked as +you like them best."</p> + +<p>Mother and daughter were chatting pleasantly, enjoying their meal, +when the door of their room was thrown rudely open and two men strode +into their presence.</p> + +<p>Edith started to her feet in mingled indignation and alarm, then grew +deadly pale when she observed that one of the intruders was an +officer, and the other the grocer of whom she had made her recent +purchases.</p> + +<p>"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" she demanded, trying in vain +to keep her tones steady and her heart from sinking with a terrible +dread.</p> + +<p>"There! Mr. Officer; that is the girl who passed the counterfeit money +at my store," the grocer exclaimed, his face crimson with anger.</p> + +<p>Edith uttered a smothered cry of anguish, then sank weakly back into +her chair, as the man went forward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> to her side, laid his hand upon +her shoulder, and remarked:</p> + +<p>"You are my prisoner, miss."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h2>A STANCH FRIEND MAKES A VAIN APPEAL.</h2> + + +<p>Beautiful Edith Allandale and her gentle, refined mother had been +suddenly hurled from affluence down into the very depths of poverty.</p> + +<p>Only two years previous to the opening of our story the world had been +as bright to them as to any of the petted favorites of fortune who +dwell in the luxurious palaces on Fifth avenue.</p> + +<p>Albert Allandale had been a wealthy broker in Wall street; for years +Fortune had showered her favors upon him, and everything he had +touched seemed literally to turn to gold in his grasp.</p> + +<p>His family consisted of his wife, his beautiful daughter, and two +bright sons, ten and twelve years of age, upon whom the dearest hopes +of his life had centered.</p> + +<p>But like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, an illness of less than a +week had deprived him of both of his sons.</p> + +<p>Diphtheria, that fell destroyer, laid its relentless hand upon them, +and they had died upon the same day, within a few hours of each other.</p> + +<p>The heart-broken father was a changed man from the moment, when, +sitting in speechless agony beside these idolized boys, he watched +their young lives go out, and felt that the future held nothing to +tempt him to live on.</p> + +<p>His mind appeared to be impaired by this crushing blow; he could +neither eat nor sleep; his business was neglected, and, day by day, he +failed, until, in less than six months from the time that death had so +robbed him, he had followed his boys, leaving his wife and lovely +daughter to struggle as best they could with poverty;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> for their great +wealth had melted like snow beneath the blazing sun when Mr. Allandale +lost his interest in the affairs of the world.</p> + +<p>Keenly sensitive, and no less proud—crushed by their many sorrows, +the bereaved wife and daughter hid themselves and their grief from +every one, in a remote corner of the great city. But misfortune +followed misfortune—Mrs. Allandale having become a confirmed +invalid—until they were reduced to the straits described at the +opening of our story.</p> + +<p>The week preceding they had spent their last dollar—obtained by +pawning one after another of their old-time treasures—and Edith +insisted upon seeking employment.</p> + +<p>She had seen an advertisement for a copyist in one of the daily +papers, and, upon answering it in person, succeeded in obtaining the +situation with the young lawyer already mentioned.</p> + +<p>Every day spent in her presence only served to make him admire her the +more; and, before the week was out, he had altogether lost his heart +to her.</p> + +<p>When Saturday evening arrived, he paid her with the golden coin which +was destined to bring fresh sorrow upon her, and she went out from his +presence with a strange feeling of pride and independence over the +knowledge that she had earned it with her own hands, and henceforth +would be able to provide for her own and her mother's comfort.</p> + +<p>But Royal Bryant had been conscience-smitten when he saw her beautiful +face light up with mingled pride and pleasure as he laid that tiny +piece of gold in her palm.</p> + +<p>He would gladly have doubled the amount; but five dollars had been the +sum agreed upon for that first week's work, and he feared that he +would wound her pride by offering her a gratuity.</p> + +<p>So he had told her that she would be worth more to him the next week, +and that he would continue to increase her wages in proportion as she +acquired speed and proficiency in her work.</p> + +<p>Thus she had started forth, that dreary Saturday<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> night, with a +comparatively light heart, to redeem her watch, before going home to +tell her mother her good news.</p> + +<p>But, alas! how disastrously the day had closed!</p> + +<p>"Come, miss," impatiently remarked the officer, as she sat with bowed +head, her face covered with her hands, "get on your things! I've no +time to be fooling away, and must run you into camp before it gets any +later."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what do you mean?" cried Edith, starting wildly to her feet. +"Where are you going to take me?"</p> + +<p>"To the station-house, of course, where you'll stay until Monday, when +you'll be taken to court for your examination," was the gruff reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no! I can never spend two nights in such a place!" moaned the +nearly frantic girl, with a shiver of horror. "I have done no +intentional wrong," she continued, lifting an appealing look to the +man's face. "That money was given to me for some work that I have been +doing this week, and if any one is answerable for it being +counterfeit, it should be the person who paid it to me."</p> + +<p>"Who paid you the money?" the officer demanded.</p> + +<p>"A lawyer for whom I have been copying—Mr. Royal Bryant; his office +is at No. —— Broadway."</p> + +<p>"Then you'll have to appeal to him. But of course it's too late now to +find him at his office. Where does he live?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know," sighed Edith, dejectedly. "I have only been with him +one week, and did not once hear him mention his residence."</p> + +<p>"That's a pity, miss," returned the officer, in a gentler tone, for he +began to be moved by her beauty and distress. The condition of the +invalid, who had fallen back weak and faint in her chair when he +entered, also appealed to him.</p> + +<p>"Unless you can prove your story true, and make up the grocer's loss +to him, I shall be obliged to lock you up to await your examination."</p> + +<p>Edith's face lighted hopefully.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you mean that if I could pay Mr. Pincher I need not be arrested?" +she eagerly inquired.</p> + +<p>"Yes; the man only wants his money."</p> + +<p>"Then he shall have it," Edith joyfully exclaimed. "I will give him +back the change he gave me, then I will go to Mr. Bryant the first +thing Monday morning and tell him about the gold-piece, when I am sure +he will make it all right, and I can pay Mr. Pincher for what I bought +to-night."</p> + +<p>"No, you don't, miss," here interposed the grocer himself. "I've had +that game played on me too many times already. You'll just fork over +five dollars to me this very night or off you go to the lock-up. I'm +not going to run any risk of your skipping out of sight between now +and Monday, and leaving me in the lurch."</p> + +<p>"But I have no money, save the change you gave me," said Edith, +wearily. "And do you think I would wish to run away when my mother is +too sick to be moved?" she added, indignantly. "I could not take her +with me, and I would not leave her. Oh, pray do not force me to go to +that dreadful place this fearful night! I promise that I will stay +quietly here and that you shall have every penny of your money on +Monday morning."</p> + +<p>"She certainly will keep her word, gentlemen," Mrs. Allandale here +interposed, in a tremulous voice. "Do not force her to leave me, for I +am very ill and need her."</p> + +<p>"I'm going to have my five dollars now, or to jail she will go," was +the gruff response of the obdurate grocer.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I cannot go to jail!" wailed the persecuted girl.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allandale, almost unnerved by the sight of her grief, pleaded +again with pallid face and quivering lips for her. But the man was +relentless. He resolutely turned his back upon the two delicate women +and walked from the room, saying as he went:</p> + +<p>"Do your duty, Mr. Officer, and I'll be on hand Monday morning, in +court, to tell 'em how I've been swindled."</p> + +<p>With this he vanished, leaving the policeman no alternative but to +enforce the law.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma! mamma! how can I live and suffer such shame?" cried the +despairing girl, as she sank upon her knees in front of the sick +woman, and shuddered from head to foot in view of the fate before her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allandale was so overcome that she could not utter one word of +comfort. She was only able to lift one wasted hand and lay it upon the +golden head with a touch of infinite tenderness; then, with a gasp, +she fainted dead away.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have killed her!" Edith cried, in an agonized tone. "What +shall I do? How can I leave her? I will not. Oh! will no one come to +help me in this dreadful emergency?"</p> + +<p>"Sure, Miss Allandale, ye know that Kate O'Brien is always willin' to +lend ye a hand when you're in trouble—bless yer bonny heart!" here +interposed a loud but kindly voice, and the next instant the +good-natured face of a buxom Irishwoman was thrust inside the door, +which the grocer had left ajar when he went out. "What is the matter +here?" she concluded, glancing from the officer to the senseless woman +in her chair, and over whom Edith was hanging, chafing her cold hands, +while bitter tears rolled over her face.</p> + +<p>A few words sufficed to explain the situation, and then the +indignation of the warm-hearted daughter of Erin blazed forth more +forcibly than elegantly, and she berated the absent grocer and present +officer in no gentle terms.</p> + +<p>Kate O'Brien would gladly have advanced the five dollars to the +grocer, but, unfortunately, she herself was at that moment almost +destitute of cash.</p> + +<p>"Come, Miss Allandale," said the officer, somewhat impatiently, "I +can't wait any longer."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mamma! how can I leave you like this?" moaned the girl, with a +despairing glance at the inanimate figure which, as yet, had given no +signs to returning life.</p> + +<p>"She has only fainted, mavourneen," said Kate O'Brien, in a tender +tone, for she at last realized that it would be worse than useless to +contend against the majesty of the law. "She'll soon come to hersel', +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> ye may safely trust her wid me—I'll not lave her till ye come +back again."</p> + +<p>And with this assurance, Edith was forced to be content, for she saw, +by the officer's resolute face, that she could hope for no reprieve.</p> + +<p>So, with one last agonizing look, she pressed a kiss upon the pallid +brow of her loved one; then, again donning her hat and shawl, she told +the policeman that she was ready, and went forth once more into the +darkness and the pitiless storm, feeling, almost, as if God himself +had forsaken her, and wondering if she should ever see her dear mother +alive again.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h2>THE YOUNG LAWYER EXPERIENCES TWO EXTRAORDINARY SURPRISES.</h2> + + +<p>The next morning, in the matron's room of the Thirtieth street +station-house, a visitor came to see Edith Allandale. The visitor was +Kate O'Brien, who, after announcing the condition of the prisoner's +mother, declared her willingness to aid Edith in any way in her power.</p> + +<p>Edith intrusted a letter to her for Mr. Royal Bryant, and early Monday +morning Kate was at the lawyer's office, and placed the missive in his +hands.</p> + +<p>The young man instantly recognized the handwriting of his fair +copyist, and flushed to his brow at sight of it.</p> + +<p>"Ah! she is ill and has sent me word that she cannot come to the +office to-day!" he said to himself.</p> + +<p>"Sit down, madam," he said to his visitor, and he eagerly tore open +the letter and read the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Mr. Bryant</span>:—Dear Sir:—I am sorry to have to tell you that +the five-dollar gold-piece which you gave me on Saturday +evening was a counterfeit coin. I passed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> it at a grocery, +near which I reside, in payment for necessaries which I +purchased, and, half an hour later, was arrested for the +crime of passing spurious money. I could not appeal to you +at the time, for I did not know your address; but now I beg +that you will come to my aid to-morrow morning, when I shall +have to appear in court to answer the charge, for I do not +know of any one else upon whom to call in my present +extremity. Oh, pray come at once, for my mother is very ill +and needs me.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f2">"Respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="f3">"<span class="smcap">Edith M. Allandale.</span>"</p> + +<p>Royal Bryant's face was ghastly white when he finished reading this +brief epistle.</p> + +<p>"Good heavens!" he muttered, "to think of that beautiful girl being +arrested and imprisoned for such an offense! Where is Miss Allandale?" +he added, aloud, turning to Mrs. O'Brien, who had been watching him +with a jealous eye ever since entering the room.</p> + +<p>"In the Thirtieth street station-house, sir," she briefly responded.</p> + +<p>"Infamous!" exclaimed the young man, in great excitement. "And has she +been in that vile place since Saturday evening?"</p> + +<p>"She has, sir; but not with the common lot; the matron has been very +good to her, sir, and gave her a bed in her own room," the woman +explained.</p> + +<p>"Blessed be the matron!" was Royal Bryant's inward comment. Then, +turning again to his companion, he inquired.</p> + +<p>"What is your name, if you please, madam?"</p> + +<p>"Kate O'Brien, at your service, sir."</p> + +<p>"Thank you; and do you live near Miss Allandale?"</p> + +<p>"Jist forninst her, sir—on the same floor, across the hall."</p> + +<p>"She writes that her mother is very ill," proceeded the young man, +referring again to the letter.</p> + +<p>"Whisht, sir; the poor lady's dyin', sir," said Kate in a tone of awe.</p> + +<p>"Dying!" exclaimed Royal Bryant, aghast.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; she has consumption; and just afther the officer—bad luck +to 'im!—took the young lady away, she had a bad coughin' spell, and +burst a blood-vessel, and she has been failin' ever since," the woman +explained, with trembling lips.</p> + +<p>"Who is with Mrs. Allandale now?" questioned Mr. Bryant, with a look +of deep anxiety.</p> + +<p>"The docthor, sir; he promised to stay wid her till I come back."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, Mrs. O'Brien, if you will be good enough to hurry back +and care for Mrs. Allandale, I will go at once to her daughter; and I +am very sure that I can secure her release within a short time. Tell +her mother so, and that I will send her home immediately upon her +release."</p> + +<p>"Bless yer kind heart!" cried the woman, heartily, and she hurried +away to take the blessed news to Edith's fast-failing mother.</p> + +<p>The moment the door closed after her, Royal Bryant seized his overcoat +and began to put it on again, his face aflame with mingled indignation +and mortification.</p> + +<p>"In a common city lock-up for the crime of passing counterfeit money!" +he muttered, hoarsely. "And to think that I brought such a fate upon +her!—I, who would suffer torture to save her a pang. Two nights and +an endless day, and her mother dying at home!—how she must have +suffered! I could go down upon my knees to ask her pardon, and yet I +cannot understand it. That money came directly from the bank into my +possession."</p> + +<p>He was just fastening the last button of his coat when there came a +knock upon his door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," he said, but frowning with impatience at the unwelcome +interruption and the probable detention which it portended.</p> + +<p>An instant later a rather common-looking man, of perhaps forty years, +entered the room.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Mr. Knowles! good-morning, good-morning," said young Bryant, with +his habitual cordiality. "What can I do for you to-day?"</p> + +<p>"I—I have called to pay an installment upon what I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> owe you, Mr. +Bryant," the man responded, flushing slightly beneath the genial +glance of the lawyer.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes; I had forgotten that this was the date for the payment. I +hope, however, that you are not inconveniencing yourself in making it +to-day," remarked the young lawyer, as he observed that his client was +paler than usual and wore an anxious, care-worn expression.</p> + +<p>"There is nothing that inconveniences me more than debt," the man +evasively replied, but quickly repressing a sigh, as he drew forth a +well-worn purse, while his companion saw that his lips trembled +slightly as he said it.</p> + +<p>Opening the purse, Mr. Knowles produced a small coin and extended it +to the lawyer.</p> + +<p>It was a five-dollar gold-piece.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant took it mechanically, and thanked him; but at the same +time, feeling a strange reluctance in so doing, for he was sure the +man needed the money for his personal necessities, while his small +claim against him for advice rendered a few weeks previous could wait +well enough, and he would never miss the amount.</p> + +<p>He experienced a sense of delicacy, however, about giving expression +to the thought, for he knew the gentleman to be both proud and +sensitive, and he did not wish to wound him by assuming that he was +unable to make the payment that had become due.</p> + +<p>He stood awkwardly fingering the money and gazing absently down upon +it as these thoughts flitted through his mind, and thinking, too, that +it was somewhat singular that Mr. Knowles should have paid him in gold +coin and of the very same denomination as he had given Edith less than +forty-eight hours previous, and which had been the means of causing +her such deep trouble.</p> + +<p>Almost unconsciously, he turned the money over, his glance still +riveted upon it.</p> + +<p>As he did so he gave a violent start which caused his companion to +regard him curiously.</p> + +<p>"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, in vehement excitement, as he bent to +examine the coin more closely, "this is the strangest thing that ever +happened to me in all my experience!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h2>A MYSTERY EXPLAINED.</h2> + + +<p>Mr. Knowles regarded his companion with undisguised astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Is there anything wrong about the money?" he inquired, a gleam of +anxiety in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," said Royal Bryant, flushing, as he was thus recalled to +himself; "you are justified in asking the question, and I trust you +will not regard me as impertinently inquisitive if I inquire if you +can remember from whom you received this piece of money."</p> + +<p>"Certainly I remember," Mr. Knowles replied, but flushing painfully in +his turn at the question.</p> + +<p>"Will you kindly tell me the name of the person from whom you took +it?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Knowles appeared even more embarrassed than before, and hesitated +about replying.</p> + +<p>"I have a special and personal reason for asking you," Mr. Bryant +continued. "See!" he added, holding the gold-piece before him where +the light struck full upon it, "you perceive this coin is marked," and +he pointed out some vertical scratches which had been made just inside +the margin. "I made those marks myself."</p> + +<p>"Can that be possible!" exclaimed his companion, astonished.</p> + +<p>"Yes. This very piece of money was in my possession as late as five +o'clock last Saturday afternoon."</p> + +<p>"I cannot understand," said Mr. Knowles, looking mystified.</p> + +<p>"Let me explain," returned Mr. Bryant. "I owed my copyist exactly five +dollars, and, having nothing smaller in bills than tens, I was obliged +to pay her with this coin. While she was getting ready to leave the +office, I sat toying with it and scratched it, as you see, with the +point of my penknife; then I gave it to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> Miss Allandale, and thought +no more about the matter. But just before you came in this morning, I +received a note from her saying she had been arrested for passing the +coin with which I had paid her, it having been declared counterfeit, +and she begged me to come at once to her assistance and try to prove +her innocence. I was just on the point of doing so when you called."</p> + +<p>"What a very singular circumstance," Mr. Knowles remarked, +reflectively. "It appears all the more so to me from the fact that I +also received this piece of money no later than seven o'clock on last +Saturday evening."</p> + +<p>"You amaze me!" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. "Pray explain to me how you came +by it—it may help to solve this very perplexing mystery, for I am +confident that the coin is genuine, in spite of the trouble it has +brought upon Miss Allandale."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will be frank with you," his companion returned, but flushing +again, "and tell you that, in order to make this payment to you, I was +obliged to borrow the money and gave, as security, a valuable mantel +clock, which was one of my wife's wedding gifts. In other words, I +pawned it. It goes against my pride to confess it; but the idea of +debt is horrible to me: and, having been in very straitened +circumstances of late, from sickness in my family and other causes, I +had no other means of meeting my obligations to you, while I hoped to +be able to redeem the clock before the time allotted should expire."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Knowles, I thank you heartily for telling me this, while, at the +same time, I am deeply pained," gravely returned Royal Bryant. "I +would not have had you so pressed for a great deal; my claim against +you can wait indefinitely, and you need feel no anxiety regarding it. +Take your own time about it, for I am sure that I can safely trust a +man to whom the idea of debt is so repulsive."</p> + +<p>"You are very good," said Mr. Knowles, in a grateful tone.</p> + +<p>"I shall return you this amount," the young lawyer resumed, "but in +bills, for I wish to retain this gold-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>piece; and I beg that you will +go at once and redeem your wife's clock. I am also going to throw a +little business in your way, for I would like to retain you as a +witness for Miss Allandale, and you shall be well paid for your +services. Now please give me the name of the pawnbroker from whom you +took the money."</p> + +<p>"Solon Retz, No. —— Third avenue."</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes; I know him for a scheming and not over-scrupulous person. I +fought a tough battle with him a year or so ago."</p> + +<p>But Royal Bryant still looked greatly perplexed.</p> + +<p>He could not understand how the pawnbroker could have had that +particular gold-piece to loan upon Mr. Knowles' clock, before seven +o'clock on Saturday evening, when Edith Allandale had been arrested, +that same night, for trying to pass it off upon the grocer of whom she +had spoken in her note.</p> + +<p>To him it seemed an inexplicable mystery.</p> + +<p>However, he knew—he could take his oath—that the coin which he now +held in his hand was the identical piece of money which he had paid to +his beautiful but unfortunate copyist for her last week's work, and he +was also reasonably sure that it was not a counterfeit.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you will have no objection to testifying as to how and from +whom you received the money?" he inquired of Mr. Knowles, after a few +moments' reflection.</p> + +<p>"Certainly not, if such testimony will be of any benefit to the young +lady's cause," he readily replied. "And," he added, "I can easily +prove the truth of my assertions, as I have here the ticket which I +received from the pawnbroker."</p> + +<p>"Ah! that is well thought of, and will undoubtedly score a strong +point for Miss Allandale," Mr. Bryant exclaimed, with animation. "And +now allow me to advance you the fee for your services as a witness," +he added, as he pressed a ten-dollar note into his companion's hand. +"This will be sufficient to redeem your clock and remunerate you for +the time you may lose in appearing as a witness. Hereafter, Mr. +Knowles, if you find yourself short of cash, pray do not be troubled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +about what is owing me—do not try to pay it until it is perfectly +convenient for you to do so."</p> + +<p>"You are very considerate, Mr. Bryant," the man returned, with evident +emotion. "I cannot tell you how your generosity touches me, for the +world has gone very badly with me of late."</p> + +<p>"Well, we will hope for better times in the future for you, sir," was +the cheery response of the noble-hearted young lawyer. "Now I must be +off," he added, "and I would like you to meet me at the Thirtieth +street station-house in an hour from now. I shall know by that time +what I shall be able to do for my young friend."</p> + +<p>He bade the man good-morning and bowed him out of his office, and, +five minutes later, was on his way to the assistance of beautiful +Edith Allandale.</p> + +<p>Before boarding a car, he stepped into a bank near-by and had the gold +coin tested.</p> + +<p>It proved to be just as he had thought—it was perfectly good, and if +Edith had been arrested for passing it, some one would have to stand +damages for having subjected her to such an injustice.</p> + +<p>Upon his arrival at the station-house, and requesting an interview +with Miss Allandale as her attorney, the police sergeant conducted him +directly to the room occupied by Edith, who looked so pale and wan +from anxiety and confinement that the young man's conscience smote him +keenly, although his heart bounded with sudden joy when he saw how her +sad face lighted at the sight of him.</p> + +<p>"This is the most outrageous thing I ever heard of, Miss Allandale," +he exclaimed, as he clasped her cold hand and looked regretfully into +the heavy blue eyes raised to his.</p> + +<p>"I was sure you would come," she murmured, with a sigh of relief, but +flushing for an instant beneath his ardent gaze, while her lips +quivered with suppressed emotion, for his tone of sympathy had almost +unnerved her.</p> + +<p>"Of course I would come—I would go to the ends of the earth to serve +you," he began, eagerly. "I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> filled with remorse when I think what +you must have suffered and that I am responsible for your trouble, +though unintentionally and unconsciously."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sure you could not have known that the money was +counterfeit," said Edith, wearily.</p> + +<p>"And it was not," he quickly returned. "It is a genuine coin and +negotiable anywhere."</p> + +<p>"But I was told by two different persons that it was spurious," Edith +replied, in a tone of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Then you were misinformed in both cases, for I have had it tested at +a bank, and it has been pronounced good," returned her companion.</p> + +<p>"You have had it tested? How can that be possible, when the grocer who +caused me to be arrested has the money in his possession this moment?" +the young girl exclaimed, in amazement.</p> + +<p>Royal Bryant smiled as he drew forth the half-eagle which he had +received from Mr. Knowles, and laid it in her palm.</p> + +<p>"That is the five-dollar gold-piece that I gave you on Saturday +evening," he remarked, in a quiet tone.</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the grocer? Did you get it from him?" Edith gasped.</p> + +<p>"No; an old client of mine brought it to me, about half an hour ago, +in part payment of a debt which he owes me."</p> + +<p>"I do not understand—it cannot be the same," said Edith, with a look +of perplexity.</p> + +<p>"But it is," was the smiling reply. "Look at it closely, and you will +find some fresh scratches upon one side of it—do you see?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," the young girl admitted.</p> + +<p>"Very well; I made them with my penknife during a fit of +absent-mindedness, while you were putting on your hat and shawl on +Saturday evening," Royal Bryant explained. "It was all the money I +had, excepting some large bills, and I was obliged to give it to you, +even though I knew it was not a convenient form—one is so liable to +lose such a small piece. I am sure I do not know what possessed me to +deface it in the way I did," he continued, after a slight pause; "but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +there the marks are, fortunately, and I could swear to the coin among +a hundred others of the same denomination."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember, now," Edith remarked, reflectively; "I noticed the +gold-piece in your hands and that you were using your knife upon it; +but how could it have come into the possession of your client? Surely +the grocer would not have parted with it voluntarily, for it was all +the proof he had against me."</p> + +<p>"No; my client, Mr. Knowles, obtained it from a pawnbroker at No. —— +Third avenue," Mr. Bryant replied.</p> + +<p>Instantly the red blood mounted to the girl's fair brow, and, like a +flash, Royal Bryant comprehended how all her trouble had come about.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she sighed, after a moment, as if in reply to some question +from him, "the week before I went into your office I was obliged to +borrow some money upon a beautiful watch of mamma's. It was a very +valuable one, but the man would only advance me three dollars upon it. +Of course I felt that I must redeem it with the very first money I +earned, and I went immediately to the pawnbroker's to get it on +leaving your office. He seemed averse to the early redemption of the +watch, and threw my money impatiently into the drawer. The next +instant he gave it back to me, angrily telling me that it was +counterfeit, and charging me with trying to cheat him. But, even now, +I cannot understand—"</p> + +<p>"So the pawnbroker threw your money into his drawer, did he?" +interposed Mr. Bryant, eagerly grasping at this important point.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but, as I said, he returned it immediately to me, and I was +obliged to go home without my watch. I was in great distress because, +Mr. Bryant, it was all the money I had, and there were things that +mamma and I must have in order to be comfortable over Sunday," Edith +confessed, with crimson cheeks and downcast eyes, the sight of which +made her companion's heart ache for her. "Mamma suggested that the +money might not be bad, after all," she continued, determined that he +should know the whole truth about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> the matter; "that, possibly, the +pawnbroker had taken that way to retain the watch, with the hope of +ultimately securing it; so I started out to make my purchases. The +grocer made no objection to the money and gave me my change without a +word. But half an hour later he appeared with an officer and had me +arrested. He would not have pressed the matter if I could have +returned his money; but, as I could not, and he claimed he had +suffered from so many similar cases of swindling, he was obdurate, and +I was obliged to come here."</p> + +<p>"It was shameful!" said the young lawyer, indignantly. "It was a +heartless thing to do. But, my little friend, I think we have a very +clear case, and you will soon be fully vindicated."</p> + +<p>"Oh! do you? I shall be very grateful—" Edith began, then stopped, +choking back a sob that had almost burst from her trembling lips.</p> + +<p>"I see you do not quite comprehend how that can be," continued her +friend, ignoring her emotion. "But the piece of money which the +pawnbroker pretended to return to you was not the same that you had +received from me—it was a spurious one which he had at hand for the +express purpose evidently of tricking the unwary, and Mr. Solon Retz +will, ere long, be compelled to exchange places with you, if I can +possibly bring him to justice."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h2>A MOTHER'S LAST REQUEST.</h2> + + +<p>Two hours later, Royal Bryant was at the pawnbroker's shop, and had +redeemed Edith's watch, much against the wish of the money-lender, who +desired to retain it. And as the lawyer placed the watch in his +pocket, he made a sign to an officer on the street, who had +accompanied him to the spot.</p> + +<p>Solon Retz was astounded when he found himself a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> prisoner, on the +charge of passing counterfeit money. He was hurried to court, and the +judge investigated the case at once. Mr. Bryant and Mr. Knowles gave +their testimony, and it was conclusively demonstrated that the +spurious coin must have come from the pawnbroker's drawer.</p> + +<p>At Royal Bryant's suggestion the pawnbroker was ordered to be +searched, when no less than three more bogus pieces were found +concealed upon his person.</p> + +<p>This was deemed sufficient proof of his guilt, without further +testimony, and he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, without +Edith having been called to the witness stand to testify against him.</p> + +<p>As the crestfallen pawnbroker was led away, Royal Bryant went eagerly +to Edith's side.</p> + +<p>"You are free, Miss Allandale," he exclaimed, with a radiant face, +"and I think we are to be congratulated upon having made such quick +work of the case."</p> + +<p>"It is all owing to your cleverness," Edith returned, lifting a pair +of grateful eyes to his face. "How can I thank you?"</p> + +<p>"You do not need to do that, for I feel that I alone have been to +blame for all your trouble," he said, in a self-reproachful tone; then +he added, with a roguish gleam in his fine eyes: "I shall never be +guilty of paying my copyist in gold again. Now come, I have a carriage +waiting for you and will send you directly home to your mother," the +young man concluded, as he lifted her shawl from the chair where she +had been sitting and wrapped it about her shoulders.</p> + +<p>Edith followed him to the street, where a hack stood ready to take her +home.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant assisted her to enter it, when he laid a small package in +her lap.</p> + +<p>"It is your watch," he said, in a low tone. Then, extending his hand +to her, he added: "I shall not ask you to return to the office for two +or three days—you need rest after your recent anxiety and excitement, +while I am to be away until Wednesday noon. Come to me on Thursday +morning, if you feel able, when I shall have plenty of work for you."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>He pressed the hand he was holding with an unconscious fondness which +brought a rich color into the young girl's face, then, closing the +carriage door, he gave the order to the coachman, smiled another +adieu, as he lifted his hat to her, and the next moment Edith was +driven away.</p> + +<p>There was a glad light in her eyes, a tender smile on her red lips, +and, in spite of her poverty and many cares, she was, for the moment, +supremely happy, for Royal Bryant's manner had been far more +suggestive to her than he had been aware of, and she was thrilled to +her very soul by the consciousness that he loved her.</p> + +<p>She sat thus, in happy reverie, until the carriage turned into the +street where she lived; then, suddenly coming to herself, her +attention was again attracted to the package in her lap.</p> + +<p>"There is something besides mamma's watch here!" she murmured, as she +noticed the thickness of it.</p> + +<p>Untying the string and removing the wrapper, she found a pretty purse +with a silver clasp lying upon the case containing the watch.</p> + +<p>With burning cheeks she opened it, and found within a crisp ten-dollar +note and Royal Bryant's card bearing these words upon the back:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I shall deem it a favor if you will accept the inclosed +amount, as a loan, until you find yourself in more +comfortable circumstances financially. Yours, R.B."</p></blockquote> + +<p>Edith caught the purse to her lips with a thrill of joy.</p> + +<p>"How kind! how delicate!" she murmured. "He knew that I was nearly +penniless—that I had almost nothing with which to tide over the next +few days, during his absence. He is a prince—he is a king among men, +and I—"</p> + +<p>A vivid flush dyed her cheeks as she suddenly checked the confession +that had almost escaped her lips, her head drooped, her chest heaved +with the rapid beating of her heart, as she realized that her deepest +and strongest affections had been irrevocably given to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> +noble-hearted young man who had been so kind to her in her recent +trouble.</p> + +<p>The carriage stopped at last before the door of her home—if the +miserable tenenment-house could be designated by such a name—and she +sprang eagerly to the ground as the coachman opened the door for her +to alight.</p> + +<p>"The fare is all paid, miss," he said, respectfully, as she hesitated +a moment; then she went bounding up the stairs to be met on the +threshold of her room by Kate O'Brien—who had seen the carriage +stop—with her finger on her lips and a look in her kind, honest eyes +that made the girl's heart sink with a sudden shock.</p> + +<p>"My mother!" she breathed, with paling lips.</p> + +<p>"Whisht, mavourneen!" said the woman, pitifully; then added, in a +lower tone: "She has been mortal ill, miss."</p> + +<p>"And now?" panted Edith, leaning against the door-frame for support.</p> + +<p>"'Sh! She is asleep."</p> + +<p>Edith waited to hear no more. Something in the woman's face and manner +filled her with a terrible dread.</p> + +<p>She pushed by her, entered the room, and glided swiftly but +noiselessly to the bed, looked down upon the scarcely breathing figure +lying there.</p> + +<p>It was with difficulty that she repressed a shriek of agony at what +she saw, for the shadow of death was unmistakably settling over the +beloved face.</p> + +<p>The invalid stirred slightly upon her pillow as Edith came to her side +and bent over her.</p> + +<p>"My darling," she murmured weakly, as her white lids fluttered open, +and she bent a look full of love upon the fair face above her, "I—am +going—"</p> + +<p>"No, no, mamma!" whispered the almost heart-broken girl, but +struggling mightily with her agony and to preserve calmness lest she +excite the invalid.</p> + +<p>"Bring me the—Japanese box—quick!" the dying woman commanded, in a +scarcely audible tone.</p> + +<p>Without a word Edith darted to a closet, opened a trunk, and from its +depths drew forth a beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> casket inlaid with mother-of-pearl and +otherwise exquisitely decorated.</p> + +<p>"The—key," gasped the sick one, fumbling feebly among the folds of +her night-robe.</p> + +<p>Edith bent over her and unfastened a key from a golden chain which +encircled her mother's neck.</p> + +<p>"Open!" she whispered, glancing toward the casket.</p> + +<p>The girl, wondering, but awed and silent, unlocked the box and threw +back the cover, thus revealing several packages of letters and other +papers neatly arranged within it.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allandale reached forth a weak and bloodless hand, as if to take +something out of the box, when she suddenly choked, and in another +instant the red life-current was flowing from her lips.</p> + +<p>"Letters—burn—" she gasped, with a last expiring effort, and then +became suddenly insensible.</p> + +<p>In an agony of terror, Edith dashed the box upon the nearest chair and +began to chafe the cold hand that hung over the side of the bed, while +Mrs. O'Brien came forward, a look of awe on her face.</p> + +<p>The frail chest of the invalid heaved two or three times, there was a +spasmodic twitching of the slender fingers lying on the young girl's +hand, then all was still, and Edith Allandale was motherless.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h2>A HERITAGE OF SHAME.</h2> + + +<p>We will not linger over the sad details of the ceremonies attending +Mrs. Allandale's burial. Suffice it to say that on Tuesday afternoon +her remains were borne away to Greenwood, and laid to rest, in the +family lot, beside those gone before, after which Edith returned to +her desolate abode more wretched than it is possible to describe.</p> + +<p>She had made up her mind, however, that she could not remain there any +longer—that she must find a place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> for herself in a different +locality and among a different class of people. This she knew she +could do, since she had the promise of permanent work and now had only +herself to care for.</p> + +<p>The change, too, must be made upon the following day, as Mr. Bryant +would expect her at his office on Thursday morning.</p> + +<p>There was much to be done, many things to be packed for removal, while +what she did not care to retain must be disposed of; and, eager to +forget her grief and loneliness—for she knew she would be ill if she +sat tamely down and allowed herself to think—she began at once, upon +her return from the cemetery, to get ready to leave the cheerless home +where she had suffered so much.</p> + +<p>She decided, first of all, to pack all wearing apparel; and, on going +to her closet to begin her work, the first thing her eyes fell upon +was the casket of letters, which her mother had requested her to bring +to her just before she died.</p> + +<p>The sight of this unnerved her again, and, with a moan of pain, she +sank upon her knees and bowed her head upon it.</p> + +<p>But the fountain of her tears had been so exhausted that she could not +weep; and, finally becoming somewhat composed, she took the beautiful +box out into the room and sat down near a light to examine its +contents.</p> + +<p>"Mamma evidently wanted these letters destroyed," she murmured, as she +threw back the cover. "I will do as she wished, but I will first look +them over, to be sure there is nothing of value among them."</p> + +<p>She set about her task at once and found that they were mostly +missives from intimate friends, with quite a number written by herself +to her mother, while she was away at boarding-school.</p> + +<p>All these she burned after glancing casually at them. Nothing then +remained in the box but a small package of six or eight time-yellowed +epistles bound together with a blue ribbon.</p> + +<p>"What peculiar writing!" Edith observed, as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> separated one from +the others and examined the superscription upon the envelope. "Why, it +is postmarked Rome, Italy, away back in 18—, and addressed to mamma +in London! That must have been when she was on her wedding tour!"</p> + +<p>Her curiosity was aroused, and, drawing the closely-written sheet from +its inclosure, she began to read it.</p> + +<p>It was also dated from Rome, and the girl was soon deeply immersed in +a story of intense and romantic interest.</p> + +<p>She readily understood that the letter had been written by a dear +friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth—one who had been both school and +roommate, and who unreservedly confided all her secrets and +experiences to her bosom companion. And yet, it was strange, Edith +thought, that she had never heard her mother speak of this friend.</p> + +<p>It seemed that there had been quite an interval in their +correspondence, for the writer spoke of the surprise which her friend +would experience upon receiving a letter from her from that locality, +when she had probably believed her to be in her own home, living the +quiet life of a dutiful daughter.</p> + +<p>Then it spoke of an "ideal love" that "had come to beautify her life;" +of a noble and wealthy artist who had won her heart, but who, for some +unaccountable reason, had not been acceptable to her parents, and they +had sternly rejected his proposal for her hand.</p> + +<p>Next came the <i>denouement</i>, which told that the girl had eloped with +her lover and flown with him to Italy.</p> + +<p>"I suppose it was not the right thing to do, darling," the missive +ran; "but papa, you know, is a very austere, relentless man, and when +he has once made up his mind, there is no hope of ever turning him; so +I have taken my fate into my own hands—or, rather, I have given it +into the keeping of my dear one, and we are so happy, Edith darling, +and lead an ideal life in this quaint old city of the seven hills, at +whose feet runs, like a thread of gold, the yellow Tiber. My husband +is everything to me—so noble, so kind, so generous; it is so very +strange that papa could not like him—that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> is the only drop of +bitterness in my overflowing cup of happiness."</p> + +<p>There was much more of the same tenor, from which it is not necessary +to quote; and, after reading the letter through, Edith took up +another, interested to know how the pretty love-story of her mother's +friend would terminate. The second one, written a month later, was +more subdued, but not less tender, although the young girl thought she +detected a vein of sadness running through it.</p> + +<p>The next two or three mentioned the fact that the writer was left much +alone, her "dear one" being obliged to be away a great deal of the +time, upon sketching expeditions, etc.</p> + +<p>After an interval of three months another letter spoke in the fondest +manner of the "dear little stranger," that had come to bless and cheer +her loneliness—"lonely, dear Edith, because my husband's art +monopolizes his time, while he is often absent from home a week at a +time in connection with it, and I do not know what I should do, in +this strange country away from all my friends, if it were not for my +precious baby girl whom I have named for you, as I promised, in memory +of those happy days which we spent together at Vassar."</p> + +<p>"Then mamma's friend had a daughter, who was also named Edith," mused +our fair heroine, breaking in upon her perusal of the letter. "I +wonder if she is living, and where? Those letters tell me nothing, +give no last name by which to identify either the writer or her +husband."</p> + +<p>She turned back to the epistle, and read on:</p> + +<p>"She is such a comfort to me," it ran, "and gives me an object in +life—something besides myself and my trou"—these last three words +were crossed out—"to think about. When will you come to Rome, dear +Edith? Your last letter was dated from St. Petersburgh. I am very +anxious that you should see your little namesake, and make me that +long-promised visit."</p> + +<p>There was scarcely a word in this letter referring to her husband, +except those three crossed-out words; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> it overflowed with praises +and love of her beautiful child, although it was evident that the +young wife was far from experiencing the conjugal happiness that had +permeated her previous missives.</p> + +<p>There was only one more letter in the package, and Edith's face was +very grave and sympathetic as she drew it from its envelope.</p> + +<p>"I am sure that her husband proved to be negligent of and unkind to +her," she murmured, "and that she repented her rashness in leaving her +home and friends. Oh, I wonder why girls will be so foolish and +headstrong as to go directly contrary to the advice of those who love +them best, and run away with men of whom they know comparatively +nothing!"</p> + +<p>With a sigh of regret for the unfortunate wife, of whom she had been +reading, she unfolded the letter in her hands and began to read, +little dreaming what strange things she was to learn from it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Edith darling," it began, "how can I tell you?—how can I write +of the terrible calamity that has overtaken me? My heart is broken—my +life is ruined, and all because I would not heed those who loved me, +and who, I now realize, were my best and kindest counselors. I could +bear it for myself, perhaps—I could feel that it was but a just +judgment upon me for my obstinacy and unfilial conduct, and so drag +out my weary existence in submission to the inevitable; but when I +think of my innocent babe—my lovely Edith—your namesake! oh! I would +never have had her christened thus, I could not have insulted you so, +had I known! I feel almost inclined to doubt the justice and love of +God—if, indeed, there is a God."</p> + +<p>The letter here looked as if the writer must have been overcome with +her wretchedness, and wept tears of bitter despair, for it was badly +blurred and defaced.</p> + +<p>But Edith, her face now absolutely colorless, read eagerly on.</p> + +<p>"I cannot bear it and live," the writer resumed, "and so—I am going +to—die. Edith, my husband—no, my betrayer, I ought rather to +say—has deserted me! He has gone to Florence with a beautiful +Italian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> countess, who is also very rich, and is living with her there +in her elegant palace, just outside the city. He has long been +attentive to her, but I never dreamed how far matters had gone until +yesterday, when I came upon them, unawares, in Everard's studio, and +heard him tell her how he loved her—that 'I was not his wife, only +his ——' I cannot write the vile word that makes my flesh creep with +horror. Then I learned of his base conduct to me, whom, as he +expressed it, he 'had cleverly deceived, and coaxed to run away with +him to while away his solitude during his sojourn in a strange +country.' It is a wonder that I did not drop dead where I stood—slain +by the dreadful truth; but the wicked lovers did not dream of being +overheard, and so I listened to the whole of their vile plot and then +stole away to try and decide upon a course of action. When Everard +came home, I charged him with his perfidy. Then—pity me, Edith—he +boldly told me that he was weary of me; that he would pay me a +handsome sum of money and I might take my child and go back to my +parents! Oh! I cannot go into details, or tell you what I have +suffered—no one will ever know that but God! Why, oh, why does He +permit such evil to exist? He does not—there is no God! there is no +God!"</p> + +<p>There was a huge blot here, as if the pen had fallen from the fingers +that had dared to deny the existence of Deity; then the missive was +resumed in a different tone, as if a long interval of thought had +intervened.</p> + +<p>"Edith, I am calmer now, and I am going to ask a great favor of you. +You are happily married, you have a noble husband and abundant means, +and you know we once pledged ourselves to befriend each other, if +either should ever find herself in trouble. Presuming upon that +pledge, I am going to ask if you will take my darling, my poor +innocent little waif, bring her up as your own, and never let her know +anything about the stain that rests upon her birth? She is pure; she +is not to blame for the sins of her parents, and I cannot bear the +thought of her growing up to learn of her heritage of shame, as she +would be sure to do if I should live and rear her as my child. Your +last letter tells me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> that you will be in Rome in less than a +fortnight. I cannot meet you—I can never again meet any one whom I +have known; and so, Edith—I am going to die. I give my child to +you—I believe you will not refuse my last request—and you will find +her, with the woman who nursed me when she was born, at No. 2 Via del +Vecchia. The woman has my instructions—she believes that I am only +going away on a little trip with my husband; but you will show her +this letter, and prove to her that you have authority to take the +child away. When you go home, you will take her with you, as your own, +and no one need ever know that she is not your own. Do not ever reveal +the truth to her; let her grow up happy and care-free, like other +girls who are of honorable birth; and if the dead can watch over and +shield the living, you and yours shall be so shielded and watched over +by your lost but still loving. <span class="smcap">Belle</span>."</p> + +<p>"She was my mother! I am that child of shame!" came hoarsely from +Edith's bloodless lips as she finished reading that dreadful letter.</p> + +<p>Then the paper slipped from her nerveless fingers, her head dropped +unconsciously upon the table before her, and she knew nothing more +until, long afterward, when she awoke from her swoon to find her lamp +gone out and the room growing cold, while her heart felt as if it had +been paralyzed in her bosom.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h2>TWO NEW ACQUAINTANCES.</h2> + + +<p>Edith, when consciousness returned, had not a doubt that the letters, +which she had been reading, had been penned by the hand of her own +mother; that she was that little baby who had been born in Rome—that +child of shame whose father had so heartlessly deserted it; whose +mother, her brain turned by her suffering and wrongs, had planned to +take her own life, rather than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> live to taint her little one's future +with the shadow of her own disgrace.</p> + +<p>The knowledge of this seemed to blight, as with a lightning flash, +every hope of her life.</p> + +<p>She groped her way to the bed, for she was becoming benumbed with the +cold, and threw herself upon it, utterly wretched, utterly hopeless. +For hours she lay there in a sort of stupor, conscious only of one +terrible fact—her shame—her ruined life!</p> + +<p>She had never dreamed, until within that hour, that she was not the +daughter of those whom she had always known as her father and mother.</p> + +<p>She had known that they had gone abroad immediately after their +marriage, and had spent more than a year visiting foreign countries.</p> + +<p>She had been told that she was born in Rome, in 18—, and she now +realized that the letters which she had just read had been mostly +written during the same year.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Allandale had never meant that she should learn this terrible +secret, and that is why she had been so anxious during her last +moments that the contents of the Japanese box should be destroyed.</p> + +<p>Edith wondered why she had kept the letters at all—why she had not +destroyed them immediately upon adopting her, and thus prevented the +possibility of a revelation like this.</p> + +<p>To be sure, no one save herself need ever know of the fact unless she +chose to disclose it; nevertheless, she felt just as deeply branded by +it as if all the world had known of it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I had begun to hope that—" she began, then abruptly ceased, a +burning flush suffusing her face as her thoughts thus went out toward +Royal Bryant, whose eyes had only the day before told her, as plainly +as eyes could speak, that he loved her, while her heart had thrilled +with secret joy over the revelation, and the knowledge that her own +affection had been irrevocably given to him, even though they had +known each other so short a time.</p> + +<p>Even in the midst of her sorrow over her dead, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> thought that she +loved and was beloved had been like the strains of soothing music to +her, and she had looked forward to her return to the young lawyer's +office as to a place of refuge, where she would meet with kindness and +sympathy that would comfort her immeasurably.</p> + +<p>But these beautiful dreams had been ruthlessly shattered; she could +never be anything to Royal Bryant—he could never be anything to her, +after learning what she had learned that night.</p> + +<p>Edith determined to leave New York at once. With this object in view, +she disposed of most of her furniture to a broker, who gave her sixty +dollars for it. She reserved articles she presented to her stanch +friend, Kate O'Brien. These matters attended to, she wrote a letter to +Mr. Bryant, mailed it, and a few hours later was on the train, en +route to Boston.</p> + +<p>On Thursday morning Mr. Bryant, returning to town from a business +trip, cheerfully entered his office, expecting to behold there the +radiant face of Edith. To his great disappointment, she was absent; +and her absence was explained in the appended letter, which he read +with dismay and dejection.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. Bryant</span>:—Inclosed you will find the amount which +you so kindly loaned me on Monday, and without which I +should have been in sore straits. On reaching home that day, +I found my mother dying. She was buried yesterday afternoon, +and I am now entirely alone in the world. I find that +circumstances will not permit me to return to your employ, +and when you receive this I shall have left New York. Pray +do not think that because I do not see you and thank you +personally before I go, I am ungrateful for all your recent +and unexampled kindness to me. I am not, I assure you; I +shall never forget it—it will be one of the sacred memories +of my life, that in you, in a time of dire need, I found a +true friend and helper.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f4">Sincerely yours,</p> +<p class="f3"><span class="smcap">Edith Allandale</span>."</p> + +<p>The lawyer lost no time in hastening to Edith's late residence. There +he learned from Kate O'Brien that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> Edith had already gone, but she +knew not her destination. He stated that he wished to consult the +young lady upon a business matter and that if Mrs. O'Brien should +learn of her address, it would be considered a great favor if she +would bring it to him. This the kind-hearted Irish woman agreed to do, +and with a heavy heart the young lawyer returned to his place of +business.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Edith was being wheeled along the rails toward her +destination. When the train reached New Haven, feeling faint, for she +had not been able to eat much breakfast, she got out to purchase a +lunch.</p> + +<p>She entered the station and bought some sandwiches, together with a +little fruit, and then started to return to the train.</p> + +<p>Just in front of her she noticed a fine-looking, richly-clad couple +who were evidently bound in the same direction.</p> + +<p>The gentleman opened the door for his companion to pass out, but as +she did so, the heel of her boot caught upon the threshold, and she +would have fallen heavily to the platform if Edith had not sprung +forward and caught her by the hand which she threw out to save +herself.</p> + +<p>As it was, she was evidently badly hurt, for she turned very white and +a sharp cry of pain was forced from her lips.</p> + +<p>"Are you injured, madam? Can I do anything for you?" Edith inquired, +while her husband, springing to her aid, exclaimed, in a tone of +mingled concern and impatience:</p> + +<p>"What have you done, Anna?"</p> + +<p>"Turned my ankle, I think," the woman replied, as she leaned heavily +against his shoulder for support.</p> + +<p>Edith stooped to pick up the beautiful Russia leather bag which she +had dropped as she stumbled, and followed the couple to the train, +where, with the help of a porter, the injured lady was assisted into a +parlor car.</p> + +<p>The one adjoining it was the common passenger coach in which Edith had +ridden from New York.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Here is madam's bag, sir," she remarked to the gentleman, as, +supporting his wife with one arm, he was about to pass into the +Pullman.</p> + +<p>"Are you going on this train?" he inquired, looking back over his +shoulder at her.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; but I do not belong in the parlor car."</p> + +<p>"Never mind; we will fix that all right. Bring the bag along, if you +will be so kind," he returned, as he went on with his companion.</p> + +<p>So Edith followed them to the little state-room at one end of the car, +where madam sank heavily into a chair, looking as if she were ready to +swoon.</p> + +<p>"Oh, get off my boot!" she pleaded, thrusting out her injured foot.</p> + +<p>Edith drew forward a hassock for it to rest upon, and then, with a +face full of sympathy, dropped upon her knees and began to unbutton +the boot, which, however, was no easy matter, as the ankle was already +much swollen.</p> + +<p>The train began to move just at this moment, and the young girl +started to her feet, an anxious look sweeping over her face.</p> + +<p>"Never mind," said the gentleman, reassuringly. "Unless you have +friends aboard the train to be troubled about you, I will take you +back to your car presently."</p> + +<p>"I have no one—I am traveling alone," Edith responded, and flushing +slightly, as she encountered the gaze of earnest admiration which he +bestowed upon her.</p> + +<p>The gentleman's face lighted at her reply.</p> + +<p>"Then would it be presuming upon your kindness too much to ask you to +remain with my wife?" he inquired. "I am perfectly helpless, like most +men, when any one is ill and we know no one on the train."</p> + +<p>"I will gladly stay, and do whatever I can for her," eagerly returned +Edith, who felt that it would be a great relief and safeguard if she +could complete her journey under the protection of these prepossessing +people; while, too, it would give her something to think of and keep +her from dwelling upon her own sorrows.</p> + +<p>As Edith, from time to time, continued her minis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>tering to the injured +foot, rubbing it with alcohol, to reduce the inflammation, she was +questioned by her new acquaintances, and informed them of her recent +bereavement and of her lonely condition, and stated that she was going +to Boston to try to secure employment.</p> + +<p>She was applying the alcohol when the lady said:</p> + +<p>"That will do for the present, Miss —— What shall I call you, +please?" she remarked, signifying that she did not care to have the +foot rubbed any longer at that time.</p> + +<p>"Edith Allen—Oh, what have I done?" the young girl suddenly cried +out, in a voice of pain, as the woman winced and gave vent to a moan +beneath her touch.</p> + +<p>"Nothing—do not be troubled, dear—only you happened to touch a very +tender spot," exclaimed the lady, trying to smile reassuringly into +the girl's startled face. "So your name is Edith Allen; that sounds +very nice," she continued. "I am fond of pretty names as I am of +pretty people."</p> + +<p>Edith opened her lips to correct her regarding her name; then suddenly +checked herself.</p> + +<p>It did not matter, she thought, if they did not know her full name. +She might never see them again; she had a right to use only the first +half of her surname, if she chose, and it would not be nearly so +conspicuous as Allandale, which was so familiar in certain circles in +New York.</p> + +<p>Thus she concluded to let the matter rest as it was.</p> + +<p>The acquaintance thus begun was productive of an utterly unexpected +result. Before the trip was ended, the lady had induced Edith to +accept the position of traveling companion to her, at a salary of +twenty-five dollars a month. She stated that about a month previous +she had lost the services of the female who had filled the position, +and until this time had been unable to find a suitable person for the +place.</p> + +<p>Edith decided to try the position for a month; "then," she added, "if +I meet your requirements, we can arrange for a longer time."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I am pleased with that arrangement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> And now, Edith—of +course I am not going to be so formal as to address you as Miss +Allen—"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not," interposed Edith, with a charming little smile and +blush.</p> + +<p>"I was about to remark," the lady went on, "that I think it is time we +were formally introduced to you. My husband is known as Gerald +Goddard, Esq., of No. —— Commonwealth avenue, Boston, and I am—Mrs. +Goddard."</p> + +<p>Edith wondered why she should have paused before speaking thus of +herself; why she should have shot that quick, flashing glance into her +husband's face as she did so.</p> + +<p>She was a very handsome woman of perhaps forty-two or forty-three +years. She was slightly above the medium height, with a magnificently +proportioned figure. Her hair was coal-black, with a tendency to curl; +her eyes were of the same color, very large and brilliant, and +rendered peculiarly expressive by the long raven lashes which shaded +them. Her complexion was a pale olive, clear and smooth as satin; her +features were somewhat irregular, but singularly pleasing when she was +animated; her cheeks slightly tinted, her lips a vivid scarlet, her +teeth white as alabaster.</p> + +<p>Later, when Edith saw her arrayed for an evening reception, she +thought her the most brilliantly handsome woman she had ever seen.</p> + +<p>As Mrs. Goddard finished speaking, Edith involuntarily glanced up at +Mr. Gerald Goddard, when she was startled to find him sharply +scrutinizing her, with a look which seemed to be trying to read her +through and through.</p> + +<p>His glance sent a strange chill running through her veins—a sensation +almost of fear and repulsion; and she found herself hoping that she +would not be obliged to see very much of the gentleman, even though +she was destined to become an inmate of his home.</p> + +<p>He was evidently somewhat older than his wife, for his hair was almost +white and his face somewhat lined—whether from time, care, or +dissipation, Edith could not quite determine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>He would have been called and was regarded by the society in which he +moved as a remarkably handsome and distinguished looking man, who +entertained "like a prince," and possessed an exhaustless fund of wit +and knowledge.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, Edith was repelled by him, and felt that he was not a +man to be either trusted or loved, even though she had not been an +hour in his presence before she was made to realize that his wife +adored him.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h2>THE VENOM OF JEALOUSY.</h2> + + +<p>And thus Edith became companion to the wife of the wealthy and +aristocratic Gerald Goddard, who was known as one of Boston's +millionaires.</p> + +<p>They had a beautiful home on Commonwealth avenue, where they spent +their winters, a fine estate in Wyoming, besides a villa at Newport, +all of which were fitted up with an elegance which bespoke an +abundance of means. And so Edith was restored to a life of luxury akin +to that to which she had always been accustomed, previous to the +misfortunes which had overtaken her less than two years ago.</p> + +<p>Her duties were comparatively light, consisting of reading to Mrs. +Goddard, whenever she was in the mood for such entertainment; singing +and playing to her when she was musically inclined; and accompanying +her upon drives and shopping expeditions, when she had no other +company.</p> + +<p>Edith, however, was not long in the household before she made the +discovery that there was a skeleton in the family. At times Mr. +Goddard was morose and irritable, and his wife displayed symptoms of +intense jealousy. About five weeks after Edith's installation in the +home, Mrs. Goddard's brother, Monsieur Correlli, a young sculptor, +came there, on a visit to his sister. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> was handsome and talented, +and had come from France, to "do the United States," during a long +vacation.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Goddard was proud of her brother, and often attended receptions +and parties with him as her escort, and was delighted to show him off +to her friends and acquaintances in the most select of Boston society.</p> + +<p>On returning to her home, after one of these receptions, she heard +merry laughter in the library. Listening attentively, she discovered +that it emanated from her husband and Edith, who sometimes, at his +request, read to him during the frequent absences of his wife.</p> + +<p>The demon of jealousy at once took possession of her. Suddenly +entering the library she requested Edith to at once attend her in her +boudoir. On arriving there the enraged woman gave way to her passion +of jealousy. In blunt words she taunted the girl with attempting to +steal the affections of her husband, and closed her bitter comments +with the threat that "the woman who tried to win my husband from me +would never accomplish her purpose. <i>I would kill her!"</i></p> + +<p>Edith did her best to assure the angry woman that her suspicions were +unfounded, and in a little time Mrs. Goddard was half convinced that +she had been too hasty in her accusations.</p> + +<p>That night the pure girl calmly deliberated upon the subject, and +recalled several occasions when Mr. Goddard had seemed to be deeply +absorbed in the contemplation of her features, eyeing her with glances +of undisguised admiration and rapture. She determined, therefore, to +be a little more circumspect hereafter, and avoid giving him such +opportunities.</p> + +<p>Another trial awaited her about a week later. Emil Correlli had become +quite attentive to her, seeking every chance to be alone with her, +showering compliments upon her, and extolling her charms. On one of +these occasions he was bold enough to propose marriage, and, before +she could recover from her astonishment, had the effrontery to steal a +kiss from her unwilling lips.</p> + +<p>This bold affront, added to the previous unfounded accusations of Mrs. +Goddard made Edith decide to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> leave the house at once. She announced +her decision to her mistress; but that lady, in great humiliation, +begged her to overlook her brother's impetuosity, saying that his +conduct should be considered only "a tribute to her manifold charms," +and that hereafter she would have no cause for complaint of either him +or her.</p> + +<p>The proud woman's deep contrition, and her earnest appeals, had the +effect intended, and Edith decided to remain.</p> + +<p>That evening a prolonged interview occurred between Mrs. Goddard and +her brother. The result of it was that the sister agreed to do her +utmost to place Edith beyond the reach of her husband by combining a +scheme which would make her the bride of Emil Correlli.</p> + +<p>Some days elapsed, and then an incident worthy of record occurred. +Edith had been out for a stroll, and, just as she was retracing her +steps along Commonwealth avenue, an elegant carriage came slowly +around the corner. The driver was in dark green livery, and seemed to +be under the influence of stimulants. Suddenly he leaned sideways, and +fell off the box, landing on the ground.</p> + +<p>Edith impulsively started forward, shouted "Whoa!" to the horses, and +lifted the reins. The animals stopped immediately, and in a moment a +lovely face was thrust from the carriage window, and a sweet voice +asked,</p> + +<p>"Thomas, what is the matter?—what has happened?"</p> + +<p>She stepped from the carriage and was soon informed of the accident, +and its probable cause. She was a tall, elegantly-formed woman, of +perhaps forty-three years, with large, dark brown eyes and rich brown +hair. Her skin was fair and flawless, as that of a girl of twenty, +with a delicate flush upon her cheeks, and Edith thought her face the +most beautiful she had ever seen.</p> + +<p>A policeman presently appeared upon the scene, and the lady requested +him to secure some competent person who would drive the vehicle to its +stable. To secure attention to this request, she gave the policeman a +bank note, and named the location of the stable. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> then said to the +coachman, who was engaged in brushing the dust from his clothing:</p> + +<p>"Thomas, you may come to me at nine o'clock to-morrow morning—without +the carriage."</p> + +<p>As the coachman staggered off, the lady turned to Edith, thanked her +for the service she had performed, and gave her a card bearing a name +and address—"Mrs. I. G. Stewart, Copley Square Hotel, Boston, Mass."</p> + +<p>At the solicitation of the lady, Edith gave her name, and stated that +she was the companion to Mrs. Gerald Goddard, of Commonwealth avenue.</p> + +<p>This information caused Mrs. Stewart to turn pale, and otherwise +manifest a strange agitation. She quickly recovered, however, and +stated:</p> + +<p>"Ah! I was introduced to Mrs. Goddard's brother, Monsieur Correlli, a +few evenings ago, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. +Goddard. Now it is time for me to go, and I shall have to take an +electric car to get back to my hotel. Again let me thank you for your +timely service. I hope you and I will meet again some time; and, dear, +if you should ever need a friend, do not fail to come to me. +Good-afternoon."</p> + +<p>Shortly after the departure of Mrs. Stewart, as Edith was walking +homeward, she was overtaken by Emil Correlli, who begged permission to +attend her, as they were both bound for the same destination. It would +have been rude to refuse, so Edith consented, although she would have +preferred to go alone.</p> + +<p>They had not advanced far before Edith became aware that they were +followed by a woman, who kept parallel with them, on the opposite side +of the street. Monsieur Correlli seemed unconscious of this fact, as +he was apparently engrossed in the effort to entertain his companion +with animated conversation. When they were within a few yards of Mrs. +Goddard's residence, the woman suddenly darted across the avenue and +placed herself directly in their path.</p> + +<p>In an instant Emil Correlli seemed turned to stone, so motionless and +rigid did he become. For a full<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> minute his gaze was riveted upon the +stranger, as if in horrible fascination.</p> + +<p>"<i>Giulia!</i>" he breathed, at last, in a scarcely audible voice. "<i>Le +diable!</i>"</p> + +<p>The woman had a veil over her face, but Edith could see that she was +very handsome, with a warm, Southern kind of beauty, although it was +of a rather coarse type. She was evidently a foreigner, with brilliant +black eyes, an olive complexion, scarlet lips and cheeks, and a wealth +of purple-black hair, which was coiled in a massive knot at the back +of her head.</p> + +<p>She was of medium height, with a plump but exquisitely proportioned +figure, as was revealed by her closely-fitting garment of navy-blue +velvet.</p> + +<p>The moment Emil Correlli spoke her name, she burst passionately forth, +and began to address him in rapidly uttered sentences of some foreign +language, which Edith could not understand.</p> + +<p>It was not French, for she could converse in that tongue, and she knew +it was not German. She therefore concluded it must be either Italian +or Spanish.</p> + +<p>As the girl talked, her eyes roved from the man's face to Edith's, +with angry, jealous glances, while she gesticulated wildly with her +hands, and her voice was fierce and intense with passion.</p> + +<p>She would not give Monsieur Correlli an opportunity to say one word, +until she had exhausted her seemingly endless vocabulary; but he was +as colorless as a piece of his own statuary, and a lurid, desperate +light burned in his eyes—a gleam, which, if she had been less intent +upon venting her own passion, would have warned her that she was doing +her cause, whatever it might be, more harm than good by the course she +was adopting.</p> + +<p>At last she paused in her tirade, simply because she lacked breath to +go on, when Emil Correlli replied to her, in her own tongue, and with +equal fluency; but in tones that were both stern and authoritative, +while it was evident that he was excessively annoyed by her sudden and +unexpected appearance there.</p> + +<p>Finally, after another attempt upon the girl's part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> to carry her +point, he stamped his foot imperatively, to emphasize some command, +and, with a look which made her cringe like a whipped cur before him; +when, shooting a glance of fire and hate at Edith, she turned away, +with a crestfallen air, and went, dejectedly, down the street.</p> + +<p>Edith would have been glad, and had tried, to escape from this scene, +for after the first moment of surprise upon being so unceremoniously +confronted by the beautiful stranger, she had stepped aside, ascended +the steps, and rang the bell.</p> + +<p>But, for some reason, no one came to the door, and she was obliged to +repeat the summons, but feeling very awkward to have to stand there +and listen to the altercation that was being carried on so near her, +although she could not understand a word that was said.</p> + +<p>At last, just as Monsieur Correlli had delivered his authoritative +command, the butler made his appearance, and let Edith in.</p> + +<p>Before she could enter, the woman was gone, and Emil Correlli sprang +up the steps, and was by her side.</p> + +<p>He glanced anxiously down upon her face, which wore a grave and +pre-occupied look.</p> + +<p>He knew that she was wondering who the fiery, but beautiful and +richly-dressed stranger was; knew that she could not fail to believe +that there must be something suspicious and mysterious in his +relations with her, and he was greatly exercised over the unfortunate +encounter.</p> + +<p>He had set his heart upon winning her—he had vowed that nothing +should stand in the way of her becoming his wife, and now this—the +worst of all things—had happened, to compromise him in her eyes, and +he secretly breathed the fiercest anathemas upon the head of the +marplot who had just left them.</p> + +<p>Later that evening, Emil Correlli took the first opportunity to +explain the unfortunate <i>contretemps</i> to the wondering Edith. He +stated that the girl was the daughter of an Italian florist, who had +audaciously presumed to dun him for a small bill he owed her father +for floral purchases.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span></p> + +<p>This matter, satisfactorily explained, as he thought, he renewed his +protestations of love to Edith, solicited her hand in marriage, and +was staggered by her emphatic refusal.</p> + +<p>Her refusal was reported to Mrs. Goddard by that lady's brother, and +she counseled him to be patient.</p> + +<p>"I have in mind," she said, "the germ of a most cunning plot, which +must succeed in your winning Edith Allen," and then she proceeded to +unfold her plan, which, for boldness, craft, and ingenuity, would have +been worthy of a French <i>intriguante</i> of the seventeenth century.</p> + +<p>"Anna, you are a trump!" Emil Correlli exclaimed, admiringly, when she +concluded. "If you can carry that out as you have planned it, it will +be a most unique scheme—the best thing of its kind on record!"</p> + +<p>"I can carry it out if you will let me do it in my own way; only you +must take yourself off. I will not have you here to run the risk of +spoiling everything," said Mrs. Goddard, with a determined air.</p> + +<p>"Very well, then; I will go this very night. I will take the eleven +o'clock express on the B. and A. I have such faith in your genius that +I am willing to be guided wholly by you, and trust my fate entirely in +your hands."</p> + +<p>"I can write you from time to time, as the plan develops," she +replied, "and send you instructions regarding the final act."</p> + +<p>"All right, go ahead—I give you <i>carte blanche</i> for your expenses," +said Monsieur Correlli, as he rose to leave the room.</p> + +<p>Five hours later, he was fast asleep in a Pullman berth, and flying +over the rails toward New York.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Edith, who was inclined to leave the house, and throw +herself upon the kindness of Mrs. Stewart, found her mistress +unusually gracious, seeking her aid in forwarding invitations for a +reception, and in planning for what she called "a mid-winter frolic." +She also incidentally announced, to the great gratification of Edith, +that Monsieur Correlli had hur<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span>riedly departed for New York, with the +intention of being absent a considerable time.</p> + +<p>Little did Edith then suspect that she was assisting in a plan which +was intended to force her into a detested marriage.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h2>THE HOUSEKEEPER AT WYOMING.</h2> + + +<p>The invitations for the merry-making were at length printed and +forwarded to the favored guests, but the family were not to go to +Wyoming for a week or so, and meantime, Mrs. Goddard devoutly hoped +that the weather would change and send them a fine snowstorm, so that +there would be good sleighing during their sojourn in the country.</p> + +<p>She had her wish—everything seemed to favor the schemes of this +crafty woman, for, three days later, there came a severe storm, which +lasted as many more, and when at length the sun shone again there lay +on the ground more than a foot of snow on a level, thus giving promise +of rare enjoyment upon runners and behind spirited horses and musical +bells.</p> + +<p>At last the day of their departure arrived, and about ten o'clock, +Mrs. Goddard and Edith, well wrapped in furs and robes, were driven +over the well-trodden roads, in a hansome sleigh, and behind a pair of +fine horses, toward Middlesex Falls.</p> + +<p>It was only about an hour's drive, and upon their arrival they found +the Goddards' beautiful country residence in fine order, with blazing +fires in several of the rooms.</p> + +<p>The housekeeper, Mrs. Weld, had attended to all the details of +preparation, and was complimented by both Mr. and Mrs. Goddard. In +appearance the housekeeper was very peculiar, very tall and very +stout, and in no way graceful in form or feature. Mrs. Goddard voted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +her as "a perfect fright," with her eyes concealed behind large, +dark-blue glasses. She had been employed through the agent of an +intelligence office, and had come highly recommended. A close observer +would have noted many oddities about her; and Edith, coming suddenly +upon her in her own apartment, had reason to suspect that the +housekeeper was not what she seemed—in fact, that she was disguised.</p> + +<p>Noiselessly Mrs. Weld went about her duties, her footfalls dropping as +quietly as the snow. On one occasion, arriving unexpectedly within +hearing of her master and mistress, she heard him entreating her to +give him possession of a certain document. This Mrs. Goddard refused +until he had performed some act which, as it was apparent from the +conversation, she had long been urging upon him as a duty.</p> + +<p>Fearing discovery, Mrs. Weld did not wait to hear more, but silently +walked away.</p> + +<p>A few busy days succeeded, and then the guests began to arrive at +Wyoming. The housekeeper seemed to take a great fancy to Edith, and +the latter cheerfully assisted her in many ways. Various amusements +were planned for the guests. The weather was cold, but fine; the +sleighing continued to be excellent, and the gay company at Wyoming +kept up their exciting round of pleasure both day and night.</p> + +<p>A theatrical performance, planned by Mrs. Goddard, was one of the +amusements arranged for the entertainment of the guests. On the +afternoon of the day set for the presentation of the little dramatic +episode, a great packing case arrived from the city, and was taken +directly to madam's rooms.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later, Edith was requested to go to her, and, upon +presenting herself at the door of her boudoir, was drawn mysteriously +inside, and the door locked.</p> + +<p>"Come," said madam, with a curious smile, as she led the way into the +chamber beyond, "I want you to assist me in unpacking something."</p> + +<p>"Certainly, I shall be very glad to help you," the young girl replied, +with cheerful acquiescence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It is one of the costumes that is to be worn this evening, and must +be handled very carefully," Mrs. Goddard explained.</p> + +<p>As she spoke, she cut the cords binding the great box, and, lifting +the cover, revealed some articles enveloped in quantities of white +tissue paper.</p> + +<p>"Take it out!" commanded madam, indicating the upper package.</p> + +<p>Edith obeyed, and, upon removing the spotless wrappings, a beautiful +skirt of white satin, richly trimmed with lace of an exquisite +pattern, was revealed.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed the young girl, as shaking it carefully +out, she laid the dainty robe upon the bed.</p> + +<p>Next came the waist, or corsage, which was also a marvel of artistic +taste and beauty.</p> + +<p>This was laid against the skirt when the costume, thus complete, was a +perfect delight to the eye.</p> + +<p>"It looks like a bride's dress," Edith observed, as she gazed, +admiringly, upon it.</p> + +<p>"You are right! It is for the bride who figures in our play to-night," +said madam. "This must be the veil, I think," she concluded, lifting a +large box from the case, and passing it to her companion.</p> + +<p>Edith removed the cover, and uttered an involuntary cry of delight, +for before her there lay a great mass of finest tulle, made up into a +bridal veil, and surmounted by a coronet of white waxen +orange-blossoms.</p> + +<p>An examination of two other boxes disclosed a pair of white satin +boots, embroidered with pearls, and a pair of long white kid gloves.</p> + +<p>"Everything is exquisite, and so complete," murmured Edith, as she +laid them all out beside the dress, and then stood gazing in wrapt +admiration upon the outfit.</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course, the bride will be the most conspicuous figure—the +cynosure of all eyes, in fact—so she would need to be as complete and +perfect as possible," Mrs. Goddard explained, but watching the girl, +warily, out of the corners of her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Who is going to wear it?" Edith inquired, as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> caressingly +straightened out a spray of orange blossoms that had caught in a mesh +of the lace.</p> + +<p>Madam's eyes gleamed strangely at the question.</p> + +<p>"Miss Kerby takes the part of the heroine of the play," she answered, +"whom, by the way, I called Edith, because I like the name so much. I +did not think you would mind."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said the girl, absently. Then, with a little start, she +exclaimed, as she lifted something from the box from which the gloves +had been taken: "But what is this?"</p> + +<p>It was a small half-circle of fine white gauze, edged with a fringe of +frosted silver, while a tiny chain of the same material was attached +to each end.</p> + +<p>"Oh! that is the mask," said Mrs. Goddard.</p> + +<p>"The mask?" repeated Edith, surprised.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I don't wonder you look astonished, to find such a thing among +the outfit of a bride," said madam, with a peculiar little laugh; "but +although it is a profound secret to everybody outside the actors, I +will explain it to you, as the time is so near. You understand this is +a play that I have myself written."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I have entitled it 'The Masked Bridal,' and it is a very +cunningly devised plot, on the part of a pair of lovers whose obdurate +parents refuse to allow them to marry," Madam explained. "Edith +Lancaster is an American girl, and Henri Bernard is a Frenchman. They +have a couple of friends whose wedding is set for a certain date, and +who plan to help them outwit the parents of Edith and Henri. The scene +is, of course, laid in Paris, where everybody knows a marriage must be +contracted in church. The friends of the two unfortunate lovers send +out their cards, announcing their approaching nuptials, and also the +fact that they will both be masked during the ceremony."</p> + +<p>"How strange!" Edith murmured.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is both a novel and an extravagant idea," Mrs. Goddard +assented; "but, of course, nobody minds that in a play—the more +extravagant and unreal, the better it suits the public nowadays. Well, +the parents<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> and friends of the couple naturally object to this +arrangement, but they finally carry their point. Everything is +arranged, and the wedding-day arrives. Only the parents and a few +friends are supposed to be present, and, at the appointed hour, the +bridal party—consisting of the ushers and four bridesmaids, a +maid-of-honor, and the bride, leaning upon her father's arm, proceed +slowly to the altar, where they are met by the groom, best man, and +clergyman. Then comes the ceremony, which seems just as real as if it +were a <i>bona-fide</i> marriage, you know; and when the young couple turn +to leave the church, as husband and wife, they remove their masks, and +behold! the truth is revealed. There is, of course, great +astonishment, and some dismay manifested on the part of the obdurate +parents, who are among the invited guests; but the deed is done—it +would not do to make a scene or any disturbance in church, and so they +are forced to make the best of the affair, and accept the situation."</p> + +<p>"But what becomes of the couple who planned all this for their +friends?" Edith inquired.</p> + +<p>"Oh, they were privately married half an hour earlier, and come in at +a rear door just in season to follow the bridal party down the aisle, +and join in the wedding-feast at home."</p> + +<p>"It is a very strange plot—a very peculiar conception," murmured +Edith, musingly.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it is very Frenchy, and extremely unique, and will be carried +out splendidly, if nothing unforeseen occurs to mar the acting, for +the amateurs I have chosen are all very good. But now I must run down +to see that everything is all right for the evening, before I dress. +By the way," she added, as if the thought had just occurred to her, "I +would like you to put on something pretty, and come to help me in the +dressing-room during the play. Have you a white dress here?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; it is not a very modern one, but it was nice in its day," Edith +replied.</p> + +<p>"Very well; I shall not mind the cut of it, if it is only white," said +madam. "Now I must run. You can ring for some one to take away this +rubbish," she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> concluded, glancing at the boxes and papers that were +strewn about the room; then she went quickly out.</p> + +<p>Edith obeyed her, and remained until the room was once more in order, +after which she went up to her own chamber to ascertain if the dress, +of which she had spoken, needed anything done to it before it could be +worn.</p> + +<p>Unpacking her trunk, she drew a box from the bottom, from which she +took a pretty Lansdown dress, which she had worn at the wedding of one +of her friends nearly two years previous. She had nice skirts, and a +pair of pretty white slippers to go with it, and although it was, as +she had stated, somewhat out of date, it was really a very dainty +costume.</p> + +<p>She laid everything out upon the bed, in readiness for the evening, +and then went down to her dinner, which she always took with the +housekeeper before the family meal was served.</p> + +<p>Edith found Mrs. Weld looking unusually nice—although she was always +a model of neatness in her attire—in a handsome black silk, with +folds of soft, creamy lace across her ample breast, while upon her +head she wore a fashionable lace cap, adorned with dainty bows of +white ribbon.</p> + +<p>"Oh! how very nice you are looking," Edith exclaimed, as she entered +the room. "What a lovely piece of silk your dress is made of, and your +cap is very pretty."</p> + +<p>"I do believe," she added, to herself, "that she would be quite good +looking if it were not for those horrid moles and dreadful blue +glasses."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, child," the woman responded, a queer little smile lurking +about her mouth. "Of course, I had to make a special effort for such +an occasion as this."</p> + +<p>"If you would only take off your glasses, Mrs. Weld," said the young +girl, as she leaned forward, trying to look into her eyes. "Couldn't +you, just for this evening?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, Miss Edith," hastily returned the housekeeper, her color +deepening a trifle under the sallow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> tinge upon her cheeks. "With all +the extra lights, I should be blinded."</p> + +<p>"But you have such lovely eyes—"</p> + +<p>"How do you know?" demanded Mrs. Weld, regarding her companion +curiously.</p> + +<p>"Partly by guess—partly by observation," said Edith, laughing. "Let +me prove it," she continued, playfully, as she deftly captured the +obnoxious spectacles, and then looked mischievously straight into the +beautiful but startled orbs thus disclosed.</p> + +<p>"Child! child! what are you doing?" exclaimed the woman, in a nervous +tone, as she tried to get possession of her property again. "Pray, +give them back to me at once."</p> + +<p>But Edith playfully evaded her, and clasped them in her hands behind +her.</p> + +<p>"I knew it! I knew it!" she cried, in a voice of merry triumph. "They +are remarkably beautiful, and no one would ever believe there was +anything the matter with them. Oh! I love such eyes as yours, Mrs. +Weld—they are such a delicious color—so clear, so soft, and +expressive."</p> + +<p>And Edith, inspired by a sudden impulse, leaned forward and kissed the +woman on the forehead, just between the eyes which she had been so +admiring.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Weld seemed to be strangely agitated by this affectionate little +act.</p> + +<p>Tears sprang into her eyes, and her lips quivered with emotion for a +moment.</p> + +<p>Then she put out her arms and clasped the beautiful girl in a fond +embrace, and softly returned her caress.</p> + +<p>"You are a lovable little darling—every inch of you," she said, with +sudden fervor.</p> + +<p>"What a mutual admiration society we have constituted ourselves, Mrs. +Weld! But, I am sure, I am very happy to know that there is some one +in the world who feels so tenderly toward me."</p> + +<p>"No one who knew you could help it, my dear," gently returned the +woman, "and I shall always remember you very tenderly, for you have +been so kind and helpful to me in many ways since we have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> here. +I suppose the affair to-night will wind up the frolic here," she went +on, thoughtfully. "You will go your way, I shall go mine, and we may +never meet again; but, I shall never forget you, Miss Allen—"</p> + +<p>"Why, Mrs. Weld! how strangely you appear to-night!" Edith +involuntarily interposed. "You do not seem like yourself."</p> + +<p>"I know it, child; but the Goddards expect to return to town +to-morrow, and I may not have an opportunity to see you again alone," +returned the housekeeper, with a strange smile. "I do not want you to +forget me, either," she went on, drawing a little box from her pocket, +"so I am going to give you a souvenir to take away with you, if you +will do me the favor to accept it."</p> + +<p>She slipped the tiny box into Edith's hand as she concluded.</p> + +<p>More and more surprised, the fair girl opened it, and uttered a low +cry of admiration as she beheld its contents. Within, on a bed of +spotless cotton, there lay a gold chain of very delicate workmanship, +and suspended from it, by the stem, as fresh and green, apparently, as +if it had that moment been plucked from its native soil, was a +shamrock, in the heart of which there gleamed a small diamond of +purest water.</p> + +<p>"Why, Mrs. Weld, how beautiful!" exclaimed Edith, flushing with +pleasure; "but—but—isn't the gift a little extravagant for me?"</p> + +<p>"You are worthy of a stone ten times the size of that," said her +companion, smiling; "but, if you mean to imply that I have +impoverished myself to purchase it for you, do not fear; for it was a +little ornament that I used to wear when I was a girl, so it costs me +nothing but the pleasure of giving it to you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, a thousand times!" returned the happy girl, with starting +tears, "and I shall prize it all the more for that very reason. Now, +pray pardon me," she added, flushing, as she returned the glasses she +had so playfully captured, "I am afraid I was a little rude to remove +them without your permission."</p> + +<p>"Never mind, dear; you have done no harm," said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> the housekeeper, as +she restored them to their place. "Come, now, we must have our dinner, +or I shall be late, and there must be no mistakes to-night, of all +times."</p> + +<p>When the meal was finished, Mrs. Weld hastened away to attend to her +numerous duties, while Edith went slowly upstairs to dress herself for +the evening.</p> + +<p>"There is something very, very queer about Mrs. Weld," she mused. "I +do not believe she is what she appears at all. She has come into this +house for some mysterious purpose—as mysterious, I believe, as the +people who have employed her."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h2>"THE GIRL IS DOOMED!—SHE HAS SEALED HER OWN FATE!"</h2> + + +<p>Edith looked very lovely when her toilet for the evening was +completed.</p> + +<p>We have never seen her in any but very ordinary costumes, for she had +worn mourning for her dear ones for two years, but if she was +attractive in these somber garments, symbols of her sorrows, she was a +hundred-fold more so in the spotless and dainty dress which was almost +the only souvenir that she possessed of those happy, beautiful days +when she had lived in a Fifth avenue palace, and was the petted +darling of fortune.</p> + +<p>There was not a single ornament about her, excepting the pretty chain +and diamond-hearted shamrock which Mrs. Weld had that evening given to +her, and which she had involuntarily kissed before clasping it about +her neck.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Goddard had commissioned her to superintend the dressing-rooms, +to see that the maids provided everything needful for the comfort of +her guests and to look in upon them occasionally and ascertain if +they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> were attending to their duties, until everybody had arrived; +after which she was to come to her behind the scenes in the +carriage-house.</p> + +<p>Thus, after her toilet was completed, she descended to the second +floor, to see that these orders were carried out.</p> + +<p>In the ladies' dressing-rooms, she found everything in the nicest +possible order, and then passed on to those allotted to the gentlemen, +in one of which she found that the maids had neglected to provide +drinking water.</p> + +<p>She was upon the point of leaving the room to have the matter attended +to, when Mr. Goddard, attired in full evening dress, even to gloves, +entered.</p> + +<p>"Where is Mollie?" he inquired, but with a visible start of surprise, +as he noticed Edith's exceeding loveliness.</p> + +<p>"I think she is in one of the other rooms," she replied. "Shall I call +her for you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, if you please; or—" with a lingering glance of +admiration—"perhaps you will help me with these gloves. I find it +troublesome to button them."</p> + +<p>"Certainly," replied the young girl, but flushing beneath his look, +and, taking the silver button-hook from him, she proceeded to perform +the simple service for him, but noticed, while doing so, the taint of +liquor on his breath.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," he said, appreciatively, when the last button was +fastened. Then bending lower to look into her eyes, he added, softly: +"How lovely you are to-night, Miss Edith!"</p> + +<p>She drew herself away from him, with an air of offended dignity, and +would have passed from the room had he not placed himself directly in +her way, thus cutting off her escape.</p> + +<p>"Nay, nay, pretty one; do not be so shy of me," he went on, +insinuatingly. "Why have you avoided me of late? We have not had one +of our cozy social chats for a long time. Did madam's unreasonable fit +of jealousy that day in the library frighten you? Pray, do not mind +her—she has always been like that ever since—well, for many years."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Goddard! I beg you will cease. I cannot listen to you!" cried +Edith. "Let me pass, if you please. I have an order to give one of the +housemaids."</p> + +<p>"Tut! tut! little one; the order can wait, and it is not kind of you +to fly at me like that. I have been drawn toward you ever since you +came into the family, and every day only serves to strengthen the +spell that you have been weaving about me. Come now, tell me that you +will try to return my fondness for you—"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Goddard! what is the meaning of this strange language? You have +no right to address me thus; it is an insult to me—a wicked wrong +against your wife—"</p> + +<p>"My wife!" the man burst forth, mockingly, and with a strangely bitter +laugh.</p> + +<p>A frown contracted his brow, and his lips were compressed into a +vindictive line, as he again bent toward the fair girl.</p> + +<p>"I do not love her," he said, hoarsely; "she has killed all my +affection for her by her infernally variable moods, her jealousy, her +vanity, and her inordinate passion for worldly pleasure, to the +exclusion of all home responsibilities. Moreover—"</p> + +<p>"I must not listen to you! Oh! let me go!" cried Edith, in a voice of +distress.</p> + +<p>Before Edith was aware of his intention, he bent his lips close to her +face, and whispered something, in swift sentences, that made her +shrink from him with a sudden cry of mingled pain and dismay, and +cover her ears with her pretty hands.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it!" she panted; "oh! I cannot believe it. I am sure +you do not know what you are saying, Mr. Goddard."</p> + +<p>Her words appeared to arouse him to a sense of the fact that he was +compromising himself most miserably in her estimation.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't suppose you can," he muttered, a half-dazed expression on +his face; "and I've no business to be telling you any such things. +But, all the same, I am very fond of you, pretty one, and I do not +believe this is any place for you. You are too fair and sweet to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +serve a woman with such a disposition as madam possesses, and I wish +you would leave her when we go back to the city. I know you are poor, +and have no friends upon whom you can depend; but I would settle a +comfortable annuity upon you, so that you could be independent, and +make a pretty little home for your—"</p> + +<p>"How dare you talk to me like this? Do you think I have no pride—no +self-respect?" Edith demanded, as she haughtily threw back her proud +head and confronted the man with blazing eyes.</p> + +<p>Her act and the flash of the diamond attracted his attention to the +little chain and shamrock upon her breast.</p> + +<p>The sight seemed to paralyze him for a moment, for he stood like one +turned to marble.</p> + +<p>"Where did you get it?" he at last demanded, in a scarcely, audible +voice, as he pointed a trembling finger at the jewel. "Tell me!—tell +me! how came you by it?"</p> + +<p>Edith regarded him with astonishment.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily she put up her hand and covered the ornament from his +gaze.</p> + +<p>"It was given to me," she briefly replied.</p> + +<p>"Who gave it to you?"</p> + +<p>"A friend."</p> + +<p>"Was it your—a relative?" cried the man, in a hoarse whisper.</p> + +<p>"No, it was simply a friend."</p> + +<p>"Tell me who!"</p> + +<p>Edith thought a moment. If she should tell Mr. Goddard that the +shamrock had been given to her by the housekeeper, it might subject +the woman to an unpleasant interview with the master of the house, +and, perhaps, place her in a very awkward position.</p> + +<p>She resolved upon the only course left—that of refusing to reveal the +name of the giver.</p> + +<p>"All that I can tell you, Mr. Goddard," she gravely said, at last, "is +that the chain and ornament were given to me very recently by an aged +friend—"</p> + +<p>"Aged!" the man interposed, eagerly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, by a person who must be at least sixty years of age," the young +girl replied.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" The ejaculation was one of supreme relief. "Excuse me, Miss +Allen!" he continued, in a more natural manner than he had yet spoken. +"I did not mean to be curious, but—a—a person whom I once knew had +an ornament very similar to the one you wear—"</p> + +<p>He was interrupted just at this point by the sound of a rich, mellow +laugh that echoed down the hall like a strain of sweetest music; +whereupon Gerald Goddard jumped as if some one had dealt him a heavy +blow on the back.</p> + +<p>"Good Heaven! who was that?" he cried, with livid lips.</p> + +<p>But Edith, taking advantage of the diversion, glided swiftly from the +room, telling herself that nothing could induce her to dwell with the +family a single day after their return to the city, and that she would +take care not to come in contact with Mr. Goddard again—at least to +be alone with him—while she did remain with his wife.</p> + +<p>The man stood motionless for a moment after her departure, as if +waiting for the sound, which had so startled him, to be repeated.</p> + +<p>But it was not, and going to the door, he peered into the hall to see +who was there.</p> + +<p>There was no one visible save the housekeeper, who just at that +moment, accosted a housemaid, to whom she appeared to be giving some +directions.</p> + +<p>"Ah! it was only one of the guests," he muttered, "but the voice was +wonderfully like—like—Ugh!"</p> + +<p>He waited a few moments longer, trying to compose his nerves, which +had been sadly unstrung, both by the wine he had drank in much larger +quantities than usual, and the incidents that had just occurred, and +then sought his own room, where he rang for a brandy-and-soda, and +after taking it, went below to attend to his duties as host.</p> + +<p>But neither he nor Edith dreamed that their recent interview had been +observed by a third party, or had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> seen the white, convulsed face that +had been looking in upon them, between the blinds at one of the +windows, near which they had been standing.</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard had sought her own room, directly after dinner, to make +some little change in her toilet, and get her gloves, which she had +left lying upon her dressing case.</p> + +<p>As she opened the door of her boudoir she came very near giving +utterance to a scream of fear upon coming face to face with a man.</p> + +<p>The man was Emil Correlli, who had gained entrance to the apartment by +climbing the vine trellis which led to the window. His secret return +was in accordance with a plan previously agreed upon.</p> + +<p>He informed his sister that he had sent a card of invitation to Mrs. +Stewart of the Copley Square Hotel.</p> + +<p>"I am glad you did," she responded; "I have long desired to meet her."</p> + +<p>They then proceeded to discuss the important event of the evening, and +Mrs. Goddard assured him that their plot was progressing admirably. +Still, she manifested a twinge of remorse as she thought of the +despicable trick she had devised against the fair girl whom her +brother was so eager to possess.</p> + +<p>"Anna, you must not fail me now!" he exclaimed, "or I will never +forgive you! The girl must be mine, or—"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" she interposed, holding up her finger to check him. "Did some +one knock?"</p> + +<p>"I heard nothing."</p> + +<p>"Wait, I will see," she said, and cautiously opened the door. No one +was there.</p> + +<p>"It was only a false alarm," she murmured, glancing down the hall; +then she started, as if stung, as she caught sight of two figures in +the room diagonally opposite hers.</p> + +<p>Her face grew ghastly, but her eyes blazed with a tiger-like ferocity.</p> + +<p>She closed the door noiselessly, then with stealthy, cat-like +movements, she stole toward the French door, leading out upon the +veranda, throwing a long mantle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> over her light dress and bare +shoulders. Then she passed out, and crept along the veranda toward a +window of the room where her husband and Edith were talking.</p> + +<p>She could see them distinctly through the slats of the blinds, which +were movable—could see the man bending toward the graceful girl, whom +she had never seen so beautiful as now, his face eager, a wistful +light burning in his eyes, while his lips moved rapidly with the tale +that he was pouring into her ears.</p> + +<p>She could not hear a word, but her jealous heart imputed the very +worst to him.</p> + +<p>She could see that Edith repudiated him—that she was indignant and +dismayed; but this circumstance did not soothe her in the least.</p> + +<p>It was enough to arouse all the worst elements of her fiery nature to +know that the girl's charms were alluring the man whom she worshiped, +and a very demon of jealousy and hatred possessed her.</p> + +<p>She watched them until she saw her husband give that guilty start, of +which Edith took advantage to escape, and then, her hands clenched +until the nails almost pierced the tender flesh, her lips +convulsed—her whole face distorted with passion and pain, she turned +from the spot.</p> + +<p>"I have no longer any conscience," she hissed, as she sped swiftly +back to her room. "The girl is doomed—she has sealed her own fate. As +for him—if I did not love him so, I would—"</p> + +<p>A shudder completed her sentence, but smoothing her face, she removed +her wraps, and went to tell her brother that she must go below, but +would have his dinner sent up immediately.</p> + +<p>Then drawing on her gloves, she hastened down to join her guests in +the drawing-room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h2>"NOW MY VINDICATION AND TRIUMPH WILL BE COMPLETE!"</h2> + + +<p>When Anna Goddard descended to her spacious and elegant parlors, her +face was wreathed with the brightest smiles, which, alas! covered and +concealed the bitterness and anger of her corrupt heart, even while +she circulated among her friends with apparently the greatest +pleasure, and with her usual charm and grace and manner.</p> + +<p>After a short time spent socially, the guests repaired to the spacious +carriage-house, where the theatrical performance was to take place, to +secure the most desirable seats for the play, before the multitude +from outside should arrive.</p> + +<p>The place had been very handsomely decorated, and lighted by +electricity, for the occasion. Potted flowers, palms, and ferns were +artistically grouped in the corners, and handsome draperies were hung +here and there to simulate windows and doors, and to conceal whatever +might otherwise have been unsightly.</p> + +<p>The floor had been covered with something smooth, linoleum or +oilcloth, and then thoroughly waxed, for after the play was over, the +place was to be cleared for dancing.</p> + +<p>Across one end, a commodious stage had been erected, although this was +at present concealed by a beautiful drop-curtain of crimson felt, +bordered with old gold.</p> + +<p>The room filled rapidly, and long before the time for the curtain to +ascend, every seat was occupied.</p> + +<p>At eight o'clock, precisely, the signal was given, and the play began.</p> + +<p>Programs had been distributed among the audience—dainty little cards +of embossed white and gold they were, too—announcing the title, "The +Masked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> Bridal," giving the names of the participants, and promising +that the affair would close with a genuine surprise to every one.</p> + +<p>The piece opened in an elegantly appointed library, with a spirited +scene and dialogue between a young couple, who were desirous of +marrying, and the four objecting parents.</p> + +<p>The actors all rendered their parts well, the heroine being especially +pretty and piquant, and winning the admiration and sympathy of the +audience at the outset.</p> + +<p>In the next scene the unfortunate young couple are represented as +plotting with two other lovers, whose wedding-day is set, to +circumvent their obdurate parents, and carry out their determination +to become husband and wife.</p> + +<p>This also was full of energy and interest, several bright hits and +witticisms being cleverly introduced, and the curtain went down amid +enthusiastic applause; then, while the stage settings were being +changed for the final act and the church wedding, some music was +introduced, both vocal and instrumental, to while away the time.</p> + +<p>Edith, who had assisted madam in the dressing-room as long as she was +needed, had come outside, at the beginning of the scene, and stationed +herself at the back of the room to watch the progress of the play.</p> + +<p>But she had been there only for a few moments when some one touched +her on the shoulder to attract her attention.</p> + +<p>Glancing around, she saw a young girl, one of the guests in the house, +who remarked:</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Goddard wished me to tell you to come to her at once in her +boudoir. Please be quick, as the matter is important."</p> + +<p>Edith immediately glided from the room, but wondering what could have +happened that madam should want her in her own apartments, when she +supposed her to be behind the scenes.</p> + +<p>Meantime, while the guests were being entertained with the play of +which their hostess was the acknowl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>edged author, a mysterious scene +was being enacted within the mansion.</p> + +<p>When the hour for the entertainment drew near, the house, as we know, +had been emptied of its guests, until only the housekeeper, the +butler, and the other servants remained as occupants.</p> + +<p>The butler had been instructed to keep ward and watch below, while +Mrs. Weld went upstairs, ostensibly to ascertain that everything was +as it should be there, but in reality, to carry out a project of her +own.</p> + +<p>Seeking the maids, who, since they had no duties at that particular +moment to occupy them, had gathered in the dressing-rooms, and were +discussing the merits of the various costumes which they had seen, she +remarked, in her kindly, good-natured way:</p> + +<p>"Girls, I am sure you would like a peep at the play, and Mrs. Goddard +gave me permission to send you out, if you could be spared. I will +look after everything up here, and you may go now, if you like, only +be sure to hurry back the moment it is over, for you will then be +needed again."</p> + +<p>They were of course delighted with this privilege, but Mollie, who was +an unusually considerate girl, and always willing to oblige others, +inquired:</p> + +<p>"Wouldn't you like to see the play, Mrs. Weld? I will stay and let you +go."</p> + +<p>"No, thank you, child. I had enough of such things years ago," the +housekeeper returned, indifferently. "Run along, all of you, so as to +be there when the curtain goes up."</p> + +<p>And the girls, only too eager for the sport, needing no second +bidding, sped away, thanking her heartily for the privilege.</p> + +<p>Thus the upper portion of the mansion was entirely deserted, but for +the housekeeper and the unsuspected presence of Emil Correlli, who was +locked within his own room, awaiting from his sister the signal for +his appearance upon the stage below.</p> + +<p>The moment the housemaids were beyond hearing, Mrs. Weld gave +utterance to a long sigh of relief,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> whipped off her blue spectacles, +and with a swift, noise-less step, wholly unlike her usual waddling +gait, hurried down the hall, and into Mrs. Goddard's room, carefully +closing and locking the door after her.</p> + +<p>Proceeding to the dressing-room, a quick, searching glance showed her +the object she was looking for—my lady's jewel-casket, standing wide +open upon a small, marble-top table near a full-length mirror.</p> + +<p>It had been rifled of most of its contents, madam herself having worn +many of her jewels, while others had been loaned to the actors to +embellish their costumes for the play.</p> + +<p>"Ah! my task is made much easier than I expected," murmured the woman, +as she peered curiously into the velvet-lined receptacle.</p> + +<p>She saw only an empty tray, which she carefully removed, only to find +another exactly like it underneath.</p> + +<p>This also she took out, revealing the bottom of the box, covered with +its velvet cushion, upon which there were indentations, to receive a +full set of jewelry, necklace, bracelets, tiara, brooch and ear-rings.</p> + +<p>The housekeeper's face was ghastly pale, or would have been but for +the stain which gave her complexion its olive tinge, and she was +trembling with excitement.</p> + +<p>"She surely took that paper from this box," she muttered, a note of +disappointment in her voice, as if she had expected to find what she +sought upon removing the second tray.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if this cushion can be removed?" she continued, as she tried +to lift it from its place.</p> + +<p>But it fitted so closely that she could not stir it.</p> + +<p>Looking around the room for something to assist her in this effort, +she espied a pair of scissors on the dressing-case.</p> + +<p>Seizing them, she attempted to pry up the cushion with them.</p> + +<p>It was not an easy thing to do, without defacing the velvet, but, at +length, she succeeded in lifting one side, when she found no +difficulty in removing the whole thing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> + +<p>Her agitation increased as her glance fell upon several papers snugly +packed in the bottom of the box.</p> + +<p>"Ah! if it should prove to be something of no account to me!" she +breathed, with trembling lips.</p> + +<p>At last she straightened herself with sudden resolution, and putting +her hand into the box drew forth the uppermost paper.</p> + +<p>It was yellow with time, and so brittle that it cracked apart in one +of the creases as she opened it; but paying no heed to this, she +stepped to the dressing-case, and spread it out before her, while her +eager eyes swept the mystic page from top to bottom.</p> + +<p>Then a cry that ended in a great sob burst from her hueless lips.</p> + +<p>"It is! it is!" she gasped, in voiceless agitation. "Ah, Heaven, thou +art gracious to me at last! Now, I know why she would not surrender it +to him—now I know what the condition of its ransom must have been!</p> + +<p>"How long has she had it, I wonder? and when did she first learn of +its existence?" she murmured. "Ah! but it does not matter—I have it +at last—I, who dared not hope for its existence, believing it must +have been destroyed, until the other day; and now"—throwing back her +head with an air that was very expressive—"my vindication and triumph +will be complete!"</p> + +<p>With the greatest care, she refolded the paper, after which she +impulsively pressed it to her lips; then, putting it away in her +pocket, she turned back to the jewel-casket, and peered curiously into +it once more.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what other intrigues she has been guilty of?" she muttered, +regarding its contents with a frown.</p> + +<p>She laid her hand upon one of the papers, as if to remove it, then +drew back.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, "I will touch nothing else; I have what I came to +seek, and have no right to meddle with what does not concern me. Let +her keep her other vile secrets to herself; my victory is already +complete."</p> + +<p>She replaced the velvet cushion, pressing it hard down into its +place.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>She then restored the trays as she had found them, but did not close +the casket, since she had found it open.</p> + +<p>She retraced her steps into the boudoir, where, as she was passing +out, she trod upon something that attracted her attention.</p> + +<p>She stooped to ascertain what it was, and discovered a gentleman's +glove.</p> + +<p>"Ah," she said, as she picked it up and examined it, "I should say it +belongs to madam's brother! In that case, he must have returned this +evening to attend the grand finale, although I am sure he was not at +the dinner-table."</p> + +<p>She dropped the glove upon the floor where she had found it, but there +was a look of perplexity upon her face as she did so.</p> + +<p>"It seems a little strange," she mused, "that the young man should +have been away all this time; and if he was to return at all, I cannot +understand why there should have been this air of secrecy about it. He +has evidently been in this room to-night, but I am sure he has not +been seen about the house."</p> + +<p>She opened the door and passed out into the hall, when she was +startled to hear the voice of Mrs. Goddard talking, in the hall below, +with the butler.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Weld quietly slipped across to the room opposite—the same one in +which Edith and Mr. Goddard had held their interview earlier in the +evening—where, seating herself under a light, she caught up a book +from the table, and pretended to be deeply absorbed in its contents.</p> + +<p>A moment later, madam, having ascended the stairs, came hurrying down +the hall, and saw her there.</p> + +<p>She started.</p> + +<p>It would never do for the woman to suspect the truth regarding what +she was about to do.</p> + +<p>No one must dream that Edith was not lending herself willingly to the +last scene in the drama of the evening, and she expected to have some +difficulty in persuading her to take the part.</p> + +<p>There must be no possibility of any one hearing any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> objections that +she might make, for, in that case, the charge of fraud could be +brought and proved against her and her brother, after all was over.</p> + +<p>But after the first flash of dismay, the cunning woman devised a +scheme which would take the housekeeper out of her way, and leave the +field clear for her operations.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h2>THE MASKED BRIDAL.</h2> + + +<p>"Oh, Mrs. Weld!" Mrs. Goddard exclaimed, in tones of well-assumed +eagerness. "I am so glad you are here! I fear I have taken cold and am +going to have a chill; will you be so good as to go down and mix me a +hot lemonade and send it out behind the stage to me? for I must go +back directly, and I will drink it there."</p> + +<p>The housekeeper arose at once and went out into the hall, where she +saw that madam appeared excited and trembling, while her face was very +pale, although her eyes were unusually bright.</p> + +<p>Somehow, she did not believe her to be ill; but she cheerfully acceded +to her request, and went directly below to attend to her commission.</p> + +<p>As she passed down the back stairs, Edith came hurrying up the front +way.</p> + +<p>"What has happened?" she inquired, as she observed madam's unusual +excitement.</p> + +<p>"The most unfortunate thing that could occur," she nervously replied. +"Miss Kerby and her brother, who had the leading parts in the play, +have just been summoned home, by telegraph, on account of sickness in +the family, and that leaves us without our hero and heroine."</p> + +<p>"That is unfortunate, surely; the play will have to be given up, I +suppose?" Edith remarked.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed! I should die of mortification!" cried madam, with +well-assumed consternation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But what can you do?" innocently inquired the young girl.</p> + +<p>"The only thing to be done is to supply their places with others," was +the ready answer. "I have a gentleman friend who will take Mr. Kerby's +place, and I want you, Edith, to assume the part of the bride; you are +just about the size of Alice Kerby, and the costume will fit you to +perfection."</p> + +<p>"But I am afraid I cannot—I never took part in a play in my life," +objected Edith, who instinctively shrank from becoming so conspicuous +before such a multitude of people.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! there is but very little for you to do," said madam, "you +have simply to walk into the church, upon the arm of the supposed +bride's father. You will be masked, and no one will see your face +until after all is over, and you have not a word to say, except to +repeat the marriage service after the clergyman."</p> + +<p>Edith shivered, and her face had grown very pale. She did not like the +idea at all; it was exceedingly repugnant to her.</p> + +<p>"I wish you could find some one else," she said, appealingly.</p> + +<p>"There is no time," said madam.</p> + +<p>"Oh! but it seems almost like sacrilege to me, to stand before such an +audience and repeat words so solemn and significant, when they will +mean nothing, when the whole thing will be but a farce," Edith +tremulously remarked.</p> + +<p>A strange expression swept over madam's face at this objection.</p> + +<p>"You are absurdly conscientious, Edith," she coldly observed. "There +is not another girl in the house upon whom I can call—they are all +too large or too small, and the bridal costume would not fit one of +them. Pray, pray, Miss Allen, pocket your scruples, for once, and help +me out of this terrible predicament—the whole affair will be ruined +by this awkward <i>contretemps</i> if you do not, and I, who have promised +so much to my friends, shall become the laughing-stock of every one +present."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>Still the fair girl hesitated.</p> + +<p>Some unaccountable influence seemed to be holding her back, and yet +she felt that it would be very ungenerous, very disobliging of her, to +allow Mrs. Goddard to be so humiliated before her hundreds of guests, +when this apparently slight concession upon her part would smooth +everything over so nicely.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Edith! say you will!" cried the woman, appealingly. "You must!" +she added, imperatively. "Come to my room—the costume is there all +ready, and we will soon have you dressed."</p> + +<p>She threw her arm around the girl's slender waist and almost compelled +her to accompany her.</p> + +<p>The moment they were within Mrs. Goddard's chamber, the woman +nervously began to unfasten the young girl's dress, but her fingers +trembled so with excitement, showing how wrought up she was, that +Edith yielded without further demur, and assisted in removing her +clothing.</p> + +<p>"That is good of you, dear," said madam, smiling upon her, "for we +must work very rapidly while the scenery is being changed—we have +just fifteen minutes"—glancing at the clock. "How fortunate it is +that I asked you to wear white this evening!" the crafty woman +remarked, as Edith's dress was removed, thus revealing her dainty +underwear, "for you are all ready for the wedding costume without any +other change. Here, dear, just help me, please, with this skirt, for +the train is so long it needs to be handled with care."</p> + +<p>She lifted the beautiful satin skirt from the bed as she spoke, and +together they carefully slipped it over the young girl's head.</p> + +<p>The next moment it was fastened about her waist, and the lustrous +material fell around her slender form in graceful and artistic folds.</p> + +<p>The corsage was then put on and—wonderful to relate—it fitted her to +perfection.</p> + +<p>"How strange! one would almost think it was made for me!" she +remarked, all unsuspicious that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> her measure had been accurately taken +from a dress that had been left in the city.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed madam, in musical exultation, "I should say that it +was a very fortunate coincidence, and it shows that I made a wise +choice when I selected you to take Miss Kerby's place. I did not know +who else to call upon—of course I could not go out into the audience +to find some one, and thus betray my predicament to everybody; neither +could I take one of the housemaids, because she would have been sure +to blunder and be so awkward. Oh! isn't this dress just lovely?"</p> + +<p>Thus madam chattered, while she worked, wholly unlike herself, +nervous, anxious, and covertly watching every expression of Edith's +sensitive face.</p> + +<p>But the girl did not have the slightest suspicion that she was being +tricked.</p> + +<p>The emergency of the moment appeared sufficient to tax the nerves of +any one to the utmost, and she attributed everything to that.</p> + +<p>"It certainly is a very rich and elegant costume," Edith gravely +responded to the woman's query. "It seems to me to be far too nice and +elaborate for the occasion."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Goddard reddened slightly, and shot a quick, searching look at +the girl's face.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course it had to be nice to correspond with everything +else," she explained, "for all the other young ladies are to wear +their ball costumes, which are very elegant, and since the bride is to +be the most conspicuous of all, it would not do to have her less +richly attired. There!"—as she fastened a beautiful cluster of +orange-blossoms to the corsage and stepped back to study the +effect—"aren't you just lovely in it?"</p> + +<p>"Now the veil," she continued, catching it up from the bed. +"Oh!"—with an expression of dismay—"we have forgotten the boots, and +you must not sit down to crush the dress. Here, support yourself upon +this chair, hold out your foot, and I will put them on for you."</p> + +<p>And the haughty woman went down upon her knees<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> and performed the +menial service, regardless, in her excitement, of her own elegant +costume, which was being crushed in the act.</p> + +<p>Then the veil was adjusted, madam chatting all the while to keep the +girl's attention, and Edith, catching a glimpse of her reflection in +the glass and under the influence of her companion's magnetism and +enthusiasm, began to be imbued with something of the spirit of the +occasion and to enjoy seeing herself adorned with these beautiful +garments, which so enhanced her beauty.</p> + +<p>When everything was done, madam stood back to look at her work, and +uttered an exclamation of delight.</p> + +<p>"Oh! you are simply perfect, Edith!" she said. "You are just too +lovely for anything! Miss Kerby would not have made nearly so +beautiful a bride, and—and—I could almost wish that you were really +going to be married."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no!" cried the fair girl, shrinking back from the strange gleam +that shone from the woman's eyes, as she made this remark, while her +thoughts flew, with the speed of light and with a yearning so intense +that it turned her white as snow, to Royal Bryant, the man to whom, +all unasked, she had given her heart.</p> + +<p>Then, as if some instinct had accused her of unmaidenly presumption, a +flush, that was like the rosy dawn upon the eastern sky, suffused her +fair face, neck, and bosom.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! not if you could marry the man of your choice?" queried +madam, with a gleam of malice in her dark eyes and a strange note of +triumph in her silvery laugh that again caused her companion to regard +her curiously.</p> + +<p>"Oh! please do not jest about it in this light way—marriage is too +sacred to be treated with levity," said Edith, in a tremulous tone. +"But where is the mask?" she added, glancing anxiously toward the bed. +"You know you said the face of the bride was not to be seen."</p> + +<p>"Here it is," responded madam, snatching the dainty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> thing from the +bed. "See! it goes on under the veil, like this"—and she dextrously +slipped the silver-fringed piece of gauze beneath the edge of the veil +and fastened the chain under the orange-wreath behind.</p> + +<p>The fringe fell just to Edith's chin, thus effectually concealing her +features, while it was not thick enough to prevent her seeing, +distinctly, everything about her.</p> + +<p>A few other details were attended to, and then Mrs. Goddard hurriedly +said:</p> + +<p>"Come, now, we must hasten," and she gathered up the voluminous train +and laid it carefully over Edith's arm. "We shall have to go the back +way, through the billiard-room, because no one must see you until you +appear upon the stage."</p> + +<p>The carriage-house adjoined the mansion, and was connected with it by +a door, at the end of a hall, that opened into a large room over it +which had been devoted to billiards.</p> + +<p>In the rear of this there was a stairway, which led down to the first +floor and behind the stage; thus Madam and Edith were enabled to reach +the dressing-room without being seen by any one, and just as the +orchestra were playing the closing bars of the last selection before +the raising of the curtain.</p> + +<p>Here they found a tall, elderly gentleman, in full evening dress, who +was to represent the supposed bride's father in giving his child away +to the groom.</p> + +<p>All the other actors were already grouped upon the stage or in their +respective places behind the scenes awaiting the coming of the bride.</p> + +<p>Outside, the audience were all upon the <i>qui vive</i>, for, not only was +the closing act of the very clever play looked forward to with much +interest, for its own sake, but the genuine surprise promised them was +a matter for much curious conjecture and eager anticipation.</p> + +<p>As Edith stepped upon the stage, leaning upon the arm of her escort, +the bridesmaids and maid of honor filed into place before them from +the wings, and all were ready for the <i>grand finale</i> just as the +signal was given for the curtain to go up.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>A shiver ran over Edith, shaking her from head to foot as that sharp, +incisive sound from the silver bell went ringing through the room.</p> + +<p>For, as she had stepped upon the stage and Mrs. Goddard laid her hand +upon the arm of the elderly gentleman, she had observed the two +exchange meaning smiles, while the maids and ushers, as they had filed +into place, had regarded her with marked and admiring curiosity.</p> + +<p>The curtain was raised, revealing to the appreciative audience the +interior of a beautiful little church.</p> + +<p>It was perfect and complete in all its appointments, even to the +stained glass windows, the altar, the chancel, the organ, and the +exquisite floral decorations suitable for a wedding ceremony.</p> + +<p>Simultaneously with this revelation there broke upon the ear and the +breathless hush that prevailed throughout the rooms the sound of an +organ playing the customary wedding-march.</p> + +<p>Presently, at the rear of the church, a door opened, and four ushers +entered, "with stately tread and slow," followed by as many +bridesmaids, dressed in exquisite costumes.</p> + +<p>Then came the maid of honor, clad in pale-blue satin, and carrying a +huge bunch of pink roses that contrasted beautifully with her dainty +toilet.</p> + +<p>Next, the veiled and masked bride appeared, leaning upon the arm of +her attendant and clasping a costly bouquet of white orchids, which +Mrs. Goddard had produced from some mysterious source, and thrust into +her hands at the last moment.</p> + +<p>A thrill of awe, mingled with intensest curiosity, pervaded the +audience as the graceful figure of the beautiful girl came slowly into +view.</p> + +<p>The whole affair was so vividly real and impressive that every one +watched the scene with breathless interest.</p> + +<p>And now, at one side of the chancel, another door was seen to open, +when a spotlessly-gowned clergyman, followed by the groom and best +man, entered and proceeded slowly toward the altar.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>The two men behind the minister were in full evening dress, the only +peculiar thing noticeable being the mask of black gauze edged with +silver fringe which the groom wore over his face.</p> + +<p>They reached the altar at the same moment that the rest of the bridal +party paused before it.</p> + +<p>Then, as the clergyman turned his face toward the audience and the +light from the chandelier above him fell full upon him, a flutter of +excitement ran throughout the room, while many persons were seen to +exchange glances of undisguised astonishment, for they had recognized +a popular young divine—the pastor of a church, which many of those +present, together with their hostess, were in the habit of attending.</p> + +<p>What could it mean?</p> + +<p>Surely, no ordained minister who respected himself and reverenced his +calling would lend himself to a sensational farce, such as they had +witnessed that evening—at least, to carry it to such an extent as to +read, in mockery, the service of the sacred ordinance of marriage over +a couple of giddy actors!</p> + +<p>There was a nervous, fluttering of programs, a restless movement among +the fashionable throng, which betrayed that, however much they might +be given to pleasure and levity in certain directions, they could not +quite countenance this perversion of a divine institution as a matter +of amusement.</p> + +<p>The manner and bearing of the man, however, was most reverential and +decorous, and, as he opened and began to read from the elegant +prayer-book which he carried in his hands, a breathless hush again +settled upon every person in the room.</p> + +<p>For, like a flash, it had seemed to burst upon every mind that there +was to be a <i>bona fide</i> marriage—that this was to be the "Genuine +Surprise" that had been promised them!</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h2>THE DASTARDLY PLOT IS REVEALED.</h2> + + +<p>Every thought and feeling was now merged in intense interest and +curiosity regarding the participants in the strange union, which was +being consummated before them. Who was the beautiful bride, so perfect +in form, so graceful in bearing, so elegantly and richly adorned?</p> + +<p>Who the strange groom?</p> + +<p>The parts of the plotting lovers of the play had hitherto been taken +by the brother and sister—Walter and Alice Kerby, who were well-known +in society.</p> + +<p>But of course every one reasoned that they could not both officiate as +principals in the scene now being enacted before them.</p> + +<p>The figure and bearing of that veiled bride upon the stage were +similar to that of Miss Kerby; but that young lady was known to be +engaged to a young lawyer who was now seated with the audience; +therefore, no one, who knew her, believed for a moment that she could +be personating the masked bride now standing before the altar, while +the groom beside her was neither so stout nor as tall as Walter Kerby.</p> + +<p>The ceremony proceeded, according to the Episcopal form, although the +young minister was known to be a Universalist, and when he reached the +charge, calling for any one "who could show just cause why the two +before him should not be joined in lawful wedlock, to speak or forever +hold his peace," those sitting nearest the stage were startled to see +the bride shiver, from head to foot, while a deadly pallor seemed to +settle over that portion of her face that was visible, and to even +extend over her neck.</p> + +<p>The service went on without any interruption, the groom making the +responses in clear, unfaltering tones, although those of his companion +were scarcely audible.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> When the symbol of their union was called for, +it was also noticed that Edith shrank from having the ring placed upon +her finger, but it was only a momentary hesitation, and the service +was soon completed with all due solemnity.</p> + +<p>After the blessing, when the couple arose from their knees, the maid +of honor stepped forward, and, lifting the mask of the bride, adjusted +it above her forehead with the jeweled pin, while the audience sat +spell-bound, awaiting with breathless suspense the revelation that +would ensue.</p> + +<p>At the same moment the groom also removed the covering from his face, +when those who could see him instantly recognized him as Emil +Correlli, the handsome and wealthy brother of the hostess of the +evening.</p> + +<p>His countenance was white to ghastliness, betraying that he was +laboring under great excitement and mental strain.</p> + +<p>But the fair young bride! who was she?</p> + +<p>Not one in that great company recognized her for the moment, for +scarcely any one had ever seen her before—excepting those, of course, +who had been guests in the house during the week, and these failed to +identify her in the exquisite costume which was so different from the +simple black dresses which she had always worn, and enveloped, as she +was, in that voluminous, mist-like veil.</p> + +<p>The clergyman omitted nothing, and immediately, upon the lifting of +the masks, greeted and congratulated the young couple with every +appearance of cordiality and sincerity.</p> + +<p>To poor, reluctant Edith the whole affair had been utterly distasteful +and repulsive.</p> + +<p>Indeed, she had felt as if she was almost guilty of a crime in +allowing herself to participate lightly in anything of so sacred a +nature, and, throughout the entire ceremony, she had shivered and +trembled with mingled nervousness and repugnance.</p> + +<p>When the ring—an unusually massive circlet of gold—had been slipped +upon her finger, she had involuntarily tried to withdraw her hand from +the clasp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> of the man who was holding it, a sensation of deadly +faintness almost overpowering her for the moment.</p> + +<p>But feeling that she must not fail madam and spoil everything at this +last moment, she braced herself to go on with the farce (?) to the +end.</p> + +<p>She was so relieved when it was ended, so eager to get away from the +place and have the dread ordeal over, that she scarcely heard a word +the clergyman uttered while congratulating her. She was dimly +conscious of the clasp of his hand and the sound of his voice, but did +not even notice the hated name by which he addressed her.</p> + +<p>Neither had she once glanced at the groom, though as he took her hand +and laid it upon his arm, when they turned to go out, she wondered +vaguely why he should continue to hold it clasped in his, and what +made his clinging fingers tremble so.</p> + +<p>But Emil Correlli, now that his scheme was accomplished, led her, with +an air of mingled triumph and joy which sat well upon him, directly +out to the ladies' dressing-room, where they found madam alone +awaiting them.</p> + +<p>She could not have been whiter if she had been dead, and her teeth +were actually chattering with nervousness as the two came toward her, +Edith still with bowed head and downcast eyes—her brother beaming +with the exultation he could not conceal.</p> + +<p>But she braced herself to meet them with a brave front.</p> + +<p>"Dear child, you went through it beautifully," she said, in a +caressing voice as she took Edith into her arms and kissed her upon +the forehead. "Let me thank and congratulate you—and you also, Emil."</p> + +<p>At the sound of this name, Edith uttered a cry of dismay and turned +her glance, for the first time, upon the man at her side.</p> + +<p>"You!" she gasped, starting away from him with a gesture of horror, +and marble could not have been whiter, nor a statue more frozen than +she for a moment after making this amazing discovery.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" imperatively exclaimed Mrs. Goddard,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> who quickly arose to the +emergency. "Do not make a scene. It could not be helped—some one had +to take Mr. Kerby's place, and Emil, arriving at the last moment, was +pressed into the service the same as yourself."</p> + +<p>"How could you? It was cruel! it was wicked! I never would have +consented had I suspected," cried the girl, in a voice resonant with +indignation.</p> + +<p>"Hush!" again commanded madam, "you must not—you shall not spoil +everything now. The actors are all to hold an informal reception in +the parlors while this room is being cleared for dancing, and you two +must take your places with them—"</p> + +<p>"I will not! I will not lend myself to such a wretched farce for +another moment!" Edith exclaimed, and never for an instant suspecting +that it was anything but a farce.</p> + +<p>The face of Mrs. Goddard was a study, as was also her brother's, as +these resolute words fell upon her ears; but she had no intention of +undeceiving the girl at present, for she knew that if she threw up the +character which she had thus far been impersonating, their plot would +be ruined and a fearful scandal follow.</p> + +<p>If they could only trick her into standing with the others to receive +the congratulations of her guests—to be publicly addressed as, and +appear to assent to the name of, Mrs. Correlli, she believed it would +be comparatively easy later on to convince her of the truth and compel +her to yield to the inevitable.</p> + +<p>But she saw that Edith was thoroughly aroused—that she felt she had +been badly used—that she had been shamefully imposed upon by having +been cheated into figuring thus before hundreds of people with a man +who was obnoxious to her.</p> + +<p>Madam was at her wits' end, for the girl's resolute air and blazing +eyes plainly indicated that she did not intend to be trifled with any +longer.</p> + +<p>She shot a glance of dismay at her brother, only to see a dark frown +upon his brow, while he angrily gnawed his under lip.</p> + +<p>She feared that, with his customary impulse, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> might be +contemplating revealing the truth, and such a course she well knew +would result in a scene that would ruin the evening for everybody.</p> + +<p>But just at this instant the bridesmaids came trooping into the room +and created a blessed diversion.</p> + +<p>"Here we are, dear Mrs. Goddard," a gay girl exclaimed. "Didn't it all +go off beautifully, and isn't it time we were in our places for the +reception?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes; run along, all of you. Lead the way, Nellie, please—you +know how to go up through the billiard-room," said Mrs. Goddard, +nervously, as she gently pushed the girl toward the stairway. Then +bending toward Edith, she whispered, imploringly:</p> + +<p>"I beg, I entreat you, Edith, not to spoil everything—everybody will +wonder why you are not with the others, and I cannot explain why you +refused to stand with my brother. Go! go! you must not keep my guests +waiting. Emil, take her," and with an imperative gesture to her +brother, she swept on toward the stairway after the others to arrange +them effectively in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli shot a searching look into the face of the girl beside +him.</p> + +<p>It was cold and proud, the beautiful eyes still glowing with +indignation. But resolving upon a bold move, he reached down, took her +hand, and laid it upon his arm.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me just this once," he said, humbly, "and let me add my +entreaties to my sister's," and he tried gently to force her toward +the stairway.</p> + +<p>Edith drew herself up and took her hand from his arm.</p> + +<p>"Go on," she said, haughtily, "and I will follow. Since I have been +tricked into this affair so far, a little more of the same folly +cannot matter, and rather than subject Mrs. Goddard to a public +mortification, I will yield the point."</p> + +<p>She made a gesture for him to proceed, and he turned to obey, a gleam +of triumph leaping into his eyes at her concession.</p> + +<p>Without a word they swiftly made their way back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> into the house and +down to the elegant parlors where, at the upper end, the first object +to greet their eyes was a beautiful floral arch with an exquisite +marriage bell suspended from it.</p> + +<p>On either side of this the bridesmaids and ushers had taken their +places, and into the center of it Emil Correlli now led his companion.</p> + +<p>And now ensued the last and most fiendish act in the dastardly plot.</p> + +<p>Hardly were they in their places when the guests came pouring into the +room, and the ushers began their duties of presentation, while Edith, +with a sinking heart, but growing every moment more indignant and +disgusted with what appeared to her only a horrible and senseless +mockery, was obliged to respond to hundreds of congratulations and +bear in silence being addressed as Mrs. Correlli.</p> + +<p>It galled her almost beyond endurance—it was torture beyond +description to her proud and sensitive spirit to be thus associated +with one for whom she had no respect, and who had made himself all the +more obnoxious by lending himself to the deception which had just been +practiced upon her.</p> + +<p>Once, when there was a little pause, she turned haughtily upon the man +at her side.</p> + +<p>"Why am I addressed thus?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"Why do you allow it? Why do you not correct these people and tell +them to use the name that was used in the play rather than yours?"</p> + +<p>The man grew white about the lips at these questions.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps they forget—I—I suppose it seems more natural to address me +by my name," he faltered.</p> + +<p>"I do not like it—I will not submit to it a moment longer," Edith +indignantly returned.</p> + +<p>"Hush! it is almost over," said her companion, in a swift whisper, as +others came forward just then, and she was obliged, though rebellious +and heart-sick, to submit to the ordeal.</p> + +<p>But it was over at last, for, as the introductions were made, the +guests passed back to the carriage-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>house, which had been cleared for +dancing, and where the musicians were discoursing alluring strains in +rhythmic measure.</p> + +<p>Even the bridesmaids and ushers, tempted by the sounds, at last +deserted their posts, and Emil Correlli and his victim were finally +left alone, the sole occupants of the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>"Will you come and dance?" he inquired, as he turned a pleading look +upon her. "Just once, to show that you forgive me for what I have done +to-night."</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot," said Edith, coldly and wearily. "I am going directly +upstairs to divest myself of this mocking finery as soon as possible."</p> + +<p>A swift, hot flush suffused Emil Correlli's face, at these words.</p> + +<p>"Pray do not speak so bitterly and slightingly of what has made you, +in my eyes at least, the most beautiful woman in this house to-night," +he said, with a look of passionate yearning in his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Flattery from you, sir, after what has occurred, is, to speak mildly, +exceedingly unbecoming," Edith haughtily responded and turned proudly +away from him as if about to leave the room.</p> + +<p>But, at that moment, Mr. Goddard, who had not presented himself +before, came hurriedly forward and confronted them. His face was very +pale, but there was an angry light in his eyes and a bitter sneer upon +his lips.</p> + +<p>"Well, Correlli, I am bound to confess that you have stolen a march +upon us to-night, in fine style," he remarked, in a mocking tone, "and +madam—Mrs. Correlli, I should say—allow me to observe that you have +outshone yourself this evening, both as an actress and a beauty! +Really, the surprise, the <i>denouement</i>, to which you have treated us +surpasses anything in my experience; it was certainly worthy of a +Dumas! Permit me to offer you my heartiest congratulations."</p> + +<p>Edith crimsoned with anger to her brows and shot a look of scorn at +the man, for his manner was bitterly insolent and his tone had been +violent with wounded feeling and derision throughout his speech.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Let this wretched farce end here and now," she said, straightening +herself and lifting her flashing eyes to his face. "I am heartily sick +of it, and I trust you will never again presume to address me by the +name that you have just used."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! and are you so soon weary of your new title? Not yet an hour +a bride, and sick of your bargain!" retorted Gerald Goddard, with a +mocking laugh.</p> + +<p>"I am no 'bride,' as you very well know, sir," spiritedly returned +Edith.</p> + +<p>The man regarded her with a look of astonishment.</p> + +<p>He had been very much interested in his wife's clever play, until the +last act, when he had been greatly startled by the change in the +leading characters, both of whom he had instantly recognized in spite +of their masks. He wondered why they had been substituted for Alice +and Walter Kerby; when, upon also recognizing the clergyman, it had +flashed upon him that this last scene was no "play"—it was to be a +<i>bona fide</i> marriage planned, no doubt, by his wife for some secret +reason best known to her and the young couple.</p> + +<p>He did not once suspect that Edith was being tricked into an unwilling +union.</p> + +<p>He had known that Emil Correlli was fond of her, but he had not +supposed he would care to make her his wife, although he had no doubt +the girl would gladly avail herself of such an offer. Evidently the +courtship had been secretly and successfully carried on; still, he +could not understand why they should have adopted this exceedingly +strange way to consummate their union, when there was nothing to stand +in the way of a public marriage, if they desired it.</p> + +<p>He was bitterly wounded and chagrined upon realizing how he had been +ignored in the matter by all parties, and thus allowed to rush +headlong into the piece of folly which he had committed, earlier in +the evening, in connection with Edith.</p> + +<p>Thus he had held himself aloof from the couple until every one else +had left the parlors, when he mockingly saluted them as already +described.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No bride?" he repeated, skeptically.</p> + +<p>"No, sir. I told you it was simply a farce. I was merely appealed to +to take the place, in the play, of Miss Kerby, who was called home by +telegram," Edith explained.</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard glanced from her to his brother-in-law in unfeigned +perplexity.</p> + +<p>"What are you saying?" he demanded. "Do you mean to tell me that you +believe that last act was a farce?—that you do not know that you have +been really and lawfully married to the man beside you?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I have not! What do you mean, sir, by such an unwarrantable +assertion?" spiritedly retorted the young girl, but losing every atom +of color, as a suspicion of the terrible truth flashed through her +mind.</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard turned fiercely upon his brother-in-law at this, for he +also now began to suspect treachery.</p> + +<p>"What does she mean?" he cried, sternly. "Has she been led into this +thing blindfolded?"</p> + +<p>"I think it would be injudicious to make a scene here," Emil Correlli +replied, in a low tone, but with white lips, as he realized that the +moment which he had so dreaded had come at last.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean? Why do you act and speak as if you believed that +mockery to be a reality?" exclaimed Edith, looking from one face to +the other with wildly questioning eyes.</p> + +<p>"Edith," began Mr. Goddard, in an impressive tone, "do you not know +that you are this man's wife?—that the ceremony on yonder stage was, +in every essential, a legal one, and performed by the Rev. Mr. —— of +the —— church in Boston?"</p> + +<p>"No! never! I do not believe it. They never would have dared do such a +dastardly deed!" panted the startled girl, in a voice of horror.</p> + +<p>Then drawing her perfect form erect, she turned with a withering +glance to the craven at her side.</p> + +<p>"Speak!" she commanded. "Have you dared to play this miserable trick +upon me?"</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli quailed beneath the righteous indignation expressed in +her flashing glance; his eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> drooped, and conscious guilt was shown +in his very attitude.</p> + +<p>"Forgive me—I loved you so," he stammered, and—she was answered.</p> + +<p>She threw out her hands in a gesture of repudiation and horror; she +flashed one withering, horrified look into his face, then, with a moan +of anguish, she swayed like a reed broken by the tempest, and would +have fallen to the floor in her spotless robes had not Gerald Goddard +caught her senseless form in his arms, and, lifting her by main +strength, he bore her from the room and upstairs to her own chamber.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h2>"YOUR FAITHLESSNESS TURNED ME INTO A DEMON."</h2> + + +<p>Emil Correlli followed Mr. Goddard and his unconscious burden, looking +like anything but a happy bridegroom.</p> + +<p>He had expected that Edith would weep and rave upon discovering the +trap into which she had been lured; but he had not expected that the +revelation would smite her with such terrible force, laying her like +one dead at his feet, as it had done, and he was thoroughly alarmed.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Goddard reached the girl's room he laid her upon her bed, and +then sent one of the servants for the housekeeper. But Mrs. Weld could +not be found, so another maid was called, and Edith was gradually +restored to consciousness.</p> + +<p>But the moment her glance fell upon Emil Correlli, who insisted upon +remaining in the room, and she realized what had occurred, she +relapsed into another swoon, so deathlike and prolonged that a +physician, who happened to be among the guests, was summoned from the +ball-room to attend her.</p> + +<p>He excluded every one but the maids from the room, when he ordered his +patient to be undressed and put<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> into bed, and after long and +unwearied efforts, she was again revived, when she became so unnerved +and hysterical that the physician, becoming alarmed, was about to give +her a powerful opiate, when she sank into a third fainting fit.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, in the ball-room below, gayety was at its height. There had +been a little stir and commotion when it was learned that Edith had +fainted; but the matter was passed over with a few well-bred comments +of regret, and then forgotten for the time. But as soon as she could +do so without being observed, madam stole from the place and went into +the house to ascertain how the girl was.</p> + +<p>She was, of course, aware of the cause of the swoon, and, as may be +readily imagined, was in no comfortable frame of mind. She was met at +the head of the second flight of stairs by her husband, whose face was +grave and stern.</p> + +<p>"How is she?" madam inquired.</p> + +<p>"In a very critical condition; Dr. Arthur says she is liable to have +brain fever," he tersely replied.</p> + +<p>"Brain fever!" exclaimed his wife, in a startled tone. "Surely, she +cannot be as bad as that!"</p> + +<p>"Woman, what have you done?" the man demanded, in a hoarse whisper. +"How have you dared to plot and carry out the dastardly deed that you +have perpetrated this night?"</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard's eyes began to blaze defiance.</p> + +<p>"That is neither the tone nor the manner you should employ in +addressing me, Gerald, as you very well know," she retorted, with +colorless lips.</p> + +<p>"Have done with your tragic airs, madam," he cried, laying a heavy +hand upon her arm. "I have had enough of them. I ask you again, how +have you dared to commit this crime?"</p> + +<p>"Crime?" she repeated, with a start, but flashing him a glance that +made him wince as she shook herself free from his grasp. "You use a +harsh term, Gerald; but if you desire a reason for what has occurred +to-night, I can give you two."</p> + +<p>"Name them," her companion curtly demanded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span></p> + +<p>"First and foremost, then—to protect myself."</p> + +<p>"To protect yourself—from what?"</p> + +<p>"From treachery and desertion."</p> + +<p>"Anna!"</p> + +<p>A bitter sneer curled the beautiful woman's lips.</p> + +<p>"You know how to do it very well, Gerald," she tauntingly returned. +"That air of injured innocence is vastly becoming to you, and would be +very effective, if I did not know you so well; but it has disarmed me +for the last time. Pray never assume it again, for you will never +blind me by it in the future."</p> + +<p>"Explain yourself, Anna. I fail to understand you."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I will do so in a very few words; I was a witness of your +interview with the girl just after dinner to-night."</p> + +<p>"You?" ejaculated the man, flushing hotly, and looking considerably +crestfallen. "Well, what of it?" he added, defiantly, the next moment.</p> + +<p>"What of it, indeed? Do you imagine a wife is going to stand quietly +by and see her husband make love to her companion?"</p> + +<p>"What nonsense you are talking, Anna! I went in search of one of the +housemaids to button my gloves for me, met Miss Allen instead, and she +was kind enough to oblige me."</p> + +<p>"Bah! Gerald, I was too near you at the time to swallow such a very +lame vindication," vulgarly sneered his wife. "You were making love to +her, I tell you—you were telling her something which you had no +business to reveal, and I swore then that her fate should be sealed +this very night."</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard realized that there was no use arguing with his wife in +that mood, while he also felt that his case was rather weak, and so he +shifted his ground.</p> + +<p>"But you must have plotted this thing long ago, for your play was +written, and your characters chosen before we left the city," he +remarked.</p> + +<p>"Well?"</p> + +<p>"But you said you had two reasons; what was the other?"</p> + +<p>"Emil's love for the girl. He became infatuated with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> her from the +moment of his coming to us, as you must have noticed."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, he tried to win her—he even asked her to marry him, but she +refused him. Think of it—that little nobody rejecting a man like +Emil, with his wealth and position!"</p> + +<p>"Well, if she did not love him, she had a right to refuse, him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course," sneered madam, irritably. "But you know what he is +when he once gets his heart set upon anything, and her obstinacy only +made him the more determined to carry his point. He appealed to me to +help him; and, as I have never refused him anything he wanted, if I +could possibly give it to him—"</p> + +<p>"But this was such a wicked—such a heartless, cowardly thing to do!" +interposed Mr. Goddard, with a gesture of horror.</p> + +<p>"I know it," madam retorted, with a defiant toss of her head; "but you +may thank yourself for it, after all; for, almost at the last moment, +I repented—I was on the point of giving the whole thing up and +letting the play go on without any change of characters, when your +faithlessness turned me into a demon, and doomed the girl."</p> + +<p>"I believe you are a 'demon'—your jealousy has been the bane of your +whole life and mine; and now you have ruined the future of as +beautiful and pure a girl as ever walked the earth," said Gerald +Goddard, with a threatening brow, and in a tone so deadly cold that +the woman beside him shivered.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! don't be so tragic," she said, after a moment, and assuming an +air of lightness, "the affair will end all right—when Edith comes +fully to herself and realizes the situation, I am sure she will make +up her mind to submit gracefully to the inevitable."</p> + +<p>"She shall not—I will help her to break the tie that binds her to +him."</p> + +<p>"Will you?" mockingly questioned his wife. "How pray?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>"By claiming that she was tricked into the marriage."</p> + +<p>"How will you prove that, Gerald?" was the smiling query.</p> + +<p>The man was dumb. He knew he could not prove it.</p> + +<p>"Did she not go willingly enough to the altar?" pursued madam. "Did +she not repeat the responses freely and unhesitatingly? Was she not +married by a regularly ordained minister? and was she not introduced +afterward to hundreds of people as the wife of my brother, and did she +not respond as such to the name of Mrs. Correlli? I hardly think you +could make out a case, Gerald."</p> + +<p>"But the fact that the Kerbys were called away by telegram, and that +some one was needed to supply their places, would prove that Edith had +no knowledge of the affair—at least until the last moment," said Mr. +Goddard, eagerly seizing upon that point.</p> + +<p>But madam broke into a musical little laugh as he ceased.</p> + +<p>"Do you imagine that I would leave such a ragged end as that in my +plot?" she mockingly questioned. "The Kerbys were not called away by +telegram, and no one can prove that either was ever told they were. +The Kerbys are still here, dancing away as heartily as any one below, +and they have known, from the first, that they would not appear in the +last act—they and they only, were let into the secret that the play +was to end with a real marriage."</p> + +<p>"It is the most devilish plot I ever heard of," said her companion, +passionately, through his tightly-locked teeth. "Your insane jealousy +and suspicion, during the years we have lived together, have shriveled +whatever affection I hitherto possessed for you!"</p> + +<p>"Gerald!"</p> + +<p>The name came hoarsely from the woman's white lips.</p> + +<p>It was as if some one had stabbed her, and her heart had died with the +utterance of that loved name.</p> + +<p>He left her abruptly, and descended the stairs, never once looking +back, while she watched him with an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> expression in her eyes that had +something of the fire of madness in it, as well as that of a breaking +heart.</p> + +<p>When he reached the lower hall, she dashed down to the second floor, +and into her own room, locking herself in.</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later she came out again, but in place of the usual +glow of health upon her cheeks, she had applied rouge to conceal the +ghastliness she could not otherwise overcome, while there was a look +of recklessness and defiance in her dark eyes that bespoke a nature +driven to the verge of despair.</p> + +<p>Making her way back to the ball-room, she was soon mingling with the +merry dancers, and with a forced gayety that deceived every one save +her husband.</p> + +<p>To all inquiries for the bride, she replied that she had recovered +consciousness, but it was doubtful if she would be able to make her +appearance again that night.</p> + +<p>Then as her glance fell upon a tall, magnificently-formed woman, who +was standing near, and the center of an admiring group, she inquired, +in a tone of surprise:</p> + +<p>"Why! who is that lady in garnet velvet and point lace?"</p> + +<p>"That is a Mrs. Stewart, a very wealthy woman, who resides at the +Copley Square Hotel," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Oh, is that Mrs. Stewart?" said madam, with eager interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but are you not acquainted with her?" questioned her guest, with +a look of well-bred astonishment.</p> + +<p>"No; and no wonder you think it strange that she should be here by +invitation, and I have no personal acquaintance with her," the hostess +remarked, with a smile; "but such is the case, nevertheless; a card +was sent to her at the request of my brother, who has met her several +times, and who admires her very much. What magnificent diamonds she +wears!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; she is said to be worth a great deal of money."</p> + +<p>"She must have come in while I was upstairs inquiring about Edith," +madam observed. "I must find my brother, and be presented to her. +Excuse me—I will see you later."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a graceful obeisance, madam turned away and went in search of +Emil Correlli.</p> + +<p>But, as she went, she wondered if she could ever have seen Mrs. +Stewart before.</p> + +<p>The woman's face seemed strangely familiar to her, and yet she could +not remember having met her before.</p> + +<p>The sensation was something like those mysterious occurrences which +sometimes make people feel that they are but a repetition of +experiences in a previous state of existence.</p> + +<p>The stranger was an undeniably handsome woman. She was more than +handsome, for there was a sweet grace and influence about her every +movement and expression that proclaimed her to be a woman of noble and +lovely character.</p> + +<p>She was a woman to be singled out from the multitude on account of the +taste and elegance of her costume, as well as for her great personal +beauty.</p> + +<p>"She cannot have less than fifty thousand dollars' worth of diamonds +on her person," murmured Anna Goddard, with a pang of envy, as she +covertly watched her strange guest while she made her way through the +throng in search of her brother.</p> + +<p>She met him near the door, he having just come in from the house, to +excuse himself to his sister, after having been to Edith's door for +the sixth time to inquire for her.</p> + +<p>His face was pale, his brow gloomy, his eyes heavy with anxiety.</p> + +<p>"Well, how is she now?" questioned his sister.</p> + +<p>"She has fallen into her third swoon, and the doctor thinks she is in +a very critical state. He says her condition must have been induced by +a tremendous shock of some kind."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, looking relieved. "Judging from that, I +should say that the girl has not yet revealed the true state of +affairs."</p> + +<p>"No; Dr. Arthur did not appear to know how to account for her +condition, and asked me if I knew anything that could have caused it."</p> + +<p>"Of course, you did not?" said madam, meaningly.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No; except the excitement, etc., of the occasion."</p> + +<p>"Well, don't worry," Mrs. Goddard returned; "everything will come out +all right in time. It is a great piece of luck that she did not wail +and rave and let out the whole story before the doctor and the maids. +Your Mrs. Stewart is here—you must come and greet her and introduce +me," she concluded, glancing toward her guest as she spoke.</p> + +<p>"I was coming to tell you that I am going to my room and to bed—I +have no heart for any gayety to-night," said Emil Correlli, gloomily.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense! don't be so absurdly foolish, Emil," responded his sister, +impatiently.</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I think it would be improper for me to remain when my wife is +so ill," he objected, but flushing as he uttered the word.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps; do as you choose. But come and introduce me to Mrs. +Stewart before you go; she must feel rather awkward to be a guest here +and not know her hostess."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h2>"OH, GOD! I KNEW IT! YOU ARE—ISABEL!"</h2> + + +<p>With a somewhat reluctant air, Emil Correlli offered his arm to his +sister and led her toward the woman around whom a group of +distinguished people had gathered, and whom she was entertaining with +an ease and grace that proclaimed her perfectly at home among the +<i>crême de la crême</i> of society.</p> + +<p>She appeared not to perceive the approach of her hostess and her +brother, but continued the animated conversation in which she was +engaged.</p> + +<p>A special observer, however, would have noticed the peculiar fire +which began to burn in her beautiful eyes.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Correlli presented his sister, she turned with fascinating +grace, making a charming acknowledgment, although she did not offer +her hostess her hand.</p> + +<p>"You are very welcome, Mrs. Stewart," Mrs. Goddard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> remarked, in +response to some words of apology for being a guest in the house +without a previous acquaintance. "I only regret that we have not met +before."</p> + +<p>"Thanks; I, too, deplore the complication of circumstances which has +prevented an earlier meeting," was the sweet-voiced response.</p> + +<p>But there was a peculiar shading in the remark which, somehow, grated +harshly upon Anna Goddard's ears and nerves.</p> + +<p>"Who is she, anyhow?" she questioned within herself with a strange +feeling of unrest and perplexity. "I never even heard of her until +after Emil came; yet there is something about her that makes me feel +as if we had met in some other sphere."</p> + +<p>She stole a searching glance at the woman's face, only to find her +great, luminous eyes fastened upon her with an equally intent gaze.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" and with this voiceless ejaculation and a great inward start, +some long dormant memory seemed suddenly to have been aroused within +her.</p> + +<p>There was an instant of awkwardness; then madam, who seldom allowed +anything to disturb her self-possession, remarked:</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, Mrs. Stewart, that you did not arrive earlier to witness +our little play."</p> + +<p>But while she was giving utterance to this polite regret, she was +saying to herself:</p> + +<p>"Yes, there certainly is a look about her that reminds me of—Ugh! +She may possibly be a relative, or the resemblance may be merely a +coincidence. All the same, I shall not like her any the better for +recalling that horror to me."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," Mrs. Stewart replied; "no doubt I should have enjoyed it, +especially as, I am told, it was original with you and terminated in a +real and very pretty wedding."</p> + +<p>"Yes; my brother finds that he must leave the city earlier than he +anticipated; and, as he was anxious to take his bride with him, he +chose this opportunity to celebrate his marriage, and to introduce his +wife to our friends."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Ah! I did not even know that Monsieur Correlli was contemplating +matrimony. Who is the favored lady of his choice?" Mrs. Stewart +inquired.</p> + +<p>"A Miss Edith Allen."</p> + +<p>"Edith Allen!" repeated the beautiful stranger, with a start.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Goddard, regarding her with surprise, but unmixed +with anxiety. "Did you ever meet her?"</p> + +<p>"Is she very fair and lovely, with golden hair and deep-blue eyes, a +tall, slender figure, and charming manners?" eagerly questioned Mrs. +Stewart.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you have described her exactly," answered madam, yet secretly +more disturbed than before; "but I am surprised that you should know +her, for she has been in the city only a short time, and I did not +suppose she had made a single acquaintance outside the family."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I cannot lay claim to an acquaintance with her, as I have only +seen her once, and our meeting was purely accidental," the lady +responded. "She rendered me efficient service one day when she was out +for a walk, and I inquired her name."</p> + +<p>She then proceeded to explain the nature of that service and the +accident that had called it forth, and concluded by remarking:</p> + +<p>"Allow me to say I think that Monsieur Correlli has shown excellent +taste in his choice of a wife. I was charmed with the young lady, and +I would like to meet her again. Will you introduce me?" and she looked +eagerly about the room in search of the graceful form and lovely face +which she was so desirous of seeing.</p> + +<p>"I am very sorry that I cannot comply with your request," said Mrs. +Goddard, flushing slightly; "but Edith is rather delicate and the +reception, after the marriage, was such a strain upon her that she +fainted and was obliged to retire."</p> + +<p>"That was very unfortunate," Mrs. Stewart observed, while she searched +her companion's face curiously, "but I trust that I may have the +pleasure of meeting her later."</p> + +<p>"I cannot promise as to that," madam replied, "as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> it is my brother's +intention to go abroad as soon as he can complete his arrangements to +do so, although no date has been set as yet. But—have you ever met my +husband. Mrs. Stewart?" she inquired, as that gentleman was seen +approaching their way that moment.</p> + +<p>"No, I have never had that honor," the lady returned; then added, with +a light laugh: "I feel very much like an intruder to be here to-night +as a stranger to both my host and hostess."</p> + +<p>"Pray do not be troubled on that account," madam hastened cordially to +reply: "any friend of my brother would be a welcome guest, and I am +charmed to have made your acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," responded the beautiful stranger; but madam marveled at +the line of white encircling the scarlet lips, as she signaled to her +husband and called him by name:</p> + +<p>"Gerald."</p> + +<p>He glanced up, and both women noticed the expression of weariness and +trouble upon his brow.</p> + +<p>"You have not been introduced to Emil's friend, I think," his wife +continued. "Allow me to present Mrs. Stewart—Mrs. Stewart, my +husband, Mr. Goddard."</p> + +<p>The gentleman bowed with all his accustomed courtesy, but did not +fairly get a glimpse of the lady's face until they both assumed an +upright position again, when he found himself looking straight into +the magnificent eyes of his guest.</p> + +<p>As he met them it seemed as if some one had stabbed him to the heart, +so sudden and terrible was the shock that he experienced.</p> + +<p>He changed an involuntary groan into a cough, but he could not have +been more ghastly if he had been dead, while he continued to gaze upon +her as if fascinated.</p> + +<p>"Ha! he has noticed it also!" said madam to herself, with a sudden +heart-sinking.</p> + +<p>Then realizing that something must be done to relieve the awkwardness +of the situation, she hastened to observe:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mrs. Stewart has only just arrived—she did not come in season to +witness our little drama."</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard murmured some polite words of regret, but feeling all the +while as if he were turning to stone.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart, however, responded in a pleasant vein, and chatted +sociably for a few moments, when, some other friends joining them, +more introductions followed, and the conversation became general.</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard improved this opportunity to slip away; but his wife, +who was covertly watching his every look and movement, noticed that he +walked with the uncertain step of one who was either blind or +intoxicated.</p> + +<p>A feeling of depression settled upon her—a sense of impending evil, +which, try as she would, she could neither forget nor shake off.</p> + +<p>She began to be very impatient of all the glitter, glare, and gayety +around her, and told herself that she would be heartily glad when the +last dance was over, and the last guest had departed.</p> + +<p>Truly, there is many an aching heart hidden beneath costly raiment and +glittering jewels; and society is, to a large extent, but a smiling +mask in which people hold high revel over the tombs of dead hopes and +disappointed ambitions.</p> + +<p>But fashion and folly must have their time; and so, in spite of +madam's heart-ache and weariness, the dancing and merriment went on, +no one dreamed of the phantom memories and the ghosts from out the +past that were stalking about the beautiful rooms of that elegant +mansion; or that its enviable (?) master and mistress were treading +upon the verge of a volcano which, at any moment, was liable to burst +all bounds and pour forth its furious lava-tide to consume them.</p> + +<p>An hour later Mrs. Stewart again sought her hostess and wished her +good-night, remarking that circumstances which she could not control +compelled her to take an early leave.</p> + +<p>"Ah! that is unfortunate, for supper will shortly be announced; cannot +you possibly remain to partake of it?" madam urged, with cordial +hospitality.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Thanks, no; but I am promising myself the pleasure of meeting you +again in the near future," Mrs. Stewart returned, shooting a searching +glance at her hostess.</p> + +<p>Her language and manner were perfect; but, for the second time that +evening, Anna Goddard noticed the peculiar shading in her words, and a +chill that was like a breath from an iceberg went shivering over her.</p> + +<p>She, however, replied courteously, and then Mrs. Stewart swept from +the room upon the arm of her attendant.</p> + +<p>Many earnest and curious glances followed the stately couple, for the +lady was reported to be immensely rich, while it had also been +whispered that the gentleman attending her—a distinguished +artist—had long been a suitor for her hand; but, for some reason best +known to herself, the lady had thus far turned a deaf ear to his +entreaties, although it was evident that she regarded him with the +greatest esteem, if not with sentiments of a tenderer nature.</p> + +<p>After passing through the covered walk leading to the house, the two +separated—the gentleman to attend to having their carriage called, +the lady to go upstairs for her wraps.</p> + +<p>As she was about to enter the dressing-room to get them, a picture +hanging between two windows at the end of the hall attracted her eye.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she exclaimed, catching her breath sharply, and moving swiftly +toward it, she seemed to forget everything, and stood, with clasped +hands and heaving bosom, spell-bound before it.</p> + +<p>It represented a portion of an old Roman wall—a marvelously +picturesque bit of scenery, with climbing vines that seemed to cling +to the gray stones lovingly, as if to conceal their irregular lines +and other ravages which time and the elements had made upon them; +while here and there, growing out from its crevices, were clusters of +delicate maiden-hair fern, the bright green of which contrasted +beautifully with the weather-beaten wall and the darker, richer +coloring of the vines.</p> + +<p>Just underneath, partly in the shadow of the wall,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> there sat, upon a +rustic bench, a beautiful Italian girl, dressed in the costume of her +country, while at her feet reclined her lover, his hat lying on the +grass beside him, his handsome face upturned to the maiden, whom it +was evident he adored.</p> + +<p>It was a charming picture, very artistic, and finely executed, while +the subject was one that appealed strongly to the tenderest sentiments +of the human heart.</p> + +<p>But the face of the woman who was gazing upon it was deathly white. +She was motionless as a statue, and seemed to have forgotten time, +place, and her surroundings, as she drank in with her wonderful eyes +the scene before her.</p> + +<p>"It is the wall upon the Appian Way in Rome," she breathed at last, +with a long-drawn sigh.</p> + +<p>"You are right, madam," responded a voice close at hand, the sound of +which caused the woman to press her clasped hands hard upon her +heaving bosom, though she gave no other sign of being startled.</p> + +<p>The next moment she turned and faced the speaker.</p> + +<p>It was Gerald Goddard.</p> + +<p>"I heard no one approaching—I thought I was alone," she said, as she +lifted those wonderful eyes of hers to his.</p> + +<p>He shrank from her glance as under a lightning flash that had burst +upon him unawares.</p> + +<p>But quickly recovering himself, he courteously remarked:</p> + +<p>"Pardon me—I trust I have not startled you."</p> + +<p>"Only momentarily," she replied; then added: "I was admiring this +painting; it is very lovely and—most faithfully portrays the scene +from which it was copied."</p> + +<p>"Ah! you recognize the—the locality?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly."</p> + +<p>"You—you have been in—Rome?" the man faltered.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes."</p> + +<p>"Recently?"</p> + +<p>There was a sort of breathless intensity about the man as he asked +this question.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No; I was in Rome—in the year 18—."</p> + +<p>At this response, Gerald Goddard involuntarily put out his hand and +laid it upon the balustrade, near which he was standing, while he +gazed spell-bound into the proud, beautiful face before him, searching +it with wild, eager eyes.</p> + +<p>After a moment he partially recovered himself, and remarked:</p> + +<p>"Is it possible? I myself was in Rome during the same year and painted +this picture at that time. Were—were you in the city long?" he +concluded, in a voice that trembled in spite of himself.</p> + +<p>"From January until—until June."</p> + +<p>For the second time that evening Mr. Goddard suppressed a groan with a +cough.</p> + +<p>"Ah! It is a singular coincidence, is it not, that I also was there +during those months?" he finally managed to articulate.</p> + +<p>"A coincidence?" his companion repeated, with a slight lifting of her +shapely brows, a curious gleam in her eyes. Then throwing back her +head with an air of defiance which was intensified by the glitter of +those magnificent stones which crowned her lustrous hair, and with a +peculiar cadence ringing through her tones, she observed: "Rome is a +lovely city—do you not think so? And, as it happened, I resided in a +delightful portion of it. Possibly you may remember the locality. It +was a charming little house, with beautiful trees—oleander, orange, +and fig—growing all around the spacious court. This pretty ideal home +was Number 34, Via Nationale."</p> + +<p>The wretched man stared helplessly at her for one brief moment when +she had concluded, then a cry of despair burst from him.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God! I knew it! You—you are Isabel?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then you were not—you did not—"</p> + +<p>"Die? No," was the brief response; but the beautiful eyes looking so +steadily into his seemed to burn into his very soul.</p> + +<p>A mighty shudder shook Gerald Goddard from head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> to foot as he reeled +backward and leaned against the wall for support.</p> + +<p>"Oh, God!" he cried again, in a voice of agony; then his head dropped +heavily upon his breast.</p> + +<p>His companion gazed silently upon him for a minute; then, turning, she +brushed by him without a word and went on into the dressing-room for +her wraps.</p> + +<p>Presently she came forth again, enveloped from head to foot in a long +garment richly lined with fur, the scarlet lining of the hood +contrasting beautifully with her clear, flawless complexion and her +brown eyes.</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard still stood where she had left him.</p> + +<p>She would have passed him without a word, but he put out a trembling +hand to detain her.</p> + +<p>"Isabel!" he faltered.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Stewart, if you please," she corrected, in a cold, proud tone.</p> + +<p>"Ha! you have married again!" he exclaimed, with a start, while he +searched her face with a despairing look.</p> + +<p>"Married again?" she repeated, with curling lips. "I have not so +perjured myself."</p> + +<p>"But—but—"'</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know what you would say," she interposed, with a proud little +gesture; "nevertheless, I claim the matron's title, and 'Stewart' was +my mother's maiden name," and she was about to pass on again.</p> + +<p>"Stay!" said the man, nervously. "I—I must see you again—I must talk +further with you."</p> + +<p>"Very well," the lady coldly returned, "and I also have some things +which I wish to say to you. I shall be at the Copley Square Hotel on +Thursday afternoon. I will see you as early as you choose to call."</p> + +<p>Then, with an air of grave dignity, she passed on, and down the +stairs, without casting one backward glance at him.</p> + +<p>The man leaned over the balustrade and watched her.</p> + +<p>She moved like a queen.</p> + +<p>In the hall below she was joined by her attendant, whom she welcomed +with a ravishing smile, and the next moment they had passed out of the +house together.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Heavens! and I deserted that glorious woman for—a virago!" Gerald +Goddard muttered, hoarsely, as he strode, white and wretched, to his +room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h2>"YOU SHALL NEVER WANT FOR A FRIEND."</h2> + + +<p>Up in the third story, poor Edith lay upon her bed, still in an +unconscious state.</p> + +<p>All the wedding finery had been removed and carried away, and she lay +scarcely less white than the spotless <i>robe de nuit</i> she wore, her +lips blue and pinched, her eyes sunken and closed.</p> + +<p>A physician sat beside her, his fingers upon her pulse, his eyes +gravely fixed upon the beautiful, waxen face lying on the pillow.</p> + +<p>Two housemaids, looking frightened and anxious, were seated near him, +watching him and the still figure on the bed, but ready to obey +whatever command he might issue to them.</p> + +<p>After introducing his sister to Mrs. Stewart, Emil Correlli had +slipped away from the scene of gayety, which had become almost +maddening to him, and mounted to that third-story room to inquire +again regarding the condition of the girl he had so wronged.</p> + +<p>"No better," came the answer, which made him turn with dread, and a +terrible fear to take possession of his heart.</p> + +<p>What if Edith should never revive? What if she should die in one of +these dreadful swoons?</p> + +<p>His guilty conscience warned him that he would have been her murderer.</p> + +<p>He could not endure the thought, and slinking away to his own room, he +drank deeply to stupefy himself, and then went to bed.</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard also was strangely exercised over the fair girl's +condition, and half an hour after his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> interview with Mrs. Stewart he +crept forth from his room again and went to see if there had been any +change in her condition.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Dr. Arthur told him, "she is coming out of it, and if another +does not follow, she will come around all right in time. If you could +only find that housekeeper," he added, "she must have good care +through the night."</p> + +<p>"I will go for her again," said Mr. Goddard, and he started downstairs +upon his quest.</p> + +<p>He met the woman on the second floor and just coming up the back +stairs.</p> + +<p>"Ah! Mrs. Weld, I am glad to find you. We have needed you sadly," he +eagerly exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry," the woman replied, in a regretful tone. "I was +unavoidably engaged and came just as soon as I was at liberty. What is +this I hear?" she continued, gravely; "what is this story about the +poor child being cheated into a real marriage with madam's brother? Is +it true?"</p> + +<p>"Hush! no one must hear such a version," said Mr. Goddard, looking +anxiously about him.</p> + +<p>He then proceeded to explain something of the matter, for he saw that +she knew too much to keep still, unless she was told more, and +cautioned not to discuss the matter with the servants.</p> + +<p>"I knew nothing of the plot until it was all over—I swear to you I +did not," he said, when she began to express her indignation at the +affair. "I never would have permitted anything of the kind to have +been carried out in my house, if I had suspected it. It seems that +Correlli has been growing fond of her ever since he came. She has +refused him twice, but he swore that he would have her, in spite of +everything, and it seems that he concocted this plot to accomplish his +end."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, he is a dastardly villain, and, in my opinion, his sister +is no better than himself," Mrs. Weld exclaimed, in tones of hot +indignation, and then she swept past him and on up to Edith's room.</p> + +<p>She opened the door and entered just as the poor girl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> heaved a long +sigh and unclosed her eyes, looking about with complete consciousness +for the first time since she fell to the floor in the parlor below.</p> + +<p>The physician immediately administered a stimulant, for she was +naturally weak and her pulses still feeble.</p> + +<p>As this began to take effect, memory also resumed its torturing work.</p> + +<p>Lifting her eyes to the housekeeper, who went at once to her side, a +spasm of agony convulsed her beautiful features.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mrs. Weld!" she moaned, shivering from head to foot.</p> + +<p>"Hush, child!" said the woman, bending over her and laying a gentle +hand upon her head; "it will all come right, so just shut your eyes +and try to go to sleep. I am going to stay with you to-night, and +nobody else shall come near you. Don't talk before the servants," she +added, in a swift whisper close to her ear.</p> + +<p>An expression of intense relief swept over the fair sufferer's face at +this friendly assurance, and lifting a grateful look to the +housekeeper's face, she settled herself contentedly upon her pillow.</p> + +<p>Dr. Arthur then drew Mrs. Weld to the opposite side of the room, where +he gave her directions for the night and what to do in case the +fainting should return—which, however, he said he did not anticipate, +as the action of the heart had become normal and the circulation more +natural.</p> + +<p>A little later he took his leave, after which the housemaids were +dismissed and Edith was alone with her friend.</p> + +<p>When the door closed after them the girl stretched forth her hands in +a gesture of helpless appeal to the woman.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mrs. Weld," she wailed, "must I be bound to that wretch during +the remainder of my life? I cannot live and bear such a fate! Oh, what +a shameful mockery it was! I felt, all the time, as if I were +committing a sacrilege, and yet I never dreamed that I was being used +so treacherously—"</p> + +<p>The housekeeper sat down beside the excited girl,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> whose eyes were +burning with a feverish light, and who showed symptoms of returning +hysteria.</p> + +<p>She removed her spectacles, and taking both of those trembling hands +in hers, looked steadily into the troubled eyes.</p> + +<p>"My child," she said, in a gentle, soothing tone, "you must not talk +about it to-night—you must not even think about it. I have told you +that it will all come out right; no man could hold you to such a +marriage—no court would hold you bound when once it is understood how +fraudulently you had been drawn into it."</p> + +<p>"But who is going to be able to prove that it was fraudulent?" +questioned Edith with increasing anxiety. "Apparently I went to the +altar with that man of my own free will; with all the semblance of +sincerity I took those marriage vows upon me and then received the +congratulations of all those guests as if I were a real wife. Oh, it +was terrible! terrible! terrible!" and her voice arose almost to a +shriek of agony as she concluded.</p> + +<p>"Hush! not another word! Edith look at me!" commanded Mrs. Weld with +gentle but impressive authority.</p> + +<p>The young girl, awed to silence in spite of her grief and nervous +excitement, looked wonderingly up into those magnetic eyes which +almost seemed to betray a dual nature.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear Mrs. Weld, you do not seem at all like yourself," she +gasped. "What—who are you?"</p> + +<p>"I am your friend, my dear," was the soothing response, "and I am +going to prove it, first by forbidding you to refer to this subject +again until after you have had a nice, long sleep. Trust me and obey +me, dear; I am going to stand by you as long as you need a friend, and +I promise you that you shall never be a slave to the man who has so +wronged you to-night. Now put it all out of your mind. I do not want +to give you an opiate if I can avoid it, for you would not be so well +to-morrow after taking it; but I shall have to if you keep up this +excitement."</p> + +<p>She continued to hold the girl's trembling hands in a strong, +protecting clasp, while she still gazed steadily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> into her eyes, +until, as if overcome by a will stronger than her own—her physical +strength being well-nigh exhausted—the white lids gradually drooped, +the rigid form relaxed, the lines smoothed themselves out of her brow, +and she was soon sleeping quietly and restfully.</p> + +<p>When her regular breathing assured the watcher beside her that +oblivion had sealed her senses for the time, she bent over her, +touched her lips softly to her forehead, and murmured:</p> + +<p>"Dear heart, they shall never hold you to that wicked ceremony—to +that unholy bond! If the law will not cancel it, if they have sprung +the trap upon you so cunningly that the court cannot free you, they +shall at least leave you in peace and virtually free, and you shall +never want for a friend as long as—as—Gertrude Weld lives," she +concluded, a peculiar smile wreathing her lips.</p> + +<p>While this strange woman sat in that third-story room and watched her +sleeping patient, the hours sped by on rapid wings to the merry +dancers below, very few of whom concerned themselves about, or even +knew of, the tragic ending of the marriage which they had witnessed +earlier in the evening.</p> + +<p>But oh, how heavily these hours dragged to one among that smiling +throng!</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard could scarcely control her impatience for her guests to +be gone—for the terrible farce to end.</p> + +<p>How terrible it all was to her not one of the gay people around her +could suspect, for she was obliged to fawn and smile as if she were in +thorough sympathy with the scene, and to attend to her duties as +hostess and to all the petty details required by so-called etiquette, +in order to preserve the prestige which she had acquired for +entertaining handsomely.</p> + +<p>But there was a deadly fear at her heart—an agony of apprehension, a +dread of a fate which, to her, would have been worse than death.</p> + +<p>Her husband and brother had disappeared entirely from the ball-room, a +circumstance which only added to her perplexity and distress.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>When she saw signs of the ball breaking up she sent an imperative +message to her husband to join her, for she knew that it would cause +unpleasant remarks if the master of the house should fail to put in an +appearance to "speed the parting guest."</p> + +<p>But she almost wished, when he came to her side, that she had not sent +for him, for he seemed like one who had lost his hold upon every hope +in the world, and looked so coldly upon her that she would rather have +had him plunge a dagger into her heart.</p> + +<p>But the weary evening was over at length—the last guest from outside +was gone—the last visitor in the house had retired.</p> + +<p>Her husband also had watched his opportunity, when she was looking +another way, and had slipped out of the room and upstairs to escape +having any complaints or questions from her.</p> + +<p>And so Anna Goddard stood alone in her elegant drawing-room, a most +miserable woman, in spite of the luxury that surrounded her.</p> + +<p>She had everything that heart could wish of this world's goods—a +beautiful home in the city, another in the country, horses, carriages, +servants, fine raiment, costly jewels, and fared sumptuously every +day.</p> + +<p>But her heart was like a sepulcher, full of corruption that had +tainted her whole life; and now, as she stood there beneath the glare +of a hundred lights, so fair to look upon in her gleaming satins and +flashing jewels, it seemed to her that she would gladly exchange +places with the humblest country-woman if thereby she could be at +peace with herself and with God, and be the center of a loving and +loyal family, happy in the performances of her simple duties as a wife +and mother.</p> + +<p>Finally, with a weary sigh, the unhappy woman went slowly upstairs, +feeling as if, in spite of the smiles and compliments which she had +that evening received, she had not a real friend in the world.</p> + +<p>Going to her dressing-case, she began to remove her jewels.</p> + +<p>The house was very still—so still that it almost seemed deserted, and +this feeling only served to add to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> the sense of loneliness and +desolation that was oppressing her.</p> + +<p>Her face was full of pain, her beautiful lips quivered with suppressed +emotion as she gathered up her costly treasures in both hands and +stood looking at them a moment, thinking bitterly how much money they +represented, and yet of how little real value they were to her as an +essential element in her life.</p> + +<p>She moved toward her casket to put her gems carefully away.</p> + +<p>She stood looking down into the box for a minute, then, as if impelled +by some irresistible impulse, she laid the priceless stones all in a +heap upon the table, when, taking hold of a loop, which had escaped +the housekeeper's notice, she lifted the cushion from its place, thus +revealing the papers which had been concealed beneath it.</p> + +<p>She seized the uppermost one with an eager hand.</p> + +<p>"I believe I will destroy it," she mused, "I am afraid there is +something more in his desire to possess it than he is willing to +admit, for he is so determined to get possession of it."</p> + +<p>She half unfolded the document as if to examine it, when a sudden +shock went quivering through her frame and a look of amazement +overspread her face.</p> + +<p>"What can this mean?" she exclaimed, in a tone of alarm, as she dashed +it upon the floor and seized another.</p> + +<p>This also proved disappointing.</p> + +<p>"It was here the last time I looked! I am sure I left it on top of the +others!" she muttered, with white lips, as, with trembling hands and +heaving bosom, she overturned everything in search of the missing +document.</p> + +<p>But the most rigid examination failed to reveal it, and, with a cry of +mingled agony and anger, she sank weak and trembling upon the nearest +chair.</p> + +<p>"It is gone!" she whispered, hoarsely; "some one has stolen it!"</p> + +<p>She sat there looking utterly helpless and wretched for a few +moments.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then her eyes began to blaze and her lips to twitch spasmodically.</p> + +<p>"He has done this!" she cried, starting to her feet once more. "That +was why he was absent so long from the ball-room to-night."</p> + +<p>Seizing the papers she had removed from the box, she hastily replaced +them, also the cushion, restoring the jewels to their places, after +which she shut and locked the casket, taking care to remove the key +from its lock.</p> + +<p>This done, she hurried from the room, looking more like a beautiful +fiend than a woman.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h2>"WOULD YOU DARE BE FALSE TO ME, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?"</h2> + + +<p>With her exquisite robe trailing unheeded after her, Anna Goddard +swept swiftly down the hall and rapped imperatively upon the door of +her husband's room.</p> + +<p>There was no answer from within.</p> + +<p>She tried the handle. The door would not yield—it was locked on the +inside.</p> + +<p>"Gerald, are you in bed?" his wife inquired, putting her lips to the +crack and speaking low.</p> + +<p>"What do you wish, Anna?" the man questioned.</p> + +<p>"I wish to see you—I must speak with you, even if you have retired," +she returned, imperatively.</p> + +<p>There was a slight movement within the room, then the door was thrown +open, and Gerald Goddard stood before her.</p> + +<p>But she shrank back almost immediately, a low exclamation of surprise +escaping her as she saw his face, so white, so pain-drawn, and +haggard.</p> + +<p>"Gerald! what is the matter?" she demanded, forgetting, for the +moment, her own anger and even her errand there, in the anxiety which +she experienced for him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I am feeling quite well, Anna," he responded, in a mechanical tone. +"What is it you wish to say to me?"</p> + +<p>Sweeping into the room, she closed the door after her, then confronted +him with accusing mien.</p> + +<p>"What do I wish to say to you?" she repeated, her voice quivering with +passion, her eyes blazing with a fierce expression. "I want that paper +which you have stolen from me."</p> + +<p>"I—I do not understand you, Anna," the man began, in a pre-occupied +manner. "What paper—what—"</p> + +<p>"I will bear no trifling," she passionately cried, interrupting him. +"You know very well what paper I refer to—I never had but one +document in my possession in which you had any interest; the one you +have so beset me about during the last few weeks."</p> + +<p>"That?" exclaimed the man, at last aroused from the apathy which had +hitherto seemed to possess him.</p> + +<p>"That!" retorted his companion, mockingly imitating his tone, "as if +you did not very well know it was 'that,' and no other. Gerald +Goddard, I have come to demand it of you," she went on shrilly. "You +have no right to enter my rooms, like a thief, and steal my treasures! +I—"</p> + +<p>"Anna, be still!" commanded her husband, sternly. "You are losing +control of yourself, and some of our guests may overhear you. I know +nothing of the document."</p> + +<p>"You lie!" hissed the woman, almost beside herself with mingled rage +and fear. "Who, but you, could have any interest in the thing? who, +save you, even knew of its existence, or that it had ever been in my +possession? Give it back to me! I will have it! It's my only +safeguard. You knew it, and you have stolen it, to make yourself +independent of me."</p> + +<p>"Anna, you shall not demean either yourself or me by giving expression +to such unjust suspicions," Gerald Goddard returned with cold dignity. +"I swear to you that I do not know anything about the paper. I have +not even once laid my eyes upon it since you stole it from me. If it +has been taken from the place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> where you have kept it concealed," he +went on, "then other hands than mine have been guilty of the theft."</p> + +<p>There was the ring of truth in his words, and she was forced to +believe him; yet there was a mystery about the affair which was beyond +her fathoming.</p> + +<p>"Then who could have taken it," she gasped, growing ghastly white at +the thought of there being a third party to their secret—"who on +earth has done this thing?"</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard was silent. He had his suspicions, suspicions that made +him quake inwardly, as he thought of what might be the outcome of them +if they should prove to be true.</p> + +<p>"Gerald, why do you not answer me?" his companion impatiently +demanded. "Can you think of any one who would be likely to rob us in +this way?"</p> + +<p>"Have you no suspicion, Anna?" the man asked, and looking gravely into +her eyes. "Was there no one among your guests to-night, who—"</p> + +<p>"Who—what—!" she cried, as he faltered and stopped.</p> + +<p>"Was there no one present who made you think of—of some one whom +you—have known in the—the past?"</p> + +<p>"Ha! do you refer to Mrs. Stewart?" said madam. "Did you also notice +the—resemblance?"</p> + +<p>"Could any one help it?—could any one ever mistake those eyes? +Anna—she was Isabel herself!"</p> + +<p>"No—no!" she panted wildly, "she may be some relative. Are you losing +your mind? Isabel is—dead."</p> + +<p>"She lives!"</p> + +<p>"I tell you no! I—saw her dead."</p> + +<p>"You? How could that be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Goddard, in +astonishment. "We were both in Florence at the time of that tragedy."</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, I saw her dead and in her coffin," persisted his +companion, with positive emphasis.</p> + +<p>"Now you talk as if you were losing your mind," he answered, with +white lips.</p> + +<p>"I am not. Do you not remember I told you one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> morning, I was going to +spend a couple of days with a friend at Fiesole?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, I had read of that tragedy that very day, and then hid the +paper, but I did not go to Fiesole at all. I took the first train for +Rome."</p> + +<p>"Anna!"</p> + +<p>"I wanted to be sure," she cried, excitedly. "I was jealous of her, +I—hated her; and I knew that if the report was true I should be at +rest. I went to the place where they had taken her. Some one had cared +for her very tenderly—she lay as if asleep, and looked like a +beautiful piece of sculpture in her white robe; one could hardly +believe that she was—dead. But they told me they were going to—to +bury her that afternoon unless some one came to claim her. They asked +me if I had known her—if she was a friend of mine. I told them +no—she was nothing to me; I had simply come out of curiosity, having +seen the story of her tragic end in a paper. Then I took the next +train back to Florence."</p> + +<p>"Why have you never told me this before, Anna?" Gerald Goddard +inquired, with lips that were perfectly colorless, while he laid his +hand upon the back of a chair for support.</p> + +<p>"Why?" she flashed out jealously at him. "Why should I talk of her to +you? She was dead—she could never come between us, and I wished to +put her entirely out of my mind, since I had satisfied myself of the +fact."</p> + +<p>"Did—did you hear anything of—of—"</p> + +<p>"Of the child? No; all I ever knew was what you yourself read in the +paper—that both mother and child had disappeared from their home and +both were supposed to have suffered the same fate, although the body +of the child was not found."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" groaned Gerald Goddard, wiping the clammy moisture from his +brow. "I never realized the horror of it as I do at this moment, and I +never have forgiven myself for not going to Rome to institute a search +for myself; but—"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I wouldn't let you, I suppose you were about to add," said madam, +bitterly. "What was the use?" she went on, angrily. "Everything was +all over before you knew anything about it—"</p> + +<p>"I could at least have erected a tablet to mark her resting-place," +the man interposed.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! it strikes me it was rather late then to manifest much +sentiment; that would have become you better before you broke her +heart and killed her by your neglect and desertion," sneered madam, +who was driven to the verge of despair by this late exhibition of +regard for a woman whom she had hated.</p> + +<p>"Don't, Anna!" he cried, sharply. Then suddenly straightening himself, +he said, as if just awaking from some horrible nightmare: "But she did +not die. I have not that on my conscience, after all."</p> + +<p>"She did—I tell you she did!" hoarsely retorted the excited woman.</p> + +<p>"But I have seen and talked with her to-night, and she told me that +she was—Isabel!" he persisted.</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard struck her palms together with a gesture bordering upon +despair.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it—I will not believe it!" she panted.</p> + +<p>"He began to pity her, for he also was beginning to realize that, if +Isabel Stewart were really the woman whom he had wronged more than +twenty years previous, her situation was indeed deplorable.</p> + +<p>"Anna," he said, gravely, and speaking with more calmness and +gentleness than at any time during the interview, "this is a stern +fact, and—we must look it in the face."</p> + +<p>His tone and manner carried conviction to her heart.</p> + +<p>She sank crouching at his feet, bowing her face upon her hands.</p> + +<p>"Gerald! Gerald! it must not be so!" she wailed. "It is only some +cunning story invented to cheat us and avenge her. That woman shall +never separate us—I will never yield to her. Oh, Heaven! why did I +not destroy that paper when I had it? Gerald, give it to me now, if +you have it; it is not too late to burn it even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> now, and no one can +prove the truth—we can defy her to the last."</p> + +<p>The man stooped to raise her from her humiliating position.</p> + +<p>"Get up, Anna," he said, kindly. "Come, sit in this chair and let us +talk the matter over calmly. It is a stern fact that Isabel is alive +and well, and it is useless either to ignore it or deplore it."</p> + +<p>With shivering sobs bursting from her with every breath, the wretched +woman allowed herself to be helped to the chair, into which she sank +with an air of abject despair.</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard's was not a nature likely to readily yield to humiliation +or defeat, and after a few moments of silent battle with herself, she +raised her head and turned her proud face and searching eyes upon her +companion.</p> + +<p>"You say that it is a 'stern fact' that Isabel lives," she remarked, +with compressed lips.</p> + +<p>"I am sure—there can be no mistake," the man replied. Then he told +her of the interview which had occurred in the hall, where he had +found the woman standing before the picture which he had painted in +Rome so many years ago.</p> + +<p>"She recognized it at once," he said; "she located the very spot from +which I had painted the scene."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I cannot make it seem possible, for I tell you I saw her lying +dead in her casket," moaned madam, who, even in the face of all +proofs, could not bring herself to believe that her old rival was +living and had it in her power to ruin her life.</p> + +<p>"She must have been in a trance—she must have been resuscitated by +those people who found her. As sure as you and I both live, she is +living also," Mr. Goddard solemnly responded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how could such a thing be?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know—she did not tell me; she was very cold and proud."</p> + +<p>"What was she doing here? How dared she enter this house?" cried +madam, her anger blazing up again.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you. It was a question I was asking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> myself just as you +came to the door," said Mr. Goddard, with a sigh. "I have no doubt she +had some deep-laid purpose, however."</p> + +<p>"Do you imagine her purpose was to get possession of that document?" +questioned madam.</p> + +<p>"I had thought of that—I have felt almost sure of it since you told +me it had disappeared."</p> + +<p>"But how could she have known that such a paper was in our possession? +You did not receive it until long after—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know," interposed Mr. Goddard, with a shiver; "nevertheless I +am impressed that it is now in her possession, even though I did not +suppose that any one, save you and I and Will Forsyth, ever knew of +its existence."</p> + +<p>There ensued an interval of silence, during which both appeared to be +absorbed in deep thought.</p> + +<p>"If she has it, what will she do with it?" madam suddenly questioned, +lifting her heavy eyes to her companion.</p> + +<p>"I am sure I cannot tell, Anna," he coldly returned.</p> + +<p>His tone was like a match applied to powder.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, what will you do, Gerald Goddard, in view of the fact, as +you believe, that she is alive and has learned the truth?" she +imperiously demanded.</p> + +<p>"I—I do not think it will be wise for us to discuss that point just +at present," he faltered.</p> + +<p>"Coward! Is that your answer to me after twenty years of adoration and +devotion?" cried the enraged woman, springing excitedly to her feet, +the look of a slumbering demon in her dusky eyes.</p> + +<p>"After twenty years of jealousy, bickering, and turmoil, you should +have said, Anna," was the bitter response.</p> + +<p>"Beware! Beware, Gerald! I have hot blood in my veins, as you very +well know," was the menacing retort.</p> + +<p>"I have long had a proof of that," he returned, with quiet irony.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she cried, putting up her hand as if to ward off a blow, "you +are cruel to me." Then, with sudden passion, she added: "Perhaps, +after all, that docu<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span>ment is in your possession—or at least that you +know something about it."</p> + +<p>"I only wish your surmise were correct, Anna; for, in that case, I +should have no cause to fear her," said Mr. Goddard, gravely.</p> + +<p>"Ha! Even you do 'fear' her?" cried madam, eagerly. "In what way?"</p> + +<p>"Can you not see? If she has gained possession of the paper, she has +it in her power to do both of us irreparable harm," the gentleman +explained.</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard shivered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes," she moaned, "she could make society ring with our +names—she could ruin us, socially; but"—shooting a stealthy glance +at her companion, who sat with bowed head and clouded brow—"I could +better bear that than that she should assert a claim upon you—that +she should use her power to—to separate us. She shall not, Gerald!" +she went on, passionately; "there are other countries where you and I +can go and be happy, utterly indifferent to what she may do here."</p> + +<p>The man made no reply to these words—he was apparently absorbed in +his own thoughts.</p> + +<p>"Gerald! have you nothing to say to me?" madam sharply cried, after +watching him for a full minute.</p> + +<p>"What can I say, Anna? There is nothing that either of us can do but +await further developments," the man returned, but careful to keep to +himself the fact that he had an appointment with the woman whom she so +feared and hated.</p> + +<p>"Would you dare to be false to me, after all these years?" his +companion demanded, in repressed tones, and leaning toward him with +flaming eyes.</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, Anna! what a senseless question," he replied, with a forced +laugh.</p> + +<p>"But you admire—you think her very beautiful?" she questioned, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Why, that is a self-evident fact—every one must admit that she is a +fine-looking woman," was the somewhat evasive response.</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard sprang to her feet, her face scarlet.</p> + +<p>"You will be very careful what you do, Gerald," she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> hissed. "I have +never had overmuch confidence in you, in spite of my love for you; but +there is one thing that I will not bear, at this late day, and that +is, that you should turn traitor to me; so be warned in time."</p> + +<p>She did not wait to see what effect her words would have upon him, +but, turning abruptly, swept from the room, leaving him to his own +reflections.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2> + +<h2>"I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE EITHER OF YOU FOR YOUR SIN AGAINST ME."</h2> + + +<p>The morning following the great Goddard ball at Wyoming, found Edith +much better, greatly to the surprise of every one.</p> + +<p>She was quite weak, as was but natural after such a shock to her +system, both physically and mentally; but she had slept very quietly +through the night, after the housekeeper had gone to her and thrown +the protection of her presence around her.</p> + +<p>At Emil Correlli's request, the physician had remained in the house +all night, in case he should be wanted; and when he visited her quite +early in the morning, he expressed himself very much gratified to find +her so comfortable, and said she would do well enough without any +further medical treatment, but advised her to keep quiet for a day or +two.</p> + +<p>This Edith appeared perfectly willing to do, and lay contentedly among +her pillows, watching her kind nurse while she put the room in order, +making no remarks, asking no questions, but with a look of grave +resolve growing in her eyes and about her sweet mouth, which betrayed +that she was doing a good deal of thinking upon some subject.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Goddard came to her door immediately after breakfast, but Edith +refused to see her.</p> + +<p>She had told Mrs. Weld not to admit any one; there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>fore, when the lady +of the house sought admittance, the housekeeper firmly but +respectfully denied her entrance.</p> + +<p>"But I have something very important to say to Edith," madam +persisted.</p> + +<p>"Then it had best be left unsaid until the poor girl is stronger," +Mrs. Weld replied, without moving her portly proportions and holding +the door firmly in her hand.</p> + +<p>"I have a message from my brother for her—it is necessary that I +should deliver it," Mrs. Goddard obstinately returned. Mrs. Weld +looked back into the room inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"I do not wish to see any one," Edith weakly responded, but in a voice +of decision which told the listener outside that the girl had no +intention of yielding the point.</p> + +<p>"Very well; then I will wait until she feels stronger," said the +baffled woman, whereupon she beat an ignominious retreat, and the +invalid was left in peace.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Weld spent as much time as possible with her, but she of course +had her duties below to attend to; so, at Edith's request, she locked +her in and took the key with her when she was obliged to go +downstairs.</p> + +<p>Once, while she was absent, some one crept stealthily to the door and +knocked.</p> + +<p>Edith started up, and leaned upon her elbow, a momentary look of fear +sweeping her face; but she made no response.</p> + +<p>The knock was repeated.</p> + +<p>Still the girl remained motionless and voiceless, only her great blue +eyes began to blaze with mingled indignation and contempt, for she +knew, instinctively, who was seeking admission.</p> + +<p>"Miss Al—Edith, I must speak with you—I must have an interview with +you," said the voice of Emil Correlli from without.</p> + +<p>Still no answer from within; but the dazzling gleam in the girl's eyes +plainly showed that that voice had aroused all the spirit within her +in spite of her weak condition.</p> + +<p>"Pray grant me an interview, Edith—I have much to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> say to you—much +to explain—much to entreat of you," continued the voice, with a note +of earnest appeal.</p> + +<p>But he might as well have addressed the walls for all the effect he +produced.</p> + +<p>There was a moment or two of silence, then the man continued, with +something of authority:</p> + +<p>"I have the right to come to you, Edith—I have a right to demand that +you regard my wishes. If you are not prepared to receive me just now, +name some time when I can see you, and I will wait patiently your +pleasure; only speak and tell me that you will comply with my +request."</p> + +<p>It was both a pretty and a striking picture behind that closed door, +if he could but have seen it—the fair girl, in her snowy robe, over +which she had slipped a pretty light blue sack, reclining upon her +elbow, her beautiful hair falling in graceful confusion about her +shoulders; her violet eyes gleaming with a look of triumph in her +advantage over the man without; her lips—into which the color was +beginning to flow naturally again—parted just enough to reveal the +milk-white teeth between them.</p> + +<p>When the man outside asserted his right to come to her, the only sign +she had made was a little toss of her golden-crowned head, indicative +of defiance, while about the corners of her lovely mouth there lurked +a smile of scorn that would have been maddening to Emil Correlli could +he have seen it.</p> + +<p>At last a discontented muttering and the sound of retreating steps in +the hall told her that her persecutor had become discouraged, and +gone. Then, with a sigh of relief, she sank back upon her pillow +feeling both weak and weary from excitement.</p> + +<p>Left alone once more, she fell into deep thought.</p> + +<p>In spite of a feeling of despair which, at times, surged over her in +view of the trying position in which she found herself, the base +deception practiced upon her, aroused a spirit of indomitable +resistance, to battle for herself and her outraged feelings, and +outwit, if possible, these enemies of her peace.</p> + +<p>"They have done this wicked thing—that woman and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> her brother," she +said to herself; "they have cunningly plotted to lure me into this +trap; but, though they have succeeded in fettering me for life, that +is all the satisfaction that they will ever reap from their scheme. +They cannot compel me, against my will, to live with a man whom I +abhor. Even though I stood up before that multitude last evening, and +appeared a willing actor in that disgraceful sacrilegious scene, no +one can make me abide by it, and I shall denounce and defy them both; +the world shall at least ring with scorn for their deed, even though I +cannot free myself by proving a charge of fraud against them. But, +oh—"</p> + +<p>The proud little head suddenly drooped, and with a moan of pain she +covered her convulsed face with her hands, as her thoughts flew to a +certain room in New York, where she had spent one happy, blissful week +in learning to love, with all her soul, the man whom she had served.</p> + +<p>She had believed, as we know, that her love for Royal Bryant was +hopeless—at least she had told herself so, and that she could never +link her fate with his, after learning of her shameful origin.</p> + +<p>Yet, now that there appeared to have arisen an even greater barrier, +she began to realize that all hope had not been quite dead—that, in +her heart, she had all the time been nursing a tender shoot of +affection, and a faint belief that her lover would never relinquish +his desire to win her.</p> + +<p>But these sad thoughts finally set her mind running in another +channel, and brought a gleam of hope to her.</p> + +<p>"He is a true and honorable man," she mused, "I will appeal to him in +my trouble; and if any one can find a loop-hole of escape for me I am +sure he will be able to do so."</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Weld brought her lunch, she sat up and ate it eagerly, +resolved to get back her strength as soon as possibly in order to +carry out her project at an early date. While she was eating, she told +her friend of Emil Correlli's visit and its result.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why cannot they let you alone!" the woman cried, indignantly. "They +shall not persecute you so."</p> + +<p>"No, I do not intend they shall," Edith quietly replied, "but I think +by to-morrow morning, I shall feel strong enough for an interview, +when we will have my relations toward them established for all time," +and by the settling of the girl's pretty chin, Mrs. Weld was convinced +that she would be lacking in neither spirit nor decision.</p> + +<p>"If you feel able to talk about it now, I wish you would tell me +exactly how they managed to hoodwink you to such an extent. Perhaps I +may be of some service to you, when the matter comes to a crisis," the +woman remarked, as she studied the sweet face before her with kind and +pitying eyes.</p> + +<p>And Edith related just how Mrs. Goddard had drawn her into the net by +representing that two of her actors had been called away in the midst +of the play and that the whole representation would be spoiled unless +she would consent to help her out.</p> + +<p>"It was very cleverly done," said Mrs. Weld, when she concluded; but +she looked grave, for she saw that the entire affair had been so +adroitly managed, it would be very difficult to prove that Edith had +not been in the secret and a willing actor in the drama. "But do not +worry, child; you may depend upon me to do my utmost to help you in +every possible way."</p> + +<p>The next morning Edith was able to be up and dressed, and she began to +pack her trunk, preparatory to going away. The guests had all left on +the previous day, and everything was being put in order for the house +to be closed for the remainder of the winter, while it was stated that +the family would return to the city on the next day, which would be +Thursday.</p> + +<p>Edith had almost everything ready for removal by noon, and, after +lunch was over, sent word to Mrs. Goddard that she would like an +interview with her.</p> + +<p>The woman came immediately, and Edith marveled to see how pale and +worn she looked—how she had appeared to age during the last day or +two.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad that you have decided to see me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> Edith," she remarked, +in a fondly confidential tone, as she drew a chair to the girl's side +and sat down. "My brother is nearly distracted with grief and remorse +over what has happened, and the attitude which you have assumed toward +him. He adores you—he will be your slave if you only take the right +way to win him. Surely, you will forgive him for the deception which +his great affection led him to practice upon you," she concluded, with +a coaxing smile, such as she would have assumed in dealing with a +fractious child.</p> + +<p>"No," said Edith, with quiet decision, "I shall never forgive either +of you for your sin against me—it is beyond pardon."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I will not intercede for myself—but think how Emil loves you," +pleaded her companion.</p> + +<p>"You should have said, 'think how he loves himself,' madam," Edith +rejoined, with a scornful curl of her lips, "for nothing but the +rankest selfishness could ever have led a person to commit an act of +such duplicity and sacrilege as that which he and you adopted to +secure your own ends. He does not desire to be pardoned. His only +desire is that I should relent and yield to him—which I never shall +do."</p> + +<p>As she uttered these last words, she emphasized them with a decided +little gesture of her left hand that betrayed a relentless purpose.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she cried, the next moment, with a start, the movement having +attracted her eye to the ring upon her third finger, which until that +moment she had entirely forgotten.</p> + +<p>With a shiver of repulsion, she snatched it off and tossed it into the +lap of her companion.</p> + +<p>"Take it back to him," she said. "I had forgotten I had it on; I +despise myself for having worn it even until now."</p> + +<p>Madam flushed angrily at her act and words.</p> + +<p>"You are very hard—you are very obdurate," she said, sharply.</p> + +<p>"Very well; you can put whatever construction you choose upon the +stand I have taken, but do not for a moment deceive yourself by +imagining that I will ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> consent to be known as Emil Correlli's +wife; death would be preferable!" Edith calmly responded.</p> + +<p>"Most girls would only be too eager and proud to assume the +position—they would be sincerely grateful for the luxuries and +pleasures they would enjoy as my brother's wife," Mrs. Goddard coldly +remarked, but with an angry gleam in her eyes.</p> + +<p>A little smile of contempt curled the corners of Edith's red mouth; +but otherwise she did not deign to notice these boasting comments, a +circumstance which so enraged her companion that she felt, for a +moment, like strangling the girl there and then.</p> + +<p>But there was far more to be considered than her own personal +feelings, and she felt obliged to curb herself for the time.</p> + +<p>If scandal was to be avoided, she must leave no inducement untried to +bend Edith's stubborn will, and madam herself was too proud to +contemplate anything so humiliating; she was willing to do or bear +almost anything to escape becoming a target for the fashionable world +to shoot their arrows of ridicule at.</p> + +<p>"Edith, I beg that you will listen to me," she earnestly pleaded, +after a few moments of thought. "This thing is done and cannot be +undone, and now I want you to be reasonable and think of the +advantages which, as Emil's wife, you may enjoy. You are a poor girl, +without home or friends, and obliged to work for your living. There is +an escape from all this if you will be tractable; you can have a +beautiful house elegantly furnished, horses, carriages, diamonds, and +velvets—in fact, not a wish you choose to express ungratified. You +may travel the world over, if you desire, with no other object in view +than to enjoy yourself. On the other hand, if you refuse, there will +be no end of scandal—you will ruin the reputation of our whole +family—Emil will become the butt of everybody's scorn and ridicule. I +shall never be able to show my face again in society, either in Boston +or New York; and my husband, who has always occupied a high position, +will be terribly shocked and humiliated."</p> + +<p>Edith listened quietly to all that she had to say, not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> once +attempting to interrupt her; but when madam finally paused, in +expectation of a reply, she simply remarked:</p> + +<p>"You should have thought of all this, madam, before you plotted for +the ruin of my life; I am not responsible for the consequences of your +treachery and crime."</p> + +<p>"Crime! that is an ugly word," tartly cried Mrs. Goddard, who began to +find the tax upon her patience almost greater than she could bear.</p> + +<p>"Nevertheless, it is the correct term to apply to what you have +done—it is what I shall charge you with—"</p> + +<p>"What! do you dare to tell me that you intend to appeal to the +courts?" exclaimed madam, aghast.</p> + +<p>She had fondly imagined that, the deed once done, the girl having no +friends whose protection she could claim, would make the best of it, +and gracefully yield to the situation.</p> + +<p>"That is what I intend to do."</p> + +<p>Anna Goddard's face was almost livid at this intrepid response.</p> + +<p>"And you utterly refuse to listen to reason?" she inquired, struggling +hard for self-control.</p> + +<p>"I utterly refuse to be known as Emil Correlli's wife, if that is what +you mean by 'reason,'" said Edith, calmly.</p> + +<p>"Girl! girl! take care—do not try my patience too far," cried her +companion, with a flash of passion, "or we may have to resort to +desperate measures with you."</p> + +<p>"Such as what, if you please?" inquired Edith, still unmoved.</p> + +<p>"That remains to be seen; but I warn you that you are bringing only +wrath upon your own head. We shall never allow you to create a +scandal—we shall find a way to compel you to do as we wish."</p> + +<p>"That you can never do!" and the beautiful girl proudly faced the +woman with such an undaunted air and look that she involuntarily +quailed before her. "It is my nature," she went on, after a slight +pause, "to be gentle and yielding in all things reasonable, and when I +am kindly treated; but injustice and treachery, such as you have been +guilty of, always arouse within<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> me a spirit which a thousand like you +and your brother could never bend nor break."</p> + +<p>"Do not be too sure, my pretty young Tartar," retorted madam, with a +disagreeable sneer.</p> + +<p>"I rejected Monsieur Correlli's proposals to me some weeks ago," Edith +resumed, without heeding the rude interruption. "I made him clearly +understand, and you also, that I could never marry him. You appeared +to accept the situation only to scheme for my ruin; but, even though +you have tricked me into compromising myself in the presence of many +witnesses, it was only a trick, and therefore no legal marriage. At +least I do not regard myself as morally bound; and, as I have said +before, I shall appeal to the courts to annul whatever tie there may +be supposed to exist. This is my irrevocable decision—nothing can +change it—nothing will ever swerve me a hair's breadth from it. Go +tell your brother, and then let me alone—I will never renew the +subject with either of you."</p> + +<p>And as Edith ceased she turned her resolute face to the window, and +Anna Goddard knew that she had meant every word that she had uttered.</p> + +<p>She was amazed by this show of spirit and decision.</p> + +<p>The girl had always been a perfect model of gentleness and kindness, +ready to do whatever was required of her, obliging and invariably +sweet-tempered.</p> + +<p>She could hardly realize that the cold, determined, defiant, undaunted +sentences to which she had just listened could have fallen from the +lips of the mild, quiet Edith whom she had hitherto known.</p> + +<p>But, as may be imagined, such an attitude from one who had been a +servant to her was not calculated to soothe her ruffled feelings, and +after the first flash of astonishment, anger got the better of her.</p> + +<p>"Do you imagine you can defy us thus?" she cried, laying an almost +brutal grip upon the girl's arm, as she arose to abandon, for the +time, her apparently fruitless task. "No, indeed! You will find to +your cost that you have stronger wills than your own to cope with."</p> + +<p>With these hot words, Anna Goddard swept angrily from the room, +leaving her victim alone.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2> + +<h2>"I WILL NEVER BREAK BREAD WITH YOU, AT ANY TABLE."</h2> + + +<p>As the door closed after the angry and baffled woman, the portly form +of the housekeeper entered the room from an apartment adjoining, +where, as had been previously arranged between Edith and herself, she +had been stationed to overhear the whole of the foregoing +conversation.</p> + +<p>"What can I do?" sighed the young girl, wearily, and lifting an +anxious glance to her companion; for, in spite of her apparent +calmness throughout the recent interview, it had been a terrible +strain upon her already shattered nerves.</p> + +<p>"Nothing just yet, dear, but to try and get well and strong as soon as +possible," cheerfully responded Mrs. Weld.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear how she threatened me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but her threats were only so many idle words—they cannot harm +you; you need not fear them."</p> + +<p>"But I do; somehow, I am impressed that they are plotting even greater +wrongs against me," sighed Edith, who, now that the necessity of +preserving a bold front was passed, seemed to lose her courage.</p> + +<p>"They will not dare—" began Mrs. Weld, with some excitement. Then, +suddenly checking herself, she added, soothingly: "But do not worry +any more about it now, child—you never need 'cross a bridge until you +come it.' Lie down and rest a while; it will do you good, and maybe +you will catch a little nap, while I go down to see that everything is +moving smoothly in the dining-room and kitchen."</p> + +<p>Edith was only too willing to heed this sensible advice, and, shortly +after the housekeeper's departure, fell into a restful sleep.</p> + +<p>She did not awake until it was nearly dark, when, feeling much +refreshed, she arose and dressed herself resolving that she would not +trouble tired Mrs. Weld<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> to bring up her dinner, but go downstairs and +have it with her, as usual.</p> + +<p>The house was very quiet, for, all the guests having gone, there was +only the family and the servants in the house.</p> + +<p>Edith remained in her room until she heard the dinner-bell ring, when +she went to the door to listen for Mr. and Mrs. Goddard and Emil +Correlli to go down, before she ventured forth, for she had a special +object in view.</p> + +<p>Presently she heard them enter the dining-room, whereupon she stole +softly down after them and slipped into the library in search of the +daily papers.</p> + +<p>She found one, the <i>Transcript</i>, and then hurried back to her room, +lighted the gas, and sat down to read.</p> + +<p>Immediately a low cry of dismay burst from her, for the first thing +that caught her eye were some conspicuous head-lines announcing:</p> + +<p class="center"> +"A STARTLING SURPRISE IN HIGH LIFE."<br /> +</p> + +<p>These were followed by a vivid description of the festivities at the +Goddard mansion in Wyoming, on the previous evening, mentioning the +"unique and original drama," which had wound up with "the great +surprise" in the form of a "<i>bona fide</i>" marriage between the brother +of the beautiful and accomplished hostess, Mrs. Goddard, and a lovely +girl to whom the gentleman had long been attached, and whom he had +taken this opportune and very novel way of introducing to his friends +and society in general.</p> + +<p>Then there followed a <i>résumé</i> of the play, giving the names of the +various actors, an account of the fine scenery and brilliant costumes, +etc.</p> + +<p>The appearance of the masked bride and groom was then enlarged upon, +an accurate description of the bride's elegant dress given, and a most +flattering mention made of her beauty and grace, together with the +perfect dignity and repose of manner with which she bore her +introduction to the many friends of her husband during the reception +that followed immediately after the ceremony.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>No mention was made of her having fainted afterward, and the article +concluded with a flattering tribute to the host and hostess for the +success of their "Winter Frolic," which ended so delightfully in the +brilliant and long-to-be-remembered ball.</p> + +<p>Edith's face was full of pain and indignation after reading this +sensational account.</p> + +<p>She was sure that the affair had been written up by either madam or +her brother, for the express purpose of bringing her more +conspicuously before the public, and with the intention of fastening +more securely the chain that bound her to the villain who had so +wronged her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is a plot worthy to be placed on record with the intrigues of +the Court of France during the reign of Louis the Thirteenth and +Richelieu!" Edith exclaimed. "But in this instance they have mistaken +the character of their victim," she continued, throwing back her proud +little head with an air of defiance, "for I will never yield to them; +I will never acknowledge, by word or act, the tie which they claim +binds me to him, and I will leave no effort untried to break it. +Heavens! what a daring, what an atrocious wrong it was!" she +exclaimed, with a shudder of repugnance; "and I am afraid that, aside +from my own statements, I cannot bring one single fact to prove a +charge of fraud against either of them."</p> + +<p>She fell into a painful reverie, mechanically folding the paper as she +sat rocking slowly back and forth trying to think of some way of +escape from her unhappy situation.</p> + +<p>But, at last, knowing that it was about time for Mrs. Weld to have her +dinner, she arose to go down to join her.</p> + +<p>As she did so the paper slipped from her hands to the floor.</p> + +<p>She stooped to pick it up when an item headed, in large letters +"Personal" caught her eye.</p> + +<p>Without imagining that it could have any special interest for her, she +glanced in an aimless way over it.</p> + +<p>Suddenly every nerve was electrified.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What is this?" she exclaimed, and read the paragraph again.</p> + +<p>The following was the import of it:</p> + +<p class="blockquote">"If Miss Allandale, who disappeared so suddenly from New York, on the +13th of last December, will call upon or send her address to Bryant & +Co., Attorneys, No. —— Broadway, she will learn of something greatly +to her advantage in a financial way."</p> + +<p>"How very strange! What can it mean?" murmured the astonished girl, +the rich color mounting to her brow as she realized that Royal Bryant +must have inserted this "personal" in the paper in the hope that it +would meet her eye.</p> + +<p>"Who in the world is there to feel interested in me or my financial +condition?" she continued, with a look of perplexity.</p> + +<p>At first it occurred to her that Mr. Bryant might have taken this way +to ascertain where she was from personal motives; but she soon +discarded this thought, telling herself that he would never be guilty +of practicing deception in any way to gain his ends. If he had simply +desired her address he would have asked for that alone without the +promise of any pecuniary reward.</p> + +<p>She stood thinking the matter over for several moments.</p> + +<p>At last her face cleared and a look of resolution flashed into her +eyes.</p> + +<p>"I will do it!" she murmured, "I will go back at once to New York—I +will ascertain what this advertisement means, then I will tell him all +that has happened to me here, and ask him if there is any way by which +I can be released from this dreadful situation, into which I have been +trapped. I am sure he will help me, if any one can."</p> + +<p>A faint, tender smile wreathed her lips as she mused thus, and +recalled her last interview with Royal Bryant; his fond, eager words +when he told her of her complete vindication at the conclusion of her +trial in New York—of his tender look and hand-clasp when he bade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> her +good-by at the door of the carriage that bore her home to her mother.</p> + +<p>She began to think that she had perhaps not used him quite fairly in +running away and hiding herself thus from him who had been so true a +friend to her; and yet, if she remained in his employ, and he had +asked her to be his wife, she knew that she must either have refused +him, without giving him a sufficient reason, or else confessed to him +her shameful origin.</p> + +<p>"It would have been better, perhaps, if I had never come away," she +sighed, "still it is too late now to regret it, and all I can do is to +comply with the request of this 'personal.' I would leave this very +night, only there are some things at the other house that I must take +with me. But to-morrow night I will go, and I shall have to steal +away, or they will find some way to prevent my going. I will not even +tell dear Mrs. Weld, although she has been so kind to me; but I will +write and explain it all to her after my arrival in New York."</p> + +<p>Having settled this important matter in her mind, Edith went quietly +downstairs, and returned the paper to the library, after which she +repaired to the tiny room where she and Mrs. Weld were in the habit of +taking their meals.</p> + +<p>The kind-hearted woman chided her for coming down two flights of +stairs, while she was still so weak; but Edith assured her that she +really began to feel quite like herself again, and could not think of +allowing her to wait upon her when she was so weary from her own +numerous duties.</p> + +<p>They had a pleasant chat over their meal, the young girl appearing far +more cheerful than one would have naturally expected under existing +circumstances. She flushed with painful embarrassment, however, when a +servant came in to wait upon them, and gave her a stare of undisguised +astonishment, which plainly told her that he thought her place was in +the dining-room with the family.</p> + +<p>She understood by it that all the servants knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> what had occurred the +previous night, and believed her to be the wife of Emil Correlli.</p> + +<p>But nothing else occurred to mar the meal, and when it was finished +Edith started to go up to her room again.</p> + +<p>She went up the back way, hoping thus to avoid meeting any member of +the family.</p> + +<p>She reached the landing upon the second floor and was about to mount +another flight when there came a swift step over the front stairs, +and, before she could escape, Emil Correlli came into view.</p> + +<p>Another instant and he was by her side.</p> + +<p>"Edith!" he exclaimed, astonished to see her there, "where have you +been?"</p> + +<p>"Down to my dinner," she quietly replied, but confronting him with +undaunted bearing.</p> + +<p>"Down to your dinner?" he repeated, flushing hotly, a look of keen +annoyance sweeping over his face. "If you were able to leave your room +at all, your place was in the dining-room, with the family, and," he +added, sternly, "I do not wish any gossip among the servants regarding +my—wife."</p> + +<p>It was Edith's turn to flush now, at that obnoxious term.</p> + +<p>"You will please spare me all allusion to that mockery," she bitterly, +but haughtily, retorted.</p> + +<p>"It was no mockery—it was a <i>bona fide</i> marriage," he returned. "You +are my lawful wife, and I wish you, henceforth, to occupy your proper +position as such."</p> + +<p>"I am not your wife. I shall never acknowledge, by word or act, any +such relationship toward you," she calmly, but decidedly, responded.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes you will."</p> + +<p>"Never!"</p> + +<p>"But you have already done so, and there are hundreds of people who +can prove it," he answered, hotly, but with an air of triumph.</p> + +<p>"It will be a comparatively easy matter to make public a true +statement of the case," said the girl, looking him straight in the +eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You will not dare set idle tongues gossiping by repudiating our +union!" exclaimed the young man, fiercely.</p> + +<p>"I should dare anything that would set me free from you," was the +dauntless response.</p> + +<p>Her companion gnashed his teeth with rage.</p> + +<p>"You would find very few who would believe your statements," he said; +"for, besides the fact that hundreds witnessed the ceremony last +night, the papers have published full accounts of the affair, and the +whole city now knows about it."</p> + +<p>"I know it—I have read the papers," said Edith, without appearing in +the least disconcerted.</p> + +<p>"What! already?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, what did you think of the account?" her companion inquired, +regarding her curiously.</p> + +<p>"That it was simply another clever piece of duplicity on your part, +the only object of which was the accomplishment of your nefarious +purposes. I believe you yourself were the author of it."</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli started as if he had been stung.</p> + +<p>He did not dream that she would attribute the article to him—the last +thing he could wish would be that she should think it had emanated +from his pen.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, his admiration for her was increased tenfold by her +shrewdness in discerning the truth.</p> + +<p>"You judge me harshly," he said, bitterly.</p> + +<p>"I have no reason for judging you otherwise," Edith coldly remarked; +then added, haughtily: "Allow me to pass, sir, if you please."</p> + +<p>"I do not please. Oh, Edith, pray be reasonable; come into Anna's +boudoir, and let us talk this matter over amicably and calmly," he +pleaded, laying a gentle hand upon her arm.</p> + +<p>She shook it off as if it had been a reptile.</p> + +<p>"No, sir; I shall discuss nothing with you, either now or at any other +time. If," she added, a fiery gleam in her beautiful eyes, "it is ever +discussed in my presence it will be before a judge and jury!"</p> + +<p>The man bit his lips to repress an oath.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, Anna told me you threatened that; but I hoped it was only an +idle menace," he said. "Do you really mean that you intend to file an +application to have the marriage annulled?"</p> + +<p>"Most assuredly—at least, if, indeed, after laying the matter before +the proper authorities, such a formality is deemed necessary," said +the girl, with a scornful inflection that cut her listener to the +quick.</p> + +<p>He grew deadly white, more at her contemptuous tones than her threat.</p> + +<p>"Edith—what can I say to win you?" he cried, after a momentary +struggle with himself. "I swear to you that I cannot—will not live +without you. I will be your slave—your lightest wish shall be my law, +if you will yield this point—come with me as my honored wife, and let +me, by my love and unceasing efforts, try to win even your friendly +regard. I know I have done wrong," he went on, assuming a tone and air +of humility; "I see it now when it is too late. I ask you to pardon +me, and let me atone in whatever way you may deem best. See!—I +kneel—I beg—I implore!"</p> + +<p>And suiting the action to the words, he dropped upon one knee before +her and extended his hands in earnest appeal to her.</p> + +<p>"In whatever way I may deem best you will atone?" she repeated, +looking him gravely in the face. "Then make a public confession of the +fraud of which you have been guilty, and give me my freedom."</p> + +<p>"Ah, anything but that—anything but that!" he exclaimed, flushing +consciously beneath her gaze.</p> + +<p>She moved back a pace or two from him, her lips curling with contempt.</p> + +<p>"Your appeal was but a wretched farce—it is worse than useless—it is +despicable," she said, with an accent that made him writhe like a +whipped cur.</p> + +<p>"Will nothing move you?" he passionately cried.</p> + +<p>"Nothing."</p> + +<p>"By Heaven! then I will meet you blade to blade!" he cried, furiously, +and springing to his feet, his eyes blazing with passion. "If +entreaties will not move<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> you—if neither bribes nor promises will +cause you to yield—we will try what lawful authority will do. I have +no intention of being made the laughing stock of the world, I assure +you; and, hereafter, I command that you conduct yourself in a manner +becoming the position which I have given you. In the first place, +then, to-morrow morning, you will breakfast in the dining-room with +the family—do you hear?"</p> + +<p>Edith had stood calmly regarding him during this speech; but, wishing +him to go on, if he had anything further to say, she did not attempt +to reply as he paused after the above question.</p> + +<p>"Immediately after breakfast," he resumed, with something less of +excitement, and not feeling very comfortable beneath her unwavering +glance, "we shall return to the city, and the following morning you +and I will start for St. Augustine, Florida—thence go to California +and later to Europe."</p> + +<p>The young girl straightened herself to her full height, and she had +never seemed more lovely than at that moment.</p> + +<p>"Monsieur Correlli," she said, in a voice that rang with an +irrevocable decision, "I shall never go to Florida with you, nor yet +to California, neither to Europe; I shall never appear anywhere with +you in public, neither will I ever break bread with you, at any table. +There, sir, you have my answer to your 'commands.' Now, let me pass."</p> + +<p>Without waiting to see what effect her remarks might have upon him, +she pushed resolutely by him and went swiftly upstairs to her room.</p> + +<p>The man gazed after her in undisguised astonishment.</p> + +<p>"By St. Michael! the girl has a tremendous spirit in that slight frame +of hers. She has always seemed such a sweet little angel, too—no one +would have suspected it. However, there are more ways than one to +accomplish my purpose, and I flatter myself that I shall yet conquer +her."</p> + +<p>With this comforting reflection, he sought his sister, to relate what +had occurred, and enlist her crafty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> talents in planning his next move +in the desperate game he was playing.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2> + +<h2>EDITH RESOLVES TO MEET HER ENEMIES WITH THEIR OWN WEAPONS.</h2> + + +<p>The morning following her interview with Emil Correlli, when Edith +attempted to leave her room to go down to breakfast, she found, to her +dismay, that her door had been fastened on the outside.</p> + +<p>An angry flush leaped to her brow.</p> + +<p>"So they imagine they can make me bend to their will by making a +prisoner of me, do they?" she exclaimed, with flashing eyes and +scornful lips. "We shall see!"</p> + +<p>But she was powerless just then to help herself, and so was obliged to +make the best of her situation for the present.</p> + +<p>Presently some one knocked upon her door, and she heard a bolt +moved—it having been placed there during the night. Then Mrs. Goddard +appeared before her, smiling a gracious good-morning, and bearing a +tray, upon which there was a daintily arranged breakfast.</p> + +<p>"We thought it best for you to eat here, since you do not feel like +coming down to the dining-room," she kindly remarked, as she set the +tray upon the table.</p> + +<p>Edith opened her lips to make some scathing retort; but, a bright +thought suddenly flashing through her mind, she checked herself, and +replied, appreciatively:</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Mrs. Goddard."</p> + +<p>The woman turned a surprised look upon her, for she had expected only +tears and reproaches from her because of her imprisonment.</p> + +<p>But Edith, without appearing to notice it, sat down and quietly +prepared to eat her breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Ah! she is beginning to come around," thought the wily woman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span></p> + +<p>But, concealing her secret pleasure at this change in her victim, she +remarked, in her ordinary tone:</p> + +<p>"We shall leave for the city very soon after breakfast, so please have +everything ready so as not to keep the horses standing in the cold."</p> + +<p>"Everything is ready now," said Edith, glancing at her trunk, which +she had locked just before trying the door.</p> + +<p>"That is well, and I will send for you when the carriage comes +around."</p> + +<p>Edith simply bowed to show that she heard, and then her companion +retired, locking the door after her, but marveling at the girl's +apparent submission.</p> + +<p>"There is no way to outwit rogues except with their own +weapons—cunning and deceit," murmured the fair prisoner, bitterly, as +she began to eat her breakfast. "I will be very wary and apparently +submissive until I have matured my plans, and then they may chew their +cud of defeat as long as it pleases them to do so."</p> + +<p>After finishing her meal she dressed herself for the coming drive, but +wondered why Mrs. Weld had not been up to see her, for, of course, she +must know that something unusual had happened, or that she was ill +again, since she had not joined her at breakfast.</p> + +<p>A little later she heard a stealthy step outside her door, and the +next moment an envelope was slipped beneath it into her room; then the +steps retreated, and all was still again.</p> + +<p>Rising, Edith picked up the missive and opened it, when another sealed +envelope, addressed to her, in a beautiful, lady-like hand, and +postmarked Boston, was revealed, together with a brief note hastily +written with a pencil.</p> + +<p>This latter proved to be from Mrs. Weld.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Dear Child," it ran, "I have been requested not to go to +you this morning, as you are particularly engaged, which, of +course, I understand as a command to keep out of the way. +But I want you to know that I mean to stand by you, and +shall do all in my power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> to help you. I shall manage to see +or write to you again in a day or two. Meantime, don't lose +heart.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f2">"Affectionately yours,</p> + +<p class="f3"><span class="smcap">"Gertrude Weld.</span></p> + +<blockquote><p>"P.S.—The inclosed letter came for you in last night's +mail. I captured it for you."</p></blockquote> + +<p>With an eager light in her eyes, Edith opened it and read:</p> + +<p class="f5">"Boston, Feb. —, 18—.</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Allen</span>:—I have learned of the wretched +deception that has been practiced upon you, and hasten to +write this to assure you that my previous offer of +friendship—when we met at the time of the accident to my +coachman—was not a mere matter of form. Again I say, if you +need a friend, come to me, and I will do my utmost to shield +you from those who have shown themselves your worst enemies, +and whom I know to be unworthy of the position which they +occupy in the social world. Come to me when you will, and I +promise to protect you from them. I cannot say more upon +paper.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f4">"Sincerely yours,</p> +<p class="f3"><span class="smcap">Isabel Stewart</span>."</p> + +<p>"How very kind, and yet how very strange!" murmured Edith, as she +refolded the letter. "I wonder who could have told her about that +wretched affair of Tuesday evening. I wonder, too, what she knows +about the Goddards, and if I had better accept her friendly offer."</p> + +<p>She reflected upon the matter for a few minutes, and then continued:</p> + +<p>"I think I will go to New York first, as I had planned, see what Mr. +Bryant can do for me, and ascertain the meaning of that strange +personal; then I think I will come back and ask her to take me as a +companion—for I do not believe that what I shall learn to my +financial advantage will amount to enough to preclude the necessity of +my doing something for my support. I suppose I ought to answer this +letter, though," she added, meditatively; "but I believe I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> shall not +dare to until I am safely away from Boston, for if my reply should +fall into the hands of any member of this family, my plans might be +frustrated."</p> + +<p>She carefully concealed both notes about her person, and then sat down +to await orders to go below.</p> + +<p>A little later Mrs. Goddard came to her and said they were about ready +to leave for the city, and requested her to go down into the hall.</p> + +<p>Edith arose with apparent alacrity, and madam noticed with an +expression of satisfaction that her bearing was less aggressive than +when they had last met.</p> + +<p>She followed Mrs. Goddard downstairs and seated herself in the hall to +await the signal for departure.</p> + +<p>Presently Mr. Goddard came in from outdoors.</p> + +<p>He started slightly upon seeing Edith, then paused and inquired kindly +if she was feeling quite well again.</p> + +<p>Edith thanked him, and briefly remarked that she was, when he startled +her by stooping suddenly and whispering in her ear:</p> + +<p>"Count upon me as your friend, my child; I promise you that I will do +all in my power to help you thwart your enemies."</p> + +<p>He waited for no answer, but passed quickly on and entered the +library.</p> + +<p>Edith was astonished, and while, for the moment, she was touched by +his unexpected offer of assistance, she at the same time distrusted +him.</p> + +<p>"I will trust myself and my fate with no one but Royal Bryant," she +said to herself, a flush of excitement rising to her cheek.</p> + +<p>A few minutes later the carriage was driven to the door—the snow +having become so soft they were obliged to return to the city on +wheels—when Mrs. Goddard came hurrying from the dining-room, where +she had been giving some last orders to the servants, and bidding +Edith follow her, passed out of the house and entered the carriage.</p> + +<p>Edith was scarcely seated beside her when Emil Correlli made his +appearance and settled himself opposite her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>The young girl flushed, but, schooling herself to carry out the part +which she had determined to assume for the present, made no other sign +to betray how distasteful his presence was to her.</p> + +<p>She could not, however, bring herself to join in any conversation, +except, once or twice, to respond to a direct question from madam, +although the young man tried several times to draw her out, until, +finally discouraged, he relapsed into a sullen and moody silence, +greatly to the disgust of his sister, who seemed nervously inclined to +talk.</p> + +<p>Upon their arrival in town, Mrs. Goddard remarked to Edith:</p> + +<p>"I have been obliged to take, for a servant, the room you used to +occupy, dear; consequently, you will have to go into the south chamber +for the present. Thomas," turning to a man and pointing to Edith's +trunk, "take this trunk directly up to the south chamber."</p> + +<p>Edith's heart gave a startled bound at this unexpected change.</p> + +<p>The "south chamber" was the handsomest sleeping apartment in the +house—the guest chamber, in fact—and she understood at once why it +had thus been assigned to her.</p> + +<p>It was intended that she should pose and be treated in every respect +as became the wife of madam's brother, and thus the best room in the +house had been set apart for her use.</p> + +<p>She knew that it would be both useless and unwise to make any +objections; the change had been determined upon, and doubtless her old +room was already occupied by a servant, to prevent the possibility of +her returning to it.</p> + +<p>Thus, after the first glance of surprise at madam, she turned and +quietly followed the man who was taking up her trunk.</p> + +<p>But, on entering the "south chamber," another surprise awaited her, +for the apartment had been fitted up with even greater luxury than +previous to their leaving for the country.</p> + +<p>The man unstrapped her trunk and departed, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> Edith looked around +her with a flushed and excited face.</p> + +<p>A beautiful little rocker, of carved ivory, inlaid with gold, was +standing in the bay-window overlooking the avenue, and beside it there +was an exquisite work-stand to match.</p> + +<p>An elegant writing-desk, of unique design, and furnished with +everything a lady of the daintiest tastes could desire, stood near +another sunny window. The inkstand, paper weight, and blotter were of +silver; the pen of gold, with a costly pearl handle.</p> + +<p>There were several styles of paper and envelopes, and all stamped in +gilt with a monogram composed of the initials E. C., and there was a +tiny box of filigree silver filled with postage stamps.</p> + +<p>It was an outfit to make glad the heart of almost any beauty-loving +girl; but Edith's eyes flashed with angry scorn the moment she caught +sight of the dainty monogram, wrought in gold, upon the paper and +envelopes.</p> + +<p>On the dressing-case there was a full set of toilet and manicure +utensils, in solid silver, and also marked with the same initials; +besides these there were exquisite bottles of cut glass, with gold +stoppers filled with various kinds of perfumery.</p> + +<p>Upon the bed there lay an elegant sealskin garment, which, at a +glance, Edith knew must have been cut to fit her figure, and beside it +there was a pretty muff and a Parisian hat that could not have cost +less than thirty dollars, while over the foot-board there hung three +or four beautiful dresses.</p> + +<p>"Did they suppose that they could buy me over—tempt me to sell myself +for this gorgeous finery?" the indignant girl exclaimed, in a voice +that quivered with anger. "They must think me very weak-minded and +variable if they did."</p> + +<p>But her curiosity was excited to see how far they had carried their +extravagant bribery; and, going back to the dressing-case, she drew +out the upper drawer.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding her indignation and scorn, she could not suppress a +cry of mingled astonishment and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> admiration at what she saw there, for +the receptacle contained the daintiest lingerie imaginable.</p> + +<p>There were beautiful laces, handkerchiefs, and gloves, suitable for +every occasion; three or four fans of costly material and exquisite +workmanship; a pair of pearl-and-gold opera glasses.</p> + +<p>More than this, and arranged so as to cunningly tempt the eye, there +were several cases of jewels—comprising pearls, diamonds, emeralds, +and rubies.</p> + +<p>It was an array to tempt the most obdurate heart and fancy, and Edith +stood gazing upon the lovely things with admiring eyes while, after a +moment, a little sigh of regret accompanied her resolute act of +shutting the drawer and turning the key in its lock.</p> + +<p>The second and third contained several suits of exquisite underwear of +finest material, and comprising everything that a lady could need or +desire in that line; in the fourth drawer there were boxes of silken +hose of various colors, together with lovely French boots and slippers +suitable for different costumes.</p> + +<p>"What a pity to spend so much money for nothing," Edith murmured, +regretfully, when she had concluded her inspection. "It is very +evident that they look upon me as a silly, vacillating girl, who can +be easily managed and won over by pretty clothes and glittering +baubles. I suppose there are girls whose highest ambition in life is +to possess such things, and to lead an existence of luxury and +pleasure—who would doubtless sell themselves for them; but I should +hate and scorn myself for accepting anything of the kind from a man +whom I could neither respect nor love."</p> + +<p>She gave utterance to a heavy sigh as she closed the drawer and turned +away from the dressing-case; not, however, because she longed to +possess the beautiful things she had seen, but in view of the +difficulties which might lie before her to hamper her movements in the +effort to escape from her enemies.</p> + +<p>"I suppose I must remain here for a few hours at least," she +continued, an expression of anxiety flitting over her face, "and if I +expect to carry out my plans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> successfully I must begin by assuming a +submissive role."</p> + +<p>She removed her hat and wraps, hanging them in a closet; then, going +to her trunk, she selected what few articles she would absolutely need +on her journey to New York, and some important papers—among them the +letters which her own mother had written—and after hastily making +them up into a neat package, returned them again to the trunk for +concealment, until she should be ready to leave the house.</p> + +<p>This done, she sat down by a window to await and meet, with what +fortitude she could command, the next act in the drama of her life.</p> + +<p>Not long after she heard a step in the hall, then there came a knock +on her door, and madam's voice called out:</p> + +<p>"It is only I, Edith; may I come in?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, come," unhesitatingly responded the girl, and Mrs. Goddard, her +face beaming with smiles and good nature, entered the room.</p> + +<p>"How do you like your new quarters, dear?" she inquired, searching +Edith's fair face with eager eyes.</p> + +<p>"Of course, everything is very beautiful," she returned, glancing +admiringly around the apartment.</p> + +<p>"And are you pleased with the additions to the furnishings?—the +chair, the work-table, and writing-desk?"</p> + +<p>"I have never seen anything more lovely," Edith replied, bending +forward as if to examine more closely the filigree stamp box on the +desk, but in reality to conceal the flush of scorn that leaped into +her eyes.</p> + +<p>"I knew you would like them," said madam, with a little note of +triumph in her voice; "they are exquisite, and Emil is going to have +them carefully packed, and take them along for you to use wherever you +stop in your travels. And the cloak and dresses—aren't they perfectly +elegant? The jewels, too, and other things in the dressing-case; have +you seen them?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have seen them all; but—but I am very sorry that so much +money should have been spent for me," Edith faltered, a hot flush, +which her companion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> interpreted as one of pleasure and gratified +vanity, suffusing her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"Oh, the money is of no account, if you are only happy," Mrs. Goddard +lightly remarked. "And now," she went on eagerly, "I want you to dress +yourself just as nicely as you can, and be ready, when the bell rings, +to come down to lunch, as it becomes—my sister. Will you, dear?" she +concluded, coaxingly. "Do, Edith, be reasonable; let us bury the +hatchet, and all be on good terms."</p> + +<p>"I—I do not think I can quite make up my mind to go down to lunch," +Edith faltered, with averted face.</p> + +<p>Madam frowned; she had begun to think her victory was won, and the +disappointment nettled her. But she controlled herself and remarked +pleasantly:</p> + +<p>"Well, then, I will send up your lunch, if you will promise to come +down and dine with us, will you?"</p> + +<p>Edith hesitated a moment; then, drawing a long breath, she remarked, +as if with bashful hesitancy:</p> + +<p>"I think, perhaps—I will go down later—by and by."</p> + +<p>"Now you are beginning to be sensible, dear," said madam, flashing a +covert look of exultation at her, "and Emil will be so happy. Put on +this silver-gray silk—it is so lovely, trimmed with white lace—and +the pearls; you will be charming in the costume. I am sorry I have to +go directly after lunch," she continued, regretfully, "but I have a +call to make, and shall not be back for a couple of hours; but Emil +will be here; so if you can find it in your heart to be a little kind +to him, just put on the gray silk—or anything else you may +prefer—and go down to him. May I tell him that you will?"</p> + +<p>"I will not promise—at least until after you return," murmured Edith, +in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Madam could have laughed in triumph, for she believed the victory was +hers.</p> + +<p>"Well, perhaps you would feel a trifle shy about it," she said, +good-naturedly, "it would be pleasanter and easier for you, no doubt, +if I were here, so I will come for you when I get back. Good-by, till +then."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> + +<p>And with a satisfied little nod and smile, madam left her and went +downstairs to tell her brother that his munificence had won the day, +and he would have no further trouble with a fractious bride.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2> + +<h2>A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER PAYS EDITH AN UNEXPECTED VISIT.</h2> + + +<p>Edith listened until she heard madam descend the stairs, when she +sprang to her feet in a fever of excitement.</p> + +<p>"Oh, how I hate myself for practicing even that much of deceit!" she +bitterly exclaimed; "to allow her to think for a moment that I have +been won over by those baubles. Although I told her no lie, I do +intend to go down by and by if I can see an opportunity to get out of +the house. But I did so long to stand boldly up and repudiate her +proposals and all these costly bribes. Dress myself in those things!" +she continued, with a scornful glance toward the bed; "make myself +look 'pretty and nice,' with the price of my self-respect, and then go +down to flaunt before the man who has grossly insulted me by assuming +that he could bribe me to submission! I would rather be clothed in +rags—the very sight of these things makes me sick at heart."</p> + +<p>She turned resolutely from them, and, drawing the stiffest and hardest +chair in the room to a window, sat down with her back to the +allurements around her and gazed out upon the street.</p> + +<p>She remained there until her lunch was sent up, when she ate enough to +barely satisfy her hunger, after which she went back to her post to +watch for the departure of Mrs. Goddard.</p> + +<p>The house stood upon a corner, and thus faced upon two streets—the +avenue in front, and at the side a cross-street that led through to +Beacon street. Thus,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> Edith's room being upon the front of the +mansion, she had a wide outlook in two directions.</p> + +<p>Not long after stationing herself at the window, she saw Mrs. Goddard +go out, and then she began to wonder how she could manage to make her +escape before her return.</p> + +<p>She knew that she was only a prisoner in the house, in spite of the +fact that her door was not locked; that Emil Correlli had been left +below simply to act as her keeper; and, should she make the slightest +attempt to escape, he would immediately intercept her.</p> + +<p>She could not get out of the house except by the front way, and to do +this she would have to pass down a long flight of stairs and by two or +three rooms, in any one of which Emil Correlli might be on the watch +in anticipation of this very proceeding.</p> + +<p>There was a back stairway; but as this led directly up from the area +hall, the door at the bottom was always carefully kept locked—the key +hanging on a concealed nail for fear of burglars; and Edith, knowing +this, did not once think of attempting to go out that way.</p> + +<p>While she sat by the window, trying to think of some way out of her +difficulties, her attention was attracted by the peculiar movements of +a woman on the opposite side of the street—it was the side street +leading through to Beacon.</p> + +<p>She was of medium height, richly clad in a long seal garment, but +heavily veiled, and she was leading a little child, of two or three +years, by the hand.</p> + +<p>But for her strange behavior, Edith would have simply thought her to +be some young mother, who was giving her little one an airing on that +pleasant winter afternoon. She appeared very anxious to shun +observation, dropping her head whenever any one passed her, and +sometimes turning abruptly around to avoid the gaze of the curious.</p> + +<p>She never entirely passed the house, but walked back and forth again +and again from the corner to a point opposite the area door near the +rear of the dwelling, while she eagerly scanned every window, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> if +seeking for a glimpse of some one whom she knew. Moreover, from time +to time, her eyes appeared to rest curiously upon Edith, whom she +could plainly perceive at her post above.</p> + +<p>For nearly half an hour she kept this up; then, suddenly crossing the +street, disappeared within the area entrance to the house, greatly to +the surprise of our fair heroine.</p> + +<p>"How very strange!" Edith remarked, in astonishment. "She is certainly +too richly clad to be the friend of any of the servants, and if she +desires to see Mrs. Goddard, why did she not go to the front entrance +and ring?"</p> + +<p>While she was pondering the singular incident, she saw the gas-man +emerge from the same door, and pass down the street toward another +house; then her mind reverted again to her own precarious situation, +and she forgot about the intruder and her child below.</p> + +<p>The house was very still—there was not even a servant moving about to +disturb the almost uncanny silence that reigned throughout it. It was +Thursday, and Edith knew that the housemaid and cook's assistant were +to have that afternoon out, which, doubtless, accounted in a measure +for the unusual quiet.</p> + +<p>But this very fact she knew would only serve to make any movement on +her part all the more noticeable, and while she was wondering how she +should manage her escape before the return of Mrs. Goddard, a slight +noise behind her suddenly warned her of the presence of another in the +room.</p> + +<p>She turned quickly, and a low cry of surprise broke from her as she +saw standing, just inside the door, the very woman whom, a few moments +before she had seen disappear within the area door of the house.</p> + +<p>She was now holding her child in her arms and regarding Edith through +her veil with a look of fire and hatred that made the girl's flesh +creep with a sense of horror.</p> + +<p>Putting the little one down on the floor, she braced herself against +the door and remarked, with a bitter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> sneer, but in a rich, musical +voice, and with a foreign accent:</p> + +<p>"Without doubt I am in the presence of Madam Correlli."</p> + +<p>Edith flushed crimson at her words.</p> + +<p>"I—I do not understand you," she faltered, filled with surprise and +dismay at being thus addressed by the veiled stranger.</p> + +<p>"I wish to see Madam Correlli," the woman remarked, in an impatient +and bitter tone. "I am sure I am not mistaken addressing you thus."</p> + +<p>"Yes, you are mistaken—there is no such person," Edith boldly +replied, determined that she would never commit herself by responding +to that hated name.</p> + +<p>"Are you not the girl whose name was Edith Allen?" demanded her +companion, sharply.</p> + +<p>"My name is Edith Allen—"</p> + +<p>She checked herself suddenly, for she had unwittingly come near +uttering the rest of it. She went a step or two nearer the woman, +trying to distinguish her features, which were so shadowed by the veil +she wore that she could not tell how she looked.</p> + +<p>"Ah! so you will admit your identity, but you will not confess to the +name by which I have addressed you. Why?" demanded the unknown +visitor, with a sneer.</p> + +<p>"Because I do not choose," said Edith, coldly. "Who are you, and why +have you forced yourself upon me thus?"</p> + +<p>"And you will also deny this?" cried the stranger, in tones of +repressed passion, but ignoring the girl's questions, as she pulled a +paper from her pocket and thrust under her eyes a notice of the +marriage at Wyoming.</p> + +<p>Edith grew pale at the sight of it, when the other, quick to observe +it, laughed softly but derisively.</p> + +<p>"Ah, no; you cannot deny that you were married to Emil Correlli, only +the night before last, in the presence of many, many people," she +said, in a hoarse, passionate whisper. "Do you think you can deceive +me? Do you dare to lie to me?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have no wish to deceive you. I would not knowingly utter a +falsehood to any one," Edith gravely returned. "I know, of course, to +what you refer; but"—throwing back her head with a defiant air—"I +will never answer to the name by which you have called me!"</p> + +<p>"Ha! say you so! And why?" eagerly exclaimed her companion, regarding +her curiously. "Can you deny that you went to the altar with Emil +Correlli?" she continued, excitedly. "That a clergyman read the +marriage service over you?—that you were afterward introduced to many +people as his wife?—and that you are now living under the same roof +with him, surrounded by all this luxury"—sweeping her eyes around the +room—"for which he has paid?"</p> + +<p>"No, I cannot deny it!" said Edith, with a weary sigh. "All that you +have read in that paper really happened; but—"</p> + +<p>"Aha! Well, but what?" interposed the woman, with a malicious sneer +that instantly aroused all Edith's spirit.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," she said, drawing herself proudly erect and speaking with +offended dignity, "but I cannot understand what right you, an utter +stranger to me, have to intrude upon me thus. Who are you, madam, and +why have you forced yourself here to question me in such a dictatorial +manner?"</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" The mirthless laugh was scarcely audible, but it was +replete with a bitterness that made Edith shiver with a nameless +horror. "Who am I, indeed? Let me assure you that I am one who would +never take the stand that you have just taken; who would never refuse +to be known as the wife of Emil Correlli, or to be called by his name +if I could but have the right to such a position. Look at me!" she +commanded, tearing the veil from her face. "We have met before."</p> + +<p>Edith beheld her, and was amazed, for it needed but a glance to show +her that she was the girl who had accosted Emil Correlli on the street +that afternoon when he had overtaken and walked home with her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> after +the singular accident and encounter with Mrs. Stewart.</p> + +<p>"Aha! and so you know me," the girl went on—for she could not have +been a day older than Edith herself, Although there were lines of care +and suffering upon her brilliant face—seeking the look of recognition +in her eyes; "you remember how I confronted him that day when he was +walking with you."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I remember; but—"</p> + +<p>"But that does not tell you who—or what I am, would perhaps be the +better way of putting it," said the stranger, with bitter irony. "Look +here; perhaps this will tell you better than any other form of +introduction," she added, almost fiercely, as, with one hand, she +snatched the cap off her child's head and then turned his face toward +Edith.</p> + +<p>The startled girl involuntarily uttered a cry of mingled surprise and +dismay, for, in face and form and bearing, she beheld—a miniature +Emil Correlli!</p> + +<p>For a moment she was speechless, thrilled with greater loathing for +the man than she had ever before experienced, as a suspicion of the +truth flashed through her brain.</p> + +<p>Then she lifted her astonished eyes to the woman, to find her +regarding her with a look of mingled curiosity, hatred, and triumph.</p> + +<p>"The boy is—his child?" Edith murmured at last, in an inquiring tone.</p> + +<p>A slow smile crept over the mother's face as she stood for a moment +looking at Edith—a smile of malice which betrayed that she gloried in +seeing that the girl at last understood her purpose in bringing the +little one there.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you see—you understand," she said, at last; "any one would know +that Correlli is his father."</p> + +<p>"And you—" Edith breathed, in a scarcely audible voice, while she +began to tremble with a secret hope.</p> + +<p>"I am the child's mother—yes," the girl returned, with a look of +despair in her dusky orbs.</p> + +<p>But she was not prepared for the light of eager joy that leaped into +Edith's eyes at this confession—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> new life and hope that swept +over her face and animated her manner until she seemed almost +transformed, from the weary, spiritless appearing girl she had seemed +on her entrance, into a new creature.</p> + +<p>"Then, of course, you are Emil Correlli's wife," she cried, in a glad +tone; "you have come to tell me this—to tell me that I am free from +the hateful tie which I supposed bound me to him? Oh, I thank you! I +thank you!"</p> + +<p>"You thank me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, a thousand times."</p> + +<p>"Ha! and you say the tie that binds you to him is hateful?" whispered +the strange woman, while she studied Edith's face with mingled wonder +and curiosity.</p> + +<p>"More hateful than I can express," said Edith, with incisive +bitterness.</p> + +<p>"And you do not—love him?"</p> + +<p>"Love him? Oh, no!"</p> + +<p>The tone was too replete with aversion to be doubted.</p> + +<p>"Ah, it is I who do not understand now!" exclaimed Edith's visitor, +with a look of perplexity.</p> + +<p>"Let me tell you," said the young girl, drawing nearer and speaking +rapidly. "I was Mrs. Goddard's companion, and quite happy and content +with my work until he—her villainous brother—came. Ah, perhaps I +shall wound you if I say more," she interposed, and breaking off +suddenly, as she saw her companion wince.</p> + +<p>"No, no; go on," commanded her guest, imperatively.</p> + +<p>"Well, Monsieur Correlli began to make love to me and to persecute me +with his attentions soon after he came here. He proposed marriage to +me some weeks ago, and I refused to listen to him—"</p> + +<p>"You refused him!"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, certainly; I did not love him; I would not marry any one +whom I could not love," Edith replied, with a little scornful curl of +her lips at the astonished interruption, which had betrayed that her +guest thought no girl could be indifferent to the charms of the man +whom she so adored.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"He was offended," Edith resumed, "and insisted that he would not take +my refusal as final. When I finally convinced him that I meant what I +had said, he and his sister plotted together to accomplish their +object, and make me his wife by strategy. Madam planned a winter +frolic at her country residence; she wrote the play of which you have +an account in that paper; she chose her characters, and it was +rehearsed to perfection. At the last moment, on the evening of its +presentation before her friends, she removed the two principal +characters—telling me that they had been called home by a +telegram—and substituted her brother and me in their places. She did +not even tell me who was to take the gentleman's place—she simply +said a friend; it was all done so hurriedly there was no time, +apparently, for explanations. And then—oh! it is too horrible to +think of!" interposed Edith, bringing her hands together with a +despairing gesture, "she had that ordained minister come on the stage +and legally marry us. From beginning to end it was all a fraud!"</p> + +<p>"Stop, girl! and swear that you are telling me the truth!" cried her +strange companion, as she stepped close to Edith's side, laid a +violent hand upon her arm, and searched her face with a look that must +have made her shrink and cower if she had been trying to deceive.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I would give the world if it were not true!" Edith exclaimed, +with an earnestness that could not be doubted—"if the last scene in +that drama had never been enacted, or if I could have been warned in +time of the treachery of which I was being made the victim!"</p> + +<p>"Suppose you had been warned!" demanded her guest, still clutching her +arm with painful force, "would you have dared refuse to do their +bidding?"</p> + +<p>"Would I have dared refuse?" exclaimed Edith, drawing herself +haughtily erect. "No power on earth could have made me marry that +man."</p> + +<p>"I don't know! I don't know! He is rich, handsome, talented," muttered +the other, regarding her suspiciously. "Will you swear that it was +fraud—that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> you did not know you were being married to him? Do not +try to lie to me," she went on, warningly. "I came here this afternoon +with a heart full of bitter hatred toward you; in my soul I believe I +was almost a murderess. But—if you also are the victim of a bad man's +perfidy, then we have a common cause."</p> + +<p>"I have told you only the truth," responded Edith, gravely. "Monsieur +Correlli was utterly repulsive to me, and I never could have consented +to marry him, under any circumstances. I know he is considered +handsome—I know he is rich and talented; but all that would be no +temptation to me—I could never sell myself for fortune or position. I +am very sorry if you have been made unhappy because of me," she went +on gently; "but I have not willfully wronged you in any way. And if +you have come here to tell me that you are Monsieur Correlli's wife, +you have saved me from a fate I abhorred—and I shall be—I am free! +and I shall bless you as long as I live!"</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2> + +<h2>"I WILL RISE ABOVE MY SIN AND SHAME!"</h2> + + +<p>Edith's strange visitor stood contemplating her with a look of mingled +perplexity and sadness.</p> + +<p>It was evident that she could not understand how any one could be glad +to renounce a man like Emil Correlli, with the fortune and position +which he could give the woman of his choice.</p> + +<p>The two made a striking tableau as they stood there facing each other, +with that beautiful child between them; for in style and coloring, +they were exactly the opposite of each other.</p> + +<p>Edith, so fair and slight, with her delicate features and golden hair, +her great innocent blue eyes, graceful bearing, and cultivated manner, +which plainly betrayed that she had been reared in an atmosphere of +gentleness and refinement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>The other was of a far different type, yet, perhaps, not less striking +and beautiful in her way.</p> + +<p>She was of medium height, with a full, voluptuous form, a complexion +of pale olive, with brilliantly scarlet lips, and eyes like "black +diamonds," and hair that had almost a purple tinge in its ebon masses; +her features, though far from being regular, were piquant, and when +she was speaking lighted into fascinating animation with every passing +emotion.</p> + +<p>"I shall be free!" Edith murmured again with a long-drawn sigh of +relief, "for of course you will assert your claim upon him, and"—with +a glance at the child—"he will not dare to deny it."</p> + +<p>"You are so anxious to be free? You would bless me for helping you to +be free?" repeated her companion, studying the girl's face earnestly, +questioningly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, yes; I was almost in despair when you came in," Edith replied, +shivering, and with starting tears; "now I begin to hope that my life +has not been utterly ruined."</p> + +<p>Her visitor flushed crimson, and her great black eyes flashed with +sudden anger.</p> + +<p>"My curse be upon him for all the evil he has done!" she cried, +passionately. "Oh! how gladly would I break the bond that binds you to +him, but—I have not the power; I have no claim upon him."</p> + +<p>Edith regarded her with astonishment.</p> + +<p>"No claim upon him?" she repeated, with another glance at the little +one who was gazing from one to another with wondering eyes.</p> + +<p>The mother's glance followed hers, and an expression of despair swept +over her face.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Holy Virgin, pity me!" she moaned, a blush of shame mantling her +cheeks.</p> + +<p>Then lifting her heavy eyes once more to Edith, she continued, +falteringly:</p> + +<p>"The boy is his and—mine; but—I have no legal claim upon him—I am +no wife."</p> + +<p>For a moment after this humiliating confession there was an unbroken +silence in that elegant room.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then a hot wave of sympathetic color flashed up to Edith's brow, while +a look of tender, almost divine, compassion gleamed in her lovely +eyes.</p> + +<p>For the time she forgot her own wretchedness in her sympathy for her +erring and more unfortunate sister—for the woman and the mother who +had been outraged beyond compare.</p> + +<p>At length she raised her hand and laid it half-timidly, but with +exceeding kindness, upon her shoulder.</p> + +<p>"I understand you now," she said, gently, "and I am very sorry."</p> + +<p>The words were very simple and commonplace; but the tone, the look, +and the gesture that accompanied them spoke more than volumes, and +completely won the heart of the passionate and despairing creature +before her for all time.</p> + +<p>They also proved too much for her self-possession, and, with a moan of +anguish, throwing herself upon her knees beside her child, she clasped +him convulsively in her arms and burst into a flood of weeping.</p> + +<p>"Oh! my poor, innocent baby! to think that this curse must rest upon +you all your life—it breaks my heart!" she moaned, while she +passionately covered his head and face with kisses. "They tell me +there is a God," she went on, hoarsely, as she again struggled to her +feet, "but I do not believe it—no God of love would ever create +monsters like Emil Correlli, and allow them to deceive and ruin +innocent girls, blackening their pure souls and turning them to fiends +incarnate! Yes, I mean it," she panted, excitedly, as she caught +Edith's look of horror at her irreverent and reckless expressions.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" she continued, eagerly. "Only three years ago I was a pure +and happy girl, living with my parents in my native land—fair, +beautiful, sunny Italy—"</p> + +<p>"Italy?" breathlessly interposed Edith, as she suddenly remembered +that she also had been born in that far Southern clime. Then she grew +suddenly pale as she caught the eyes of the little one gazing +curiously into her face, and also remembered that "the curse"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> which +his mother had but a moment before so deplored, rested upon her as +well.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily, she took his little hand, and lifting it to her lips, +imprinted a soft caress upon it, at which the child smiled, showing +his pretty white teeth, and murmured some fond musical term in +Italian.</p> + +<p>"You are an angel not to hate us both," said his mother, a sudden +warmth in her tones, a gleam of gratitude in her dusky eyes. "But were +you ever in Italy?" she added, curiously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, when I was a little child; but I do not remember anything about +it," said Edith, with a sigh. "Do not stand with the child in your +arms," she added, thoughtfully. "Come, sit here, and then you can go +on with what you were going to tell me."</p> + +<p>And, with a little sense of malicious triumph, Edith pulled forward +the beautiful rocker of carved ivory, and saw the woman sink wearily +into it with a feeling of keen satisfaction. It seemed to her like the +irony of fate that it should be thus occupied for the first time.</p> + +<p>She would have been only too glad to heap all the beautiful clothes, +jewels, and laces upon the woman also, but she felt that they did not +belong to her, and she had no right to do so. Taking her little one on +her knee, the young woman laid his head upon her breast, and swaying +gently back and forth, began her story.</p> + +<p>"My father was an olive grower, and owned a large vineyard besides, in +the suburbs of Rome. He was a man of ample means, and took no little +pride in the pretty home which he was enabled to provide for his +family. My mother was a beautiful woman, somewhat above him socially, +although I never knew her to refer to the fact, and I was their only +child.</p> + +<p>"Like many other fond parents who have but one upon whom to expend +their love and money, they thought I must be carefully reared and +educated—nothing was considered too good for me, and I had every +advantage which they could bestow. I was happy—I led an ideal life +until I was seventeen years<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> of age. When carnival time came around, +we all went in to Rome to join in the festivities, and there I met my +fate, in the form of Emil Correlli."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but I thought that he was a Frenchman!" interposed Edith, in +surprise.</p> + +<p>"His father was a Frenchman, but his mother was born and reared in +Italy, where, in Rome, he studied under the great sculptor, Powers," +her guest explained. Then she resumed: "We met just as we were both +entering the church of St. Peter's. He accidently jostled me; then, as +he turned to apologize, our eyes met, and from that moment my fate was +sealed. I cannot tell you all that followed, dear lady, it would take +too long; but, during the next three months it seemed to me as if I +were living in Paradise. Before half that time had passed, Emil had +confessed his love for me, and made an excuse to see me almost every +day. But my parents did not approve; they objected to his attentions; +his mother, they learned by some means, belonged to a noble family, +and 'lords and counts should not mate with peasants,' they said."</p> + +<p>"Then I made the fatal mistake of disobeying them and meeting my lover +in secret. Ah, lady," she here interposed with a bitter sigh, "the +rest is but the old story of man's deception and a maiden's blind +confidence in him; and when, all too late, I discovered my error, +there seemed but one thing for me to do, and that was to flee with him +to America, whither he was coming to pursue his profession in a great +city."</p> + +<p>"And—did he not offer to—to marry you before you came?" queried +Edith, aghast.</p> + +<p>"No; he pretended that he dared not—he was so well-known in Rome that +the secret would be sure to be discovered, he said, and then my father +would separate us forever; but he promised that when we arrived in New +York, he would make everything all right; therefore, I, still blindly +trusting him, let him lead me whither he would.</p> + +<p>"I was very ill during the passage, and for weeks following our +arrival, and so the time slipped rapidly by without the consummation +of my hopes, and though<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> he gave me a pleasant home and everything +that I wished for in the house where we lived, even allowing it to +appear that I was his wife, we had not been here long before I saw +that he was beginning to tire of me. I did everything I could to keep +his love, I studied tirelessly to master the language of the country, +and kept myself posted upon art and subjects which interested him +most, in order to make myself companionable to him. Time after time I +entreated him to fight the wrong he was doing me and another, who +would soon come either into the shelter of his fatherhood or to +inherit the stigma of a dishonored mother; but he always had some +excuse with which to put me off. At last this little one came"—she +said, folding the child more closely in her arms—"and I had something +pure and sweet to love, even though I was heart-broken over knowing +that a blight must always rest upon his life, and something to occupy +the weary hours which, at times, hung so heavily upon my hands. After +that Emil seemed to become more and more indifferent to me—there +would be weeks at a time that I would not see him at all; I used +sometimes to think that the boy was a reproach to him, and he could +not bear the stings of his own conscience in his presence."</p> + +<p>"Ah," interposed Edith, with a scornful curl of her red lips, "such +men have no conscience; they live only to gratify their selfish +impulses."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps; while those they wrong live on and on, with a never-dying +worm gnawing at their vitals," returned her companion, repressing a +sob.</p> + +<p>"At last," she resumed, "I began to grow jealous of him, and to spy +upon his movements. I discovered that he went a great deal to one of +the up-town hotels, and I sometimes saw him go out with a handsome +woman, whom I afterward learned was his sister—the Mrs. Goddard, who +lives here, and who visits New York several times every year. I did +not mind so much when I discovered the relationship between them, +although I suffered many a bitter pang to see how fond they were of +each other, while I was starving for some expression of his love.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This went on for nearly two years; then about two months ago, Emil +disappeared from New York, without saying anything to me of his +intentions, although he left plenty of money deposited to my account. +He was always generous in that way, and insisted that Ino must have +everything he wished or needed—I am sure he is fond of the child, in +spite of everything. By perseverance and ceaseless inquiry, I finally +learned that he had come to Boston, and I immediately followed him. I +am suspicious and jealous by nature, like all my people, and that day, +when I saw him walking with you, and looking at you just as he used to +look at me in those old delicious days in Italy, all the passion of my +nature was aroused to arms. Braving everything, I rushed over to him +and denounced him for his treachery to me, also accusing him of making +love to you."</p> + +<p>"And did it seem to you that I was receiving his attentions with +pleasure?" questioned Edith, with a repugnant shrug of her shoulders. +"I assure you he had forced his company upon me, and I only endured it +to save making a scene in the street."</p> + +<p>"I did not stop to reason about your appearance," said the woman; "at +least not further than to realize that you were very lovely, and just +the style of beauty to attract Emil; but he swore to me that you were +only the companion of his sister, and he had only met you on the +street by accident—that you were nothing to him. He asked me to tell +him where he could find me, and promised that he would come to me +later. He kept his word, and has visited me every few days ever since, +treating me more kindly than for a long time, but insisting that I +must keep entirely out of the way of his sister. And so it came upon +me like a deadly blow when I read that account of his marriage in +yesterday's paper. I was wrought up to a perfect frenzy, especially +when I came to the statement that Monsieur and Madam Correlli would +return immediately to Boston, but leave soon after for a trip South +and West, and ultimately sail for Europe. That was more than outraged +nature could bear, and I vowed that I would wreak a swift and sure +revenge upon you both, and so,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> for two days, I have haunted this +house, seeking for an opportunity to gain an entrance unobserved. I +saw you sitting at the window—I recognized you instantly. I believed, +of course, that you were a willing bride, and imagined that if I could +get in I should find you both in this room. While I watched my chance, +one of the servants came to the area door to let in the gas-man, and +carelessly left it ajar, while she went back with him into one of the +rooms. In a moment I was in the lower hall, looking for a back +stairway; if any one had found me I was going to beg a drink of water +for my child. There was a door there, but it was locked; but +desperation makes one keen, and I was not long in finding a key +hanging up on a nail beneath a window-sill. The next instant the door +was unlocked, and I on my way upstairs—"</p> + +<p>"And the key! oh! what did you do with the key?" breathlessly +interposed Edith, grasping at this unexpected chance to escape.</p> + +<p>"I have it here, lady," said her companion, as she produced it. "I +thought it might be convenient for me to go out the same way, so took +possession of it."</p> + +<p>"Ah, then the door to the back stairway is still unlocked?" breathed +Edith, with trembling lips.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I did not stop to lock it after me; I hurried straight up here, +but—expecting to have a very different interview from what I have +had," responded the woman, with a heavy sigh. "Now, lady, you have my +story," she continued, after a moment of silence, "you can see that I +have been deeply wronged, and though from a moral standpoint, I have +every claim upon Emil Correlli, yet legally, I have none whatever; +and, unless you can prove some flaw in that ceremony of night before +last—prove that he fraudulently tricked you into a marriage with him, +you are irrevocably bound to him."</p> + +<p>Edith shivered with pain and abhorrence at these last words, but she +did not respond to them in any way.</p> + +<p>"I came here with hatred in my heart toward you," the other went on, +"but I shall go away blessing you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> for your kindness to me; for, +instead of shrinking from me, as one defiled and too depraved to be +tolerated, you have held out the hand of sympathy to me and listened +patiently and pityingly to the story of my wrongs."</p> + +<p>As she concluded, she dropped her face upon the head of her child with +a weary, disheartened air that touched Edith deeply.</p> + +<p>"Will you tell me your name?" she questioned, gently, after a moment +or two of silence. "Pardon me," she added, flushing, as her companion +looked up sharply, "I am not curious, but I do not know how to address +you."</p> + +<p>"Giulia Fiorini. Holy Mother forgive me the shame I have brought upon +it!" she returned, with a sob. "I have called him"—laying her +trembling hand upon the soft, silky curls of her child—"Ino Emil."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Edith, "and for your confidence in me as well. You +have been greatly wronged; and if there is any justice or humanity in +law, this tie, which so fetters me, shall be annulled; then, +perchance, Monsieur Correlli may be persuaded to do what is right +toward you.</p> + +<p>"No, lady, I have no hope of that," said Giulia, dejectedly, "for when +a man begins to tire of the woman whom he has injured he also begins +to despise her, and to consider himself ill-used because she even +dares to exist."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps you would wish to repudiate him," suggested Edith, who felt +that such would be her attitude toward any man who had so wronged her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; much as I have suffered, I still love Emil, and would gladly +serve him for the remainder of my life, if he would but honor me with +his name; but I know him too well ever to hope for that—I know that +he is utterly selfish and would mercilessly set his heel upon me if I +should attempt to stand in the way of his purposes. There is nothing +left for me but to go back to my own country, confess my sin to my +parents, and hide myself from the world until I die."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but you forget that you have your child to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> rear and educate, his +mind and life to mold, and—try to make him a better man than his +father," said Edith, with a tender earnestness, which instantly melted +the injured girl to tears.</p> + +<p>"Oh, that you should have thought of that, when I, his mother, forget +my duty to him, and think only of my own unhappiness!" sobbed the +conscience-stricken girl, as she hugged the wondering child closer to +her breast. "Yesterday I told myself that I would send Ino to him, and +then end my misery forever."</p> + +<p>"Don't!" exclaimed Edith, sharply, her face almost convulsed with +pain. "Your life belongs to God, and—this baby. Live above your +trouble, Giulia; never let your darling have the pain and shame of +learning that his mother was a suicide. If you have made one mistake, +do not imagine that you can expiate it by committing another a +hundred-fold worse. Ah! think what comfort there would be in rearing +your boy to a noble manhood, and then hear him say, 'What I am my +mother has made me!'"</p> + +<p>She had spoken earnestly, appealingly, and when she ceased, the +unhappy woman seized her hand and covered it with kisses.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you have saved me!" she sobbed; "you have poured oil into my +wounds. I will do as you say—I will rise above my sin and shame; and +if Ino lives to be an honor to himself and the world, I shall tell him +of the angel who saved us both. I am very sorry for you," she added, +looking, regretfully, up at Edith; "I could almost lay down my life +for you now; but—Correlli is rich—very rich, and you may, perhaps, +be able to get some comfort out of life by—"</p> + +<p>Edith started to her feet, her face crimson.</p> + +<p>"What?" she cried, scornfully, "do you suppose that I could ever take +pleasure in spending even one dollar of his money? Look there!" +pointing to the elegant apparel upon the bed. "I found all those +awaiting me when I came here to-day. In the dressing-case yonder there +are laces, jewels, and fine raiment of every description, but I would +go in rags before I would make use of a single article. I loathe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> the +sight of them," she added, shuddering. "I should feel degraded, +indeed, could I experience one moment of pleasure arrayed in them."</p> + +<p>Suddenly she started, and looked at her watch, a wild hope animating +her.</p> + +<p>It was exactly quarter past two.</p> + +<p>A train left for New York, via the Boston & Albany Railroad, at three +o'clock.</p> + +<p>If she could reach the Columbus avenue station, which was less than +fifteen minutes' walk from Commonwealth avenue, without being missed, +she would be in New York by nine o'clock, and safe, for a time at +least, from the man she both hated and feared.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2> + +<h2>A SURPRISE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION.</h2> + + +<p>"Will you help me?" Edith eagerly inquired, turning to her companion, +who had regarded her wonderingly while she repudiated the costly gifts +which Emil Correlli had showered upon her.</p> + +<p>"How can I help you, lady?" Giulia inquired, with a look of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Call me Edith—I am only a poor, friendless girl, like yourself," she +gently returned. "But I want to go away from this house immediately—I +must get out of it unobserved; then I can catch a train that leaves +Boston at three o'clock, for New York."</p> + +<p>"Ah! you wish to run away from Emil!" exclaimed Giulia, her face +lighting with eagerness.</p> + +<p>"Yes—I would never own myself his wife for a single hour. I was +planning, when you came in, to get away to-night when the house was +quiet; but doubtless they would lock my door if I continued to be +obstinate, and it would be a great deal better for me, every way, if I +could go now," Edith explained.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I will help you—I will do anything you wish," said Giulia, +heartily.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then come!" exclaimed Edith, excitedly, "I want you to go down to +him; he is in one of the rooms below—in the library, I think—a room +under the one opposite this. He will be so astonished by your +unexpected visit that he will be thrown off his guard, and you must +manage to occupy his attention until you are sure I am well out of the +house—which will be in less than ten minutes after you are in his +presence—and then I shall have nothing more to fear from him."</p> + +<p>"I will do it," said the Italian girl, rising, a look of resolve on +her handsome but care-lined face.</p> + +<p>"Thank you! thank you!" returned Edith, earnestly. "I am going +straight to New York, to friends; but of course, you will not betray +my plans."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; but do you think your friends can help you break with +Emil—do you believe that ceremony can be canceled?" breathlessly +inquired Giulia.</p> + +<p>"I hope so," Edith gravely answered; "at all events, if I can but once +put myself under the protection of my friends, I shall no longer fear +him. I shall then try to have the marriage annulled. Perhaps, when he +realizes how determined I am, he may even be willing to submit to it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, do you think so?—do you think so?" cried Giulia, tremulously, +and with hopeful eagerness.</p> + +<p>"I will hope so," replied Edith, gravely, "and I will also hope that I +may be able to do something to make you and this dear child happy once +more. What a sweet little fellow he is!" she concluded, as she leaned +forward and kissed him softly on the cheek, an act which brought the +quick tears to his mother's eyes.</p> + +<p>Again she seized the girl's delicate hand and carried it to her lips.</p> + +<p>"Ah, to think! An hour ago I hated you!—now I worship you!" she +cried, in an impassioned tone, a sob bursting from her trembling lips.</p> + +<p>"You must go," said Edith, advancing to the door, and softly opening +it. "I have no time to lose if I am to catch my train. Remember, the +room under the one opposite this—you will easily find it. Now +good-by, and Heaven bless you both."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a look of deepest gratitude and veneration, Giulia Fiorini, her +child clasped in her arms, passed out of the room and moved swiftly +toward the grand staircase leading to the lower part of the house; +while Edith, closing and locking the door after her, stood listening +until she should reach the library, where she was sure Emil Correlli +sat reading.</p> + +<p>She heard the sweep of the girl's robes upon the stairs; then, a +moment later, a stifled exclamation of mingled surprise and anger fell +upon her ears, after which the library door was hastily shut, and +Edith began to breathe more freely.</p> + +<p>She hastened to put on her jacket, preparatory to leaving the house. +But an instant afterward her heart leaped into her throat, as she +caught the sound of the hurried opening and shutting of the library +door again.</p> + +<p>Then there came swift steps over the stairs.</p> + +<p>Edith knew that Emil Correlli was coming to ascertain if she were safe +within her room; that he feared if Giulia had succeeded in gaining an +entrance there, without being discovered, she might possibly have +escaped in the same way.</p> + +<p>She moved noiselessly across the room toward the dressing-case and +opened a drawer, just as there came a knock on her door.</p> + +<p>"Is that you, Mrs. Goddard?" Edith questioned, in her usual tone of +voice, though her heart was beating with great, frightened throbs.</p> + +<p>"No; it is I," responded Emil Correlli. "I wish to speak with you a +moment, Edith."</p> + +<p>"You must excuse me just now, Mr. Correlli," the girl replied, as she +rattled the stopper to one of the perfumery bottles on the +dressing-case; "I am dressing, and cannot see any one just at +present."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" returned the voice from without, in a modified tone, as if the +man were intensely relieved by her reply. "I beg your pardon; but when +can I see you—how long will it take you to finish dressing?"</p> + +<p>Edith glanced at the clock, and a little smile of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> triumph curled her +lips, for she saw that the hands pointed to half-past two.</p> + +<p>"Not more than fifteen or twenty minutes, perhaps," she returned.</p> + +<p>"Ah, you are relenting!" said the man, eagerly. "You will come down by +and by—you will dine with us this evening, Edith?" he concluded, in +an appealing tone.</p> + +<p>There was again a moment of hesitation on Edith's part, as if she were +debating the question with herself; but if he could have seen her +eyes, he would have been appalled by the look of fire and loathing +that blazed in them.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Correlli," she said at last, in a tone which he interpreted as +one of timid concession, "I—I wish to do what is right and—I think +perhaps I will come down as soon as I finish dressing."</p> + +<p>His face lighted and flushed with triumph.</p> + +<p>He believed that she was yielding—won over by the munificent gifts +with which he had crowded her room.</p> + +<p>"Ah! thank you! thank you!" he responded, with delight. "But take your +own time, dear, and make yourself just as beautiful as possible, and I +will come up for you in the course of half an hour."</p> + +<p>He flattered himself that he would be well rid of Giulia by that time; +and having assured himself that Edith was safe in her room, and, as he +believed, gradually submitting to his terms, he retraced his steps +downstairs, the cruel lines about his mouth hardening as he went, for +he had resolved to cast off forever the girl who had become nothing +but a burden and an annoyance to him.</p> + +<p>Edith did not move until she heard him enter the library again and +close the door after him.</p> + +<p>Then, hurriedly buttoning her jacket and pinning on her hat, she took +from her trunk the package which she had made up an hour before, stole +softly from her room and down the back stairs to the area hall.</p> + +<p>The outer door was closed and bolted—the gas-man having long since +finished his errand and departed—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> she could hear the cook and one +of the maids conversing in the kitchen just across the hall.</p> + +<p>Evidently no one had attempted to go upstairs since Giulia's entrance, +consequently the key had not yet been missed nor the door discovered +to be unlocked.</p> + +<p>Cautiously slipping the bolt to the street door, Edith quickly passed +out, closing it noiselessly after her.</p> + +<p>Another moment she was in the street, speeding with swift, light steps +across the park.</p> + +<p>Then, bending her course through Dartmouth street, she came to a +narrow, crooked way called Buckingham street, which led her directly +out upon Columbus avenue, when, turning to the left, she soon came to +the station known by the same name.</p> + +<p>Here she had ten minutes to wait, after purchasing her ticket, and the +uneasiness with which she watched the slowly moving hands upon the +clock in the gloomy waiting-room may be imagined.</p> + +<p>Her waiting was over at last, and, exactly on time, the train came +thundering to the station.</p> + +<p>Edith quickly boarded it, then sank weak and trembling upon the +nearest empty seat, her heart beating so rapidly that she panted with +every breath.</p> + +<p>Then the train began to move, and, with a prayer of thankfulness over +her escape, the excited girl leaned back against the cushion and gave +herself up to rest, knowing that she could not now be overtaken before +arriving in New York.</p> + +<p>This feeling of security did not last long, however, and she was +filled with dismay as she thought that Emil Correlli would doubtless +discover her flight in the course of half an hour, if he had not +already done so, when he would probably surmise that she would go +immediately to New York and so telegraph to have her arrested upon her +arrival there.</p> + +<p>This was a difficulty which she had not foreseen.</p> + +<p>What should she do?—how could she circumvent him? how protect herself +and defy his authority over her?</p> + +<p>A bright idea flashed into her mind.</p> + +<p>She would telegraph to Royal Bryant at the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> stop made by the +train, ask him to meet her upon her arrival, and thus secure his +protection against any plot that Emil Correlli might lay for her.</p> + +<p>The first stopping-place she knew was Framingham, a small town about +twenty miles from Boston.</p> + +<p>The first time the conductor came through the car she asked him for a +Western Union slip, when she wrote the following message and addressed +it to Royal Bryant's office on Broadway:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Shall arrive at Grand Central Station, via. B. & A. R. R., +at nine o'clock. Do not fail to meet me. Important.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f3">"<span class="smcap">Edith Allandale</span>."</p> + +<p>When the conductor came back again, she gave this to him, with the +necessary money, and asked if he would kindly forward it from +Framingham for her.</p> + +<p>He cheerfully promised to do so. Then, feeling greatly relieved, Edith +settled herself contentedly for a nap, for she was very weary and +heavy-eyed from the long strain upon her nerves and lack of sleep.</p> + +<p>She did not wake for more than three hours, when she found that +daylight had faded, and that the lamps had been lighted in the car.</p> + +<p>At New Haven she obtained a light lunch from a boy who was crying his +viands through the train, and when her hunger was satisfied she +straightened her hat and drew on her gloves, knowing that another two +hours would bring her to her destination.</p> + +<p>Then she began to speculate upon possible and impossible things, and +to grow very anxious regarding her safety upon her arrival in New +York.</p> + +<p>Perhaps Royal Bryant had not received her message.</p> + +<p>He might have left his office before it arrived; maybe the officials +at Framingham had even neglected to send it; or Mr. Bryant might have +been out of town.</p> + +<p>What could she do if, upon alighting from the train, some burly +policeman should step up to her and claim her as his prisoner?</p> + +<p>She had thus worked herself up to a very nervous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> and excited state by +the time the lights of the great metropolis could be seen in the +distance; her face grew flushed and feverish, her eyes were like two +points of light, her temples throbbed, her pulses leaped, and her +heart beat with great, frightened throbs.</p> + +<p>The train had to make a short stop where one road crossed another just +before entering the city, and the poor girl actually grew faint and +dizzy with the fear that an officer might perhaps board the train at +that point.</p> + +<p>Almost as the thought flashed through her brain, the car door opened +and a man entered, when a thrill of pain went quivering through every +nerve, prickling to her very finger-tips.</p> + +<p>A second glance showed her that it was a familiar form, and she almost +cried out with joy as she recognized Royal Bryant and realized that +she was—safe!</p> + +<p>He saw her immediately and went directly to her, his gleaming eyes +telling a story from his heart which instantly sent the rich color to +her brow.</p> + +<p>"Miss Allandale!" he exclaimed, in a low, eager tone, as he clasped +her outstretched hand. "I am more than glad to see you once again."</p> + +<p>"Then you received my telegram," she said, with a sigh of relief.</p> + +<p>"Yes, else I should not be here," he smilingly returned; "but I came +very near missing it. I was just on the point of leaving the office +when the messenger-boy brought it in. I suppose our advertisement is +to be thanked for your appearance in New York thus opportunely."</p> + +<p>"Not wholly," Edith returned, with some embarrassment. "If it had been +that alone which called me here, I need not have telegraphed you. I +saw it only yesterday; but my chief reason for coming hither is that I +am a fugitive."</p> + +<p>"A fugitive!" repeated her companion, in surprise. "Ah, yes, I +wondered a little over that word 'important' in your message. It +strikes me," he added, smiling significantly down upon her, "that you +left New York in very much the same manner."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> "Yes," she faltered, +flushing rosily.</p> + +<p>"From whom and what were you fleeing, Edith? Surely not from one who +would have been only too glad to shield you from every ill?" said the +young man, in a tenderly reproachful tone, the import of which there +was no mistaking.</p> + +<p>She shot one swift glance into his face and saw that his eyes were +luminous with the great love that was throbbing in his manly heart, +and with an inward start of exceeding joy she dropped her lids again, +but not before he had read in the look and the tell-tale flush that +flooded cheek, brow, and neck, that his affection was returned.</p> + +<p>"I will forgive you, dear, if you will be kind to me in the future," +he whispered, taking courage from her sweet shyness and bashfulness. +"And now tell me why you are a fugitive from Boston, for your telegram +was dated from that city."</p> + +<p>Thus recalled to herself, and a realization of her cruel situation, +Edith shivered, and a deadly paleness banished the rosy blushes from +her cheeks.</p> + +<p>"I will," she murmured, "I will tell you all about the dreadful things +that have happened to me; but not here," she added, with an anxious +glance around. "Will you take me to some place where I shall be safe?" +she continued, appealingly. "I have no place to go unless it is to +some hotel, and I shrink from a public house."</p> + +<p>"My child, why are you trembling so?" the young man inquired, as he +saw she was shaking from head to foot. "I am very glad," he added, +"that I was inspired to board the train at the crossing, and thus can +give you my protection in the confusion of your arrival."</p> + +<p>"I am glad, too; it was very thoughtful of you," said Edith, +appreciatively; "but—but I am also going to need your help again in a +legal way."</p> + +<p>He started slightly at this; but replied, cheerfully:</p> + +<p>"You shall have it; I am ready to throw myself heart and hand between +you and any trouble of whatever nature. Now about a safe place for you +to stay<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> while you are in the city. I have a married cousin who lives +on West Fortieth street; we are the best of friends and she will +gladly entertain you at my request, until you can make other +arrangements."</p> + +<p>"But to intrude upon an entire stranger—" began Edith, looking +greatly disturbed.</p> + +<p>"Nellie will not seem like a stranger to you, two minutes after you +have been introduced to her," the young man smilingly returned. "She +is the dearest, sweetest little cousin a man ever had, and she has an +equal admiration for your humble servant. She will thank me for +bringing you to her, and I am sure that you will be happy with her. +But why do you start so?—why are you so nervous?" he concluded, as +she sprang from her seat, when the train stopped, and looked wildly +about her.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid," she gasped.</p> + +<p>"Afraid of what?" he urged, with gentle persistence.</p> + +<p>"Of a man who has been persecuting me," she panted, the look of +anxious fear still in her eyes. "I ran away from him to-day, and I +have been afraid, all the way to New York, that he would telegraph +ahead of the train, and have me stopped—that was why I sent the +message to you."</p> + +<p>"I am very glad you did," said the young man, gravely. "But, Edith, +pray do not look so terrified; you are sure to attract attention with +that expression on your face. Calm yourself and trust me," he +concluded, as he took her hand and laid it upon his arm.</p> + +<p>"I do—I will," she said; but her fingers closed over his with a +spasmodic clasp which told him how thoroughly wrought up she was.</p> + +<p>"Have you a trunk?" he inquired, as they moved toward the door, the +train having now entered the Grand Central Station.</p> + +<p>"No; I left everything but a few necessary articles—I can send for it +later by express," she responded.</p> + +<p>The young man assisted her from the train, then replacing her hand +upon his arm, was about to signal for a carriage when they were +suddenly confronted by a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> policeman and brought to a halt in the most +summary manner.</p> + +<p>"Sorry to trouble you, sir," said the man, speaking in a business-like +tone to Mr. Bryant, "but I have orders to take this lady into +custody."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2> + +<h2>A SAD STORY DISCLOSED TO AN EAGER LISTENER.</h2> + + +<p>Royal Bryant was not very much surprised by this abrupt information +and interference with their movements.</p> + +<p>What Edith had said to him, just before getting out of the train, had +suggested the possibility of such an incident, consequently he was not +thrown off his guard, as he might otherwise have been.</p> + +<p>At the same time he flushed up hotly, and, confronting the officer +with flashing eyes, remarked, with freezing hauteur:</p> + +<p>"I do not understand you, sir. I think you have made a mistake; this +lady is under my protection."</p> + +<p>"But I have orders to intercept a person answering to this lady's +description," returned the policeman, but speaking with not quite his +previous assurance.</p> + +<p>"By whose orders are you acting, if I may inquire?" demanded the young +man.</p> + +<p>"A Boston party."</p> + +<p>"And the lady's name, if you please?"</p> + +<p>"No name is given, sir; but she is described as a girl of about +twenty, pure blonde, very pretty, slight and graceful in figure, +wearing a dark-brown dress and jacket and a brown hat with black +feathers. She will be alone and has no baggage," said the policeman, +reading from the telegram which he had received some two hours +previous.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant smiled loftily.</p> + +<p>"Your description hits the case in some respects, I admit," he +observed, with an appreciative glance at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> Edith, who stood beside him +outwardly calm and collected, though the hand that rested upon his arm +was tense with repressed emotion, "but in others it is wide of its +mark. You have her personal appearance, in a general way, and the +dress happens to correspond in everything but the hat. You will +observe that the lady wears a black hat with a scarlet wing instead of +a brown one with black feathers. She did not arrive alone, either, as +you perceive, we got off the train together."</p> + +<p>The officer looked perplexed.</p> + +<p>"What may your name be, sir, if you please?" he inquired, with more +civility than he had yet shown.</p> + +<p>"Royal Bryant, of the firm of Bryant & Co., Attorneys. Here is my +card, and you can find me at my office between the hours of nine and +four any day you may wish," the young man frankly returned, as he +slipped the bit of pasteboard into the man's hand.</p> + +<p>"And will you swear that you are not aiding and abetting this young +lady in trying to escape the legal authority of friends in Boston?" +questioned the policeman, as he sharply scanned the faces before him.</p> + +<p>"Ahem! I was not aware that I was being examined under oath," +responded the young lawyer, with quiet irony. "However, I am willing +to give you my word of honor, as a gentleman, that this lady is +accountable to no one in Boston for her movements."</p> + +<p>"Well, I reckon I have made a mistake; but where in thunder, then, is +the girl I'm after?" muttered the officer, with an anxious air.</p> + +<p>"Does your telegram authorize you to arrest a runaway from Boston?" +Mr. Bryant inquired, with every appearance of innocence.</p> + +<p>"Yes, a girl from the smart set, who don't want any scandal over the +matter," replied the man, referring again to the yellow slip in his +hand.</p> + +<p>"But she may not have come by the Boston and Albany line," objected +Mr. Bryant. "There are several trains that leave the city from +different stations about the same time; you may find your bird on a +later train, Mr. Officer," he concluded, in a reassuring tone.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is so," was the thoughtful response.</p> + +<p>"Then I suppose you will not care to detain us any longer," Mr. Bryant +courteously remarked. "Come, Edith," he added, turning with a smile to +his companion, and then he started to move on.</p> + +<p>"Hold on! I'm blamed if I don't think I'm right after all," said the +policeman, in a tone of conviction, as he again placed himself in +their path.</p> + +<p>Royal Bryant flashed a look of fire at him.</p> + +<p>"Have you a warrant for the lady's arrest?" he sternly demanded.</p> + +<p>"No; I am simply ordered to detain her until her friends can come on +and take charge of her," the man reluctantly admitted, while he heaved +a sigh for the fat plum that had been promised him in the event of his +"bagging his game."</p> + +<p>"Then, if you are not legally authorized in this matter, I would +advise you, as a friend, to make no mistake," gravely returned the +young lawyer. "You might heap up wrath for yourself; while, if your +patrons are anxious to avoid a scandal, you are taking the surest way +to create one by interfering with the movements of myself and my +companion. This young lady is my friend, and, as I have already told +you, under my protection; as her attorney, also, I shall stand no +nonsense, I assure you."</p> + +<p>"Beg pardon, sir; but I'm only trying to obey orders," apologized the +official. "But would you have the goodness to tell me this young +lady's name."</p> + +<p>At any other time and under any other circumstances Mr. Bryant would +have resented this inquiry as an impertinence; but it occurred to him +that an appearance of frankness and compliance might save them further +inconvenience.</p> + +<p>"Certainly," he responded, with the utmost cheerfulness, "this lady's +name is Miss Edith Allandale and she is the daughter of the late +Albert Allandale, of Allandale & Capen, bankers."</p> + +<p>"It is all right, sir," said the officer, at last convinced that he +had made a mistake, for Allandale & Capen had been a well-known firm +to him. "You can<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> go on," he added, touching his hat respectfully, +"and I beg pardon for troubling you."</p> + +<p>Without more ado he turned away, while Edith and her escort passed on, +but the frightened girl was now trembling in every limb.</p> + +<p>"Calm yourself, dear," whispered her companion, involuntarily using +the affectionate term, as he hastened to lead her into the fresh air. +"You are safe, and I will soon have you in a place where your enemies +will never think of looking for you."</p> + +<p>He beckoned to the driver of a carriage as he spoke, and in another +minute was assisting Edith into it; then, taking a seat beside her, he +gave the man his order, and as the vehicle moved away in the darkness, +the poor girl began to breathe freely for the first time since +alighting from the train.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant gave her a little time to recover herself, and then asked +her to tell him all her trouble.</p> + +<p>This she was only too glad to do; and, beginning with the death of her +mother, she poured out the whole story of the last three months to +him, dwelling mostly, however, upon the persecutions of Emil Correlli +and the climax to which they had recently attained.</p> + +<p>He listened attentively throughout, but interrupting her, now and +then, to ask a pertinent question as it occurred to him.</p> + +<p>"I was in despair," Edith finally remarked in conclusion, "until +yesterday, when, by the merest chance, my eye fell upon that +advertisement of yours and it flashed upon me that the best course for +me to pursue would be to come directly to New York and seek your aid; +I felt sure you would be as willing to help me as upon a previous +occasion."</p> + +<p>"Certainly I would—you judged me rightly," the young man responded, +"but"—bending nearer to her and speaking in a slightly reproachful +tone—"tell me, please, what was your object in leaving New York so +unceremoniously?"</p> + +<p>He felt the slight shock which went quivering through her at the +question, and smiled to himself at her hesitation before she replied:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I—I thought it was best," she faltered at last.</p> + +<p>"Why for the 'best'?—for you or for me? Tell me, please," he pleaded, +gently.</p> + +<p>"For—both," she replied in a scarcely audible tone that thrilled him +and made his face gleam with sudden tenderness.</p> + +<p>"I—you will pardon me if I speak plainly—I thought it very strange," +he remarked gravely. "It almost seemed to me as if you were fleeing +from me, for I fully expected that you would return to the office on +Thursday morning, as I had appointed. Had I done anything to offend +you or drive you away—Edith?"</p> + +<p>"No—oh, no," she quickly returned.</p> + +<p>"I am very glad to know that," said her companion, a slight +tremulousness in his tones, "for I have feared that I might have +betrayed my feelings in a way to wound or annoy you; for, Edith—I can +no longer keep the secret—I had learned to love you with all my heart +during that week that you spent in my office, and I resolved, on +parting with you at the carriage, the morning of your release, to +confess the fact to you as soon as you returned to the office, ask you +to be my wife and thus let me stand between you and the world for all +time. Nay,"—as Edith here made a little gesture as if to check +him—"I must make a full confession now, while I have the opportunity. +I was almost in despair when I received your brief note telling me +that you had left the city and without giving me the slightest clew to +your destination. All my plans, all my fond anticipations, were dashed +to the earth, dear. I loved you so I felt that I could not bear the +separation. I love you still, my darling—my heart leaped for joy this +afternoon when I received your telegram. And now, while I have you +here all to myself, I have dared to tell you of it, and beg you to +tell me if there is any hope for me? Can you love me in return!—will +you be my wife—?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, hush! you forget the wretched tie that binds me to that villain +in Boston," cried Edith, and there was such keen pain in her voice +that tears involuntarily<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> started to her companion's eyes, while at +the same time both words and tone thrilled him with sweetest hope.</p> + +<p>"No tie binds you to him, dear," he whispered, tenderly. "Do you think +I would have opened my heart to you thus if I had really believed you +to be the wife of another?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, do you mean that the marriage was not legal? Oh, if I could +believe that!" Edith exclaimed, with a note of such eager hope in her +tones that it almost amounted to the confession her lover had +solicited from her.</p> + +<p>But he yearned to hear it in so many words from her lips.</p> + +<p>"Tell me, Edith, if I can prove it to you, will there be hope for me?" +he whispered.</p> + +<p>Ought she to answer him as her heart dictated? Dare she confess her +love with that stigma of her mother's early mistake resting upon her? +she asked herself, in anguish of spirit.</p> + +<p>She sat silent and miserable, undecided what to do.</p> + +<p>If she acknowledged her love for him, without telling him, and he +should afterward discover the story of her birth, might he not feel +that she had taken an unfair advantage of him.</p> + +<p>And yet, how could she ever bring herself to disclose the shameful +secret of that sad, sad tragedy which had occurred twenty years +previous in Rome?</p> + +<p>"I—dare not tell you," she murmured at last.</p> + +<p>The young man started, then bent eagerly toward her.</p> + +<p>"You 'dare' not tell me!" he cried, joyfully. "Darling, I am answered +already! But why do you hesitate to open your heart to me?"</p> + +<p>A sudden resolve took possession of her; she would tell him the whole +truth, let come what might.</p> + +<p>"I will not," she said. "I have a sad story to tell you; but first, +explain to me what you meant when you said that no tie binds me to +that man?"</p> + +<p>"I meant that that marriage was simply a farce, in spite of the +sacrilegious attempt of your enemies to legalize it," said the young +lawyer, gravely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Can that be possible?" sighed Edith, her voice tremulous with joy.</p> + +<p>"I will prove it to you. You have told me that this man Correlli lived +with that Italian woman here in New York for two years or more."</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Do you know whether he allowed her to be known by his name?"</p> + +<p>"No; but she told me that he allowed her to appear as his wife in the +house where they lived."</p> + +<p>"Well, then, if that can be proven—and I have not much doubt about +the matter—the girl, by the laws of New York, which decree that if a +couple live together in this State as husband and wife, they are +such—this girl, I say, is the legal wife of Emil Correlli, +consequently he can lay no claim to you without making himself liable +to prosecution for the crime of bigamy."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" breathed Edith, and almost faint from joy, in view of +this blessed release from a fate which to her would have been worse +than death.</p> + +<p>"So sure, dear, that I have nothing to fear for your future, regarding +your connection with this man, and everything to hope for regarding +your happiness and mine, if you will but tell me that you love me," +her lover returned, as he boldly captured the hand that lay alluringly +near him.</p> + +<p>She did not withdraw it from his clasp.</p> + +<p>It was so sweet to feel herself beloved and safe, under the protection +of this true-hearted man, that a feeling of restfulness and content +swept over her, and for the moment every other was absorbed by this.</p> + +<p>Still, Royal Bryant realized that she had some reason for hesitating +to acknowledge her affection for him, and after a moment of silence he +said, gently:</p> + +<p>"Forgive my impatience, dear, and tell me the 'sad story' to which you +referred a little while ago."</p> + +<p>A heavy sigh escaped Edith.</p> + +<p>"You will be surprised to learn," she began, "that Mr. and Mrs. +Allandale were not my own parents—that I was their adopted daughter."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! I am surprised!" exclaimed Mr. Bryant.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I did not discover the fact, however," the young girl pursued, "until +the night after my mother's burial."</p> + +<p>And then she proceeded to relate all that had occurred in connection +with the box of letters which Mrs. Allandale had desired, when dying, +to be burned.</p> + +<p>She told of her subsequent examination of them, especially of those +signed "Belle," and the story which they had revealed. How the young +girl had left her home and parents to flee to Italy with the man whom +she loved; how she had discovered, later, that her supposed marriage +with him was a sham; how, soon after the birth of her child—Edith—her +husband had deserted her for another, leaving her alone and unprotected +in that strange land.</p> + +<p>She related how, in her despair, her mother had resolved to die, and +pleaded with her friend, Mrs. Allandale, to take her little one and +rear it as her own, thus securing to her a happy home and life without +the possibility of ever discovering the stigma attached to her birth +or the cruel fate of her mother.</p> + +<p>Royal Bryant listened to the pathetic tale without once interrupting +the fair narrator, and Edith's heart sank more and more in her bosom +as she proceeded, and feared that she was so shocking him by these +revelations that his affection for her would die with this expose of +her secret.</p> + +<p>But he still held her hand clasped in his; and when, at the conclusion +of her story, she gently tried to withdraw it, his fingers closed more +firmly over hers, when, bending still nearer to her, he questioned, in +fond, eager tones:</p> + +<p>"Was this the reason of your leaving New York so abruptly last +December?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Was it because you loved me and could not trust yourself to meet me +day after day without betraying the fact when you feared that the +knowledge of your birth might become a barrier between us? Tell me, my +darling, truly!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," Edith confessed; "but how could you guess<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> it—how could you +read my heart so like an open book?"</p> + +<p>The young man laughed out musically, and there was a ring of joyous +triumph in the sound.</p> + +<p>"'Tis said that 'love is blind,'" he said, "but mine was keen to read +the signs I coveted, and I believed, even when you were in your +deepest trouble, that you were beginning to love me, and that I should +eventually win you."</p> + +<p>"Why! did you begin to—" Edith began, and then checked herself in +sudden confusion.</p> + +<p>"Did I begin to plan to win you so far back as that?" he laughingly +exclaimed, and putting his own interpretation upon her half-finished +sentence. "My darling, I began to love you and to wish for you even +before your first day's work was done for me."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2> + +<h2>A NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED.</h2> + + +<p>"And now, love," the eager wooer continued, as he dropped the hand he +had been holding and drew the happy girl into his arms, "you will give +yourself to me—you will give me the right to stand between you and +all future care or trouble?"</p> + +<p>"Then you do not mind what I have just told you?" questioned Edith, +timidly.</p> + +<p>"Not in the least, only so far as it occasions you unhappiness or +anxiety," unhesitatingly replied the young man. "You are unscathed by +it—the sin and the shame belong alone to the man who ruined the life +of your mother. You are my pearl, my fair lily, unspotted by any +blight, and I should be unworthy of you, indeed, did I allow what you +have told me to prejudice me in the slightest degree. Now tell me, +Edith, that henceforth there shall be no barrier between us—tell me +that you love me."</p> + +<p>"How can I help it?" she murmured, as with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> flood of ineffable joy +sweeping into her soul she dropped her bright head upon his breast and +yielded to his embrace.</p> + +<p>"And will you be my wife?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, if it is possible—if I can be," she faltered. "Are you sure that +I am not already bound?"</p> + +<p>"Leave all that to me—do not fret, even for one second, over it," her +lover tenderly returned. Then he added, more lightly: "I am so sure, +sweetheart, that to-morrow I shall bring you a letter which will +proclaim to all whom it may concern, that henceforth you belong to +me."</p> + +<p>He lifted her face when he ceased speaking, and pressed his first +caress upon her lips.</p> + +<p>A little later he inquired:</p> + +<p>"And have you no clue to the name of your parents?"</p> + +<p>"No; all the clue that I have is simply the name of 'Belle' that was +signed to the letters of which I have told you," Edith replied, with a +regretful sigh.</p> + +<p>"It is perhaps just as well, dear, after all," said her lover, +cheerfully; "if you knew more, and should ever chance to meet the man +who so wronged your mother, it might cause you a great deal of +unhappiness."</p> + +<p>"I have not a regret on his account," said Edith, bitterly; "but I +would like to know something about my mother's early history and her +friends. I have only sympathy and love in my heart for her, in spite +of the fact that she erred greatly in leaving her home as she did, +and, worse than all, in taking her own life."</p> + +<p>"Poor little woman!" said Royal Bryant, with gentle sympathy; "despair +must have turned her brain—she was more sinned against than sinning. +But girls do not realize what a terrible mistake they are making when +they allow men to persuade them to elope, leave their homes and best +friends, and submit to a secret marriage. No man of honor would ever +make such proposals to any woman—no man is worthy of any pure girl's +love who will ask such a sacrifice on her part; and, in nine cases out +of ten, I believe nothing but misery results from such a step."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span></p> + +<p>"As in the case of poor Giulia Fiorini," remarked Edith, sadly. "But +maybe she will be somewhat comforted when she discovers that she is +Emil Correlli's legal wife."</p> + +<p>"I fear that such knowledge will be but small satisfaction to her," +her companion responded, "for if she should take measures to compel +him to recognize the tie, he would doubtless rebel against the +decision of the court; and, if she still loves him as you have +represented, he would make her very wretched. However, he can be +forced to make generous settlements, which will enable her to live +comfortably and educate her child."</p> + +<p>"And he will be entitled to his father's name, will he not?" inquired +Edith, eagerly; "that would comfort her more than anything else."</p> + +<p>"Yes, if he has ever acknowledged her as his wife, or allowed it to be +assumed that she was, the child is entitled to the name," returned her +lover. Then, as the carriage stopped, he added: "But here we are, my +darling and I am sure you must be very weary after your long journey."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am tired, but very, very happy," the fair girl replied, +looking up into his face with a sigh of content.</p> + +<p>He smiled fondly upon her as he led her up the steps of a modest but +pretty house, between the draperies at the windows of which there +streamed a cheerful light.</p> + +<p>"Well, we will soon have you settled in a cozy room where you can rest +to your heart's content," he remarked, and at the same time touching +the electric button by his side.</p> + +<p>"Really, Mr. Bryant, I cannot help feeling guilty to intrude upon an +entire stranger at this time of night," Edith observed, in a troubled +tone.</p> + +<p>"You need not, dear, for I assure you Nellie will be delighted; +but"—bending over her with a roguish laugh—"Mr. Bryant does not +enjoy being addressed with so much formality by his fiancee. The name +I love best—Roy—my mother gave me when I was a boy, and I want +always to hear it from your lips after this."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span></p> + +<p>A servant admitted them just at that moment, and upon responding to +Mr. Bryant's inquiry, said that Mrs. Morrell was at home, and ushered +them at once to her pretty parlor.</p> + +<p>Presently the young hostess—a lady of perhaps twenty-five years—made +her appearance and greeted her cousin With great cordiality.</p> + +<p>"You know I am always glad to see you, Roy," she said, giving him both +her hands and putting up her red lips for a cousinly kiss.</p> + +<p>"I know you always make a fellow feel very welcome," said the young +man, smiling. "And, Nellie, this is Miss Edith Allandale; she has just +arrived from Boston, and I am going to ask you to receive her as your +guest for a few days," he concluded, thus introducing Edith.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Morrell turned smilingly to the beautiful girl.</p> + +<p>"Miss Allandale is doubly welcome, for her own sake, as well as +yours," was her gracious response, as she clasped Edith's hand, and if +she experienced any surprise at thus having an utter stranger thrust +upon her hospitality at that hour, she betrayed none, but proceeded at +once to help her remove her hat and wraps.</p> + +<p>Tears sprang to the eyes of the homeless girl at this cordial +reception, and her lips quivered with repressed emotion as she thanked +the gentle lady for it.</p> + +<p>"What was that Roy was saying—that you have come from Boston this +afternoon?" queried Mrs. Morrell, hastening to cover her embarrassment +by changing the subject. "Then you must be nearly famished, and you +must have a lunch before you go to rest."</p> + +<p>"Pray, do not trouble yourself—" Edith began.</p> + +<p>"Please let me—I like such 'trouble,' as you are pleased to term it," +smilingly interposed the pretty hostess; and with a bright nod and a +hurried "excuse me," she was gone before Edith could make further +objections.</p> + +<p>"Nellie is the most hospitable little woman in the universe," Mr. +Bryant remarked, as the door closed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> after her; "she is never so happy +as when she is feeding the hungry or making somebody comfortable."</p> + +<p>Fifteen minutes later she reappeared, a lovely flush on her round +cheeks, her eyes bright with the pleasure she experienced in doing a +kind act for the young stranger, toward whom she had been instantly +attracted.</p> + +<p>"Come, now," she said, holding out a hand to her, "and I know Roy will +join us—he never yet refused a cup of tea of my own brewing."</p> + +<p>"You are right, Nellie," smilingly replied that gentleman; "and I +believe I am hungry, in spite of my hearty dinner at six o'clock. A +ride over the pavements of New York will prepare almost any one for an +extra meal. I only hope you have a slice of Aunt Janes's old-fashioned +gingerbread for me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Morrell laughed out musically at this last remark.</p> + +<p>"I never dare to be without it," she retorted, "for you never fail to +ask for it. This cousin of mine, Miss Allandale, is always hungry when +he comes to see me, and is never satisfied to go away without his +slice of gingerbread. Perhaps," she added, shooting a roguish glance +from one face to the other, for she had been quick to fathom their +relations, "you will some time like to have mamma's recipe for it."</p> + +<p>A conscious flush mantled Edith's cheek at this playful thrust, while +the young lawyer gave vent to a hearty laugh of amusement in which a +certain joyous ring betrayed to the shrewd little woman that she had +not fired her shot amiss.</p> + +<p>Then she led them into her home-like dining-room, where a table was +laid for three, and where, over a generous supply of cold chicken, +delicious bread and butter, home-made preserves, and the much lauded +gingerbread, the trio spent a social half-hour, and Edith felt a sense +of rest and content such as she had not experienced since leaving her +Fifth avenue home, more than two years previous.</p> + +<p>As soon as the meal was finished, Mrs. Morrell, who saw how weary and +heavy-eyed the fair girl appeared,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> remarked to her cousin, with a +pretty air of authority, that she was "going to carry her guest off +upstairs to bed immediately."</p> + +<p>"You stay here until I come back, Roy," she added. "Charlie was +obliged to go out upon important business, and I shall be glad of your +company for a while."</p> + +<p>"Very well, Nellie! I will stay for a little chat, for I have +something important which I wish to say to you."</p> + +<p>As he concluded he darted a smiling glance at Edith, which again +brought the lovely color to her cheeks and revealed to her the nature +of the important communication that he intended to make to his cousin.</p> + +<p>She bade him a smiling good-night, and then gladly accompanied her +hostess above, for she was really more weary than she had +acknowledged.</p> + +<p>When Mrs. Morrell returned to the parlor, Roy related to her something +of Edith's history, and also confessed his own relationship toward +her, while the little woman listened with an absorbed attention which +betrayed how thoroughly she enjoyed the romance of the affair.</p> + +<p>"She is lovely!" she remarked, "and"—with a thoughtful air—"it seems +to me as if I have heard the name before. Edith Allandale!—it sounds +very familiar to me. Why, Roy! she was one of Sister Blanche's +classmates at Vassar, and she has her picture in her class album!"</p> + +<p>"That is a singular coincidence!" the young man observed, no less +surprised at this revelation, "and it makes matters all the more +pleasant for me to learn that she is not wholly unknown to the +family."</p> + +<p>"And you mean to marry her very soon?" inquired his cousin.</p> + +<p>"Just as soon as I can settle matters with that rascal in Boston to +her satisfaction," responded the young man, with a gleam of fire in +his eyes. "I do not apprehend any serious trouble about the affair; +still, it may take longer than I wish."</p> + +<p>"And may I keep her until then?" eagerly inquired Mrs. Morrell.</p> + +<p>"Nellie! that is like your kind, generous heart!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> exclaimed the young +man, gratefully; "and I thank you from the bottom of mine. But, of +course, that will have to be as Edith herself decides, while this +business which I have in charge for her may interfere with such an +arrangement."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you mean in connection with the strange gentleman who has been +searching for her."</p> + +<p>"Yes. But I must go now; it is getting late, and I have a couple of +letters to write yet. Take good care of my treasure, Nellie, and I +will run in as early to-morrow as possible to see you both."</p> + +<p>He kissed her affectionately, then bade her good-night and hurried +away to his rooms at his club; while pretty Mrs. Morrell went back to +her parlor, after letting him out, to await her husband's return, and +to think over the romantic story to which she had just listened with +deep interest.</p> + +<p>There had been so much of a personal and tender nature to occupy their +minds that Mr. Bryant had not thought to tell Edith anything about the +circumstances that had led him to advertise in various papers for +intelligence of her.</p> + +<p>Some three weeks previous, a gentleman, of about fifty years, and +calling himself Louis Raymond, had presented himself in his office, +and inquired if he could give him any information regarding the late +Albert Allandale's family.</p> + +<p>He stated that he had spent most of his life abroad, but, his health +beginning to fail, he had decided to return to his own country.</p> + +<p>He had been quite ill since his arrival, and he began to fear that he +had not long to live, and it behooved him to settle his affairs +without further delay.</p> + +<p>He stated that he had no relatives or family—he had never married; +but, being possessed of large wealth, he wished to settle half of it +upon Mrs. Allandale, if she could be found, or, if she was not living, +upon her children. The remaining half he designed as a legacy to a +certain charitable institution in the city.</p> + +<p>He stated that he had been searching for the Allandales for several +weeks; he had learned of Mr. Allan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>dale's financial troubles and +subsequent death, but could get no trace whatever of the other members +of the family. He was wearied out with his search, and now wished to +turn the matter over to some one stronger than himself, and better +versed in conducting such affairs.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bryant could not fail to regard it as a singular coincidence that +this business should have been thrown into his hands, especially as he +was also so anxious to find Edith; and it can well be understood that +he at once entered into the gentleman's plans with all his heart and +soul.</p> + +<p>He, of course, related all he knew of her history, and when he spoke +of Mrs. Allandale's death he was startled to see his client grow +deathly white and become so unnerved that, for a moment, he feared the +shock would prove more than he could sustain.</p> + +<p>But he recovered himself after a few moments.</p> + +<p>"So she is gone!" he murmured, with a look in his eyes that told the +secret of a deathless but unrequited love. "Well, Death's scythe +spares no one, and perhaps it is better so. But this girl—her +daughter," he added, rousing himself from his sad reflections; "we +must try to find her."</p> + +<p>"We will do our utmost," said the young lawyer, with a heartiness +which betrayed the deep interest he felt in the matter. "As I have +told you, I have not the slightest knowledge of her whereabouts, but +think she may possibly be in Boston. Her letter to me, written just +previous to her departure, gave me not the slightest clew to her +destination. She promised to write to a woman who had been kind to +her, and I arranged with her to let me know when she received a +letter; but I have never seen her since—I once went to the house +where she lived, but she had moved, and no one could tell me anything +about her."</p> + +<p>It may be as well to state here that shortly after Edith left New +York, poor Mrs. O'Brien fell and broke her leg. She was taken to a +hospital, and her children put into a home, consequently she never +received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> Edith's letter, which was of course addressed to her old +residence.</p> + +<p>"I think our wisest course will be to advertise," the young lawyer +pursued; "and if we do not achieve our end in that way, we can adopt +other measures later on."</p> + +<p>"Well, sir, do your best—I don't mind expense; and if the young lady +can be found, I have a story to tell her which I think will deeply +interest her," the gentleman returned. "If we should not be successful +in the course of a few weeks, I will make a settlement upon her, to be +left, with some other papers, in your hands for a reasonable period, +in the event of my death. But if all your efforts prove unavailing, +the money will eventually go, with the rest, to the institution I have +named."</p> + +<p>Thus the matter had been left, and Mr. Bryant had immediately +advertised, as we have seen, in several New York and Boston papers.</p> + +<p>Three weeks had elapsed without any response, and Royal Bryant was +beginning to be discouraged when he was suddenly made jubilant by +receiving the telegram which Edith had written on the train after +leaving Boston.</p> + +<p>Thus, after leaving the house of his cousin, he repaired to his club, +where he wrote a letter to his client, Mr. Raymond, telling him that +Miss Allandale was found, and asking him to meet him at his office at +as early an hour the following morning as possible.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2> + +<h2>AN EXCITING INTERVIEW AND AN APPALLING DISCOVERY.</h2> + + +<p>We must now transport ourselves to Boston, in order to find out how +Edith's flight was discovered, and what effect it produced in the +Goddards' elegant home on Commonwealth avenue.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> + +<p>Emil Correlli had been seated in the handsome library, reading a +society novel, when his sister went out to make her call, leaving him +as guard over their prisoner above.</p> + +<p>He had been much pleased with the report which she brought him from +Edith, namely, that she believed she was yielding, and would make her +appearance at dinner; at the same time he did not allow himself for a +moment to become so absorbed in his book as to forget that he was on +the watch for the slightest movement above stairs.</p> + +<p>He and Mrs. Goddard had agreed that it would be wise not to make the +girl a prisoner within her room, lest they antagonize her by so doing.</p> + +<p>But while they appeared to leave her free to go out or come in, they +intended to guard her none the less securely, and thus Monsieur +Correlli kept watch and ward below.</p> + +<p>He knew that Edith could not leave the house by the front door without +his knowing it, and as he also knew that the back stairway door was +locked on the outside, he had no fear that she would escape that way.</p> + +<p>He, had not reckoned, however, upon the fact of an outsider entering +by means of the area door and going upstairs, thus leaving that way +available for Edith; and Giulia Fiorini had accomplished her purpose +so cleverly and so noiselessly that no one save Edith dreamed of her +presence in the house.</p> + +<p>The two girls had carried on their conversation in such subdued tones +that not a sound could be heard by any one below, and thus Emil +Correlli was taken entirely by surprise when there came a gentle knock +upon the half-open library door to interrupt his reading.</p> + +<p>"Come in," he called out, thinking it might be one of the servants.</p> + +<p>But when the door was pushed wider, and a woman entered, bearing a +child in her arms, the astonished man sprang to his feet, an angry +oath leaping to his lips, and every atom of color fading out of his +face.</p> + +<p>"Giulia?" he exclaimed, under his breath.</p> + +<p>"Papa! papa!" cried the child, clapping his little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> hands, as he +struggled out of his mother's arms, and ran toward him.</p> + +<p>He took no notice of the child, but frowningly demanded, as he faced +the girl:</p> + +<p>"How on earth did you ever get into this house?"</p> + +<p>"By a door, of course," laconically responded the intruder, but with +crimson cheeks and blazing eyes, for the man's rude manner had aroused +all her spirit.</p> + +<p>"Well, and what do you want?" he cried, angrily; then, with a violent +start, he added, nervously: "Wait; sit down, and I will be back in a +moment."</p> + +<p>It had occurred to him that if Giulia had been able to gain admittance +to the house without his hearing her, Edith might find it just as easy +to make her escape from it.</p> + +<p>So, darting out of the room, he ran swiftly upstairs, to ascertain, as +we have seen, if his captive was still safe.</p> + +<p>We know the result, and how adroitly Edith allayed his suspicions; +whereupon, wholly reassured regarding her, he returned to the library +to settle, once for all, as he secretly resolved, with his discarded +plaything.</p> + +<p>"Well, Giulia," he began, as he re-entered her presence, "what has +brought you here? what is your business with me?"</p> + +<p>"I have come to ascertain if this is true, and what you have to say +about it," she answered, as she brought forth the newspaper which she +had shown Edith, and pointed to the article relating to the wedding at +Wyoming.</p> + +<p>The man tried to smile indifferently, but his eyes wavered beneath her +blazing glance.</p> + +<p>"Well, what of it?" he at last questioned, assuming a defiant air; +"what if it is true?"</p> + +<p>"Is it true?" she persisted; "have you really married that girl?"</p> + +<p>"And what if I have?" he again questioned, evasively.</p> + +<p>"I want the truth from your own lips—yes or no, Emil Correlli."</p> + +<p>"Well, then—yes," he said, with a flash of anger.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You own it—you dare own it to me, and—in the presence of your +child?" almost shrieked the outraged woman.</p> + +<p>"Stop, Giulia!" commanded her companion, sternly. "I will have no +scene here to create a scandal among the servants. I intended to see +you within a day or two; but, since you have sought me, we may as well +at once come to an understanding. Did you think that you could hold me +all my life? A man in my position must have a home in which to receive +his friends, also a mistress in it to entertain them—"</p> + +<p>"Have you forgotten all your vows and promises to me?" interposed +Giulia, in tremulous tones; "that you swore everlasting fidelity to +me?"</p> + +<p>"A man vows a great many things that he finds he cannot fulfill," was +the unfeeling response. "Surely, Giulia, you must realize that neither +your birth nor education could entitle you to such a position as my +wife must occupy."</p> + +<p>"My birth was respectable, my education the best my country afforded," +said the girl, with white lips. "Had you no intention of marrying me +when you enticed me from my home to cross the ocean with you?"</p> + +<p>"No."</p> + +<p>The monosyllable seemed to fall like a heavy blow upon the girl's +heart, for she shivered, and her face was distorted with agony.</p> + +<p>"Oh, had you no heart? Why did you do such a fiendish thing?" she +cried.</p> + +<p>"Because you were pretty and agreeable, and I liked pleasant company. +I have been accustomed to have whatever I wished for all my life."</p> + +<p>"And you never loved me?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, for nearly three years I was quite fond of you—really, +Giulia, I consider that I have been as faithful to you as you could +expect."</p> + +<p>"Oh, wretch! but you love this other girl more?"</p> + +<p>"It would be worse than useless to attempt to deceive you on that +point," said the man, his whole face softening at this mention of +Edith.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You lied to me, then, Emil Correlli!" cried the miserable woman, +hoarsely; "you swore to me that the girl was nothing to you—that she +was simply your sister's companion."</p> + +<p>"And I simply told you the truth," he retorted. "She was nothing to me +at that time; she was 'only my sister's companion.' However," he +added, straightening himself haughtily, "there is no use in wrangling +over the matter any further. I married Edith Allen the night before +last, and henceforth she will be the mistress of my home. I confess it +is a trifle hard on you, Giulia," he continued, speaking in a +conciliatory tone, "but you must try to be sensible about it. I will +settle a comfortable annuity upon you, and you can either go back to +your parents or make a pleasant home for yourself somewhere in this +country."</p> + +<p>"And what of this boy?" questioned the discarded girl, laying her +trembling hand upon the head of her child, who was looking from one to +the other, a wondering expression on his young face.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli's lips twitched spasmodically for a moment. He would +never have confessed it to a human being, but the little one was the +dearest object the world held for him.</p> + +<p>"I will provide handsomely for his future," he said, after considering +for a minute. "If you will give him up to me he shall be reared as +carefully as any gentleman's son, and, when he attains a proper age, I +will establish him in some business or profession that will enable him +to make his mark in the world."</p> + +<p>"You would take him away from me to do this?" Giulia exclaimed, as she +passionately caught her darling to her breast.</p> + +<p>"That would be necessary, in order to carry out my purpose as I wish," +the man coldly replied.</p> + +<p>"Never! You are a monster in human form to suggest such a thing. Do +you think I would ever give him up to you?"</p> + +<p>"Just as you choose," her companion remarked, indifferently. "I have +made you the proposition, and you can accept or reject it as you see +fit, but if I take<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> him, I cannot have his future hampered by any +environments or associations that would be likely to mar his life."</p> + +<p>"Coward!" the word was thrown at him in a way that stung him like a +lash, "do you dare twit me for what you alone are to blame? Where is +your honor—where your humanity? Have you forgotten how you used every +art to persuade me to leave the shelter of my pleasant home—the +protection of my honest father and mother, to come hither with you? +how you promised, by all that was sacred, to make me your wife if I +would do your bidding? What I am you have made me—what this child is, +you are responsible for. Ah, Emil Correlli, you have much to answer +for, and the day will yet come when you will bitterly repent these +irreparable wrongs—"</p> + +<p>"Come, come Giulia! you are getting beside yourself with your tragic +airs," her companion here interposed, in a would-be soothing tone. +"There is no use working yourself up into a passion and running on +like this. What has been done is done, and cannot be changed, so you +had best make the most of what is left you. As I said before, I will +give you a handsome allowance, and, if you will keep me posted +regarding your whereabouts, I will make you and the boy a little visit +now and then."</p> + +<p>The girl regarded him with flashing eyes and sullen brow.</p> + +<p>"You will live to repent," she remarked, as she gathered the child up +in her arms and arose to leave the room, "and before this day is ended +your punishment shall begin; you shall never know one moment of +happiness with the girl whom you have dared to put in my place."</p> + +<p>"Bah! all this is idle chatter, Giulia," said Emil Correlli, +contemptuously; nevertheless, he paled visibly, and a cold chill ran +over him, for somehow her words impressed him as a prophecy.</p> + +<p>"What! are you going in such a temper as that?" he added, as she +turned toward the door. "Well, when you get over it, let me hear from +you occasionally."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Never fear; you will hear from me oftener than you will like," she +flashed out at him, with a look that made him cringe, as she laid her +hand upon the knob of the door.</p> + +<p>"Stay, Giulia! Aren't you going to let me have a word with Ino? Here, +you black-eyed little rascal, haven't you anything to say to your +daddy?" he added, in a coaxing tone to the child.</p> + +<p>"Mamma, may I talk to papa?" queried the little one, turning a +pleading glance upon his mother.</p> + +<p>"By the way," interposed the man, before she could reply, "you must +put a stop to the youngster calling me that; it might be awkward, you +see, if we should happen to meet some time upon the street. I like the +little chap well enough, but you must teach him to keep his mouth shut +when he comes near me."</p> + +<p>"Who taught him the name?" sharply retorted Giulia. "Who boasted how +bright and clever he was the first time he uttered the English word?"</p> + +<p>Her listener flushed hotly and frowned.</p> + +<p>"Your tongue is very sharp, Giulia," he said. "It would be more to +your advantage to be upon good terms with me."</p> + +<p>She made no reply, but, opening the door, passed out into the hall, he +following her.</p> + +<p>"As you will," he curtly said; then added, imperatively: "Come this +way," and, leading her to the front door, he let her quietly out, glad +to be rid of her before the butler or any of the other servants could +learn of her presence in the house.</p> + +<p>He watched her pass down the steps and out upon the street, then, +softly closing the door, went back to the library.</p> + +<p>He threw himself into a chair with a long-drawn sigh.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid she means mischief," he muttered, with a frown. "I must +get Edith away as soon as possible; I would not have them meet for +anything. What a little vixen the girl is, curse her!"</p> + +<p>He glanced at the clock.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was five minutes of three, and twenty-fire since he went up to +Edith's room.</p> + +<p>"It is about time she came down," he mused, with a shrug of +impatience.</p> + +<p>He arose and paced the room for a few moments, then passed out into +the hall and listened.</p> + +<p>The house was very still; he could not detect a sound anywhere.</p> + +<p>He went slowly upstairs, walked up and down the hall once or twice, +then rapped again upon Edith's door.</p> + +<p>There was no response from within.</p> + +<p>He knocked again.</p> + +<p>Still silence!</p> + +<p>He tried the door.</p> + +<p>It was not locked; it yielded to his touch, and he pushed it open.</p> + +<p>A quick glance around showed him that no one was there, and with a +great heart-throb of fear he boldly entered.</p> + +<p>Everything was exactly as he had left it when, the day before, he had +so carefully arranged the room for the girl's comfort and pleasure.</p> + +<p>The beautiful dresses hung over the foot-board of the bed—not even a +fold had been disturbed—while the elegant sealskin cloak and the +dainty hat and muff lay exactly as he had placed them, to display them +to the best advantage.</p> + +<p>The veins swelled out hard and full on his forehead—a gleam of +baffled rage leaped into his eyes.</p> + +<p>He sprang to the closet, throwing wide the door.</p> + +<p>It was empty.</p> + +<p>"She may have gone to the toilet-room," he muttered, grasping at this +straw of hope.</p> + +<p>He dashed across the hall and rapped upon the door.</p> + +<p>But he met with no response.</p> + +<p>He entered. The place was empty.</p> + +<p>Back into the south chamber he sprang again, and began to search for +Edith's hats and wraps.</p> + +<p>Not an article of her clothing was visible.</p> + +<p>He tried to open her trunk.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of course it was locked.</p> + +<p>He was now white as death, and actually shaking with anger.</p> + +<p>He went to the dressing-case and mechanically opened the upper drawer.</p> + +<p>All the costly treasures that he had purchased to tempt his bride lay +there, exactly as he had placed them; he doubted if she had even seen +them.</p> + +<p>With a curse on his lips he went out, and looked into every other room +on that floor; but it was, of course, a fruitless search.</p> + +<p>Then he turned into the rear hall and went down the back stairs.</p> + +<p>Ah! the door at the bottom was ajar.</p> + +<p>Another moment he was in the lower hall, to find the area door +unfastened; then he knew how his bird had flown.</p> + +<p>He instantly summoned the servants, and took them to task for their +negligence.</p> + +<p>Both the cook and the chambermaid avowed that no one but the gas-man +had entered or gone out by the area door that afternoon.</p> + +<p>But, upon questioning them closely, Emil Correlli ascertained that the +outer door had been left unfastened "just a moment, while the man went +to the meter, to take the figures."</p> + +<p>A close search revealed the fact that the key to the stairway door was +missing, and, putting this and that together, the keen-witted man +reasoned out just what had happened.</p> + +<p>He believed that Giulia had stolen in through the area door close upon +the heels of the gas-man; that she had found the key, unlocked the +stairway-door, and made her way up to the library to seek an interview +with him—he did not once suspect her of having seen Edith—while +Edith, upon reconnoitering and finding the back way clear, had taken +advantage of the situation and flown.</p> + +<p>He was almost frantic with mingled rage and despair.</p> + +<p>He angrily berated the servants for their careless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span>ness, and vowed +that he would have them discharged; then, having exhausted his +vocabulary upon them, he went back to the library, wrathfully cursing +Giulia for having forced herself into his presence to distract his +attention, and thus allow his captive an opportunity to escape.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Goddard returned about this time, both looking as if they +also had met with some crushing blow, for the former was white and +haggard, and the latter wild-eyed, and shivering from time to time, as +if from a chill.</p> + +<p>Both were apparently too absorbed in some trouble of their own to feel +very much disturbed by the flight of Edith, although Mr. Goddard's +face involuntarily lighted for an instant when he was told of her +escape.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli flew to the nearest telegraph office and dashed off a +message to a New York policeman, with whom he had had some dealings +while living in that city, giving him a description of Edith, and +ordering him, if he could lay his hands upon her, to telegraph back, +and then detain her until he could arrive and relieve him of his +charge.</p> + +<p>He reasoned—and rightly, as we have seen—that Edith, would be more +likely to return to her old home, where she knew every crook and turn, +rather than to seek refuge in Boston, where she was friendless and a +comparative stranger.</p> + +<p>A few hours later he received a reply from the policeman, giving him +an account of his adventure with Miss Edith Allandale and her escort.</p> + +<p>"By heavens, she shall not thus escape me!" he exclaimed; and at once +made rapid preparations for a journey.</p> + +<p>Half an hour afterward he was on the eleven o'clock express train, in +pursuit of the fair fugitive, in a state of mind that was far from +enviable.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h2>MRS. GODDARD BECOMES AN EAVESDROPPER.</h2> + + +<p>When, after her interview with Edith, Mrs. Goddard went out to make +her call, leaving her brother to keep watch and ward over their fair +captive, she proceeded with all possible speed to the Copley Square +Hotel, where she inquired for Mrs. Stewart.</p> + +<p>The elevator bore her to the second floor, and the pretty maid, who +answered her ring at the door of the elegant suite to which she had +been directed, told her that her mistress was engaged just at present, +but, if madam would walk into the reception-room and wait a while, she +had no doubt that Mrs. Stewart would soon be at liberty. "Would madam +be kind enough to give her a card to take in?"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Goddard pretended to look for her card-case, first in one pocket +of her wrap, then in another.</p> + +<p>"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I must have left my cards at home! How +unfortunate! But it does not matter," she added, with one of her +brilliant smiles; "I am an old acquaintance, and you can simply +announce me when I am admitted."</p> + +<p>The girl bowed and went away, leaving the visitor by herself in the +pretty reception-room, for she had been told not to disturb her +mistress until she should ring for her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Goddard looked curiously around her, and was impressed with the +elegance of everything in the apartment.</p> + +<p>Exquisite paintings and engravings graced the delicately tinted walls; +choice statuettes, bric-a-brac, and old-world curios of every +description, which she knew must have cost a small fortune even in the +countries where they were produced, were artistically arranged about +the room.</p> + +<p>There was also an air of refinement and rare taste in the draperies, +carpets, and blending of color, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> proclaimed the occupant of the +place to be above the average lady in point of culture and +appreciation of all that was beautiful.</p> + +<p>Impressed with all this, and looking back to her meeting with Mrs. +Stewart, on the evening of the ball at Wyoming—remembering her beauty +and grace, and the elegance of her costume, madam's heart sank within +her, and she seemed to age with every passing moment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, to think of it!—to think of it, after all these years! I will +not believe it!" she murmured, with white, trembling lips, as she +arose and nervously paced the room.</p> + +<p>Presently the sound of muffled voices in a room beyond attracted her +attention.</p> + +<p>She started and bent her ear to listen.</p> + +<p>She could catch no word that was spoken, although she could +distinguish now a man's and then a woman's tones.</p> + +<p>With stealthy movements she glided into the next room, which was even +more luxuriously furnished than the one she had left, when she +observed that the portieres, draping an arch leading into still +another apartment, were closely drawn.</p> + +<p>And now, although she could not hear what was being said, she suddenly +recognized, with a pang of agony that made her gasp for breath, the +voice of her husband in earnest conversation with the woman who had +been her guest two nights previous.</p> + +<p>As noiselessly as a cat creeps after her prey, Anna Goddard stole +across that spacious apartment and concealed herself among the +voluminous folds of the draperies, where she found that she could +easily hear all that was said.</p> + +<p>"You are very hard, Isabel," she heard Gerald Goddard remark, in a +reproachful voice.</p> + +<p>"I grant you that," responded the liquid tones of his companion, "as +far as you and—that woman are concerned, I have no more feeling than +a stone."</p> + +<p>At those words, "that woman," spoken in accents of supreme contempt, +the eyes of Anna Goddard began to blaze with a baneful gleam.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And you will never forgive me for the wrong I did you so long ago?" +pleaded the man, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean by that word 'forgive?'" coldly inquired Mrs. +Stewart.</p> + +<p>"Pardon, remission—as Shakespeare has it, 'forgive and quite forget +old faults,'" returned Gerald Goddard, in a voice tremulous with +repressed emotion.</p> + +<p>"Forget!" repeated the beautiful woman, in a wondering tone.</p> + +<p>"Ah, if you could," eagerly cried her visitor; then, as if he could +control himself no longer, he went on, with passionate vehemence: "Oh, +Isabel! when you burst upon me, so like a radiant star, the other +night, and I realized that you were still in the flesh, instead of +lying in that lonely grave in far-off-Italy—when I saw you so grandly +beautiful—saw how wonderfully you had developed in every way, all the +old love came back to me, and I realized my foolish mistake of that +by-gone time as I had never realized it before."</p> + +<p>Ah! if the man could have seen the white, set face concealed among the +draperies so near him—if he could have caught the deadly gleam that +shone with tiger-like fury in Anna Goddard's dusky eyes—he never +would have dared to face her again after giving utterance to those +maddening words.</p> + +<p>"It strikes me, Mr. Goddard, that it is rather late—after twenty +years—to make such an acknowledgment to me," Isabel Stewart retorted, +with quiet irony.</p> + +<p>"I know it—I feel it now," he responded, in accents of despair. "I +know that I forfeited both your love and respect when I began to yield +to the charms and flatteries of Anna Correlli. She was handsome, as +you know; she began to be fond of me from the moment of our +introduction; and when, in an unguarded moment, I revealed the—the +fact that you were not my wife, she resolved that she would supplant +you—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, 'the woman—she gavest me and I did eat,'" interposed his +companion, with a scathing ring of scorn in the words. "That is always +the cry of cowards like you, when they find themselves worsted by +their own folly," she went on, indignantly. "Woman must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> always bear +the scorpion lash of blame from her betrayer while the world also +awards her only shame and ostracism from society, if she yields to the +persuasive voice of her charmer, admiring and believing in him and +allowing him to go unsmirched by the venomous breath of scandal. It is +only his victim—his innocent victim oftentimes, as in my case—who +suffers; he is greeted everywhere with open arms and flattering +smiles, even though he repeats his offenses again and again."</p> + +<p>"Isabel! spare me!"</p> + +<p>"No, I will not spare you," she continued, sternly. "You know, Gerald +Goddard, that I was a pure and innocent girl when you tempted me to +leave my father's house and flee with you to Italy. You were older +than I, by eight years; you had seen much of the world, and you knew +your power. You cunningly planned that secret marriage, which you +intended from the first should be only a farce, but which, I have +learned since, was in every respect a legal ceremony—"</p> + +<p>"Ha! I thought so!" cried her companion, with a sudden shock. "When +did you hear?—who told you?"</p> + +<p>"I met your friend, Will Forsyth, only two years ago—just before my +return to this country—and when I took him to task for the shameful +part which he had played to assist you in carrying out your +ignominious plot, telling him that you had owned to his being +disguised as an aged minister to perform the sacrilegious ceremony, he +confessed to me that, at the last moment, his heart had failed him, +whereupon he went to an old clergyman, a friend of his father, +revealed everything, and persuaded him to perform the marriage in a +legal manner; and thus, Gerald Goddard, I became your lawful wife +instead of your victim, as you supposed."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it. Forsyth afterward sent me the certificate and +explained everything to me," the man admitted, with a guilty flush. "I +received the paper about a year after the report of your death."</p> + +<p>"Ah! that could not have been very gratifying to—your other—victim," +remarked Mrs. Stewart, with quiet sarcasm.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Isabel! you are merciless!" cried the man, writhing under her scorn. +"But since you have learned so much, I may as well tell you +everything. Of course Anna was furious when she discovered that she +was no wife, for I had sworn to her that there was no legal tie +between you and me—"</p> + +<p>"Ah! then she also learned the truth!" interposed his companion. "I +almost wonder you did not try to keep the knowledge from her."</p> + +<p>"I could not—she was present when the document arrived, and the shock +to me was so great I betrayed it, and she insisted upon knowing what +had caused it, when she raved like an insane person, for a time."</p> + +<p>"But I suppose you packed her by being married over again, since you +have lived with her for nearly twenty years," remarked Mrs. Stewart.</p> + +<p>"No, I did not," returned her visitor, hotly. "To tell the truth, I +had begun to tire of her even then—she was so furiously jealous, +passionate, and unreasonable upon the slightest pretext that at times +she made life wretched for me. So I told myself that so long as I held +that certificate as proof that she had no legal hold upon me, I should +have it in my power to manage her and cow her into submission when she +became ungovernable by other means. I represented to her that, to all +intents and purposes, we were man and wife, and if we should have the +ceremony repeated, after having lived together so long, it would +create a scandal, for some one would be sure to find it out, sooner or +later. For a time this appeared to pacify her; but one day, during my +absence from home, she stole the certificate, although I thought I had +concealed it where no one would think of looking for it. It has been +in her possession ever since. I have tried many times to recover it; +but she was more clever than I, and I never could find it, while she +has always told me that she would never relinquish it, except upon one +condition—"</p> + +<p>"And that was—what?"</p> + +<p>"Ever the same old demand—that I would make her legally my wife."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But she never could have been that so long as I lived," objected Mrs. +Stewart.</p> + +<p>"True; but she would have been satisfied with a repetition of the +ceremony, as we did not know that you were living."</p> + +<p>"If you have been so unhappy, why have you lived with her all these +years?"</p> + +<p>The man hesitated for a moment before replying to this question. At +length he said, although he flushed scarlet over the confession:</p> + +<p>"There have been several reasons. In spite of her variable moods and +many faults, Anna is a handsome and accomplished woman. She entertains +magnificently, and has made an elegant mistress for our establishment. +We have been over the world together several times, and are known in +many cities both in this country and abroad, consequently it would +have occasioned no end of scandal if there had been a separation. +Thus, though she has tried my patience sorely at times, we have +perhaps, on the whole, got along as amicably as hundreds of other +couples. Besides—ahem!—"</p> + +<p>The man abruptly ceased, as if, unwittingly, he had been about to say +something that had better be left unsaid.</p> + +<p>"Well—besides what?" queried his listener.</p> + +<p>"Doubtless you will think it rather a humiliating confession to make," +said Gerald Goddard, with a crestfallen air, "but during the last few +years I have lost a great deal of money in unfortunate speculation, +so—I have been somewhat dependent upon Anna in a financial way."</p> + +<p>"Ah! I understand," remarked Mrs. Stewart, her delicate nostrils +dilating scornfully at this evidence of a weak, ease-loving nature, +that would be content to lean upon a rich wife, rather than be up and +doing for himself, and making his own way in the world. "Are you not +engaged with your profession?"</p> + +<p>"No; Anna has not been willing, for a long time, that I should paint +for money."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span></p> + +<p>"And so your talents are deteriorating for want of use."</p> + +<p>The scorn in her tones stung him keenly, and he flushed to his +temples.</p> + +<p>"You do not appear to lack for the luxuries of life," he retorted, +glancing about the elegant apartment, with a sullen air, but ignoring +her thrust.</p> + +<p>"No, I have an abundance," she quietly replied; but evidently she did +not deem it necessary to explain how she happened to be so favored.</p> + +<p>"Will you explain to me the mystery of your existence, Isabel?" Mr. +Goddard inquired, after an awkward silence. "I cannot understand it—I +am sometimes tempted to believe that you are not Isabel, after all, +but some one else who—"</p> + +<p>"Pray disabuse yourself of all such doubts," she quickly interposed, +"for I assure you that I am none other than that confiding but +misguided girl whom you sought to lure to her destruction twenty years +ago. If it were necessary, I could give you every detail of our life +from the time I left my home until that fatal day when you deserted me +for Anna Correlli."</p> + +<p>"But Anna claims that she saw you dead in your casket."</p> + +<p>A slight shiver shook the beautiful woman from head to foot at this +reference to the ghastly subject.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know it—"</p> + +<p>"You know it!" exclaimed the man, amazed.</p> + +<p>"Exactly; but I will tell you the whole story, and then you will no +longer have any doubt regarding my identity," Mrs. Stewart remarked. +"After you left Rome with Anna Correlli, and I realized that I had +been abandoned, and my child left to the tender mercies of a world +that would not hesitate to brand her with a terrible stigma, for which +her father alone was to blame, I resolved that I would not live. +Grief, shame, and despair for the time rendered me insane, else I, who +had been religiously reared, with a feeling of horror for the +suicide's end, would never have dared to meditate taking the life that +belonged to God. I was not so bereft of sense, however, but that my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +motherhood inspired me to make an effort to provide for my little one, +and I wrote an earnest appeal to my old schoolmate and friend, Edith +Allandale, who, I knew, would shortly be in Rome, asking her to take +the child and rear her as her own—"</p> + +<p>"What! Then you did not try to drown the child as well as yourself!" +gasped Gerald Goddard, in an excited tone.</p> + +<p>"No; had I done so, I should never have lived to tell you this story," +said the woman, tremulously. "But wait—you shall learn everything, as +far as I know, just as it happened. Having written my appeal, which I +felt sure would be heeded, I took my baby to the woman who had nursed +me, told her that I had been suddenly called away, and asked her to +care for her until my return. She readily promised, not once +suspecting that a stranger would come for her in my place, and that it +was my purpose never to see her again. From the moment of my leaving +the woman's house—that last straw of surrendering my baby was more +than my heart and brain could bear—everything, with one exception, +was a blank to me until I awoke to consciousness, five weeks later, to +find myself being tenderly cared for in the home of a young man, who +was spending the winter in Rome for his health. His sister—a lovely +girl, a few years his senior—was with him, acting both as his nurse +and physician, she having taken her degree in a Philadelphia medical +college, just out of love for the profession. And she it was who had +cared for me during my long illness. She told me that her brother was +in the habit of spending a great deal of his time upon the Tiber; that +one evening, just at dusk, as he was upon the point of passing under a +bridge, a little way out of the city, he was startled to see some one +leap from it into the water and immediately sink. He shot his boat to +the spot, and when the figure arose to the surface, he was ready to +grasp it. It was no easy matter to lift it into his boat, but he +succeeded at last, when he rowed with all possible speed back to the +city, where, instead of notifying the police and giving me into their +hands to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> taken either to a hospital or to the morgue, as the case +might demand, he procured a carriage and took me directly to his home, +where he felt that his sister could do more for me than any one else."</p> + +<p>"Who was this young man?" Gerald Goddard here interposed, while he +searched his companion's face curiously.</p> + +<p>"Willard Livermore," calmly replied Mrs. Stewart, as she steadily met +his glance, although the color in her cheeks deepened visibly.</p> + +<p>"Ha! the man who accompanied you to Wyoming night before last?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"I have heard that he has long wanted to marry you—that he is your +lover," said Mr. Goddard, flashing a jealous look at her.</p> + +<p>"He is my friend, stanch and true; a man whom I honor above all men," +was the composed reply; but the woman's voice was vibrant with an +earnestness which betrayed how much the words meant to her.</p> + +<p>"Then why have you not married him?"</p> + +<p>"Because I was already bound."</p> + +<p>"But you have told me that you did not know you were legally bound +until within the last two years."</p> + +<p>Isabel Stewart lifted a grave glance to her companion's face.</p> + +<p>"When, as a girl, I left my home to go with you to Italy," she said, +solemnly, "I took upon myself vows which only death could cancel—they +were as binding upon me as if you had always been true to me; and so, +while you lived, I could never become the wife of another. I have +lived my life as a pure and faithful wife should live. Although my +youth was marred by an irrevocable mistake, which resulted in an act +of frenzy for which I was not accountable, no willful wrong has ever +cast a blight upon my character since the day that Willard Livermore +rescued me from a watery grave in the depths of the yellow Tiber."</p> + +<p>And Gerald Goddard, looking into the beautiful and noble face before +him, knew that she spoke only the truth, while a blush of shame surged +over his own, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> caused his head to droop before the purity of her +steadfast eyes.</p> + +<p>"All efforts upon the part of Miss Livermore and her brother to +resuscitate me," Mrs. Stewart resumed, going on with her story from +the point where she had been interrupted, "were unavailing. Another +physician was called to their assistance; but he at once pronounced +life to be extinct, and their efforts were reluctantly abandoned. Even +then that noble brother and sister would not allow me to be sent to +the morgue. They advertised in all the papers, giving a careful +description of me, and begging my friends—if there were such in +Rome—to come to claim me. Among the many curious gazers +who—attracted by the air of mystery which enveloped me—came to look +upon me, only one person seemed to betray the slightest evidence of +ever having seen me before. That person was Anna Correlli—Ah! what +was that?"</p> + +<p>This sudden break and startled query was caused by the rattling of the +rings which held the portieres upon the pole across the archway +between the two rooms, and by the gentle swaying of the draperies to +and fro.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h2>ISABEL STEWART ASTOUNDS MR. GODDARD.</h2> + + +<p>But there was not a sound to be heard in the room beyond, although the +curtains still continued to vibrate gently, thus showing the presence +of some object that had caused the movement.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart arose to investigate, for the conversation in which she +had been engaged and the story she was relating were of such a nature +that she did not care to have a third party, especially a servant, +overhear it.</p> + +<p>She parted the draperies and looked curiously into the room beyond.</p> + +<p>But her act only revealed a pretty maltese kitten,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> which, being thus +aroused from its slumbers in its cozy place of concealment, rolled +over on its back and began to play with the heavy fringe that bordered +the costly hangings.</p> + +<p>"Ah, Greylocks! so you are the rogue who has startled us!" said the +lady, with an amused smile. "I feared that we had an eavesdropper. You +are a very innocent one, however, and we will not take the trouble to +banish you."</p> + +<p>She went back to her chair reassured, and without a suspicion of the +presence of one who hated her with a deadly hatred, and who still +stood, pale and trembling, concealed by the voluminous folds of the +draperies, but waiting with eager curiosity to overhear what should +follow.</p> + +<p>Meantime the maid who had admitted Mrs. Goddard, feeling that she must +become wearied with her long waiting, had returned to the +reception-room to ascertain if she still desired to remain until her +mistress should be at liberty; but finding it empty, had concluded +that the lady had left the house, and so went about her business, +thinking no more of the matter.</p> + +<p>"Yes," resumed Mrs. Stewart, after she had resumed her seat, "I knew, +from the description which my kind friends afterward gave me, that +Anna Correlli had come there to assure herself that her rival was +really dead. When—suspecting from her manner that she might know +something about me—they questioned her, she told them that, 'from +what she had read in the papers, she feared it might be some one whom +she knew; but she was mistaken—I was nothing to her—she had never +seen me before.' Then she went away with an air of utter indifference, +and I was left fortunately to the kindness of that noble hearted +brother and sister. They did everything that the fondest relatives +could have done, and, in their divine pity for one so friendless and +unfortunate, neglected not the smallest detail which they would have +bestowed upon an own sister. Only they, besides the undertaker and the +one Protestant pastor in the city, were present during the reading of +the service; and when that was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> over, Willard Livermore, actuated by +some unaccountable impulse, insisted upon closing the casket. He bent +over me to remove a Roman lily which his sister had placed in my +hands, and which he wished to preserve, and, while doing so, observed +that my fingers were no longer rigid—that the nails were even faintly +tinted. He was startled, and instantly summoned his sister. Hardly had +her own fingers pressed my pulse in search of evidence of life, when +my eyes unclosed and I moaned:</p> + +<p>"'Don't let her come near me! She has stolen all the love out of my +life!"</p> + +<p>"Then I immediately relapsed again into unconsciousness without even +knowing I had spoken. Later, when told of the fact, I could dimly +recall the sensation of a sudden shock which was instantly followed by +a vision of Anna Correlli's face and the sound of her voice, and I +firmly believe, to-day, that it was her presence alone that startled +my chilled pulses once more into action and thus awoke to new life the +torpid soul which had so nearly passed out into the great unknown."</p> + +<p>Could the narrator have seen the face of the listener outside, her +tongue would have been paralyzed and the remainder of her story would +never have been told; for Anna Goddard, upon learning that she had +been the means of calling back to earth the woman whose existence had +shorn her of every future hope, looked—with her wild eyes and +demoniac face—as if she could be capable of any act that would +utterly annihilate the unsuspicious companion of the man whom her +untamed soul worshiped as only such a fierce and selfish nature could +worship a human being.</p> + +<p>But she made no sign or sound to betray her presence, for she was +curious to hear the remainder of this strange story—to learn how her +beautiful rival had risen from disgrace and obscurity to her present +prosperity and enviable position in society.</p> + +<p>"Of course," Mrs. Stewart resumed, "Mr. and Miss Livermore were both +thrown into a state of great excitement at such an unexpected +manifestation; but my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> words told them that there was some sad and +mysterious story connected with my life and the rash deed I had +committed, and they resolved to still surround me with their care and +protection until I should recover—if that were possible—instead of +committing me to a hospital, as many would have done.</p> + +<p>"They bound both the clergyman and the undertaker to the strictest +secrecy; then I was immediately conveyed to Miss Livermore's own room, +where that noble girl cared for me as tenderly as a mother would nurse +her own child. For weeks I hovered between life and death, then slowly +began to mend. When I was able, I related to my kind friends the story +of my wrongs, to receive only gentle sympathy and encouragement, +instead of coldness and censure, such as the world usually metes out +to girls who err as I had erred. As I grew stronger, and realized that +I was to live, my mother-heart began to long for its child. Miss +Livermore agreed with me that it would be better for me to have her, +and went herself to make inquiries regarding her. But the nurse had +moved and none of her neighbors could give any information about her, +except that for a time she had charge of an infant, but after its +parents had come to claim it, she had moved away, and no one could +tell whither she had gone.</p> + +<p>"From this I knew that my old friend, Edith Allendale, had responded +nobly to my appeal—that she had taken my child and adopted it as her +own. At first I was inclined to be disappointed, and contemplated +writing to Edith, telling her what had happened and ask her to +surrender the little one to me; but after thinking the matter over +more at length, I reasoned that it would be best to let everything +rest just as it was. I knew that my darling would be tenderly reared +in her new home; she would grow up to a happy womanhood without ever +knowing of the blight that rested upon her birth, or that her father +had been a villain, her mother a wronged and ruined woman—almost a +suicide. So I decided that I would never reveal myself to my old +friend, or undeceive her regard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span>ing my supposed fate, to disturb her +peace or her enjoyment of the child.</p> + +<p>"But, following the advice of my new friends, I finally wrote to my +father and mother, confessing everything to them, imploring their +forgiveness for the grief and shame I had brought upon them, and +asking their counsel and wishes regarding my future. Imagine my joy +and gratitude when, three weeks later, they walked in upon me and took +me at once to their hearts, ignoring all the past, as far as any +censure or condemnation were concerned, and began to plan to make my +future as peaceful and happy as circumstances would allow.</p> + +<p>"They had come abroad with the intention of remaining, they told me; +they would never ask me to return to my former home, where the fact +that I had eloped with an artist was known, but would settle in +London, where my father had some business interests, and where, +surrounded by the multitude, our former friends would never be likely +to meet us. We lived there, a quiet, peaceful, prosperous life, I +devoting myself assiduously to study to make up for what I had +sacrificed by leaving school so early, and to keep my mind from +dwelling upon my unhappy past.</p> + +<p>"So the time slipped away until, five years ago, this tranquil life +was suddenly interrupted by my father's death. Six months later my +mother followed him, and I was again left alone, without a relative in +the world, the sole heiress to a half-million pounds—"</p> + +<p>"A half-million pounds?" interposed Gerald Goddard, in a tone of +amazement.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but of what value is money without some one to share it with +you?" questioned Isabel Stewart, in a voice of sadness.</p> + +<p>Her companion passed his hand across his brow, a dazed expression upon +his face, while he was saying to himself, that, in his folly, he had +missed an ideal existence with this brilliantly beautiful and +accomplished woman, who, in addition, was now the possessor of two and +a half million dollars.</p> + +<p>What an idiot he had been! What an unconscion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span>able craven, to +sacrifice this pure and conscientious creature to his passion for one +who had made his life wretched by her variable moods and selfishness!</p> + +<p>"Occasionally I heard from my child," Mrs. Stewart resumed, after a +moment of silence, while tears started into her beautiful eyes. "My +father crossed the ocean from time to time, for the sole purpose of +learning something of her, in order to satisfy my hungry heart. He +never revealed the fact of my existence to any one, however, although +he managed to learn that my darling was happy, growing up to be a pure +and lovely girl, as well as a great comfort to her adopted parents, +and with nothing to mar her future prospects. Of course such tidings +were always gleams of great comfort to my sad and quiet life, and I +tried to be satisfied with them—tried to be grateful for them. But, +oh! since the death of my parents, I have yearned for her with an +inexpressible heart-hunger—"</p> + +<p>A sob of pain burst from the beautiful woman's lips and interrupted +her narrative at this point.</p> + +<p>But she recovered herself almost immediately, and resumed:</p> + +<p>"A year or two after I was left alone I happened to meet your former +friend, Will Forsyth, and from him learned that I had always been your +legal wife, and that he had sent you proofs of the fact, about a year +after your desertion of me.</p> + +<p>"This astonishing intelligence animated me with a new purpose, and I +resolved that I would seek the world over for you, and demand that +proof from you.</p> + +<p>"I returned immediately to this country and established myself in New +York, where, Mr. Forsyth told me, he thought you were residing. Soon +after my arrival I learned, to my dismay, that Mr. Allandale had +recently died, leaving his family in a destitute condition. This +knowledge changed my plans somewhat; I gave up my quest for you, for +the time, and began to search for my old friend who, for eighteen +years, had been a mother to my child. I had no intention of +interrupting the relations between them—my only thought was to +provide for their future in a way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> to preclude the possibility of +their ever knowing the meaning of the word poverty. But my utmost +efforts proved unavailing—I could learn nothing of them; but I +finally did get trace of you, and two months ago came on to Boston, +determined to face you and compel you to surrender to me the +certificate of our marriage."</p> + +<p>"Ha! did you expect that I would yield to you?" questioned Gerald +Goddard, a note of defiance in his voice.</p> + +<p>"Certainly—I knew I could compel you to do so."</p> + +<p>"Indeed? You were sanguine! By what arguments did you expect to +achieve your desire? How could you even prove that I had such a +paper?"</p> + +<p>"I do not know that I could have proven that you possessed the +certificate," quietly responded Mrs. Stewart; "but I could at least +prove that such a paper once existed, for Mr. Forsyth assured me that, +if I needed assistance to establish the fact of my marriage he would +be ready to give it at any time. I did not think I should need to call +upon him, however; I reasoned that, rather than submit to an arrest +and scandal, for—bigamy, you would quietly surrender the certificate +to me."</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard shivered at the sound of those three ugly words, while +the listener, behind the draperies, clinched her hands and locked her +teeth to keep herself from shrieking aloud in her agony, and thus +revealing her presence.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid you will find that you have reckoned without your host, +madam," the man at length retorted, for he was stung to the soul with +the covert threat which had suggested the possibility that he, Gerald +Goddard, the noted artist, the distinguished society man, and princely +entertainer, might be made to figure conspicuously in a criminal court +under a charge that would brand him for all time.</p> + +<p>"Ah! how so?" quietly inquired his companion.</p> + +<p>"No power on earth would ever have compelled me to relinquish it, Mr. +Forsyth's assurance to the contrary notwithstanding."</p> + +<p>The man paused, to see what effect this assertion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> would have upon his +listener; but she made no response—she simply sat quietly regarding +him, while a curious little smile hovered about her beautiful mouth.</p> + +<p>"You look skeptical," Mr. Goddard continued, gazing at her +searchingly; "but let me tell you that you will find it no easy matter +to prove the statements you have made—no person of common sense would +credit your story."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! But have you not already admitted that you received the +certificate of which Mr. Forsyth told me?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but we have been here alone, with no witness to swear to what +has passed between us. However, as I have already told you, Anna stole +the paper from me years ago, and I have never seen it since."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know you told me so!"</p> + +<p>"Do you not believe me?"</p> + +<p>"I think my past relations with you have not served to establish a +feeling of excessive confidence in you," was the quietly ironical +response.</p> + +<p>The man flushed hotly, while anger for the moment rendered him +speechless.</p> + +<p>"Possibly you might be able to induce your—companion to surrender the +document," the lady added, after a minute of awkward silence.</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard gnawed his under lip in impotent wrath at this +sarcastic reference to the woman who had shared his life for so many +years; while the wretched eavesdropper herself barely suppressed a +moan of passionate anguish.</p> + +<p>"You have very little idea of Anna's spirit, if you imagine that she +would ever yield one jot to you," Mr. Goddard at length retorted, his +face crimson with rage.</p> + +<p>Isabel Stewart arose from her chair and stood calm and cold before +him.</p> + +<p>She gazed with a steady, searching look into his eyes, then remarked, +with slow emphasis:</p> + +<p>"She will never be asked to yield to me, and I am spared the necessity +of suing to either of you, for—that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> all-important certificate of +marriage is already in my possession."</p> + +<p>As we know, Gerald Goddard had feared this; he had even suggested the +possibility to Anna, on the night of the ball at Wyoming, when she +told him of the disappearance of the paper.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless, the announcement of the fact at this time came upon him +like a thunderbolt, for which he was utterly unprepared.</p> + +<p>"Zounds!" he cried, starting to his feet, as if electrified, "can you +mean it? Then you stole it the night of the ball!"</p> + +<p>"You are greatly mistaken, Mr. Goddard; it was in my possession before +the night of the ball," quietly returned his companion.</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it!" cried the man, excitedly.</p> + +<p>"I will prove it to you if you desire," Mrs. Stewart remarked.</p> + +<p>"I defy you to do so."</p> + +<p>"Very well; I accept your gage. You will, however, have to excuse me +for a few moments," and, with these few words, the stately and +graceful woman turned and disappeared within a chamber that opened +from the room they were in.</p> + +<p>It would be difficult to describe the conflict of emotions that raged +in Gerald Goddard's breast during her absence.</p> + +<p>While he was almost beside himself with anger and chagrin, over the +very precarious position in which he found himself, he was also +tormented by intense disappointment and a sense of irritation to think +he had so fatally marred his life by his heartless desertion of the +beautiful woman who had just left him.</p> + +<p>Anna was not to be compared with her; she was perhaps more brilliant +and pronounced in her style; but she lacked the charm of refinement +and sweet graciousness that characterized Isabel; while, more than all +else, he lamented the loss of the princely inheritance which had +fallen to her, and which he would have shared if he had been true to +her.</p> + +<p>Ten minutes passed, and then he was aroused from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> his wretched +reflections by the opening of the chamber door near him, when his late +housekeeper at Wyoming walked into the room.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h2>"OUR WAYS PART HERE, NEVER TO CROSS AGAIN."</h2> + + +<p>Gerald Goddard arose from his chair, and stared at the woman in +unfeigned astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Really, Mrs. Weld! this is an unexpected meeting—I had no thought of +seeing you here, or even that you were acquainted with Mrs. Stewart," +he remarked, while he searched his recent housekeeper's face with +curious eyes.</p> + +<p>"I have known Isabel Haven all her life," the woman replied, without +appearing in the least disconcerted by the gentleman's scrutiny.</p> + +<p>"Can that be possible?" exclaimed her companion, but losing some of +his color at the information.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Then I presume you are familiar with her history."</p> + +<p>"I am; with every item of it, from her cradle to the present hour."</p> + +<p>"And were you aware of her presence in Boston when you applied for +your position at Wyoming?"</p> + +<p>"I was."</p> + +<p>"Perchance it was at her instigation that you sought the place," Mr. +Goddard remarked, a sudden suspicion making him feel sick at heart.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Stewart certainly knew that I was to have charge of your house," +calmly responded Mrs. Weld.</p> + +<p>"Then there was a plot between you—you had some deep-laid scheme in +seeking the situation."</p> + +<p>"I do not deny the charge, sir."</p> + +<p>"What! do you boldly affirm it? What was your object?" demanded the +man, in a towering rage, but growing deathly white at the explanation +that suggested itself to his mind.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I perceive that you have your suspicions, Mr. Goddard," coolly +remarked the woman, without losing an atom of her self-possession in +view of his anger.</p> + +<p>"I have. Great Heavens! I understand it all now," cried her companion, +hoarsely. "It was you who stole that certificate from my wife's room!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; I was fortunate enough to find it, two days previous to the +ball."</p> + +<p>"You confess it!—you dare own it to me, madam! You are worse than a +professional thief, and I will have you arrested for your crime!" and +Gerald Goddard was almost beside himself with passion at her cool +effrontery.</p> + +<p>"I hardly think you will, Mr. Goddard," was the quiet response. "I +imagine that you would hesitate to bring such a charge against me, +since such a course would necessitate explanations that might be to +you somewhat distasteful, if not mortifying. You would hardly like to +reveal the character of the document, which, however, you have made a +mistake in asserting that I stole—"</p> + +<p>"But you have admitted the charge," he excitedly interposed.</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon, I have not acknowledged the crime of theft—I +simply stated that I was fortunate enough to find the document in +question."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me that that is a distinction without a difference," he +sneered.</p> + +<p>"One can hardly be accused of stealing what rightly belongs to one's +self," Mrs. Weld composedly said.</p> + +<p>"What—what on earth can you mean? Explain yourself."</p> + +<p>"Certainly; that is exactly what I came here to do," she answered, as, +with a dexterous movement, she tore the glasses from her eyes, and +swept the moles from her face, after which she snatched the cap and +wig from her head, and stood before her companion revealed as Isabel +Stewart herself.</p> + +<p>"Good Heaven!" he gasped, then sank back upon his chair, staring in +blank amazement at her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart seized this opportunity to again slip<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> from the room, and +when she returned, a few minutes later, her superabundance of cellular +tissue (?) had disappeared and she was her own peerless self once +more.</p> + +<p>She quietly resumed her seat, gravely remarking, as she did so:</p> + +<p>"A woman who has been wronged as you have wronged me, Gerald Goddard, +will risk a great deal to re-establish her good name. When I first +learned of your whereabouts I thought I would go and boldly demand +that certificate of you. I tried to meet you in society here, but, +strange to say, I failed in this attempt, for, as it happened, neither +you nor your—Anna Correlli frequented the places where I was +entertained, although I did meet Monsieur Correlli two or three times. +Then I saw that advertisement for a housekeeper to go out to Wyoming, +to take charge of your house during a mid-winter frolic; and, prompted +by a feeling of curiosity to learn something of your private life with +the woman who had supplanted me, I conceived the idea of applying for +the situation and thus trying to obtain that certificate by strategy. +How did I know that it was you who advertised?" she interposed, as Mr. +Goddard looked up inquiringly. "Because I chanced to overhear some one +say that the Goddards were going out of town for the same purpose as +that which your notice mentioned. So I disguised myself, as you have +seen, went to your office, found I was right, and secured the +position."</p> + +<p>"Now I know why I was so startled that day, when you dropped your +glasses in the dining-room," groaned the wretched man.</p> + +<p>"Yes; I saw that you had never forgotten the eyes which you used to +call your 'windows of paradise,'" responded his companion, with quiet +irony, and Gerald Goddard shrank under the familiar smile as under a +blow.</p> + +<p>"Gerald," she went on, after a moment of painful silence, but with a +note of pity pervading her musical tones, "a man can never escape the +galling consciousness of wrong that he has done until he repents of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +it; even then the consequences of his sin must follow him through +life. Yours was a nature of splendid possibilities; there was scarcely +any height to which you might not have attained, had you lived up to +your opportunities. You had wealth and position, and a physique such +as few men possess; you were finely educated, and you were a superior +artist. What have you to show for all this? what have you done with +your God-given talents? how will you answer to Him, when He calls you +to account for the gifts intrusted to your care? What excuse, also, +will you give for the wreck you have made of two women's lives? You +began all wrong; in the first place, you weakly yielded to the selfish +gratification of your own pleasure; you lived upon the principle that +you must have a good time, no matter who suffered in consequence—you +must be amused, regardless of who or what was sacrificed to subserve +that end—"</p> + +<p>"You are very hard upon me, Isabel; I have been no worse than hundreds +of other men in those respects," interposed Gerald Goddard, who +smarted under her searching questions and scathing charges as under a +lash.</p> + +<p>"Granted that you 'are no worse than hundreds of other men,'" she +retorted, with scornful emphasis, "and more's the pity. But how does +that lessen the measure of your responsibility, pray tell me? There +will come a time when each and every man must answer for himself. I +have nothing to do with any one else, but I have the right to call you +to account for the selfishness and sins which have had such a baneful +influence upon my life; I have the right, by reason of all that I have +suffered at your hands—by the broken heart of my youth—the loss of +my self-respect—the despair which so nearly drove me to crime—and, +more than all else, by that terrible renunciation that deprived me of +my child, that innocent baby whom I loved with no ordinary +affection—I say I have the right to arraign you in the sight of +Heaven and of your own conscience, and to make one last attempt to +save you, if you will be saved."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What do you care—what does it matter to you now whether I am saved +or lost?" the man huskily demanded, and in a tone of intense +bitterness, for her solemn words had pierced his heart like a +double-edged dagger.</p> + +<p>"I care because you are a human being, with a soul that must live +eternally—because I am striving to serve One who has commanded us to +follow Him in seeking to save that which is lost," the fair woman +gravely replied. "Look at yourself, Gerald—your inner self, I mean. +Outwardly you are a specimen of God's noblest handiwork. How does your +spiritual self compare with your physical frame?—has it attained the +same perfection? No; it has become so dwarfed and misshapen by your +indulgence in sin and vice—so hardened by yielding to so-called +'pleasure,' your intellect so warped, your talents so misapplied that +even your Maker would scarcely recognize the being that He Himself had +brought into existence. You are forty-nine years old, Gerald—you may +have ten, twenty, even thirty more to live. How will you spend them? +Will you go on as you have been living for almost half a century, or +is there still a germ of good within you that you will have strength +and resolution to develop, as far as may be, toward that perfect +symmetry which God desires every human soul to attain? Think!—choose! +Make this hour the turning point in your career; go back to your +painting, retrieve your skill, and work to some purpose and for some +worthy object. If you do not need the money such work will bring, for +your own support, use it for the good of others—of those unfortunate +ones, perchance, whose lives have been blighted, as mine was blighted, +by those 'hundreds of other men' like you."</p> + +<p>As the beautiful woman concluded her earnest appeal, the +conscience-smitten man dropped his head upon the table beside which he +sat, and groaned aloud.</p> + +<p>For the first time in his life he saw himself as he was, and loathed +himself, his past life, and all the alluring influences that had +conspired to decoy him into the downward path which he had trodden.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will! I will! Oh, Isabel, forgive and help me," he pleaded, in a +voice thrilling with despair.</p> + +<p>"I help you?" she repeated, in an inquiring tone, in which there was a +note of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, with your sweet counsel, your pure example and influence."</p> + +<p>"I do not understand you, quite," she responded, her lovely color +waning as a suspicion of his meaning began to dawn upon her.</p> + +<p>He raised his face, which was drawn and haggard from the remorse he +was suffering, and looked appealingly into hers. But, as he met the +gaze of her pure, grave eyes, a flush of shame mounted to his brow as +he realized how despicable he must appear to her in now suing so +humbly for what he had once trampled under foot as worthless.</p> + +<p>Yet an unspeakable yearning to regain her love had taken possession of +him, and every other emotion was, for the moment, surmounted by that.</p> + +<p>"I mean, come back to me! try to love me again! and let me, under the +influence of your sweet presence, your precepts and noble example, +strive to become the man you have described, and that, at last, my own +heart yearns to be."</p> + +<p>His plea was like the cry of a despairing soul, who realized, all too +late, the fatal depths of the pit into which he had voluntarily +plunged.</p> + +<p>Isabel Stewart saw this, and pitied him, as she would have pitied any +other human being who had become so lost to all honor and virtue; but +his suggestion, his appeal that she would go back to him, live with +him, associate with him from day to day, was so repulsive to her that +she could not quite repress her aversion, and a slight shiver ran over +her frame, so chilling that all her color faded, even from her lips; +and Gerald Goddard, seeing it, realized the hopelessness of his desire +even before she could command herself sufficiently to answer him.</p> + +<p>"That would not be possible, Gerald," she finally replied. "Truth +compels me to tell you plainly that whatever affection I may once have +entertained for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> you has become an emotion of the past; it was killed +outright when I believed myself a deserted outcast in Rome. I should +do sinful violence to my own heart and nature if I should heed your +request, and also become but a galling reproach to you, rather than a +help."</p> + +<p>"Then you repudiate me utterly, in spite of the fact that the law yet +binds us to each other? I am no more to you than any other human +being?" groaned the humbled man.</p> + +<p>"Only in the sense that through you I have keenly suffered," she +gravely returned.</p> + +<p>"Then there is no hope for me," he whispered, hoarsely, as his head +sank heavily upon his breast.</p> + +<p>"You are mistaken, Gerald," his companion responded, with sweet +solemnity; "there is every hope for you—the same hope and promise +that our Master held out to the woman whom the Pharisees were about to +stone to death when he interfered to save her. I presume to cast no +revengeful 'stone' at you. I do not arrogantly condemn you. I simply +say as he said, 'Go and sin no more.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Isabel, have mercy! With you to aid me, I could climb to almost +any height," cried the broken-spirited man, throwing out his hands in +despairing appeal.</p> + +<p>"I am more merciful in my rejection of your proposal than I could +possibly be in acceding to it," she answered. "You broke every moral +tie and obligation that bound me to you when you left me and my child +to amuse yourself with another. Legally, I suppose, I am still your +wife, but I can never recognize the bond; henceforth, I can be nothing +but a stranger to you, though I wish you no ill, and would not lift my +hand against you in any way—"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean by that that you would not even bring mortification or +scandal upon me by seeking to publicly prove the legality of our +marriage?" Mr. Goddard interposed, in a tone of surprise.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I mean just that. Since the certificate is in my possession, and +I have the power to vindicate my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>self, in case any question regarding +the matter arises in the future, I am content."</p> + +<p>"But I thought—I supposed—Will you not even use it to obtain a +divorce from me?" stammered the man, who suddenly remembered a certain +rumor regarding a distinguished gentleman's devotion to the beautiful +Mrs. Stewart.</p> + +<p>"No; death alone can break the tie that binds me to you," she +returned, her lovely lips contracting slightly with pain.</p> + +<p>"What! Have you no wish to be free?" he questioned, regarding her with +astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would be very glad to feel that no fetters bound me," she +answered, with clouded eyes; "but I vowed to be true as long as life +should last, and I will never break my word."</p> + +<p>"True!" repeated her companion, bitterly.</p> + +<p>A flush of indignation mounted to the beautiful woman's brow at the +reproach implied in his word and tone.</p> + +<p>But she controlled the impulse to make an equally scathing retort, and +remarked, with a quiet irony that was tenfold more effective.</p> + +<p>"Well, if that word offends you, I will qualify it so far as to say +that, at least, I have never dishonored my marriage vows; I never will +dishonor them."</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard threw out his hands with a gesture of torture, and for +a moment he became deathly white, showing how keenly his companion's +arrow had pierced his conscience.</p> + +<p>There was a painful silence of several moments, and then he inquired, +in constrained tones:</p> + +<p>"What, then, is my duty? What relations must I henceforth sustain +toward—Anna?"</p> + +<p>"I cannot be conscience for you, Gerald," said Isabel Stewart, coldly; +"at least, I could offer no suggestion regarding such a matter as +that. I can only live out my own life as my heart and judgment of what +is right and wrong approve; but if you have no scruples on that +score—if you desire to institute proceedings for a divorce, in order +to repair, as far as may be, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> wrong you have also done Anna +Correlli—I shall lay no obstacle in your way."</p> + +<p>She arose as she ceased speaking, thus intimating that she desired the +interview to terminate.</p> + +<p>"And that is all you have to say to me? Oh, Isabel!" Gerald Goddard +gasped, and realizing how regally beautiful she had become, how +infinitely superior, physically and morally, spiritually and +intellectually, she was to the woman for whose sake he had trampled +her in the dust. And the fact was forced upon him that she was one to +be worshiped for her sweet graciousness and purity of character—to be +reverenced for her innate nobility and stanch adherence to principle, +and to be exultantly proud of, could he have had the right to be—as a +queen among women.</p> + +<p>"That is all," she replied, with slow thoughtfulness, "unless, as a +woman who is deeply interested in the moral advancement of humanity in +general, I urge you once more to make your future better than your +past has been, that thus the world may be benefited, in ever so slight +a measure, because you have lived. As for you and me, our ways part +here, never to cross again, I trust; for, while I have ceased to +grieve over the blighted hopes of my youth, it would be painful to be +reminded of my early mistakes."</p> + +<p>"Part—forever? I do not feel that I can have it so," said Gerald +Goddard, with white lips, "for—I love you at this moment a thousand +times more than I ever—"</p> + +<p>"Stop!" Isabel Stewart firmly commanded. "Such an avowal from you at +this time is but an added insult to me, as well as a cowardly wrong +against her who, in the eyes of the world, at least, has sustained the +relationship of wife to you for many years."</p> + +<p>The head of the proud man dropped before her with an air of humility +entirely foreign to the "distinguished" Gerald Goddard whom the world +knew; but, though crushed by a sense of shame and grief, he could but +own to himself that her condemnation was just, and the faint hope that +had sprung up in his heart died, then and there, its tragic death.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h2>"I HATE YOU WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF MY ITALIAN BLOOD."</h2> + + +<p>Isabel Stewart felt that she could not bear the painful interview any +longer, and was about to touch the electric button to summon her +servant to show her visitor out, when he stayed her with a gesture of +appeal.</p> + +<p>"One moment more, Isabel, I implore," he exclaimed; "then I will go, +never to trouble you again."</p> + +<p>Her beautiful hand dropped by her side, and she turned again to him +with a patient, inquiring glance.</p> + +<p>"You have spoken of our—child," the man went on, eagerly, though a +flush of shame dyed his face as he gave utterance to the pronoun +denoting mutual possession. "Do you intend to continue your search for +her?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly; that will now be the one aim of my life. I could never +take another moment of comfort knowing that my old friend and my child +were destitute, as I have been led to believe they are."</p> + +<p>"And if—you find her—shall—you tell her—your history?" faltered +Gerald Goddard, as he nervously moistened his dry lips.</p> + +<p>His companion bent her head in thought for a moment. At length she +remarked:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p><p>"I shall, of course, be governed somewhat by circumstances in such a +matter; if I find Edith still in ignorance of the fact that she is an +adopted daughter, I think I shall never undeceive her, but strive to be +content with such love as she can give me, as her mother's friend. If, +on the other hand, I find that she has learned the truth—especially if +she should happen to be alone in the world—I shall take her into my +arms and tell her the whole story of my life, beg her to share my +future, and let me try to win as much as possible of her love."</p> + +<p>"If you should find her, pray, pray do not teach her to regard me as a +monster of all that is evil," pleaded her companion, in a tone of +agony that was pitiful. "Ah, Isabel, I believe I should have been a +better man if I could have had the love of little children thrown +about me as a safeguard."</p> + +<p>Isabel Stewart's red lips curled with momentary scorn at this attempt +to shift the responsibility of his wasted and misguided life upon any +one or anything rather than himself.</p> + +<p>"What a pity, then, that you did not realize the fact before you +discarded the unhappy young mother and her innocent babe, so many +years ago," she remarked, in a tone that pierced his heart like a +knife.</p> + +<p>"I did go back to Rome for the child—I did try to find her after—I +had heard that—that you were gone," he faltered. "I was told that the +infant had doubtless perished with you, though its body was never +found; but I have mourned her—I have yearned for her all my life."</p> + +<p>"And do you imagine, even if you should meet her some time in the +future, that she would reciprocate this affection which, strangely +enough, you manifest at this late day?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps not, if you should meet her first and tell her your story," +the man returned, with a heavy sigh.</p> + +<p>"Which I shall assuredly do," said Mrs. Stewart, resolutely; "that is, +if, as I said before, I find her alone in the world; that much +justification is my due—my child shall know the truth; then she shall +be allowed to act according to the dictates of her own heart and +judgment, regarding her future relationship toward both of us. I feel +sure that she has been most carefully reared—that my old friend Edith +would instill only precepts of truth and purity in her mind, and my +heart tells me that she would be likely to shrink from one who had +wronged her mother as you have wronged me."</p> + +<p>"I see; you will keep her from me if you can," said Mr. Goddard, with +intense bitterness.</p> + +<p>"I am free to confess that I should prefer you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> never to meet," said +Mrs. Stewart, a look of pain sweeping over her beautiful face; "but +Edith is twenty years of age, if she is living; and if, after learning +my history, she desires to recognize the relationship between herself +and you, I can, of course, but submit to her wish."</p> + +<p>"It is very evident to me that you will teach her to hate her father," +was the sullen retort.</p> + +<p>"Her father?" the term was repeated with infinite scorn. "Pray in what +respect have you shown yourself worthy to be so regarded?—you who +even denied her legitimate birth, and turned your back upon her, +totally indifferent to whether she starved or not."</p> + +<p>"How hard you are upon me, Isabel!"</p> + +<p>"I have told you only facts."</p> + +<p>"I know—I know; but have some pity for me now, since, at last, I have +come to my senses; for in my heart I have an insatiable longing for +this daughter who, if she is living, must embody some of the virtues +of her mother, who—God help me!—is lost, lost to me forever!"</p> + +<p>The man's voice died away in a hoarse whisper, while a heart-broken +sob burst from his lips.</p> + +<p>"Go, Gerald," said Mrs. Stewart, in a low, but not unkindly imperative +tone; "it is better that this interview should terminate. The past is +past—nothing can change it; but the future will be what we make it. +Go, and if I ever hear from you again, let me know that your present +contrition has culminated in a better life."</p> + +<p>She turned abruptly from him and disappeared within her chamber, +quietly shutting the door after her, while Gerald Goddard arose to +"go" as he had been bidden.</p> + +<p>As, with tottering gait and a pale, despairing face, he crossed the +room and parted the draperies between the two pretty parlors, he found +himself suddenly confronted by a woman so wan and haggard that, for an +instant, he failed to recognize her.</p> + +<p>"Idiot!" hissed Anna Correlli, through her pallid, tightly-drawn lips; +"traitor! coward! viper!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span></p> + +<p>She was forced to pause simply because she was exhausted from the +venom which she had expended in the utterance of those four +expletives.</p> + +<p>Then she sank, weak and faint, upon a chair, but with her eyes +glittering like points of flame, fastened in a look of malignant +hatred upon the astonished man.</p> + +<p>"Anna! how came you here?—how long have you been here?" he finally +found voice to say.</p> + +<p>"Long enough to learn of the contemptible perfidy and meanness of the +man whom, for twenty years, I have trusted," she panted, but the tone +was so hollow he never would have known who was speaking had he not +seen her.</p> + +<p>He opened his dry lips to make some reply; but no sound came from +them.</p> + +<p>He put out his hand to support himself by the back of her chair, for +all his strength and sense seemed on the point of failing him; while +for the moment he felt as if he could almost have been grateful to any +one who would slay him where he stood, and thus put him out of his +misery—benumb his sense of degradation and the remorse which he +experienced for his wasted life, and the wrongs of which he had been +guilty.</p> + +<p>But, by a powerful effort, he soon mastered himself, for he was +anxious to escape from the house before the presence of his wife +should be discovered.</p> + +<p>"Come, Anna," he said; "let us go home, where we can talk over this +matter by ourselves, without the fear of being overheard."</p> + +<p>He attempted to assist her to rise, but she shrank away from him with +a gesture of aversion, at the same time flashing a look up at him that +almost seemed to curdle his blood, and sent a shudder of dread over +him.</p> + +<p>"Do not dare to touch me!" she cried, hoarsely. "Go—call a carriage; +I am not able to walk. Go; I will follow you."</p> + +<p>Without a word, he turned to obey her, and passed quickly out of the +suite without encountering any one, she following, but with a gait so +unsteady that any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> one watching her would have been tempted to believe +her under the influence of some intoxicant.</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard found a carriage standing near the entrance to the hotel, +and they were soon on their way home.</p> + +<p>Not a word was spoken by either during the ride, and it would have +been impossible to have found two more utterly wretched people in all +that great city.</p> + +<p>Upon entering their house, they found Emil Correlli in a state +bordering on frenzy, occasioned by the escape of Edith, and this +circumstance served for a few moments to distract their thoughts from +their own troubles.</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard was intensely relieved by the intelligence, and plainly +betrayed it in his manner.</p> + +<p>When angrily called to account for it by his brother-in-law, he at +once replied, with an air of reckless defiance:</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am glad of it—I would even have helped the girl to get away; +indeed, I was planning to do so, for such a dastardly fraud as you +perpetrated upon her should never be allowed to prosper."</p> + +<p>He was rewarded for this speech, so loyal to Edith, only by an angry +oath, to which, however, he paid no attention.</p> + +<p>Strangely enough, Anna Correlli, after the first emotion of surprise +and dismay had passed, paid no heed to the exciting conversation; she +had sunk into a chair by the window, where she sat pale and silent, +and absolutely motionless, save for the wild restlessness of her fiery +black eyes.</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard, finding the atmosphere so disagreeable, finally left the +room, and, mounting the stairs, shut himself in his own chamber, while +the enraged lover dashed out of the house to the nearest telegraph +office to send the message that caused the policeman to intercept +Edith upon her arrival in New York.</p> + +<p>A few moments later, Mrs. Goddard—as we will, from courtesy, still +call her—crept wearily up to her room, where, tottering to a couch, +she threw herself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> prone upon her face, moaning and shivering with the +agony she could no longer control.</p> + +<p>The blow, which for twenty years she had been dreading, had fallen at +last; but it was far more crushing and bitter than she had ever +dreamed it could be.</p> + +<p>She had come at last to the dregs of the cup which once had seemed so +sweet and alluring to her senses, and they had poisoned her soul unto +death.</p> + +<p>She knew that never again while she lived would she be able to face +the world and hide her misery beneath a mask of smiles; and the +bitterest drop of all, the sharpest thorn in her lacerated heart, was +the fact that the little insignificant girl who had once been her +hated rival in Rome, should have developed into the peerlessly +beautiful woman, whom all men admired and reverenced, and whom Gerald +Goddard now idolized.</p> + +<p>An hour passed, during which she lay where she had fallen and almost +benumbed by her misery.</p> + +<p>Then there came a knock upon her door, which was immediately opened, +and Mr. Goddard entered the room.</p> + +<p>He was still very pale, but grave and self-contained.</p> + +<p>The woman started to a sitting posture, exclaiming, in an unnatural +voice:</p> + +<p>"What do you want here?"</p> + +<p>"I have come, Anna, to talk over with you the events of the +morning—to ask you to try to control yourself, and look at our +peculiar situation with calmness and practical common sense," he +calmly replied.</p> + +<p>"Well?" was all the response vouchsafed, as he paused an instant.</p> + +<p>"I have not come to offer any excuses for myself, or for what you +overheard this morning," he thoughtfully resumed; "indeed, I have none +to offer—my whole life, I own, has, as Isabel rightly said, been a +failure thus far, and no one save myself is to blame for the fact. Do +not sneer, Anna," he interposed, as her lips curled back from her +dazzling teeth, which he saw were tightly locked with the effort she +was making at self-control. "I have been thoroughly humiliated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> for +the first time in my life—I have been made to see myself as I am, and +I have reached a point where I am willing to make an effort to atone, +as far as may be, for some of the wrongs of which I have been guilty. +Will you help me, Anna?"</p> + +<p>Again he paused, but this time his companion did not deign to avail +herself of the opportunity to reply, if, indeed, she was able to do +so.</p> + +<p>She had not once removed her glittering eyes from his face, and her +steady, inscrutable look gave him an uncanny sensation that was +anything but agreeable.</p> + +<p>"I have come to propose that we avail ourselves of the only remedy +that seems practicable to relieve our peculiar situation," he +continued, seeing she was waiting for him to go on. "I will apply to +have the tie which binds me to Isabel annulled, with all possible +secrecy—it can be done in the West without any notoriety; then I will +make you my legal wife, as you have so often asked me to do, and we +will go abroad again, where we will try to live out the remainder of +our lives to some better purpose than we have done heretofore. I ask +you again, will you try to help me? It is not going to be an easy +thing at first; but if each will try, for the sake of the other, I +believe we can yet attain comparative content, if not positive +happiness."</p> + +<p>"Content! happiness!"</p> + +<p>The words were hissed out with a fierceness of passion that startled +him, and caused him to regard her anxiously.</p> + +<p>"Happiness!" she repeated. "Ha! ha! What mockery in the sound of that +word from your lips, after what has occurred to-day!"</p> + +<p>"I know that you have cause to be both grieved and angry, Anna," said +Gerald Goddard, humbly; "but let us both put the past behind us—let +us wipe out all old scores, and from this day begin a new life."</p> + +<p>"'Begin a new life' upon a heap of ashes, without one spark among them +to ignite the smallest flame!" was the mocking rejoinder. Then, with a +burst of agony, she continued: "Oh, God! if you had taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> a dagger +and stabbed me to death in that room to-day, you could not have slain +me more effectually than by the words you have uttered. Begin a new +life with you, after your confessions, your pleadings and +protestations to Isabel Stewart? Heaven! Never! I hate you! hate you; +hate you! with all the strength of my Italian blood, and warn +you—beware! And now, begone!"</p> + +<p>The woman looked like a maniac as she poured this wild torrent upon +him, and the man saw that she was in no mood to be reasoned with or to +consider any subject; that it would be wiser to wait until the +fierceness of her anger had spent itself.</p> + +<p>He had broached the matter of their future relations, thus giving her +something to think of, and now he would leave her to meditate upon it +by herself; perhaps, in a few days, she would be in a more reasonable +frame of mind, and look at the subject from a different point of view.</p> + +<p>"Very well, Anna," he said, as he arose, "I will obey you. I do not +pretend to claim that I have not given you cause to feel aggrieved in +many respects; but, as I have already said, that is past. I simply ask +you to do what I also will do—put all the old life behind us, and +begin over again. I realize that we cannot discuss the question to any +purpose now—we are both too wrought up to think or talk calmly, so I +will leave you to rest, and we will speak of this at another time. Can +I do anything for you before I go?—or perhaps you would like your +maid sent to you?"</p> + +<p>"No," she said, briefly, and not once having removed her wild eyes +from his face while he was speaking.</p> + +<p>He bowed, and passed out of the room, softly shutting the door after +him, then walked slowly down the hall to his own apartment.</p> + +<p>The moment he was gone Anna Goddard sprang like a cat to her feet.</p> + +<p>Going to her writing-desk, she dashed off a few lines, which she +hastily folded and slipped into an envelope, which she sealed and +addressed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> + +<p>She then touched the electric button above her desk to summon her +maid, after which she sat motionless with the missive clasped in her +hands until the girl appeared.</p> + +<p>"Dress yourself for the street, Mary, and take this note to Mr. +Clayton's office. Be quick about it, for it is a matter of +importance," she commanded, while she forced herself to speak with +outward calmness.</p> + +<p>But Mary regarded her mistress with wonder, for, in all her +"tantrums," as she termed them, she had never seen the awful look upon +her face which was stamped upon it at that moment.</p> + +<p>But she took the note without comment, and hastened away upon her +errand, while Mrs. Goddard, throwing herself back in her chair, sat +there waiting with an air of expectation that betrayed she was looking +for the appearance of some one.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later a gentleman was admitted to the house, and was +shown directly up to my lady's boudoir.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h2>RECORDS SOME STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS.</h2> + + +<p>The gentleman caller referred to in the last chapter was closeted with +Mrs. Goddard for fully two hours, when he quietly left the house.</p> + +<p>A few moments later, however, he returned, accompanied by two other +men—clerks from a neighboring drug store—whom he admitted with a +latch-key, and then conducted them up to Mrs. Goddard's boudoir.</p> + +<p>The strangers did not remain long; whatever their errand, it was soon +finished, and they departed as silently as they had come.</p> + +<p>Mr. Clayton remained some time longer, conversing with the mistress of +the house, but their business being finally concluded, he also went +away, bearing a package of papers with him.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli returned just in season for dinner,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> which, however, he +was obliged to partake of alone, as Mr. and Mrs. Goddard did not make +their appearance at the table.</p> + +<p>The young man paid slight heed to ceremony, but after eating a hasty +meal, sought his sister and informed her that he was going to start +for New York on the late evening train.</p> + +<p>The woman gave him one wild, startled glance, and seemed strangely +agitated for a moment over his announcement.</p> + +<p>He could not fail to notice her emotion, and that she was excessively +pale.</p> + +<p>"You look like a ghost, Anna," he remarked, as he searched her face +with some anxiety. "What is the matter with you? I fear you are going +to be ill."</p> + +<p>"I am ill," she said, in a hoarse, unnatural tone.</p> + +<p>"Then let me call your physician," said her brother, eagerly. "I am +going out immediately, and will leave a message for him."</p> + +<p>"No, no," she nervously replied; then with a hollow laugh that smote +heavily upon her companion's heart, she added: "My case is beyond the +reach of Dr. Hunt or any other physician."</p> + +<p>"Anna, have you been quarreling with Gerald again?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," was the brief response.</p> + +<p>"Well, of course I can understand that such matters are beyond the +skill of any physician," said the young man, with a half-impatient +shrug of his shoulders; "neither have I any business to interfere +between you," he added; "but my advice would be to make it up as soon +as possible, and then try to live peaceably in the future. I do not +like to leave you looking so white and miserable, but I must go. Take +good care of yourself, and I shall hope to find you better and happier +when I return."</p> + +<p>He bent down to give her a farewell caress, and was amazed by the +passion she manifested in returning it.</p> + +<p>She threw her arms around his neck and held him in a convulsive +embrace, while she quivered from head to foot with repressed emotion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p> + +<p>She did not utter one word of farewell, but a wild sob burst from her; +then, as if she could bear no more, she pushed him from her and rushed +into her chamber, shutting and locking the door behind her.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli left the boudoir, a puzzled expression on his handsome +face; for, although his sister was subject to strange attacks, he had +never seen her like this before.</p> + +<p>"Anna will come to grief some day with that cursed temper of hers," he +muttered, as he went to his room to pack his portmanteau, but he was +too intent upon his own affairs to dwell long upon even the trouble of +his sister, and a couple of hours later was on his way to New York to +begin his search for his runaway bride.</p> + +<p>The next morning Mrs. Goddard was "too ill to rise," she told her +maid, when she came at the usual hour to her door. She would not admit +her, but sent word to her husband that she could not join him at +breakfast.</p> + +<p>He went up later to see if she would allow him to call a physician for +her, but she would not see him, simply telling him she "would do well +enough without advice—all she needed was rest, and she did not wish +to be disturbed by any one until she rang."</p> + +<p>Feeling deeply disappointed and depressed by her unusual obstinacy, +the wretched man went downstairs and shut himself into the library, +where he remained all day, while there was such an atmosphere of +loneliness and desolation about the house that even the servants +appeared to feel it, and went about with solemn faces and almost +stealthy steps.</p> + +<p>Could any one have looked behind those closed doors he could not have +failed to have experienced a feeling of pity for the man; for if ever +a human being went down into the valley of humiliation, Gerald Goddard +sounded its uttermost depths, while he battled alone with all the +powers of evil that beset his soul.</p> + +<p>When night came he was utterly exhausted, and sought his couch, +looking at least ten years older than he had appeared forty-eight +hours previous.</p> + +<p>He slept heavily and dreamlessly, and did not awake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> till late, when +an imperative knock upon the door and a voice, calling in distress, +caused him to spring suddenly from his bed, and impressed him with a +sense of impending evil.</p> + +<p>"What is it, Mary?" he inquired, upon recognizing the voice of his +wife's maid.</p> + +<p>"Oh, sir! come—come to madam; she is very ill!" cried the girl, in a +frightened tone.</p> + +<p>"I will be there immediately. Send James for the doctor, and then go +back to her," commanded her master, as he hurriedly began to dress.</p> + +<p>Five minutes later he was in his wife's room, to find her lying upon +the lounge, just as he had seen her thirty-six hours previous.</p> + +<p>It was evident that she had not been in bed at all for two nights, for +she still had on the same dress that she had worn at the Copley Square +Hotel.</p> + +<p>But the shadow of death was on her white face; her eyes were glazed, +and though only partially closed, it was evident that she saw nothing.</p> + +<p>She was still breathing, but faintly and irregularly. Her hands were +icy cold, and at the base of the nails there was the unmistakable +purple tint that indicated approaching dissolution.</p> + +<p>Gerald Goddard was shocked beyond measure to find her thus, but he +arose to the occasion.</p> + +<p>With his own hands and the assistance of the maid, he removed her +clothing, then wrapped her in blankets and put her in bed, when he +called for hot water bottles to place around her, hoping thus by +artificial heat to quicken the sluggish circulation and her failing +pulses.</p> + +<p>But apparently there was no change in her, and when the physician came +and made his examination, he told them plainly that "no effort could +avail; it was a case of sudden heart failure, and the end was but a +question of moments."</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard was horrified and stricken with remorse at the hopeless +verdict, for it seemed to him that he was in a measure accountable for +the untimely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> shock which was fast depriving of life this woman who +had loved him so passionately, though unwisely.</p> + +<p>He put his lips to her ear and called her by name.</p> + +<p>"Anna! Anna! You must try to arouse yourself," he cried, in a voice of +agony.</p> + +<p>At first the appeal seemed to produce no effect, but after several +attempts he thought he detected a gleam of intelligence in the almost +sightless eyes, while the cold fingers resting on his hand made an +effort to close over his.</p> + +<p>These slight signs convinced him that though she was past the power of +speech, she yet knew him and clung to him, in spite of the clutch +which the relentless enemy of all mankind had laid upon her.</p> + +<p>"Doctor, she knows me!" he exclaimed. "Pray give her some stimulant to +arouse her dormant faculties, if only for a moment."</p> + +<p>"I fear it will be of no use," the physician replied, "but I will +try."</p> + +<p>He hurriedly prepared and administered a powerful restorative; then +they waited with breathless interest for several moments for some sign +of improvement.</p> + +<p>It came at last; she began to breathe a trifle more regularly; the set +features became a little less rigid, and the pulse a shade stronger, +until finally the white lids were lifted and the dying woman turned +her eyes with a pitiful expression of appeal upon the man whom, even +in death, she still adored.</p> + +<p>"Leave us alone!" commanded Gerald Goddard, in a hoarse whisper, and +physician and servants stole noiselessly from the room.</p> + +<p>"Anna, you know me—you understand what I am saying?" the wretched man +then questioned.</p> + +<p>A slight pressure from the cold fingers was the only reply.</p> + +<p>"You know that you are dying?" he pursued.</p> + +<p>Again that faint sign of assent.</p> + +<p>"Then, dear, let us be at peace before you go," he pleaded, gently. +"My soul bows in humiliation and remorse before you; for years I have +wronged you. I wronged you in those first days in Rome. I have no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +excuse to offer. I simply tell you that my spirit is crushed within me +as I look back and realize all that I am accountable for. I would have +been glad to atone, as far as was in my power, could you have lived to +share my future. Give me some sign of forgiveness to tell me that you +retract those last bitter words of hate—to let me feel that in this +final moment we part in peace."</p> + +<p>At his pleading a look of agony dawned in the woman's failing eyes—a +look so pitiful in its yearning and despair that the strong man broke +down and sobbed from sorrow and contrition; but the sign he had begged +for was not given.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Anna! pray show me, in some way, that you will not die hating +me," he pleaded. "Forgive—oh, forgive!"</p> + +<p>At those last words those almost palsied fingers closed convulsively +over his; the look of agony in those dusky orbs was superseded by one +of adoration and tenderness; a faint expression of something like +peace crept into the tense lines about the drawn mouth, and the +repentant watcher knew that she would not go out into the great +unknown bearing in her heart a relentless hatred against him.</p> + +<p>That effort was the last flicker of the expiring flame, for the white +lids drooped over the dark eyes; the cold fingers relaxed their hold, +and Gerald Goddard knew the end had almost come.</p> + +<p>He touched the bell, and the physician instantly re-entered the room.</p> + +<p>"It is almost over," he remarked, as he went to the bedside, and his +practiced fingers sought her pulse.</p> + +<p>Even as he spoke her breast heaved once—then again, and all was +still.</p> + +<p>Who shall describe the misery that surged over Gerald Goddard's soul +as he looked upon the still form and realized that the grandly +beautiful woman, who for twenty years had reigned over his home, was +no more—that never again would he hear her voice, either in words of +fond adoration or in passionate anger; never see her again, arrayed in +the costly ap<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>parel and gleaming jewels which she so loved, mingling +with the gay people of the world, or graciously entertaining guests in +her own house?</p> + +<p>He felt almost like a murderer; for, in spite of Dr. Hunt's verdict +that she had died of "sudden heart failure," he feared that the proud +woman had been so crushed by what she had overheard in Isabel +Stewart's apartments that she had voluntarily ended her life.</p> + +<p>It was only a dim suspicion—a vague impression, for there was not the +slightest evidence of anything of the kind, and he would never dare to +give voice to it to any human being; nevertheless, it pressed heavily +upon his soul with a sense of guilt that was almost intolerable.</p> + +<p>A message was immediately sent flying over the wires to New York to +inform Emil Correlli of the sad news, and eight hours later he was +back in Boston crushed for the time by the loss of the sister for whom +he entertained perhaps the purest love of which his selfish heart was +capable of experiencing.</p> + +<p>We will not dwell upon the harrowing events of the next few days.</p> + +<p>Suffice it to say that society, or that portion of it that had known +the brilliant Mrs. Goddard, was greatly shocked by the sudden death of +one of its "brightest ornaments," and gracefully mourned her by +covering her costly casket with choicest flowers; then closed up its +ranks and went its way, trying to forget the pale charger which they +knew would come again and again upon his grim errand.</p> + +<p>The day following Anna Correlli's interment in Forest Hill Cemetery, +Mr. Goddard and his brother-in-law were waited upon by the well-known +lawyer, Arthur Clayton, who informed them that he had an important +communication to make to them.</p> + +<p>"Two days previous to her death I received this note from Mrs. +Goddard," he remarked, at the same time handing a daintily perfumed +missive to the elder gentleman. "In it you will observe that she asks +me to come to her immediately. I obeyed her, and found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> her looking +very ill, and seemingly greatly distressed in body and mind. She told +me she was impressed that she had not long to live—that she had an +affection of the heart that warned her to put her affairs in order. +She desired me to draw up a will at once, according to her +instructions, and have it signed and witnessed before I left the +house. I did so, calling in at her request two witnesses from a +neighboring drug store, after which she gave the will into my keeping, +to be retained until her death. This is the document, gentlemen," he +remarked, in conclusion, "and here, also, is another communication, +which she wrote herself and directed me to hand to you, sir."</p> + +<p>He arose and passed both the will and the letter to Mr. Goddard, who +had seemed greatly agitated while he was speaking.</p> + +<p>He simply took the letter, remarking:</p> + +<p>"Since you are already acquainted with the contents of the will, sir, +will you kindly read it aloud in our presence?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Clayton flushed slightly as he bowed acquiescence.</p> + +<p>The document proved to be very short and to the point, and bequeathed +everything that the woman had possessed—"excepting what the law would +allow as Gerald Goddard's right"—to her beloved brother, Emil +Correlli, who was requested to pay the servants certain amounts which +she named.</p> + +<p>That was all, and Mr. Goddard knew that in the heat of her anger +against him she had made this rash disposition of her property—as she +had the right to do, since it had all been settled upon her—to be +revenged upon him by leaving him entirely dependent upon his own +resources.</p> + +<p>At first he experienced a severe shock at her act, for the thought of +poverty was anything but agreeable to him.</p> + +<p>He had lived a life of idleness and pleasure for so many years that it +would not be an easy matter for him to give up the many luxuries to +which he had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> accustomed without a thought or care concerning +their cost.</p> + +<p>But after the first feeling of dismay had passed, a sense of relief +took possession of him; for, with his suspicions regarding the cause +of Anna's death, he knew that he could never have known one moment of +comfort in living upon her fortune, even had she left it unreservedly +to him rather than to her brother.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli was made sole executor of the estate; and, as there was +nothing further for Mr. Clayton to do after reading the will, he +quietly took his departure leaving the two men to discuss it at their +leisure.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h2>"YOU WILL VACATE THESE PREMISES AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE."</h2> + + +<p>"Well, Gerald, I must confess this is rather tough on you!" Monsieur +Correlli remarked, in a voice of undisguised astonishment, as soon as +the lawyer disappeared. "I call it downright shabby of Anna to have +left you so in the lurch."</p> + +<p>"It does not matter," returned the elder man, but somewhat coldly; +for, despite his feeling of relief over the disposition of her +property, he experienced a twinge of jealousy toward the more +fortunate heir, whose pity was excessively galling to him under the +circumstances.</p> + +<p>Although the two men had quarreled just before Monsieur Correlli's +departure for New York, all ill-feeling had been ignored in view of +their common loss and sorrow, and each had conducted himself with a +courteous bearing toward the other during the last few days.</p> + +<p>"What in the world do you suppose possessed her to make such a will?" +the young man inquired, while he searched his companion's face with +keen scrutiny. "And how strange that she should have imagined all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> of +a sudden that she was going to die, and so put her affairs in order!"</p> + +<p>Mr. Goddard saw that he had no suspicion of the real state of things, +and he had no intention of betraying any secrets if he could avoid +doing so.</p> + +<p>No one—not even her own brother—should ever know that Anna had not +been his wife. He would do what he could to shield her memory from +every reproach, and no one should ever dream that—he could not divest +himself of the suspicion—she had died willfully.</p> + +<p>Therefore, he replied with apparent frankness:</p> + +<p>"I think I can explain why she did so. On the day of our return from +Wyoming, Anna and I had a more serious quarrel than usual; I never saw +her so angry as she was at that time; she even went so far as to tell +me that she hated me; and so, I presume, in the heat of her anger, she +resolved to cut me off with the proverbial shilling to be revenged +upon me."</p> + +<p>"Well, she has done so with a vengeance," muttered his brother-in-law.</p> + +<p>"I went to her afterward and tried to make it up," his companion +resumed, "but she would have nothing to say to me. She was looking +very ill, also; and when the next morning she sent me word that she +was not able to join me at breakfast, I went again to her door and +begged her to allow me to send for Dr. Hunt, but she would not even +admit me."</p> + +<p>"What was this quarrel about?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, almost all our quarrels have been about a certain document which +has long been a bone of contention between us, and this one was an +outgrowth from the same subject."</p> + +<p>"Was that document a certificate of marriage?" craftily inquired Emil +Correlli.</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Gerald, were you ever really married to Anna?" demanded the young +man, bending toward him with an eager look.</p> + +<p>His companion flushed hotly at the question, and yet it assured him +that he did not really know just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> what relations his sister had +sustained toward him.</p> + +<p>"Isn't that a very singular question, Emil?" he inquired, with a cool +dignity that was very effective. "What led you to ask it?"</p> + +<p>"Something that Anna herself once said to me suggested the thought," +Emil replied. "I know, of course, the circumstances of your early +attachment—that for her you left another woman whom you had taken to +Rome. I once asked Anna the same question, but she would not answer me +directly—she evaded it in a way to confirm my suspicions rather than +to allay them. And now this will—it seems very strange that she +should have made it if—"</p> + +<p>"Pray, Emil, do not distress yourself over anything so absurd," coldly +interposed Gerald Goddard, but with almost hueless lips. "However, if +you continue to entertain doubts upon the subject, you have but to go +to the Church of the —— the next time you visit Rome, ask to see the +records for the year 18—, and you will find the marriage of your +sister duly recorded there."</p> + +<p>"I beg your pardon," apologized the doubter, now fully reassured by +the above shrewdly fashioned answer, "but Anna was always so +infernally jealous of you, and made herself so wretched over the fear +of losing your affection, that I could think of no other reason for +her foolishness. Now, about this will," he added, hastily changing the +subject and referring to the document. "I don't feel quite right to +have all Anna's fortune, in addition to my own, and no doubt the poor +girl would have repented of her rash act if she could have lived long +enough to get over her anger and realize what she was doing. I don't +need the money, and, Gerald, I am willing to make over something to +you, especially as I happen to know that you have sunk the most of +your money in unfortunate speculations," the young man concluded, Mr. +Goddard's sad, white face appealing to his generosity in spite of +their recent difference.</p> + +<p>"Thank you, Emil," he quietly replied; "but I cannot accept your very +kind offer. Since it was Anna's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> wish that you should have her +property, I prefer that the will should stand exactly as she made it. +I cannot take a dollar of the money—not even what 'the law would +allow' in view of our relations to each other."</p> + +<p>Those last words were uttered in a tone of peculiar bitterness that +caused Monsieur Correlli to regard him curiously.</p> + +<p>"Pray do not take it to heart like that, old boy," he said, kindly, +after a moment, "and let me persuade you to accept at least a few +thousands."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, but I cannot. Please do not press the matter, for my +decision is unalterable."</p> + +<p>"But how the deuce are you going to get along?" questioned the young +man.</p> + +<p>"I shall manage very well," was the grave rejoinder. "I have a few +hundreds which will suffice for my present needs, and, if my hands +have not lost their cunning, I can abundantly provide for my future by +means of my profession. By the way, what are your own plans?—if I may +inquire," he concluded, to change the subject.</p> + +<p>The young man paled at the question, and an angry frown settled upon +his brow.</p> + +<p>"I am going to return immediately to New York—I am bound to find that +girl," he said, with an air of sullen resolution.</p> + +<p>"Then you were not successful in your search?" Mr. Goddard remarked, +dropping his lids to hide the flash of satisfaction that leaped into +his eyes at the words.</p> + +<p>"No, and yes. I found out that she arrived safely in New York, where +she was met by a young lawyer—Royal Bryant by name—who immediately +spirited her away to some place after dodging the policeman I had set +on her track. I surmise that he has put her in the care of some of his +own friends. I went to him and demanded that he tell me where she was, +but I might just as well have tried to extract information from a +stone as from that astute disciple of the law—blast him! He finally +intimated that my room would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> be better than my company, and that I +might hear from him later on."</p> + +<p>"Ah! he has doubtless taken her case in hand—she has chosen him as +her attorney," said Mr. Goddard.</p> + +<p>"It looks like it," snapped the young man; "but he will not find it an +easy matter to free her from me; the marriage was too public and too +shrewdly managed to be successfully contested."</p> + +<p>"It was the most shameful and dastardly piece of villainy that I ever +heard of," exclaimed Gerald Goddard, indignantly, "and—"</p> + +<p>"And you evidently intend to take the girl's part against me," sneered +his companion, his anger blazing forth hotly. "If I remember rightly, +you rather admired her yourself."</p> + +<p>"I certainly did; she was one of the purest and sweetest girls I ever +met," was the dignified reply. "Emil, you have not a ghost of a chance +of supporting your claim if the matter comes to trial, and I beg that +you will quietly relinquish it without litigation," he concluded, +appealingly.</p> + +<p>"Not if I know myself," was the defiant retort.</p> + +<p>"But that farce was no marriage."</p> + +<p>"All the requirements of the law were fulfilled, and I fancy that any +one who attempts to prove to the contrary will find himself in deeper +water than will be comfortable, in spite of your assertion that I +'have not a ghost of a chance.'"</p> + +<p>"Possibly, but I doubt it. All the same, I warn you, here and now, +Correlli, that I shall use what influence I have toward freeing that +beautiful girl from your power," Mr. Goddard affirmed, with an air of +determination not to be mistaken.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean it—you will publicly appear against me if the matter +goes into court?"</p> + +<p>"I do."</p> + +<p>The young man appeared to be in a white rage for a moment; then, +snapping his fingers defiantly in his companion's face, he cried:</p> + +<p>"Do your worst! I do not fear you; you can prove nothing."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, I have no absolute proof, but I can at least give the court the +benefit of my suspicions and opinion."</p> + +<p>"What! and compromise your dead wife before a scandal-loving public?"</p> + +<p>"Emil, if Anna could speak at this moment, I believe she would tell +the truth herself, and save that innocent and lovely child from a fate +which to her must seem worse than death," Mr. Goddard solemnly +asserted.</p> + +<p>"Thank you—you are, to say the least, not very flattering to me in +your comparisons," angrily retorted Monsieur Correlli, as he sprang +from his chair and moved toward the door.</p> + +<p>He stopped as he laid his hand upon the silver knob and turned a +white, vindictive face upon the other.</p> + +<p>"Well, then," he said, between his white, set teeth, "since you have +determined to take this stand against me, it will not be agreeable for +us to meet as heretofore, and I feel compelled to ask you to vacate +these premises at your earliest convenience."</p> + +<p>"Very well! I shall, of course, immediately comply with your request. +A few hours will suffice me to make the move you suggest," frigidly +responded Gerald Goddard; but he had grown ghastly white with wounded +pride and anger at being thus ignominiously turned out of the house +where for so many years he had reigned supreme.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli bowed as he concluded, and left the room without a word +in reply.</p> + +<p>As the door closed after him Mr. Goddard sank back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, as he realized fully, for the first time, how entirely +alone in the world he was, and what a desolate future lay before him, +shorn, as he was, of home and friends and all the wealth which for so +long had paved a shining way for him through the world.</p> + +<p>His head sank heavily upon his breast, and he sat thus for several +minutes absorbed in painful reflections.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span></p> + +<p>He was finally aroused by the shutting of the street door, when, +looking up, he saw the new master of the house pass the window, and he +knew that henceforth he would be his bitter enemy.</p> + +<p>He glanced wistfully around the beautiful room—the dearest in the +house to him; at the elegant cases of valuable books, every one of +which he himself had chosen and caused to be uniformly bound; at the +choice paintings in their costly frames upon the walls, and many of +which had been painted by his own hands; at the numerous pieces of +statuary and rare curios which he knew would never assume their +familiar aspect in any other place.</p> + +<p>How could he ever make up his mind to dismantle that home-like spot +and bury his treasures in a close and gloomy storage warehouse?</p> + +<p>"Homeless, penniless, and alone?" he murmured, crushing back into his +breast a sob that arose to his throat.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly his glance fell upon the table beside him and rested +upon the letter that Mr. Clayton had given to him, and which, in the +exciting occurrences of the last hour, he had entirely forgotten.</p> + +<p>He took it up and sighed heavily again as the faint odor of Anna's +favorite perfume was wafted to his nostrils.</p> + +<p>"How changed is everything since she wrote this!—what a complete +revolution in one's life a few hours can make!" he mused.</p> + +<p>He broke the seal with some curiosity, but with something of awe as +well, for it seemed to him almost like a message from the other world, +and drew forth two sheets of closely-written paper.</p> + +<p>The missive was not addressed to any one; the writer had simply begun +what she had to say and told her story through to the end, and then +signed her name in full in a clear, bold hand.</p> + +<p>The man had not read half the first page before his manner betrayed +that its contents were of the most vital importance.</p> + +<p>On and on he read, his face expressing various emo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span>tions until by the +time he reached the end there was an eagerness in his manner, a gleam +of animation in his eyes which told that the communication had been of +a nature to entirely change the current of his thoughts and distract +them from everything of an unpleasant character regarding himself.</p> + +<p>He folded and returned the letter to its envelope with trembling +hands.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Anna! Anna!" he murmured, "why could you not have been always +governed by your better impulses, instead of yielding so weakly to the +evil in your nature? This makes my way plain at least—now I am ready +to bid farewell to this home and all that is behind me, and try to +fathom what the future holds for me."</p> + +<p>He carefully put the letter away into an inner pocket, then sat down +to his desk and began to look over his private papers.</p> + +<p>When that task was completed he ordered the butler to have some boxes +and packing cases, that were stored in the cellar, brought up to the +library, when he carefully packed away such books, pictures and other +things as he wished to take away with him.</p> + +<p>It was not an easy task, and he could almost as readily have committed +them to the flames as to have despoiled that beautiful home of what, +for so long, had made it so dear and attractive to him.</p> + +<p>When his work was completed he went out, slipped over into Boylston +street, where he knew there were plenty of rooms to be rented, and +where he soon engaged a <i>suite</i> that would answer his purpose for the +present.</p> + +<p>This done, he secured a man and team to move his possessions, and +before the shades of night had fallen he had stored everything he +owned away in his new quarters and bidden farewell forever to the +aristocratic dwelling on Commonwealth avenue, where he had lived so +luxuriously and entertained so elaborately the <i>crême de la crême</i> of +Boston society.</p> + +<p>Three days later he had disappeared from the city—"gone abroad" the +papers said, "for a change of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> scene and to recuperate from the +effects of the shock caused by his wife's sudden death."</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h2>MR. BRYANT MEETS WITH UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES.</h2> + + +<p>Let us now return to Edith, to ascertain how she is faring under the +care of her new friends in New York.</p> + +<p>On the morning following her arrival Mr. Bryant called at the house of +his cousin, Mrs. Morrell, as he had promised, to escort our fair +heroine to his office, to meet Mr. Louis Raymond, who had been so +anxiously searching for her.</p> + +<p>The gentleman had not arrived when they reached the place that was so +familiar to Edith, and "Roy," as she was slyly beginning to call him, +conducted her directly to his own special sanctum, and seated her in +the most comfortable chair, to await the coming of the stranger.</p> + +<p>"My sunshine has come back to me," he smilingly remarked, as he bent +over her and touched his lips to her forehead in a fond caress. "I +have not had one bright day since that morning when I returned from my +trip and found your letter, telling me that you were not coming to me +any more."</p> + +<p>"I did not think, then, that I should ever return," Edith began, +gravely. Then she added, in a lighter tone: "But now, that I am here, +will you not set me at work?"</p> + +<p>"Indeed, no; there shall be no more toiling for you, my darling," +returned the young man, with almost passionate tenderness.</p> + +<p>Edith shrank a little at his fond words, and a troubled expression +leaped into her eyes.</p> + +<p>Somehow she could not feel that she had a right to accept his loving +attentions and terms of endear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span>ment, precious as they were to her, +while there was any possibility that another had a claim upon her.</p> + +<p>Roy saw the movement, hardly noticeable though it was, and understood +the feeling that had prompted it, and he resolved that he would be +patient, and refrain from causing her even the slightest annoyance +until lie could prove to her that she was free.</p> + +<p>A few moments later Mr. Raymond was ushered in, and Roy, after +greeting him cordially, presented him to Edith.</p> + +<p>It was evident from the earnestness with which he studied her face +that the man had more than an ordinary interest in her; while, as he +clasped her hand, he appeared to be almost overcome with emotion.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," he said, as he struggled for self-control, "but this +meeting with you awakens memories that have proved too much for my +composure. You do not resemble your mother, Miss Edith," he concluded, +in a tone of regret, as he gazed wistfully into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"No?" the fair girl returned, flushing, and feeling half guilty for +allowing him to believe that she was Mr. and Mrs. Allandale's own +child.</p> + +<p>But she had determined to let him tell his story, or at least reveal +the nature of his business with her, and then be governed by +circumstances regarding her own disclosures.</p> + +<p>"If you will kindly excuse me, I will look over my mail while you are +conversing with Miss Allandale," Roy remarked, thinking, with true +delicacy, that the man might have some communication to make which he +would not care to have a third party overhear.</p> + +<p>Then, with a bow and a smile, he passed from the room, leaving the two +alone.</p> + +<p>"I cannot tell you how gratified I am to find you, Miss Edith," Mr. +Raymond remarked, as the door closed. "I have met only disappointment +of late, and, indeed, throughout most of my life, and I feared that +our advertisements might not meet your eye. I was deeply pained upon +returning to America, after many years spent abroad, to learn of the +misfortunes of your family, while the knowledge of your mother's +priva<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span>tions during the last two years of her life—as related to me by +Mr. Bryant—has caused me more grief than I can express."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mamma's last days were very, very sad," said Edith, while tears +dimmed her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Tell me about them, please—tell me all about your father's death, +and how it happened that you became so reduced financially," said Mr. +Raymond.</p> + +<p>Then the fair girl, beginning with the loss of her young brothers, +related all that had occurred during the two years following, up to +the time of her mother's death, while she spoke most touchingly of the +patience and fortitude with which the gentle invalid had borne their +struggles with poverty and hardship.</p> + +<p>More than once her companion was forced to wipe the tears from his +cheeks, as he listened to the sad recital, while his eyes lingered +affectionately upon the faithful girl who—as he learned from Mr. +Bryant—had so heroically tried to provide for the necessities of one +whom, it was evident, he had loved with more than ordinary affection.</p> + +<p>When she had concluded her story he remained silent for a few moments, +as if to fortify himself for the revelations which he had to make; +then he remarked:</p> + +<p>"Your mother and I, Miss Edith, were 'neighbors and playmates' during +our childhood—'schoolmates and friends' for long years afterward, she +would have told you; but—ever since I can remember, she was the +dearest object the world held for me. This affection grew with my +growth until, when I was twenty-one years of age, I asked her to marry +me. Her answer was like obscuring the sun at midday, for she told me +that she loved another; she had met Albert Allendale, and he had won, +apparently without an effort, what I had courted for many years. I +could not blame her, for I was but too conscious that he was my +superior, both physically and mentally, while the position he offered +her was far above anything I could hope to give her—at least, for a +long time. But it was a terrible blow to me, and I immediately left +the country, feeling that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> could never remain here to witness the +happiness that had been denied me. During my exile I heard from them +occasionally, through others, and of the ideal life they were leading; +but I never once thought of returning to this country until about six +months ago, when, my health suddenly failing, I felt that I would at +least like to die upon my native soil. You can, perhaps, imagine the +shock I experienced, upon arriving in New York, when I learned of Mr. +Allendale's misfortunes and death, and also that his wife and only +surviving child had been left destitute and were hiding themselves and +their poverty in some remote corner, unknown to their former friends. +I searched the city for you, and then, discouraged with my lack of +success, I put my case into the hands of Mr. Bryant, from whom I +learned of the death of your mother and your brave struggles with want +and hardships; whereupon I commissioned him to spare no effort or +expense to find you; hence the advertisement which, his note to me +last evening told me, met your eye in a Boston paper, and brought you +hither."</p> + +<p>"What a strange, romantic story!" Edith murmured, as Mr. Raymond +paused at this point; "and, although it is so very sad, it makes you +seem almost like an old friend to know that you once knew and loved +mamma."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, dear child," returned the man, eagerly, a smile hovering +for a moment around his thin lips. "I hardly expected you to greet me +thus, but it nevertheless sounds very pleasant to my unaccustomed +ears. And now, having told you my story in brief, my wish is to settle +upon you, for your dear mother's sake, as well as for your own, a sum +that will place you above the necessity of ever laboring for your +support in the future. During the last ten years I have greatly +prospered in business—indeed, I have accumulated quite a handsome +fortune—while, strange to say, I have not a relative in the world to +inherit it. The disease which has attacked me warns me that I have not +long to live; therefore I wish to arrange everything before my mind +and strength fail me. One-half of my property I de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span>sire to leave to a +certain charitable institution in this city; the remainder is to be +yours, my child, and may the blessing of an old and world-weary man go +with it."</p> + +<p>As he concluded, Edith raised her tearful eyes to find him regarding +her with a look of tender earnestness that was very pathetic.</p> + +<p>"You are very, very kind, Mr. Raymond," she responded, in tremulous +tones, "and I should have been inexpressibly happy if mamma could have +been benefited by your generosity; but—I feel that I have no right to +receive this bequest from you."</p> + +<p>"And why not, pray?" exclaimed her companion, in surprise, a look of +keen disappointment sweeping over his face.</p> + +<p>"Because—truth compels me to tell you that I am the child of Mr. and +Mrs. Allandale only by adoption," said Edith, with quivering lips, for +it always pained her to think of her relationship to those whom she +had so loved, in this light.</p> + +<p>"Can that be possible?" cried Mr. Raymond, in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir; it hurts me to speak of it—to even think of if; but it is +true," she replied.</p> + +<p>Then she proceeded to relate the circumstances of her adoption, as far +as she could do so without casting any reflections upon the unhappy +young mother who had been so wronged in Rome.</p> + +<p>"Of course, I loved papa and mamma just the same as if they had really +been my own parents," she remarked, in conclusion, "for I had not a +suspicion of the truth until after mamma died. I was always treated +exactly as if I had been as near to them as the children who died."</p> + +<p>"And have you no knowledge of your own parents?" Mr. Raymond inquired.</p> + +<p>"Not the slightest. The only clews I possess are some letters in my +mother's handwriting and the name Belle that she signed to him. +Strange as it may seem, there is not a surname nor any reference made +to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> locality where she lived in her youth, to aid me in my search +for her relatives."</p> + +<p>"That seems very singular," said the gentleman, musingly.</p> + +<p>"It is not only that, but it is also very trying," Edith returned. "Of +course, my mother is dead; my father"—this with a proud uplifting of +her pretty head—"I have no desire even to look upon his face. I could +never own the relationship, even should we meet; but I would like to +know something about my mother's family, for, as far as I know, I +have—like yourself—not a relative in the world."</p> + +<p>"Then pray, Miss Edith, for the sake of that other Edith whom I loved, +regard me, while I live, as your stanch, true friend," said Mr. +Raymond, earnestly. "The fact that you were the child of Edith +Allandale only by adoption will make no difference in my plans for +you. To all intents and purposes you were her daughter—she loved you +as such—you were faithful and tender toward her until the end; +therefore I shall settle the half of my property upon you for your +immediate use. I beg that you will feel no delicacy in accepting this +provision for your future," he interposed, appealingly, as he remarked +her heightened color. "Mr. Bryant had full instructions to carry out +my wishes, and the money would have been yours unconditionally, had I +never been so happy as to meet you. The only favor I ask of you in +return is the privilege of seeing you occasionally, to talk with you +of your mother."</p> + +<p>The tears rolled thick and fast over the young girl's face at this +appeal, for she was deeply touched by the man's tender regard for her +interests, and by his yearning to be in sympathy with one who had +known so intimately the one love of his life.</p> + +<p>"You are very kind," she said, when she could command her voice +sufficiently to speak. "I have no words adequate to thank you, and it +will be only a delight to me to tell you anything you may wish to know +about her who was so dear to us both. I could never tire of talking of +mamma. More than this, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> trust you will allow me to be of some +comfort to you," she added, earnestly. "When you are lonely or ill I +shall be glad to minister to you in any way that I may be able."</p> + +<p>"It is very thoughtful of you, Miss Edith, to suggest anything of the +kind," Louis Raymond responded, his wan face lighting with pleasure at +her words, "and no doubt I shall be glad to avail myself now and then +of your kindness; but we will talk of that at another time."</p> + +<p>He arose as he concluded, and, opening the door leading into the outer +office, requested Mr. Bryant to join them, when the conversation +became general.</p> + +<p>Later that same day, at Mr. Raymond's desire, the papers were drawn up +that made Edith the mistress of a snug little fortune in her own +right, the income from which would insure her every comfort during the +remainder of her life.</p> + +<p>The man was unwilling that the matter should be delayed, lest +something should interfere to balk his plans.</p> + +<p>When Roy took Edith back to Mrs. Morrell's he expressed his admiration +and sympathy in the highest terms for the generous-hearted invalid.</p> + +<p>"When we make a home for ourselves, darling, let us invite him to +share it, and we will try to make his last days his happiest days. +What do you say to the plan, sweet?" he queried, as he bent to look +into the beautiful face beside him.</p> + +<p>Edith flushed painfully at his question and hesitated to reply.</p> + +<p>"What is it, love?" he urged, forgetting for the moment the resolve he +had made earlier in the day.</p> + +<p>"Of course, Roy, I would be glad to do anything in the world for one +who was so devoted to mamma, and who, for her sake, has been so +considerate for my future; but—"</p> + +<p>"Well, what is this dreadful 'but'?" was the smiling query.</p> + +<p>"I am afraid that you are too sanguine regarding our prospects," +returned the fair girl, gravely. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> am somehow impressed that we +shall meet with difficulties that you do not anticipate in the way of +your happiness."</p> + +<p>"Do not be faint-hearted, dear," said her lover, tenderly, although a +shade of anxiety swept over his face as he spoke. "I am going +immediately to look up that woman with whom Giulia Fiorini told you +she boarded, and ascertain what evidence she can give me to sustain my +theory regarding Correlli's relations with the girl."</p> + +<p>He left Edith at Mrs. Morrell's door, and then hastened away upon his +errand.</p> + +<p>He easily found the street and number which Edith had given him, and, +to his joy, the name of the woman he sought was on the door.</p> + +<p>A portly matron, richly dressed, but with a very shrewd face, answered +his ring, and greeted him with suave politeness.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she remembered Giulia Fiorini," she remarked, in answer to his +inquiry. "She was a pretty Italian girl who had run away from her own +country, wasn't she? Would the gentleman kindly walk in? and she would +willingly respond to any further questions he might wish to ask."</p> + +<p>Roy followed her into a handsomely-furnished parlor, that was +separated from another by elegant portieres, which, however, were +closely drawn, thus concealing the room beyond.</p> + +<p>"Yes," madam continued, "the girl had a child—a boy—a fine little +fellow, whom she called Ino, and she did remember that a gentleman +visited them occasionally—the girl's brother, cousin, or some other +relation, she believed"—with a look of perplexity that would lead one +to infer that such visits had been so rare she found it difficult to +place the gentleman at all.</p> + +<p>"No, she did not even know his name, and she had never heard him admit +that the girl was his wife—certainly not!—nor the child call him +father or papa. There had always been something mysterious about +Giulia, but she had appeared to have plenty of money, and had paid her +well, and thus she had not concerned herself about her private +affairs."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span></p> + +<p>Roy's heart grew cold and heavy within him as he listened to these +suave and evasive replies to his every question.</p> + +<p>It was evident to him that she had already received instructions what +to say in the event of such a visit, and was paid liberally to carry +them out.</p> + +<p>He spent nearly an hour with her trying to make her contradict or +commit herself in some way, but she never once made a mistake; her +answers were very pat and to the point, and he knew no more when he +arose to leave than he had known when he entered the house.</p> + +<p>He was very heavy-hearted—indeed, a feeling of despair began to +settle down upon him; for, unless he could prove that Emil Correlli +had taken Giulia Fiorini to that house, and lived with her there as +her husband, he felt that he had very little to hope for regarding his +future with Edith.</p> + +<p>Madam ushered him out as courteously as she had invited him in, +regretting exceedingly that she could not give him all the information +he desired, and hoped that the matter was not so important as to cause +him any especial annoyance.</p> + +<p>She even inquired if he knew where Giulia was at that time, remarking +that she "had been invariably sweet-tempered and lady-like, and she +should always feel an interest in her, in spite of a certain air of +mystery that seemed to envelop her."</p> + +<p>But the moment the door closed after her visitor madam's keen, black +eyes began to glitter and a shrewd smile played about her cunning +mouth.</p> + +<p>A little gurgling laugh of triumph broke from her red lips as she +returned to the parlor, when the portieres between it and the room +were swept aside, and Emil Correlli himself walked into her presence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + +<h2>AN UNEXPECTED MEETING RESULTS IN A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY.</h2> + + +<p>"Well done, madam! you managed to pull the wool over his eyes in very +good shape," the man remarked, a look of evil triumph sweeping over +his face.</p> + +<p>"Certainly, Mr. Correlli," the woman returned, in a tone of serene +satisfaction. "Only give me my price, and I am ready to make anybody +believe that black is white, every time; and now I'll take that five +hundred, if you please," she concluded, as she extended her fat hand +for the plump fee for which she had been so zealously working.</p> + +<p>"You shall have it—you shall have it; I will write you a check for it +immediately," said Monsieur Correlli. "But—you are sure there is no +one in the house who knows anything about the facts of the case?" he +added, inquiringly, after a moment of thought.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I am sure; I haven't a single servant now that was with me when +the girl was here."</p> + +<p>"Have you any idea where they went after leaving you?" asked the man, +with evident uneasiness.</p> + +<p>"Lor', no; you needn't have the slightest fear of their turning up," +responded his companion, with a light laugh. "That lawyer might as +well try to hunt for a needle in a hay-mow as to seek them as +witnesses against you; while, as for the lodgers who were here at the +time, not one of them knew anything about your affairs. By the way," +she added, curiously, "what has become of the girl?"</p> + +<p>"She followed me to Boston, and is there now, doubtless."</p> + +<p>"Would she be likely to know anything about the laws of New York +regarding marriage?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; she is a perfect ignoramus as far as any knowledge of the +customs of this country is concerned."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<p>"That is lucky for you; but, if you know where she can be found, I +would advise you to send her back to Italy with all possible dispatch. +She is liable to make trouble for you if she learns the truth, +for"—madam here shot a sly look at her companion—"a man can't live a +year or two with a woman here in New York, allowing her to believe +herself his wife, and her child to call him 'papa'—paying all her +bills, without giving her a pretty strong claim upon him. However, +mum's the word with me, provided I get my pay for it," she concluded, +with a knowing wink.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli frowned at her coarse familiarity and the indirect +threat implied in her last words; but, simply remarking that he "would +draw that check," he returned to the room whence he had come, while +his companion turned to a window, chuckling softly to herself.</p> + +<p>Presently he reappeared and slipped into her hand a check for five +hundred dollars.</p> + +<p>"Now, in case this matter should come to court, I shall rely upon you +to swear that the girl's story is false and the lawyer's charge simply +a romance of his imagination," he remarked.</p> + +<p>"You may depend on me, sir—I will not fail you," madam responded, as, +with a complacent look, she neatly folded the check and deposited it +in her purse.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli had arrived in New York very early the same morning, +and, not caring to have his presence there known, he had sought a room +in the house of the woman with whom Giulia had boarded for nearly two +years.</p> + +<p>Having partaken of a light breakfast, he went out again to seek the +policeman to whom he had telegraphed to detain Edith.</p> + +<p>He readily found him, when he learned all that we already know of the +man's efforts to obey Correlli's orders.</p> + +<p>"That was the girl, in spite of the lawyer's interference. You should +have never let her go," he angrily exclaimed, when the officer had +described Edith and told his story.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But I couldn't, sir—I had no authority—no warrant—and I should +have got myself into trouble," the man objected, adding: "The lawyer +was a shrewd one and had a high and mighty way with him that made a +fellow go into his boots and fight shy of him."</p> + +<p>Monsieur Correlli knew that the man was right, and saw that he must +make the best of the situation; so, taking possession of Roy's card, +and making his way directly to Broadway, he prowled about the vicinity +of his office to see what he could discover.</p> + +<p>He had not waited very long when his heart bounded as he caught sight +of Edith coming down the street and escorted by a handsome, manly +fellow, whose beaming face and adoring eyes plainly betrayed his +secret to the jealous watcher, who gnashed his teeth in fury at the +sight.</p> + +<p>The happy, unconscious couple soon disappeared within an office +building, whereupon Correlli went back to his lodgings to lay his +plans for future operations.</p> + +<p>Some hours later, while he was conversing with his landlady in her +pretty parlor, he was startled to see Edith's champion of the morning +mounting the steps of the house.</p> + +<p>Like a flash he seemed to comprehend the object of his visit there; +but he was puzzled to understand how it was possible for either Edith +or him to know that he or Giulia had ever lived there.</p> + +<p>A few rapid words were sufficient to reveal the situation to his +landlady, to whom he promised a liberal reward if she would implicitly +follow his directions.</p> + +<p>The result we know; and, although his bribe had been a heavy one, he +did not begrudge the money, since he believed he had thus securely +fortified himself against all attacks from the enemy.</p> + +<p>Later in the day he attempted to dog the young lawyer's steps, hoping +thus to ferret out Edith's hiding place; but nothing satisfactory +resulted, for Roy, after his hard and somewhat disappointing day, +simply repaired to his club, where, after partaking of his dinner and +smoking a cigar to soothe his nerves, he retired to rest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span></p> + +<p>But the next morning, feeling secure of his position, Emil Correlli +boldly presented himself in his rival's office and demanded of him +Edith's address.</p> + +<p>Roy was prepared for him, for his fruitless visit to Giulia's former +landlady had aroused his suspicions that Monsieur Correlli was in the +city.</p> + +<p>Therefore he had resolved neither to evade nor parley with him, but +boldly defy the man, by acknowledging himself the wronged girl's +champion and legal adviser.</p> + +<p>"I cannot give you Miss Allandale's address," he quietly responded to +his visitor's demand.</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to imply that you do not know it?" he questioned, +arrogantly.</p> + +<p>"Not at all, sir; the lady is under my protection, as my client; +therefore, in her interest I refuse to reveal her place of residence," +Roy coolly responded.</p> + +<p>"But she is my wife, and I have a right to know where she is," said +the would-be husband, his anger flaming up hotly at being thus balked +in his desires.</p> + +<p>"Your wife?" repeated the young lawyer, in an incredulous tone, but +growing white about the mouth from the effort he made to retain +command of himself, as the obnoxious term fell from the villain's +lips.</p> + +<p>"Certainly—I claim her as such; my right to do so cannot be +questioned."</p> + +<p>"There may be a difference of opinion regarding that matter," Roy +calmly rejoined.</p> + +<p>"But we were publicly married on the twenty-fifth."</p> + +<p>"Ah! but there are circumstances under which even such a ceremony can +have no legal significance."</p> + +<p>The fiery Italian was no match for the lawyer in that cool, calm mood, +and his anger increased as he realized it.</p> + +<p>"But I have my certificate, and can produce plenty of witnesses to +prove my statements," he retorted.</p> + +<p>"The court will decide whether your evidence is sufficient to +substantiate your claim," Mr. Bryant composedly remarked.</p> + +<p>"The court?—will she take the matter into court?—will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> she dare +create such a scandal?" exclaimed the man, in a startled tone.</p> + +<p>"I do not feel at liberty, even had I the inclination, to reveal any +points in my client's case," coldly replied the young lawyer. "This +much I will say, however," he added, sternly, "I shall leave nothing +undone to free her from a tie that is both hateful and fraudulent."</p> + +<p>"I warn you that you will have a battle to fight that will cost you +something," snarled the baffled villain.</p> + +<p>"That also remains to be seen, sir; but whether you or I win this +battle, let me tell you, once for all, that Miss Allandale will never +submit to any authority which you may imagine you have acquired over +her by tricking her into this so-called marriage; she will never live +one hour with you; she will never respond to your name."</p> + +<p>Royal Bryant arose as he concluded this defiant speech, thus +intimating to his visitor that he wished to put an end to the +interview, for the curb that he was putting upon himself was becoming +almost unbearable.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli gazed searchingly into his face for a moment, as if +trying to measure his foe.</p> + +<p>He could not fail to realize the superiority of the man, mentally, +morally and physically, and the thought was maddening that perhaps +Edith had freely given to him the love for which he had abjectly sued +in vain.</p> + +<p>"Well," he finally remarked, as he also arose, while he revealed his +white teeth in a vicious smile, "it may be in her power to carry out +that resolution, but one thing is sure, she can never free herself +from the fetters which she finds so galling—she can never marry any +other man while I live."</p> + +<p>This shot told, for the blue veins in Roy's temples suddenly swelled +out full at the malignant retort.</p> + +<p>But he mastered his first impulse to seize the wretch and throw him +from the window into the street, and quietly remarked:</p> + +<p>"As I have twice before observed, sir, all these things remain to be +seen and proved. Now, can I do anything further for you to-day?"</p> + +<p>The man could not do otherwise than take the hint;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> besides, there was +that in Roy's eye which warned him that it would not be safe for him +to try him too far. So, abruptly turning upon his heel, he left the +room, while our young lawyer, with tightly compressed lips and +care-lined brow, walked the floor in troubled thought.</p> + +<p>After leaving his office Emil Correlli repaired to the hotel where his +letters were usually sent, and found awaiting him there a telegram +announcing the sudden death of his sister and requesting his immediate +return to Boston.</p> + +<p>Shocked beyond measure, and grieved to the soul by this unexpected +bereavement, he dropped everything and left New York on the next +eastward express.</p> + +<p>We know all that occurred in that home where death had come so +unexpectedly; how, after the burial of Mrs. Goddard, Emil Correlli had +suddenly found his already large fortune greatly augmented by the +strange will of his sister, while the man whom she had always +professed to adore was left destitute, and to shift for himself as +best he could.</p> + +<p>The day after he had turned Gerald Goddard out of his home, so to +speak, the young man dismissed all his servants, closed the house, and +put it into the hands of a real estate agent to be disposed of at the +best advantage.</p> + +<p>He made an effort to find Giulia and her child, with the intention of +settling a comfortable income upon them, provided he could make the +girl promise to return to Italy and never trouble him again.</p> + +<p>But she had disappeared, and he could learn absolutely nothing +regarding her movements; and, impressed with a feeling that she would +yet revenge herself upon him in some unexpected way, he finally +returned to New York, determined to ferret out Edith's hiding place.</p> + +<p>Meantime the fair girl had been very happy with her new friends, who +were also growing very fond of her.</p> + +<p>But she would not allow herself to build too much upon the hope of +attaining her freedom which Roy had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> tried to arouse in her heart +shortly after her arrival in New York.</p> + +<p>Indeed, she had begun to notice that, after the first day or two, he +had avoided conversing upon the subject, while he often wore a look of +anxiety and care which betrayed that he was deeply troubled about +something.</p> + +<p>In fact, Roy was very heavy-hearted, for, since his failure to learn +anything from Giulia's former landlady to prove his theory correct, he +had begun to fear that it would be a very difficult matter to free the +girl he loved from the chain that bound her to Correlli.</p> + +<p>If he could have found the discarded girl herself he believed that, +with her assistance, he would soon discover the servants who had been +in the house during her residence there, and, through them, find some +substantial evidence to work upon.</p> + +<p>But although he had advertised for her in several Boston papers, he +had not been able to get any trace of her.</p> + +<p>He had, however, filed a plea to have Edith's so-called marriage set +aside, and was anxiously waiting for some time to be appointed for a +hearing of the' case.</p> + +<p>Edith and her new acquaintance, Mr. Raymond, were fast becoming firm +friends, in spite of the suspense that was hanging over the former +regarding her future.</p> + +<p>The young girl had first been drawn toward the invalid from a feeling +of sympathy, and because of his old-time fondness for her mother. But, +upon becoming better acquainted with him, she began to admire him for +his many noble qualities, both of mind and heart, while she ever found +him a most entertaining companion, as he possessed an exhaustless fund +of anecdote and personal experiences, acquired during his extensive +travels, which he never wearied of relating when he could find an +appreciative listener.</p> + +<p>Thus she spent a great deal of time with him, while by her many little +attentions to his comfort she won a large place in his heart.</p> + +<p>One day Mrs. Morrell and Edith went to attend a charity exhibition +that was under the supervision of a friend of the former, at her own +house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> + +<p>Upon their arrival they were ushered into the drawing-room, which was +beautifully decorated and hung with many exquisite paintings, while +some rare gems were resting conspicuously upon easels.</p> + +<p>In one corner, and artistically draped with a beautiful scarf, Edith +was startled, almost at the moment of her entrance, to see a painting +that was very familiar.</p> + +<p>It was that representing a portion of an old Roman wall, with the +lovers resting in its shadow, which had attracted the attention of +Mrs. Stewart on the last night of the "winter frolic," at Wyoming.</p> + +<p>With an expression of astonishment she went forward to examine it more +closely and to assure herself that it was the original, and not a +copy.</p> + +<p>Yes, those two tiny letters, G. G., in one corner, told their own +story, and proved her surmise to be correct.</p> + +<p>"How strange that it should be here!" she breathed.</p> + +<p>She had hardly uttered the words when some one arose from behind the +easel, and—she stood face to face with Gerald Goddard himself.</p> + +<p>The girl stood white and almost paralyzed before him, and the man +appeared scarcely less astonished on beholding her.</p> + +<p>"Miss Allen!" he faltered. "I never dreamed of meeting you here!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, pray do not tell Monsieur Correlli that you have seen me," she +gasped, fear for the moment superseding every other thought.</p> + +<p>"Do not be troubled—he shall learn nothing from me," said the man, +reassuringly. "Correlli and I are not very good friends just now, +simply because I told him that I should do all in my power to help you +prove that he had no just claim upon you."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Edith, flushing with hope, but involuntarily +shrinking from him, for she could not forget how he had degraded +himself before her on that last horrible night at Wyoming.</p> + +<p>"I suppose you have heard of my—of Mrs. Goddard's death?" he +remarked, after a moment of silence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mrs. Goddard—dead?" exclaimed Edith, shocked beyond expression.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she died very suddenly, the second morning after you left +Boston."</p> + +<p>Edith was about to respond with some expression of regret and +sympathy, when she saw him start violently, and a look of agony, that +bordered on despair, leap into his eyes.</p> + +<p>Involuntarily she turned to see what had caused it, and was both +surprised and delighted to behold Mrs. Stewart—whom she supposed to +be in Boston—just entering the room, and looking especially lovely in +a rich black velvet costume, with a hat to match, but brightened by +two or three exquisite pink roses.</p> + +<p>At that instant a lady, to whom she had recently been introduced, laid +her hand upon Edith's arm, remarking in quick, incisive tones:</p> + +<p>"Miss Allandale, your friend, Mrs. Morrell, is beckoning you to come +to her."</p> + +<p>Again Gerald Goddard started, and so violently that he nearly knocked +his picture from the easel.</p> + +<p>He shot one quick, horrified glance at the girl.</p> + +<p>"Miss Allandale!" he repeated, in a dazed tone, as all that the name +implied forced itself upon his mind.</p> + +<p>Another in the room had also caught the name, and turned to see who +had been thus addressed.</p> + +<p>As her glance fell upon Edith her beautiful face grew radiant.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if it should be—" she breathed.</p> + +<p>The next moment she had crossed the room to the girl's side.</p> + +<p>"What did Mrs. Baldwin call you, dear?" she breathlessly inquired, +regardless of etiquette, for she had not yet greeted her hostess. "Was +it Miss Allandale?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, that is my name," said Edith, flushing, but frankly meeting her +look of eager inquiry.</p> + +<p>"But you told me—" Mrs. Stewart whispered.</p> + +<p>"Yes," interposed the young girl, "while I was in Boston I was known +simply as Edith Allen—why, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> will explain to you at some other time; +but my real name is Edith Allandale."</p> + +<p>The woman seemed turned to stone for a moment by this unexpected +revelation, so statue-like did she become, as she also realized all +that this confession embodied.</p> + +<p>Then, as if compelled by some magnetic influence, her eyes were drawn +toward the no less statue-like man standing by that never-to-be +forgotten picture on the easel.</p> + +<p>Their gaze met, and each read in that one brief look the conviction +that made one heart bound with joy, the other to sink with +despair—each knew that the beautiful girl, standing so wonderingly +beside that stately woman, was the child that had been born to them in +the pretty Italian villa hard by the old Roman wall which Gerald +Goddard had so faithfully reproduced upon canvas.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h2>"THAT MAN MY FATHER!"</h2> + + +<p>Isabel Stewart was the first to recover herself, when, gently linking +her arm within Edith's, she whispered, softly:</p> + +<p>"Come with me, dear; I would like to see you alone for a few minutes."</p> + +<p>She led her unresistingly from the room, across the hall, to a small +reception-room, when, closing the door to keep out intruders, she +turned and laid both her trembling hands upon the girl's shoulders.</p> + +<p>"Tell me," she said, looking wistfully into her wondering eyes, "are +you the daughter of Albert and Edith Allandale?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>It was all the answer that Edith, in her excitement, could make.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span></p> + +<p>The beautiful woman caught her breath graspingly, and every particle +of color faded from her face.</p> + +<p>"Tell me, also," she went on, hurriedly, "did you ever hear your—your +mother speak of a friend by the name of Belle Haven?"</p> + +<p>Edith's heart leaped into her throat at this question, and she, too, +began to tremble, as a suspicion of the truth flashed through her +mind.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, with quivering lips, "I never heard her mention such a +person; but—"</p> + +<p>"Yes—'but'—" eagerly repeated her companion.</p> + +<p>"But," the fair girl continued, gravely, while she searched with a +look of pain the eyes looking so eagerly into hers, "the evening after +mamma was buried, I found some letters which had been written to her +from Rome, and which were all signed 'Belle.'"</p> + +<p>"Oh!—"</p> + +<p>It was a sharp cry of agony that burst from Isabel Stewart's lips.</p> + +<p>"Oh, why did she keep them?" she went on, wildly; "how could she have +been so unwise? Why—why did she not destroy them?"</p> + +<p>At these words a light so eager, so beautiful, so tender that it +seemed to transfigure her, suddenly illumined Edith's face, for they +confirmed, beyond a doubt, the suspicion and hope that had been +creeping into her heart.</p> + +<p>"Tell me—are you that 'Belle'?" she whispered, bending nearer to her +with gleaming eyes.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do not ask me!" cried the unhappy woman, a bitter sob escaping +her.</p> + +<p>She had never dreamed of anything so dreadful as that those fatal +letters would fall into the hands of her child, to prejudice her and +make her shrink from her with aversion.</p> + +<p>She had planned, if she was ever so fortunate as to find her, and had +to reveal her history to her, to smooth over all that would be likely +to shock her—that she would never confess to her how despair had +driven her to the verge of that one crime upon which she now looked +back with unspeakable horror.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span></p> + +<p>The thought that this beautiful girl knew all, and believed the +worst—as she could not fail to do, she reasoned, after reading the +crude facts mentioned in those letters—filled her with shame and +grief: for how could she ever eradicate those first impressions, and +win the love she so craved?</p> + +<p>Thus she was wholly unprepared for what followed immediately upon her +indirect acknowledgment of her identity.</p> + +<p>The gentle girl, her expressive face radiant with mingled joy, love, +sympathy, slipped both arms around her companion's waist, and dropping +her head upon her shoulder, murmured, fondly:</p> + +<p>"Ah, I am sure you are!—I am sure that I have found my mother, and—I +am almost too happy to live."</p> + +<p>"Child! my own darling! Is it possible that you can thus open your +heart of hearts to me?" sobbed the astonished woman, as she clasped +the slight form to her in a convulsive embrace.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes—yes; I have longed for you, with longing unspeakable, ever +since I knew," Edith murmured, tremulously.</p> + +<p>"Longed for me? Ah, I never dared to hope that Heaven could be so +kind. I feared, love, that you would despise me, as a weak and willful +woman, even after I should tell you all my story, with its extenuating +circumstances; but now, while knowing and believing only the worst, +you take me into the arms of your love, and own me—your mother!"</p> + +<p>She broke down utterly at this point, and both, clasped in each +other's embrace, sobbed in silent sympathy for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"Well, dearest, this will never do," Mrs. Stewart at last exclaimed, +as she lifted her face and smiled tenderly upon Edith; "we must at +least compose ourselves long enough to make our adieus to our hostess; +then I am going to take you home with me, to have all the story of our +tangled past unraveled and explained. Come, let us sit down for a few +moments, until we get rid of the traces of our tears, and you shall +tell me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> how you happened to be in Boston under the name of Edith +Allen."</p> + +<p>She drew her toward a couch as she spoke, and there Edith related how +she had happened to meet the Goddard's on the train, between New York +and Boston, and was engaged to act as madam's companion, and how also +the mistake regarding her name had occurred.</p> + +<p>"And were you happy with them, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Stewart, +regarding her curiously.</p> + +<p>The fair girl flushed.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I was not," she replied, "I think they were the strangest +people I ever met."</p> + +<p>Almost as she spoke the door of the reception-room opened, and Gerald +Goddard himself appeared upon the threshold.</p> + +<p>He was pale to ghastliness, and looked years older than when Edith had +seen him in the drawing-room a few minutes previous.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me this intrusion, Miss—Edith," he began, shrinkingly, while +he searched both faces before him with despairing eyes; "but I am +about to leave, and I wished to give you this note before I went. If, +after reading it, you should care to communicate with me, you can +address me at the Murry Hill Hotel."</p> + +<p>He laid the missive upon a table near the door, then, with a bow, +withdrew, leaving the mother and daughter alone again.</p> + +<p>"That was Mr. Goddard," Edith explained to her companion, as she arose +to take the letter; but without a suspicion that the two had ever met +before, or that the man was her own father—the "monster" who had so +wronged her beautiful mother.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart made no reply to the remark; and Edith, breaking the seal +of the envelope in her hands, drew forth several closely-written +pages.</p> + +<p>"Why!" she exclaimed, in a startled tone, "this is Mrs. Goddard's +handwriting!"</p> + +<p>She hastily unfolded the sheets and ran her eye rapidly down the first +page, when a low cry broke from her lips, and, throwing herself upon +her knees<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> before her mother, she buried her face in her lap, +murmuring joyfully:</p> + +<p>"Saved! saved!"</p> + +<p>"Darling, tell me!—what is this that excites you so?" Mrs. Stewart +pleaded, as she bent over her and softly kissed her flushed cheek.</p> + +<p>Edith put the letter into her hands, saying, eagerly:</p> + +<p>"Read it—read it!—it will tell its own story."</p> + +<p>Her companion obeyed her, and, as she read, her face grew stern and +white—her eyes glittered with a fiery light which told of an outraged +spirit aroused to a point where it would have been dangerous for the +woman who once had deeply wronged her, had she been living, to have +crossed her path again.</p> + +<p>"If I had known!—if I had known—" she began, when she reached the +end. Then, suddenly checking herself, she added, tenderly, to Edith: +"My love, it seems so wonderful—all this that has happened to you and +to me! We must take time to talk it all over by ourselves. You can +excuse yourself to your friend, can you not, and come with me to the +Waldorf? Say that I wish to keep you for the remainder of the day and +night, but will return you to her in the morning."</p> + +<p>Edith's face beamed with delight at this proposal.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," she said, rising to comply at once with the request. "I +am sure Nellie will willingly give me up, when I whisper the truth in +her ear. My dear—dear mother!" she added, tremulously, as she bent +forward and kissed the beautiful face with quivering lips, "this +wonderful revelation seems too joyful to be true!"</p> + +<p>"Edith, my child," gravely said Isabel Stewart, as she held the girl a +little away from her and searched her face with anxious eyes, "after +learning what you did of me, from those horrible letters, is there no +shrinking in your heart—is there no feeling of—of shame or of +pitiful contempt for me?"</p> + +<p>"Not an atom, dear," whispered the trustful maiden, whose keen +intuitions had long since fathomed the character of the woman before +her; "to me you are as pure and dear as if that man—whoever he may +have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> been—had never cast a shadow upon your life by the shameful +deception which he practiced upon you."</p> + +<p>"My blessed little comforter! you shall be rewarded for your faith in +me," returned Mrs. Stewart, her lips wreathed in fondest smiles, her +eyes glowing with happiness. "But go excuse yourself to Mrs. Morrell, +then we will take leave of our hostess, and go home."</p> + +<p>Ten minutes later they were on their way to the Waldorf.</p> + +<p>It was rather a silent drive, for both were still too deeply moved +over their recent reunion to care to enter into details just then. It +was happiness enough to sit side by side, hand clasped in hand, +knowing that they were mother and daughter, and in tenderest sympathy +with each other.</p> + +<p>Upon arriving at her hotel Mrs. Stewart led the way directly to her +delightful suite of rooms, where, the moment the door was closed, she +turned and once more gathered Edith into her arms.</p> + +<p>"I must hold you—I must feel you, else I shall not be quite sure that +I am not dreaming," she exclaimed. "I find it difficult to realize my +great happiness. Can it be possible that I have my own again, after so +many years! that you were once the tiny baby that I held in my arms in +Rome, and loved better than any other earthly object? It is wonderful! +wonderful! and strangest of all is the fact that your heart turns so +fondly to me! Are you sure, dear, that you can unreservedly accept and +love your mother, in spite of those letters, and what they revealed +regarding my past life?"</p> + +<p>And again she searched Edith's face and eyes as if she would read her +inmost thoughts.</p> + +<p>She met her glance clearly, unshrinkingly.</p> + +<p>"I am sure that you never committed a willful wrong in your life," she +gravely replied. "It was a sad mistake to go away from your home and +parents, as you did; but there is no intent to sin to be laid to your +charge—your soul shines, like a beacon light, through these dear +eyes, and I am sure it is as pure and lovely as your face is +beautiful."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + +<p>"May He who always judges with divine mercy bless you for your sweet +charity and faith," murmured Isabel Stewart, in tremulous tones, as +she passionately kissed the lips which had just voiced such a blessed +assurance of trust and love.</p> + +<p>"Now come," she went on, a moment later, while, with her own hands, +she tenderly removed Edith's hat and wrap, "we will make ourselves +comfortable, then I will tell you all the sad story of my misguided +youth."</p> + +<p>Twining her arms about the girl's waist, she led her to a seat, and +sitting beside her, she circumstantially related all that we already +know of her history.</p> + +<p>But not once did she mention the name of the man who had so deeply +wronged her; for she had resolved, if it were possible, to keep from +Edith the fact that Gerald Goddard, under whose roof she had lived, +was her father.</p> + +<p>The young girl, however, was not satisfied, was not content to be thus +kept in the dark; and, when her mother's story was ended, she +inquired, with grave face and clouded eyes:</p> + +<p>"Who was this man?—why have you so persistently retrained from +identifying him? What was the name of that coward to whom—with shame +I say it—I am indebted for my being?"</p> + +<p>"My love, cannot you restrain your curiosity upon that point? Will you +not let the dead past bury its dead, without erecting a tablet to its +memory?" her companion pleaded, gently. "It can do you no possible +good—it might cause you infinite pain to know."</p> + +<p>"Is the man living?" Edith sternly demanded.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart flushed.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she replied, after a moment of hesitation.</p> + +<p>"Then I must know—you must tell me, so that I may shun him as I would +shun a deadly serpent," the young girl exclaimed, with compressed lips +and flashing eyes.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart looked both pained and troubled.</p> + +<p>"My love, I wish you would not press this point," she remarked, +nervously.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Edith turned and gazed searchingly into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Do you still cherish an atom of affection for him?" she inquired.</p> + +<p>"No! a thousand times no!" was the emphatic response, accompanied by a +gesture of abhorrence.</p> + +<p>"Then you can have no personal motive or sensitiveness concerning the +matter."</p> + +<p>"No, my child—my desire is simply to save you pain—to spare you a +shock, perchance."</p> + +<p>"Do I know him already?—have I ever seen him?" cried Edith, in a +startled tone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear."</p> + +<p>"Then tell me! tell me!" panted the girl. "Oh! if I have spoken with +him, it is a wonder that my tongue was not paralyzed in the act—that +my very soul did not shrink and recoil with aversion from him!" she +exclaimed, trembling from head to foot with excitement.</p> + +<p>Her mother saw that it would be useless to attempt to keep the truth +from her; that it would be better to tell her, or she might brood over +the matter and make herself unhappy by vainly trying to solve the +riddle in her own mind.</p> + +<p>"Edith," she said, with gentle gravity, "the man is—Gerald Goddard!"</p> + +<p>The girl sprang to her feet, electrified by the startling revelation, +a low cry of dismay escaping her.</p> + +<p>"He! that man my—father!" she breathed, hoarsely, with dilating +nostrils and horrified eyes.</p> + +<p>"It is true," was the sad response. "I would have saved you the pain +of knowing this if I could."</p> + +<p>"Oh! and I have lived day after day in his presence! I have talked and +jested with him! I have eaten of his bread, and his roof has sheltered +me!" cried Edith, shivering with aversion. "Why, oh, why did not some +instinct warn me of the wretched truth, and enable me to repudiate him +and then fly from him as from some monster of evil? Ah, I was warned, +if I had but heeded the signs," she continued, with flushed cheeks and +flaming eyes. "There were many times when some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> word or look would +make me shrink from him with a strange repugnance, and that last night +in Wyoming—oh, he revealed his evil nature to me in a way that made +me loathe him!"</p> + +<p>"My child, pray calm yourself," pleaded her mother, regarding her with +astonishment, for she never could have believed, but for this +manifestation, that the usually gentle girl could have displayed so +much spirit under any circumstances. "Come," she added, "sit down +again, and explain what you meant by your reference to that last night +at Wyoming."</p> + +<p>And Edith, obeying her, related the conversation that had occurred +between Mr. Goddard and herself, on the night of the ball, when the +man had come to the dressing-room and asked her to button his gloves.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h2>FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER.</h2> + + +<p>"It was very, very strange that you should have drifted into his home +in such a way," Mrs. Stewart observed, when Edith's narrative was +ended. "But, dear, I am not sorry—it was perhaps the best thing that +could have happened, under the circumstances, for it afforded you an +opportunity to gain an insight into the man's character without having +been previously influenced or prejudiced by any one. If you had never +met him, you might have imagined, after hearing my story, that I was +more bitter and unforgiving toward him than he justly merited."</p> + +<p>"He must have recognized you instantly when you entered Mrs. Wallace's +drawing-room to-day," said Edith, musingly; "for, did you notice how +strangely he looked when Mrs. Baldwin called me Miss Allandale, and +you came to me so eagerly?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; the relationship you bear to us both must<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> have flashed upon him +with as great a shock as upon me," Mrs. Stewart returned.</p> + +<p>"And how perfectly wretched he appeared when he came to the +reception-room door to give me the letter," Edith remarked, musingly, +as that white, pained face arose before her mind's eye.</p> + +<p>"Can you wonder, dear? How could he help being appalled when he +remembered the treatment you had received while you were a member of +his family?"</p> + +<p>"It all seems very wonderful!" said the fair girl, thoughtfully, "and +the fact of your being in the house at the same time, seems strangest +of all!"</p> + +<p>"It was a very bold thing to do, I admit," responded Mrs. Stewart; +"but the case demanded some risk on my part—I was determined to get +hold of that certificate, if it was in existence. I thought it better +to employ strategy, rather than come into open controversy with them, +as I wished to avoid all publicity if possible. I firmly believe that, +if Anna Correlli had suspected that I was still alive, she would have +destroyed the document rather than allow it to come into my +possession."</p> + +<p>"But you could have proved your marriage, through Mr. Forsyth, even if +she had," Edith interposed.</p> + +<p>"Yes; but it would have caused a terrible scandal, for Mr. Goddard +would have had to answer to the charge of bigamy; while the publicity +I should have had to endure would have been exceedingly disagreeable +to me. If, however, I had failed in my plans I should not have +hesitated to adopt bold measures—for I was determined, for your sake +as well as my own, to have proof that I was a legal wife and my child +entitled to bear the name of her father, even though he might be +unworthy of her respect."</p> + +<p>"How did you happen to discover where the certificate was concealed?" +Edith inquired.</p> + +<p>"Do you remember, dear, the day when you came upon me, sitting faint +and weary on the back stairs, and insisted that I should exchange work +with you?" her companion questioned, with a fond smile.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, but I little thought that it was my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> own mother who was +so worn out by performing such unaccustomed labor," the young girl +responded, as she raised the hand she was holding and touched her lips +softly to it.</p> + +<p>"Neither of us had a suspicion of the tie between us," returned Mrs. +Stewart; "and yet, from the moment that you entered the house, I +experienced an unaccountable fondness for you."</p> + +<p>"And I was immediately impressed that there was something very +mysterious about you—our portly housekeeper," Edith smilingly +replied.</p> + +<p>"Did you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; for one thing, these hands"—regarding them fondly—"never +looked as if they really belonged to portly Mrs. Weld, and, several +times, you forgot to speak in your coarse, assumed tones; while, that +evening, when I captured your hideous blue glasses, and looked into +these lovely eyes, I was almost sure that you were not the woman you +appeared to be."</p> + +<p>"I remember," said her mother, "and I was conscious of your +suspicions; but I did not mind, for my mission in that house was +almost ended, and I intended, as soon as I could resume my real +character, to renew my acquaintance with you, as Mrs. Stewart, and see +if I could not persuade you to leave that uncongenial atmosphere and +come to me."</p> + +<p>"How strange!" murmured Edith.</p> + +<p>"It was the motherly instinct reaching out after its own," was the +tender response. "But, about my finding the certificate: You remember +you offered to put the rooms in order, if I would sew for you +meanwhile?"</p> + +<p>"Yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, that was the time that I learned where that precious paper +could be found," and then she proceeded to relate the conversation +that she had overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Goddard, and how, +emboldened by it, she had afterward gone to the room of the latter to +find her in the act of examining the very document she wanted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p> + +<p>She also told how, later, she had gone, by herself, to the room and +deliberately taken possession of it.</p> + +<p>She also mentioned the incident that had occurred on the same day in +the dining-room, when Mr. Goddard had knocked her glasses off and +seemed so disconcerted upon looking into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"He appeared like one who had suddenly come face to face with some +ghost of his past—as indeed he had," she concluded, with a sigh.</p> + +<p>"I do not see how it can be possible for him to have known one +peaceful moment since the day of his desertion of you in Rome," Edith +remarked, with a grave, thoughtful face.</p> + +<p>"I do not think he has," said her mother. "No one can be really at +peace while leading a life of sin and selfish indulgence. I would +rather, a thousand times, have lived my life, saddened and +overshadowed by a great wrong and a lasting disgrace—as I have +believed it to be—than to have exchanged places with either Gerald +Goddard or Anna Correlli."</p> + +<p>"How relieved you must have been when you met Mr. Forsyth and learned +that your marriage had been a legal one," Edith observed, while she +uttered a sigh of gratitude as she realized that thus all reproach had +also been removed from her.</p> + +<p>"Indeed I was, love; but more on your account than mine. And I +immediately returned to America to prove it, and then reveal to my +dear old friend, Edith, the fact that no stigma rested upon the birth +of the child whom she had so nobly adopted as her own. Poor Edith! I +loved her with all my heart," interposed the fair woman, with starting +tears. "I wish I might have seen her once more, to bless her, from the +depths of my grateful soul, for having so sacredly treasured the jewel +that I committed to her care. If I could but have known two years +earlier, and found her, she never need have suffered the privations +which I am sure hastened her untimely death. You, too, my darling, +would have been spared the wretched experience of which you have told +me."</p> + +<p>"I do not mind so much for myself, but was in de<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span>spair sometimes to +see how much mamma missed and needed the comforts to which she had +always been accustomed," said Edith, the tears rolling over her cheeks +as she remembered the patient sufferer who never murmured, even when +she was enduring the pangs of hunger.</p> + +<p>"Well, dear, do not grieve," said Mrs. Stewart, folding her in a fond +embrace. "I know, from what you have told me, that you did your utmost +to shield her from every ill; and, judging from what you have said +regarding the state of her health at the time of Mr. Allandale's +death, I believe she could not have lived very much longer, even under +the most favorable circumstances. Now, my child," she continued, more +brightly, and to distract the girl's thoughts from the sad past, +"since everything is all explained, tell me something about these new +friends of whom you have spoken—Mr. Bryant, Mrs. Morrell and Mr. +Raymond."</p> + +<p>Edith blushed rosily at the mention of her lover's name, and almost +involuntarily she slipped her hand into her pocket and clasped a +letter that lay concealed there.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bryant is the gentleman in whose office I was working at the time +of mamma's death," she explained. "He, too, was the one who was so +kind when I got into trouble with the five-dollar gold piece, and so +it was to him I applied for advice, after escaping from Emil +Correlli."</p> + +<p>"Ah!" simply remarked Mrs. Stewart, but she was quick to observe the +shy smile that hovered about the beautiful girl's mouth while she was +speaking of Roy.</p> + +<p>"I telegraphed him to meet me when I should arrive in New York," Edith +resumed, "because I knew it would be late, and I did not know where it +would be best for me to go. He did so, and took me directly to his +cousin, and that is how I happened to be with Mrs. Morrell."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart put one taper finger beneath Edith's pretty, round chin, +and gently lifting her downcast face, looked searchingly into her +eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Darling, you are very fond of Mr. Bryant, are you not?" she softly +questioned.</p> + +<p>Instantly the fair face was dyed crimson, and, dropping her head upon +her mother's shoulder, she murmured:</p> + +<p>"How can I help it?"</p> + +<p>"And he is going to win my daughter from me? I hope he is worthy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is noble to the core of his heart," was the earnest reply.</p> + +<p>"I believe he must be, dear, or you could not love him," smilingly +returned her companion, adding: "At all events, he has been very kind +and faithful to you, and therefore deserves my everlasting gratitude. +Now tell me of this Mr. Raymond."</p> + +<p>So Edith proceeded to relate the story of that gentleman's unfortunate +love for and devotion to Mrs. Allandale; his recent quest for her, +after learning of Mr. Allandale's misfortune and death, in order to +leave his money to her; and how, after learning from Roy that she had +died, he had then advertised for herself, and, since her return to New +York, had settled the half of his fortune upon her.</p> + +<p>"Really, it is like a romance, dear," said Mrs. Stewart, smiling, +though somewhat sadly, when she concluded her pathetic tale. "To think +that, after all, I should find my little girl an heiress in her own +right! What a rich little body you will be by and by, when you also +come in possession of your mother's inheritance," she added, lightly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pray do not suggest such a thought!" cried Edith, clinging to +her. "All the wealth of the world could not make up to me the loss of +my mother. Now that we have found each other, pray Heaven that we may +be spared many, many years to enjoy our happiness."</p> + +<p>"Forgive me, Edith—I should not have spoken like that," said Mrs. +Stewart, bending forward to kiss the sweet, pained face beside her. +"We will not begin to apprehend a parting in this first hour of our +joy. Now I suppose we ought to consider what relationship we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> are +going to sustain to each other in the future, before the world. Of +course, neither of us would enjoy the notoriety which a true statement +of our affairs would entail; at the same time, having found you, my +darling, I feel that I can never allow you to call me anything but +'mother'—which is music to my hungry ears."</p> + +<p>"No, indeed—I can never be denied the privilege of owning you," cried +Edith, earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Well, then, suppose you submit to a second adoption?" Mrs. Stewart +suggested. "It will be very easy, and perfectly truthful, to state +that, having been a dear friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth, and +returning from abroad to find you alone in the world, I solicited the +privilege of adopting the child of my old schoolmate and providing for +her future. Such an arrangement would appear perfectly natural to the +world, and no one could criticise us for loving each other just as +tenderly as we choose, or question your right to give me the title I +desire. What do you say, dear?"</p> + +<p>"I think the plan a very nice one, and agree to it with all my heart," +Edith eagerly responded.</p> + +<p>"Then we will proceed to carry it out immediately, for I am very +impatient to set up an establishment of my own, and introduce my +darling daughter to society," smilingly returned Mrs. Stewart; adding, +as she observed her somewhat curiously, "Are you fond of society and +gay life, Edith?"</p> + +<p>"Y-es, to a certain extent," was the rather thoughtful reply.</p> + +<p>"How am I to interpret that slightly indefinite remark?" Mrs. Stewart +playfully inquired. "Most girls are only too eager for fashionable +life."</p> + +<p>"And I used to enjoy it exceedingly," said the young girl, gravely, +"but I have had an opportunity to see the other side during the last +two years, and my ideas regarding what constitutes true enjoyment and +happiness have become somewhat modified. I am sure that I shall still +enjoy refined society; but, mother, dear, if your means are so ample, +and you intend to set up an establishment of your own, let us, at the +outset, take a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> stand in the social world that no one can mistake, and +maintain it most rigidly."</p> + +<p>"A 'stand,' Edith! I don't quite clearly comprehend your meaning," +said Mrs. Stewart, as she paused an instant.</p> + +<p>"I mean regarding the people with whom we will and will not mingle. +Have you ever heard of Paula Nelson, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear; I met her only a few evenings ago, at the house of Mrs. +Raymond Ventnor; she is a noble woman, with a noble mission. I begin +to comprehend you now, Edith."</p> + +<p>"Then let us join her, heart and hand—let us take our stand for +chastity and morality," Edith earnestly resumed. "Let us pledge +ourselves never to admit within our doors any man who bears the +reputation of being immoral, or who lightly esteems the purity of any +woman, however humble; while, on the other hand, let us never refuse +to hold out a helping hand to those poor, unfortunate girls, who, +having once been deceived, honestly desire to rise above their +mistake."</p> + +<p>"That is bravely spoken, my noble Edith," said Mrs. Stewart, with dewy +eyes. "And surely I, who have so much greater cause for taking such a +stand than you, will second you most heartily in maintaining it in our +future home. I believe that such a determination on the part of every +pure woman, would soon make a radical change in the tone of society."</p> + +<p>Both were silent for a few moments after this, but finally Edith +turned to her companion and inquired:</p> + +<p>"Mother, dear, where is Mr. Willard Livermore—the gentleman who +rescued you from the Tiber—and his sister, also, who cared for you so +faithfully during your long illness?"</p> + +<p>"Alice Livermore is in Philadelphia, where she has long been +practicing medicine for sweet charity's sake. Mr. Livermore is—here +in New York," Mrs. Stewart responded, but flushing slightly as she +spoke the name of the gentleman.</p> + +<p>Something in her tone caused Edith to glance up curiously into her +face, and she read there, in the lovely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> flush and tender eye, which +told her that her mother regarded her deliverer with a sentiment far +stronger and deeper than that of mere gratitude or admiration.</p> + +<p>"Ah! you—" she began, impulsively, and then stopped, confused.</p> + +<p>"Yes, love," confessed the beautiful woman, with shining eyes, "I will +have no secrets from you—we both love each other with an everlasting +love; for long years this has been so; and had we been sure that there +existed no obstacle to our union, it is probable that I should have +married Mr. Livermore long ago. But we both believe in the Bible +ritual, and those words, 'until death doth part,' have been a barrier +which neither of us was willing to overleap. Each knows the heart of +the other; and, though it sometimes seems hard that our lives must be +divided, when our tastes are so congenial in every particular, yet we +have mutually decided that only as 'friends' have we the right to +clasp hands and greet each other in this world."</p> + +<p>Edith put up her lips and softly kissed the flushed cheek nearest her.</p> + +<p>"How I love and honor you!" she whispered.</p> + +<p>"We will never speak about this again, if you please, dear," said +Isabel Stewart, in a slightly tremulous tone. "I wished you to know +the truth, but I cannot talk about it. I do not deny the affection; +that is something over which I have no control; but I can at least say +'thus far and no farther,' for the sake of conscience and +self-respect. Now, about that letter which was handed to you to-day," +she continued, suddenly changing the subject. "Suppose we look it over +again, and then I think it should go directly into the hands of Mr. +Bryant."</p> + +<p>She had hardly finished speaking when there came a knock upon her +door.</p> + +<p>Rising, she opened it, to find a servant standing without and waiting +to deliver a card that lay upon a silver salver.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stewart took it and read the name of Royal Bryant, together with +the following lines, written in pencil:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>"Will Mrs. Stewart kindly excuse this seeming intrusion of a +stranger? but I understand that Miss Allandale is with you, +and it is necessary that I have a few moments' conversation +with her.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f5">R. B."</p> + +<p>"Show the gentleman up," the lady quietly remarked to the servant, +then stepped back into the room and passed the card to Edith.</p> + +<p>The young girl's eyes lighted with sudden joy, and the quick color +flushed her cheeks, betraying how even the sight of Roy's name and +handwriting had power to move her.</p> + +<p>A few moments later there came another tap to tell her that her dear +one was awaiting admittance, and she herself went to receive him.</p> + +<p>"Roy! I am so glad you have come!" she exclaimed, holding out both +hands to him, her face radiant with happiness.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<h2>"MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!"</h2> + + +<p>The young man regarded her with astonishment, for she had never +greeted him so warmly before.</p> + +<p>Edith saw his look and met it with a blush. She took his hat, then led +him directly to Mrs. Stewart.</p> + +<p>"Roy, you will be astonished," she remarked, "but my first duty is to +introduce you to—my mother."</p> + +<p>With a look of blank amazement, the young man mechanically put out his +hand to greet the beautiful woman who approached and graciously +welcomed him.</p> + +<p>"That was rather an abrupt and startling announcement, Mr. Bryant," +she smilingly remarked, to cover his confusion; "but pray be seated +and we will soon explain the mysterious situation."</p> + +<p>"Pardon my bewilderment," said the young man, as he bowed over her +extended hand; "but really, ladies, I am free to confess that you have +almost taken my breath away."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Then you will know how to sympathize with us," cried Edith, with a +silvery little laugh, "for we have both been in the same condition +during the last few hours."</p> + +<p>"Indeed! Then I must say you look very bright for a person who has not +breathed for 'hours,'" he retorted, as he began to recover himself.</p> + +<p>"Well, figuratively speaking, our respiration has been retarded many +times, during a short interval, by the strangest developments +imaginable," Edith explained. "But how did you trace me to the +Waldorf?"</p> + +<p>"I had something important to tell you, so ran up to Nellie's to see +you, but was told that you had accompanied Mrs. Stewart thither," Roy +explained. "I hope, however, I shall be pardoned for interrupting your +interview," he concluded with an apologetic glance at the elder lady.</p> + +<p>"Certainly; and, strange to say, we were speaking of you almost at the +moment that your card was brought to us," she returned. "Edith has had +an important communication handed her to-day, which I thought you +ought to have, since you are her attorney, without any unnecessary +delay."</p> + +<p>"Oh! it is most wonderful, Roy! This is it," said the young girl, +producing it from her pocket. "But first I must tell you that in Mrs. +Stewart I have discovered mamma's old friend—the writer of those +letters of which I told you. She did not die in Rome, as was feared."</p> + +<p>"Can that be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Bryant.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear. It is a long story, and I cannot stop to tell it all now," +Edith went on, eagerly, "but I must explain that she has discovered an +important document that proves what makes me the happiest girl in New +York to-day. We met at Mrs. Wallace's this afternoon, where some one +addressed me as Miss Allandale, when she instantly knew that I must be +her child. Isn't it all too wonderful to seem true?"</p> + +<p>After chatting a little longer over the wonderful revelations, he +suddenly remembered the "important communication" which Mrs. Stewart +had mentioned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What was the matter of business which you felt needed early +consideration?" he inquired.</p> + +<p>Instantly Edith's lovely face was suffused with blushes, and Mrs. +Stewart, thinking it would be wise to leave the lovers alone during +the forthcoming explanations, excused herself and quietly slipped into +an adjoining room.</p> + +<p>Edith immediately went to the young man's side and gave her letter to +him.</p> + +<p>"Roy, this is even more wonderful than what I have already told you," +she gravely remarked. "Read it; it will explain itself better than any +words of mine can do."</p> + +<p>He drew the contents from the envelope, and began at once to read the +following confession:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"For the sake of performing one right act in my life, I wish +to make the following statement, namely: I hereby declare +that the marriage of my brother, Emil Correlli, to Miss +Edith Allen, who, for several weeks, has acted as my +companion, was not a legal ceremony, inasmuch as it was +accomplished solely by fraud and treachery. Miss Allen was +tricked into it by being overpersuaded to personate a +supposed character in a play, entitled 'The Masked Bridal.' +The play was written and acted before a large audience for +the sole purpose of deceiving Miss Allen and making her the +wife of my brother, whom she had absolutely refused to +marry, but who was determined to carry his point at all +hazards. Motives of affection for him, and of jealousy, on +account of my husband's apparent fondness for the girl, +alone prompted me to aid him in his bold design. I hereby +declare again that it was all a trick, from beginning to +end, and it was only by my indomitable will, and by working +upon Miss Allen's sympathies, that I was enabled to carry +out my purpose." (Then followed a detailed account of the +plot of the play and its concluding ceremony, after which +the document closed as follows): "I am impressed that I have +not long to live; and wishing, if it can be done, to right +this great wrong, and make it possible for the proper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> +officials to declare Miss Allen freed from her bonds, I make +this confession of a fraud that weighs too heavily upon my +conscience to be borne.</p></blockquote> + +<p class="f3"><span class="smcap">"Anna Correlli Goddard."</span></p> + +<p>The above was dated the day previous to that of madam's death, and +underneath she had appended a few lines to Mr. Goddard, stating that +she knew he was in sympathy with Edith; therefore she should leave the +epistle with her lawyer, to be given to him, in the event of her +death, and she enjoined him to see that justice was done the girl whom +she had injured.</p> + +<p>This was the missive that the lawyer had passed to Mr. Goddard at the +same time that he had read the woman's will in the presence of her +husband and Emil Correlli, and over which, as we have seen, he +afterward became so strangely agitated.</p> + +<p>We know how he had hurriedly removed from his former elegant home to a +habitation on another street; after which, instead of going abroad, as +the papers had stated, he had gone directly to New York, upon the same +quest as Emil Correlli, but with a very different purpose in +view—that of giving to Edith the precious document that was to +declare her free from the man whom she loathed.</p> + +<p>He could get no trace of her, however; unlike Correlli, he had no +knowledge of her acquaintance with Royal Bryant, and therefore all he +could do was to carry the letter about with him, wherever he went, in +the hope of some day meeting her upon the street, or elsewhere.</p> + +<p>One day he was out at Central Park, when he suddenly came upon a +former friend—Mrs. Wallace—who immediately announced to him her +intention of arranging a charitable art exhibition and solicited +contributions from him to aid her in the good work.</p> + +<p>Thus the appearance of that bit of old "Roman Wall" is accounted for, +as well as the presence of Mr. Goddard himself, who was particularly +requested by Mrs. Wallace to honor the occasion, and allow her to +introduce him to some of her friends.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span></p> + +<p>It would be difficult to describe the terrible shock which the man +sustained when he heard Edith addressed by and respond to the +name—Miss Allandale.</p> + +<p>Like a flash of light it was revealed to him that the beautiful girl +was his own daughter!—that, in her, he had, for months, been +"entertaining an angel unawares," but only to abuse his privilege in a +way to reap her lasting contempt and aversion.</p> + +<p>This blighting knowledge was followed by a sense of sickening despair +and misery, when, almost at the same moment, he saw Isabel Stewart +start forward to claim her child and lead her from the room, when he +knew she must learn the wretched truth regarding his life of +selfishness and sin.</p> + +<p>As they disappeared from sight, he sank back behind the easel that +supported his Roman picture, groaning in spirit with remorse and +humiliation.</p> + +<p>A little later he stole unseen from the room, and, crossing the hall, +opened the door of the reception-room, which he had seen Edith and her +mother enter.</p> + +<p>He had determined to give the young girl the letter that would serve +to release her from her hateful fetters; he would, perhaps, experience +some comfort in the thought that he had rendered her this one simple +service that would bring her happiness; then he would go away—hide +himself and his misery from all who knew him, and live out his future +to what purpose he could.</p> + +<p>We know how he carried out his resolve regarding the confession of +Anna Correlli; and the picture which met his eye, as he opened that +door and looked upon the mother and daughter clasped in each other's +arms, was one that haunted his memory during the rest of his life.</p> + +<p>As soon as Royal Bryant comprehended the import of Anna Correlli's +confession, he turned to Edith with a radiant face and open arms.</p> + +<p>"My darling! nothing can keep us apart now!" he murmured, in tones +vibrant with joy, "you are free—free as the air you breathe—free to +give yourself to me! Come!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> + +<p>With a smile of love and happiness Edith sprang into his embrace and +laid her face upon his breast.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Roy!" she breathed, "all this seems too much joy to be real or to +be borne in one day!"</p> + +<p>"I think we can manage to endure it," returned her lover, with a fond +smile. "I confess, however, that it seems like a day especially +dedicated to blessings, for I have other good news for you."</p> + +<p>"Can it be possible? What more could I ask, or even think of?" +exclaimed Edith, wonderingly.</p> + +<p>Roy smiled mysteriously, and returned, with a roguish gleam in his +eyes:</p> + +<p>"My news will keep a while—until you give me the pledge I crave, my +darling. You will be my wife, Edith?" he added, with tender +earnestness.</p> + +<p>"You know that I will, Roy," she whispered; and, lifting her face to +his, their mutual vows were sealed by their betrothal caress.</p> + +<p>The young man drew from an inner pocket a tiny circlet of gold in +which there blazed a flawless stone, clear as a drop of dew, and +slipped it upon the third finger of Edith's left hand.</p> + +<p>"I have had it ever since the day after your arrival in New York," he +smilingly remarked, "but coward conscience would not allow me to give +it to you; however, it will prove to you that I was lacking in neither +faith nor hope."</p> + +<p>"Now for my good news," he added, after Edith had thanked him, in a +shy, sweet way that thrilled him anew, while he gently drew her to a +seat. "I met Giulia Fiorini on the street this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Roy! did you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; she is here, searching for Correlli. I recognized her and the +child from your description. I boldly resolved to address her, as I +feared it might be my only opportunity. I did so, asking if I was +right in supposing her to be Madam Fiorini, and told her that I was +searching for her, at your request. She almost wept at the sound of +your name, and eagerly inquired where she could find you. I took her +to my office, where I told her what I wished to prove regarding her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +relations with Correlli, and that, if I could accomplish my purpose, +it would give her and the child a claim upon him which he could not +ignore. She at once frankly related her story to me, and stated that +when they had first arrived in New York from Italy, Correlli had taken +her to Madam ——'s boarding-house, where he had made arrangements for +himself, wife and child—"</p> + +<p>"Oh, then that settles the question of her claim upon him!" Edith here +interposed, eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes—if we can prove her statements, and I think we can; for when I +told Giulia of my visit to madam, and how I had failed to elicit the +slightest information from her, she said that she knew where one of +the servants—who was in the house when she went there—could be +found, for she had stumbled across the girl in the street and learned +where she is now living. She gave me her address, and I went +immediately to interview her. Luck was in my favor—the girl was at +home, and remembered the 'pretty Italian girl, who was so sweet-spoken +and polite;' she also knew where her previous fellow-servant could be +found, and asserted that they would both be willing to swear that +madam herself had told them to 'always to be very attentive to the +handsome Italian's wife, for she made more out of them than out of any +of her other boarders.' So, I flatter myself that I have gathered +conclusive evidence against the man," Roy added, in a tone of +satisfaction. "I shall interview Monsieur Correlli at once, and +perhaps, when he realizes that his supposed claim upon you is null and +void, he may be persuaded to do what is right regarding his wife and +child."</p> + +<p>The lovers then fell to talking of their own affairs, Edith relating +what she had so recently learned from her mother, and concluded by +mentioning the plan of readoption, suggested by Mrs. Stewart, in order +to avoid the gossip of the world.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h2>AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER.</h2> + + +<p>The morning following his conference with his betrothed, our young +lawyer went early to seek an interview with Emil Correlli.</p> + +<p>He was fortunate enough to find him at the hotel where he had told him +he could be found if wanted.</p> + +<p>In a few terse sentences he stated the object of his visit, cited the +evidence he possessed of Correlli's bigamous exploit, and then +startled that audacious person by summarizing the contents of the late +Mrs. Goddard's confession.</p> + +<p>"If you are not already sure of the fact," the lawyer emphatically +added, "allow me to inform you that your sister was never the wife of +Mr. Gerald Goddard, as that gentleman had been married previous to his +meeting with Miss Correlli. It was supposed that his first wife was +drowned in Rome, but the report was false, as the woman is still +living."</p> + +<p>"I do not believe it," angrily exclaimed Emil Correlli, and yet, in +his heart, he felt that it was true, for it but verified his own +previous suspicions. "I tell you it is all a lie, for Goddard himself +told me, only two days after my sister's death, that, if I chose to +look, I would find the record of his marriage to her in the books of +the —— Church in Rome."</p> + +<p>"That is true; Mr. Goddard supposed the marriage to have been legal, +because, at the time he deserted his lovely wife for Miss Correlli, he +did not know that he was lawfully bound to her. But, later, both he +and your sister learned the truth, and the secret of their unfortunate +relations embittered the lives of both, especially after they +discovered that the real Mrs. Goddard is still living," Roy exclaimed.</p> + +<p>"How do you know this?" hoarsely demanded his companion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have recently seen and conversed with Mrs. Goddard, and all the +facts of her history are in my possession."</p> + +<p>"Who is she? Under what name is she known?"</p> + +<p>"That is a question that I must refuse to answer, as the revelation of +the lady's identity cannot affect the case in hand; unless—it should +come before the courts and the truth be forced from me," Roy replied.</p> + +<p>"Then why have you told me this wretched story?" cried the man, almost +savagely.</p> + +<p>"A lawyer, in fighting his cases, is often obliged to use a variety of +weapons," was the significant response. "I thought it might be just as +well to warn you, at the outset, that your sister's reputation might +suffer in the event of a lawsuit, during which much might be revealed +which otherwise would remain a secret among ourselves."</p> + +<p>To convince Correlli of the truth of his disclosures Mr. Bryant +announced that he had in his possession, at that moment, a copy of +Mrs. Goddard's confession, and proceeded to read it, having first +declared that the original was in his office safe.</p> + +<p>Emil Correlli, was ghastly white when Roy stopped, after reading the +entire confession. He realized that his case was hopeless; that he had +been ignominiously defeated in his scheme to possess Edith, and +nothing remained to him but to submit to the inevitable.</p> + +<p>"Now I have just one question to ask you, Mr. Correlli," Roy remarked, +as he refolded the paper and laid it upon the table for him to examine +at his leisure. "What is your decision? Will you still contest the +point of Miss Allandale's freedom, or will you quietly withdraw your +claim, and allow it to be publicly announced, through the Boston +papers, that that ceremony in Wyoming was simply a farce after all?"</p> + +<p>"You leave me no choice," was the sullen response; "but," with a +murderous gleam in his dusky eyes, "if you had brought the original +confession with you to-day, you would never have gone out of this +house with it in your possession."</p> + +<p>"Excuse me for contradicting you, sir; but I think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> I should," Roy +returned, with the utmost courtesy. "I took all proper precautions +before coming to you, as it was—although not because of any personal +fear of you. No less than three persons in this house, and as many +more outside, know of my visit to you at this hour. And, now, since +you have decided to yield to my requirements, I have here some papers +for you to sign."</p> + +<p>He drew them forth as he spoke, spreading them out upon the table, +after which he arose and touched the electric button over the mantel.</p> + +<p>"What is that for?" curtly demanded his companion.</p> + +<p>"To summon witnesses to your signature to these documents."</p> + +<p>"Your assurance is something refreshing," sneered the elder man. "How +do you know that I will sign them?"</p> + +<p>"I feel very sure that you will, Mr. Correlli," was the quiet +rejoinder; "for, in the event of your refusal, there is an officer in +waiting to arrest you upon the two serious charges before mentioned."</p> + +<p>The baffled man snarled in impotent rage; but before he could frame a +retort, there came a knock on the door.</p> + +<p>Roy answered it, and bade the servant without to "show up the +gentlemen who were waiting in the office."</p> + +<p>Five minutes later they appeared, when Emil Correlli, without a demur, +signed the papers which Roy had brought and now read aloud in their +presence.</p> + +<p>His signature was then duly witnessed by them, after which they +withdrew, Mr. Bryant's clerk, who was one of the number, taking the +documents with him.</p> + +<p>Roy, however, remained behind.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Correlli," he said, as soon as the door closed, "I have one more +request to make of you, before I leave; it is that you will openly +acknowledge as your wife the woman you have wronged, and thus bestow +upon your child the name which it is his right to bear."</p> + +<p>"I will see them both—"</p> + +<p>"Hush!" sternly interrupted Roy, before he could complete his +passionate sentence. "I simply wish to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> give you the opportunity to do +what is right, of your own free will. If you refuse, I shall do my +utmost to compel you; and, mark my words, it can be done. That woman +and her child are justly entitled to your name and support, and they +shall have their rights, even though you may never look upon their +faces again. I give you just one week to think over the matter. You +can leave the country if you choose, and thus escape appearing in +court; but you doubtless know what will happen if you do—the case +will go by default, and Giulia and Ino will come off victors."</p> + +<p>The man knew that what the lawyer said was true, but he was so enraged +over his inability to help himself that he was utterly reckless, and +cried out, fiercely:</p> + +<p>"Do your worst—I defy you to the last! And now, the quicker you +relieve me of your presence the better I shall like it."</p> + +<p>The young lawyer took up his hat, bowed politely to his defeated foe, +and quietly left the room, very well satisfied with the result of his +morning's work.</p> + +<p>All the necessary forms of law were complied with to release Edith +from even a seeming alliance with the man who had been so determined +to win her.</p> + +<p>An announcement was inserted in the Boston papers explaining as much +as was deemed necessary, and thus the fair girl was free!—free to +give herself to him whom her heart had chosen.</p> + +<p>Then she was formally adopted by Mrs. Stewart, the old schoolmate of +the late Mrs. Allandale, and a little later, when they were settled in +their elegant residence on one of the fashionable avenues, society was +bidden to a great feast to honor the new relationship and to +congratulate the charming hostess and her beautiful daughter, who was +thus restored to a position she was so well fitted to grace.</p> + +<p>At the same time Edith's engagement to the young lawyer was announced, +and it seemed to the happy young couple as if the future held for them +only visions of joy.</p> + +<p>True to his promise, Roy gave Emil Correlli the week specified to +decide either for or against Giulia; then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> not having heard from him, +he instituted proceedings to establish her claim upon him.</p> + +<p>Correlli did not appear to defend himself, consequently the court +indorsed her petition and awarded her a handsome maintenance.</p> + +<p>Once only Gerald Goddard met his daughter after she learned the facts +relating to her birth and parentage.</p> + +<p>They suddenly came face to face, one morning, in one of the up-town +parks. He looked ill and wretched; his hair had become white as snow, +his face thin and pale, and his clothing hung loosely about him.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," he began, in uncertain tones, while he searched her face +wistfully. "No doubt you despise me too thoroughly to wish to hold any +intercourse with me; still, I feel that I must tell you how deeply I +regret, and ask your pardon for, what occurred in the dressing-room at +Wyoming on the last night of that 'winter frolic.'"</p> + +<p>Edith's tender heart could not fail to experience a feeling of +sympathy for the proud man in his humiliated and broken state. +Remembering that it was through him that her blessed freedom from Emil +Correlli and her present happiness had come, she forced herself to +respond in a gentle tone:</p> + +<p>"I have always felt, Mr. Goddard, that you were not fully conscious of +what you were saying to me at that time."</p> + +<p>"I was not," he eagerly returned, his face lighting a trifle that she +should judge him thus leniently. "I had been drinking too much; still, +that fact should, perhaps, also be a cause for shame. Pray assure me +of your pardon for what I can never forgive myself."</p> + +<p>"Certainly; I have no right to withhold it, in view of your apology," +she responded.</p> + +<p>"Thank you; and—and may I presume to ask you one question more?" he +pleaded.</p> + +<p>Edith's heart leaped into her throat at this, for she was impressed +with a knowledge and a dread of what was coming.</p> + +<p>For the moment she could not speak—she could only bow her assent to +his request.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I want to ask if—if, since you left my house, you have learned +anything regarding my previous history?" he inquired, with pale lips.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, sadly, "I know it all. My mother told me only because +I demanded the truth. She would have preferred to keep some things +from me, for your sake as well as mine, but I could not be satisfied +with any partial disclosure."</p> + +<p>"How you must hate me!" the man burst forth, while great drops of +agony gathered about his mouth.</p> + +<p>He had never believed that a human being could suffer as he suffered +at that moment, in knowing that by his own vileness he had forever +barred himself outside the affections of this lovely girl, toward whom +he had always—since the first hour of their meeting—been strangely +attracted, and whose love and respect, now that he knew she was his +own child, seemed the most priceless boons that earth could hold for +him.</p> + +<p>At first Edith could make no reply to his passionate outburst.</p> + +<p>"No," she said, at last, and lifting a regretful look to him, "I hope +that there is not an atom of 'hate' in my heart toward any human +being, especially toward any one who might experience an honest, +though late, repentance for misdeeds."</p> + +<p>"Ah! thank you; then have you not some word of comfort—some message +of peace for me?" tremulously pleaded the once haughty, +self-sufficient man, while he half extended his hands toward her, in a +gesture of entreaty.</p> + +<p>Her lips quivered, and tears sprang involuntarily to her eyes, while +it was only after a prolonged effort that she was able to respond.</p> + +<p>"Yes," she said, at last, a solemn sweetness in her unsteady tones, +"the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace."</p> + +<p>She often wondered afterward how it happened that those words of +blessing, once uttered by a patriarch of old, should have slipped +almost unconsciously from her lips.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> + +<p>She did not even wait to note their effect upon her companion, but, +gliding swiftly past him, went on her way.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<h2>CONCLUSION.</h2> + + +<p>Three months after the incidents related in our previous chapter a +large and fashionable audience assembled, one bright day, in a certain +church on Madison avenue to witness a marriage that had been +anticipated with considerable interest and curiosity among the smart +set.</p> + +<p>Exactly at the last stroke of noon the bridal party passed down the +central aisle.</p> + +<p>It was composed of four ushers, as many bridesmaids a maid of honor +and two stately, graceful figures in snow-white apparel.</p> + +<p>One of these latter was a veiled bride, her tall, willowy figure clad +in gleaming satin, her golden head crowned with natural orange +blossoms, and she carried an exquisite bouquet of the same fragrant +flowers in her ungloved hands—for the groom had forbidden the +conventional white kids in this ceremony—while on her lovely face +there was a light and sweetness which only perfect happiness could +have painted there.</p> + +<p>Her companion, a woman of regal presence and equally beautiful in her +way, was clothed in costly white velvet, richly garnished with pearls +and rare old point lace.</p> + +<p>The fair bride and her attendant were no other than Isabel Stewart and +her daughter.</p> + +<p>"Who should give away my darling save her own mother?" she had +questioned, with smiling but tremulous lips, when this matter was +being discussed, together with other preparations for the wedding.</p> + +<p>Edith was delighted with the idea, and thus it was carried out in the +way described.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span></p> + +<p>The party was met at the chancel by Roy, accompanied by his best man +and the clergyman, where the ceremony was impressively performed, +after which the happy couple led the way from the church with those +sweetest strains of Mendelssohn beating their melodious rhythm upon +their ears and joyful hearts.</p> + +<p>It was an occasion for only smiles and gladness; but, away in a dim +corner of that vast edifice, there sat a solitary figure, with bowed +head and pale face, over which—as there fell upon his ears those +solemn words, "till death us do part"—hot tears streamed like rain.</p> + +<p>The figure was Gerald Goddard. He had read the announcement of Edith's +marriage in the papers, and, with an irresistible yearning to see her +in her bridal robes, he had stolen into the church with the crowd, and +hidden himself where he could see without being seen.</p> + +<p>But the scene was too much for him, for, as he watched that peerless +woman and her beautiful daughter move down the aisle, and listened to +the reverent responses of the young couple, there came to him, with +terrible force, the consciousness that if he had been true to the same +vows which he had once taken upon himself he need not now have been +shut out of this happy scene, like some lost soul shut out of heaven.</p> + +<p>But no one heeded him; and, when the ceremony was over, he slipped +away as secretly as he had come, and no one dreamed that the father of +the beautiful bride had been an unbidden guest at her wedding.</p> + +<p>In giving Edith to Roy Mrs. Stewart had begged that she need not be +separated from her newly recovered treasure—that for the present, at +least, they would make their home with her—or, rather, that they +would take the house, which was to be a part of Edith's dowry, and +allow her to remain with them as their guest.</p> + +<p>This they were only too glad to do; therefore, after a delightful +wedding trip through the West, they came back to their elegant home, +where, with every luxury at their command, the future seemed to +promise unlimited happiness.</p> + +<p>Poor Louis Raymond had failed very rapidly during the spring months; +indeed, he was not even able to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> attend the marriage of the girl for +whom he had formed a strong attachment, and who had bestowed upon him +many gracious attentions and services that had greatly brightened his +last days. He passed quietly away only a few weeks after their return +to New York.</p> + +<p>One day, a couple of months after her marriage, Edith was about to +step into her carriage, on coming out of a store on Broadway, where +she had been shopping, when she was startled by excited shouts and +cries directly across the street from her.</p> + +<p>Turning to see what had caused the commotion, she saw a heavily loaded +team just toppling over, while a man, who had been in the act of +crossing the street, was borne down under it, and, with a shriek which +she never forgot, apparently crushed to death.</p> + +<p>Sick and faint with horror, she crept into her carriage, and ordered +her driver to get away from the dreadful scene as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>That same evening, as she was looking over the <i>Telegram</i>, a low cry +of astonishment broke from her, as she read the following paragraph:</p> + +<p>"A sad accident occurred on Broadway this morning. A carelessly loaded +team was overturned by its own top-heaviness as it was rounding the +corner of Twenty-ninth street, crushing beneath its cruel weight the +talented young sculptor, Emil Correlli. Both legs were broken, one in +two places, and it is feared that he has suffered fatal internal +injuries. He was taken in an unconscious state to the Roosevelt +Hospital, where he now lies hovering between life and death. The +surgeons have little hope of his recovery."</p> + +<p>Edith was greatly shocked by the account, notwithstanding her aversion +to the man.</p> + +<p>She had not supposed that he was in the city, for Roy believed that he +had left the country, rather than appear to defend himself against +Giulia's claims, and to escape paying the damages the court awarded +her, after proclaiming her his lawful wife.</p> + +<p>The woman had since been supporting herself and her child by designing +and making dainty costumes for children, a vocation to which she +seemed especially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> adapted, and by which she was making a good living, +through the recommendation of both Mrs. Stewart and Edith.</p> + +<p>The day after the accident Roy, on his way home from his office, +prompted by a feeling of humanity, went to the Roosevelt Hospital to +inquire for the injured man.</p> + +<p>The surgeon looked grave when he made known his errand.</p> + +<p>"There is hardly a ray of hope for him," he remarked; "he is still +unconscious. Do you know anything about him or his family?" he asked, +with sudden interest.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have had some acquaintance with him," Roy returned.</p> + +<p>"Do you know his wife?" the man pursued. "A woman came here last +evening, claiming to be his wife, and insisting upon remaining by his +bedside as long as he should live."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he has a wife," the young man briefly returned, but deeply +touched by this evidence of Giulia's devotion.</p> + +<p>"Is she a dark, foreign-looking lady, of medium height, rather +handsome, and with a slight accent in her speech?"</p> + +<p>"That answers exactly to her description."</p> + +<p>"I am glad to know it, for we have been in some doubt as to the +propriety of allowing her to remain with our patient. We tried to make +her leave him, last night, even threatening to have her forcibly +removed; but she simply would not go, and is remarkably handy in +assisting the nurse, while her self-control is simply wonderful."</p> + +<p>Roy wrote a few lines on one of his cards, saying that if either he or +Mrs. Bryant could be of any service at this trying time, she might be +free to call upon them.</p> + +<p>This he gave to the surgeon to hand to Giulia, and then went away.</p> + +<p>The following evening the woman made her appearance in their home with +her child, whom she begged them to care for "as long as Emil should +live."</p> + +<p>It could not be very long, she said, with streaming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> eyes. She loved +him still, in spite of everything, and she must remain with him while +he breathed.</p> + +<p>Edith willingly received Ino, saying she would be glad to keep him as +long as was necessary; then Giulia went immediately back to her sad +vigils beside the man who had caused her nothing but sorrow and shame.</p> + +<p>But Emil Correlli did not die.</p> + +<p>Very slowly and painfully he came back to life—to an existence, +rather, from which he would gladly have escaped when he realized what +it was to be.</p> + +<p>When he first awakened to consciousness it was to find a pale, patient +woman beside him—one who met his sighs and moans with gentle +sympathy, and who ministered tirelessly to his every need and comfort.</p> + +<p>No other hand was so cool and soft upon his heated head, or so deft to +arrange his covers and pillows; no voice was so gently modulated yet +so invariably cheerful—no step so quick and light; and, though the +querulous invalid often frowned upon her, and chided her sharply for +imaginary remissness, she never wavered in her sweetness and +gentleness.</p> + +<p>Thus, little by little, the selfish man grew to appreciate her and to +yearn for her presence, if she was forced to be out of his sight for +even a few minutes at a time.</p> + +<p>"She has saved your life—she has almost forced life upon you," the +surgeon remarked to him one day, when, as he came to make his +accustomed visit, Giulia slipped away for a moment of rest and a +breath of fresh air.</p> + +<p>The invalid frowned. It was not exactly pleasant to be told that he +owed such a debt of gratitude to the woman he had wronged. He was too +callous to experience very much of gratitude as yet. It was only when +he was pronounced well enough to be moved, and informed that he must +make arrangements to be cared for outside, in order to make room for +more urgent cases, that he began to wonder how he should get along +without his faithful nurse and to realize how dependent he was upon +her.</p> + +<p>He knew that he would be a cripple for life; his broken bones had +knitted nicely, and his limbs would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> be as sound as ever, in time; but +his spine had been injured, and he would never walk upright +again—henceforth he would only be able to get about upon crutches.</p> + +<p>How, then, could he live without some one to wait upon him and bear +with him in his future state of helplessness?</p> + +<p>"Where shall I go?" he questioned, querulously, when, later, he told +Giulia that his removal had been ordered. "A hotel is the most dismal +place in the world for a sick man."</p> + +<p>"Emil, how would you like a home of your own?" Giulia gravely +inquired.</p> + +<p>The word "home" thrilled him strangely, making him think yearningly of +his mother and the comforts of his childhood, and an irresistible +longing took possession of him.</p> + +<p>"A home!" he repeated, bitterly. "How on earth could I make a home for +myself?"</p> + +<p>"I will make it for you—I will go to take care of you in it, if you +like," she quietly answered.</p> + +<p>"You!" he exclaimed in surprise, while, with sudden discernment, he +remarked a certain refined beauty in her face that he had never +observed before.</p> + +<p>Then he added, with a sullen glance at his useless limbs, a strange +sense of shame creeping over him:</p> + +<p>"Do you still care enough for me to take that trouble?"</p> + +<p>"I am willing to do my duty, Emil," she gravely replied.</p> + +<p>"Ha! you evade me!" he cried, sharply, and piqued by her answer. "Tell +me truly, Giulia, do you still love me well enough to be willing to +devote your life to such a misshapen wretch as I shall always be?"</p> + +<p>The woman turned her face away from him, to hide the sudden light of +hope that leaped into her eyes at his words, which she fancied had in +them a note of appeal.</p> + +<p>But she had been learning wisdom during her long weeks of service in +the hospital—learning that anything, to be appreciated, must be +hardly won; and so she answered as before, without betraying a sign of +the eager desire that had taken root in her heart:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I told you, Emil, that I was willing to do my duty. I bear your +name—you are Ino's father—my proper place is in your home; and if +you see fit to decide that we shall all live together under the same +roof, I will do my utmost to make you comfortable, and your future as +pleasant as possible. More than that I cannot promise—now."</p> + +<p>"And you really mean this, Giulia?" he questioned, in a low tone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, if my proposal meets with your approval, we can at least make +the experiment. If it should not prove a success, we can easily +abandon it whenever you choose."</p> + +<p>He knew that he could not do without her—knew that she had become so +essential to him that he was appalled at the mere thought of losing +her, while the sound of that magic word "home," around which clustered +everything that was comfortable and attractive, opened before him the +promise of something better than he had ever yet known in life.</p> + +<p>Let us slip over the six months following, to find this little family +pleasantly settled in an elegant villa a few miles up the Hudson.</p> + +<p>It is replete with every luxury that money can purchase.</p> + +<p>The choicest in art of every description decorates its walls, and +pleasant, sunny rooms, while in a spacious studio, opening out upon a +wide lawn, may be seen numerous unfinished pieces of statuary, upon +which the crippled but ambitious master of the house has already begun +to work, although his strength will permit him to do but little at a +time.</p> + +<p>Giulia, or "Madame Correlli," as she is now known, is the presiding +genius of this ideal spot, and she fills her place with both dignity +and grace; while her watchful care and never-failing patience and +cheerfulness are beginning to assert their charm upon the man to whom +she is devoting herself, as is noticeable in his many efforts to make +life pleasant to her, in his frequent appeals to her judgment and +approval of his work, and the courtesy which he invariably accords +her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ino has grown, although he is still a beautiful child—very bright and +forward for his age, and a source of great enjoyment to his father, +who, even now, has begun to direct his tiny hands in the use of the +mallet and chisel.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>It was more than a year after her marriage that Edith, accompanied by +her mother, visited the annual exhibition of the —— Academy of Art.</p> + +<p>Among the numerous pictures which were shown there were two which +attracted more attention than all the others. They were evidently +intended as companion-pieces, and had been painted by the same artist.</p> + +<p>The scene was laid in an avenue of a park. On either side there grew +beautiful, great trees, whose widespread branches made graceful +shadows on the graveled walk beneath. In the center of this avenue—in +the first picture—two figures stood facing each other; one an elderly +man, proud and haughty in his bearing, richly dressed and with a +certain air of the world investing him, but with a face—although +possessing great natural beauty—so wretched and full of remorse, so +lined and seamed with soul-anguish, that the heart of every beholder +was instantly moved to deepest sympathy.</p> + +<p>Before him stood a beautiful maiden who was the embodiment of all that +was pure and happy. Her face was lovely beyond description—its every +feature perfect, its expression full of sweetness and peace, while a +divine pity and yearning shone forth from her heavenly blue eyes, +which were upraised to the despairing countenance of her companion.</p> + +<p>Her dress was simple white, belted at the waist with a girdle and +flowing ends of gleaming satin ribbon, while a dainty straw hat, from +which a single white plume drooped gracefully, crowned her golden +head.</p> + +<p>The gentleman was standing with outstretched hands, as if in the act +of making some appeal to the fair girl, whose grave sweetness, while +it suggested no yielding, yet indicated pity and sorrow for the +other's suffering.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span></p> + +<p>The second picture presented the same figures, but its import was +entirely different.</p> + +<p>Away down the avenue, the young girl, looking even more fair and +graceful, was just passing out of sight, while the gentleman had +turned and was gazing after her, a rapt expression on his face, the +misery all obliterated from it, the despair all gone from his eyes, +while in their place there had dawned a look of resignation and peace, +and a faint smile even seemed to hover about the previously pain-lined +mouth, which told that he had just learned some lesson from his +vanishing angel that had changed the whole future for him.</p> + +<p>As Edith looked upon these paintings, which betrayed a master-hand in +every stroke of the brush, a rush of tears blinded her eyes, for she +instantly recognized the scene, although there had been no attempt at +portraiture in the faces, and she read at once the story they were +intended to reveal.</p> + +<p>They were catalogued as "Unrest" and "Peace."</p> + +<p>She knew, even before she discovered the initials—"G. G."—in one +corner, that Gerald Goddard had painted these pictures, and that he +had taken for his subject their meeting in the park the previous year.</p> + +<p>They took the first prize, and the artist immediately received +numerous and flattering offers for them, but his agent replied to all +such that the pictures were not for sale.</p> + +<p>A month later a sealed package was delivered at Edith's door, and it +was addressed to her.</p> + +<p>Upon opening it she found a document bequeathing to her two paintings, +lately exhibited at the Academy, which would be delivered to her upon +application to a certain art dealer in the city, whose address was +inclosed. The communication stated that she was free to make whatever +disposition of them she saw fit.</p> + +<p>Upon a heavy card accompanying them there was written the following +words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"The blessing of Aaron has been fulfilled. May the same<br /> +peace rest upon thee and thine forever. G. G."</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span></p> + +<p>Upon inquiring about the pictures of the dealer referred to, Edith was +informed that Gerald Goddard had died only the week previous of quick +consumption, and his body had been quietly interred in Greenwood, +according to his own instructions.</p> + +<p>His two paintings, "Unrest" and "Peace," were left in the care of his +friend, to be delivered to Mrs. Royal Bryant, whenever she should call +for them.</p> + +<p>Edith was deeply touched by this act, and by the fact that the man had +devoted the remnant of his life to picturing that scene which seemed +to have made such a deep impression upon his mind, while a feeling of +thankfulness swelled in her heart with the thought that perhaps she +had spoken the "word in season" that had helped to lead into the +"paths of peace" the weary worlding, who, even then, was treading so +swiftly toward the verge of the "Great Unknown."</p> + +<p>Not many weeks later the New York <i>Herald</i> contained the following +announcement:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"MARRIED.—On Wednesday, the 18th, the Honorable Willard +Livermore to Mrs. Isabel Stewart, both of New York."</p></blockquote> + +<h3>THE END.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>POPULAR BOOKS</h2> +<h3>By MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON</h3> +<h5>In Handsome Cloth Binding</h5> +<h4>Price per Volume, 60 Cents</h4> +<ul> +<li>Audrey's Recompense</li> +<li>Brownie's Triumph</li> +<li>Churchyard Betrothal, The</li> +<li>Dorothy Arnold's Escape</li> +<li>Dorothy's Jewels</li> +<li>Earl Wayne's Nobility</li> +<li>Edrie's Legacy</li> +<li>Esther, the Fright</li> +<li>Faithful Shirley</li> +<li>Forsaken Bride, The</li> +<li>Geoffrey's Victory</li> +<li>Girl in a Thousand, A</li> +<li>Golden Key, The</li> +<li>Grazia's Mistake</li> +<li>Heatherford Fortune, The</li> +<li>Sequel to The Magic Cameo</li> +<li>Helen's Victory</li> +<li>Heritage of Love, A</li> +<li>Sequel to The Golden Key</li> +<li>His Heart's Queen</li> +<li>Hoiden's Conquest, A</li> +<li>Lily of Mordaunt, The</li> +<li>Little Marplot, The</li> +<li>Little Miss Whirlwind</li> +<li>Lost, A Pearle</li> +<li>Magic Cameo, The</li> +<li>Marguerite's Heritage</li> +<li>Masked Bridal, The</li> +<li>Max, A Cradle Mystery</li> +<li>Mona</li> +<li>Mysterious Wedding Ring, A</li> +<li>Nameless Dell</li> +<li>Nora</li> +<li>Queen Bess</li> +<li>Ruby's Reward</li> +<li>Sibyl's Influence</li> +<li>Stella Rosevelt</li> +<li>That Dowdy</li> +<li>Thorn Among Roses, A</li> +<li>Sequel to a Girl in a Thousand</li> +<li>Thrice Wedded</li> +<li>Tina</li> +<li>Trixy</li> +<li>True Aristocrat, A</li> +<li>Two Keys</li> +<li>Virgie's Inheritance</li> +<li>Wedded By Fate</li> +<li>Welfleet Mystery, The</li> +<li>Wild Oats</li> +<li>Winifred's Sacrifice</li> +<li>Witch Hazel</li> +</ul> + + +<h5>For Sale by all Booksellers or will be sent postpaid on receipt of +price</h5> +<h3>A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS</h3> +<h4>114-120 East 23rd Street New York</h4> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h2>Good Fiction Worth Reading.</h2> + +<p><b>A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the +field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love +and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest.</b></p> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><b>A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE.</b> A story of American Colonial Times. By Chauncey +C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of Revolutionary +scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one. It causes the true +American to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter, +until the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. The love +story is a singularly charming idyl.</p> + + +<p><b>THE TOWER OF LONDON.</b> A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady Jane +Grey and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four +illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>This romance of the "Tower of London" depicts the Tower as palace, +prison and fortress, with many historical associations. The era is the +middle of the sixteenth century.</p> + +<p>The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane Grey, +and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other notable +characters of the era. Throughout the story holds the interest of the +reader in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably +over half a century.</p> + + +<p><b>IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING.</b> A Romance of the American Revolution. By +Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery, +and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of +the Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and We feel ourselves taking +a part in the exciting scenes described. His whole story is so +absorbing that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. As a +love romance it is charming.</p> + + +<p><b>GARTHOWEN.</b> A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>"This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare +before us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some +strong points of Welsh character—the pride, the hasty temper, the +quick dying out of wrath.... We call this a well-written story, +interesting alike through its romance and its glimpses into another +life than ours. A delightful and clever picture of Welsh village life. +The result is excellent."—Detroit Free Press.</p> + + +<p><b>MIFANWY.</b> The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>"This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to +read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it +is apparent at once, are as true to life as though the author had +known them all personally. Simple in all its situations, the story is +worked up in that touching and quaint strain which never grows +wearisome, no matter how often the lights and shadows of love are +introduced. It rings true, and does not tax the imagination."—Boston +Herald.</p> + +<p><b>DARNLEY.</b> A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. By +G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson +Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>In point of publication, "Darnley" is that work by Mr. James which +follows "Richelieu," and, if rumor can be credited, it was owing to +the advice and insistence of our own Washington Irving that we are +indebted primarily for the story, the young author questioning whether +he could properly paint the difference in the characters of the two +great cardinals. And it is not surprising that James should have +hesitated; he had been eminently successful in giving to the world the +portrait of Richelieu as a man, and by attempting a similar task with +Wolsey as the theme, was much like tempting fortune. Irving insisted +that "Darnley" came naturally in sequence, and this opinion being +supported by Sir Walter Scott, the author set about the work.</p> + +<p>As a historical romance "Darnley" is a book that can be taken up +pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm +which those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James have +claimed was only to be imparted by Dumas.</p> + +<p>If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial +attention, the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic +"field of the cloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most +favorable consideration of every reader.</p> + +<p>There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author +has taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom +history has credited with having entertained the tender passion one +for another, and he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world +must love.</p> + + +<p><b>CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE.</b> By Lieut. Henry A. Wise, +U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns +who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come +through the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea +and those "who go down in ships" been written by one more familiar +with the scenes depicted.</p> + +<p>The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which +will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is "Captain Brand," +who, as the author states on his title page, was a "pirate of eminence +in the West Indies." As a sea story pure and simple, "Captain Brand" +has never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told +without the usual embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no +equal.</p> + + +<p><b>NICK OF THE WOODS.</b> A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By +Robert Montgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in +Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long +out of print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic +presentation of Indian and frontier life in the early days of +settlement in the South, narrated in the tale with all the art of a +practiced writer. A very charming love romance runs through the story. +This new and tasteful edition of "Nick of the Woods" will be certain +to make many new admirers for this enchanting story from Dr. Bird's +clever and versatile pen.</p> + +<p><b>WINDSOR CASTLE.</b> A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII., +Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, +12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>"Windsor Castle" is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne +Boleyn. "Bluff King Hal," although a well-loved monarch, was none too +good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and unwarrantable +acts, none was more discreditable than his divorce from Catharine, and +his marriage to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The King's love was as +brief as it was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting maid on the Queen, +attracted him, and Anne Boleyn was forced to the block to make room +for her successor. This romance is one of extreme interest to all +readers.</p> + + +<p><b>HORSESHOE ROBINSON.</b> A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina in +1780. By John P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical +fiction, there are none which appeal to a larger number of Americans +than Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only story which +depicts with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists +in South Carolina to defend their homes against the brutal oppression +of the British under such leaders as Cornwallis and Tarleton.</p> + +<p>The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread of +the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning +those times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is +never overdrawn, but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared +neither time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love +story all that price in blood and tears which the Carolinians paid as +their share in the winning of the republic.</p> + +<p>Take it all in all, "Horseshoe Robinson" is a work which should be +found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining +story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning +the colonists which it contains. That it has been brought out once +more, well illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to +thousands who have long desired an opportunity to read the story +again, and to the many who have tried vainly in these latter days to +procure a copy that they might read it for the first time.</p> + + +<p><b>THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND.</b> A story of the Coast of Maine. By Harriet +Beecher Stowe. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>Written prior to 1862, the "Pearl of Orr's Island" is ever new; a book +filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew +each time one reads them. One sees the "sea like an unbroken mirror +all around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr's Island," and +straightway comes "the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, +like the wild angry howl of some savage animal."</p> + +<p>Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which +came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel's wings, +without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud +blossomed? Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the +character of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest, amid +the angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother's breast.</p> + +<p>There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that +which Mrs. Stowe gives in "The Pearl of Orr's Island."</p> + +<p><b>GUY FAWKES.</b> A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison +Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. +Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>The "Gunpowder Plot" was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament, the +King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of England, was +weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient scheme of +extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the Catholics. In +their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits +concluded to overthrow the government. Finally the plotters were +arrested, and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and the other +prisoners with royal vigor. A very intense love story runs through the +entire romance.</p> + + +<p><b>THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER.</b> A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio +Valley. By Zane Grey. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>A book rather out of the ordinary is this "Spirit of the Border." The +main thread of the story has to do with the work of the Moravian +missionaries in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally the reader is given +details of the frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the +wilderness for the planting of this great nation. Chief among these, +as a matter of course, is Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and +at the same time the most admirable of all the brave men who spent +their lives battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in +comparative security.</p> + +<p>Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian "Village +of Peace" are given at some length, and with minute description. The +efforts to Christianize the Indians are described as they never have +been before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders +of the several Indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be +of interest to the student.</p> + +<p>By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid +word-pictures of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings +of the beauties of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests.</p> + +<p>It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by +it, perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly +braved every privation and danger that the westward progress of the +star of empire might be the more certain and rapid. A love story, +simple and tender, runs through the book.</p> + + +<p><b>RICHELIEU.</b> A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. P. +R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, "Richelieu," and was +recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft.</p> + +<p>In this book he laid the story during those later days of the great +cardinal's life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it +was yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic +outbursts which overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost +wave of prosperity. One of the most striking portions of the story is +that of Cinq Mar's conspiracy; the method of conducting criminal +cases, and the political trickery resorted to by royal favorites, +affording a better insight into the state-craft of that day than can +be had even by an exhaustive study of history. It is a powerful +romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling and absorbing +interest has never been excelled.</p> + +<p><b>ROB OF THE BOWL.</b> A Story of the Early Days of Maryland. By John P. +Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>This story is an authentic exposition of the manners and customs +during Lord Baltimore's rule. The greater portion of the action takes +place in St. Mary's—the original capital of the State.</p> + +<p>The quaint character of Rob, the loss of whose legs was supplied by a +wooden bowl strapped to his thighs, his misfortunes and mother wit, +far outshine those fair to look upon. Pirates and smugglers did Rob +consort with for gain, and it was to him that Blanche Werden owed her +life and her happiness, as the author has told us in such an +enchanting manner.</p> + +<p>As a series of pictures of early colonial life in Maryland, "Rob of +the Bowl" has no equal. The story is full of splendid action, with a +charming love story, and a plot that never loosens the grip of its +interest to its last page.</p> + + +<p><b>TICONDEROGA.</b> A Story of Early Frontier Life in the Mohawk Valley. By +G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson +Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>The setting of the story is decidedly more picturesque than any ever +evolved by Cooper. The story is located on the frontier of New York +State. The principal characters in the story include an English +gentleman, his beautiful daughter, Lord Howe, and certain Indian +sachems belonging to the Five Nations, and the story ends with the +Battle of Ticonderoga.</p> + +<p>The character of Captain Brooks, who voluntarily decides to sacrifice +his own life in order to save the son of the Englishman, is not among +the least of the attractions of this story, which holds the attention +of the reader even to the last page.</p> + +<p>Interwoven with the plot is the Indian "blood" law, which demands a +life for a life, whether it be that of the murderer or one of his +race. A more charming story of mingled love and adventure has never +been written than "Ticonderoga."</p> + + +<p><b>MARY DERWENT.</b> A tale of the Wyoming Valley in 1778. By Mrs. Ann S. +Stephens. Cloth, 12mo. Four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, +$1.00.</p> + +<p>The scene of this fascinating story of early frontier life is laid in +the Valley of Wyoming. Aside from Mary Derwent, who is of course the +heroine, the story deals with Queen Esther's son, Giengwatah, the +Butlers of notorious memory, and the adventures of the Colonists with +the Indians.</p> + +<p>Though much is made of the Massacre of Wyoming, a great portion of the +tale describes the love making between Mary Derwent's sister, Walter +Butler, and one of the defenders of Forty Fort.</p> + +<p>This historical novel stands out bright and pleasing, because of the +mystery and notoriety of several of the actors, the tender love +scenes, descriptions of the different localities, and the struggles of +the settlers. It holds the attention of the reader, even to the last +page.</p> + +<p><b>THE LAST TRAIL.</b> A story of early days in the Ohio Valley. By Zane +Grey. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, +$1.00.</p> + +<p>"The Last Trail" is a story of the border. The scene is laid at Fort +Henry, where Col. Ebenezer Zane with his family have built up a +village despite the attacks of savages and renegades. The Colonel's +brother and Wetzel, known as Deathwind by the Indians, are the +bordermen who devote their lives to the welfare of the white people. A +splendid love story runs through the book.</p> + +<p>That Helen Sheppard, the heroine, should fall in love with such a +brave, skilful scout as Jonathan Zane seems only reasonable after his +years of association and defense of the people of the settlement from +savages and renegades.</p> + +<p>If one has a liking for stories of the trail, where the white man +matches brains against savage cunning, for tales of ambush and +constant striving for the mastery, "The Last Trail" will be greatly to +his liking.</p> + + +<p><b>THE KNIGHTS OF THE HORSESHOE.</b> A traditionary tale of the Cocked Hat +Gentry in the Old Dominion. By Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers. Cloth, 12mo. Four +page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>Many will hail with delight the re-publication of this rare and justly +famous story of early American colonial life and old-time Virginian +hospitality.</p> + +<p>Much that is charmingly interesting will be found in this tale that so +faithfully depicts early American colonial life, and also here is +found all the details of the founding of the Tramontane Order, around +which has ever been such a delicious flavor of romance.</p> + +<p>Early customs, much love making, plantation life, politics, intrigues, +and finally that wonderful march across the mountains which resulted +in the discovery and conquest of the fair Valley of Virginia. A rare +book filled with a delicious Savor of romance.</p> + + +<p><b>BY BERWEN BANKS.</b> A Romance of Welsh Life. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00.</p> + +<p>It is a tender and beautiful romance of the idyllic. A charming +picture of life in a Welsh seaside village. It is something of a +prose-poem, true, tender and graceful.</p> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><b>For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by +the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York.</b></p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masked Bridal, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASKED BRIDAL *** + +***** This file should be named 29524-h.htm or 29524-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/2/29524/ + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Suzanne Shell, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://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: The Masked Bridal + +Author: Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +Release Date: July 27, 2009 [EBook #29524] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASKED BRIDAL *** + + + + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Suzanne Shell, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + Transcriber's Note: + + The Table of Contents is not part of the original book. + + + + + THE MASKED + + BRIDAL + + + + _By_ MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON + + AUTHOR OF + + "Edrie's Legacy," "Max," "Faithful Shirley," + "Marguerites Heritage," "A True + Aristocrat," etc. + + + + + + A. L. BURT COMPANY + + PUBLISHERS NEW YORK + + + + Copyright 1894, 1895, 1900 + + BY STREET & SMITH + + * * * * * + + + + + Contents + + Page + PROLOGUE. 3 + I TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS. 5 + II A STANCH FRIEND MAKES A VAIN APPEAL. 11 + III THE YOUNG LAWYER EXPERIENCES TWO EXTRAORDINARY + SURPRISES. 16 + IV A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 20 + V A MOTHER'S LAST REQUEST. 26 + VI A HERITAGE OF SHAME. 30 + VII TWO NEW ACQUAINTANCES. 36 + VIII THE VENOM OF JEALOUSY. 43 + IX THE HOUSEKEEPER AT WYOMING. 50 + X "THE GIRL IS DOOMED! SHE HAS SEALED HER OWN FATE!" 58 + XI "NOW MY VINDICATION AND TRIUMPH WILL BE COMPLETE!" 65 + XII THE MASKED BRIDAL. 71 + XIII THE DASTARDLY PLOT IS REVEALED. 79 + XIV "YOUR FAITHLESSNESS TURNED ME INTO A DEMON." 88 + XV "OH, GOD! I KNEW IT! YOU ARE ISABEL!" 95 + XVI "YOU SHALL NEVER WANT FOR A FRIEND." 104 + XVII "WOULD YOU DARE BE FALSE TO ME, AFTER ALL + THESE YEARS?" 111 + XVIII "I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE EITHER OF YOU FOR YOUR + SIN AGAINST ME." 119 + XIX "I WILL NEVER BREAK BREAD WITH YOU, AT ANY TABLE." 128 + XX EDITH RESOLVES TO MEET HER ENEMIES WITH THEIR + OWN WEAPONS. 137 + XXI A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER PAYS EDITH AN UNEXPECTED + VISIT. 146 + XXII "I WILL RISE ABOVE MY SIN AND SHAME!" 154 + XXIII A SURPRISE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION. 164 + XXIV A SAD STORY DISCLOSED TO AN EAGER LISTENER. 173 + XXV A NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED. 181 + XXVI AN EXCITING INTERVIEW AND AN APPALLING DISCOVERY. 189 + XXVII MRS. GODDARD BECOMES AN EAVESDROPPER. 199 + XXVIII ISABEL STEWART ASTOUNDS MR. GODDARD. 208 + XXIX "OUR WAYS PART HERE, NEVER TO CROSS AGAIN." 217 + XXX "I HATE YOU WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF MY ITALIAN + BLOOD." 226 + XXXI RECORDS SOME STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS. 234 + XXXII "YOU WILL VACATE THESE PREMISES AT YOUR EARLIEST + CONVENIENCE." 242 + XXXIII MR. BRYANT MEETS WITH UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES. 250 + XXXIV AN UNEXPECTED MEETING RESULTS IN A WONDERFUL + DISCOVERY. 259 + XXV "THAT MAN MY FATHER!" 268 + XXXVI FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. 276 + XXXVII "MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!" 285 +XXXVIII AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER. 292 + XXXIX CONCLUSION. 298 + + * * * * * + + + + +THE MASKED BRIDAL. + +PROLOGUE. + + +The most important and the most sacred event in a woman's life is her +marriage. It should never be lightly considered, no matter what may be +the allurement--honor, wealth, social position. To play at marriage, +even for a plausible pretext, is likely to be very imprudent, and may +prove a sin against both God and man. + +The story we are about to tell chiefly concerns a refined and +beautiful girl who, for the ostensible entertainment of a number of +guests, agreed to represent a bride in a play. + +The chief actors, just for the sake of illustrating a novel situation, +and perhaps to excite curiosity among the spectators, were to have +their faces concealed--it was to be a masked bridal. + +Already the guests are assembled, and, amid slow and solemn music, the +principals take their places. + +The clergyman, enacted by a gentleman who performs his part with +professional gravity and impressive effect, utters the solemn words +calling for "any one who could show just cause why the two before him +should not be joined in holy wedlock, to speak, or forever hold his +peace." + +At the sound of these words, the bride visibly shudders; but as she is +masked, it can only be inferred that her features must indicate her +intense emotion. + +But why should she exhibit emotion in such a scene? Is it not a play? +She cannot be a clever actress when she forgets, at such a time, that +it is the part of a bride--a willing bride--to appear supremely happy +on such a joyous occasion. + +It is strange, too, that as the bride shudders, the bridegroom's hand +compresses hers with a sudden vigorous clutch, as if he feared to lose +her, even at that moment. + +Was it merely acting? Was this "stage business" really in the play? Or +was it a little touch of nature, which could not be suppressed by the +stage training of those inexperienced actors? + +The play goes on; the entranced spectators are now all aroused from +the apathy with which some of them had contemplated the opening part +of the remarkable ceremony. + +As the groom proceeds to place the ring upon the finger of the bride, +she involuntarily resists, and tries to withdraw her hand from the +clasp of her companion. There is an embarrassing pause, and for an +instant she appears about to succumb to a feeling of deadly faintness. + +She rouses herself, however, determined to go on with her part. + +Every movement is closely watched by one of the witnesses--a woman +with glittering eye and pallid cheek. When the bride's repugnance +seemed about to overmaster her, and perhaps result in a swoon, this +woman gave utterance to a sigh almost of despair and with panting +breath and steadfast gaze anxiously watched and waited for the end of +the exciting drama. + +The grave clergyman notices the bride's heroic efforts to restrain her +agitation, and the ceremony proceeds. At length the solemn sentence is +uttered which proclaims the masked couple man and wife. + +Then there is a great surprise for the spectators. + +As they behold the bride and groom, now unmasked, there is a stare of +wonder in every face, and expressions of intense amazement are heard +on all sides. + +Then it dawns upon the witnesses that the principal actors in the play +are not the persons first chosen to represent the parts of the bride +and groom. + +Why was a change made? What means the unannounced substitution of +other actors in the exciting play? + +Ask the woman who caused the change--the woman who, with pallid cheek +and glittering eye, had intently watched every movement of the +apparently reluctant bride, evidently fearing the failure of the play +upon which she had set her heart. + +It became painfully evident that the play was not ended yet, and some +there present had reason to believe that it was likely to end in a +tragedy. + +Now let us portray the events which preceded the masked bridal. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +TWO UNEXPECTED VISITORS. + + +It was a cold, raw night in December, and the streets of New York +city, despite their myriads of electric lights and gayly illuminated +shop windows, were dismal and forlorn beyond description. + +The sky was leaden. A piercing wind was blowing up from the East +River, and great flakes of snow were beginning to fall, when, out of +the darkness of a side street, there came the slight, graceful figure +of a young girl, who, crossing Broadway, glided into the glare of the +great arclight that was stationed directly opposite a pawnbroker's +shop. + +She halted a moment just outside the door, one slender, +shabbily-gloved hand resting irresolutely upon its polished knob, +while an expression of mingled pain and disgust swept over her pale +but singularly beautiful face. + +Presently, however, she straightened herself, and throwing up her head +with an air of resolution, she turned the knob, pushed open the door, +and entered the shop. + +It was a large establishment of its kind, and upon every hand there +were indications that that relentless master, Poverty, had been very +busy about his work in the homes of the unfortunate, compelling his +victims to sacrifice their dearest possessions to his avaricious +grasp. + +The young girl walked swiftly to the counter, behind which there stood +a shrewd-faced Israelite, who was the only occupant of the place, and +whose keen black eyes glittered with mingled admiration and cupidity +as they fastened themselves upon the lovely face before him. + +With an air of quiet dignity the girl lifted her glance to his, as she +produced a ticket from the well-worn purse which she carried in her +hand. + +"I have come, sir, to redeem the watch upon which you loaned me three +dollars last week," she remarked, as she laid the ticket upon the +counter before him. + +"Aha! an' so, miss, you vishes to redeem de vatch!" remarked the man, +with a crafty smile, as he took up the ticket under pretense of +examining it to make sure that it was the same that he had issued to +her the week previous. + +"Yes, sir." + +"An' vat vill you redeem 'im mit?" he pursued, with a disagreeable +leer. + +"With the same amount that you advanced me, of course," gravely +responded the girl. + +"Ah! ve vill zee--ve vill zee! Vhere ish de money?" and the man +extended a huge soiled hand to her. + +"I have a five-dollar gold-piece here," she returned, as she took it +from her purse and deposited it also upon the counter; for she shrank +from coming in contact with that repulsive, unwashed hand. + +The pawnbroker seized the coin greedily, his eyes gleaming hungrily at +the sight of the yellow gold, while he examined it carefully to assure +himself that it was genuine. + +"So! so! you vill vant de vatch," he at length observed, in a sullen +tone, as if he did not relish the idea of returning the valuable +time-piece upon which he had advanced the paltry sum of three dollars. +"Vell!" and irritably pulling out a drawer as he spoke, he dropped the +coin into it. "Ah!" he cried, with a sudden start and an angry frown, +as it dropped with a ringing sound upon the wood, "vat you mean? You +would sheat me!--you vould rob me! De money ish not goot--de coin ish +counterfeit! I vill send for de officer--you shall pe arrested--you +von little meek-faced robber! Ah!" he concluded, in a shrill tone of +well-simulated anger, as he shook his fist menacingly before his +companion. + +The fair girl regarded him in frightened astonishment as he poured +forth this torrent of wrathful abuse upon her, while her beautiful +blue eyes dilated and her delicate lips quivered with repressed +excitement. + +"I do not understand you!--what do you mean, sir?" she at length +demanded, when she could find voice for speech. + +"You play de innocence very vell!" he sneered; then added, gruffly: +"You vill not get der vatch, for you haf prought me bad money." + +"You are mistaken, sir; I have just received that gold-piece from a +respectable lawyer, for whom I have been working during the week, and +I know he would not take advantage of me by paying me with counterfeit +money," the young girl explained; but she had, nevertheless, grown +very pale while speaking. + +"Ah! maybe not--maybe not, miss; not if he knew it," said the +pawnbroker, now adopting a wheedling and pitiful tone as he drew forth +the shining piece and pushed it toward her. "Somebody may haf sheeted +him; but it haf not der true ring of gold, and you'll haf to bring me +der t'ree dollars some oder time, miss." + +The girl's delicate face flushed, and tears sprang to her eyes. She +stood looking sadly down upon the money for a moment, then, with a +weary sigh, replaced it in her purse, together with the ticket, and +left the shop without a word; while the tricky pawnbroker looked after +her, a smile of cunning triumph wreathing his coarse lips, as he +gleefully washed his hands, behind the counter, with "invisible soap +in imperceptible water." + +"Oh, mamma! poor mamma! what shall I do?" murmured the girl, with a +heart-broken sob, as she stepped forth upon the street again. "I was +so happy to think I had earned enough to redeem your precious watch, +and also get something nice and nourishing for your Sunday dinner; but +now--what can I do? Oh, it is dreadful to be so poor!" + +Another sob choked her utterance, and the glistening tears rolled +thick and fast over her cheeks; but she hurried on her way, and, after +a brisk walk of ten or fifteen minutes, turned into a side street and +presently entered a dilapidated-looking house. + +Mounting a flight of rickety stairs, she entered a room where a dim +light revealed a pale and wasted woman lying upon a poor but +spotlessly clean couch. + +The room was also clean and orderly, though very meagerly furnished, +but chill and cheerless, for there was not life enough in the +smoldering embers within the stove to impart much warmth with the +temperature outside almost down to zero. + +"Edith, dear, I am so glad you have come," said a faint but sweet +voice from the bed. + +"And, mamma, I never came home with a sadder heart," sighed the weary +and almost discouraged girl, as she sank upon a low chair at her +mother's side. + +"How so, dear?" questioned the invalid; whereupon her daughter gave an +account of her recent interview with the pawnbroker. + +"I know Mr. Bryant would never have given me the gold-piece if he had +not supposed it to be all right, for he has been so very kind and +considerate to me all the week," she remarked, in conclusion, with a +slight blush. "I am sure he would exchange it, even now; but he left +the office at four, and I do not know where he lives; so I suppose I +shall have to wait until Monday; but I am terribly disappointed about +the watch, while we have neither food nor fuel to get over Sunday +with." + +The sick woman sighed gently. It was the only form of complaint that +she ever indulged in. + +"Perhaps the money is not counterfeit, after all," she remarked, after +a moment of thought. "Perhaps the pawnbroker did not want to give up +the watch, and so took that way to get rid of you." "That is so! how +strange that I did not think of it myself!" exclaimed Edith, starting +eagerly to her feet, the look of discouragement vanishing from her +lovely face. "I will go around to the grocery at once, and perhaps +they will take the coin. What a comforter you always prove to be in +times of trouble, mamma!" she added, bending down to kiss the pale +face upon the pillow. "Cheer up; we will soon have a blazing fire and +something nice to eat." + +She again put on her jacket and hat, and drew on her gloves, +preparatory to going forth to breast the storm and biting cold once +more. + +"I cannot bear to have you go out again," said her mother, in an +anxious tone. + +"I do not mind it in the least, mamma, dear," Edith brightly +responded, "if I can only make you comfortable over Sunday. Next week +I am to go again to Mr. Bryant, who thinks he can give me work +permanently. You should see him, mamma," she went on, flushing again +and turning slightly away from the eyes regarding her so curiously; +"he is so handsome, so courteous, and so very kind. Ah! I begin to +have courage once more," she concluded, with a little silvery laugh; +then went out, shutting the door softly behind her. + +Half an hour later she returned with her arms full of packages, and +followed by a man bearing a generous basketful of coal and kindlings. + +Her face was glowing, her eyes sparkling, and she was a bewildering +vision of beauty and happiness. + +"The money wasn't bad, after all mamma," she said, when the man had +departed; "they didn't make the slightest objection to taking it at +the grocery. I believe you were right, and that the pawnbroker did not +want to give up the watch, so took that way to get rid of me. But I +will have it next week, and I shall have a policeman to go with me to +get it." + +"Did you tell the grocer anything about the trouble you have had?" the +invalid inquired. + +"No, mamma; I simply offered the coin in payment for what I bought, +and he took it without a word," Edith replied, but flushing slightly, +for she felt a trifle guilty about passing the money after what had +occurred. + +"I almost wish you had," said her mother. + +"I thought I would, at first, but--I knew we must have something to +eat, and fuel to keep us warm between now and Monday, and so I allowed +the grocer to take it upon his own responsibility," the young girl +responded, with a desperate little glitter in her lovely eyes. + +Her companion made no reply, although there was a shade of anxiety +upon her wan face. + +Edith, removing her things, bustled about, and soon had a cheerful +fire and an appetizing meal prepared. + +Her spirits appeared to rise with the temperature of the room, and she +chatted cheerfully while about her work, telling a number of +interesting incidents that had occurred in connection with her +employment during the week. + +"Now come, mamma," she remarked, at length; "let me help you into your +chair and wheel you up to the table, for supper is ready, and I am +sure you will enjoy these delicious oysters, which I have cooked as +you like them best." + +Mother and daughter were chatting pleasantly, enjoying their meal, +when the door of their room was thrown rudely open and two men strode +into their presence. + +Edith started to her feet in mingled indignation and alarm, then grew +deadly pale when she observed that one of the intruders was an +officer, and the other the grocer of whom she had made her recent +purchases. + +"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" she demanded, trying in vain +to keep her tones steady and her heart from sinking with a terrible +dread. + +"There! Mr. Officer; that is the girl who passed the counterfeit money +at my store," the grocer exclaimed, his face crimson with anger. + +Edith uttered a smothered cry of anguish, then sank weakly back into +her chair, as the man went forward to her side, laid his hand upon +her shoulder, and remarked: + +"You are my prisoner, miss." + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +A STANCH FRIEND MAKES A VAIN APPEAL. + + +Beautiful Edith Allandale and her gentle, refined mother had been +suddenly hurled from affluence down into the very depths of poverty. + +Only two years previous to the opening of our story the world had been +as bright to them as to any of the petted favorites of fortune who +dwell in the luxurious palaces on Fifth avenue. + +Albert Allandale had been a wealthy broker in Wall street; for years +Fortune had showered her favors upon him, and everything he had +touched seemed literally to turn to gold in his grasp. + +His family consisted of his wife, his beautiful daughter, and two +bright sons, ten and twelve years of age, upon whom the dearest hopes +of his life had centered. + +But like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, an illness of less than a +week had deprived him of both of his sons. + +Diphtheria, that fell destroyer, laid its relentless hand upon them, +and they had died upon the same day, within a few hours of each other. + +The heart-broken father was a changed man from the moment, when, +sitting in speechless agony beside these idolized boys, he watched +their young lives go out, and felt that the future held nothing to +tempt him to live on. + +His mind appeared to be impaired by this crushing blow; he could +neither eat nor sleep; his business was neglected, and, day by day, he +failed, until, in less than six months from the time that death had so +robbed him, he had followed his boys, leaving his wife and lovely +daughter to struggle as best they could with poverty; for their great +wealth had melted like snow beneath the blazing sun when Mr. Allandale +lost his interest in the affairs of the world. + +Keenly sensitive, and no less proud--crushed by their many sorrows, +the bereaved wife and daughter hid themselves and their grief from +every one, in a remote corner of the great city. But misfortune +followed misfortune--Mrs. Allandale having become a confirmed +invalid--until they were reduced to the straits described at the +opening of our story. + +The week preceding they had spent their last dollar--obtained by +pawning one after another of their old-time treasures--and Edith +insisted upon seeking employment. + +She had seen an advertisement for a copyist in one of the daily +papers, and, upon answering it in person, succeeded in obtaining the +situation with the young lawyer already mentioned. + +Every day spent in her presence only served to make him admire her the +more; and, before the week was out, he had altogether lost his heart +to her. + +When Saturday evening arrived, he paid her with the golden coin which +was destined to bring fresh sorrow upon her, and she went out from his +presence with a strange feeling of pride and independence over the +knowledge that she had earned it with her own hands, and henceforth +would be able to provide for her own and her mother's comfort. + +But Royal Bryant had been conscience-smitten when he saw her beautiful +face light up with mingled pride and pleasure as he laid that tiny +piece of gold in her palm. + +He would gladly have doubled the amount; but five dollars had been the +sum agreed upon for that first week's work, and he feared that he +would wound her pride by offering her a gratuity. + +So he had told her that she would be worth more to him the next week, +and that he would continue to increase her wages in proportion as she +acquired speed and proficiency in her work. + +Thus she had started forth, that dreary Saturday night, with a +comparatively light heart, to redeem her watch, before going home to +tell her mother her good news. + +But, alas! how disastrously the day had closed! + +"Come, miss," impatiently remarked the officer, as she sat with bowed +head, her face covered with her hands, "get on your things! I've no +time to be fooling away, and must run you into camp before it gets any +later." + +"Oh, what do you mean?" cried Edith, starting wildly to her feet. +"Where are you going to take me?" + +"To the station-house, of course, where you'll stay until Monday, when +you'll be taken to court for your examination," was the gruff reply. + +"Oh, no! I can never spend two nights in such a place!" moaned the +nearly frantic girl, with a shiver of horror. "I have done no +intentional wrong," she continued, lifting an appealing look to the +man's face. "That money was given to me for some work that I have been +doing this week, and if any one is answerable for it being +counterfeit, it should be the person who paid it to me." + +"Who paid you the money?" the officer demanded. + +"A lawyer for whom I have been copying--Mr. Royal Bryant; his office +is at No. ---- Broadway." + +"Then you'll have to appeal to him. But of course it's too late now to +find him at his office. Where does he live?" + +"I do not know," sighed Edith, dejectedly. "I have only been with him +one week, and did not once hear him mention his residence." + +"That's a pity, miss," returned the officer, in a gentler tone, for he +began to be moved by her beauty and distress. The condition of the +invalid, who had fallen back weak and faint in her chair when he +entered, also appealed to him. + +"Unless you can prove your story true, and make up the grocer's loss +to him, I shall be obliged to lock you up to await your examination." + +Edith's face lighted hopefully. + +"Do you mean that if I could pay Mr. Pincher I need not be arrested?" +she eagerly inquired. + +"Yes; the man only wants his money." + +"Then he shall have it," Edith joyfully exclaimed. "I will give him +back the change he gave me, then I will go to Mr. Bryant the first +thing Monday morning and tell him about the gold-piece, when I am sure +he will make it all right, and I can pay Mr. Pincher for what I bought +to-night." + +"No, you don't, miss," here interposed the grocer himself. "I've had +that game played on me too many times already. You'll just fork over +five dollars to me this very night or off you go to the lock-up. I'm +not going to run any risk of your skipping out of sight between now +and Monday, and leaving me in the lurch." + +"But I have no money, save the change you gave me," said Edith, +wearily. "And do you think I would wish to run away when my mother is +too sick to be moved?" she added, indignantly. "I could not take her +with me, and I would not leave her. Oh, pray do not force me to go to +that dreadful place this fearful night! I promise that I will stay +quietly here and that you shall have every penny of your money on +Monday morning." + +"She certainly will keep her word, gentlemen," Mrs. Allandale here +interposed, in a tremulous voice. "Do not force her to leave me, for I +am very ill and need her." + +"I'm going to have my five dollars now, or to jail she will go," was +the gruff response of the obdurate grocer. + +"Oh, I cannot go to jail!" wailed the persecuted girl. + +Mrs. Allandale, almost unnerved by the sight of her grief, pleaded +again with pallid face and quivering lips for her. But the man was +relentless. He resolutely turned his back upon the two delicate women +and walked from the room, saying as he went: + +"Do your duty, Mr. Officer, and I'll be on hand Monday morning, in +court, to tell 'em how I've been swindled." + +With this he vanished, leaving the policeman no alternative but to +enforce the law. + +"Oh, mamma! mamma! how can I live and suffer such shame?" cried the +despairing girl, as she sank upon her knees in front of the sick +woman, and shuddered from head to foot in view of the fate before her. + +Mrs. Allandale was so overcome that she could not utter one word of +comfort. She was only able to lift one wasted hand and lay it upon the +golden head with a touch of infinite tenderness; then, with a gasp, +she fainted dead away. + +"Oh, you have killed her!" Edith cried, in an agonized tone. "What +shall I do? How can I leave her? I will not. Oh! will no one come to +help me in this dreadful emergency?" + +"Sure, Miss Allandale, ye know that Kate O'Brien is always willin' to +lend ye a hand when you're in trouble--bless yer bonny heart!" here +interposed a loud but kindly voice, and the next instant the +good-natured face of a buxom Irishwoman was thrust inside the door, +which the grocer had left ajar when he went out. "What is the matter +here?" she concluded, glancing from the officer to the senseless woman +in her chair, and over whom Edith was hanging, chafing her cold hands, +while bitter tears rolled over her face. + +A few words sufficed to explain the situation, and then the +indignation of the warm-hearted daughter of Erin blazed forth more +forcibly than elegantly, and she berated the absent grocer and present +officer in no gentle terms. + +Kate O'Brien would gladly have advanced the five dollars to the +grocer, but, unfortunately, she herself was at that moment almost +destitute of cash. + +"Come, Miss Allandale," said the officer, somewhat impatiently, "I +can't wait any longer." + +"Oh, mamma! how can I leave you like this?" moaned the girl, with a +despairing glance at the inanimate figure which, as yet, had given no +signs to returning life. + +"She has only fainted, mavourneen," said Kate O'Brien, in a tender +tone, for she at last realized that it would be worse than useless to +contend against the majesty of the law. "She'll soon come to hersel', +and ye may safely trust her wid me--I'll not lave her till ye come +back again." + +And with this assurance, Edith was forced to be content, for she saw, +by the officer's resolute face, that she could hope for no reprieve. + +So, with one last agonizing look, she pressed a kiss upon the pallid +brow of her loved one; then, again donning her hat and shawl, she told +the policeman that she was ready, and went forth once more into the +darkness and the pitiless storm, feeling, almost, as if God himself +had forsaken her, and wondering if she should ever see her dear mother +alive again. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE YOUNG LAWYER EXPERIENCES TWO EXTRAORDINARY SURPRISES. + + +The next morning, in the matron's room of the Thirtieth street +station-house, a visitor came to see Edith Allandale. The visitor was +Kate O'Brien, who, after announcing the condition of the prisoner's +mother, declared her willingness to aid Edith in any way in her power. + +Edith intrusted a letter to her for Mr. Royal Bryant, and early Monday +morning Kate was at the lawyer's office, and placed the missive in his +hands. + +The young man instantly recognized the handwriting of his fair +copyist, and flushed to his brow at sight of it. + +"Ah! she is ill and has sent me word that she cannot come to the +office to-day!" he said to himself. + +"Sit down, madam," he said to his visitor, and he eagerly tore open +the letter and read the following: + + "MR. BRYANT:--Dear Sir:--I am sorry to have to tell you that + the five-dollar gold-piece which you gave me on Saturday + evening was a counterfeit coin. I passed it at a grocery, + near which I reside, in payment for necessaries which I + purchased, and, half an hour later, was arrested for the + crime of passing spurious money. I could not appeal to you + at the time, for I did not know your address; but now I beg + that you will come to my aid to-morrow morning, when I shall + have to appear in court to answer the charge, for I do not + know of any one else upon whom to call in my present + extremity. Oh, pray come at once, for my mother is very ill + and needs me. + + "Respectfully yours, + + "EDITH M. ALLANDALE." + +Royal Bryant's face was ghastly white when he finished reading this +brief epistle. + +"Good heavens!" he muttered, "to think of that beautiful girl being +arrested and imprisoned for such an offense! Where is Miss Allandale?" +he added, aloud, turning to Mrs. O'Brien, who had been watching him +with a jealous eye ever since entering the room. + +"In the Thirtieth street station-house, sir," she briefly responded. + +"Infamous!" exclaimed the young man, in great excitement. "And has she +been in that vile place since Saturday evening?" + +"She has, sir; but not with the common lot; the matron has been very +good to her, sir, and gave her a bed in her own room," the woman +explained. + +"Blessed be the matron!" was Royal Bryant's inward comment. Then, +turning again to his companion, he inquired. + +"What is your name, if you please, madam?" + +"Kate O'Brien, at your service, sir." + +"Thank you; and do you live near Miss Allandale?" + +"Jist forninst her, sir--on the same floor, across the hall." + +"She writes that her mother is very ill," proceeded the young man, +referring again to the letter. + +"Whisht, sir; the poor lady's dyin', sir," said Kate in a tone of awe. + +"Dying!" exclaimed Royal Bryant, aghast. + +"Yes, sir; she has consumption; and just afther the officer--bad luck +to 'im!--took the young lady away, she had a bad coughin' spell, and +burst a blood-vessel, and she has been failin' ever since," the woman +explained, with trembling lips. + +"Who is with Mrs. Allandale now?" questioned Mr. Bryant, with a look +of deep anxiety. + +"The docthor, sir; he promised to stay wid her till I come back." + +"Well, then, Mrs. O'Brien, if you will be good enough to hurry back +and care for Mrs. Allandale, I will go at once to her daughter; and I +am very sure that I can secure her release within a short time. Tell +her mother so, and that I will send her home immediately upon her +release." + +"Bless yer kind heart!" cried the woman, heartily, and she hurried +away to take the blessed news to Edith's fast-failing mother. + +The moment the door closed after her, Royal Bryant seized his overcoat +and began to put it on again, his face aflame with mingled indignation +and mortification. + +"In a common city lock-up for the crime of passing counterfeit money!" +he muttered, hoarsely. "And to think that I brought such a fate upon +her!--I, who would suffer torture to save her a pang. Two nights and +an endless day, and her mother dying at home!--how she must have +suffered! I could go down upon my knees to ask her pardon, and yet I +cannot understand it. That money came directly from the bank into my +possession." + +He was just fastening the last button of his coat when there came a +knock upon his door. + +"Come in," he said, but frowning with impatience at the unwelcome +interruption and the probable detention which it portended. + +An instant later a rather common-looking man, of perhaps forty years, +entered the room. + +"Ah, Mr. Knowles! good-morning, good-morning," said young Bryant, with +his habitual cordiality. "What can I do for you to-day?" + +"I--I have called to pay an installment upon what I owe you, Mr. +Bryant," the man responded, flushing slightly beneath the genial +glance of the lawyer. + +"Ah, yes; I had forgotten that this was the date for the payment. I +hope, however, that you are not inconveniencing yourself in making it +to-day," remarked the young lawyer, as he observed that his client was +paler than usual and wore an anxious, care-worn expression. + +"There is nothing that inconveniences me more than debt," the man +evasively replied, but quickly repressing a sigh, as he drew forth a +well-worn purse, while his companion saw that his lips trembled +slightly as he said it. + +Opening the purse, Mr. Knowles produced a small coin and extended it +to the lawyer. + +It was a five-dollar gold-piece. + +Mr. Bryant took it mechanically, and thanked him; but at the same +time, feeling a strange reluctance in so doing, for he was sure the +man needed the money for his personal necessities, while his small +claim against him for advice rendered a few weeks previous could wait +well enough, and he would never miss the amount. + +He experienced a sense of delicacy, however, about giving expression +to the thought, for he knew the gentleman to be both proud and +sensitive, and he did not wish to wound him by assuming that he was +unable to make the payment that had become due. + +He stood awkwardly fingering the money and gazing absently down upon +it as these thoughts flitted through his mind, and thinking, too, that +it was somewhat singular that Mr. Knowles should have paid him in gold +coin and of the very same denomination as he had given Edith less than +forty-eight hours previous, and which had been the means of causing +her such deep trouble. + +Almost unconsciously, he turned the money over, his glance still +riveted upon it. + +As he did so he gave a violent start which caused his companion to +regard him curiously. + +"Great Scott!" he exclaimed, in vehement excitement, as he bent to +examine the coin more closely, "this is the strangest thing that ever +happened to me in all my experience!" + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. + + +Mr. Knowles regarded his companion with undisguised astonishment. + +"Is there anything wrong about the money?" he inquired, a gleam of +anxiety in his eyes. + +"Pardon me," said Royal Bryant, flushing, as he was thus recalled to +himself; "you are justified in asking the question, and I trust you +will not regard me as impertinently inquisitive if I inquire if you +can remember from whom you received this piece of money." + +"Certainly I remember," Mr. Knowles replied, but flushing painfully in +his turn at the question. + +"Will you kindly tell me the name of the person from whom you took +it?" + +Mr. Knowles appeared even more embarrassed than before, and hesitated +about replying. + +"I have a special and personal reason for asking you," Mr. Bryant +continued. "See!" he added, holding the gold-piece before him where +the light struck full upon it, "you perceive this coin is marked," and +he pointed out some vertical scratches which had been made just inside +the margin. "I made those marks myself." + +"Can that be possible!" exclaimed his companion, astonished. + +"Yes. This very piece of money was in my possession as late as five +o'clock last Saturday afternoon." + +"I cannot understand," said Mr. Knowles, looking mystified. + +"Let me explain," returned Mr. Bryant. "I owed my copyist exactly five +dollars, and, having nothing smaller in bills than tens, I was obliged +to pay her with this coin. While she was getting ready to leave the +office, I sat toying with it and scratched it, as you see, with the +point of my penknife; then I gave it to Miss Allandale, and thought +no more about the matter. But just before you came in this morning, I +received a note from her saying she had been arrested for passing the +coin with which I had paid her, it having been declared counterfeit, +and she begged me to come at once to her assistance and try to prove +her innocence. I was just on the point of doing so when you called." + +"What a very singular circumstance," Mr. Knowles remarked, +reflectively. "It appears all the more so to me from the fact that I +also received this piece of money no later than seven o'clock on last +Saturday evening." + +"You amaze me!" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. "Pray explain to me how you came +by it--it may help to solve this very perplexing mystery, for I am +confident that the coin is genuine, in spite of the trouble it has +brought upon Miss Allandale." + +"Yes, I will be frank with you," his companion returned, but flushing +again, "and tell you that, in order to make this payment to you, I was +obliged to borrow the money and gave, as security, a valuable mantel +clock, which was one of my wife's wedding gifts. In other words, I +pawned it. It goes against my pride to confess it; but the idea of +debt is horrible to me: and, having been in very straitened +circumstances of late, from sickness in my family and other causes, I +had no other means of meeting my obligations to you, while I hoped to +be able to redeem the clock before the time allotted should expire." + +"Mr. Knowles, I thank you heartily for telling me this, while, at the +same time, I am deeply pained," gravely returned Royal Bryant. "I +would not have had you so pressed for a great deal; my claim against +you can wait indefinitely, and you need feel no anxiety regarding it. +Take your own time about it, for I am sure that I can safely trust a +man to whom the idea of debt is so repulsive." + +"You are very good," said Mr. Knowles, in a grateful tone. + +"I shall return you this amount," the young lawyer resumed, "but in +bills, for I wish to retain this gold-piece; and I beg that you will +go at once and redeem your wife's clock. I am also going to throw a +little business in your way, for I would like to retain you as a +witness for Miss Allandale, and you shall be well paid for your +services. Now please give me the name of the pawnbroker from whom you +took the money." + +"Solon Retz, No. ---- Third avenue." + +"Ah, yes; I know him for a scheming and not over-scrupulous person. I +fought a tough battle with him a year or so ago." + +But Royal Bryant still looked greatly perplexed. + +He could not understand how the pawnbroker could have had that +particular gold-piece to loan upon Mr. Knowles' clock, before seven +o'clock on Saturday evening, when Edith Allandale had been arrested, +that same night, for trying to pass it off upon the grocer of whom she +had spoken in her note. + +To him it seemed an inexplicable mystery. + +However, he knew--he could take his oath--that the coin which he now +held in his hand was the identical piece of money which he had paid to +his beautiful but unfortunate copyist for her last week's work, and he +was also reasonably sure that it was not a counterfeit. + +"I suppose you will have no objection to testifying as to how and from +whom you received the money?" he inquired of Mr. Knowles, after a few +moments' reflection. + +"Certainly not, if such testimony will be of any benefit to the young +lady's cause," he readily replied. "And," he added, "I can easily +prove the truth of my assertions, as I have here the ticket which I +received from the pawnbroker." + +"Ah! that is well thought of, and will undoubtedly score a strong +point for Miss Allandale," Mr. Bryant exclaimed, with animation. "And +now allow me to advance you the fee for your services as a witness," +he added, as he pressed a ten-dollar note into his companion's hand. +"This will be sufficient to redeem your clock and remunerate you for +the time you may lose in appearing as a witness. Hereafter, Mr. +Knowles, if you find yourself short of cash, pray do not be troubled +about what is owing me--do not try to pay it until it is perfectly +convenient for you to do so." + +"You are very considerate, Mr. Bryant," the man returned, with evident +emotion. "I cannot tell you how your generosity touches me, for the +world has gone very badly with me of late." + +"Well, we will hope for better times in the future for you, sir," was +the cheery response of the noble-hearted young lawyer. "Now I must be +off," he added, "and I would like you to meet me at the Thirtieth +street station-house in an hour from now. I shall know by that time +what I shall be able to do for my young friend." + +He bade the man good-morning and bowed him out of his office, and, +five minutes later, was on his way to the assistance of beautiful +Edith Allandale. + +Before boarding a car, he stepped into a bank near-by and had the gold +coin tested. + +It proved to be just as he had thought--it was perfectly good, and if +Edith had been arrested for passing it, some one would have to stand +damages for having subjected her to such an injustice. + +Upon his arrival at the station-house, and requesting an interview +with Miss Allandale as her attorney, the police sergeant conducted him +directly to the room occupied by Edith, who looked so pale and wan +from anxiety and confinement that the young man's conscience smote him +keenly, although his heart bounded with sudden joy when he saw how her +sad face lighted at the sight of him. + +"This is the most outrageous thing I ever heard of, Miss Allandale," +he exclaimed, as he clasped her cold hand and looked regretfully into +the heavy blue eyes raised to his. + +"I was sure you would come," she murmured, with a sigh of relief, but +flushing for an instant beneath his ardent gaze, while her lips +quivered with suppressed emotion, for his tone of sympathy had almost +unnerved her. + +"Of course I would come--I would go to the ends of the earth to serve +you," he began, eagerly. "I am filled with remorse when I think what +you must have suffered and that I am responsible for your trouble, +though unintentionally and unconsciously." + +"Yes, I am sure you could not have known that the money was +counterfeit," said Edith, wearily. + +"And it was not," he quickly returned. "It is a genuine coin and +negotiable anywhere." + +"But I was told by two different persons that it was spurious," Edith +replied, in a tone of surprise. + +"Then you were misinformed in both cases, for I have had it tested at +a bank, and it has been pronounced good," returned her companion. + +"You have had it tested? How can that be possible, when the grocer who +caused me to be arrested has the money in his possession this moment?" +the young girl exclaimed, in amazement. + +Royal Bryant smiled as he drew forth the half-eagle which he had +received from Mr. Knowles, and laid it in her palm. + +"That is the five-dollar gold-piece that I gave you on Saturday +evening," he remarked, in a quiet tone. + +"Have you seen the grocer? Did you get it from him?" Edith gasped. + +"No; an old client of mine brought it to me, about half an hour ago, +in part payment of a debt which he owes me." + +"I do not understand--it cannot be the same," said Edith, with a look +of perplexity. + +"But it is," was the smiling reply. "Look at it closely, and you will +find some fresh scratches upon one side of it--do you see?" + +"Yes," the young girl admitted. + +"Very well; I made them with my penknife during a fit of +absent-mindedness, while you were putting on your hat and shawl on +Saturday evening," Royal Bryant explained. "It was all the money I +had, excepting some large bills, and I was obliged to give it to you, +even though I knew it was not a convenient form--one is so liable to +lose such a small piece. I am sure I do not know what possessed me to +deface it in the way I did," he continued, after a slight pause; "but +there the marks are, fortunately, and I could swear to the coin among +a hundred others of the same denomination." + +"Yes, I remember, now," Edith remarked, reflectively; "I noticed the +gold-piece in your hands and that you were using your knife upon it; +but how could it have come into the possession of your client? Surely +the grocer would not have parted with it voluntarily, for it was all +the proof he had against me." + +"No; my client, Mr. Knowles, obtained it from a pawnbroker at No. ---- +Third avenue," Mr. Bryant replied. + +Instantly the red blood mounted to the girl's fair brow, and, like a +flash, Royal Bryant comprehended how all her trouble had come about. + +"Yes," she sighed, after a moment, as if in reply to some question +from him, "the week before I went into your office I was obliged to +borrow some money upon a beautiful watch of mamma's. It was a very +valuable one, but the man would only advance me three dollars upon it. +Of course I felt that I must redeem it with the very first money I +earned, and I went immediately to the pawnbroker's to get it on +leaving your office. He seemed averse to the early redemption of the +watch, and threw my money impatiently into the drawer. The next +instant he gave it back to me, angrily telling me that it was +counterfeit, and charging me with trying to cheat him. But, even now, +I cannot understand--" + +"So the pawnbroker threw your money into his drawer, did he?" +interposed Mr. Bryant, eagerly grasping at this important point. + +"Yes; but, as I said, he returned it immediately to me, and I was +obliged to go home without my watch. I was in great distress because, +Mr. Bryant, it was all the money I had, and there were things that +mamma and I must have in order to be comfortable over Sunday," Edith +confessed, with crimson cheeks and downcast eyes, the sight of which +made her companion's heart ache for her. "Mamma suggested that the +money might not be bad, after all," she continued, determined that he +should know the whole truth about the matter; "that, possibly, the +pawnbroker had taken that way to retain the watch, with the hope of +ultimately securing it; so I started out to make my purchases. The +grocer made no objection to the money and gave me my change without a +word. But half an hour later he appeared with an officer and had me +arrested. He would not have pressed the matter if I could have +returned his money; but, as I could not, and he claimed he had +suffered from so many similar cases of swindling, he was obdurate, and +I was obliged to come here." + +"It was shameful!" said the young lawyer, indignantly. "It was a +heartless thing to do. But, my little friend, I think we have a very +clear case, and you will soon be fully vindicated." + +"Oh! do you? I shall be very grateful--" Edith began, then stopped, +choking back a sob that had almost burst from her trembling lips. + +"I see you do not quite comprehend how that can be," continued her +friend, ignoring her emotion. "But the piece of money which the +pawnbroker pretended to return to you was not the same that you had +received from me--it was a spurious one which he had at hand for the +express purpose evidently of tricking the unwary, and Mr. Solon Retz +will, ere long, be compelled to exchange places with you, if I can +possibly bring him to justice." + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +A MOTHER'S LAST REQUEST. + + +Two hours later, Royal Bryant was at the pawnbroker's shop, and had +redeemed Edith's watch, much against the wish of the money-lender, who +desired to retain it. And as the lawyer placed the watch in his +pocket, he made a sign to an officer on the street, who had +accompanied him to the spot. + +Solon Retz was astounded when he found himself a prisoner, on the +charge of passing counterfeit money. He was hurried to court, and the +judge investigated the case at once. Mr. Bryant and Mr. Knowles gave +their testimony, and it was conclusively demonstrated that the +spurious coin must have come from the pawnbroker's drawer. + +At Royal Bryant's suggestion the pawnbroker was ordered to be +searched, when no less than three more bogus pieces were found +concealed upon his person. + +This was deemed sufficient proof of his guilt, without further +testimony, and he was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, without +Edith having been called to the witness stand to testify against him. + +As the crestfallen pawnbroker was led away, Royal Bryant went eagerly +to Edith's side. + +"You are free, Miss Allandale," he exclaimed, with a radiant face, +"and I think we are to be congratulated upon having made such quick +work of the case." + +"It is all owing to your cleverness," Edith returned, lifting a pair +of grateful eyes to his face. "How can I thank you?" + +"You do not need to do that, for I feel that I alone have been to +blame for all your trouble," he said, in a self-reproachful tone; then +he added, with a roguish gleam in his fine eyes: "I shall never be +guilty of paying my copyist in gold again. Now come, I have a carriage +waiting for you and will send you directly home to your mother," the +young man concluded, as he lifted her shawl from the chair where she +had been sitting and wrapped it about her shoulders. + +Edith followed him to the street, where a hack stood ready to take her +home. + +Mr. Bryant assisted her to enter it, when he laid a small package in +her lap. + +"It is your watch," he said, in a low tone. Then, extending his hand +to her, he added: "I shall not ask you to return to the office for two +or three days--you need rest after your recent anxiety and excitement, +while I am to be away until Wednesday noon. Come to me on Thursday +morning, if you feel able, when I shall have plenty of work for you." + +He pressed the hand he was holding with an unconscious fondness which +brought a rich color into the young girl's face, then, closing the +carriage door, he gave the order to the coachman, smiled another +adieu, as he lifted his hat to her, and the next moment Edith was +driven away. + +There was a glad light in her eyes, a tender smile on her red lips, +and, in spite of her poverty and many cares, she was, for the moment, +supremely happy, for Royal Bryant's manner had been far more +suggestive to her than he had been aware of, and she was thrilled to +her very soul by the consciousness that he loved her. + +She sat thus, in happy reverie, until the carriage turned into the +street where she lived; then, suddenly coming to herself, her +attention was again attracted to the package in her lap. + +"There is something besides mamma's watch here!" she murmured, as she +noticed the thickness of it. + +Untying the string and removing the wrapper, she found a pretty purse +with a silver clasp lying upon the case containing the watch. + +With burning cheeks she opened it, and found within a crisp ten-dollar +note and Royal Bryant's card bearing these words upon the back: + + "I shall deem it a favor if you will accept the inclosed + amount, as a loan, until you find yourself in more + comfortable circumstances financially. Yours, R.B." + +Edith caught the purse to her lips with a thrill of joy. + +"How kind! how delicate!" she murmured. "He knew that I was nearly +penniless--that I had almost nothing with which to tide over the next +few days, during his absence. He is a prince--he is a king among men, +and I--" + +A vivid flush dyed her cheeks as she suddenly checked the confession +that had almost escaped her lips, her head drooped, her chest heaved +with the rapid beating of her heart, as she realized that her deepest +and strongest affections had been irrevocably given to the +noble-hearted young man who had been so kind to her in her recent +trouble. + +The carriage stopped at last before the door of her home--if the +miserable tenenment-house could be designated by such a name--and she +sprang eagerly to the ground as the coachman opened the door for her +to alight. + +"The fare is all paid, miss," he said, respectfully, as she hesitated +a moment; then she went bounding up the stairs to be met on the +threshold of her room by Kate O'Brien--who had seen the carriage +stop--with her finger on her lips and a look in her kind, honest eyes +that made the girl's heart sink with a sudden shock. + +"My mother!" she breathed, with paling lips. + +"Whisht, mavourneen!" said the woman, pitifully; then added, in a +lower tone: "She has been mortal ill, miss." + +"And now?" panted Edith, leaning against the door-frame for support. + +"'Sh! She is asleep." + +Edith waited to hear no more. Something in the woman's face and manner +filled her with a terrible dread. + +She pushed by her, entered the room, and glided swiftly but +noiselessly to the bed, looked down upon the scarcely breathing figure +lying there. + +It was with difficulty that she repressed a shriek of agony at what +she saw, for the shadow of death was unmistakably settling over the +beloved face. + +The invalid stirred slightly upon her pillow as Edith came to her side +and bent over her. + +"My darling," she murmured weakly, as her white lids fluttered open, +and she bent a look full of love upon the fair face above her, "I--am +going--" + +"No, no, mamma!" whispered the almost heart-broken girl, but +struggling mightily with her agony and to preserve calmness lest she +excite the invalid. + +"Bring me the--Japanese box--quick!" the dying woman commanded, in a +scarcely audible tone. + +Without a word Edith darted to a closet, opened a trunk, and from its +depths drew forth a beautiful casket inlaid with mother-of-pearl and +otherwise exquisitely decorated. + +"The--key," gasped the sick one, fumbling feebly among the folds of +her night-robe. + +Edith bent over her and unfastened a key from a golden chain which +encircled her mother's neck. + +"Open!" she whispered, glancing toward the casket. + +The girl, wondering, but awed and silent, unlocked the box and threw +back the cover, thus revealing several packages of letters and other +papers neatly arranged within it. + +Mrs. Allandale reached forth a weak and bloodless hand, as if to take +something out of the box, when she suddenly choked, and in another +instant the red life-current was flowing from her lips. + +"Letters--burn--" she gasped, with a last expiring effort, and then +became suddenly insensible. + +In an agony of terror, Edith dashed the box upon the nearest chair and +began to chafe the cold hand that hung over the side of the bed, while +Mrs. O'Brien came forward, a look of awe on her face. + +The frail chest of the invalid heaved two or three times, there was a +spasmodic twitching of the slender fingers lying on the young girl's +hand, then all was still, and Edith Allandale was motherless. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +A HERITAGE OF SHAME. + + +We will not linger over the sad details of the ceremonies attending +Mrs. Allandale's burial. Suffice it to say that on Tuesday afternoon +her remains were borne away to Greenwood, and laid to rest, in the +family lot, beside those gone before, after which Edith returned to +her desolate abode more wretched than it is possible to describe. + +She had made up her mind, however, that she could not remain there any +longer--that she must find a place for herself in a different +locality and among a different class of people. This she knew she +could do, since she had the promise of permanent work and now had only +herself to care for. + +The change, too, must be made upon the following day, as Mr. Bryant +would expect her at his office on Thursday morning. + +There was much to be done, many things to be packed for removal, while +what she did not care to retain must be disposed of; and, eager to +forget her grief and loneliness--for she knew she would be ill if she +sat tamely down and allowed herself to think--she began at once, upon +her return from the cemetery, to get ready to leave the cheerless home +where she had suffered so much. + +She decided, first of all, to pack all wearing apparel; and, on going +to her closet to begin her work, the first thing her eyes fell upon +was the casket of letters, which her mother had requested her to bring +to her just before she died. + +The sight of this unnerved her again, and, with a moan of pain, she +sank upon her knees and bowed her head upon it. + +But the fountain of her tears had been so exhausted that she could not +weep; and, finally becoming somewhat composed, she took the beautiful +box out into the room and sat down near a light to examine its +contents. + +"Mamma evidently wanted these letters destroyed," she murmured, as she +threw back the cover. "I will do as she wished, but I will first look +them over, to be sure there is nothing of value among them." + +She set about her task at once and found that they were mostly +missives from intimate friends, with quite a number written by herself +to her mother, while she was away at boarding-school. + +All these she burned after glancing casually at them. Nothing then +remained in the box but a small package of six or eight time-yellowed +epistles bound together with a blue ribbon. + +"What peculiar writing!" Edith observed, as she separated one from +the others and examined the superscription upon the envelope. "Why, it +is postmarked Rome, Italy, away back in 18--, and addressed to mamma +in London! That must have been when she was on her wedding tour!" + +Her curiosity was aroused, and, drawing the closely-written sheet from +its inclosure, she began to read it. + +It was also dated from Rome, and the girl was soon deeply immersed in +a story of intense and romantic interest. + +She readily understood that the letter had been written by a dear +friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth--one who had been both school and +roommate, and who unreservedly confided all her secrets and +experiences to her bosom companion. And yet, it was strange, Edith +thought, that she had never heard her mother speak of this friend. + +It seemed that there had been quite an interval in their +correspondence, for the writer spoke of the surprise which her friend +would experience upon receiving a letter from her from that locality, +when she had probably believed her to be in her own home, living the +quiet life of a dutiful daughter. + +Then it spoke of an "ideal love" that "had come to beautify her life;" +of a noble and wealthy artist who had won her heart, but who, for some +unaccountable reason, had not been acceptable to her parents, and they +had sternly rejected his proposal for her hand. + +Next came the _denouement_, which told that the girl had eloped with +her lover and flown with him to Italy. + +"I suppose it was not the right thing to do, darling," the missive +ran; "but papa, you know, is a very austere, relentless man, and when +he has once made up his mind, there is no hope of ever turning him; so +I have taken my fate into my own hands--or, rather, I have given it +into the keeping of my dear one, and we are so happy, Edith darling, +and lead an ideal life in this quaint old city of the seven hills, at +whose feet runs, like a thread of gold, the yellow Tiber. My husband +is everything to me--so noble, so kind, so generous; it is so very +strange that papa could not like him--that is the only drop of +bitterness in my overflowing cup of happiness." + +There was much more of the same tenor, from which it is not necessary +to quote; and, after reading the letter through, Edith took up +another, interested to know how the pretty love-story of her mother's +friend would terminate. The second one, written a month later, was +more subdued, but not less tender, although the young girl thought she +detected a vein of sadness running through it. + +The next two or three mentioned the fact that the writer was left much +alone, her "dear one" being obliged to be away a great deal of the +time, upon sketching expeditions, etc. + +After an interval of three months another letter spoke in the fondest +manner of the "dear little stranger," that had come to bless and cheer +her loneliness--"lonely, dear Edith, because my husband's art +monopolizes his time, while he is often absent from home a week at a +time in connection with it, and I do not know what I should do, in +this strange country away from all my friends, if it were not for my +precious baby girl whom I have named for you, as I promised, in memory +of those happy days which we spent together at Vassar." + +"Then mamma's friend had a daughter, who was also named Edith," mused +our fair heroine, breaking in upon her perusal of the letter. "I +wonder if she is living, and where? Those letters tell me nothing, +give no last name by which to identify either the writer or her +husband." + +She turned back to the epistle, and read on: + +"She is such a comfort to me," it ran, "and gives me an object in +life--something besides myself and my trou"--these last three words +were crossed out--"to think about. When will you come to Rome, dear +Edith? Your last letter was dated from St. Petersburgh. I am very +anxious that you should see your little namesake, and make me that +long-promised visit." + +There was scarcely a word in this letter referring to her husband, +except those three crossed-out words; but it overflowed with praises +and love of her beautiful child, although it was evident that the +young wife was far from experiencing the conjugal happiness that had +permeated her previous missives. + +There was only one more letter in the package, and Edith's face was +very grave and sympathetic as she drew it from its envelope. + +"I am sure that her husband proved to be negligent of and unkind to +her," she murmured, "and that she repented her rashness in leaving her +home and friends. Oh, I wonder why girls will be so foolish and +headstrong as to go directly contrary to the advice of those who love +them best, and run away with men of whom they know comparatively +nothing!" + +With a sigh of regret for the unfortunate wife, of whom she had been +reading, she unfolded the letter in her hands and began to read, +little dreaming what strange things she was to learn from it. + +"Oh, Edith darling," it began, "how can I tell you?--how can I write +of the terrible calamity that has overtaken me? My heart is broken--my +life is ruined, and all because I would not heed those who loved me, +and who, I now realize, were my best and kindest counselors. I could +bear it for myself, perhaps--I could feel that it was but a just +judgment upon me for my obstinacy and unfilial conduct, and so drag +out my weary existence in submission to the inevitable; but when I +think of my innocent babe--my lovely Edith--your namesake! oh! I would +never have had her christened thus, I could not have insulted you so, +had I known! I feel almost inclined to doubt the justice and love of +God--if, indeed, there is a God." + +The letter here looked as if the writer must have been overcome with +her wretchedness, and wept tears of bitter despair, for it was badly +blurred and defaced. + +But Edith, her face now absolutely colorless, read eagerly on. + +"I cannot bear it and live," the writer resumed, "and so--I am going +to--die. Edith, my husband--no, my betrayer, I ought rather to +say--has deserted me! He has gone to Florence with a beautiful +Italian countess, who is also very rich, and is living with her there +in her elegant palace, just outside the city. He has long been +attentive to her, but I never dreamed how far matters had gone until +yesterday, when I came upon them, unawares, in Everard's studio, and +heard him tell her how he loved her--that 'I was not his wife, only +his ----' I cannot write the vile word that makes my flesh creep with +horror. Then I learned of his base conduct to me, whom, as he +expressed it, he 'had cleverly deceived, and coaxed to run away with +him to while away his solitude during his sojourn in a strange +country.' It is a wonder that I did not drop dead where I stood--slain +by the dreadful truth; but the wicked lovers did not dream of being +overheard, and so I listened to the whole of their vile plot and then +stole away to try and decide upon a course of action. When Everard +came home, I charged him with his perfidy. Then--pity me, Edith--he +boldly told me that he was weary of me; that he would pay me a +handsome sum of money and I might take my child and go back to my +parents! Oh! I cannot go into details, or tell you what I have +suffered--no one will ever know that but God! Why, oh, why does He +permit such evil to exist? He does not--there is no God! there is no +God!" + +There was a huge blot here, as if the pen had fallen from the fingers +that had dared to deny the existence of Deity; then the missive was +resumed in a different tone, as if a long interval of thought had +intervened. + +"Edith, I am calmer now, and I am going to ask a great favor of you. +You are happily married, you have a noble husband and abundant means, +and you know we once pledged ourselves to befriend each other, if +either should ever find herself in trouble. Presuming upon that +pledge, I am going to ask if you will take my darling, my poor +innocent little waif, bring her up as your own, and never let her know +anything about the stain that rests upon her birth? She is pure; she +is not to blame for the sins of her parents, and I cannot bear the +thought of her growing up to learn of her heritage of shame, as she +would be sure to do if I should live and rear her as my child. Your +last letter tells me that you will be in Rome in less than a +fortnight. I cannot meet you--I can never again meet any one whom I +have known; and so, Edith--I am going to die. I give my child to +you--I believe you will not refuse my last request--and you will find +her, with the woman who nursed me when she was born, at No. 2 Via del +Vecchia. The woman has my instructions--she believes that I am only +going away on a little trip with my husband; but you will show her +this letter, and prove to her that you have authority to take the +child away. When you go home, you will take her with you, as your own, +and no one need ever know that she is not your own. Do not ever reveal +the truth to her; let her grow up happy and care-free, like other +girls who are of honorable birth; and if the dead can watch over and +shield the living, you and yours shall be so shielded and watched over +by your lost but still loving. BELLE." + +"She was my mother! I am that child of shame!" came hoarsely from +Edith's bloodless lips as she finished reading that dreadful letter. + +Then the paper slipped from her nerveless fingers, her head dropped +unconsciously upon the table before her, and she knew nothing more +until, long afterward, when she awoke from her swoon to find her lamp +gone out and the room growing cold, while her heart felt as if it had +been paralyzed in her bosom. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +TWO NEW ACQUAINTANCES. + + +Edith, when consciousness returned, had not a doubt that the letters, +which she had been reading, had been penned by the hand of her own +mother; that she was that little baby who had been born in Rome--that +child of shame whose father had so heartlessly deserted it; whose +mother, her brain turned by her suffering and wrongs, had planned to +take her own life, rather than live to taint her little one's future +with the shadow of her own disgrace. + +The knowledge of this seemed to blight, as with a lightning flash, +every hope of her life. + +She groped her way to the bed, for she was becoming benumbed with the +cold, and threw herself upon it, utterly wretched, utterly hopeless. +For hours she lay there in a sort of stupor, conscious only of one +terrible fact--her shame--her ruined life! + +She had never dreamed, until within that hour, that she was not the +daughter of those whom she had always known as her father and mother. + +She had known that they had gone abroad immediately after their +marriage, and had spent more than a year visiting foreign countries. + +She had been told that she was born in Rome, in 18--, and she now +realized that the letters which she had just read had been mostly +written during the same year. + +Mrs. Allandale had never meant that she should learn this terrible +secret, and that is why she had been so anxious during her last +moments that the contents of the Japanese box should be destroyed. + +Edith wondered why she had kept the letters at all--why she had not +destroyed them immediately upon adopting her, and thus prevented the +possibility of a revelation like this. + +To be sure, no one save herself need ever know of the fact unless she +chose to disclose it; nevertheless, she felt just as deeply branded by +it as if all the world had known of it. + +"Oh, I had begun to hope that--" she began, then abruptly ceased, a +burning flush suffusing her face as her thoughts thus went out toward +Royal Bryant, whose eyes had only the day before told her, as plainly +as eyes could speak, that he loved her, while her heart had thrilled +with secret joy over the revelation, and the knowledge that her own +affection had been irrevocably given to him, even though they had +known each other so short a time. + +Even in the midst of her sorrow over her dead, the thought that she +loved and was beloved had been like the strains of soothing music to +her, and she had looked forward to her return to the young lawyer's +office as to a place of refuge, where she would meet with kindness and +sympathy that would comfort her immeasurably. + +But these beautiful dreams had been ruthlessly shattered; she could +never be anything to Royal Bryant--he could never be anything to her, +after learning what she had learned that night. + +Edith determined to leave New York at once. With this object in view, +she disposed of most of her furniture to a broker, who gave her sixty +dollars for it. She reserved articles she presented to her stanch +friend, Kate O'Brien. These matters attended to, she wrote a letter to +Mr. Bryant, mailed it, and a few hours later was on the train, en +route to Boston. + +On Thursday morning Mr. Bryant, returning to town from a business +trip, cheerfully entered his office, expecting to behold there the +radiant face of Edith. To his great disappointment, she was absent; +and her absence was explained in the appended letter, which he read +with dismay and dejection. + + "DEAR MR. BRYANT:--Inclosed you will find the amount which + you so kindly loaned me on Monday, and without which I + should have been in sore straits. On reaching home that day, + I found my mother dying. She was buried yesterday afternoon, + and I am now entirely alone in the world. I find that + circumstances will not permit me to return to your employ, + and when you receive this I shall have left New York. Pray + do not think that because I do not see you and thank you + personally before I go, I am ungrateful for all your recent + and unexampled kindness to me. I am not, I assure you; I + shall never forget it--it will be one of the sacred memories + of my life, that in you, in a time of dire need, I found a + true friend and helper. + + Sincerely yours, + EDITH ALLANDALE." + +The lawyer lost no time in hastening to Edith's late residence. There +he learned from Kate O'Brien that Edith had already gone, but she +knew not her destination. He stated that he wished to consult the +young lady upon a business matter and that if Mrs. O'Brien should +learn of her address, it would be considered a great favor if she +would bring it to him. This the kind-hearted Irish woman agreed to do, +and with a heavy heart the young lawyer returned to his place of +business. + +Meanwhile, Edith was being wheeled along the rails toward her +destination. When the train reached New Haven, feeling faint, for she +had not been able to eat much breakfast, she got out to purchase a +lunch. + +She entered the station and bought some sandwiches, together with a +little fruit, and then started to return to the train. + +Just in front of her she noticed a fine-looking, richly-clad couple +who were evidently bound in the same direction. + +The gentleman opened the door for his companion to pass out, but as +she did so, the heel of her boot caught upon the threshold, and she +would have fallen heavily to the platform if Edith had not sprung +forward and caught her by the hand which she threw out to save +herself. + +As it was, she was evidently badly hurt, for she turned very white and +a sharp cry of pain was forced from her lips. + +"Are you injured, madam? Can I do anything for you?" Edith inquired, +while her husband, springing to her aid, exclaimed, in a tone of +mingled concern and impatience: + +"What have you done, Anna?" + +"Turned my ankle, I think," the woman replied, as she leaned heavily +against his shoulder for support. + +Edith stooped to pick up the beautiful Russia leather bag which she +had dropped as she stumbled, and followed the couple to the train, +where, with the help of a porter, the injured lady was assisted into a +parlor car. + +The one adjoining it was the common passenger coach in which Edith had +ridden from New York. + +"Here is madam's bag, sir," she remarked to the gentleman, as, +supporting his wife with one arm, he was about to pass into the +Pullman. + +"Are you going on this train?" he inquired, looking back over his +shoulder at her. + +"Yes, sir; but I do not belong in the parlor car." + +"Never mind; we will fix that all right. Bring the bag along, if you +will be so kind," he returned, as he went on with his companion. + +So Edith followed them to the little state-room at one end of the car, +where madam sank heavily into a chair, looking as if she were ready to +swoon. + +"Oh, get off my boot!" she pleaded, thrusting out her injured foot. + +Edith drew forward a hassock for it to rest upon, and then, with a +face full of sympathy, dropped upon her knees and began to unbutton +the boot, which, however, was no easy matter, as the ankle was already +much swollen. + +The train began to move just at this moment, and the young girl +started to her feet, an anxious look sweeping over her face. + +"Never mind," said the gentleman, reassuringly. "Unless you have +friends aboard the train to be troubled about you, I will take you +back to your car presently." + +"I have no one--I am traveling alone," Edith responded, and flushing +slightly, as she encountered the gaze of earnest admiration which he +bestowed upon her. + +The gentleman's face lighted at her reply. + +"Then would it be presuming upon your kindness too much to ask you to +remain with my wife?" he inquired. "I am perfectly helpless, like most +men, when any one is ill and we know no one on the train." + +"I will gladly stay, and do whatever I can for her," eagerly returned +Edith, who felt that it would be a great relief and safeguard if she +could complete her journey under the protection of these prepossessing +people; while, too, it would give her something to think of and keep +her from dwelling upon her own sorrows. + +As Edith, from time to time, continued her ministering to the injured +foot, rubbing it with alcohol, to reduce the inflammation, she was +questioned by her new acquaintances, and informed them of her recent +bereavement and of her lonely condition, and stated that she was going +to Boston to try to secure employment. + +She was applying the alcohol when the lady said: + +"That will do for the present, Miss ---- What shall I call you, +please?" she remarked, signifying that she did not care to have the +foot rubbed any longer at that time. + +"Edith Allen--Oh, what have I done?" the young girl suddenly cried +out, in a voice of pain, as the woman winced and gave vent to a moan +beneath her touch. + +"Nothing--do not be troubled, dear--only you happened to touch a very +tender spot," exclaimed the lady, trying to smile reassuringly into +the girl's startled face. "So your name is Edith Allen; that sounds +very nice," she continued. "I am fond of pretty names as I am of +pretty people." + +Edith opened her lips to correct her regarding her name; then suddenly +checked herself. + +It did not matter, she thought, if they did not know her full name. +She might never see them again; she had a right to use only the first +half of her surname, if she chose, and it would not be nearly so +conspicuous as Allandale, which was so familiar in certain circles in +New York. + +Thus she concluded to let the matter rest as it was. + +The acquaintance thus begun was productive of an utterly unexpected +result. Before the trip was ended, the lady had induced Edith to +accept the position of traveling companion to her, at a salary of +twenty-five dollars a month. She stated that about a month previous +she had lost the services of the female who had filled the position, +and until this time had been unable to find a suitable person for the +place. + +Edith decided to try the position for a month; "then," she added, "if +I meet your requirements, we can arrange for a longer time." + +"Very well; I am pleased with that arrangement. And now, Edith--of +course I am not going to be so formal as to address you as Miss +Allen--" + +"Certainly not," interposed Edith, with a charming little smile and +blush. + +"I was about to remark," the lady went on, "that I think it is time we +were formally introduced to you. My husband is known as Gerald +Goddard, Esq., of No. ---- Commonwealth avenue, Boston, and I am--Mrs. +Goddard." + +Edith wondered why she should have paused before speaking thus of +herself; why she should have shot that quick, flashing glance into her +husband's face as she did so. + +She was a very handsome woman of perhaps forty-two or forty-three +years. She was slightly above the medium height, with a magnificently +proportioned figure. Her hair was coal-black, with a tendency to curl; +her eyes were of the same color, very large and brilliant, and +rendered peculiarly expressive by the long raven lashes which shaded +them. Her complexion was a pale olive, clear and smooth as satin; her +features were somewhat irregular, but singularly pleasing when she was +animated; her cheeks slightly tinted, her lips a vivid scarlet, her +teeth white as alabaster. + +Later, when Edith saw her arrayed for an evening reception, she +thought her the most brilliantly handsome woman she had ever seen. + +As Mrs. Goddard finished speaking, Edith involuntarily glanced up at +Mr. Gerald Goddard, when she was startled to find him sharply +scrutinizing her, with a look which seemed to be trying to read her +through and through. + +His glance sent a strange chill running through her veins--a sensation +almost of fear and repulsion; and she found herself hoping that she +would not be obliged to see very much of the gentleman, even though +she was destined to become an inmate of his home. + +He was evidently somewhat older than his wife, for his hair was almost +white and his face somewhat lined--whether from time, care, or +dissipation, Edith could not quite determine. + +He would have been called and was regarded by the society in which he +moved as a remarkably handsome and distinguished looking man, who +entertained "like a prince," and possessed an exhaustless fund of wit +and knowledge. + +Nevertheless, Edith was repelled by him, and felt that he was not a +man to be either trusted or loved, even though she had not been an +hour in his presence before she was made to realize that his wife +adored him. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +THE VENOM OF JEALOUSY. + + +And thus Edith became companion to the wife of the wealthy and +aristocratic Gerald Goddard, who was known as one of Boston's +millionaires. + +They had a beautiful home on Commonwealth avenue, where they spent +their winters, a fine estate in Wyoming, besides a villa at Newport, +all of which were fitted up with an elegance which bespoke an +abundance of means. And so Edith was restored to a life of luxury akin +to that to which she had always been accustomed, previous to the +misfortunes which had overtaken her less than two years ago. + +Her duties were comparatively light, consisting of reading to Mrs. +Goddard, whenever she was in the mood for such entertainment; singing +and playing to her when she was musically inclined; and accompanying +her upon drives and shopping expeditions, when she had no other +company. + +Edith, however, was not long in the household before she made the +discovery that there was a skeleton in the family. At times Mr. +Goddard was morose and irritable, and his wife displayed symptoms of +intense jealousy. About five weeks after Edith's installation in the +home, Mrs. Goddard's brother, Monsieur Correlli, a young sculptor, +came there, on a visit to his sister. He was handsome and talented, +and had come from France, to "do the United States," during a long +vacation. + +Mrs. Goddard was proud of her brother, and often attended receptions +and parties with him as her escort, and was delighted to show him off +to her friends and acquaintances in the most select of Boston society. + +On returning to her home, after one of these receptions, she heard +merry laughter in the library. Listening attentively, she discovered +that it emanated from her husband and Edith, who sometimes, at his +request, read to him during the frequent absences of his wife. + +The demon of jealousy at once took possession of her. Suddenly +entering the library she requested Edith to at once attend her in her +boudoir. On arriving there the enraged woman gave way to her passion +of jealousy. In blunt words she taunted the girl with attempting to +steal the affections of her husband, and closed her bitter comments +with the threat that "the woman who tried to win my husband from me +would never accomplish her purpose. _I would kill her!"_ + +Edith did her best to assure the angry woman that her suspicions were +unfounded, and in a little time Mrs. Goddard was half convinced that +she had been too hasty in her accusations. + +That night the pure girl calmly deliberated upon the subject, and +recalled several occasions when Mr. Goddard had seemed to be deeply +absorbed in the contemplation of her features, eyeing her with glances +of undisguised admiration and rapture. She determined, therefore, to +be a little more circumspect hereafter, and avoid giving him such +opportunities. + +Another trial awaited her about a week later. Emil Correlli had become +quite attentive to her, seeking every chance to be alone with her, +showering compliments upon her, and extolling her charms. On one of +these occasions he was bold enough to propose marriage, and, before +she could recover from her astonishment, had the effrontery to steal a +kiss from her unwilling lips. + +This bold affront, added to the previous unfounded accusations of Mrs. +Goddard made Edith decide to leave the house at once. She announced +her decision to her mistress; but that lady, in great humiliation, +begged her to overlook her brother's impetuosity, saying that his +conduct should be considered only "a tribute to her manifold charms," +and that hereafter she would have no cause for complaint of either him +or her. + +The proud woman's deep contrition, and her earnest appeals, had the +effect intended, and Edith decided to remain. + +That evening a prolonged interview occurred between Mrs. Goddard and +her brother. The result of it was that the sister agreed to do her +utmost to place Edith beyond the reach of her husband by combining a +scheme which would make her the bride of Emil Correlli. + +Some days elapsed, and then an incident worthy of record occurred. +Edith had been out for a stroll, and, just as she was retracing her +steps along Commonwealth avenue, an elegant carriage came slowly +around the corner. The driver was in dark green livery, and seemed to +be under the influence of stimulants. Suddenly he leaned sideways, and +fell off the box, landing on the ground. + +Edith impulsively started forward, shouted "Whoa!" to the horses, and +lifted the reins. The animals stopped immediately, and in a moment a +lovely face was thrust from the carriage window, and a sweet voice +asked, + +"Thomas, what is the matter?--what has happened?" + +She stepped from the carriage and was soon informed of the accident, +and its probable cause. She was a tall, elegantly-formed woman, of +perhaps forty-three years, with large, dark brown eyes and rich brown +hair. Her skin was fair and flawless, as that of a girl of twenty, +with a delicate flush upon her cheeks, and Edith thought her face the +most beautiful she had ever seen. + +A policeman presently appeared upon the scene, and the lady requested +him to secure some competent person who would drive the vehicle to its +stable. To secure attention to this request, she gave the policeman a +bank note, and named the location of the stable. She then said to the +coachman, who was engaged in brushing the dust from his clothing: + +"Thomas, you may come to me at nine o'clock to-morrow morning--without +the carriage." + +As the coachman staggered off, the lady turned to Edith, thanked her +for the service she had performed, and gave her a card bearing a name +and address--"Mrs. I. G. Stewart, Copley Square Hotel, Boston, Mass." + +At the solicitation of the lady, Edith gave her name, and stated that +she was the companion to Mrs. Gerald Goddard, of Commonwealth avenue. + +This information caused Mrs. Stewart to turn pale, and otherwise +manifest a strange agitation. She quickly recovered, however, and +stated: + +"Ah! I was introduced to Mrs. Goddard's brother, Monsieur Correlli, a +few evenings ago, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. +Goddard. Now it is time for me to go, and I shall have to take an +electric car to get back to my hotel. Again let me thank you for your +timely service. I hope you and I will meet again some time; and, dear, +if you should ever need a friend, do not fail to come to me. +Good-afternoon." + +Shortly after the departure of Mrs. Stewart, as Edith was walking +homeward, she was overtaken by Emil Correlli, who begged permission to +attend her, as they were both bound for the same destination. It would +have been rude to refuse, so Edith consented, although she would have +preferred to go alone. + +They had not advanced far before Edith became aware that they were +followed by a woman, who kept parallel with them, on the opposite side +of the street. Monsieur Correlli seemed unconscious of this fact, as +he was apparently engrossed in the effort to entertain his companion +with animated conversation. When they were within a few yards of Mrs. +Goddard's residence, the woman suddenly darted across the avenue and +placed herself directly in their path. + +In an instant Emil Correlli seemed turned to stone, so motionless and +rigid did he become. For a full minute his gaze was riveted upon the +stranger, as if in horrible fascination. + +"_Giulia!_" he breathed, at last, in a scarcely audible voice. "_Le +diable!_" + +The woman had a veil over her face, but Edith could see that she was +very handsome, with a warm, Southern kind of beauty, although it was +of a rather coarse type. She was evidently a foreigner, with brilliant +black eyes, an olive complexion, scarlet lips and cheeks, and a wealth +of purple-black hair, which was coiled in a massive knot at the back +of her head. + +She was of medium height, with a plump but exquisitely proportioned +figure, as was revealed by her closely-fitting garment of navy-blue +velvet. + +The moment Emil Correlli spoke her name, she burst passionately forth, +and began to address him in rapidly uttered sentences of some foreign +language, which Edith could not understand. + +It was not French, for she could converse in that tongue, and she knew +it was not German. She therefore concluded it must be either Italian +or Spanish. + +As the girl talked, her eyes roved from the man's face to Edith's, +with angry, jealous glances, while she gesticulated wildly with her +hands, and her voice was fierce and intense with passion. + +She would not give Monsieur Correlli an opportunity to say one word, +until she had exhausted her seemingly endless vocabulary; but he was +as colorless as a piece of his own statuary, and a lurid, desperate +light burned in his eyes--a gleam, which, if she had been less intent +upon venting her own passion, would have warned her that she was doing +her cause, whatever it might be, more harm than good by the course she +was adopting. + +At last she paused in her tirade, simply because she lacked breath to +go on, when Emil Correlli replied to her, in her own tongue, and with +equal fluency; but in tones that were both stern and authoritative, +while it was evident that he was excessively annoyed by her sudden and +unexpected appearance there. + +Finally, after another attempt upon the girl's part to carry her +point, he stamped his foot imperatively, to emphasize some command, +and, with a look which made her cringe like a whipped cur before him; +when, shooting a glance of fire and hate at Edith, she turned away, +with a crestfallen air, and went, dejectedly, down the street. + +Edith would have been glad, and had tried, to escape from this scene, +for after the first moment of surprise upon being so unceremoniously +confronted by the beautiful stranger, she had stepped aside, ascended +the steps, and rang the bell. + +But, for some reason, no one came to the door, and she was obliged to +repeat the summons, but feeling very awkward to have to stand there +and listen to the altercation that was being carried on so near her, +although she could not understand a word that was said. + +At last, just as Monsieur Correlli had delivered his authoritative +command, the butler made his appearance, and let Edith in. + +Before she could enter, the woman was gone, and Emil Correlli sprang +up the steps, and was by her side. + +He glanced anxiously down upon her face, which wore a grave and +pre-occupied look. + +He knew that she was wondering who the fiery, but beautiful and +richly-dressed stranger was; knew that she could not fail to believe +that there must be something suspicious and mysterious in his +relations with her, and he was greatly exercised over the unfortunate +encounter. + +He had set his heart upon winning her--he had vowed that nothing +should stand in the way of her becoming his wife, and now this--the +worst of all things--had happened, to compromise him in her eyes, and +he secretly breathed the fiercest anathemas upon the head of the +marplot who had just left them. + +Later that evening, Emil Correlli took the first opportunity to +explain the unfortunate _contretemps_ to the wondering Edith. He +stated that the girl was the daughter of an Italian florist, who had +audaciously presumed to dun him for a small bill he owed her father +for floral purchases. + +This matter, satisfactorily explained, as he thought, he renewed his +protestations of love to Edith, solicited her hand in marriage, and +was staggered by her emphatic refusal. + +Her refusal was reported to Mrs. Goddard by that lady's brother, and +she counseled him to be patient. + +"I have in mind," she said, "the germ of a most cunning plot, which +must succeed in your winning Edith Allen," and then she proceeded to +unfold her plan, which, for boldness, craft, and ingenuity, would have +been worthy of a French _intriguante_ of the seventeenth century. + +"Anna, you are a trump!" Emil Correlli exclaimed, admiringly, when she +concluded. "If you can carry that out as you have planned it, it will +be a most unique scheme--the best thing of its kind on record!" + +"I can carry it out if you will let me do it in my own way; only you +must take yourself off. I will not have you here to run the risk of +spoiling everything," said Mrs. Goddard, with a determined air. + +"Very well, then; I will go this very night. I will take the eleven +o'clock express on the B. and A. I have such faith in your genius that +I am willing to be guided wholly by you, and trust my fate entirely in +your hands." + +"I can write you from time to time, as the plan develops," she +replied, "and send you instructions regarding the final act." + +"All right, go ahead--I give you _carte blanche_ for your expenses," +said Monsieur Correlli, as he rose to leave the room. + +Five hours later, he was fast asleep in a Pullman berth, and flying +over the rails toward New York. + +Meanwhile Edith, who was inclined to leave the house, and throw +herself upon the kindness of Mrs. Stewart, found her mistress +unusually gracious, seeking her aid in forwarding invitations for a +reception, and in planning for what she called "a mid-winter frolic." +She also incidentally announced, to the great gratification of Edith, +that Monsieur Correlli had hurriedly departed for New York, with the +intention of being absent a considerable time. + +Little did Edith then suspect that she was assisting in a plan which +was intended to force her into a detested marriage. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +THE HOUSEKEEPER AT WYOMING. + + +The invitations for the merry-making were at length printed and +forwarded to the favored guests, but the family were not to go to +Wyoming for a week or so, and meantime, Mrs. Goddard devoutly hoped +that the weather would change and send them a fine snowstorm, so that +there would be good sleighing during their sojourn in the country. + +She had her wish--everything seemed to favor the schemes of this +crafty woman, for, three days later, there came a severe storm, which +lasted as many more, and when at length the sun shone again there lay +on the ground more than a foot of snow on a level, thus giving promise +of rare enjoyment upon runners and behind spirited horses and musical +bells. + +At last the day of their departure arrived, and about ten o'clock, +Mrs. Goddard and Edith, well wrapped in furs and robes, were driven +over the well-trodden roads, in a hansome sleigh, and behind a pair of +fine horses, toward Middlesex Falls. + +It was only about an hour's drive, and upon their arrival they found +the Goddards' beautiful country residence in fine order, with blazing +fires in several of the rooms. + +The housekeeper, Mrs. Weld, had attended to all the details of +preparation, and was complimented by both Mr. and Mrs. Goddard. In +appearance the housekeeper was very peculiar, very tall and very +stout, and in no way graceful in form or feature. Mrs. Goddard voted +her as "a perfect fright," with her eyes concealed behind large, +dark-blue glasses. She had been employed through the agent of an +intelligence office, and had come highly recommended. A close observer +would have noted many oddities about her; and Edith, coming suddenly +upon her in her own apartment, had reason to suspect that the +housekeeper was not what she seemed--in fact, that she was disguised. + +Noiselessly Mrs. Weld went about her duties, her footfalls dropping as +quietly as the snow. On one occasion, arriving unexpectedly within +hearing of her master and mistress, she heard him entreating her to +give him possession of a certain document. This Mrs. Goddard refused +until he had performed some act which, as it was apparent from the +conversation, she had long been urging upon him as a duty. + +Fearing discovery, Mrs. Weld did not wait to hear more, but silently +walked away. + +A few busy days succeeded, and then the guests began to arrive at +Wyoming. The housekeeper seemed to take a great fancy to Edith, and +the latter cheerfully assisted her in many ways. Various amusements +were planned for the guests. The weather was cold, but fine; the +sleighing continued to be excellent, and the gay company at Wyoming +kept up their exciting round of pleasure both day and night. + +A theatrical performance, planned by Mrs. Goddard, was one of the +amusements arranged for the entertainment of the guests. On the +afternoon of the day set for the presentation of the little dramatic +episode, a great packing case arrived from the city, and was taken +directly to madam's rooms. + +A few minutes later, Edith was requested to go to her, and, upon +presenting herself at the door of her boudoir, was drawn mysteriously +inside, and the door locked. + +"Come," said madam, with a curious smile, as she led the way into the +chamber beyond, "I want you to assist me in unpacking something." + +"Certainly, I shall be very glad to help you," the young girl replied, +with cheerful acquiescence. + +"It is one of the costumes that is to be worn this evening, and must +be handled very carefully," Mrs. Goddard explained. + +As she spoke, she cut the cords binding the great box, and, lifting +the cover, revealed some articles enveloped in quantities of white +tissue paper. + +"Take it out!" commanded madam, indicating the upper package. + +Edith obeyed, and, upon removing the spotless wrappings, a beautiful +skirt of white satin, richly trimmed with lace of an exquisite +pattern, was revealed. + +"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed the young girl, as shaking it carefully +out, she laid the dainty robe upon the bed. + +Next came the waist, or corsage, which was also a marvel of artistic +taste and beauty. + +This was laid against the skirt when the costume, thus complete, was a +perfect delight to the eye. + +"It looks like a bride's dress," Edith observed, as she gazed, +admiringly, upon it. + +"You are right! It is for the bride who figures in our play to-night," +said madam. "This must be the veil, I think," she concluded, lifting a +large box from the case, and passing it to her companion. + +Edith removed the cover, and uttered an involuntary cry of delight, +for before her there lay a great mass of finest tulle, made up into a +bridal veil, and surmounted by a coronet of white waxen +orange-blossoms. + +An examination of two other boxes disclosed a pair of white satin +boots, embroidered with pearls, and a pair of long white kid gloves. + +"Everything is exquisite, and so complete," murmured Edith, as she +laid them all out beside the dress, and then stood gazing in wrapt +admiration upon the outfit. + +"Yes, of course, the bride will be the most conspicuous figure--the +cynosure of all eyes, in fact--so she would need to be as complete and +perfect as possible," Mrs. Goddard explained, but watching the girl, +warily, out of the corners of her eyes. + +"Who is going to wear it?" Edith inquired, as she caressingly +straightened out a spray of orange blossoms that had caught in a mesh +of the lace. + +Madam's eyes gleamed strangely at the question. + +"Miss Kerby takes the part of the heroine of the play," she answered, +"whom, by the way, I called Edith, because I like the name so much. I +did not think you would mind." + +"Oh, no," said the girl, absently. Then, with a little start, she +exclaimed, as she lifted something from the box from which the gloves +had been taken: "But what is this?" + +It was a small half-circle of fine white gauze, edged with a fringe of +frosted silver, while a tiny chain of the same material was attached +to each end. + +"Oh! that is the mask," said Mrs. Goddard. + +"The mask?" repeated Edith, surprised. + +"Yes; I don't wonder you look astonished, to find such a thing among +the outfit of a bride," said madam, with a peculiar little laugh; "but +although it is a profound secret to everybody outside the actors, I +will explain it to you, as the time is so near. You understand this is +a play that I have myself written." + +"Yes." + +"Well, I have entitled it 'The Masked Bridal,' and it is a very +cunningly devised plot, on the part of a pair of lovers whose obdurate +parents refuse to allow them to marry," Madam explained. "Edith +Lancaster is an American girl, and Henri Bernard is a Frenchman. They +have a couple of friends whose wedding is set for a certain date, and +who plan to help them outwit the parents of Edith and Henri. The scene +is, of course, laid in Paris, where everybody knows a marriage must be +contracted in church. The friends of the two unfortunate lovers send +out their cards, announcing their approaching nuptials, and also the +fact that they will both be masked during the ceremony." + +"How strange!" Edith murmured. + +"Yes, it is both a novel and an extravagant idea," Mrs. Goddard +assented; "but, of course, nobody minds that in a play--the more +extravagant and unreal, the better it suits the public nowadays. Well, +the parents and friends of the couple naturally object to this +arrangement, but they finally carry their point. Everything is +arranged, and the wedding-day arrives. Only the parents and a few +friends are supposed to be present, and, at the appointed hour, the +bridal party--consisting of the ushers and four bridesmaids, a +maid-of-honor, and the bride, leaning upon her father's arm, proceed +slowly to the altar, where they are met by the groom, best man, and +clergyman. Then comes the ceremony, which seems just as real as if it +were a _bona-fide_ marriage, you know; and when the young couple turn +to leave the church, as husband and wife, they remove their masks, and +behold! the truth is revealed. There is, of course, great +astonishment, and some dismay manifested on the part of the obdurate +parents, who are among the invited guests; but the deed is done--it +would not do to make a scene or any disturbance in church, and so they +are forced to make the best of the affair, and accept the situation." + +"But what becomes of the couple who planned all this for their +friends?" Edith inquired. + +"Oh, they were privately married half an hour earlier, and come in at +a rear door just in season to follow the bridal party down the aisle, +and join in the wedding-feast at home." + +"It is a very strange plot--a very peculiar conception," murmured +Edith, musingly. + +"Yes, it is very Frenchy, and extremely unique, and will be carried +out splendidly, if nothing unforeseen occurs to mar the acting, for +the amateurs I have chosen are all very good. But now I must run down +to see that everything is all right for the evening, before I dress. +By the way," she added, as if the thought had just occurred to her, "I +would like you to put on something pretty, and come to help me in the +dressing-room during the play. Have you a white dress here?" + +"Yes; it is not a very modern one, but it was nice in its day," Edith +replied. + +"Very well; I shall not mind the cut of it, if it is only white," said +madam. "Now I must run. You can ring for some one to take away this +rubbish," she concluded, glancing at the boxes and papers that were +strewn about the room; then she went quickly out. + +Edith obeyed her, and remained until the room was once more in order, +after which she went up to her own chamber to ascertain if the dress, +of which she had spoken, needed anything done to it before it could be +worn. + +Unpacking her trunk, she drew a box from the bottom, from which she +took a pretty Lansdown dress, which she had worn at the wedding of one +of her friends nearly two years previous. She had nice skirts, and a +pair of pretty white slippers to go with it, and although it was, as +she had stated, somewhat out of date, it was really a very dainty +costume. + +She laid everything out upon the bed, in readiness for the evening, +and then went down to her dinner, which she always took with the +housekeeper before the family meal was served. + +Edith found Mrs. Weld looking unusually nice--although she was always +a model of neatness in her attire--in a handsome black silk, with +folds of soft, creamy lace across her ample breast, while upon her +head she wore a fashionable lace cap, adorned with dainty bows of +white ribbon. + +"Oh! how very nice you are looking," Edith exclaimed, as she entered +the room. "What a lovely piece of silk your dress is made of, and your +cap is very pretty." + +"I do believe," she added, to herself, "that she would be quite good +looking if it were not for those horrid moles and dreadful blue +glasses." + +"Thank you, child," the woman responded, a queer little smile lurking +about her mouth. "Of course, I had to make a special effort for such +an occasion as this." + +"If you would only take off your glasses, Mrs. Weld," said the young +girl, as she leaned forward, trying to look into her eyes. "Couldn't +you, just for this evening?" + +"No, indeed, Miss Edith," hastily returned the housekeeper, her color +deepening a trifle under the sallow tinge upon her cheeks. "With all +the extra lights, I should be blinded." + +"But you have such lovely eyes--" + +"How do you know?" demanded Mrs. Weld, regarding her companion +curiously. + +"Partly by guess--partly by observation," said Edith, laughing. "Let +me prove it," she continued, playfully, as she deftly captured the +obnoxious spectacles, and then looked mischievously straight into the +beautiful but startled orbs thus disclosed. + +"Child! child! what are you doing?" exclaimed the woman, in a nervous +tone, as she tried to get possession of her property again. "Pray, +give them back to me at once." + +But Edith playfully evaded her, and clasped them in her hands behind +her. + +"I knew it! I knew it!" she cried, in a voice of merry triumph. "They +are remarkably beautiful, and no one would ever believe there was +anything the matter with them. Oh! I love such eyes as yours, Mrs. +Weld--they are such a delicious color--so clear, so soft, and +expressive." + +And Edith, inspired by a sudden impulse, leaned forward and kissed the +woman on the forehead, just between the eyes which she had been so +admiring. + +Mrs. Weld seemed to be strangely agitated by this affectionate little +act. + +Tears sprang into her eyes, and her lips quivered with emotion for a +moment. + +Then she put out her arms and clasped the beautiful girl in a fond +embrace, and softly returned her caress. + +"You are a lovable little darling--every inch of you," she said, with +sudden fervor. + +"What a mutual admiration society we have constituted ourselves, Mrs. +Weld! But, I am sure, I am very happy to know that there is some one +in the world who feels so tenderly toward me." + +"No one who knew you could help it, my dear," gently returned the +woman, "and I shall always remember you very tenderly, for you have +been so kind and helpful to me in many ways since we have been here. +I suppose the affair to-night will wind up the frolic here," she went +on, thoughtfully. "You will go your way, I shall go mine, and we may +never meet again; but, I shall never forget you, Miss Allen--" + +"Why, Mrs. Weld! how strangely you appear to-night!" Edith +involuntarily interposed. "You do not seem like yourself." + +"I know it, child; but the Goddards expect to return to town +to-morrow, and I may not have an opportunity to see you again alone," +returned the housekeeper, with a strange smile. "I do not want you to +forget me, either," she went on, drawing a little box from her pocket, +"so I am going to give you a souvenir to take away with you, if you +will do me the favor to accept it." + +She slipped the tiny box into Edith's hand as she concluded. + +More and more surprised, the fair girl opened it, and uttered a low +cry of admiration as she beheld its contents. Within, on a bed of +spotless cotton, there lay a gold chain of very delicate workmanship, +and suspended from it, by the stem, as fresh and green, apparently, as +if it had that moment been plucked from its native soil, was a +shamrock, in the heart of which there gleamed a small diamond of +purest water. + +"Why, Mrs. Weld, how beautiful!" exclaimed Edith, flushing with +pleasure; "but--but--isn't the gift a little extravagant for me?" + +"You are worthy of a stone ten times the size of that," said her +companion, smiling; "but, if you mean to imply that I have +impoverished myself to purchase it for you, do not fear; for it was a +little ornament that I used to wear when I was a girl, so it costs me +nothing but the pleasure of giving it to you." + +"Thank you, a thousand times!" returned the happy girl, with starting +tears, "and I shall prize it all the more for that very reason. Now, +pray pardon me," she added, flushing, as she returned the glasses she +had so playfully captured, "I am afraid I was a little rude to remove +them without your permission." + +"Never mind, dear; you have done no harm," said the housekeeper, as +she restored them to their place. "Come, now, we must have our dinner, +or I shall be late, and there must be no mistakes to-night, of all +times." + +When the meal was finished, Mrs. Weld hastened away to attend to her +numerous duties, while Edith went slowly upstairs to dress herself for +the evening. + +"There is something very, very queer about Mrs. Weld," she mused. "I +do not believe she is what she appears at all. She has come into this +house for some mysterious purpose--as mysterious, I believe, as the +people who have employed her." + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +"THE GIRL IS DOOMED!--SHE HAS SEALED HER OWN FATE!" + + +Edith looked very lovely when her toilet for the evening was +completed. + +We have never seen her in any but very ordinary costumes, for she had +worn mourning for her dear ones for two years, but if she was +attractive in these somber garments, symbols of her sorrows, she was a +hundred-fold more so in the spotless and dainty dress which was almost +the only souvenir that she possessed of those happy, beautiful days +when she had lived in a Fifth avenue palace, and was the petted +darling of fortune. + +There was not a single ornament about her, excepting the pretty chain +and diamond-hearted shamrock which Mrs. Weld had that evening given to +her, and which she had involuntarily kissed before clasping it about +her neck. + +Mrs. Goddard had commissioned her to superintend the dressing-rooms, +to see that the maids provided everything needful for the comfort of +her guests and to look in upon them occasionally and ascertain if +they were attending to their duties, until everybody had arrived; +after which she was to come to her behind the scenes in the +carriage-house. + +Thus, after her toilet was completed, she descended to the second +floor, to see that these orders were carried out. + +In the ladies' dressing-rooms, she found everything in the nicest +possible order, and then passed on to those allotted to the gentlemen, +in one of which she found that the maids had neglected to provide +drinking water. + +She was upon the point of leaving the room to have the matter attended +to, when Mr. Goddard, attired in full evening dress, even to gloves, +entered. + +"Where is Mollie?" he inquired, but with a visible start of surprise, +as he noticed Edith's exceeding loveliness. + +"I think she is in one of the other rooms," she replied. "Shall I call +her for you?" + +"Yes, if you please; or--" with a lingering glance of +admiration--"perhaps you will help me with these gloves. I find it +troublesome to button them." + +"Certainly," replied the young girl, but flushing beneath his look, +and, taking the silver button-hook from him, she proceeded to perform +the simple service for him, but noticed, while doing so, the taint of +liquor on his breath. + +"Thank you," he said, appreciatively, when the last button was +fastened. Then bending lower to look into her eyes, he added, softly: +"How lovely you are to-night, Miss Edith!" + +She drew herself away from him, with an air of offended dignity, and +would have passed from the room had he not placed himself directly in +her way, thus cutting off her escape. + +"Nay, nay, pretty one; do not be so shy of me," he went on, +insinuatingly. "Why have you avoided me of late? We have not had one +of our cozy social chats for a long time. Did madam's unreasonable fit +of jealousy that day in the library frighten you? Pray, do not mind +her--she has always been like that ever since--well, for many years." + +"Mr. Goddard! I beg you will cease. I cannot listen to you!" cried +Edith. "Let me pass, if you please. I have an order to give one of the +housemaids." + +"Tut! tut! little one; the order can wait, and it is not kind of you +to fly at me like that. I have been drawn toward you ever since you +came into the family, and every day only serves to strengthen the +spell that you have been weaving about me. Come now, tell me that you +will try to return my fondness for you--" + +"Mr. Goddard! what is the meaning of this strange language? You have +no right to address me thus; it is an insult to me--a wicked wrong +against your wife--" + +"My wife!" the man burst forth, mockingly, and with a strangely bitter +laugh. + +A frown contracted his brow, and his lips were compressed into a +vindictive line, as he again bent toward the fair girl. + +"I do not love her," he said, hoarsely; "she has killed all my +affection for her by her infernally variable moods, her jealousy, her +vanity, and her inordinate passion for worldly pleasure, to the +exclusion of all home responsibilities. Moreover--" + +"I must not listen to you! Oh! let me go!" cried Edith, in a voice of +distress. + +Before Edith was aware of his intention, he bent his lips close to her +face, and whispered something, in swift sentences, that made her +shrink from him with a sudden cry of mingled pain and dismay, and +cover her ears with her pretty hands. + +"I do not believe it!" she panted; "oh! I cannot believe it. I am sure +you do not know what you are saying, Mr. Goddard." + +Her words appeared to arouse him to a sense of the fact that he was +compromising himself most miserably in her estimation. + +"No, I don't suppose you can," he muttered, a half-dazed expression on +his face; "and I've no business to be telling you any such things. +But, all the same, I am very fond of you, pretty one, and I do not +believe this is any place for you. You are too fair and sweet to +serve a woman with such a disposition as madam possesses, and I wish +you would leave her when we go back to the city. I know you are poor, +and have no friends upon whom you can depend; but I would settle a +comfortable annuity upon you, so that you could be independent, and +make a pretty little home for your--" + +"How dare you talk to me like this? Do you think I have no pride--no +self-respect?" Edith demanded, as she haughtily threw back her proud +head and confronted the man with blazing eyes. + +Her act and the flash of the diamond attracted his attention to the +little chain and shamrock upon her breast. + +The sight seemed to paralyze him for a moment, for he stood like one +turned to marble. + +"Where did you get it?" he at last demanded, in a scarcely, audible +voice, as he pointed a trembling finger at the jewel. "Tell me!--tell +me! how came you by it?" + +Edith regarded him with astonishment. + +Involuntarily she put up her hand and covered the ornament from his +gaze. + +"It was given to me," she briefly replied. + +"Who gave it to you?" + +"A friend." + +"Was it your--a relative?" cried the man, in a hoarse whisper. + +"No, it was simply a friend." + +"Tell me who!" + +Edith thought a moment. If she should tell Mr. Goddard that the +shamrock had been given to her by the housekeeper, it might subject +the woman to an unpleasant interview with the master of the house, +and, perhaps, place her in a very awkward position. + +She resolved upon the only course left--that of refusing to reveal the +name of the giver. + +"All that I can tell you, Mr. Goddard," she gravely said, at last, "is +that the chain and ornament were given to me very recently by an aged +friend--" + +"Aged!" the man interposed, eagerly. + +"Yes, by a person who must be at least sixty years of age," the young +girl replied. + +"Ah!" The ejaculation was one of supreme relief. "Excuse me, Miss +Allen!" he continued, in a more natural manner than he had yet spoken. +"I did not mean to be curious, but--a--a person whom I once knew had +an ornament very similar to the one you wear--" + +He was interrupted just at this point by the sound of a rich, mellow +laugh that echoed down the hall like a strain of sweetest music; +whereupon Gerald Goddard jumped as if some one had dealt him a heavy +blow on the back. + +"Good Heaven! who was that?" he cried, with livid lips. + +But Edith, taking advantage of the diversion, glided swiftly from the +room, telling herself that nothing could induce her to dwell with the +family a single day after their return to the city, and that she would +take care not to come in contact with Mr. Goddard again--at least to +be alone with him--while she did remain with his wife. + +The man stood motionless for a moment after her departure, as if +waiting for the sound, which had so startled him, to be repeated. + +But it was not, and going to the door, he peered into the hall to see +who was there. + +There was no one visible save the housekeeper, who just at that +moment, accosted a housemaid, to whom she appeared to be giving some +directions. + +"Ah! it was only one of the guests," he muttered, "but the voice was +wonderfully like--like--Ugh!" + +He waited a few moments longer, trying to compose his nerves, which +had been sadly unstrung, both by the wine he had drank in much larger +quantities than usual, and the incidents that had just occurred, and +then sought his own room, where he rang for a brandy-and-soda, and +after taking it, went below to attend to his duties as host. + +But neither he nor Edith dreamed that their recent interview had been +observed by a third party, or had seen the white, convulsed face that +had been looking in upon them, between the blinds at one of the +windows, near which they had been standing. + +Anna Goddard had sought her own room, directly after dinner, to make +some little change in her toilet, and get her gloves, which she had +left lying upon her dressing case. + +As she opened the door of her boudoir she came very near giving +utterance to a scream of fear upon coming face to face with a man. + +The man was Emil Correlli, who had gained entrance to the apartment by +climbing the vine trellis which led to the window. His secret return +was in accordance with a plan previously agreed upon. + +He informed his sister that he had sent a card of invitation to Mrs. +Stewart of the Copley Square Hotel. + +"I am glad you did," she responded; "I have long desired to meet her." + +They then proceeded to discuss the important event of the evening, and +Mrs. Goddard assured him that their plot was progressing admirably. +Still, she manifested a twinge of remorse as she thought of the +despicable trick she had devised against the fair girl whom her +brother was so eager to possess. + +"Anna, you must not fail me now!" he exclaimed, "or I will never +forgive you! The girl must be mine, or--" + +"Hush!" she interposed, holding up her finger to check him. "Did some +one knock?" + +"I heard nothing." + +"Wait, I will see," she said, and cautiously opened the door. No one +was there. + +"It was only a false alarm," she murmured, glancing down the hall; +then she started, as if stung, as she caught sight of two figures in +the room diagonally opposite hers. + +Her face grew ghastly, but her eyes blazed with a tiger-like ferocity. + +She closed the door noiselessly, then with stealthy, cat-like +movements, she stole toward the French door, leading out upon the +veranda, throwing a long mantle over her light dress and bare +shoulders. Then she passed out, and crept along the veranda toward a +window of the room where her husband and Edith were talking. + +She could see them distinctly through the slats of the blinds, which +were movable--could see the man bending toward the graceful girl, whom +she had never seen so beautiful as now, his face eager, a wistful +light burning in his eyes, while his lips moved rapidly with the tale +that he was pouring into her ears. + +She could not hear a word, but her jealous heart imputed the very +worst to him. + +She could see that Edith repudiated him--that she was indignant and +dismayed; but this circumstance did not soothe her in the least. + +It was enough to arouse all the worst elements of her fiery nature to +know that the girl's charms were alluring the man whom she worshiped, +and a very demon of jealousy and hatred possessed her. + +She watched them until she saw her husband give that guilty start, of +which Edith took advantage to escape, and then, her hands clenched +until the nails almost pierced the tender flesh, her lips +convulsed--her whole face distorted with passion and pain, she turned +from the spot. + +"I have no longer any conscience," she hissed, as she sped swiftly +back to her room. "The girl is doomed--she has sealed her own fate. As +for him--if I did not love him so, I would--" + +A shudder completed her sentence, but smoothing her face, she removed +her wraps, and went to tell her brother that she must go below, but +would have his dinner sent up immediately. + +Then drawing on her gloves, she hastened down to join her guests in +the drawing-room. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +"NOW MY VINDICATION AND TRIUMPH WILL BE COMPLETE!" + + +When Anna Goddard descended to her spacious and elegant parlors, her +face was wreathed with the brightest smiles, which, alas! covered and +concealed the bitterness and anger of her corrupt heart, even while +she circulated among her friends with apparently the greatest +pleasure, and with her usual charm and grace and manner. + +After a short time spent socially, the guests repaired to the spacious +carriage-house, where the theatrical performance was to take place, to +secure the most desirable seats for the play, before the multitude +from outside should arrive. + +The place had been very handsomely decorated, and lighted by +electricity, for the occasion. Potted flowers, palms, and ferns were +artistically grouped in the corners, and handsome draperies were hung +here and there to simulate windows and doors, and to conceal whatever +might otherwise have been unsightly. + +The floor had been covered with something smooth, linoleum or +oilcloth, and then thoroughly waxed, for after the play was over, the +place was to be cleared for dancing. + +Across one end, a commodious stage had been erected, although this was +at present concealed by a beautiful drop-curtain of crimson felt, +bordered with old gold. + +The room filled rapidly, and long before the time for the curtain to +ascend, every seat was occupied. + +At eight o'clock, precisely, the signal was given, and the play began. + +Programs had been distributed among the audience--dainty little cards +of embossed white and gold they were, too--announcing the title, "The +Masked Bridal," giving the names of the participants, and promising +that the affair would close with a genuine surprise to every one. + +The piece opened in an elegantly appointed library, with a spirited +scene and dialogue between a young couple, who were desirous of +marrying, and the four objecting parents. + +The actors all rendered their parts well, the heroine being especially +pretty and piquant, and winning the admiration and sympathy of the +audience at the outset. + +In the next scene the unfortunate young couple are represented as +plotting with two other lovers, whose wedding-day is set, to +circumvent their obdurate parents, and carry out their determination +to become husband and wife. + +This also was full of energy and interest, several bright hits and +witticisms being cleverly introduced, and the curtain went down amid +enthusiastic applause; then, while the stage settings were being +changed for the final act and the church wedding, some music was +introduced, both vocal and instrumental, to while away the time. + +Edith, who had assisted madam in the dressing-room as long as she was +needed, had come outside, at the beginning of the scene, and stationed +herself at the back of the room to watch the progress of the play. + +But she had been there only for a few moments when some one touched +her on the shoulder to attract her attention. + +Glancing around, she saw a young girl, one of the guests in the house, +who remarked: + +"Mrs. Goddard wished me to tell you to come to her at once in her +boudoir. Please be quick, as the matter is important." + +Edith immediately glided from the room, but wondering what could have +happened that madam should want her in her own apartments, when she +supposed her to be behind the scenes. + +Meantime, while the guests were being entertained with the play of +which their hostess was the acknowledged author, a mysterious scene +was being enacted within the mansion. + +When the hour for the entertainment drew near, the house, as we know, +had been emptied of its guests, until only the housekeeper, the +butler, and the other servants remained as occupants. + +The butler had been instructed to keep ward and watch below, while +Mrs. Weld went upstairs, ostensibly to ascertain that everything was +as it should be there, but in reality, to carry out a project of her +own. + +Seeking the maids, who, since they had no duties at that particular +moment to occupy them, had gathered in the dressing-rooms, and were +discussing the merits of the various costumes which they had seen, she +remarked, in her kindly, good-natured way: + +"Girls, I am sure you would like a peep at the play, and Mrs. Goddard +gave me permission to send you out, if you could be spared. I will +look after everything up here, and you may go now, if you like, only +be sure to hurry back the moment it is over, for you will then be +needed again." + +They were of course delighted with this privilege, but Mollie, who was +an unusually considerate girl, and always willing to oblige others, +inquired: + +"Wouldn't you like to see the play, Mrs. Weld? I will stay and let you +go." + +"No, thank you, child. I had enough of such things years ago," the +housekeeper returned, indifferently. "Run along, all of you, so as to +be there when the curtain goes up." + +And the girls, only too eager for the sport, needing no second +bidding, sped away, thanking her heartily for the privilege. + +Thus the upper portion of the mansion was entirely deserted, but for +the housekeeper and the unsuspected presence of Emil Correlli, who was +locked within his own room, awaiting from his sister the signal for +his appearance upon the stage below. + +The moment the housemaids were beyond hearing, Mrs. Weld gave +utterance to a long sigh of relief, whipped off her blue spectacles, +and with a swift, noise-less step, wholly unlike her usual waddling +gait, hurried down the hall, and into Mrs. Goddard's room, carefully +closing and locking the door after her. + +Proceeding to the dressing-room, a quick, searching glance showed her +the object she was looking for--my lady's jewel-casket, standing wide +open upon a small, marble-top table near a full-length mirror. + +It had been rifled of most of its contents, madam herself having worn +many of her jewels, while others had been loaned to the actors to +embellish their costumes for the play. + +"Ah! my task is made much easier than I expected," murmured the woman, +as she peered curiously into the velvet-lined receptacle. + +She saw only an empty tray, which she carefully removed, only to find +another exactly like it underneath. + +This also she took out, revealing the bottom of the box, covered with +its velvet cushion, upon which there were indentations, to receive a +full set of jewelry, necklace, bracelets, tiara, brooch and ear-rings. + +The housekeeper's face was ghastly pale, or would have been but for +the stain which gave her complexion its olive tinge, and she was +trembling with excitement. + +"She surely took that paper from this box," she muttered, a note of +disappointment in her voice, as if she had expected to find what she +sought upon removing the second tray. + +"I wonder if this cushion can be removed?" she continued, as she tried +to lift it from its place. + +But it fitted so closely that she could not stir it. + +Looking around the room for something to assist her in this effort, +she espied a pair of scissors on the dressing-case. + +Seizing them, she attempted to pry up the cushion with them. + +It was not an easy thing to do, without defacing the velvet, but, at +length, she succeeded in lifting one side, when she found no +difficulty in removing the whole thing. + +Her agitation increased as her glance fell upon several papers snugly +packed in the bottom of the box. + +"Ah! if it should prove to be something of no account to me!" she +breathed, with trembling lips. + +At last she straightened herself with sudden resolution, and putting +her hand into the box drew forth the uppermost paper. + +It was yellow with time, and so brittle that it cracked apart in one +of the creases as she opened it; but paying no heed to this, she +stepped to the dressing-case, and spread it out before her, while her +eager eyes swept the mystic page from top to bottom. + +Then a cry that ended in a great sob burst from her hueless lips. + +"It is! it is!" she gasped, in voiceless agitation. "Ah, Heaven, thou +art gracious to me at last! Now, I know why she would not surrender it +to him--now I know what the condition of its ransom must have been! + +"How long has she had it, I wonder? and when did she first learn of +its existence?" she murmured. "Ah! but it does not matter--I have it +at last--I, who dared not hope for its existence, believing it must +have been destroyed, until the other day; and now"--throwing back her +head with an air that was very expressive--"my vindication and triumph +will be complete!" + +With the greatest care, she refolded the paper, after which she +impulsively pressed it to her lips; then, putting it away in her +pocket, she turned back to the jewel-casket, and peered curiously into +it once more. + +"I wonder what other intrigues she has been guilty of?" she muttered, +regarding its contents with a frown. + +She laid her hand upon one of the papers, as if to remove it, then +drew back. + +"No," she said, "I will touch nothing else; I have what I came to +seek, and have no right to meddle with what does not concern me. Let +her keep her other vile secrets to herself; my victory is already +complete." + +She replaced the velvet cushion, pressing it hard down into its +place. + +She then restored the trays as she had found them, but did not close +the casket, since she had found it open. + +She retraced her steps into the boudoir, where, as she was passing +out, she trod upon something that attracted her attention. + +She stooped to ascertain what it was, and discovered a gentleman's +glove. + +"Ah," she said, as she picked it up and examined it, "I should say it +belongs to madam's brother! In that case, he must have returned this +evening to attend the grand finale, although I am sure he was not at +the dinner-table." + +She dropped the glove upon the floor where she had found it, but there +was a look of perplexity upon her face as she did so. + +"It seems a little strange," she mused, "that the young man should +have been away all this time; and if he was to return at all, I cannot +understand why there should have been this air of secrecy about it. He +has evidently been in this room to-night, but I am sure he has not +been seen about the house." + +She opened the door and passed out into the hall, when she was +startled to hear the voice of Mrs. Goddard talking, in the hall below, +with the butler. + +Mrs. Weld quietly slipped across to the room opposite--the same one in +which Edith and Mr. Goddard had held their interview earlier in the +evening--where, seating herself under a light, she caught up a book +from the table, and pretended to be deeply absorbed in its contents. + +A moment later, madam, having ascended the stairs, came hurrying down +the hall, and saw her there. + +She started. + +It would never do for the woman to suspect the truth regarding what +she was about to do. + +No one must dream that Edith was not lending herself willingly to the +last scene in the drama of the evening, and she expected to have some +difficulty in persuading her to take the part. + +There must be no possibility of any one hearing any objections that +she might make, for, in that case, the charge of fraud could be +brought and proved against her and her brother, after all was over. + +But after the first flash of dismay, the cunning woman devised a +scheme which would take the housekeeper out of her way, and leave the +field clear for her operations. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +THE MASKED BRIDAL. + + +"Oh, Mrs. Weld!" Mrs. Goddard exclaimed, in tones of well-assumed +eagerness. "I am so glad you are here! I fear I have taken cold and am +going to have a chill; will you be so good as to go down and mix me a +hot lemonade and send it out behind the stage to me? for I must go +back directly, and I will drink it there." + +The housekeeper arose at once and went out into the hall, where she +saw that madam appeared excited and trembling, while her face was very +pale, although her eyes were unusually bright. + +Somehow, she did not believe her to be ill; but she cheerfully acceded +to her request, and went directly below to attend to her commission. + +As she passed down the back stairs, Edith came hurrying up the front +way. + +"What has happened?" she inquired, as she observed madam's unusual +excitement. + +"The most unfortunate thing that could occur," she nervously replied. +"Miss Kerby and her brother, who had the leading parts in the play, +have just been summoned home, by telegraph, on account of sickness in +the family, and that leaves us without our hero and heroine." + +"That is unfortunate, surely; the play will have to be given up, I +suppose?" Edith remarked. + +"No, indeed! I should die of mortification!" cried madam, with +well-assumed consternation. + +"But what can you do?" innocently inquired the young girl. + +"The only thing to be done is to supply their places with others," was +the ready answer. "I have a gentleman friend who will take Mr. Kerby's +place, and I want you, Edith, to assume the part of the bride; you are +just about the size of Alice Kerby, and the costume will fit you to +perfection." + +"But I am afraid I cannot--I never took part in a play in my life," +objected Edith, who instinctively shrank from becoming so conspicuous +before such a multitude of people. + +"Nonsense! there is but very little for you to do," said madam, "you +have simply to walk into the church, upon the arm of the supposed +bride's father. You will be masked, and no one will see your face +until after all is over, and you have not a word to say, except to +repeat the marriage service after the clergyman." + +Edith shivered, and her face had grown very pale. She did not like the +idea at all; it was exceedingly repugnant to her. + +"I wish you could find some one else," she said, appealingly. + +"There is no time," said madam. + +"Oh! but it seems almost like sacrilege to me, to stand before such an +audience and repeat words so solemn and significant, when they will +mean nothing, when the whole thing will be but a farce," Edith +tremulously remarked. + +A strange expression swept over madam's face at this objection. + +"You are absurdly conscientious, Edith," she coldly observed. "There +is not another girl in the house upon whom I can call--they are all +too large or too small, and the bridal costume would not fit one of +them. Pray, pray, Miss Allen, pocket your scruples, for once, and help +me out of this terrible predicament--the whole affair will be ruined +by this awkward _contretemps_ if you do not, and I, who have promised +so much to my friends, shall become the laughing-stock of every one +present." + +Still the fair girl hesitated. + +Some unaccountable influence seemed to be holding her back, and yet +she felt that it would be very ungenerous, very disobliging of her, to +allow Mrs. Goddard to be so humiliated before her hundreds of guests, +when this apparently slight concession upon her part would smooth +everything over so nicely. + +"Oh, Edith! say you will!" cried the woman, appealingly. "You must!" +she added, imperatively. "Come to my room--the costume is there all +ready, and we will soon have you dressed." + +She threw her arm around the girl's slender waist and almost compelled +her to accompany her. + +The moment they were within Mrs. Goddard's chamber, the woman +nervously began to unfasten the young girl's dress, but her fingers +trembled so with excitement, showing how wrought up she was, that +Edith yielded without further demur, and assisted in removing her +clothing. + +"That is good of you, dear," said madam, smiling upon her, "for we +must work very rapidly while the scenery is being changed--we have +just fifteen minutes"--glancing at the clock. "How fortunate it is +that I asked you to wear white this evening!" the crafty woman +remarked, as Edith's dress was removed, thus revealing her dainty +underwear, "for you are all ready for the wedding costume without any +other change. Here, dear, just help me, please, with this skirt, for +the train is so long it needs to be handled with care." + +She lifted the beautiful satin skirt from the bed as she spoke, and +together they carefully slipped it over the young girl's head. + +The next moment it was fastened about her waist, and the lustrous +material fell around her slender form in graceful and artistic folds. + +The corsage was then put on and--wonderful to relate--it fitted her to +perfection. + +"How strange! one would almost think it was made for me!" she +remarked, all unsuspicious that her measure had been accurately taken +from a dress that had been left in the city. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed madam, in musical exultation, "I should say that it +was a very fortunate coincidence, and it shows that I made a wise +choice when I selected you to take Miss Kerby's place. I did not know +who else to call upon--of course I could not go out into the audience +to find some one, and thus betray my predicament to everybody; neither +could I take one of the housemaids, because she would have been sure +to blunder and be so awkward. Oh! isn't this dress just lovely?" + +Thus madam chattered, while she worked, wholly unlike herself, +nervous, anxious, and covertly watching every expression of Edith's +sensitive face. + +But the girl did not have the slightest suspicion that she was being +tricked. + +The emergency of the moment appeared sufficient to tax the nerves of +any one to the utmost, and she attributed everything to that. + +"It certainly is a very rich and elegant costume," Edith gravely +responded to the woman's query. "It seems to me to be far too nice and +elaborate for the occasion." + +Mrs. Goddard reddened slightly, and shot a quick, searching look at +the girl's face. + +"Well, of course it had to be nice to correspond with everything +else," she explained, "for all the other young ladies are to wear +their ball costumes, which are very elegant, and since the bride is to +be the most conspicuous of all, it would not do to have her less +richly attired. There!"--as she fastened a beautiful cluster of +orange-blossoms to the corsage and stepped back to study the +effect--"aren't you just lovely in it?" + +"Now the veil," she continued, catching it up from the bed. +"Oh!"--with an expression of dismay--"we have forgotten the boots, and +you must not sit down to crush the dress. Here, support yourself upon +this chair, hold out your foot, and I will put them on for you." + +And the haughty woman went down upon her knees and performed the +menial service, regardless, in her excitement, of her own elegant +costume, which was being crushed in the act. + +Then the veil was adjusted, madam chatting all the while to keep the +girl's attention, and Edith, catching a glimpse of her reflection in +the glass and under the influence of her companion's magnetism and +enthusiasm, began to be imbued with something of the spirit of the +occasion and to enjoy seeing herself adorned with these beautiful +garments, which so enhanced her beauty. + +When everything was done, madam stood back to look at her work, and +uttered an exclamation of delight. + +"Oh! you are simply perfect, Edith!" she said. "You are just too +lovely for anything! Miss Kerby would not have made nearly so +beautiful a bride, and--and--I could almost wish that you were really +going to be married." + +"Oh, no!" cried the fair girl, shrinking back from the strange gleam +that shone from the woman's eyes, as she made this remark, while her +thoughts flew, with the speed of light and with a yearning so intense +that it turned her white as snow, to Royal Bryant, the man to whom, +all unasked, she had given her heart. + +Then, as if some instinct had accused her of unmaidenly presumption, a +flush, that was like the rosy dawn upon the eastern sky, suffused her +fair face, neck, and bosom. + +"Ha! ha! not if you could marry the man of your choice?" queried +madam, with a gleam of malice in her dark eyes and a strange note of +triumph in her silvery laugh that again caused her companion to regard +her curiously. + +"Oh! please do not jest about it in this light way--marriage is too +sacred to be treated with levity," said Edith, in a tremulous tone. +"But where is the mask?" she added, glancing anxiously toward the bed. +"You know you said the face of the bride was not to be seen." + +"Here it is," responded madam, snatching the dainty thing from the +bed. "See! it goes on under the veil, like this"--and she dextrously +slipped the silver-fringed piece of gauze beneath the edge of the veil +and fastened the chain under the orange-wreath behind. + +The fringe fell just to Edith's chin, thus effectually concealing her +features, while it was not thick enough to prevent her seeing, +distinctly, everything about her. + +A few other details were attended to, and then Mrs. Goddard hurriedly +said: + +"Come, now, we must hasten," and she gathered up the voluminous train +and laid it carefully over Edith's arm. "We shall have to go the back +way, through the billiard-room, because no one must see you until you +appear upon the stage." + +The carriage-house adjoined the mansion, and was connected with it by +a door, at the end of a hall, that opened into a large room over it +which had been devoted to billiards. + +In the rear of this there was a stairway, which led down to the first +floor and behind the stage; thus Madam and Edith were enabled to reach +the dressing-room without being seen by any one, and just as the +orchestra were playing the closing bars of the last selection before +the raising of the curtain. + +Here they found a tall, elderly gentleman, in full evening dress, who +was to represent the supposed bride's father in giving his child away +to the groom. + +All the other actors were already grouped upon the stage or in their +respective places behind the scenes awaiting the coming of the bride. + +Outside, the audience were all upon the _qui vive_, for, not only was +the closing act of the very clever play looked forward to with much +interest, for its own sake, but the genuine surprise promised them was +a matter for much curious conjecture and eager anticipation. + +As Edith stepped upon the stage, leaning upon the arm of her escort, +the bridesmaids and maid of honor filed into place before them from +the wings, and all were ready for the _grand finale_ just as the +signal was given for the curtain to go up. + +A shiver ran over Edith, shaking her from head to foot as that sharp, +incisive sound from the silver bell went ringing through the room. + +For, as she had stepped upon the stage and Mrs. Goddard laid her hand +upon the arm of the elderly gentleman, she had observed the two +exchange meaning smiles, while the maids and ushers, as they had filed +into place, had regarded her with marked and admiring curiosity. + +The curtain was raised, revealing to the appreciative audience the +interior of a beautiful little church. + +It was perfect and complete in all its appointments, even to the +stained glass windows, the altar, the chancel, the organ, and the +exquisite floral decorations suitable for a wedding ceremony. + +Simultaneously with this revelation there broke upon the ear and the +breathless hush that prevailed throughout the rooms the sound of an +organ playing the customary wedding-march. + +Presently, at the rear of the church, a door opened, and four ushers +entered, "with stately tread and slow," followed by as many +bridesmaids, dressed in exquisite costumes. + +Then came the maid of honor, clad in pale-blue satin, and carrying a +huge bunch of pink roses that contrasted beautifully with her dainty +toilet. + +Next, the veiled and masked bride appeared, leaning upon the arm of +her attendant and clasping a costly bouquet of white orchids, which +Mrs. Goddard had produced from some mysterious source, and thrust into +her hands at the last moment. + +A thrill of awe, mingled with intensest curiosity, pervaded the +audience as the graceful figure of the beautiful girl came slowly into +view. + +The whole affair was so vividly real and impressive that every one +watched the scene with breathless interest. + +And now, at one side of the chancel, another door was seen to open, +when a spotlessly-gowned clergyman, followed by the groom and best +man, entered and proceeded slowly toward the altar. + +The two men behind the minister were in full evening dress, the only +peculiar thing noticeable being the mask of black gauze edged with +silver fringe which the groom wore over his face. + +They reached the altar at the same moment that the rest of the bridal +party paused before it. + +Then, as the clergyman turned his face toward the audience and the +light from the chandelier above him fell full upon him, a flutter of +excitement ran throughout the room, while many persons were seen to +exchange glances of undisguised astonishment, for they had recognized +a popular young divine--the pastor of a church, which many of those +present, together with their hostess, were in the habit of attending. + +What could it mean? + +Surely, no ordained minister who respected himself and reverenced his +calling would lend himself to a sensational farce, such as they had +witnessed that evening--at least, to carry it to such an extent as to +read, in mockery, the service of the sacred ordinance of marriage over +a couple of giddy actors! + +There was a nervous, fluttering of programs, a restless movement among +the fashionable throng, which betrayed that, however much they might +be given to pleasure and levity in certain directions, they could not +quite countenance this perversion of a divine institution as a matter +of amusement. + +The manner and bearing of the man, however, was most reverential and +decorous, and, as he opened and began to read from the elegant +prayer-book which he carried in his hands, a breathless hush again +settled upon every person in the room. + +For, like a flash, it had seemed to burst upon every mind that there +was to be a _bona fide_ marriage--that this was to be the "Genuine +Surprise" that had been promised them! + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +THE DASTARDLY PLOT IS REVEALED. + + +Every thought and feeling was now merged in intense interest and +curiosity regarding the participants in the strange union, which was +being consummated before them. Who was the beautiful bride, so perfect +in form, so graceful in bearing, so elegantly and richly adorned? + +Who the strange groom? + +The parts of the plotting lovers of the play had hitherto been taken +by the brother and sister--Walter and Alice Kerby, who were well-known +in society. + +But of course every one reasoned that they could not both officiate as +principals in the scene now being enacted before them. + +The figure and bearing of that veiled bride upon the stage were +similar to that of Miss Kerby; but that young lady was known to be +engaged to a young lawyer who was now seated with the audience; +therefore, no one, who knew her, believed for a moment that she could +be personating the masked bride now standing before the altar, while +the groom beside her was neither so stout nor as tall as Walter Kerby. + +The ceremony proceeded, according to the Episcopal form, although the +young minister was known to be a Universalist, and when he reached the +charge, calling for any one "who could show just cause why the two +before him should not be joined in lawful wedlock, to speak or forever +hold his peace," those sitting nearest the stage were startled to see +the bride shiver, from head to foot, while a deadly pallor seemed to +settle over that portion of her face that was visible, and to even +extend over her neck. + +The service went on without any interruption, the groom making the +responses in clear, unfaltering tones, although those of his companion +were scarcely audible. When the symbol of their union was called for, +it was also noticed that Edith shrank from having the ring placed upon +her finger, but it was only a momentary hesitation, and the service +was soon completed with all due solemnity. + +After the blessing, when the couple arose from their knees, the maid +of honor stepped forward, and, lifting the mask of the bride, adjusted +it above her forehead with the jeweled pin, while the audience sat +spell-bound, awaiting with breathless suspense the revelation that +would ensue. + +At the same moment the groom also removed the covering from his face, +when those who could see him instantly recognized him as Emil +Correlli, the handsome and wealthy brother of the hostess of the +evening. + +His countenance was white to ghastliness, betraying that he was +laboring under great excitement and mental strain. + +But the fair young bride! who was she? + +Not one in that great company recognized her for the moment, for +scarcely any one had ever seen her before--excepting those, of course, +who had been guests in the house during the week, and these failed to +identify her in the exquisite costume which was so different from the +simple black dresses which she had always worn, and enveloped, as she +was, in that voluminous, mist-like veil. + +The clergyman omitted nothing, and immediately, upon the lifting of +the masks, greeted and congratulated the young couple with every +appearance of cordiality and sincerity. + +To poor, reluctant Edith the whole affair had been utterly distasteful +and repulsive. + +Indeed, she had felt as if she was almost guilty of a crime in +allowing herself to participate lightly in anything of so sacred a +nature, and, throughout the entire ceremony, she had shivered and +trembled with mingled nervousness and repugnance. + +When the ring--an unusually massive circlet of gold--had been slipped +upon her finger, she had involuntarily tried to withdraw her hand from +the clasp of the man who was holding it, a sensation of deadly +faintness almost overpowering her for the moment. + +But feeling that she must not fail madam and spoil everything at this +last moment, she braced herself to go on with the farce (?) to the +end. + +She was so relieved when it was ended, so eager to get away from the +place and have the dread ordeal over, that she scarcely heard a word +the clergyman uttered while congratulating her. She was dimly +conscious of the clasp of his hand and the sound of his voice, but did +not even notice the hated name by which he addressed her. + +Neither had she once glanced at the groom, though as he took her hand +and laid it upon his arm, when they turned to go out, she wondered +vaguely why he should continue to hold it clasped in his, and what +made his clinging fingers tremble so. + +But Emil Correlli, now that his scheme was accomplished, led her, with +an air of mingled triumph and joy which sat well upon him, directly +out to the ladies' dressing-room, where they found madam alone +awaiting them. + +She could not have been whiter if she had been dead, and her teeth +were actually chattering with nervousness as the two came toward her, +Edith still with bowed head and downcast eyes--her brother beaming +with the exultation he could not conceal. + +But she braced herself to meet them with a brave front. + +"Dear child, you went through it beautifully," she said, in a +caressing voice as she took Edith into her arms and kissed her upon +the forehead. "Let me thank and congratulate you--and you also, Emil." + +At the sound of this name, Edith uttered a cry of dismay and turned +her glance, for the first time, upon the man at her side. + +"You!" she gasped, starting away from him with a gesture of horror, +and marble could not have been whiter, nor a statue more frozen than +she for a moment after making this amazing discovery. + +"Hush!" imperatively exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, who quickly arose to the +emergency. "Do not make a scene. It could not be helped--some one had +to take Mr. Kerby's place, and Emil, arriving at the last moment, was +pressed into the service the same as yourself." + +"How could you? It was cruel! it was wicked! I never would have +consented had I suspected," cried the girl, in a voice resonant with +indignation. + +"Hush!" again commanded madam, "you must not--you shall not spoil +everything now. The actors are all to hold an informal reception in +the parlors while this room is being cleared for dancing, and you two +must take your places with them--" + +"I will not! I will not lend myself to such a wretched farce for +another moment!" Edith exclaimed, and never for an instant suspecting +that it was anything but a farce. + +The face of Mrs. Goddard was a study, as was also her brother's, as +these resolute words fell upon her ears; but she had no intention of +undeceiving the girl at present, for she knew that if she threw up the +character which she had thus far been impersonating, their plot would +be ruined and a fearful scandal follow. + +If they could only trick her into standing with the others to receive +the congratulations of her guests--to be publicly addressed as, and +appear to assent to the name of, Mrs. Correlli, she believed it would +be comparatively easy later on to convince her of the truth and compel +her to yield to the inevitable. + +But she saw that Edith was thoroughly aroused--that she felt she had +been badly used--that she had been shamefully imposed upon by having +been cheated into figuring thus before hundreds of people with a man +who was obnoxious to her. + +Madam was at her wits' end, for the girl's resolute air and blazing +eyes plainly indicated that she did not intend to be trifled with any +longer. + +She shot a glance of dismay at her brother, only to see a dark frown +upon his brow, while he angrily gnawed his under lip. + +She feared that, with his customary impulse, he might be +contemplating revealing the truth, and such a course she well knew +would result in a scene that would ruin the evening for everybody. + +But just at this instant the bridesmaids came trooping into the room +and created a blessed diversion. + +"Here we are, dear Mrs. Goddard," a gay girl exclaimed. "Didn't it all +go off beautifully, and isn't it time we were in our places for the +reception?" + +"Yes, yes; run along, all of you. Lead the way, Nellie, please--you +know how to go up through the billiard-room," said Mrs. Goddard, +nervously, as she gently pushed the girl toward the stairway. Then +bending toward Edith, she whispered, imploringly: + +"I beg, I entreat you, Edith, not to spoil everything--everybody will +wonder why you are not with the others, and I cannot explain why you +refused to stand with my brother. Go! go! you must not keep my guests +waiting. Emil, take her," and with an imperative gesture to her +brother, she swept on toward the stairway after the others to arrange +them effectively in the drawing-room. + +Emil Correlli shot a searching look into the face of the girl beside +him. + +It was cold and proud, the beautiful eyes still glowing with +indignation. But resolving upon a bold move, he reached down, took her +hand, and laid it upon his arm. + +"Pardon me just this once," he said, humbly, "and let me add my +entreaties to my sister's," and he tried gently to force her toward +the stairway. + +Edith drew herself up and took her hand from his arm. + +"Go on," she said, haughtily, "and I will follow. Since I have been +tricked into this affair so far, a little more of the same folly +cannot matter, and rather than subject Mrs. Goddard to a public +mortification, I will yield the point." + +She made a gesture for him to proceed, and he turned to obey, a gleam +of triumph leaping into his eyes at her concession. + +Without a word they swiftly made their way back into the house and +down to the elegant parlors where, at the upper end, the first object +to greet their eyes was a beautiful floral arch with an exquisite +marriage bell suspended from it. + +On either side of this the bridesmaids and ushers had taken their +places, and into the center of it Emil Correlli now led his companion. + +And now ensued the last and most fiendish act in the dastardly plot. + +Hardly were they in their places when the guests came pouring into the +room, and the ushers began their duties of presentation, while Edith, +with a sinking heart, but growing every moment more indignant and +disgusted with what appeared to her only a horrible and senseless +mockery, was obliged to respond to hundreds of congratulations and +bear in silence being addressed as Mrs. Correlli. + +It galled her almost beyond endurance--it was torture beyond +description to her proud and sensitive spirit to be thus associated +with one for whom she had no respect, and who had made himself all the +more obnoxious by lending himself to the deception which had just been +practiced upon her. + +Once, when there was a little pause, she turned haughtily upon the man +at her side. + +"Why am I addressed thus?" she demanded. + +"Why do you allow it? Why do you not correct these people and tell +them to use the name that was used in the play rather than yours?" + +The man grew white about the lips at these questions. + +"Perhaps they forget--I--I suppose it seems more natural to address me +by my name," he faltered. + +"I do not like it--I will not submit to it a moment longer," Edith +indignantly returned. + +"Hush! it is almost over," said her companion, in a swift whisper, as +others came forward just then, and she was obliged, though rebellious +and heart-sick, to submit to the ordeal. + +But it was over at last, for, as the introductions were made, the +guests passed back to the carriage-house, which had been cleared for +dancing, and where the musicians were discoursing alluring strains in +rhythmic measure. + +Even the bridesmaids and ushers, tempted by the sounds, at last +deserted their posts, and Emil Correlli and his victim were finally +left alone, the sole occupants of the drawing-room. + +"Will you come and dance?" he inquired, as he turned a pleading look +upon her. "Just once, to show that you forgive me for what I have done +to-night." + +"No, I cannot," said Edith, coldly and wearily. "I am going directly +upstairs to divest myself of this mocking finery as soon as possible." + +A swift, hot flush suffused Emil Correlli's face, at these words. + +"Pray do not speak so bitterly and slightingly of what has made you, +in my eyes at least, the most beautiful woman in this house to-night," +he said, with a look of passionate yearning in his eyes. + +"Flattery from you, sir, after what has occurred, is, to speak mildly, +exceedingly unbecoming," Edith haughtily responded and turned proudly +away from him as if about to leave the room. + +But, at that moment, Mr. Goddard, who had not presented himself +before, came hurriedly forward and confronted them. His face was very +pale, but there was an angry light in his eyes and a bitter sneer upon +his lips. + +"Well, Correlli, I am bound to confess that you have stolen a march +upon us to-night, in fine style," he remarked, in a mocking tone, "and +madam--Mrs. Correlli, I should say--allow me to observe that you have +outshone yourself this evening, both as an actress and a beauty! +Really, the surprise, the _denouement_, to which you have treated us +surpasses anything in my experience; it was certainly worthy of a +Dumas! Permit me to offer you my heartiest congratulations." + +Edith crimsoned with anger to her brows and shot a look of scorn at +the man, for his manner was bitterly insolent and his tone had been +violent with wounded feeling and derision throughout his speech. + +"Let this wretched farce end here and now," she said, straightening +herself and lifting her flashing eyes to his face. "I am heartily sick +of it, and I trust you will never again presume to address me by the +name that you have just used." + +"Indeed! and are you so soon weary of your new title? Not yet an hour +a bride, and sick of your bargain!" retorted Gerald Goddard, with a +mocking laugh. + +"I am no 'bride,' as you very well know, sir," spiritedly returned +Edith. + +The man regarded her with a look of astonishment. + +He had been very much interested in his wife's clever play, until the +last act, when he had been greatly startled by the change in the +leading characters, both of whom he had instantly recognized in spite +of their masks. He wondered why they had been substituted for Alice +and Walter Kerby; when, upon also recognizing the clergyman, it had +flashed upon him that this last scene was no "play"--it was to be a +_bona fide_ marriage planned, no doubt, by his wife for some secret +reason best known to her and the young couple. + +He did not once suspect that Edith was being tricked into an unwilling +union. + +He had known that Emil Correlli was fond of her, but he had not +supposed he would care to make her his wife, although he had no doubt +the girl would gladly avail herself of such an offer. Evidently the +courtship had been secretly and successfully carried on; still, he +could not understand why they should have adopted this exceedingly +strange way to consummate their union, when there was nothing to stand +in the way of a public marriage, if they desired it. + +He was bitterly wounded and chagrined upon realizing how he had been +ignored in the matter by all parties, and thus allowed to rush +headlong into the piece of folly which he had committed, earlier in +the evening, in connection with Edith. + +Thus he had held himself aloof from the couple until every one else +had left the parlors, when he mockingly saluted them as already +described. + +"No bride?" he repeated, skeptically. + +"No, sir. I told you it was simply a farce. I was merely appealed to +to take the place, in the play, of Miss Kerby, who was called home by +telegram," Edith explained. + +Mr. Goddard glanced from her to his brother-in-law in unfeigned +perplexity. + +"What are you saying?" he demanded. "Do you mean to tell me that you +believe that last act was a farce?--that you do not know that you have +been really and lawfully married to the man beside you?" + +"Certainly I have not! What do you mean, sir, by such an unwarrantable +assertion?" spiritedly retorted the young girl, but losing every atom +of color, as a suspicion of the terrible truth flashed through her +mind. + +Gerald Goddard turned fiercely upon his brother-in-law at this, for he +also now began to suspect treachery. + +"What does she mean?" he cried, sternly. "Has she been led into this +thing blindfolded?" + +"I think it would be injudicious to make a scene here," Emil Correlli +replied, in a low tone, but with white lips, as he realized that the +moment which he had so dreaded had come at last. + +"What do you mean? Why do you act and speak as if you believed that +mockery to be a reality?" exclaimed Edith, looking from one face to +the other with wildly questioning eyes. + +"Edith," began Mr. Goddard, in an impressive tone, "do you not know +that you are this man's wife?--that the ceremony on yonder stage was, +in every essential, a legal one, and performed by the Rev. Mr. ---- of +the ---- church in Boston?" + +"No! never! I do not believe it. They never would have dared do such a +dastardly deed!" panted the startled girl, in a voice of horror. + +Then drawing her perfect form erect, she turned with a withering +glance to the craven at her side. + +"Speak!" she commanded. "Have you dared to play this miserable trick +upon me?" + +Emil Correlli quailed beneath the righteous indignation expressed in +her flashing glance; his eyes drooped, and conscious guilt was shown +in his very attitude. + +"Forgive me--I loved you so," he stammered, and--she was answered. + +She threw out her hands in a gesture of repudiation and horror; she +flashed one withering, horrified look into his face, then, with a moan +of anguish, she swayed like a reed broken by the tempest, and would +have fallen to the floor in her spotless robes had not Gerald Goddard +caught her senseless form in his arms, and, lifting her by main +strength, he bore her from the room and upstairs to her own chamber. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +"YOUR FAITHLESSNESS TURNED ME INTO A DEMON." + + +Emil Correlli followed Mr. Goddard and his unconscious burden, looking +like anything but a happy bridegroom. + +He had expected that Edith would weep and rave upon discovering the +trap into which she had been lured; but he had not expected that the +revelation would smite her with such terrible force, laying her like +one dead at his feet, as it had done, and he was thoroughly alarmed. + +When Mr. Goddard reached the girl's room he laid her upon her bed, and +then sent one of the servants for the housekeeper. But Mrs. Weld could +not be found, so another maid was called, and Edith was gradually +restored to consciousness. + +But the moment her glance fell upon Emil Correlli, who insisted upon +remaining in the room, and she realized what had occurred, she +relapsed into another swoon, so deathlike and prolonged that a +physician, who happened to be among the guests, was summoned from the +ball-room to attend her. + +He excluded every one but the maids from the room, when he ordered his +patient to be undressed and put into bed, and after long and +unwearied efforts, she was again revived, when she became so unnerved +and hysterical that the physician, becoming alarmed, was about to give +her a powerful opiate, when she sank into a third fainting fit. + +Meanwhile, in the ball-room below, gayety was at its height. There had +been a little stir and commotion when it was learned that Edith had +fainted; but the matter was passed over with a few well-bred comments +of regret, and then forgotten for the time. But as soon as she could +do so without being observed, madam stole from the place and went into +the house to ascertain how the girl was. + +She was, of course, aware of the cause of the swoon, and, as may be +readily imagined, was in no comfortable frame of mind. She was met at +the head of the second flight of stairs by her husband, whose face was +grave and stern. + +"How is she?" madam inquired. + +"In a very critical condition; Dr. Arthur says she is liable to have +brain fever," he tersely replied. + +"Brain fever!" exclaimed his wife, in a startled tone. "Surely, she +cannot be as bad as that!" + +"Woman, what have you done?" the man demanded, in a hoarse whisper. +"How have you dared to plot and carry out the dastardly deed that you +have perpetrated this night?" + +Anna Goddard's eyes began to blaze defiance. + +"That is neither the tone nor the manner you should employ in +addressing me, Gerald, as you very well know," she retorted, with +colorless lips. + +"Have done with your tragic airs, madam," he cried, laying a heavy +hand upon her arm. "I have had enough of them. I ask you again, how +have you dared to commit this crime?" + +"Crime?" she repeated, with a start, but flashing him a glance that +made him wince as she shook herself free from his grasp. "You use a +harsh term, Gerald; but if you desire a reason for what has occurred +to-night, I can give you two." + +"Name them," her companion curtly demanded. + +"First and foremost, then--to protect myself." + +"To protect yourself--from what?" + +"From treachery and desertion." + +"Anna!" + +A bitter sneer curled the beautiful woman's lips. + +"You know how to do it very well, Gerald," she tauntingly returned. +"That air of injured innocence is vastly becoming to you, and would be +very effective, if I did not know you so well; but it has disarmed me +for the last time. Pray never assume it again, for you will never +blind me by it in the future." + +"Explain yourself, Anna. I fail to understand you." + +"Very well; I will do so in a very few words; I was a witness of your +interview with the girl just after dinner to-night." + +"You?" ejaculated the man, flushing hotly, and looking considerably +crestfallen. "Well, what of it?" he added, defiantly, the next moment. + +"What of it, indeed? Do you imagine a wife is going to stand quietly +by and see her husband make love to her companion?" + +"What nonsense you are talking, Anna! I went in search of one of the +housemaids to button my gloves for me, met Miss Allen instead, and she +was kind enough to oblige me." + +"Bah! Gerald, I was too near you at the time to swallow such a very +lame vindication," vulgarly sneered his wife. "You were making love to +her, I tell you--you were telling her something which you had no +business to reveal, and I swore then that her fate should be sealed +this very night." + +Gerald Goddard realized that there was no use arguing with his wife in +that mood, while he also felt that his case was rather weak, and so he +shifted his ground. + +"But you must have plotted this thing long ago, for your play was +written, and your characters chosen before we left the city," he +remarked. + +"Well?" + +"But you said you had two reasons; what was the other?" + +"Emil's love for the girl. He became infatuated with her from the +moment of his coming to us, as you must have noticed." + +"Yes." + +"Well, he tried to win her--he even asked her to marry him, but she +refused him. Think of it--that little nobody rejecting a man like +Emil, with his wealth and position!" + +"Well, if she did not love him, she had a right to refuse, him." + +"Oh, of course," sneered madam, irritably. "But you know what he is +when he once gets his heart set upon anything, and her obstinacy only +made him the more determined to carry his point. He appealed to me to +help him; and, as I have never refused him anything he wanted, if I +could possibly give it to him--" + +"But this was such a wicked--such a heartless, cowardly thing to do!" +interposed Mr. Goddard, with a gesture of horror. + +"I know it," madam retorted, with a defiant toss of her head; "but you +may thank yourself for it, after all; for, almost at the last moment, +I repented--I was on the point of giving the whole thing up and +letting the play go on without any change of characters, when your +faithlessness turned me into a demon, and doomed the girl." + +"I believe you are a 'demon'--your jealousy has been the bane of your +whole life and mine; and now you have ruined the future of as +beautiful and pure a girl as ever walked the earth," said Gerald +Goddard, with a threatening brow, and in a tone so deadly cold that +the woman beside him shivered. + +"Pshaw! don't be so tragic," she said, after a moment, and assuming an +air of lightness, "the affair will end all right--when Edith comes +fully to herself and realizes the situation, I am sure she will make +up her mind to submit gracefully to the inevitable." + +"She shall not--I will help her to break the tie that binds her to +him." + +"Will you?" mockingly questioned his wife. "How pray?" + +"By claiming that she was tricked into the marriage." + +"How will you prove that, Gerald?" was the smiling query. + +The man was dumb. He knew he could not prove it. + +"Did she not go willingly enough to the altar?" pursued madam. "Did +she not repeat the responses freely and unhesitatingly? Was she not +married by a regularly ordained minister? and was she not introduced +afterward to hundreds of people as the wife of my brother, and did she +not respond as such to the name of Mrs. Correlli? I hardly think you +could make out a case, Gerald." + +"But the fact that the Kerbys were called away by telegram, and that +some one was needed to supply their places, would prove that Edith had +no knowledge of the affair--at least until the last moment," said Mr. +Goddard, eagerly seizing upon that point. + +But madam broke into a musical little laugh as he ceased. + +"Do you imagine that I would leave such a ragged end as that in my +plot?" she mockingly questioned. "The Kerbys were not called away by +telegram, and no one can prove that either was ever told they were. +The Kerbys are still here, dancing away as heartily as any one below, +and they have known, from the first, that they would not appear in the +last act--they and they only, were let into the secret that the play +was to end with a real marriage." + +"It is the most devilish plot I ever heard of," said her companion, +passionately, through his tightly-locked teeth. "Your insane jealousy +and suspicion, during the years we have lived together, have shriveled +whatever affection I hitherto possessed for you!" + +"Gerald!" + +The name came hoarsely from the woman's white lips. + +It was as if some one had stabbed her, and her heart had died with the +utterance of that loved name. + +He left her abruptly, and descended the stairs, never once looking +back, while she watched him with an expression in her eyes that had +something of the fire of madness in it, as well as that of a breaking +heart. + +When he reached the lower hall, she dashed down to the second floor, +and into her own room, locking herself in. + +Fifteen minutes later she came out again, but in place of the usual +glow of health upon her cheeks, she had applied rouge to conceal the +ghastliness she could not otherwise overcome, while there was a look +of recklessness and defiance in her dark eyes that bespoke a nature +driven to the verge of despair. + +Making her way back to the ball-room, she was soon mingling with the +merry dancers, and with a forced gayety that deceived every one save +her husband. + +To all inquiries for the bride, she replied that she had recovered +consciousness, but it was doubtful if she would be able to make her +appearance again that night. + +Then as her glance fell upon a tall, magnificently-formed woman, who +was standing near, and the center of an admiring group, she inquired, +in a tone of surprise: + +"Why! who is that lady in garnet velvet and point lace?" + +"That is a Mrs. Stewart, a very wealthy woman, who resides at the +Copley Square Hotel," was the reply. + +"Oh, is that Mrs. Stewart?" said madam, with eager interest. + +"Yes; but are you not acquainted with her?" questioned her guest, with +a look of well-bred astonishment. + +"No; and no wonder you think it strange that she should be here by +invitation, and I have no personal acquaintance with her," the hostess +remarked, with a smile; "but such is the case, nevertheless; a card +was sent to her at the request of my brother, who has met her several +times, and who admires her very much. What magnificent diamonds she +wears!" + +"Yes; she is said to be worth a great deal of money." + +"She must have come in while I was upstairs inquiring about Edith," +madam observed. "I must find my brother, and be presented to her. +Excuse me--I will see you later." + +With a graceful obeisance, madam turned away and went in search of +Emil Correlli. + +But, as she went, she wondered if she could ever have seen Mrs. +Stewart before. + +The woman's face seemed strangely familiar to her, and yet she could +not remember having met her before. + +The sensation was something like those mysterious occurrences which +sometimes make people feel that they are but a repetition of +experiences in a previous state of existence. + +The stranger was an undeniably handsome woman. She was more than +handsome, for there was a sweet grace and influence about her every +movement and expression that proclaimed her to be a woman of noble and +lovely character. + +She was a woman to be singled out from the multitude on account of the +taste and elegance of her costume, as well as for her great personal +beauty. + +"She cannot have less than fifty thousand dollars' worth of diamonds +on her person," murmured Anna Goddard, with a pang of envy, as she +covertly watched her strange guest while she made her way through the +throng in search of her brother. + +She met him near the door, he having just come in from the house, to +excuse himself to his sister, after having been to Edith's door for +the sixth time to inquire for her. + +His face was pale, his brow gloomy, his eyes heavy with anxiety. + +"Well, how is she now?" questioned his sister. + +"She has fallen into her third swoon, and the doctor thinks she is in +a very critical state. He says her condition must have been induced by +a tremendous shock of some kind." + +"Ah!" exclaimed Mrs. Goddard, looking relieved. "Judging from that, I +should say that the girl has not yet revealed the true state of +affairs." + +"No; Dr. Arthur did not appear to know how to account for her +condition, and asked me if I knew anything that could have caused it." + +"Of course, you did not?" said madam, meaningly. + +"No; except the excitement, etc., of the occasion." + +"Well, don't worry," Mrs. Goddard returned; "everything will come out +all right in time. It is a great piece of luck that she did not wail +and rave and let out the whole story before the doctor and the maids. +Your Mrs. Stewart is here--you must come and greet her and introduce +me," she concluded, glancing toward her guest as she spoke. + +"I was coming to tell you that I am going to my room and to bed--I +have no heart for any gayety to-night," said Emil Correlli, gloomily. + +"Nonsense! don't be so absurdly foolish, Emil," responded his sister, +impatiently. + +"Indeed! I think it would be improper for me to remain when my wife is +so ill," he objected, but flushing as he uttered the word. + +"Well, perhaps; do as you choose. But come and introduce me to Mrs. +Stewart before you go; she must feel rather awkward to be a guest here +and not know her hostess." + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +"OH, GOD! I KNEW IT! YOU ARE--ISABEL!" + + +With a somewhat reluctant air, Emil Correlli offered his arm to his +sister and led her toward the woman around whom a group of +distinguished people had gathered, and whom she was entertaining with +an ease and grace that proclaimed her perfectly at home among the +_creme de la creme_ of society. + +She appeared not to perceive the approach of her hostess and her +brother, but continued the animated conversation in which she was +engaged. + +A special observer, however, would have noticed the peculiar fire +which began to burn in her beautiful eyes. + +When Mr. Correlli presented his sister, she turned with fascinating +grace, making a charming acknowledgment, although she did not offer +her hostess her hand. + +"You are very welcome, Mrs. Stewart," Mrs. Goddard remarked, in +response to some words of apology for being a guest in the house +without a previous acquaintance. "I only regret that we have not met +before." + +"Thanks; I, too, deplore the complication of circumstances which has +prevented an earlier meeting," was the sweet-voiced response. + +But there was a peculiar shading in the remark which, somehow, grated +harshly upon Anna Goddard's ears and nerves. + +"Who is she, anyhow?" she questioned within herself with a strange +feeling of unrest and perplexity. "I never even heard of her until +after Emil came; yet there is something about her that makes me feel +as if we had met in some other sphere." + +She stole a searching glance at the woman's face, only to find her +great, luminous eyes fastened upon her with an equally intent gaze. + +"Ah!" and with this voiceless ejaculation and a great inward start, +some long dormant memory seemed suddenly to have been aroused within +her. + +There was an instant of awkwardness; then madam, who seldom allowed +anything to disturb her self-possession, remarked: + +"I am sorry, Mrs. Stewart, that you did not arrive earlier to witness +our little play." + +But while she was giving utterance to this polite regret, she was +saying to herself: + +"Yes, there certainly is a look about her that reminds me of--Ugh! +She may possibly be a relative, or the resemblance may be merely a +coincidence. All the same, I shall not like her any the better for +recalling that horror to me." + +"Thank you," Mrs. Stewart replied; "no doubt I should have enjoyed it, +especially as, I am told, it was original with you and terminated in a +real and very pretty wedding." + +"Yes; my brother finds that he must leave the city earlier than he +anticipated; and, as he was anxious to take his bride with him, he +chose this opportunity to celebrate his marriage, and to introduce his +wife to our friends." + +"Ah! I did not even know that Monsieur Correlli was contemplating +matrimony. Who is the favored lady of his choice?" Mrs. Stewart +inquired. + +"A Miss Edith Allen." + +"Edith Allen!" repeated the beautiful stranger, with a start. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Goddard, regarding her with surprise, but unmixed +with anxiety. "Did you ever meet her?" + +"Is she very fair and lovely, with golden hair and deep-blue eyes, a +tall, slender figure, and charming manners?" eagerly questioned Mrs. +Stewart. + +"Yes, you have described her exactly," answered madam, yet secretly +more disturbed than before; "but I am surprised that you should know +her, for she has been in the city only a short time, and I did not +suppose she had made a single acquaintance outside the family." + +"Oh, I cannot lay claim to an acquaintance with her, as I have only +seen her once, and our meeting was purely accidental," the lady +responded. "She rendered me efficient service one day when she was out +for a walk, and I inquired her name." + +She then proceeded to explain the nature of that service and the +accident that had called it forth, and concluded by remarking: + +"Allow me to say I think that Monsieur Correlli has shown excellent +taste in his choice of a wife. I was charmed with the young lady, and +I would like to meet her again. Will you introduce me?" and she looked +eagerly about the room in search of the graceful form and lovely face +which she was so desirous of seeing. + +"I am very sorry that I cannot comply with your request," said Mrs. +Goddard, flushing slightly; "but Edith is rather delicate and the +reception, after the marriage, was such a strain upon her that she +fainted and was obliged to retire." + +"That was very unfortunate," Mrs. Stewart observed, while she searched +her companion's face curiously, "but I trust that I may have the +pleasure of meeting her later." + +"I cannot promise as to that," madam replied, "as it is my brother's +intention to go abroad as soon as he can complete his arrangements to +do so, although no date has been set as yet. But--have you ever met my +husband. Mrs. Stewart?" she inquired, as that gentleman was seen +approaching their way that moment. + +"No, I have never had that honor," the lady returned; then added, with +a light laugh: "I feel very much like an intruder to be here to-night +as a stranger to both my host and hostess." + +"Pray do not be troubled on that account," madam hastened cordially to +reply: "any friend of my brother would be a welcome guest, and I am +charmed to have made your acquaintance." + +"Thank you," responded the beautiful stranger; but madam marveled at +the line of white encircling the scarlet lips, as she signaled to her +husband and called him by name: + +"Gerald." + +He glanced up, and both women noticed the expression of weariness and +trouble upon his brow. + +"You have not been introduced to Emil's friend, I think," his wife +continued. "Allow me to present Mrs. Stewart--Mrs. Stewart, my +husband, Mr. Goddard." + +The gentleman bowed with all his accustomed courtesy, but did not +fairly get a glimpse of the lady's face until they both assumed an +upright position again, when he found himself looking straight into +the magnificent eyes of his guest. + +As he met them it seemed as if some one had stabbed him to the heart, +so sudden and terrible was the shock that he experienced. + +He changed an involuntary groan into a cough, but he could not have +been more ghastly if he had been dead, while he continued to gaze upon +her as if fascinated. + +"Ha! he has noticed it also!" said madam to herself, with a sudden +heart-sinking. + +Then realizing that something must be done to relieve the awkwardness +of the situation, she hastened to observe: + +"Mrs. Stewart has only just arrived--she did not come in season to +witness our little drama." + +Mr. Goddard murmured some polite words of regret, but feeling all the +while as if he were turning to stone. + +Mrs. Stewart, however, responded in a pleasant vein, and chatted +sociably for a few moments, when, some other friends joining them, +more introductions followed, and the conversation became general. + +Gerald Goddard improved this opportunity to slip away; but his wife, +who was covertly watching his every look and movement, noticed that he +walked with the uncertain step of one who was either blind or +intoxicated. + +A feeling of depression settled upon her--a sense of impending evil, +which, try as she would, she could neither forget nor shake off. + +She began to be very impatient of all the glitter, glare, and gayety +around her, and told herself that she would be heartily glad when the +last dance was over, and the last guest had departed. + +Truly, there is many an aching heart hidden beneath costly raiment and +glittering jewels; and society is, to a large extent, but a smiling +mask in which people hold high revel over the tombs of dead hopes and +disappointed ambitions. + +But fashion and folly must have their time; and so, in spite of +madam's heart-ache and weariness, the dancing and merriment went on, +no one dreamed of the phantom memories and the ghosts from out the +past that were stalking about the beautiful rooms of that elegant +mansion; or that its enviable (?) master and mistress were treading +upon the verge of a volcano which, at any moment, was liable to burst +all bounds and pour forth its furious lava-tide to consume them. + +An hour later Mrs. Stewart again sought her hostess and wished her +good-night, remarking that circumstances which she could not control +compelled her to take an early leave. + +"Ah! that is unfortunate, for supper will shortly be announced; cannot +you possibly remain to partake of it?" madam urged, with cordial +hospitality. + +"Thanks, no; but I am promising myself the pleasure of meeting you +again in the near future," Mrs. Stewart returned, shooting a searching +glance at her hostess. + +Her language and manner were perfect; but, for the second time that +evening, Anna Goddard noticed the peculiar shading in her words, and a +chill that was like a breath from an iceberg went shivering over her. + +She, however, replied courteously, and then Mrs. Stewart swept from +the room upon the arm of her attendant. + +Many earnest and curious glances followed the stately couple, for the +lady was reported to be immensely rich, while it had also been +whispered that the gentleman attending her--a distinguished +artist--had long been a suitor for her hand; but, for some reason best +known to herself, the lady had thus far turned a deaf ear to his +entreaties, although it was evident that she regarded him with the +greatest esteem, if not with sentiments of a tenderer nature. + +After passing through the covered walk leading to the house, the two +separated--the gentleman to attend to having their carriage called, +the lady to go upstairs for her wraps. + +As she was about to enter the dressing-room to get them, a picture +hanging between two windows at the end of the hall attracted her eye. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, catching her breath sharply, and moving swiftly +toward it, she seemed to forget everything, and stood, with clasped +hands and heaving bosom, spell-bound before it. + +It represented a portion of an old Roman wall--a marvelously +picturesque bit of scenery, with climbing vines that seemed to cling +to the gray stones lovingly, as if to conceal their irregular lines +and other ravages which time and the elements had made upon them; +while here and there, growing out from its crevices, were clusters of +delicate maiden-hair fern, the bright green of which contrasted +beautifully with the weather-beaten wall and the darker, richer +coloring of the vines. + +Just underneath, partly in the shadow of the wall, there sat, upon a +rustic bench, a beautiful Italian girl, dressed in the costume of her +country, while at her feet reclined her lover, his hat lying on the +grass beside him, his handsome face upturned to the maiden, whom it +was evident he adored. + +It was a charming picture, very artistic, and finely executed, while +the subject was one that appealed strongly to the tenderest sentiments +of the human heart. + +But the face of the woman who was gazing upon it was deathly white. +She was motionless as a statue, and seemed to have forgotten time, +place, and her surroundings, as she drank in with her wonderful eyes +the scene before her. + +"It is the wall upon the Appian Way in Rome," she breathed at last, +with a long-drawn sigh. + +"You are right, madam," responded a voice close at hand, the sound of +which caused the woman to press her clasped hands hard upon her +heaving bosom, though she gave no other sign of being startled. + +The next moment she turned and faced the speaker. + +It was Gerald Goddard. + +"I heard no one approaching--I thought I was alone," she said, as she +lifted those wonderful eyes of hers to his. + +He shrank from her glance as under a lightning flash that had burst +upon him unawares. + +But quickly recovering himself, he courteously remarked: + +"Pardon me--I trust I have not startled you." + +"Only momentarily," she replied; then added: "I was admiring this +painting; it is very lovely and--most faithfully portrays the scene +from which it was copied." + +"Ah! you recognize the--the locality?" + +"Perfectly." + +"You--you have been in--Rome?" the man faltered. + +"Oh, yes." + +"Recently?" + +There was a sort of breathless intensity about the man as he asked +this question. + +"No; I was in Rome--in the year 18--." + +At this response, Gerald Goddard involuntarily put out his hand and +laid it upon the balustrade, near which he was standing, while he +gazed spell-bound into the proud, beautiful face before him, searching +it with wild, eager eyes. + +After a moment he partially recovered himself, and remarked: + +"Is it possible? I myself was in Rome during the same year and painted +this picture at that time. Were--were you in the city long?" he +concluded, in a voice that trembled in spite of himself. + +"From January until--until June." + +For the second time that evening Mr. Goddard suppressed a groan with a +cough. + +"Ah! It is a singular coincidence, is it not, that I also was there +during those months?" he finally managed to articulate. + +"A coincidence?" his companion repeated, with a slight lifting of her +shapely brows, a curious gleam in her eyes. Then throwing back her +head with an air of defiance which was intensified by the glitter of +those magnificent stones which crowned her lustrous hair, and with a +peculiar cadence ringing through her tones, she observed: "Rome is a +lovely city--do you not think so? And, as it happened, I resided in a +delightful portion of it. Possibly you may remember the locality. It +was a charming little house, with beautiful trees--oleander, orange, +and fig--growing all around the spacious court. This pretty ideal home +was Number 34, Via Nationale." + +The wretched man stared helplessly at her for one brief moment when +she had concluded, then a cry of despair burst from him. + +"Oh, God! I knew it! You--you are Isabel?" + +"Yes." + +"Then you were not--you did not--" + +"Die? No," was the brief response; but the beautiful eyes looking so +steadily into his seemed to burn into his very soul. + +A mighty shudder shook Gerald Goddard from head to foot as he reeled +backward and leaned against the wall for support. + +"Oh, God!" he cried again, in a voice of agony; then his head dropped +heavily upon his breast. + +His companion gazed silently upon him for a minute; then, turning, she +brushed by him without a word and went on into the dressing-room for +her wraps. + +Presently she came forth again, enveloped from head to foot in a long +garment richly lined with fur, the scarlet lining of the hood +contrasting beautifully with her clear, flawless complexion and her +brown eyes. + +Gerald Goddard still stood where she had left him. + +She would have passed him without a word, but he put out a trembling +hand to detain her. + +"Isabel!" he faltered. + +"Mrs. Stewart, if you please," she corrected, in a cold, proud tone. + +"Ha! you have married again!" he exclaimed, with a start, while he +searched her face with a despairing look. + +"Married again?" she repeated, with curling lips. "I have not so +perjured myself." + +"But--but--"' + +"Yes, I know what you would say," she interposed, with a proud little +gesture; "nevertheless, I claim the matron's title, and 'Stewart' was +my mother's maiden name," and she was about to pass on again. + +"Stay!" said the man, nervously. "I--I must see you again--I must talk +further with you." + +"Very well," the lady coldly returned, "and I also have some things +which I wish to say to you. I shall be at the Copley Square Hotel on +Thursday afternoon. I will see you as early as you choose to call." + +Then, with an air of grave dignity, she passed on, and down the +stairs, without casting one backward glance at him. + +The man leaned over the balustrade and watched her. + +She moved like a queen. + +In the hall below she was joined by her attendant, whom she welcomed +with a ravishing smile, and the next moment they had passed out of the +house together. + +"Heavens! and I deserted that glorious woman for--a virago!" Gerald +Goddard muttered, hoarsely, as he strode, white and wretched, to his +room. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +"YOU SHALL NEVER WANT FOR A FRIEND." + + +Up in the third story, poor Edith lay upon her bed, still in an +unconscious state. + +All the wedding finery had been removed and carried away, and she lay +scarcely less white than the spotless _robe de nuit_ she wore, her +lips blue and pinched, her eyes sunken and closed. + +A physician sat beside her, his fingers upon her pulse, his eyes +gravely fixed upon the beautiful, waxen face lying on the pillow. + +Two housemaids, looking frightened and anxious, were seated near him, +watching him and the still figure on the bed, but ready to obey +whatever command he might issue to them. + +After introducing his sister to Mrs. Stewart, Emil Correlli had +slipped away from the scene of gayety, which had become almost +maddening to him, and mounted to that third-story room to inquire +again regarding the condition of the girl he had so wronged. + +"No better," came the answer, which made him turn with dread, and a +terrible fear to take possession of his heart. + +What if Edith should never revive? What if she should die in one of +these dreadful swoons? + +His guilty conscience warned him that he would have been her murderer. + +He could not endure the thought, and slinking away to his own room, he +drank deeply to stupefy himself, and then went to bed. + +Gerald Goddard also was strangely exercised over the fair girl's +condition, and half an hour after his interview with Mrs. Stewart he +crept forth from his room again and went to see if there had been any +change in her condition. + +"Yes," Dr. Arthur told him, "she is coming out of it, and if another +does not follow, she will come around all right in time. If you could +only find that housekeeper," he added, "she must have good care +through the night." + +"I will go for her again," said Mr. Goddard, and he started downstairs +upon his quest. + +He met the woman on the second floor and just coming up the back +stairs. + +"Ah! Mrs. Weld, I am glad to find you. We have needed you sadly," he +eagerly exclaimed. + +"I am sorry," the woman replied, in a regretful tone. "I was +unavoidably engaged and came just as soon as I was at liberty. What is +this I hear?" she continued, gravely; "what is this story about the +poor child being cheated into a real marriage with madam's brother? Is +it true?" + +"Hush! no one must hear such a version," said Mr. Goddard, looking +anxiously about him. + +He then proceeded to explain something of the matter, for he saw that +she knew too much to keep still, unless she was told more, and +cautioned not to discuss the matter with the servants. + +"I knew nothing of the plot until it was all over--I swear to you I +did not," he said, when she began to express her indignation at the +affair. "I never would have permitted anything of the kind to have +been carried out in my house, if I had suspected it. It seems that +Correlli has been growing fond of her ever since he came. She has +refused him twice, but he swore that he would have her, in spite of +everything, and it seems that he concocted this plot to accomplish his +end." + +"Well, sir, he is a dastardly villain, and, in my opinion, his sister +is no better than himself," Mrs. Weld exclaimed, in tones of hot +indignation, and then she swept past him and on up to Edith's room. + +She opened the door and entered just as the poor girl heaved a long +sigh and unclosed her eyes, looking about with complete consciousness +for the first time since she fell to the floor in the parlor below. + +The physician immediately administered a stimulant, for she was +naturally weak and her pulses still feeble. + +As this began to take effect, memory also resumed its torturing work. + +Lifting her eyes to the housekeeper, who went at once to her side, a +spasm of agony convulsed her beautiful features. + +"Oh, Mrs. Weld!" she moaned, shivering from head to foot. + +"Hush, child!" said the woman, bending over her and laying a gentle +hand upon her head; "it will all come right, so just shut your eyes +and try to go to sleep. I am going to stay with you to-night, and +nobody else shall come near you. Don't talk before the servants," she +added, in a swift whisper close to her ear. + +An expression of intense relief swept over the fair sufferer's face at +this friendly assurance, and lifting a grateful look to the +housekeeper's face, she settled herself contentedly upon her pillow. + +Dr. Arthur then drew Mrs. Weld to the opposite side of the room, where +he gave her directions for the night and what to do in case the +fainting should return--which, however, he said he did not anticipate, +as the action of the heart had become normal and the circulation more +natural. + +A little later he took his leave, after which the housemaids were +dismissed and Edith was alone with her friend. + +When the door closed after them the girl stretched forth her hands in +a gesture of helpless appeal to the woman. + +"Oh, Mrs. Weld," she wailed, "must I be bound to that wretch during +the remainder of my life? I cannot live and bear such a fate! Oh, what +a shameful mockery it was! I felt, all the time, as if I were +committing a sacrilege, and yet I never dreamed that I was being used +so treacherously--" + +The housekeeper sat down beside the excited girl, whose eyes were +burning with a feverish light, and who showed symptoms of returning +hysteria. + +She removed her spectacles, and taking both of those trembling hands +in hers, looked steadily into the troubled eyes. + +"My child," she said, in a gentle, soothing tone, "you must not talk +about it to-night--you must not even think about it. I have told you +that it will all come out right; no man could hold you to such a +marriage--no court would hold you bound when once it is understood how +fraudulently you had been drawn into it." + +"But who is going to be able to prove that it was fraudulent?" +questioned Edith with increasing anxiety. "Apparently I went to the +altar with that man of my own free will; with all the semblance of +sincerity I took those marriage vows upon me and then received the +congratulations of all those guests as if I were a real wife. Oh, it +was terrible! terrible! terrible!" and her voice arose almost to a +shriek of agony as she concluded. + +"Hush! not another word! Edith look at me!" commanded Mrs. Weld with +gentle but impressive authority. + +The young girl, awed to silence in spite of her grief and nervous +excitement, looked wonderingly up into those magnetic eyes which +almost seemed to betray a dual nature. + +"Oh, dear Mrs. Weld, you do not seem at all like yourself," she +gasped. "What--who are you?" + +"I am your friend, my dear," was the soothing response, "and I am +going to prove it, first by forbidding you to refer to this subject +again until after you have had a nice, long sleep. Trust me and obey +me, dear; I am going to stand by you as long as you need a friend, and +I promise you that you shall never be a slave to the man who has so +wronged you to-night. Now put it all out of your mind. I do not want +to give you an opiate if I can avoid it, for you would not be so well +to-morrow after taking it; but I shall have to if you keep up this +excitement." + +She continued to hold the girl's trembling hands in a strong, +protecting clasp, while she still gazed steadily into her eyes, +until, as if overcome by a will stronger than her own--her physical +strength being well-nigh exhausted--the white lids gradually drooped, +the rigid form relaxed, the lines smoothed themselves out of her brow, +and she was soon sleeping quietly and restfully. + +When her regular breathing assured the watcher beside her that +oblivion had sealed her senses for the time, she bent over her, +touched her lips softly to her forehead, and murmured: + +"Dear heart, they shall never hold you to that wicked ceremony--to +that unholy bond! If the law will not cancel it, if they have sprung +the trap upon you so cunningly that the court cannot free you, they +shall at least leave you in peace and virtually free, and you shall +never want for a friend as long as--as--Gertrude Weld lives," she +concluded, a peculiar smile wreathing her lips. + +While this strange woman sat in that third-story room and watched her +sleeping patient, the hours sped by on rapid wings to the merry +dancers below, very few of whom concerned themselves about, or even +knew of, the tragic ending of the marriage which they had witnessed +earlier in the evening. + +But oh, how heavily these hours dragged to one among that smiling +throng! + +Anna Goddard could scarcely control her impatience for her guests to +be gone--for the terrible farce to end. + +How terrible it all was to her not one of the gay people around her +could suspect, for she was obliged to fawn and smile as if she were in +thorough sympathy with the scene, and to attend to her duties as +hostess and to all the petty details required by so-called etiquette, +in order to preserve the prestige which she had acquired for +entertaining handsomely. + +But there was a deadly fear at her heart--an agony of apprehension, a +dread of a fate which, to her, would have been worse than death. + +Her husband and brother had disappeared entirely from the ball-room, a +circumstance which only added to her perplexity and distress. + +When she saw signs of the ball breaking up she sent an imperative +message to her husband to join her, for she knew that it would cause +unpleasant remarks if the master of the house should fail to put in an +appearance to "speed the parting guest." + +But she almost wished, when he came to her side, that she had not sent +for him, for he seemed like one who had lost his hold upon every hope +in the world, and looked so coldly upon her that she would rather have +had him plunge a dagger into her heart. + +But the weary evening was over at length--the last guest from outside +was gone--the last visitor in the house had retired. + +Her husband also had watched his opportunity, when she was looking +another way, and had slipped out of the room and upstairs to escape +having any complaints or questions from her. + +And so Anna Goddard stood alone in her elegant drawing-room, a most +miserable woman, in spite of the luxury that surrounded her. + +She had everything that heart could wish of this world's goods--a +beautiful home in the city, another in the country, horses, carriages, +servants, fine raiment, costly jewels, and fared sumptuously every +day. + +But her heart was like a sepulcher, full of corruption that had +tainted her whole life; and now, as she stood there beneath the glare +of a hundred lights, so fair to look upon in her gleaming satins and +flashing jewels, it seemed to her that she would gladly exchange +places with the humblest country-woman if thereby she could be at +peace with herself and with God, and be the center of a loving and +loyal family, happy in the performances of her simple duties as a wife +and mother. + +Finally, with a weary sigh, the unhappy woman went slowly upstairs, +feeling as if, in spite of the smiles and compliments which she had +that evening received, she had not a real friend in the world. + +Going to her dressing-case, she began to remove her jewels. + +The house was very still--so still that it almost seemed deserted, and +this feeling only served to add to the sense of loneliness and +desolation that was oppressing her. + +Her face was full of pain, her beautiful lips quivered with suppressed +emotion as she gathered up her costly treasures in both hands and +stood looking at them a moment, thinking bitterly how much money they +represented, and yet of how little real value they were to her as an +essential element in her life. + +She moved toward her casket to put her gems carefully away. + +She stood looking down into the box for a minute, then, as if impelled +by some irresistible impulse, she laid the priceless stones all in a +heap upon the table, when, taking hold of a loop, which had escaped +the housekeeper's notice, she lifted the cushion from its place, thus +revealing the papers which had been concealed beneath it. + +She seized the uppermost one with an eager hand. + +"I believe I will destroy it," she mused, "I am afraid there is +something more in his desire to possess it than he is willing to +admit, for he is so determined to get possession of it." + +She half unfolded the document as if to examine it, when a sudden +shock went quivering through her frame and a look of amazement +overspread her face. + +"What can this mean?" she exclaimed, in a tone of alarm, as she dashed +it upon the floor and seized another. + +This also proved disappointing. + +"It was here the last time I looked! I am sure I left it on top of the +others!" she muttered, with white lips, as, with trembling hands and +heaving bosom, she overturned everything in search of the missing +document. + +But the most rigid examination failed to reveal it, and, with a cry of +mingled agony and anger, she sank weak and trembling upon the nearest +chair. + +"It is gone!" she whispered, hoarsely; "some one has stolen it!" + +She sat there looking utterly helpless and wretched for a few +moments. + +Then her eyes began to blaze and her lips to twitch spasmodically. + +"He has done this!" she cried, starting to her feet once more. "That +was why he was absent so long from the ball-room to-night." + +Seizing the papers she had removed from the box, she hastily replaced +them, also the cushion, restoring the jewels to their places, after +which she shut and locked the casket, taking care to remove the key +from its lock. + +This done, she hurried from the room, looking more like a beautiful +fiend than a woman. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +"WOULD YOU DARE BE FALSE TO ME, AFTER ALL THESE YEARS?" + + +With her exquisite robe trailing unheeded after her, Anna Goddard +swept swiftly down the hall and rapped imperatively upon the door of +her husband's room. + +There was no answer from within. + +She tried the handle. The door would not yield--it was locked on the +inside. + +"Gerald, are you in bed?" his wife inquired, putting her lips to the +crack and speaking low. + +"What do you wish, Anna?" the man questioned. + +"I wish to see you--I must speak with you, even if you have retired," +she returned, imperatively. + +There was a slight movement within the room, then the door was thrown +open, and Gerald Goddard stood before her. + +But she shrank back almost immediately, a low exclamation of surprise +escaping her as she saw his face, so white, so pain-drawn, and +haggard. + +"Gerald! what is the matter?" she demanded, forgetting, for the +moment, her own anger and even her errand there, in the anxiety which +she experienced for him. + +"I am feeling quite well, Anna," he responded, in a mechanical tone. +"What is it you wish to say to me?" + +Sweeping into the room, she closed the door after her, then confronted +him with accusing mien. + +"What do I wish to say to you?" she repeated, her voice quivering with +passion, her eyes blazing with a fierce expression. "I want that paper +which you have stolen from me." + +"I--I do not understand you, Anna," the man began, in a pre-occupied +manner. "What paper--what--" + +"I will bear no trifling," she passionately cried, interrupting him. +"You know very well what paper I refer to--I never had but one +document in my possession in which you had any interest; the one you +have so beset me about during the last few weeks." + +"That?" exclaimed the man, at last aroused from the apathy which had +hitherto seemed to possess him. + +"That!" retorted his companion, mockingly imitating his tone, "as if +you did not very well know it was 'that,' and no other. Gerald +Goddard, I have come to demand it of you," she went on shrilly. "You +have no right to enter my rooms, like a thief, and steal my treasures! +I--" + +"Anna, be still!" commanded her husband, sternly. "You are losing +control of yourself, and some of our guests may overhear you. I know +nothing of the document." + +"You lie!" hissed the woman, almost beside herself with mingled rage +and fear. "Who, but you, could have any interest in the thing? who, +save you, even knew of its existence, or that it had ever been in my +possession? Give it back to me! I will have it! It's my only +safeguard. You knew it, and you have stolen it, to make yourself +independent of me." + +"Anna, you shall not demean either yourself or me by giving expression +to such unjust suspicions," Gerald Goddard returned with cold dignity. +"I swear to you that I do not know anything about the paper. I have +not even once laid my eyes upon it since you stole it from me. If it +has been taken from the place where you have kept it concealed," he +went on, "then other hands than mine have been guilty of the theft." + +There was the ring of truth in his words, and she was forced to +believe him; yet there was a mystery about the affair which was beyond +her fathoming. + +"Then who could have taken it," she gasped, growing ghastly white at +the thought of there being a third party to their secret--"who on +earth has done this thing?" + +Gerald Goddard was silent. He had his suspicions, suspicions that made +him quake inwardly, as he thought of what might be the outcome of them +if they should prove to be true. + +"Gerald, why do you not answer me?" his companion impatiently +demanded. "Can you think of any one who would be likely to rob us in +this way?" + +"Have you no suspicion, Anna?" the man asked, and looking gravely into +her eyes. "Was there no one among your guests to-night, who--" + +"Who--what--!" she cried, as he faltered and stopped. + +"Was there no one present who made you think of--of some one whom +you--have known in the--the past?" + +"Ha! do you refer to Mrs. Stewart?" said madam. "Did you also notice +the--resemblance?" + +"Could any one help it?--could any one ever mistake those eyes? +Anna--she was Isabel herself!" + +"No--no!" she panted wildly, "she may be some relative. Are you losing +your mind? Isabel is--dead." + +"She lives!" + +"I tell you no! I--saw her dead." + +"You? How could that be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Goddard, in +astonishment. "We were both in Florence at the time of that tragedy." + +"Nevertheless, I saw her dead and in her coffin," persisted his +companion, with positive emphasis. + +"Now you talk as if you were losing your mind," he answered, with +white lips. + +"I am not. Do you not remember I told you one morning, I was going to +spend a couple of days with a friend at Fiesole?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, I had read of that tragedy that very day, and then hid the +paper, but I did not go to Fiesole at all. I took the first train for +Rome." + +"Anna!" + +"I wanted to be sure," she cried, excitedly. "I was jealous of her, +I--hated her; and I knew that if the report was true I should be at +rest. I went to the place where they had taken her. Some one had cared +for her very tenderly--she lay as if asleep, and looked like a +beautiful piece of sculpture in her white robe; one could hardly +believe that she was--dead. But they told me they were going to--to +bury her that afternoon unless some one came to claim her. They asked +me if I had known her--if she was a friend of mine. I told them +no--she was nothing to me; I had simply come out of curiosity, having +seen the story of her tragic end in a paper. Then I took the next +train back to Florence." + +"Why have you never told me this before, Anna?" Gerald Goddard +inquired, with lips that were perfectly colorless, while he laid his +hand upon the back of a chair for support. + +"Why?" she flashed out jealously at him. "Why should I talk of her to +you? She was dead--she could never come between us, and I wished to +put her entirely out of my mind, since I had satisfied myself of the +fact." + +"Did--did you hear anything of--of--" + +"Of the child? No; all I ever knew was what you yourself read in the +paper--that both mother and child had disappeared from their home and +both were supposed to have suffered the same fate, although the body +of the child was not found." + +"Oh!" groaned Gerald Goddard, wiping the clammy moisture from his +brow. "I never realized the horror of it as I do at this moment, and I +never have forgiven myself for not going to Rome to institute a search +for myself; but--" + +"But I wouldn't let you, I suppose you were about to add," said madam, +bitterly. "What was the use?" she went on, angrily. "Everything was +all over before you knew anything about it--" + +"I could at least have erected a tablet to mark her resting-place," +the man interposed. + +"Ha! ha! it strikes me it was rather late then to manifest much +sentiment; that would have become you better before you broke her +heart and killed her by your neglect and desertion," sneered madam, +who was driven to the verge of despair by this late exhibition of +regard for a woman whom she had hated. + +"Don't, Anna!" he cried, sharply. Then suddenly straightening himself, +he said, as if just awaking from some horrible nightmare: "But she did +not die. I have not that on my conscience, after all." + +"She did--I tell you she did!" hoarsely retorted the excited woman. + +"But I have seen and talked with her to-night, and she told me that +she was--Isabel!" he persisted. + +Anna Goddard struck her palms together with a gesture bordering upon +despair. + +"I do not believe it--I will not believe it!" she panted. + +"He began to pity her, for he also was beginning to realize that, if +Isabel Stewart were really the woman whom he had wronged more than +twenty years previous, her situation was indeed deplorable. + +"Anna," he said, gravely, and speaking with more calmness and +gentleness than at any time during the interview, "this is a stern +fact, and--we must look it in the face." + +His tone and manner carried conviction to her heart. + +She sank crouching at his feet, bowing her face upon her hands. + +"Gerald! Gerald! it must not be so!" she wailed. "It is only some +cunning story invented to cheat us and avenge her. That woman shall +never separate us--I will never yield to her. Oh, Heaven! why did I +not destroy that paper when I had it? Gerald, give it to me now, if +you have it; it is not too late to burn it even now, and no one can +prove the truth--we can defy her to the last." + +The man stooped to raise her from her humiliating position. + +"Get up, Anna," he said, kindly. "Come, sit in this chair and let us +talk the matter over calmly. It is a stern fact that Isabel is alive +and well, and it is useless either to ignore it or deplore it." + +With shivering sobs bursting from her with every breath, the wretched +woman allowed herself to be helped to the chair, into which she sank +with an air of abject despair. + +Anna Goddard's was not a nature likely to readily yield to humiliation +or defeat, and after a few moments of silent battle with herself, she +raised her head and turned her proud face and searching eyes upon her +companion. + +"You say that it is a 'stern fact' that Isabel lives," she remarked, +with compressed lips. + +"I am sure--there can be no mistake," the man replied. Then he told +her of the interview which had occurred in the hall, where he had +found the woman standing before the picture which he had painted in +Rome so many years ago. + +"She recognized it at once," he said; "she located the very spot from +which I had painted the scene." + +"Oh, I cannot make it seem possible, for I tell you I saw her lying +dead in her casket," moaned madam, who, even in the face of all +proofs, could not bring herself to believe that her old rival was +living and had it in her power to ruin her life. + +"She must have been in a trance--she must have been resuscitated by +those people who found her. As sure as you and I both live, she is +living also," Mr. Goddard solemnly responded. + +"Oh, how could such a thing be?" + +"I do not know--she did not tell me; she was very cold and proud." + +"What was she doing here? How dared she enter this house?" cried +madam, her anger blazing up again. + +"I cannot tell you. It was a question I was asking myself just as you +came to the door," said Mr. Goddard, with a sigh. "I have no doubt she +had some deep-laid purpose, however." + +"Do you imagine her purpose was to get possession of that document?" +questioned madam. + +"I had thought of that--I have felt almost sure of it since you told +me it had disappeared." + +"But how could she have known that such a paper was in our possession? +You did not receive it until long after--" + +"Yes, I know," interposed Mr. Goddard, with a shiver; "nevertheless I +am impressed that it is now in her possession, even though I did not +suppose that any one, save you and I and Will Forsyth, ever knew of +its existence." + +There ensued an interval of silence, during which both appeared to be +absorbed in deep thought. + +"If she has it, what will she do with it?" madam suddenly questioned, +lifting her heavy eyes to her companion. + +"I am sure I cannot tell, Anna," he coldly returned. + +His tone was like a match applied to powder. + +"Well, then, what will you do, Gerald Goddard, in view of the fact, as +you believe, that she is alive and has learned the truth?" she +imperiously demanded. + +"I--I do not think it will be wise for us to discuss that point just +at present," he faltered. + +"Coward! Is that your answer to me after twenty years of adoration and +devotion?" cried the enraged woman, springing excitedly to her feet, +the look of a slumbering demon in her dusky eyes. + +"After twenty years of jealousy, bickering, and turmoil, you should +have said, Anna," was the bitter response. + +"Beware! Beware, Gerald! I have hot blood in my veins, as you very +well know," was the menacing retort. + +"I have long had a proof of that," he returned, with quiet irony. + +"Oh!" she cried, putting up her hand as if to ward off a blow, "you +are cruel to me." Then, with sudden passion, she added: "Perhaps, +after all, that document is in your possession--or at least that you +know something about it." + +"I only wish your surmise were correct, Anna; for, in that case, I +should have no cause to fear her," said Mr. Goddard, gravely. + +"Ha! Even you do 'fear' her?" cried madam, eagerly. "In what way?" + +"Can you not see? If she has gained possession of the paper, she has +it in her power to do both of us irreparable harm," the gentleman +explained. + +Anna Goddard shivered. + +"Yes, yes," she moaned, "she could make society ring with our +names--she could ruin us, socially; but"--shooting a stealthy glance +at her companion, who sat with bowed head and clouded brow--"I could +better bear that than that she should assert a claim upon you--that +she should use her power to--to separate us. She shall not, Gerald!" +she went on, passionately; "there are other countries where you and I +can go and be happy, utterly indifferent to what she may do here." + +The man made no reply to these words--he was apparently absorbed in +his own thoughts. + +"Gerald! have you nothing to say to me?" madam sharply cried, after +watching him for a full minute. + +"What can I say, Anna? There is nothing that either of us can do but +await further developments," the man returned, but careful to keep to +himself the fact that he had an appointment with the woman whom she so +feared and hated. + +"Would you dare to be false to me, after all these years?" his +companion demanded, in repressed tones, and leaning toward him with +flaming eyes. + +"Pshaw, Anna! what a senseless question," he replied, with a forced +laugh. + +"But you admire--you think her very beautiful?" she questioned, +eagerly. + +"Why, that is a self-evident fact--every one must admit that she is a +fine-looking woman," was the somewhat evasive response. + +Anna Goddard sprang to her feet, her face scarlet. + +"You will be very careful what you do, Gerald," she hissed. "I have +never had overmuch confidence in you, in spite of my love for you; but +there is one thing that I will not bear, at this late day, and that +is, that you should turn traitor to me; so be warned in time." + +She did not wait to see what effect her words would have upon him, +but, turning abruptly, swept from the room, leaving him to his own +reflections. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +"I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE EITHER OF YOU FOR YOUR SIN AGAINST ME." + + +The morning following the great Goddard ball at Wyoming, found Edith +much better, greatly to the surprise of every one. + +She was quite weak, as was but natural after such a shock to her +system, both physically and mentally; but she had slept very quietly +through the night, after the housekeeper had gone to her and thrown +the protection of her presence around her. + +At Emil Correlli's request, the physician had remained in the house +all night, in case he should be wanted; and when he visited her quite +early in the morning, he expressed himself very much gratified to find +her so comfortable, and said she would do well enough without any +further medical treatment, but advised her to keep quiet for a day or +two. + +This Edith appeared perfectly willing to do, and lay contentedly among +her pillows, watching her kind nurse while she put the room in order, +making no remarks, asking no questions, but with a look of grave +resolve growing in her eyes and about her sweet mouth, which betrayed +that she was doing a good deal of thinking upon some subject. + +Mrs. Goddard came to her door immediately after breakfast, but Edith +refused to see her. + +She had told Mrs. Weld not to admit any one; therefore, when the lady +of the house sought admittance, the housekeeper firmly but +respectfully denied her entrance. + +"But I have something very important to say to Edith," madam +persisted. + +"Then it had best be left unsaid until the poor girl is stronger," +Mrs. Weld replied, without moving her portly proportions and holding +the door firmly in her hand. + +"I have a message from my brother for her--it is necessary that I +should deliver it," Mrs. Goddard obstinately returned. Mrs. Weld +looked back into the room inquiringly. + +"I do not wish to see any one," Edith weakly responded, but in a voice +of decision which told the listener outside that the girl had no +intention of yielding the point. + +"Very well; then I will wait until she feels stronger," said the +baffled woman, whereupon she beat an ignominious retreat, and the +invalid was left in peace. + +Mrs. Weld spent as much time as possible with her, but she of course +had her duties below to attend to; so, at Edith's request, she locked +her in and took the key with her when she was obliged to go +downstairs. + +Once, while she was absent, some one crept stealthily to the door and +knocked. + +Edith started up, and leaned upon her elbow, a momentary look of fear +sweeping her face; but she made no response. + +The knock was repeated. + +Still the girl remained motionless and voiceless, only her great blue +eyes began to blaze with mingled indignation and contempt, for she +knew, instinctively, who was seeking admission. + +"Miss Al--Edith, I must speak with you--I must have an interview with +you," said the voice of Emil Correlli from without. + +Still no answer from within; but the dazzling gleam in the girl's eyes +plainly showed that that voice had aroused all the spirit within her +in spite of her weak condition. + +"Pray grant me an interview, Edith--I have much to say to you--much +to explain--much to entreat of you," continued the voice, with a note +of earnest appeal. + +But he might as well have addressed the walls for all the effect he +produced. + +There was a moment or two of silence, then the man continued, with +something of authority: + +"I have the right to come to you, Edith--I have a right to demand that +you regard my wishes. If you are not prepared to receive me just now, +name some time when I can see you, and I will wait patiently your +pleasure; only speak and tell me that you will comply with my +request." + +It was both a pretty and a striking picture behind that closed door, +if he could but have seen it--the fair girl, in her snowy robe, over +which she had slipped a pretty light blue sack, reclining upon her +elbow, her beautiful hair falling in graceful confusion about her +shoulders; her violet eyes gleaming with a look of triumph in her +advantage over the man without; her lips--into which the color was +beginning to flow naturally again--parted just enough to reveal the +milk-white teeth between them. + +When the man outside asserted his right to come to her, the only sign +she had made was a little toss of her golden-crowned head, indicative +of defiance, while about the corners of her lovely mouth there lurked +a smile of scorn that would have been maddening to Emil Correlli could +he have seen it. + +At last a discontented muttering and the sound of retreating steps in +the hall told her that her persecutor had become discouraged, and +gone. Then, with a sigh of relief, she sank back upon her pillow +feeling both weak and weary from excitement. + +Left alone once more, she fell into deep thought. + +In spite of a feeling of despair which, at times, surged over her in +view of the trying position in which she found herself, the base +deception practiced upon her, aroused a spirit of indomitable +resistance, to battle for herself and her outraged feelings, and +outwit, if possible, these enemies of her peace. + +"They have done this wicked thing--that woman and her brother," she +said to herself; "they have cunningly plotted to lure me into this +trap; but, though they have succeeded in fettering me for life, that +is all the satisfaction that they will ever reap from their scheme. +They cannot compel me, against my will, to live with a man whom I +abhor. Even though I stood up before that multitude last evening, and +appeared a willing actor in that disgraceful sacrilegious scene, no +one can make me abide by it, and I shall denounce and defy them both; +the world shall at least ring with scorn for their deed, even though I +cannot free myself by proving a charge of fraud against them. But, +oh--" + +The proud little head suddenly drooped, and with a moan of pain she +covered her convulsed face with her hands, as her thoughts flew to a +certain room in New York, where she had spent one happy, blissful week +in learning to love, with all her soul, the man whom she had served. + +She had believed, as we know, that her love for Royal Bryant was +hopeless--at least she had told herself so, and that she could never +link her fate with his, after learning of her shameful origin. + +Yet, now that there appeared to have arisen an even greater barrier, +she began to realize that all hope had not been quite dead--that, in +her heart, she had all the time been nursing a tender shoot of +affection, and a faint belief that her lover would never relinquish +his desire to win her. + +But these sad thoughts finally set her mind running in another +channel, and brought a gleam of hope to her. + +"He is a true and honorable man," she mused, "I will appeal to him in +my trouble; and if any one can find a loop-hole of escape for me I am +sure he will be able to do so." + +When Mrs. Weld brought her lunch, she sat up and ate it eagerly, +resolved to get back her strength as soon as possibly in order to +carry out her project at an early date. While she was eating, she told +her friend of Emil Correlli's visit and its result. + +"Why cannot they let you alone!" the woman cried, indignantly. "They +shall not persecute you so." + +"No, I do not intend they shall," Edith quietly replied, "but I think +by to-morrow morning, I shall feel strong enough for an interview, +when we will have my relations toward them established for all time," +and by the settling of the girl's pretty chin, Mrs. Weld was convinced +that she would be lacking in neither spirit nor decision. + +"If you feel able to talk about it now, I wish you would tell me +exactly how they managed to hoodwink you to such an extent. Perhaps I +may be of some service to you, when the matter comes to a crisis," the +woman remarked, as she studied the sweet face before her with kind and +pitying eyes. + +And Edith related just how Mrs. Goddard had drawn her into the net by +representing that two of her actors had been called away in the midst +of the play and that the whole representation would be spoiled unless +she would consent to help her out. + +"It was very cleverly done," said Mrs. Weld, when she concluded; but +she looked grave, for she saw that the entire affair had been so +adroitly managed, it would be very difficult to prove that Edith had +not been in the secret and a willing actor in the drama. "But do not +worry, child; you may depend upon me to do my utmost to help you in +every possible way." + +The next morning Edith was able to be up and dressed, and she began to +pack her trunk, preparatory to going away. The guests had all left on +the previous day, and everything was being put in order for the house +to be closed for the remainder of the winter, while it was stated that +the family would return to the city on the next day, which would be +Thursday. + +Edith had almost everything ready for removal by noon, and, after +lunch was over, sent word to Mrs. Goddard that she would like an +interview with her. + +The woman came immediately, and Edith marveled to see how pale and +worn she looked--how she had appeared to age during the last day or +two. + +"I am so glad that you have decided to see me, Edith," she remarked, +in a fondly confidential tone, as she drew a chair to the girl's side +and sat down. "My brother is nearly distracted with grief and remorse +over what has happened, and the attitude which you have assumed toward +him. He adores you--he will be your slave if you only take the right +way to win him. Surely, you will forgive him for the deception which +his great affection led him to practice upon you," she concluded, with +a coaxing smile, such as she would have assumed in dealing with a +fractious child. + +"No," said Edith, with quiet decision, "I shall never forgive either +of you for your sin against me--it is beyond pardon." + +"Ah! I will not intercede for myself--but think how Emil loves you," +pleaded her companion. + +"You should have said, 'think how he loves himself,' madam," Edith +rejoined, with a scornful curl of her lips, "for nothing but the +rankest selfishness could ever have led a person to commit an act of +such duplicity and sacrilege as that which he and you adopted to +secure your own ends. He does not desire to be pardoned. His only +desire is that I should relent and yield to him--which I never shall +do." + +As she uttered these last words, she emphasized them with a decided +little gesture of her left hand that betrayed a relentless purpose. + +"Ah!" she cried, the next moment, with a start, the movement having +attracted her eye to the ring upon her third finger, which until that +moment she had entirely forgotten. + +With a shiver of repulsion, she snatched it off and tossed it into the +lap of her companion. + +"Take it back to him," she said. "I had forgotten I had it on; I +despise myself for having worn it even until now." + +Madam flushed angrily at her act and words. + +"You are very hard--you are very obdurate," she said, sharply. + +"Very well; you can put whatever construction you choose upon the +stand I have taken, but do not for a moment deceive yourself by +imagining that I will ever consent to be known as Emil Correlli's +wife; death would be preferable!" Edith calmly responded. + +"Most girls would only be too eager and proud to assume the +position--they would be sincerely grateful for the luxuries and +pleasures they would enjoy as my brother's wife," Mrs. Goddard coldly +remarked, but with an angry gleam in her eyes. + +A little smile of contempt curled the corners of Edith's red mouth; +but otherwise she did not deign to notice these boasting comments, a +circumstance which so enraged her companion that she felt, for a +moment, like strangling the girl there and then. + +But there was far more to be considered than her own personal +feelings, and she felt obliged to curb herself for the time. + +If scandal was to be avoided, she must leave no inducement untried to +bend Edith's stubborn will, and madam herself was too proud to +contemplate anything so humiliating; she was willing to do or bear +almost anything to escape becoming a target for the fashionable world +to shoot their arrows of ridicule at. + +"Edith, I beg that you will listen to me," she earnestly pleaded, +after a few moments of thought. "This thing is done and cannot be +undone, and now I want you to be reasonable and think of the +advantages which, as Emil's wife, you may enjoy. You are a poor girl, +without home or friends, and obliged to work for your living. There is +an escape from all this if you will be tractable; you can have a +beautiful house elegantly furnished, horses, carriages, diamonds, and +velvets--in fact, not a wish you choose to express ungratified. You +may travel the world over, if you desire, with no other object in view +than to enjoy yourself. On the other hand, if you refuse, there will +be no end of scandal--you will ruin the reputation of our whole +family--Emil will become the butt of everybody's scorn and ridicule. I +shall never be able to show my face again in society, either in Boston +or New York; and my husband, who has always occupied a high position, +will be terribly shocked and humiliated." + +Edith listened quietly to all that she had to say, not once +attempting to interrupt her; but when madam finally paused, in +expectation of a reply, she simply remarked: + +"You should have thought of all this, madam, before you plotted for +the ruin of my life; I am not responsible for the consequences of your +treachery and crime." + +"Crime! that is an ugly word," tartly cried Mrs. Goddard, who began to +find the tax upon her patience almost greater than she could bear. + +"Nevertheless, it is the correct term to apply to what you have +done--it is what I shall charge you with--" + +"What! do you dare to tell me that you intend to appeal to the +courts?" exclaimed madam, aghast. + +She had fondly imagined that, the deed once done, the girl having no +friends whose protection she could claim, would make the best of it, +and gracefully yield to the situation. + +"That is what I intend to do." + +Anna Goddard's face was almost livid at this intrepid response. + +"And you utterly refuse to listen to reason?" she inquired, struggling +hard for self-control. + +"I utterly refuse to be known as Emil Correlli's wife, if that is what +you mean by 'reason,'" said Edith, calmly. + +"Girl! girl! take care--do not try my patience too far," cried her +companion, with a flash of passion, "or we may have to resort to +desperate measures with you." + +"Such as what, if you please?" inquired Edith, still unmoved. + +"That remains to be seen; but I warn you that you are bringing only +wrath upon your own head. We shall never allow you to create a +scandal--we shall find a way to compel you to do as we wish." + +"That you can never do!" and the beautiful girl proudly faced the +woman with such an undaunted air and look that she involuntarily +quailed before her. "It is my nature," she went on, after a slight +pause, "to be gentle and yielding in all things reasonable, and when I +am kindly treated; but injustice and treachery, such as you have been +guilty of, always arouse within me a spirit which a thousand like you +and your brother could never bend nor break." + +"Do not be too sure, my pretty young Tartar," retorted madam, with a +disagreeable sneer. + +"I rejected Monsieur Correlli's proposals to me some weeks ago," Edith +resumed, without heeding the rude interruption. "I made him clearly +understand, and you also, that I could never marry him. You appeared +to accept the situation only to scheme for my ruin; but, even though +you have tricked me into compromising myself in the presence of many +witnesses, it was only a trick, and therefore no legal marriage. At +least I do not regard myself as morally bound; and, as I have said +before, I shall appeal to the courts to annul whatever tie there may +be supposed to exist. This is my irrevocable decision--nothing can +change it--nothing will ever swerve me a hair's breadth from it. Go +tell your brother, and then let me alone--I will never renew the +subject with either of you." + +And as Edith ceased she turned her resolute face to the window, and +Anna Goddard knew that she had meant every word that she had uttered. + +She was amazed by this show of spirit and decision. + +The girl had always been a perfect model of gentleness and kindness, +ready to do whatever was required of her, obliging and invariably +sweet-tempered. + +She could hardly realize that the cold, determined, defiant, undaunted +sentences to which she had just listened could have fallen from the +lips of the mild, quiet Edith whom she had hitherto known. + +But, as may be imagined, such an attitude from one who had been a +servant to her was not calculated to soothe her ruffled feelings, and +after the first flash of astonishment, anger got the better of her. + +"Do you imagine you can defy us thus?" she cried, laying an almost +brutal grip upon the girl's arm, as she arose to abandon, for the +time, her apparently fruitless task. "No, indeed! You will find to +your cost that you have stronger wills than your own to cope with." + +With these hot words, Anna Goddard swept angrily from the room, +leaving her victim alone. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +"I WILL NEVER BREAK BREAD WITH YOU, AT ANY TABLE." + + +As the door closed after the angry and baffled woman, the portly form +of the housekeeper entered the room from an apartment adjoining, +where, as had been previously arranged between Edith and herself, she +had been stationed to overhear the whole of the foregoing +conversation. + +"What can I do?" sighed the young girl, wearily, and lifting an +anxious glance to her companion; for, in spite of her apparent +calmness throughout the recent interview, it had been a terrible +strain upon her already shattered nerves. + +"Nothing just yet, dear, but to try and get well and strong as soon as +possible," cheerfully responded Mrs. Weld. + +"Did you hear how she threatened me?" + +"Yes, but her threats were only so many idle words--they cannot harm +you; you need not fear them." + +"But I do; somehow, I am impressed that they are plotting even greater +wrongs against me," sighed Edith, who, now that the necessity of +preserving a bold front was passed, seemed to lose her courage. + +"They will not dare--" began Mrs. Weld, with some excitement. Then, +suddenly checking herself, she added, soothingly: "But do not worry +any more about it now, child--you never need 'cross a bridge until you +come it.' Lie down and rest a while; it will do you good, and maybe +you will catch a little nap, while I go down to see that everything is +moving smoothly in the dining-room and kitchen." + +Edith was only too willing to heed this sensible advice, and, shortly +after the housekeeper's departure, fell into a restful sleep. + +She did not awake until it was nearly dark, when, feeling much +refreshed, she arose and dressed herself resolving that she would not +trouble tired Mrs. Weld to bring up her dinner, but go downstairs and +have it with her, as usual. + +The house was very quiet, for, all the guests having gone, there was +only the family and the servants in the house. + +Edith remained in her room until she heard the dinner-bell ring, when +she went to the door to listen for Mr. and Mrs. Goddard and Emil +Correlli to go down, before she ventured forth, for she had a special +object in view. + +Presently she heard them enter the dining-room, whereupon she stole +softly down after them and slipped into the library in search of the +daily papers. + +She found one, the _Transcript_, and then hurried back to her room, +lighted the gas, and sat down to read. + +Immediately a low cry of dismay burst from her, for the first thing +that caught her eye were some conspicuous head-lines announcing: + + "A STARTLING SURPRISE IN HIGH LIFE." + +These were followed by a vivid description of the festivities at the +Goddard mansion in Wyoming, on the previous evening, mentioning the +"unique and original drama," which had wound up with "the great +surprise" in the form of a "_bona fide_" marriage between the brother +of the beautiful and accomplished hostess, Mrs. Goddard, and a lovely +girl to whom the gentleman had long been attached, and whom he had +taken this opportune and very novel way of introducing to his friends +and society in general. + +Then there followed a _resume_ of the play, giving the names of the +various actors, an account of the fine scenery and brilliant costumes, +etc. + +The appearance of the masked bride and groom was then enlarged upon, +an accurate description of the bride's elegant dress given, and a most +flattering mention made of her beauty and grace, together with the +perfect dignity and repose of manner with which she bore her +introduction to the many friends of her husband during the reception +that followed immediately after the ceremony. + +No mention was made of her having fainted afterward, and the article +concluded with a flattering tribute to the host and hostess for the +success of their "Winter Frolic," which ended so delightfully in the +brilliant and long-to-be-remembered ball. + +Edith's face was full of pain and indignation after reading this +sensational account. + +She was sure that the affair had been written up by either madam or +her brother, for the express purpose of bringing her more +conspicuously before the public, and with the intention of fastening +more securely the chain that bound her to the villain who had so +wronged her. + +"Oh, it is a plot worthy to be placed on record with the intrigues of +the Court of France during the reign of Louis the Thirteenth and +Richelieu!" Edith exclaimed. "But in this instance they have mistaken +the character of their victim," she continued, throwing back her proud +little head with an air of defiance, "for I will never yield to them; +I will never acknowledge, by word or act, the tie which they claim +binds me to him, and I will leave no effort untried to break it. +Heavens! what a daring, what an atrocious wrong it was!" she +exclaimed, with a shudder of repugnance; "and I am afraid that, aside +from my own statements, I cannot bring one single fact to prove a +charge of fraud against either of them." + +She fell into a painful reverie, mechanically folding the paper as she +sat rocking slowly back and forth trying to think of some way of +escape from her unhappy situation. + +But, at last, knowing that it was about time for Mrs. Weld to have her +dinner, she arose to go down to join her. + +As she did so the paper slipped from her hands to the floor. + +She stooped to pick it up when an item headed, in large letters +"Personal" caught her eye. + +Without imagining that it could have any special interest for her, she +glanced in an aimless way over it. + +Suddenly every nerve was electrified. + +"What is this?" she exclaimed, and read the paragraph again. + +The following was the import of it: + + "If Miss Allandale, who disappeared so suddenly from New + York, on the 13th of last December, will call upon or send + her address to Bryant & Co., Attorneys, No. ---- Broadway, + she will learn of something greatly to her advantage in a + financial way." + +"How very strange! What can it mean?" murmured the astonished girl, +the rich color mounting to her brow as she realized that Royal Bryant +must have inserted this "personal" in the paper in the hope that it +would meet her eye. + +"Who in the world is there to feel interested in me or my financial +condition?" she continued, with a look of perplexity. + +At first it occurred to her that Mr. Bryant might have taken this way +to ascertain where she was from personal motives; but she soon +discarded this thought, telling herself that he would never be guilty +of practicing deception in any way to gain his ends. If he had simply +desired her address he would have asked for that alone without the +promise of any pecuniary reward. + +She stood thinking the matter over for several moments. + +At last her face cleared and a look of resolution flashed into her +eyes. + +"I will do it!" she murmured, "I will go back at once to New York--I +will ascertain what this advertisement means, then I will tell him all +that has happened to me here, and ask him if there is any way by which +I can be released from this dreadful situation, into which I have been +trapped. I am sure he will help me, if any one can." + +A faint, tender smile wreathed her lips as she mused thus, and +recalled her last interview with Royal Bryant; his fond, eager words +when he told her of her complete vindication at the conclusion of her +trial in New York--of his tender look and hand-clasp when he bade her +good-by at the door of the carriage that bore her home to her mother. + +She began to think that she had perhaps not used him quite fairly in +running away and hiding herself thus from him who had been so true a +friend to her; and yet, if she remained in his employ, and he had +asked her to be his wife, she knew that she must either have refused +him, without giving him a sufficient reason, or else confessed to him +her shameful origin. + +"It would have been better, perhaps, if I had never come away," she +sighed, "still it is too late now to regret it, and all I can do is to +comply with the request of this 'personal.' I would leave this very +night, only there are some things at the other house that I must take +with me. But to-morrow night I will go, and I shall have to steal +away, or they will find some way to prevent my going. I will not even +tell dear Mrs. Weld, although she has been so kind to me; but I will +write and explain it all to her after my arrival in New York." + +Having settled this important matter in her mind, Edith went quietly +downstairs, and returned the paper to the library, after which she +repaired to the tiny room where she and Mrs. Weld were in the habit of +taking their meals. + +The kind-hearted woman chided her for coming down two flights of +stairs, while she was still so weak; but Edith assured her that she +really began to feel quite like herself again, and could not think of +allowing her to wait upon her when she was so weary from her own +numerous duties. + +They had a pleasant chat over their meal, the young girl appearing far +more cheerful than one would have naturally expected under existing +circumstances. She flushed with painful embarrassment, however, when a +servant came in to wait upon them, and gave her a stare of undisguised +astonishment, which plainly told her that he thought her place was in +the dining-room with the family. + +She understood by it that all the servants knew what had occurred the +previous night, and believed her to be the wife of Emil Correlli. + +But nothing else occurred to mar the meal, and when it was finished +Edith started to go up to her room again. + +She went up the back way, hoping thus to avoid meeting any member of +the family. + +She reached the landing upon the second floor and was about to mount +another flight when there came a swift step over the front stairs, +and, before she could escape, Emil Correlli came into view. + +Another instant and he was by her side. + +"Edith!" he exclaimed, astonished to see her there, "where have you +been?" + +"Down to my dinner," she quietly replied, but confronting him with +undaunted bearing. + +"Down to your dinner?" he repeated, flushing hotly, a look of keen +annoyance sweeping over his face. "If you were able to leave your room +at all, your place was in the dining-room, with the family, and," he +added, sternly, "I do not wish any gossip among the servants regarding +my--wife." + +It was Edith's turn to flush now, at that obnoxious term. + +"You will please spare me all allusion to that mockery," she bitterly, +but haughtily, retorted. + +"It was no mockery--it was a _bona fide_ marriage," he returned. "You +are my lawful wife, and I wish you, henceforth, to occupy your proper +position as such." + +"I am not your wife. I shall never acknowledge, by word or act, any +such relationship toward you," she calmly, but decidedly, responded. + +"Oh, yes you will." + +"Never!" + +"But you have already done so, and there are hundreds of people who +can prove it," he answered, hotly, but with an air of triumph. + +"It will be a comparatively easy matter to make public a true +statement of the case," said the girl, looking him straight in the +eyes. + +"You will not dare set idle tongues gossiping by repudiating our +union!" exclaimed the young man, fiercely. + +"I should dare anything that would set me free from you," was the +dauntless response. + +Her companion gnashed his teeth with rage. + +"You would find very few who would believe your statements," he said; +"for, besides the fact that hundreds witnessed the ceremony last +night, the papers have published full accounts of the affair, and the +whole city now knows about it." + +"I know it--I have read the papers," said Edith, without appearing in +the least disconcerted. + +"What! already?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, what did you think of the account?" her companion inquired, +regarding her curiously. + +"That it was simply another clever piece of duplicity on your part, +the only object of which was the accomplishment of your nefarious +purposes. I believe you yourself were the author of it." + +Emil Correlli started as if he had been stung. + +He did not dream that she would attribute the article to him--the last +thing he could wish would be that she should think it had emanated +from his pen. + +Nevertheless, his admiration for her was increased tenfold by her +shrewdness in discerning the truth. + +"You judge me harshly," he said, bitterly. + +"I have no reason for judging you otherwise," Edith coldly remarked; +then added, haughtily: "Allow me to pass, sir, if you please." + +"I do not please. Oh, Edith, pray be reasonable; come into Anna's +boudoir, and let us talk this matter over amicably and calmly," he +pleaded, laying a gentle hand upon her arm. + +She shook it off as if it had been a reptile. + +"No, sir; I shall discuss nothing with you, either now or at any other +time. If," she added, a fiery gleam in her beautiful eyes, "it is ever +discussed in my presence it will be before a judge and jury!" + +The man bit his lips to repress an oath. + +"Yes, Anna told me you threatened that; but I hoped it was only an +idle menace," he said. "Do you really mean that you intend to file an +application to have the marriage annulled?" + +"Most assuredly--at least, if, indeed, after laying the matter before +the proper authorities, such a formality is deemed necessary," said +the girl, with a scornful inflection that cut her listener to the +quick. + +He grew deadly white, more at her contemptuous tones than her threat. + +"Edith--what can I say to win you?" he cried, after a momentary +struggle with himself. "I swear to you that I cannot--will not live +without you. I will be your slave--your lightest wish shall be my law, +if you will yield this point--come with me as my honored wife, and let +me, by my love and unceasing efforts, try to win even your friendly +regard. I know I have done wrong," he went on, assuming a tone and air +of humility; "I see it now when it is too late. I ask you to pardon +me, and let me atone in whatever way you may deem best. See!--I +kneel--I beg--I implore!" + +And suiting the action to the words, he dropped upon one knee before +her and extended his hands in earnest appeal to her. + +"In whatever way I may deem best you will atone?" she repeated, +looking him gravely in the face. "Then make a public confession of the +fraud of which you have been guilty, and give me my freedom." + +"Ah, anything but that--anything but that!" he exclaimed, flushing +consciously beneath her gaze. + +She moved back a pace or two from him, her lips curling with contempt. + +"Your appeal was but a wretched farce--it is worse than useless--it is +despicable," she said, with an accent that made him writhe like a +whipped cur. + +"Will nothing move you?" he passionately cried. + +"Nothing." + +"By Heaven! then I will meet you blade to blade!" he cried, furiously, +and springing to his feet, his eyes blazing with passion. "If +entreaties will not move you--if neither bribes nor promises will +cause you to yield--we will try what lawful authority will do. I have +no intention of being made the laughing stock of the world, I assure +you; and, hereafter, I command that you conduct yourself in a manner +becoming the position which I have given you. In the first place, +then, to-morrow morning, you will breakfast in the dining-room with +the family--do you hear?" + +Edith had stood calmly regarding him during this speech; but, wishing +him to go on, if he had anything further to say, she did not attempt +to reply as he paused after the above question. + +"Immediately after breakfast," he resumed, with something less of +excitement, and not feeling very comfortable beneath her unwavering +glance, "we shall return to the city, and the following morning you +and I will start for St. Augustine, Florida--thence go to California +and later to Europe." + +The young girl straightened herself to her full height, and she had +never seemed more lovely than at that moment. + +"Monsieur Correlli," she said, in a voice that rang with an +irrevocable decision, "I shall never go to Florida with you, nor yet +to California, neither to Europe; I shall never appear anywhere with +you in public, neither will I ever break bread with you, at any table. +There, sir, you have my answer to your 'commands.' Now, let me pass." + +Without waiting to see what effect her remarks might have upon him, +she pushed resolutely by him and went swiftly upstairs to her room. + +The man gazed after her in undisguised astonishment. + +"By St. Michael! the girl has a tremendous spirit in that slight frame +of hers. She has always seemed such a sweet little angel, too--no one +would have suspected it. However, there are more ways than one to +accomplish my purpose, and I flatter myself that I shall yet conquer +her." + +With this comforting reflection, he sought his sister, to relate what +had occurred, and enlist her crafty talents in planning his next move +in the desperate game he was playing. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +EDITH RESOLVES TO MEET HER ENEMIES WITH THEIR OWN WEAPONS. + + +The morning following her interview with Emil Correlli, when Edith +attempted to leave her room to go down to breakfast, she found, to her +dismay, that her door had been fastened on the outside. + +An angry flush leaped to her brow. + +"So they imagine they can make me bend to their will by making a +prisoner of me, do they?" she exclaimed, with flashing eyes and +scornful lips. "We shall see!" + +But she was powerless just then to help herself, and so was obliged to +make the best of her situation for the present. + +Presently some one knocked upon her door, and she heard a bolt +moved--it having been placed there during the night. Then Mrs. Goddard +appeared before her, smiling a gracious good-morning, and bearing a +tray, upon which there was a daintily arranged breakfast. + +"We thought it best for you to eat here, since you do not feel like +coming down to the dining-room," she kindly remarked, as she set the +tray upon the table. + +Edith opened her lips to make some scathing retort; but, a bright +thought suddenly flashing through her mind, she checked herself, and +replied, appreciatively: + +"Thank you, Mrs. Goddard." + +The woman turned a surprised look upon her, for she had expected only +tears and reproaches from her because of her imprisonment. + +But Edith, without appearing to notice it, sat down and quietly +prepared to eat her breakfast. + +"Ah! she is beginning to come around," thought the wily woman. + +But, concealing her secret pleasure at this change in her victim, she +remarked, in her ordinary tone: + +"We shall leave for the city very soon after breakfast, so please have +everything ready so as not to keep the horses standing in the cold." + +"Everything is ready now," said Edith, glancing at her trunk, which +she had locked just before trying the door. + +"That is well, and I will send for you when the carriage comes +around." + +Edith simply bowed to show that she heard, and then her companion +retired, locking the door after her, but marveling at the girl's +apparent submission. + +"There is no way to outwit rogues except with their own +weapons--cunning and deceit," murmured the fair prisoner, bitterly, as +she began to eat her breakfast. "I will be very wary and apparently +submissive until I have matured my plans, and then they may chew their +cud of defeat as long as it pleases them to do so." + +After finishing her meal she dressed herself for the coming drive, but +wondered why Mrs. Weld had not been up to see her, for, of course, she +must know that something unusual had happened, or that she was ill +again, since she had not joined her at breakfast. + +A little later she heard a stealthy step outside her door, and the +next moment an envelope was slipped beneath it into her room; then the +steps retreated, and all was still again. + +Rising, Edith picked up the missive and opened it, when another sealed +envelope, addressed to her, in a beautiful, lady-like hand, and +postmarked Boston, was revealed, together with a brief note hastily +written with a pencil. + +This latter proved to be from Mrs. Weld. + + "Dear Child," it ran, "I have been requested not to go to + you this morning, as you are particularly engaged, which, of + course, I understand as a command to keep out of the way. + But I want you to know that I mean to stand by you, and + shall do all in my power to help you. I shall manage to see + or write to you again in a day or two. Meantime, don't lose + heart. + + "Affectionately yours, + + "GERTRUDE WELD. + + "P.S.--The inclosed letter came for you in last night's + mail. I captured it for you." + +With an eager light in her eyes, Edith opened it and read: + + "Boston, Feb. --, 18--. + + "MY DEAR MISS ALLEN:--I have learned of the wretched + deception that has been practiced upon you, and hasten to + write this to assure you that my previous offer of + friendship--when we met at the time of the accident to my + coachman--was not a mere matter of form. Again I say, if you + need a friend, come to me, and I will do my utmost to shield + you from those who have shown themselves your worst enemies, + and whom I know to be unworthy of the position which they + occupy in the social world. Come to me when you will, and I + promise to protect you from them. I cannot say more upon + paper. + + "Sincerely yours, + + ISABEL STEWART." + +"How very kind, and yet how very strange!" murmured Edith, as she +refolded the letter. "I wonder who could have told her about that +wretched affair of Tuesday evening. I wonder, too, what she knows +about the Goddards, and if I had better accept her friendly offer." + +She reflected upon the matter for a few minutes, and then continued: + +"I think I will go to New York first, as I had planned, see what Mr. +Bryant can do for me, and ascertain the meaning of that strange +personal; then I think I will come back and ask her to take me as a +companion--for I do not believe that what I shall learn to my +financial advantage will amount to enough to preclude the necessity of +my doing something for my support. I suppose I ought to answer this +letter, though," she added, meditatively; "but I believe I shall not +dare to until I am safely away from Boston, for if my reply should +fall into the hands of any member of this family, my plans might be +frustrated." + +She carefully concealed both notes about her person, and then sat down +to await orders to go below. + +A little later Mrs. Goddard came to her and said they were about ready +to leave for the city, and requested her to go down into the hall. + +Edith arose with apparent alacrity, and madam noticed with an +expression of satisfaction that her bearing was less aggressive than +when they had last met. + +She followed Mrs. Goddard downstairs and seated herself in the hall to +await the signal for departure. + +Presently Mr. Goddard came in from outdoors. + +He started slightly upon seeing Edith, then paused and inquired kindly +if she was feeling quite well again. + +Edith thanked him, and briefly remarked that she was, when he startled +her by stooping suddenly and whispering in her ear: + +"Count upon me as your friend, my child; I promise you that I will do +all in my power to help you thwart your enemies." + +He waited for no answer, but passed quickly on and entered the +library. + +Edith was astonished, and while, for the moment, she was touched by +his unexpected offer of assistance, she at the same time distrusted +him. + +"I will trust myself and my fate with no one but Royal Bryant," she +said to herself, a flush of excitement rising to her cheek. + +A few minutes later the carriage was driven to the door--the snow +having become so soft they were obliged to return to the city on +wheels--when Mrs. Goddard came hurrying from the dining-room, where +she had been giving some last orders to the servants, and bidding +Edith follow her, passed out of the house and entered the carriage. + +Edith was scarcely seated beside her when Emil Correlli made his +appearance and settled himself opposite her. + +The young girl flushed, but, schooling herself to carry out the part +which she had determined to assume for the present, made no other sign +to betray how distasteful his presence was to her. + +She could not, however, bring herself to join in any conversation, +except, once or twice, to respond to a direct question from madam, +although the young man tried several times to draw her out, until, +finally discouraged, he relapsed into a sullen and moody silence, +greatly to the disgust of his sister, who seemed nervously inclined to +talk. + +Upon their arrival in town, Mrs. Goddard remarked to Edith: + +"I have been obliged to take, for a servant, the room you used to +occupy, dear; consequently, you will have to go into the south chamber +for the present. Thomas," turning to a man and pointing to Edith's +trunk, "take this trunk directly up to the south chamber." + +Edith's heart gave a startled bound at this unexpected change. + +The "south chamber" was the handsomest sleeping apartment in the +house--the guest chamber, in fact--and she understood at once why it +had thus been assigned to her. + +It was intended that she should pose and be treated in every respect +as became the wife of madam's brother, and thus the best room in the +house had been set apart for her use. + +She knew that it would be both useless and unwise to make any +objections; the change had been determined upon, and doubtless her old +room was already occupied by a servant, to prevent the possibility of +her returning to it. + +Thus, after the first glance of surprise at madam, she turned and +quietly followed the man who was taking up her trunk. + +But, on entering the "south chamber," another surprise awaited her, +for the apartment had been fitted up with even greater luxury than +previous to their leaving for the country. + +The man unstrapped her trunk and departed, when Edith looked around +her with a flushed and excited face. + +A beautiful little rocker, of carved ivory, inlaid with gold, was +standing in the bay-window overlooking the avenue, and beside it there +was an exquisite work-stand to match. + +An elegant writing-desk, of unique design, and furnished with +everything a lady of the daintiest tastes could desire, stood near +another sunny window. The inkstand, paper weight, and blotter were of +silver; the pen of gold, with a costly pearl handle. + +There were several styles of paper and envelopes, and all stamped in +gilt with a monogram composed of the initials E. C., and there was a +tiny box of filigree silver filled with postage stamps. + +It was an outfit to make glad the heart of almost any beauty-loving +girl; but Edith's eyes flashed with angry scorn the moment she caught +sight of the dainty monogram, wrought in gold, upon the paper and +envelopes. + +On the dressing-case there was a full set of toilet and manicure +utensils, in solid silver, and also marked with the same initials; +besides these there were exquisite bottles of cut glass, with gold +stoppers filled with various kinds of perfumery. + +Upon the bed there lay an elegant sealskin garment, which, at a +glance, Edith knew must have been cut to fit her figure, and beside it +there was a pretty muff and a Parisian hat that could not have cost +less than thirty dollars, while over the foot-board there hung three +or four beautiful dresses. + +"Did they suppose that they could buy me over--tempt me to sell myself +for this gorgeous finery?" the indignant girl exclaimed, in a voice +that quivered with anger. "They must think me very weak-minded and +variable if they did." + +But her curiosity was excited to see how far they had carried their +extravagant bribery; and, going back to the dressing-case, she drew +out the upper drawer. + +Notwithstanding her indignation and scorn, she could not suppress a +cry of mingled astonishment and admiration at what she saw there, for +the receptacle contained the daintiest lingerie imaginable. + +There were beautiful laces, handkerchiefs, and gloves, suitable for +every occasion; three or four fans of costly material and exquisite +workmanship; a pair of pearl-and-gold opera glasses. + +More than this, and arranged so as to cunningly tempt the eye, there +were several cases of jewels--comprising pearls, diamonds, emeralds, +and rubies. + +It was an array to tempt the most obdurate heart and fancy, and Edith +stood gazing upon the lovely things with admiring eyes while, after a +moment, a little sigh of regret accompanied her resolute act of +shutting the drawer and turning the key in its lock. + +The second and third contained several suits of exquisite underwear of +finest material, and comprising everything that a lady could need or +desire in that line; in the fourth drawer there were boxes of silken +hose of various colors, together with lovely French boots and slippers +suitable for different costumes. + +"What a pity to spend so much money for nothing," Edith murmured, +regretfully, when she had concluded her inspection. "It is very +evident that they look upon me as a silly, vacillating girl, who can +be easily managed and won over by pretty clothes and glittering +baubles. I suppose there are girls whose highest ambition in life is +to possess such things, and to lead an existence of luxury and +pleasure--who would doubtless sell themselves for them; but I should +hate and scorn myself for accepting anything of the kind from a man +whom I could neither respect nor love." + +She gave utterance to a heavy sigh as she closed the drawer and turned +away from the dressing-case; not, however, because she longed to +possess the beautiful things she had seen, but in view of the +difficulties which might lie before her to hamper her movements in the +effort to escape from her enemies. + +"I suppose I must remain here for a few hours at least," she +continued, an expression of anxiety flitting over her face, "and if I +expect to carry out my plans successfully I must begin by assuming a +submissive role." + +She removed her hat and wraps, hanging them in a closet; then, going +to her trunk, she selected what few articles she would absolutely need +on her journey to New York, and some important papers--among them the +letters which her own mother had written--and after hastily making +them up into a neat package, returned them again to the trunk for +concealment, until she should be ready to leave the house. + +This done, she sat down by a window to await and meet, with what +fortitude she could command, the next act in the drama of her life. + +Not long after she heard a step in the hall, then there came a knock +on her door, and madam's voice called out: + +"It is only I, Edith; may I come in?" + +"Yes, come," unhesitatingly responded the girl, and Mrs. Goddard, her +face beaming with smiles and good nature, entered the room. + +"How do you like your new quarters, dear?" she inquired, searching +Edith's fair face with eager eyes. + +"Of course, everything is very beautiful," she returned, glancing +admiringly around the apartment. + +"And are you pleased with the additions to the furnishings?--the +chair, the work-table, and writing-desk?" + +"I have never seen anything more lovely," Edith replied, bending +forward as if to examine more closely the filigree stamp box on the +desk, but in reality to conceal the flush of scorn that leaped into +her eyes. + +"I knew you would like them," said madam, with a little note of +triumph in her voice; "they are exquisite, and Emil is going to have +them carefully packed, and take them along for you to use wherever you +stop in your travels. And the cloak and dresses--aren't they perfectly +elegant? The jewels, too, and other things in the dressing-case; have +you seen them?" + +"Yes, I have seen them all; but--but I am very sorry that so much +money should have been spent for me," Edith faltered, a hot flush, +which her companion interpreted as one of pleasure and gratified +vanity, suffusing her cheeks. + +"Oh, the money is of no account, if you are only happy," Mrs. Goddard +lightly remarked. "And now," she went on eagerly, "I want you to dress +yourself just as nicely as you can, and be ready, when the bell rings, +to come down to lunch, as it becomes--my sister. Will you, dear?" she +concluded, coaxingly. "Do, Edith, be reasonable; let us bury the +hatchet, and all be on good terms." + +"I--I do not think I can quite make up my mind to go down to lunch," +Edith faltered, with averted face. + +Madam frowned; she had begun to think her victory was won, and the +disappointment nettled her. But she controlled herself and remarked +pleasantly: + +"Well, then, I will send up your lunch, if you will promise to come +down and dine with us, will you?" + +Edith hesitated a moment; then, drawing a long breath, she remarked, +as if with bashful hesitancy: + +"I think, perhaps--I will go down later--by and by." + +"Now you are beginning to be sensible, dear," said madam, flashing a +covert look of exultation at her, "and Emil will be so happy. Put on +this silver-gray silk--it is so lovely, trimmed with white lace--and +the pearls; you will be charming in the costume. I am sorry I have to +go directly after lunch," she continued, regretfully, "but I have a +call to make, and shall not be back for a couple of hours; but Emil +will be here; so if you can find it in your heart to be a little kind +to him, just put on the gray silk--or anything else you may +prefer--and go down to him. May I tell him that you will?" + +"I will not promise--at least until after you return," murmured Edith, +in a low voice. + +Madam could have laughed in triumph, for she believed the victory was +hers. + +"Well, perhaps you would feel a trifle shy about it," she said, +good-naturedly, "it would be pleasanter and easier for you, no doubt, +if I were here, so I will come for you when I get back. Good-by, till +then." + +And with a satisfied little nod and smile, madam left her and went +downstairs to tell her brother that his munificence had won the day, +and he would have no further trouble with a fractious bride. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +A MYSTERIOUS STRANGER PAYS EDITH AN UNEXPECTED VISIT. + + +Edith listened until she heard madam descend the stairs, when she +sprang to her feet in a fever of excitement. + +"Oh, how I hate myself for practicing even that much of deceit!" she +bitterly exclaimed; "to allow her to think for a moment that I have +been won over by those baubles. Although I told her no lie, I do +intend to go down by and by if I can see an opportunity to get out of +the house. But I did so long to stand boldly up and repudiate her +proposals and all these costly bribes. Dress myself in those things!" +she continued, with a scornful glance toward the bed; "make myself +look 'pretty and nice,' with the price of my self-respect, and then go +down to flaunt before the man who has grossly insulted me by assuming +that he could bribe me to submission! I would rather be clothed in +rags--the very sight of these things makes me sick at heart." + +She turned resolutely from them, and, drawing the stiffest and hardest +chair in the room to a window, sat down with her back to the +allurements around her and gazed out upon the street. + +She remained there until her lunch was sent up, when she ate enough to +barely satisfy her hunger, after which she went back to her post to +watch for the departure of Mrs. Goddard. + +The house stood upon a corner, and thus faced upon two streets--the +avenue in front, and at the side a cross-street that led through to +Beacon street. Thus, Edith's room being upon the front of the +mansion, she had a wide outlook in two directions. + +Not long after stationing herself at the window, she saw Mrs. Goddard +go out, and then she began to wonder how she could manage to make her +escape before her return. + +She knew that she was only a prisoner in the house, in spite of the +fact that her door was not locked; that Emil Correlli had been left +below simply to act as her keeper; and, should she make the slightest +attempt to escape, he would immediately intercept her. + +She could not get out of the house except by the front way, and to do +this she would have to pass down a long flight of stairs and by two or +three rooms, in any one of which Emil Correlli might be on the watch +in anticipation of this very proceeding. + +There was a back stairway; but as this led directly up from the area +hall, the door at the bottom was always carefully kept locked--the key +hanging on a concealed nail for fear of burglars; and Edith, knowing +this, did not once think of attempting to go out that way. + +While she sat by the window, trying to think of some way out of her +difficulties, her attention was attracted by the peculiar movements of +a woman on the opposite side of the street--it was the side street +leading through to Beacon. + +She was of medium height, richly clad in a long seal garment, but +heavily veiled, and she was leading a little child, of two or three +years, by the hand. + +But for her strange behavior, Edith would have simply thought her to +be some young mother, who was giving her little one an airing on that +pleasant winter afternoon. She appeared very anxious to shun +observation, dropping her head whenever any one passed her, and +sometimes turning abruptly around to avoid the gaze of the curious. + +She never entirely passed the house, but walked back and forth again +and again from the corner to a point opposite the area door near the +rear of the dwelling, while she eagerly scanned every window, as if +seeking for a glimpse of some one whom she knew. Moreover, from time +to time, her eyes appeared to rest curiously upon Edith, whom she +could plainly perceive at her post above. + +For nearly half an hour she kept this up; then, suddenly crossing the +street, disappeared within the area entrance to the house, greatly to +the surprise of our fair heroine. + +"How very strange!" Edith remarked, in astonishment. "She is certainly +too richly clad to be the friend of any of the servants, and if she +desires to see Mrs. Goddard, why did she not go to the front entrance +and ring?" + +While she was pondering the singular incident, she saw the gas-man +emerge from the same door, and pass down the street toward another +house; then her mind reverted again to her own precarious situation, +and she forgot about the intruder and her child below. + +The house was very still--there was not even a servant moving about to +disturb the almost uncanny silence that reigned throughout it. It was +Thursday, and Edith knew that the housemaid and cook's assistant were +to have that afternoon out, which, doubtless, accounted in a measure +for the unusual quiet. + +But this very fact she knew would only serve to make any movement on +her part all the more noticeable, and while she was wondering how she +should manage her escape before the return of Mrs. Goddard, a slight +noise behind her suddenly warned her of the presence of another in the +room. + +She turned quickly, and a low cry of surprise broke from her as she +saw standing, just inside the door, the very woman whom, a few moments +before she had seen disappear within the area door of the house. + +She was now holding her child in her arms and regarding Edith through +her veil with a look of fire and hatred that made the girl's flesh +creep with a sense of horror. + +Putting the little one down on the floor, she braced herself against +the door and remarked, with a bitter sneer, but in a rich, musical +voice, and with a foreign accent: + +"Without doubt I am in the presence of Madam Correlli." + +Edith flushed crimson at her words. + +"I--I do not understand you," she faltered, filled with surprise and +dismay at being thus addressed by the veiled stranger. + +"I wish to see Madam Correlli," the woman remarked, in an impatient +and bitter tone. "I am sure I am not mistaken addressing you thus." + +"Yes, you are mistaken--there is no such person," Edith boldly +replied, determined that she would never commit herself by responding +to that hated name. + +"Are you not the girl whose name was Edith Allen?" demanded her +companion, sharply. + +"My name is Edith Allen--" + +She checked herself suddenly, for she had unwittingly come near +uttering the rest of it. She went a step or two nearer the woman, +trying to distinguish her features, which were so shadowed by the veil +she wore that she could not tell how she looked. + +"Ah! so you will admit your identity, but you will not confess to the +name by which I have addressed you. Why?" demanded the unknown +visitor, with a sneer. + +"Because I do not choose," said Edith, coldly. "Who are you, and why +have you forced yourself upon me thus?" + +"And you will also deny this?" cried the stranger, in tones of +repressed passion, but ignoring the girl's questions, as she pulled a +paper from her pocket and thrust under her eyes a notice of the +marriage at Wyoming. + +Edith grew pale at the sight of it, when the other, quick to observe +it, laughed softly but derisively. + +"Ah, no; you cannot deny that you were married to Emil Correlli, only +the night before last, in the presence of many, many people," she +said, in a hoarse, passionate whisper. "Do you think you can deceive +me? Do you dare to lie to me?" + +"I have no wish to deceive you. I would not knowingly utter a +falsehood to any one," Edith gravely returned. "I know, of course, to +what you refer; but"--throwing back her head with a defiant air--"I +will never answer to the name by which you have called me!" + +"Ha! say you so! And why?" eagerly exclaimed her companion, regarding +her curiously. "Can you deny that you went to the altar with Emil +Correlli?" she continued, excitedly. "That a clergyman read the +marriage service over you?--that you were afterward introduced to many +people as his wife?--and that you are now living under the same roof +with him, surrounded by all this luxury"--sweeping her eyes around the +room--"for which he has paid?" + +"No, I cannot deny it!" said Edith, with a weary sigh. "All that you +have read in that paper really happened; but--" + +"Aha! Well, but what?" interposed the woman, with a malicious sneer +that instantly aroused all Edith's spirit. + +"Pardon me," she said, drawing herself proudly erect and speaking with +offended dignity, "but I cannot understand what right you, an utter +stranger to me, have to intrude upon me thus. Who are you, madam, and +why have you forced yourself here to question me in such a dictatorial +manner?" + +"Ha! ha! ha!" The mirthless laugh was scarcely audible, but it was +replete with a bitterness that made Edith shiver with a nameless +horror. "Who am I, indeed? Let me assure you that I am one who would +never take the stand that you have just taken; who would never refuse +to be known as the wife of Emil Correlli, or to be called by his name +if I could but have the right to such a position. Look at me!" she +commanded, tearing the veil from her face. "We have met before." + +Edith beheld her, and was amazed, for it needed but a glance to show +her that she was the girl who had accosted Emil Correlli on the street +that afternoon when he had overtaken and walked home with her after +the singular accident and encounter with Mrs. Stewart. + +"Aha! and so you know me," the girl went on--for she could not have +been a day older than Edith herself, Although there were lines of care +and suffering upon her brilliant face--seeking the look of recognition +in her eyes; "you remember how I confronted him that day when he was +walking with you." + +"Yes, I remember; but--" + +"But that does not tell you who--or what I am, would perhaps be the +better way of putting it," said the stranger, with bitter irony. "Look +here; perhaps this will tell you better than any other form of +introduction," she added, almost fiercely, as, with one hand, she +snatched the cap off her child's head and then turned his face toward +Edith. + +The startled girl involuntarily uttered a cry of mingled surprise and +dismay, for, in face and form and bearing, she beheld--a miniature +Emil Correlli! + +For a moment she was speechless, thrilled with greater loathing for +the man than she had ever before experienced, as a suspicion of the +truth flashed through her brain. + +Then she lifted her astonished eyes to the woman, to find her +regarding her with a look of mingled curiosity, hatred, and triumph. + +"The boy is--his child?" Edith murmured at last, in an inquiring tone. + +A slow smile crept over the mother's face as she stood for a moment +looking at Edith--a smile of malice which betrayed that she gloried in +seeing that the girl at last understood her purpose in bringing the +little one there. + +"Yes, you see--you understand," she said, at last; "any one would know +that Correlli is his father." + +"And you--" Edith breathed, in a scarcely audible voice, while she +began to tremble with a secret hope. + +"I am the child's mother--yes," the girl returned, with a look of +despair in her dusky orbs. + +But she was not prepared for the light of eager joy that leaped into +Edith's eyes at this confession--the new life and hope that swept +over her face and animated her manner until she seemed almost +transformed, from the weary, spiritless appearing girl she had seemed +on her entrance, into a new creature. + +"Then, of course, you are Emil Correlli's wife," she cried, in a glad +tone; "you have come to tell me this--to tell me that I am free from +the hateful tie which I supposed bound me to him? Oh, I thank you! I +thank you!" + +"You thank me?" + +"Yes, a thousand times." + +"Ha! and you say the tie that binds you to him is hateful?" whispered +the strange woman, while she studied Edith's face with mingled wonder +and curiosity. + +"More hateful than I can express," said Edith, with incisive +bitterness. + +"And you do not--love him?" + +"Love him? Oh, no!" + +The tone was too replete with aversion to be doubted. + +"Ah, it is I who do not understand now!" exclaimed Edith's visitor, +with a look of perplexity. + +"Let me tell you," said the young girl, drawing nearer and speaking +rapidly. "I was Mrs. Goddard's companion, and quite happy and content +with my work until he--her villainous brother--came. Ah, perhaps I +shall wound you if I say more," she interposed, and breaking off +suddenly, as she saw her companion wince. + +"No, no; go on," commanded her guest, imperatively. + +"Well, Monsieur Correlli began to make love to me and to persecute me +with his attentions soon after he came here. He proposed marriage to +me some weeks ago, and I refused to listen to him--" + +"You refused him!" + +"Why, yes, certainly; I did not love him; I would not marry any one +whom I could not love," Edith replied, with a little scornful curl of +her lips at the astonished interruption, which had betrayed that her +guest thought no girl could be indifferent to the charms of the man +whom she so adored. + +"He was offended," Edith resumed, "and insisted that he would not take +my refusal as final. When I finally convinced him that I meant what I +had said, he and his sister plotted together to accomplish their +object, and make me his wife by strategy. Madam planned a winter +frolic at her country residence; she wrote the play of which you have +an account in that paper; she chose her characters, and it was +rehearsed to perfection. At the last moment, on the evening of its +presentation before her friends, she removed the two principal +characters--telling me that they had been called home by a +telegram--and substituted her brother and me in their places. She did +not even tell me who was to take the gentleman's place--she simply +said a friend; it was all done so hurriedly there was no time, +apparently, for explanations. And then--oh! it is too horrible to +think of!" interposed Edith, bringing her hands together with a +despairing gesture, "she had that ordained minister come on the stage +and legally marry us. From beginning to end it was all a fraud!" + +"Stop, girl! and swear that you are telling me the truth!" cried her +strange companion, as she stepped close to Edith's side, laid a +violent hand upon her arm, and searched her face with a look that must +have made her shrink and cower if she had been trying to deceive. + +"Oh, I would give the world if it were not true!" Edith exclaimed, +with an earnestness that could not be doubted--"if the last scene in +that drama had never been enacted, or if I could have been warned in +time of the treachery of which I was being made the victim!" + +"Suppose you had been warned!" demanded her guest, still clutching her +arm with painful force, "would you have dared refuse to do their +bidding?" + +"Would I have dared refuse?" exclaimed Edith, drawing herself +haughtily erect. "No power on earth could have made me marry that +man." + +"I don't know! I don't know! He is rich, handsome, talented," muttered +the other, regarding her suspiciously. "Will you swear that it was +fraud--that you did not know you were being married to him? Do not +try to lie to me," she went on, warningly. "I came here this afternoon +with a heart full of bitter hatred toward you; in my soul I believe I +was almost a murderess. But--if you also are the victim of a bad man's +perfidy, then we have a common cause." + +"I have told you only the truth," responded Edith, gravely. "Monsieur +Correlli was utterly repulsive to me, and I never could have consented +to marry him, under any circumstances. I know he is considered +handsome--I know he is rich and talented; but all that would be no +temptation to me--I could never sell myself for fortune or position. I +am very sorry if you have been made unhappy because of me," she went +on gently; "but I have not willfully wronged you in any way. And if +you have come here to tell me that you are Monsieur Correlli's wife, +you have saved me from a fate I abhorred--and I shall be--I am free! +and I shall bless you as long as I live!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +"I WILL RISE ABOVE MY SIN AND SHAME!" + + +Edith's strange visitor stood contemplating her with a look of mingled +perplexity and sadness. + +It was evident that she could not understand how any one could be glad +to renounce a man like Emil Correlli, with the fortune and position +which he could give the woman of his choice. + +The two made a striking tableau as they stood there facing each other, +with that beautiful child between them; for in style and coloring, +they were exactly the opposite of each other. + +Edith, so fair and slight, with her delicate features and golden hair, +her great innocent blue eyes, graceful bearing, and cultivated manner, +which plainly betrayed that she had been reared in an atmosphere of +gentleness and refinement. + +The other was of a far different type, yet, perhaps, not less striking +and beautiful in her way. + +She was of medium height, with a full, voluptuous form, a complexion +of pale olive, with brilliantly scarlet lips, and eyes like "black +diamonds," and hair that had almost a purple tinge in its ebon masses; +her features, though far from being regular, were piquant, and when +she was speaking lighted into fascinating animation with every passing +emotion. + +"I shall be free!" Edith murmured again with a long-drawn sigh of +relief, "for of course you will assert your claim upon him, and"--with +a glance at the child--"he will not dare to deny it." + +"You are so anxious to be free? You would bless me for helping you to +be free?" repeated her companion, studying the girl's face earnestly, +questioningly. + +"Ah, yes; I was almost in despair when you came in," Edith replied, +shivering, and with starting tears; "now I begin to hope that my life +has not been utterly ruined." + +Her visitor flushed crimson, and her great black eyes flashed with +sudden anger. + +"My curse be upon him for all the evil he has done!" she cried, +passionately. "Oh! how gladly would I break the bond that binds you to +him, but--I have not the power; I have no claim upon him." + +Edith regarded her with astonishment. + +"No claim upon him?" she repeated, with another glance at the little +one who was gazing from one to another with wondering eyes. + +The mother's glance followed hers, and an expression of despair swept +over her face. + +"Oh, Holy Virgin, pity me!" she moaned, a blush of shame mantling her +cheeks. + +Then lifting her heavy eyes once more to Edith, she continued, +falteringly: + +"The boy is his and--mine; but--I have no legal claim upon him--I am +no wife." + +For a moment after this humiliating confession there was an unbroken +silence in that elegant room. + +Then a hot wave of sympathetic color flashed up to Edith's brow, while +a look of tender, almost divine, compassion gleamed in her lovely +eyes. + +For the time she forgot her own wretchedness in her sympathy for her +erring and more unfortunate sister--for the woman and the mother who +had been outraged beyond compare. + +At length she raised her hand and laid it half-timidly, but with +exceeding kindness, upon her shoulder. + +"I understand you now," she said, gently, "and I am very sorry." + +The words were very simple and commonplace; but the tone, the look, +and the gesture that accompanied them spoke more than volumes, and +completely won the heart of the passionate and despairing creature +before her for all time. + +They also proved too much for her self-possession, and, with a moan of +anguish, throwing herself upon her knees beside her child, she clasped +him convulsively in her arms and burst into a flood of weeping. + +"Oh! my poor, innocent baby! to think that this curse must rest upon +you all your life--it breaks my heart!" she moaned, while she +passionately covered his head and face with kisses. "They tell me +there is a God," she went on, hoarsely, as she again struggled to her +feet, "but I do not believe it--no God of love would ever create +monsters like Emil Correlli, and allow them to deceive and ruin +innocent girls, blackening their pure souls and turning them to fiends +incarnate! Yes, I mean it," she panted, excitedly, as she caught +Edith's look of horror at her irreverent and reckless expressions. + +"Listen!" she continued, eagerly. "Only three years ago I was a pure +and happy girl, living with my parents in my native land--fair, +beautiful, sunny Italy--" + +"Italy?" breathlessly interposed Edith, as she suddenly remembered +that she also had been born in that far Southern clime. Then she grew +suddenly pale as she caught the eyes of the little one gazing +curiously into her face, and also remembered that "the curse" which +his mother had but a moment before so deplored, rested upon her as +well. + +Involuntarily, she took his little hand, and lifting it to her lips, +imprinted a soft caress upon it, at which the child smiled, showing +his pretty white teeth, and murmured some fond musical term in +Italian. + +"You are an angel not to hate us both," said his mother, a sudden +warmth in her tones, a gleam of gratitude in her dusky eyes. "But were +you ever in Italy?" she added, curiously. + +"Yes, when I was a little child; but I do not remember anything about +it," said Edith, with a sigh. "Do not stand with the child in your +arms," she added, thoughtfully. "Come, sit here, and then you can go +on with what you were going to tell me." + +And, with a little sense of malicious triumph, Edith pulled forward +the beautiful rocker of carved ivory, and saw the woman sink wearily +into it with a feeling of keen satisfaction. It seemed to her like the +irony of fate that it should be thus occupied for the first time. + +She would have been only too glad to heap all the beautiful clothes, +jewels, and laces upon the woman also, but she felt that they did not +belong to her, and she had no right to do so. Taking her little one on +her knee, the young woman laid his head upon her breast, and swaying +gently back and forth, began her story. + +"My father was an olive grower, and owned a large vineyard besides, in +the suburbs of Rome. He was a man of ample means, and took no little +pride in the pretty home which he was enabled to provide for his +family. My mother was a beautiful woman, somewhat above him socially, +although I never knew her to refer to the fact, and I was their only +child. + +"Like many other fond parents who have but one upon whom to expend +their love and money, they thought I must be carefully reared and +educated--nothing was considered too good for me, and I had every +advantage which they could bestow. I was happy--I led an ideal life +until I was seventeen years of age. When carnival time came around, +we all went in to Rome to join in the festivities, and there I met my +fate, in the form of Emil Correlli." + +"Ah! but I thought that he was a Frenchman!" interposed Edith, in +surprise. + +"His father was a Frenchman, but his mother was born and reared in +Italy, where, in Rome, he studied under the great sculptor, Powers," +her guest explained. Then she resumed: "We met just as we were both +entering the church of St. Peter's. He accidently jostled me; then, as +he turned to apologize, our eyes met, and from that moment my fate was +sealed. I cannot tell you all that followed, dear lady, it would take +too long; but, during the next three months it seemed to me as if I +were living in Paradise. Before half that time had passed, Emil had +confessed his love for me, and made an excuse to see me almost every +day. But my parents did not approve; they objected to his attentions; +his mother, they learned by some means, belonged to a noble family, +and 'lords and counts should not mate with peasants,' they said." + +"Then I made the fatal mistake of disobeying them and meeting my lover +in secret. Ah, lady," she here interposed with a bitter sigh, "the +rest is but the old story of man's deception and a maiden's blind +confidence in him; and when, all too late, I discovered my error, +there seemed but one thing for me to do, and that was to flee with him +to America, whither he was coming to pursue his profession in a great +city." + +"And--did he not offer to--to marry you before you came?" queried +Edith, aghast. + +"No; he pretended that he dared not--he was so well-known in Rome that +the secret would be sure to be discovered, he said, and then my father +would separate us forever; but he promised that when we arrived in New +York, he would make everything all right; therefore, I, still blindly +trusting him, let him lead me whither he would. + +"I was very ill during the passage, and for weeks following our +arrival, and so the time slipped rapidly by without the consummation +of my hopes, and though he gave me a pleasant home and everything +that I wished for in the house where we lived, even allowing it to +appear that I was his wife, we had not been here long before I saw +that he was beginning to tire of me. I did everything I could to keep +his love, I studied tirelessly to master the language of the country, +and kept myself posted upon art and subjects which interested him +most, in order to make myself companionable to him. Time after time I +entreated him to fight the wrong he was doing me and another, who +would soon come either into the shelter of his fatherhood or to +inherit the stigma of a dishonored mother; but he always had some +excuse with which to put me off. At last this little one came"--she +said, folding the child more closely in her arms--"and I had something +pure and sweet to love, even though I was heart-broken over knowing +that a blight must always rest upon his life, and something to occupy +the weary hours which, at times, hung so heavily upon my hands. After +that Emil seemed to become more and more indifferent to me--there +would be weeks at a time that I would not see him at all; I used +sometimes to think that the boy was a reproach to him, and he could +not bear the stings of his own conscience in his presence." + +"Ah," interposed Edith, with a scornful curl of her red lips, "such +men have no conscience; they live only to gratify their selfish +impulses." + +"Perhaps; while those they wrong live on and on, with a never-dying +worm gnawing at their vitals," returned her companion, repressing a +sob. + +"At last," she resumed, "I began to grow jealous of him, and to spy +upon his movements. I discovered that he went a great deal to one of +the up-town hotels, and I sometimes saw him go out with a handsome +woman, whom I afterward learned was his sister--the Mrs. Goddard, who +lives here, and who visits New York several times every year. I did +not mind so much when I discovered the relationship between them, +although I suffered many a bitter pang to see how fond they were of +each other, while I was starving for some expression of his love. + +"This went on for nearly two years; then about two months ago, Emil +disappeared from New York, without saying anything to me of his +intentions, although he left plenty of money deposited to my account. +He was always generous in that way, and insisted that Ino must have +everything he wished or needed--I am sure he is fond of the child, in +spite of everything. By perseverance and ceaseless inquiry, I finally +learned that he had come to Boston, and I immediately followed him. I +am suspicious and jealous by nature, like all my people, and that day, +when I saw him walking with you, and looking at you just as he used to +look at me in those old delicious days in Italy, all the passion of my +nature was aroused to arms. Braving everything, I rushed over to him +and denounced him for his treachery to me, also accusing him of making +love to you." + +"And did it seem to you that I was receiving his attentions with +pleasure?" questioned Edith, with a repugnant shrug of her shoulders. +"I assure you he had forced his company upon me, and I only endured it +to save making a scene in the street." + +"I did not stop to reason about your appearance," said the woman; "at +least not further than to realize that you were very lovely, and just +the style of beauty to attract Emil; but he swore to me that you were +only the companion of his sister, and he had only met you on the +street by accident--that you were nothing to him. He asked me to tell +him where he could find me, and promised that he would come to me +later. He kept his word, and has visited me every few days ever since, +treating me more kindly than for a long time, but insisting that I +must keep entirely out of the way of his sister. And so it came upon +me like a deadly blow when I read that account of his marriage in +yesterday's paper. I was wrought up to a perfect frenzy, especially +when I came to the statement that Monsieur and Madam Correlli would +return immediately to Boston, but leave soon after for a trip South +and West, and ultimately sail for Europe. That was more than outraged +nature could bear, and I vowed that I would wreak a swift and sure +revenge upon you both, and so, for two days, I have haunted this +house, seeking for an opportunity to gain an entrance unobserved. I +saw you sitting at the window--I recognized you instantly. I believed, +of course, that you were a willing bride, and imagined that if I could +get in I should find you both in this room. While I watched my chance, +one of the servants came to the area door to let in the gas-man, and +carelessly left it ajar, while she went back with him into one of the +rooms. In a moment I was in the lower hall, looking for a back +stairway; if any one had found me I was going to beg a drink of water +for my child. There was a door there, but it was locked; but +desperation makes one keen, and I was not long in finding a key +hanging up on a nail beneath a window-sill. The next instant the door +was unlocked, and I on my way upstairs--" + +"And the key! oh! what did you do with the key?" breathlessly +interposed Edith, grasping at this unexpected chance to escape. + +"I have it here, lady," said her companion, as she produced it. "I +thought it might be convenient for me to go out the same way, so took +possession of it." + +"Ah, then the door to the back stairway is still unlocked?" breathed +Edith, with trembling lips. + +"Yes; I did not stop to lock it after me; I hurried straight up here, +but--expecting to have a very different interview from what I have +had," responded the woman, with a heavy sigh. "Now, lady, you have my +story," she continued, after a moment of silence, "you can see that I +have been deeply wronged, and though from a moral standpoint, I have +every claim upon Emil Correlli, yet legally, I have none whatever; +and, unless you can prove some flaw in that ceremony of night before +last--prove that he fraudulently tricked you into a marriage with him, +you are irrevocably bound to him." + +Edith shivered with pain and abhorrence at these last words, but she +did not respond to them in any way. + +"I came here with hatred in my heart toward you," the other went on, +"but I shall go away blessing you for your kindness to me; for, +instead of shrinking from me, as one defiled and too depraved to be +tolerated, you have held out the hand of sympathy to me and listened +patiently and pityingly to the story of my wrongs." + +As she concluded, she dropped her face upon the head of her child with +a weary, disheartened air that touched Edith deeply. + +"Will you tell me your name?" she questioned, gently, after a moment +or two of silence. "Pardon me," she added, flushing, as her companion +looked up sharply, "I am not curious, but I do not know how to address +you." + +"Giulia Fiorini. Holy Mother forgive me the shame I have brought upon +it!" she returned, with a sob. "I have called him"--laying her +trembling hand upon the soft, silky curls of her child--"Ino Emil." + +"Thank you," said Edith, "and for your confidence in me as well. You +have been greatly wronged; and if there is any justice or humanity in +law, this tie, which so fetters me, shall be annulled; then, +perchance, Monsieur Correlli may be persuaded to do what is right +toward you. + +"No, lady, I have no hope of that," said Giulia, dejectedly, "for when +a man begins to tire of the woman whom he has injured he also begins +to despise her, and to consider himself ill-used because she even +dares to exist." + +"Perhaps you would wish to repudiate him," suggested Edith, who felt +that such would be her attitude toward any man who had so wronged her. + +"Oh, no; much as I have suffered, I still love Emil, and would gladly +serve him for the remainder of my life, if he would but honor me with +his name; but I know him too well ever to hope for that--I know that +he is utterly selfish and would mercilessly set his heel upon me if I +should attempt to stand in the way of his purposes. There is nothing +left for me but to go back to my own country, confess my sin to my +parents, and hide myself from the world until I die." + +"Ah! but you forget that you have your child to rear and educate, his +mind and life to mold, and--try to make him a better man than his +father," said Edith, with a tender earnestness, which instantly melted +the injured girl to tears. + +"Oh, that you should have thought of that, when I, his mother, forget +my duty to him, and think only of my own unhappiness!" sobbed the +conscience-stricken girl, as she hugged the wondering child closer to +her breast. "Yesterday I told myself that I would send Ino to him, and +then end my misery forever." + +"Don't!" exclaimed Edith, sharply, her face almost convulsed with +pain. "Your life belongs to God, and--this baby. Live above your +trouble, Giulia; never let your darling have the pain and shame of +learning that his mother was a suicide. If you have made one mistake, +do not imagine that you can expiate it by committing another a +hundred-fold worse. Ah! think what comfort there would be in rearing +your boy to a noble manhood, and then hear him say, 'What I am my +mother has made me!'" + +She had spoken earnestly, appealingly, and when she ceased, the +unhappy woman seized her hand and covered it with kisses. + +"Oh, you have saved me!" she sobbed; "you have poured oil into my +wounds. I will do as you say--I will rise above my sin and shame; and +if Ino lives to be an honor to himself and the world, I shall tell him +of the angel who saved us both. I am very sorry for you," she added, +looking, regretfully, up at Edith; "I could almost lay down my life +for you now; but--Correlli is rich--very rich, and you may, perhaps, +be able to get some comfort out of life by--" + +Edith started to her feet, her face crimson. + +"What?" she cried, scornfully, "do you suppose that I could ever take +pleasure in spending even one dollar of his money? Look there!" +pointing to the elegant apparel upon the bed. "I found all those +awaiting me when I came here to-day. In the dressing-case yonder there +are laces, jewels, and fine raiment of every description, but I would +go in rags before I would make use of a single article. I loathe the +sight of them," she added, shuddering. "I should feel degraded, +indeed, could I experience one moment of pleasure arrayed in them." + +Suddenly she started, and looked at her watch, a wild hope animating +her. + +It was exactly quarter past two. + +A train left for New York, via the Boston & Albany Railroad, at three +o'clock. + +If she could reach the Columbus avenue station, which was less than +fifteen minutes' walk from Commonwealth avenue, without being missed, +she would be in New York by nine o'clock, and safe, for a time at +least, from the man she both hated and feared. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +A SURPRISE AT THE GRAND CENTRAL STATION. + + +"Will you help me?" Edith eagerly inquired, turning to her companion, +who had regarded her wonderingly while she repudiated the costly gifts +which Emil Correlli had showered upon her. + +"How can I help you, lady?" Giulia inquired, with a look of surprise. + +"Call me Edith--I am only a poor, friendless girl, like yourself," she +gently returned. "But I want to go away from this house immediately--I +must get out of it unobserved; then I can catch a train that leaves +Boston at three o'clock, for New York." + +"Ah! you wish to run away from Emil!" exclaimed Giulia, her face +lighting with eagerness. + +"Yes--I would never own myself his wife for a single hour. I was +planning, when you came in, to get away to-night when the house was +quiet; but doubtless they would lock my door if I continued to be +obstinate, and it would be a great deal better for me, every way, if I +could go now," Edith explained. + +"Yes, I will help you--I will do anything you wish," said Giulia, +heartily. + +"Then come!" exclaimed Edith, excitedly, "I want you to go down to +him; he is in one of the rooms below--in the library, I think--a room +under the one opposite this. He will be so astonished by your +unexpected visit that he will be thrown off his guard, and you must +manage to occupy his attention until you are sure I am well out of the +house--which will be in less than ten minutes after you are in his +presence--and then I shall have nothing more to fear from him." + +"I will do it," said the Italian girl, rising, a look of resolve on +her handsome but care-lined face. + +"Thank you! thank you!" returned Edith, earnestly. "I am going +straight to New York, to friends; but of course, you will not betray +my plans." + +"No, indeed; but do you think your friends can help you break with +Emil--do you believe that ceremony can be canceled?" breathlessly +inquired Giulia. + +"I hope so," Edith gravely answered; "at all events, if I can but once +put myself under the protection of my friends, I shall no longer fear +him. I shall then try to have the marriage annulled. Perhaps, when he +realizes how determined I am, he may even be willing to submit to it." + +"Oh, do you think so?--do you think so?" cried Giulia, tremulously, +and with hopeful eagerness. + +"I will hope so," replied Edith, gravely, "and I will also hope that I +may be able to do something to make you and this dear child happy once +more. What a sweet little fellow he is!" she concluded, as she leaned +forward and kissed him softly on the cheek, an act which brought the +quick tears to his mother's eyes. + +Again she seized the girl's delicate hand and carried it to her lips. + +"Ah, to think! An hour ago I hated you!--now I worship you!" she +cried, in an impassioned tone, a sob bursting from her trembling lips. + +"You must go," said Edith, advancing to the door, and softly opening +it. "I have no time to lose if I am to catch my train. Remember, the +room under the one opposite this--you will easily find it. Now +good-by, and Heaven bless you both." + +With a look of deepest gratitude and veneration, Giulia Fiorini, her +child clasped in her arms, passed out of the room and moved swiftly +toward the grand staircase leading to the lower part of the house; +while Edith, closing and locking the door after her, stood listening +until she should reach the library, where she was sure Emil Correlli +sat reading. + +She heard the sweep of the girl's robes upon the stairs; then, a +moment later, a stifled exclamation of mingled surprise and anger fell +upon her ears, after which the library door was hastily shut, and +Edith began to breathe more freely. + +She hastened to put on her jacket, preparatory to leaving the house. +But an instant afterward her heart leaped into her throat, as she +caught the sound of the hurried opening and shutting of the library +door again. + +Then there came swift steps over the stairs. + +Edith knew that Emil Correlli was coming to ascertain if she were safe +within her room; that he feared if Giulia had succeeded in gaining an +entrance there, without being discovered, she might possibly have +escaped in the same way. + +She moved noiselessly across the room toward the dressing-case and +opened a drawer, just as there came a knock on her door. + +"Is that you, Mrs. Goddard?" Edith questioned, in her usual tone of +voice, though her heart was beating with great, frightened throbs. + +"No; it is I," responded Emil Correlli. "I wish to speak with you a +moment, Edith." + +"You must excuse me just now, Mr. Correlli," the girl replied, as she +rattled the stopper to one of the perfumery bottles on the +dressing-case; "I am dressing, and cannot see any one just at +present." + +"Oh!" returned the voice from without, in a modified tone, as if the +man were intensely relieved by her reply. "I beg your pardon; but when +can I see you--how long will it take you to finish dressing?" + +Edith glanced at the clock, and a little smile of triumph curled her +lips, for she saw that the hands pointed to half-past two. + +"Not more than fifteen or twenty minutes, perhaps," she returned. + +"Ah, you are relenting!" said the man, eagerly. "You will come down by +and by--you will dine with us this evening, Edith?" he concluded, in +an appealing tone. + +There was again a moment of hesitation on Edith's part, as if she were +debating the question with herself; but if he could have seen her +eyes, he would have been appalled by the look of fire and loathing +that blazed in them. + +"Mr. Correlli," she said at last, in a tone which he interpreted as +one of timid concession, "I--I wish to do what is right and--I think +perhaps I will come down as soon as I finish dressing." + +His face lighted and flushed with triumph. + +He believed that she was yielding--won over by the munificent gifts +with which he had crowded her room. + +"Ah! thank you! thank you!" he responded, with delight. "But take your +own time, dear, and make yourself just as beautiful as possible, and I +will come up for you in the course of half an hour." + +He flattered himself that he would be well rid of Giulia by that time; +and having assured himself that Edith was safe in her room, and, as he +believed, gradually submitting to his terms, he retraced his steps +downstairs, the cruel lines about his mouth hardening as he went, for +he had resolved to cast off forever the girl who had become nothing +but a burden and an annoyance to him. + +Edith did not move until she heard him enter the library again and +close the door after him. + +Then, hurriedly buttoning her jacket and pinning on her hat, she took +from her trunk the package which she had made up an hour before, stole +softly from her room and down the back stairs to the area hall. + +The outer door was closed and bolted--the gas-man having long since +finished his errand and departed--and she could hear the cook and one +of the maids conversing in the kitchen just across the hall. + +Evidently no one had attempted to go upstairs since Giulia's entrance, +consequently the key had not yet been missed nor the door discovered +to be unlocked. + +Cautiously slipping the bolt to the street door, Edith quickly passed +out, closing it noiselessly after her. + +Another moment she was in the street, speeding with swift, light steps +across the park. + +Then, bending her course through Dartmouth street, she came to a +narrow, crooked way called Buckingham street, which led her directly +out upon Columbus avenue, when, turning to the left, she soon came to +the station known by the same name. + +Here she had ten minutes to wait, after purchasing her ticket, and the +uneasiness with which she watched the slowly moving hands upon the +clock in the gloomy waiting-room may be imagined. + +Her waiting was over at last, and, exactly on time, the train came +thundering to the station. + +Edith quickly boarded it, then sank weak and trembling upon the +nearest empty seat, her heart beating so rapidly that she panted with +every breath. + +Then the train began to move, and, with a prayer of thankfulness over +her escape, the excited girl leaned back against the cushion and gave +herself up to rest, knowing that she could not now be overtaken before +arriving in New York. + +This feeling of security did not last long, however, and she was +filled with dismay as she thought that Emil Correlli would doubtless +discover her flight in the course of half an hour, if he had not +already done so, when he would probably surmise that she would go +immediately to New York and so telegraph to have her arrested upon her +arrival there. + +This was a difficulty which she had not foreseen. + +What should she do?--how could she circumvent him? how protect herself +and defy his authority over her? + +A bright idea flashed into her mind. + +She would telegraph to Royal Bryant at the first stop made by the +train, ask him to meet her upon her arrival, and thus secure his +protection against any plot that Emil Correlli might lay for her. + +The first stopping-place she knew was Framingham, a small town about +twenty miles from Boston. + +The first time the conductor came through the car she asked him for a +Western Union slip, when she wrote the following message and addressed +it to Royal Bryant's office on Broadway: + + "Shall arrive at Grand Central Station, via. B. & A. R. R., + at nine o'clock. Do not fail to meet me. Important. + + "EDITH ALLANDALE." + +When the conductor came back again, she gave this to him, with the +necessary money, and asked if he would kindly forward it from +Framingham for her. + +He cheerfully promised to do so. Then, feeling greatly relieved, Edith +settled herself contentedly for a nap, for she was very weary and +heavy-eyed from the long strain upon her nerves and lack of sleep. + +She did not wake for more than three hours, when she found that +daylight had faded, and that the lamps had been lighted in the car. + +At New Haven she obtained a light lunch from a boy who was crying his +viands through the train, and when her hunger was satisfied she +straightened her hat and drew on her gloves, knowing that another two +hours would bring her to her destination. + +Then she began to speculate upon possible and impossible things, and +to grow very anxious regarding her safety upon her arrival in New +York. + +Perhaps Royal Bryant had not received her message. + +He might have left his office before it arrived; maybe the officials +at Framingham had even neglected to send it; or Mr. Bryant might have +been out of town. + +What could she do if, upon alighting from the train, some burly +policeman should step up to her and claim her as his prisoner? + +She had thus worked herself up to a very nervous and excited state by +the time the lights of the great metropolis could be seen in the +distance; her face grew flushed and feverish, her eyes were like two +points of light, her temples throbbed, her pulses leaped, and her +heart beat with great, frightened throbs. + +The train had to make a short stop where one road crossed another just +before entering the city, and the poor girl actually grew faint and +dizzy with the fear that an officer might perhaps board the train at +that point. + +Almost as the thought flashed through her brain, the car door opened +and a man entered, when a thrill of pain went quivering through every +nerve, prickling to her very finger-tips. + +A second glance showed her that it was a familiar form, and she almost +cried out with joy as she recognized Royal Bryant and realized that +she was--safe! + +He saw her immediately and went directly to her, his gleaming eyes +telling a story from his heart which instantly sent the rich color to +her brow. + +"Miss Allandale!" he exclaimed, in a low, eager tone, as he clasped +her outstretched hand. "I am more than glad to see you once again." + +"Then you received my telegram," she said, with a sigh of relief. + +"Yes, else I should not be here," he smilingly returned; "but I came +very near missing it. I was just on the point of leaving the office +when the messenger-boy brought it in. I suppose our advertisement is +to be thanked for your appearance in New York thus opportunely." + +"Not wholly," Edith returned, with some embarrassment. "If it had been +that alone which called me here, I need not have telegraphed you. I +saw it only yesterday; but my chief reason for coming hither is that I +am a fugitive." + +"A fugitive!" repeated her companion, in surprise. "Ah, yes, I +wondered a little over that word 'important' in your message. It +strikes me," he added, smiling significantly down upon her, "that you +left New York in very much the same manner." "Yes," she faltered, +flushing rosily. + +"From whom and what were you fleeing, Edith? Surely not from one who +would have been only too glad to shield you from every ill?" said the +young man, in a tenderly reproachful tone, the import of which there +was no mistaking. + +She shot one swift glance into his face and saw that his eyes were +luminous with the great love that was throbbing in his manly heart, +and with an inward start of exceeding joy she dropped her lids again, +but not before he had read in the look and the tell-tale flush that +flooded cheek, brow, and neck, that his affection was returned. + +"I will forgive you, dear, if you will be kind to me in the future," +he whispered, taking courage from her sweet shyness and bashfulness. +"And now tell me why you are a fugitive from Boston, for your telegram +was dated from that city." + +Thus recalled to herself, and a realization of her cruel situation, +Edith shivered, and a deadly paleness banished the rosy blushes from +her cheeks. + +"I will," she murmured, "I will tell you all about the dreadful things +that have happened to me; but not here," she added, with an anxious +glance around. "Will you take me to some place where I shall be safe?" +she continued, appealingly. "I have no place to go unless it is to +some hotel, and I shrink from a public house." + +"My child, why are you trembling so?" the young man inquired, as he +saw she was shaking from head to foot. "I am very glad," he added, +"that I was inspired to board the train at the crossing, and thus can +give you my protection in the confusion of your arrival." + +"I am glad, too; it was very thoughtful of you," said Edith, +appreciatively; "but--but I am also going to need your help again in a +legal way." + +He started slightly at this; but replied, cheerfully: + +"You shall have it; I am ready to throw myself heart and hand between +you and any trouble of whatever nature. Now about a safe place for you +to stay while you are in the city. I have a married cousin who lives +on West Fortieth street; we are the best of friends and she will +gladly entertain you at my request, until you can make other +arrangements." + +"But to intrude upon an entire stranger--" began Edith, looking +greatly disturbed. + +"Nellie will not seem like a stranger to you, two minutes after you +have been introduced to her," the young man smilingly returned. "She +is the dearest, sweetest little cousin a man ever had, and she has an +equal admiration for your humble servant. She will thank me for +bringing you to her, and I am sure that you will be happy with her. +But why do you start so?--why are you so nervous?" he concluded, as +she sprang from her seat, when the train stopped, and looked wildly +about her. + +"I am afraid," she gasped. + +"Afraid of what?" he urged, with gentle persistence. + +"Of a man who has been persecuting me," she panted, the look of +anxious fear still in her eyes. "I ran away from him to-day, and I +have been afraid, all the way to New York, that he would telegraph +ahead of the train, and have me stopped--that was why I sent the +message to you." + +"I am very glad you did," said the young man, gravely. "But, Edith, +pray do not look so terrified; you are sure to attract attention with +that expression on your face. Calm yourself and trust me," he +concluded, as he took her hand and laid it upon his arm. + +"I do--I will," she said; but her fingers closed over his with a +spasmodic clasp which told him how thoroughly wrought up she was. + +"Have you a trunk?" he inquired, as they moved toward the door, the +train having now entered the Grand Central Station. + +"No; I left everything but a few necessary articles--I can send for it +later by express," she responded. + +The young man assisted her from the train, then replacing her hand +upon his arm, was about to signal for a carriage when they were +suddenly confronted by a policeman and brought to a halt in the most +summary manner. + +"Sorry to trouble you, sir," said the man, speaking in a business-like +tone to Mr. Bryant, "but I have orders to take this lady into +custody." + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +A SAD STORY DISCLOSED TO AN EAGER LISTENER. + + +Royal Bryant was not very much surprised by this abrupt information +and interference with their movements. + +What Edith had said to him, just before getting out of the train, had +suggested the possibility of such an incident, consequently he was not +thrown off his guard, as he might otherwise have been. + +At the same time he flushed up hotly, and, confronting the officer +with flashing eyes, remarked, with freezing hauteur: + +"I do not understand you, sir. I think you have made a mistake; this +lady is under my protection." + +"But I have orders to intercept a person answering to this lady's +description," returned the policeman, but speaking with not quite his +previous assurance. + +"By whose orders are you acting, if I may inquire?" demanded the young +man. + +"A Boston party." + +"And the lady's name, if you please?" + +"No name is given, sir; but she is described as a girl of about +twenty, pure blonde, very pretty, slight and graceful in figure, +wearing a dark-brown dress and jacket and a brown hat with black +feathers. She will be alone and has no baggage," said the policeman, +reading from the telegram which he had received some two hours +previous. + +Mr. Bryant smiled loftily. + +"Your description hits the case in some respects, I admit," he +observed, with an appreciative glance at Edith, who stood beside him +outwardly calm and collected, though the hand that rested upon his arm +was tense with repressed emotion, "but in others it is wide of its +mark. You have her personal appearance, in a general way, and the +dress happens to correspond in everything but the hat. You will +observe that the lady wears a black hat with a scarlet wing instead of +a brown one with black feathers. She did not arrive alone, either, as +you perceive, we got off the train together." + +The officer looked perplexed. + +"What may your name be, sir, if you please?" he inquired, with more +civility than he had yet shown. + +"Royal Bryant, of the firm of Bryant & Co., Attorneys. Here is my +card, and you can find me at my office between the hours of nine and +four any day you may wish," the young man frankly returned, as he +slipped the bit of pasteboard into the man's hand. + +"And will you swear that you are not aiding and abetting this young +lady in trying to escape the legal authority of friends in Boston?" +questioned the policeman, as he sharply scanned the faces before him. + +"Ahem! I was not aware that I was being examined under oath," +responded the young lawyer, with quiet irony. "However, I am willing +to give you my word of honor, as a gentleman, that this lady is +accountable to no one in Boston for her movements." + +"Well, I reckon I have made a mistake; but where in thunder, then, is +the girl I'm after?" muttered the officer, with an anxious air. + +"Does your telegram authorize you to arrest a runaway from Boston?" +Mr. Bryant inquired, with every appearance of innocence. + +"Yes, a girl from the smart set, who don't want any scandal over the +matter," replied the man, referring again to the yellow slip in his +hand. + +"But she may not have come by the Boston and Albany line," objected +Mr. Bryant. "There are several trains that leave the city from +different stations about the same time; you may find your bird on a +later train, Mr. Officer," he concluded, in a reassuring tone. + +"That is so," was the thoughtful response. + +"Then I suppose you will not care to detain us any longer," Mr. Bryant +courteously remarked. "Come, Edith," he added, turning with a smile to +his companion, and then he started to move on. + +"Hold on! I'm blamed if I don't think I'm right after all," said the +policeman, in a tone of conviction, as he again placed himself in +their path. + +Royal Bryant flashed a look of fire at him. + +"Have you a warrant for the lady's arrest?" he sternly demanded. + +"No; I am simply ordered to detain her until her friends can come on +and take charge of her," the man reluctantly admitted, while he heaved +a sigh for the fat plum that had been promised him in the event of his +"bagging his game." + +"Then, if you are not legally authorized in this matter, I would +advise you, as a friend, to make no mistake," gravely returned the +young lawyer. "You might heap up wrath for yourself; while, if your +patrons are anxious to avoid a scandal, you are taking the surest way +to create one by interfering with the movements of myself and my +companion. This young lady is my friend, and, as I have already told +you, under my protection; as her attorney, also, I shall stand no +nonsense, I assure you." + +"Beg pardon, sir; but I'm only trying to obey orders," apologized the +official. "But would you have the goodness to tell me this young +lady's name." + +At any other time and under any other circumstances Mr. Bryant would +have resented this inquiry as an impertinence; but it occurred to him +that an appearance of frankness and compliance might save them further +inconvenience. + +"Certainly," he responded, with the utmost cheerfulness, "this lady's +name is Miss Edith Allandale and she is the daughter of the late +Albert Allandale, of Allandale & Capen, bankers." + +"It is all right, sir," said the officer, at last convinced that he +had made a mistake, for Allandale & Capen had been a well-known firm +to him. "You can go on," he added, touching his hat respectfully, +"and I beg pardon for troubling you." + +Without more ado he turned away, while Edith and her escort passed on, +but the frightened girl was now trembling in every limb. + +"Calm yourself, dear," whispered her companion, involuntarily using +the affectionate term, as he hastened to lead her into the fresh air. +"You are safe, and I will soon have you in a place where your enemies +will never think of looking for you." + +He beckoned to the driver of a carriage as he spoke, and in another +minute was assisting Edith into it; then, taking a seat beside her, he +gave the man his order, and as the vehicle moved away in the darkness, +the poor girl began to breathe freely for the first time since +alighting from the train. + +Mr. Bryant gave her a little time to recover herself, and then asked +her to tell him all her trouble. + +This she was only too glad to do; and, beginning with the death of her +mother, she poured out the whole story of the last three months to +him, dwelling mostly, however, upon the persecutions of Emil Correlli +and the climax to which they had recently attained. + +He listened attentively throughout, but interrupting her, now and +then, to ask a pertinent question as it occurred to him. + +"I was in despair," Edith finally remarked in conclusion, "until +yesterday, when, by the merest chance, my eye fell upon that +advertisement of yours and it flashed upon me that the best course for +me to pursue would be to come directly to New York and seek your aid; +I felt sure you would be as willing to help me as upon a previous +occasion." + +"Certainly I would--you judged me rightly," the young man responded, +"but"--bending nearer to her and speaking in a slightly reproachful +tone--"tell me, please, what was your object in leaving New York so +unceremoniously?" + +He felt the slight shock which went quivering through her at the +question, and smiled to himself at her hesitation before she replied: + +"I--I thought it was best," she faltered at last. + +"Why for the 'best'?--for you or for me? Tell me, please," he pleaded, +gently. + +"For--both," she replied in a scarcely audible tone that thrilled him +and made his face gleam with sudden tenderness. + +"I--you will pardon me if I speak plainly--I thought it very strange," +he remarked gravely. "It almost seemed to me as if you were fleeing +from me, for I fully expected that you would return to the office on +Thursday morning, as I had appointed. Had I done anything to offend +you or drive you away--Edith?" + +"No--oh, no," she quickly returned. + +"I am very glad to know that," said her companion, a slight +tremulousness in his tones, "for I have feared that I might have +betrayed my feelings in a way to wound or annoy you; for, Edith--I can +no longer keep the secret--I had learned to love you with all my heart +during that week that you spent in my office, and I resolved, on +parting with you at the carriage, the morning of your release, to +confess the fact to you as soon as you returned to the office, ask you +to be my wife and thus let me stand between you and the world for all +time. Nay,"--as Edith here made a little gesture as if to check +him--"I must make a full confession now, while I have the opportunity. +I was almost in despair when I received your brief note telling me +that you had left the city and without giving me the slightest clew to +your destination. All my plans, all my fond anticipations, were dashed +to the earth, dear. I loved you so I felt that I could not bear the +separation. I love you still, my darling--my heart leaped for joy this +afternoon when I received your telegram. And now, while I have you +here all to myself, I have dared to tell you of it, and beg you to +tell me if there is any hope for me? Can you love me in return!--will +you be my wife--?" + +"Oh, hush! you forget the wretched tie that binds me to that villain +in Boston," cried Edith, and there was such keen pain in her voice +that tears involuntarily started to her companion's eyes, while at +the same time both words and tone thrilled him with sweetest hope. + +"No tie binds you to him, dear," he whispered, tenderly. "Do you think +I would have opened my heart to you thus if I had really believed you +to be the wife of another?" + +"Oh, do you mean that the marriage was not legal? Oh, if I could +believe that!" Edith exclaimed, with a note of such eager hope in her +tones that it almost amounted to the confession her lover had +solicited from her. + +But he yearned to hear it in so many words from her lips. + +"Tell me, Edith, if I can prove it to you, will there be hope for me?" +he whispered. + +Ought she to answer him as her heart dictated? Dare she confess her +love with that stigma of her mother's early mistake resting upon her? +she asked herself, in anguish of spirit. + +She sat silent and miserable, undecided what to do. + +If she acknowledged her love for him, without telling him, and he +should afterward discover the story of her birth, might he not feel +that she had taken an unfair advantage of him. + +And yet, how could she ever bring herself to disclose the shameful +secret of that sad, sad tragedy which had occurred twenty years +previous in Rome? + +"I--dare not tell you," she murmured at last. + +The young man started, then bent eagerly toward her. + +"You 'dare' not tell me!" he cried, joyfully. "Darling, I am answered +already! But why do you hesitate to open your heart to me?" + +A sudden resolve took possession of her; she would tell him the whole +truth, let come what might. + +"I will not," she said. "I have a sad story to tell you; but first, +explain to me what you meant when you said that no tie binds me to +that man?" + +"I meant that that marriage was simply a farce, in spite of the +sacrilegious attempt of your enemies to legalize it," said the young +lawyer, gravely. + +"Can that be possible?" sighed Edith, her voice tremulous with joy. + +"I will prove it to you. You have told me that this man Correlli lived +with that Italian woman here in New York for two years or more." + +"Yes." + +"Do you know whether he allowed her to be known by his name?" + +"No; but she told me that he allowed her to appear as his wife in the +house where they lived." + +"Well, then, if that can be proven--and I have not much doubt about +the matter--the girl, by the laws of New York, which decree that if a +couple live together in this State as husband and wife, they are +such--this girl, I say, is the legal wife of Emil Correlli, +consequently he can lay no claim to you without making himself liable +to prosecution for the crime of bigamy." + +"Are you sure?" breathed Edith, and almost faint from joy, in view of +this blessed release from a fate which to her would have been worse +than death. + +"So sure, dear, that I have nothing to fear for your future, regarding +your connection with this man, and everything to hope for regarding +your happiness and mine, if you will but tell me that you love me," +her lover returned, as he boldly captured the hand that lay alluringly +near him. + +She did not withdraw it from his clasp. + +It was so sweet to feel herself beloved and safe, under the protection +of this true-hearted man, that a feeling of restfulness and content +swept over her, and for the moment every other was absorbed by this. + +Still, Royal Bryant realized that she had some reason for hesitating +to acknowledge her affection for him, and after a moment of silence he +said, gently: + +"Forgive my impatience, dear, and tell me the 'sad story' to which you +referred a little while ago." + +A heavy sigh escaped Edith. + +"You will be surprised to learn," she began, "that Mr. and Mrs. +Allandale were not my own parents--that I was their adopted daughter." + +"Indeed! I am surprised!" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. + +"I did not discover the fact, however," the young girl pursued, "until +the night after my mother's burial." + +And then she proceeded to relate all that had occurred in connection +with the box of letters which Mrs. Allandale had desired, when dying, +to be burned. + +She told of her subsequent examination of them, especially of those +signed "Belle," and the story which they had revealed. How the young +girl had left her home and parents to flee to Italy with the man whom +she loved; how she had discovered, later, that her supposed marriage +with him was a sham; how, soon after the birth of her child--Edith--her +husband had deserted her for another, leaving her alone and unprotected +in that strange land. + +She related how, in her despair, her mother had resolved to die, and +pleaded with her friend, Mrs. Allandale, to take her little one and +rear it as her own, thus securing to her a happy home and life without +the possibility of ever discovering the stigma attached to her birth +or the cruel fate of her mother. + +Royal Bryant listened to the pathetic tale without once interrupting +the fair narrator, and Edith's heart sank more and more in her bosom +as she proceeded, and feared that she was so shocking him by these +revelations that his affection for her would die with this expose of +her secret. + +But he still held her hand clasped in his; and when, at the conclusion +of her story, she gently tried to withdraw it, his fingers closed more +firmly over hers, when, bending still nearer to her, he questioned, in +fond, eager tones: + +"Was this the reason of your leaving New York so abruptly last +December?" + +"Yes." + +"Was it because you loved me and could not trust yourself to meet me +day after day without betraying the fact when you feared that the +knowledge of your birth might become a barrier between us? Tell me, my +darling, truly!" + +"Yes," Edith confessed; "but how could you guess it--how could you +read my heart so like an open book?" + +The young man laughed out musically, and there was a ring of joyous +triumph in the sound. + +"'Tis said that 'love is blind,'" he said, "but mine was keen to read +the signs I coveted, and I believed, even when you were in your +deepest trouble, that you were beginning to love me, and that I should +eventually win you." + +"Why! did you begin to--" Edith began, and then checked herself in +sudden confusion. + +"Did I begin to plan to win you so far back as that?" he laughingly +exclaimed, and putting his own interpretation upon her half-finished +sentence. "My darling, I began to love you and to wish for you even +before your first day's work was done for me." + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +A NEW CHARACTER IS INTRODUCED. + + +"And now, love," the eager wooer continued, as he dropped the hand he +had been holding and drew the happy girl into his arms, "you will give +yourself to me--you will give me the right to stand between you and +all future care or trouble?" + +"Then you do not mind what I have just told you?" questioned Edith, +timidly. + +"Not in the least, only so far as it occasions you unhappiness or +anxiety," unhesitatingly replied the young man. "You are unscathed by +it--the sin and the shame belong alone to the man who ruined the life +of your mother. You are my pearl, my fair lily, unspotted by any +blight, and I should be unworthy of you, indeed, did I allow what you +have told me to prejudice me in the slightest degree. Now tell me, +Edith, that henceforth there shall be no barrier between us--tell me +that you love me." + +"How can I help it?" she murmured, as with a flood of ineffable joy +sweeping into her soul she dropped her bright head upon his breast and +yielded to his embrace. + +"And will you be my wife?" + +"Oh, if it is possible--if I can be," she faltered. "Are you sure that +I am not already bound?" + +"Leave all that to me--do not fret, even for one second, over it," her +lover tenderly returned. Then he added, more lightly: "I am so sure, +sweetheart, that to-morrow I shall bring you a letter which will +proclaim to all whom it may concern, that henceforth you belong to +me." + +He lifted her face when he ceased speaking, and pressed his first +caress upon her lips. + +A little later he inquired: + +"And have you no clue to the name of your parents?" + +"No; all the clue that I have is simply the name of 'Belle' that was +signed to the letters of which I have told you," Edith replied, with a +regretful sigh. + +"It is perhaps just as well, dear, after all," said her lover, +cheerfully; "if you knew more, and should ever chance to meet the man +who so wronged your mother, it might cause you a great deal of +unhappiness." + +"I have not a regret on his account," said Edith, bitterly; "but I +would like to know something about my mother's early history and her +friends. I have only sympathy and love in my heart for her, in spite +of the fact that she erred greatly in leaving her home as she did, +and, worse than all, in taking her own life." + +"Poor little woman!" said Royal Bryant, with gentle sympathy; "despair +must have turned her brain--she was more sinned against than sinning. +But girls do not realize what a terrible mistake they are making when +they allow men to persuade them to elope, leave their homes and best +friends, and submit to a secret marriage. No man of honor would ever +make such proposals to any woman--no man is worthy of any pure girl's +love who will ask such a sacrifice on her part; and, in nine cases out +of ten, I believe nothing but misery results from such a step." + +"As in the case of poor Giulia Fiorini," remarked Edith, sadly. "But +maybe she will be somewhat comforted when she discovers that she is +Emil Correlli's legal wife." + +"I fear that such knowledge will be but small satisfaction to her," +her companion responded, "for if she should take measures to compel +him to recognize the tie, he would doubtless rebel against the +decision of the court; and, if she still loves him as you have +represented, he would make her very wretched. However, he can be +forced to make generous settlements, which will enable her to live +comfortably and educate her child." + +"And he will be entitled to his father's name, will he not?" inquired +Edith, eagerly; "that would comfort her more than anything else." + +"Yes, if he has ever acknowledged her as his wife, or allowed it to be +assumed that she was, the child is entitled to the name," returned her +lover. Then, as the carriage stopped, he added: "But here we are, my +darling and I am sure you must be very weary after your long journey." + +"Yes, I am tired, but very, very happy," the fair girl replied, +looking up into his face with a sigh of content. + +He smiled fondly upon her as he led her up the steps of a modest but +pretty house, between the draperies at the windows of which there +streamed a cheerful light. + +"Well, we will soon have you settled in a cozy room where you can rest +to your heart's content," he remarked, and at the same time touching +the electric button by his side. + +"Really, Mr. Bryant, I cannot help feeling guilty to intrude upon an +entire stranger at this time of night," Edith observed, in a troubled +tone. + +"You need not, dear, for I assure you Nellie will be delighted; +but"--bending over her with a roguish laugh--"Mr. Bryant does not +enjoy being addressed with so much formality by his fiancee. The name +I love best--Roy--my mother gave me when I was a boy, and I want +always to hear it from your lips after this." + +A servant admitted them just at that moment, and upon responding to +Mr. Bryant's inquiry, said that Mrs. Morrell was at home, and ushered +them at once to her pretty parlor. + +Presently the young hostess--a lady of perhaps twenty-five years--made +her appearance and greeted her cousin With great cordiality. + +"You know I am always glad to see you, Roy," she said, giving him both +her hands and putting up her red lips for a cousinly kiss. + +"I know you always make a fellow feel very welcome," said the young +man, smiling. "And, Nellie, this is Miss Edith Allandale; she has just +arrived from Boston, and I am going to ask you to receive her as your +guest for a few days," he concluded, thus introducing Edith. + +Mrs. Morrell turned smilingly to the beautiful girl. + +"Miss Allandale is doubly welcome, for her own sake, as well as +yours," was her gracious response, as she clasped Edith's hand, and if +she experienced any surprise at thus having an utter stranger thrust +upon her hospitality at that hour, she betrayed none, but proceeded at +once to help her remove her hat and wraps. + +Tears sprang to the eyes of the homeless girl at this cordial +reception, and her lips quivered with repressed emotion as she thanked +the gentle lady for it. + +"What was that Roy was saying--that you have come from Boston this +afternoon?" queried Mrs. Morrell, hastening to cover her embarrassment +by changing the subject. "Then you must be nearly famished, and you +must have a lunch before you go to rest." + +"Pray, do not trouble yourself--" Edith began. + +"Please let me--I like such 'trouble,' as you are pleased to term it," +smilingly interposed the pretty hostess; and with a bright nod and a +hurried "excuse me," she was gone before Edith could make further +objections. + +"Nellie is the most hospitable little woman in the universe," Mr. +Bryant remarked, as the door closed after her; "she is never so happy +as when she is feeding the hungry or making somebody comfortable." + +Fifteen minutes later she reappeared, a lovely flush on her round +cheeks, her eyes bright with the pleasure she experienced in doing a +kind act for the young stranger, toward whom she had been instantly +attracted. + +"Come, now," she said, holding out a hand to her, "and I know Roy will +join us--he never yet refused a cup of tea of my own brewing." + +"You are right, Nellie," smilingly replied that gentleman; "and I +believe I am hungry, in spite of my hearty dinner at six o'clock. A +ride over the pavements of New York will prepare almost any one for an +extra meal. I only hope you have a slice of Aunt Janes's old-fashioned +gingerbread for me." + +Mrs. Morrell laughed out musically at this last remark. + +"I never dare to be without it," she retorted, "for you never fail to +ask for it. This cousin of mine, Miss Allandale, is always hungry when +he comes to see me, and is never satisfied to go away without his +slice of gingerbread. Perhaps," she added, shooting a roguish glance +from one face to the other, for she had been quick to fathom their +relations, "you will some time like to have mamma's recipe for it." + +A conscious flush mantled Edith's cheek at this playful thrust, while +the young lawyer gave vent to a hearty laugh of amusement in which a +certain joyous ring betrayed to the shrewd little woman that she had +not fired her shot amiss. + +Then she led them into her home-like dining-room, where a table was +laid for three, and where, over a generous supply of cold chicken, +delicious bread and butter, home-made preserves, and the much lauded +gingerbread, the trio spent a social half-hour, and Edith felt a sense +of rest and content such as she had not experienced since leaving her +Fifth avenue home, more than two years previous. + +As soon as the meal was finished, Mrs. Morrell, who saw how weary and +heavy-eyed the fair girl appeared, remarked to her cousin, with a +pretty air of authority, that she was "going to carry her guest off +upstairs to bed immediately." + +"You stay here until I come back, Roy," she added. "Charlie was +obliged to go out upon important business, and I shall be glad of your +company for a while." + +"Very well, Nellie! I will stay for a little chat, for I have +something important which I wish to say to you." + +As he concluded he darted a smiling glance at Edith, which again +brought the lovely color to her cheeks and revealed to her the nature +of the important communication that he intended to make to his cousin. + +She bade him a smiling good-night, and then gladly accompanied her +hostess above, for she was really more weary than she had +acknowledged. + +When Mrs. Morrell returned to the parlor, Roy related to her something +of Edith's history, and also confessed his own relationship toward +her, while the little woman listened with an absorbed attention which +betrayed how thoroughly she enjoyed the romance of the affair. + +"She is lovely!" she remarked, "and"--with a thoughtful air--"it seems +to me as if I have heard the name before. Edith Allandale!--it sounds +very familiar to me. Why, Roy! she was one of Sister Blanche's +classmates at Vassar, and she has her picture in her class album!" + +"That is a singular coincidence!" the young man observed, no less +surprised at this revelation, "and it makes matters all the more +pleasant for me to learn that she is not wholly unknown to the +family." + +"And you mean to marry her very soon?" inquired his cousin. + +"Just as soon as I can settle matters with that rascal in Boston to +her satisfaction," responded the young man, with a gleam of fire in +his eyes. "I do not apprehend any serious trouble about the affair; +still, it may take longer than I wish." + +"And may I keep her until then?" eagerly inquired Mrs. Morrell. + +"Nellie! that is like your kind, generous heart!" exclaimed the young +man, gratefully; "and I thank you from the bottom of mine. But, of +course, that will have to be as Edith herself decides, while this +business which I have in charge for her may interfere with such an +arrangement." + +"Oh, you mean in connection with the strange gentleman who has been +searching for her." + +"Yes. But I must go now; it is getting late, and I have a couple of +letters to write yet. Take good care of my treasure, Nellie, and I +will run in as early to-morrow as possible to see you both." + +He kissed her affectionately, then bade her good-night and hurried +away to his rooms at his club; while pretty Mrs. Morrell went back to +her parlor, after letting him out, to await her husband's return, and +to think over the romantic story to which she had just listened with +deep interest. + +There had been so much of a personal and tender nature to occupy their +minds that Mr. Bryant had not thought to tell Edith anything about the +circumstances that had led him to advertise in various papers for +intelligence of her. + +Some three weeks previous, a gentleman, of about fifty years, and +calling himself Louis Raymond, had presented himself in his office, +and inquired if he could give him any information regarding the late +Albert Allandale's family. + +He stated that he had spent most of his life abroad, but, his health +beginning to fail, he had decided to return to his own country. + +He had been quite ill since his arrival, and he began to fear that he +had not long to live, and it behooved him to settle his affairs +without further delay. + +He stated that he had no relatives or family--he had never married; +but, being possessed of large wealth, he wished to settle half of it +upon Mrs. Allandale, if she could be found, or, if she was not living, +upon her children. The remaining half he designed as a legacy to a +certain charitable institution in the city. + +He stated that he had been searching for the Allandales for several +weeks; he had learned of Mr. Allandale's financial troubles and +subsequent death, but could get no trace whatever of the other members +of the family. He was wearied out with his search, and now wished to +turn the matter over to some one stronger than himself, and better +versed in conducting such affairs. + +Mr. Bryant could not fail to regard it as a singular coincidence that +this business should have been thrown into his hands, especially as he +was also so anxious to find Edith; and it can well be understood that +he at once entered into the gentleman's plans with all his heart and +soul. + +He, of course, related all he knew of her history, and when he spoke +of Mrs. Allandale's death he was startled to see his client grow +deathly white and become so unnerved that, for a moment, he feared the +shock would prove more than he could sustain. + +But he recovered himself after a few moments. + +"So she is gone!" he murmured, with a look in his eyes that told the +secret of a deathless but unrequited love. "Well, Death's scythe +spares no one, and perhaps it is better so. But this girl--her +daughter," he added, rousing himself from his sad reflections; "we +must try to find her." + +"We will do our utmost," said the young lawyer, with a heartiness +which betrayed the deep interest he felt in the matter. "As I have +told you, I have not the slightest knowledge of her whereabouts, but +think she may possibly be in Boston. Her letter to me, written just +previous to her departure, gave me not the slightest clew to her +destination. She promised to write to a woman who had been kind to +her, and I arranged with her to let me know when she received a +letter; but I have never seen her since--I once went to the house +where she lived, but she had moved, and no one could tell me anything +about her." + +It may be as well to state here that shortly after Edith left New +York, poor Mrs. O'Brien fell and broke her leg. She was taken to a +hospital, and her children put into a home, consequently she never +received Edith's letter, which was of course addressed to her old +residence. + +"I think our wisest course will be to advertise," the young lawyer +pursued; "and if we do not achieve our end in that way, we can adopt +other measures later on." + +"Well, sir, do your best--I don't mind expense; and if the young lady +can be found, I have a story to tell her which I think will deeply +interest her," the gentleman returned. "If we should not be successful +in the course of a few weeks, I will make a settlement upon her, to be +left, with some other papers, in your hands for a reasonable period, +in the event of my death. But if all your efforts prove unavailing, +the money will eventually go, with the rest, to the institution I have +named." + +Thus the matter had been left, and Mr. Bryant had immediately +advertised, as we have seen, in several New York and Boston papers. + +Three weeks had elapsed without any response, and Royal Bryant was +beginning to be discouraged when he was suddenly made jubilant by +receiving the telegram which Edith had written on the train after +leaving Boston. + +Thus, after leaving the house of his cousin, he repaired to his club, +where he wrote a letter to his client, Mr. Raymond, telling him that +Miss Allandale was found, and asking him to meet him at his office at +as early an hour the following morning as possible. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +AN EXCITING INTERVIEW AND AN APPALLING DISCOVERY. + + +We must now transport ourselves to Boston, in order to find out how +Edith's flight was discovered, and what effect it produced in the +Goddards' elegant home on Commonwealth avenue. + +Emil Correlli had been seated in the handsome library, reading a +society novel, when his sister went out to make her call, leaving him +as guard over their prisoner above. + +He had been much pleased with the report which she brought him from +Edith, namely, that she believed she was yielding, and would make her +appearance at dinner; at the same time he did not allow himself for a +moment to become so absorbed in his book as to forget that he was on +the watch for the slightest movement above stairs. + +He and Mrs. Goddard had agreed that it would be wise not to make the +girl a prisoner within her room, lest they antagonize her by so doing. + +But while they appeared to leave her free to go out or come in, they +intended to guard her none the less securely, and thus Monsieur +Correlli kept watch and ward below. + +He knew that Edith could not leave the house by the front door without +his knowing it, and as he also knew that the back stairway door was +locked on the outside, he had no fear that she would escape that way. + +He, had not reckoned, however, upon the fact of an outsider entering +by means of the area door and going upstairs, thus leaving that way +available for Edith; and Giulia Fiorini had accomplished her purpose +so cleverly and so noiselessly that no one save Edith dreamed of her +presence in the house. + +The two girls had carried on their conversation in such subdued tones +that not a sound could be heard by any one below, and thus Emil +Correlli was taken entirely by surprise when there came a gentle knock +upon the half-open library door to interrupt his reading. + +"Come in," he called out, thinking it might be one of the servants. + +But when the door was pushed wider, and a woman entered, bearing a +child in her arms, the astonished man sprang to his feet, an angry +oath leaping to his lips, and every atom of color fading out of his +face. + +"Giulia?" he exclaimed, under his breath. + +"Papa! papa!" cried the child, clapping his little hands, as he +struggled out of his mother's arms, and ran toward him. + +He took no notice of the child, but frowningly demanded, as he faced +the girl: + +"How on earth did you ever get into this house?" + +"By a door, of course," laconically responded the intruder, but with +crimson cheeks and blazing eyes, for the man's rude manner had aroused +all her spirit. + +"Well, and what do you want?" he cried, angrily; then, with a violent +start, he added, nervously: "Wait; sit down, and I will be back in a +moment." + +It had occurred to him that if Giulia had been able to gain admittance +to the house without his hearing her, Edith might find it just as easy +to make her escape from it. + +So, darting out of the room, he ran swiftly upstairs, to ascertain, as +we have seen, if his captive was still safe. + +We know the result, and how adroitly Edith allayed his suspicions; +whereupon, wholly reassured regarding her, he returned to the library +to settle, once for all, as he secretly resolved, with his discarded +plaything. + +"Well, Giulia," he began, as he re-entered her presence, "what has +brought you here? what is your business with me?" + +"I have come to ascertain if this is true, and what you have to say +about it," she answered, as she brought forth the newspaper which she +had shown Edith, and pointed to the article relating to the wedding at +Wyoming. + +The man tried to smile indifferently, but his eyes wavered beneath her +blazing glance. + +"Well, what of it?" he at last questioned, assuming a defiant air; +"what if it is true?" + +"Is it true?" she persisted; "have you really married that girl?" + +"And what if I have?" he again questioned, evasively. + +"I want the truth from your own lips--yes or no, Emil Correlli." + +"Well, then--yes," he said, with a flash of anger. + +"You own it--you dare own it to me, and--in the presence of your +child?" almost shrieked the outraged woman. + +"Stop, Giulia!" commanded her companion, sternly. "I will have no +scene here to create a scandal among the servants. I intended to see +you within a day or two; but, since you have sought me, we may as well +at once come to an understanding. Did you think that you could hold me +all my life? A man in my position must have a home in which to receive +his friends, also a mistress in it to entertain them--" + +"Have you forgotten all your vows and promises to me?" interposed +Giulia, in tremulous tones; "that you swore everlasting fidelity to +me?" + +"A man vows a great many things that he finds he cannot fulfill," was +the unfeeling response. "Surely, Giulia, you must realize that neither +your birth nor education could entitle you to such a position as my +wife must occupy." + +"My birth was respectable, my education the best my country afforded," +said the girl, with white lips. "Had you no intention of marrying me +when you enticed me from my home to cross the ocean with you?" + +"No." + +The monosyllable seemed to fall like a heavy blow upon the girl's +heart, for she shivered, and her face was distorted with agony. + +"Oh, had you no heart? Why did you do such a fiendish thing?" she +cried. + +"Because you were pretty and agreeable, and I liked pleasant company. +I have been accustomed to have whatever I wished for all my life." + +"And you never loved me?" + +"Oh, yes, for nearly three years I was quite fond of you--really, +Giulia, I consider that I have been as faithful to you as you could +expect." + +"Oh, wretch! but you love this other girl more?" + +"It would be worse than useless to attempt to deceive you on that +point," said the man, his whole face softening at this mention of +Edith. + +"You lied to me, then, Emil Correlli!" cried the miserable woman, +hoarsely; "you swore to me that the girl was nothing to you--that she +was simply your sister's companion." + +"And I simply told you the truth," he retorted. "She was nothing to me +at that time; she was 'only my sister's companion.' However," he +added, straightening himself haughtily, "there is no use in wrangling +over the matter any further. I married Edith Allen the night before +last, and henceforth she will be the mistress of my home. I confess it +is a trifle hard on you, Giulia," he continued, speaking in a +conciliatory tone, "but you must try to be sensible about it. I will +settle a comfortable annuity upon you, and you can either go back to +your parents or make a pleasant home for yourself somewhere in this +country." + +"And what of this boy?" questioned the discarded girl, laying her +trembling hand upon the head of her child, who was looking from one to +the other, a wondering expression on his young face. + +Emil Correlli's lips twitched spasmodically for a moment. He would +never have confessed it to a human being, but the little one was the +dearest object the world held for him. + +"I will provide handsomely for his future," he said, after considering +for a minute. "If you will give him up to me he shall be reared as +carefully as any gentleman's son, and, when he attains a proper age, I +will establish him in some business or profession that will enable him +to make his mark in the world." + +"You would take him away from me to do this?" Giulia exclaimed, as she +passionately caught her darling to her breast. + +"That would be necessary, in order to carry out my purpose as I wish," +the man coldly replied. + +"Never! You are a monster in human form to suggest such a thing. Do +you think I would ever give him up to you?" + +"Just as you choose," her companion remarked, indifferently. "I have +made you the proposition, and you can accept or reject it as you see +fit, but if I take him, I cannot have his future hampered by any +environments or associations that would be likely to mar his life." + +"Coward!" the word was thrown at him in a way that stung him like a +lash, "do you dare twit me for what you alone are to blame? Where is +your honor--where your humanity? Have you forgotten how you used every +art to persuade me to leave the shelter of my pleasant home--the +protection of my honest father and mother, to come hither with you? +how you promised, by all that was sacred, to make me your wife if I +would do your bidding? What I am you have made me--what this child is, +you are responsible for. Ah, Emil Correlli, you have much to answer +for, and the day will yet come when you will bitterly repent these +irreparable wrongs--" + +"Come, come Giulia! you are getting beside yourself with your tragic +airs," her companion here interposed, in a would-be soothing tone. +"There is no use working yourself up into a passion and running on +like this. What has been done is done, and cannot be changed, so you +had best make the most of what is left you. As I said before, I will +give you a handsome allowance, and, if you will keep me posted +regarding your whereabouts, I will make you and the boy a little visit +now and then." + +The girl regarded him with flashing eyes and sullen brow. + +"You will live to repent," she remarked, as she gathered the child up +in her arms and arose to leave the room, "and before this day is ended +your punishment shall begin; you shall never know one moment of +happiness with the girl whom you have dared to put in my place." + +"Bah! all this is idle chatter, Giulia," said Emil Correlli, +contemptuously; nevertheless, he paled visibly, and a cold chill ran +over him, for somehow her words impressed him as a prophecy. + +"What! are you going in such a temper as that?" he added, as she +turned toward the door. "Well, when you get over it, let me hear from +you occasionally." + +"Never fear; you will hear from me oftener than you will like," she +flashed out at him, with a look that made him cringe, as she laid her +hand upon the knob of the door. + +"Stay, Giulia! Aren't you going to let me have a word with Ino? Here, +you black-eyed little rascal, haven't you anything to say to your +daddy?" he added, in a coaxing tone to the child. + +"Mamma, may I talk to papa?" queried the little one, turning a +pleading glance upon his mother. + +"By the way," interposed the man, before she could reply, "you must +put a stop to the youngster calling me that; it might be awkward, you +see, if we should happen to meet some time upon the street. I like the +little chap well enough, but you must teach him to keep his mouth shut +when he comes near me." + +"Who taught him the name?" sharply retorted Giulia. "Who boasted how +bright and clever he was the first time he uttered the English word?" + +Her listener flushed hotly and frowned. + +"Your tongue is very sharp, Giulia," he said. "It would be more to +your advantage to be upon good terms with me." + +She made no reply, but, opening the door, passed out into the hall, he +following her. + +"As you will," he curtly said; then added, imperatively: "Come this +way," and, leading her to the front door, he let her quietly out, glad +to be rid of her before the butler or any of the other servants could +learn of her presence in the house. + +He watched her pass down the steps and out upon the street, then, +softly closing the door, went back to the library. + +He threw himself into a chair with a long-drawn sigh. + +"I am afraid she means mischief," he muttered, with a frown. "I must +get Edith away as soon as possible; I would not have them meet for +anything. What a little vixen the girl is, curse her!" + +He glanced at the clock. + +It was five minutes of three, and twenty-fire since he went up to +Edith's room. + +"It is about time she came down," he mused, with a shrug of +impatience. + +He arose and paced the room for a few moments, then passed out into +the hall and listened. + +The house was very still; he could not detect a sound anywhere. + +He went slowly upstairs, walked up and down the hall once or twice, +then rapped again upon Edith's door. + +There was no response from within. + +He knocked again. + +Still silence! + +He tried the door. + +It was not locked; it yielded to his touch, and he pushed it open. + +A quick glance around showed him that no one was there, and with a +great heart-throb of fear he boldly entered. + +Everything was exactly as he had left it when, the day before, he had +so carefully arranged the room for the girl's comfort and pleasure. + +The beautiful dresses hung over the foot-board of the bed--not even a +fold had been disturbed--while the elegant sealskin cloak and the +dainty hat and muff lay exactly as he had placed them, to display them +to the best advantage. + +The veins swelled out hard and full on his forehead--a gleam of +baffled rage leaped into his eyes. + +He sprang to the closet, throwing wide the door. + +It was empty. + +"She may have gone to the toilet-room," he muttered, grasping at this +straw of hope. + +He dashed across the hall and rapped upon the door. + +But he met with no response. + +He entered. The place was empty. + +Back into the south chamber he sprang again, and began to search for +Edith's hats and wraps. + +Not an article of her clothing was visible. + +He tried to open her trunk. + +Of course it was locked. + +He was now white as death, and actually shaking with anger. + +He went to the dressing-case and mechanically opened the upper drawer. + +All the costly treasures that he had purchased to tempt his bride lay +there, exactly as he had placed them; he doubted if she had even seen +them. + +With a curse on his lips he went out, and looked into every other room +on that floor; but it was, of course, a fruitless search. + +Then he turned into the rear hall and went down the back stairs. + +Ah! the door at the bottom was ajar. + +Another moment he was in the lower hall, to find the area door +unfastened; then he knew how his bird had flown. + +He instantly summoned the servants, and took them to task for their +negligence. + +Both the cook and the chambermaid avowed that no one but the gas-man +had entered or gone out by the area door that afternoon. + +But, upon questioning them closely, Emil Correlli ascertained that the +outer door had been left unfastened "just a moment, while the man went +to the meter, to take the figures." + +A close search revealed the fact that the key to the stairway door was +missing, and, putting this and that together, the keen-witted man +reasoned out just what had happened. + +He believed that Giulia had stolen in through the area door close upon +the heels of the gas-man; that she had found the key, unlocked the +stairway-door, and made her way up to the library to seek an interview +with him--he did not once suspect her of having seen Edith--while +Edith, upon reconnoitering and finding the back way clear, had taken +advantage of the situation and flown. + +He was almost frantic with mingled rage and despair. + +He angrily berated the servants for their carelessness, and vowed +that he would have them discharged; then, having exhausted his +vocabulary upon them, he went back to the library, wrathfully cursing +Giulia for having forced herself into his presence to distract his +attention, and thus allow his captive an opportunity to escape. + +Mr. and Mrs. Goddard returned about this time, both looking as if they +also had met with some crushing blow, for the former was white and +haggard, and the latter wild-eyed, and shivering from time to time, as +if from a chill. + +Both were apparently too absorbed in some trouble of their own to feel +very much disturbed by the flight of Edith, although Mr. Goddard's +face involuntarily lighted for an instant when he was told of her +escape. + +Emil Correlli flew to the nearest telegraph office and dashed off a +message to a New York policeman, with whom he had had some dealings +while living in that city, giving him a description of Edith, and +ordering him, if he could lay his hands upon her, to telegraph back, +and then detain her until he could arrive and relieve him of his +charge. + +He reasoned--and rightly, as we have seen--that Edith, would be more +likely to return to her old home, where she knew every crook and turn, +rather than to seek refuge in Boston, where she was friendless and a +comparative stranger. + +A few hours later he received a reply from the policeman, giving him +an account of his adventure with Miss Edith Allandale and her escort. + +"By heavens, she shall not thus escape me!" he exclaimed; and at once +made rapid preparations for a journey. + +Half an hour afterward he was on the eleven o'clock express train, in +pursuit of the fair fugitive, in a state of mind that was far from +enviable. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +MRS. GODDARD BECOMES AN EAVESDROPPER. + + +When, after her interview with Edith, Mrs. Goddard went out to make +her call, leaving her brother to keep watch and ward over their fair +captive, she proceeded with all possible speed to the Copley Square +Hotel, where she inquired for Mrs. Stewart. + +The elevator bore her to the second floor, and the pretty maid, who +answered her ring at the door of the elegant suite to which she had +been directed, told her that her mistress was engaged just at present, +but, if madam would walk into the reception-room and wait a while, she +had no doubt that Mrs. Stewart would soon be at liberty. "Would madam +be kind enough to give her a card to take in?" + +Mrs. Goddard pretended to look for her card-case, first in one pocket +of her wrap, then in another. + +"Ah!" she exclaimed, "I must have left my cards at home! How +unfortunate! But it does not matter," she added, with one of her +brilliant smiles; "I am an old acquaintance, and you can simply +announce me when I am admitted." + +The girl bowed and went away, leaving the visitor by herself in the +pretty reception-room, for she had been told not to disturb her +mistress until she should ring for her. + +Mrs. Goddard looked curiously around her, and was impressed with the +elegance of everything in the apartment. + +Exquisite paintings and engravings graced the delicately tinted walls; +choice statuettes, bric-a-brac, and old-world curios of every +description, which she knew must have cost a small fortune even in the +countries where they were produced, were artistically arranged about +the room. + +There was also an air of refinement and rare taste in the draperies, +carpets, and blending of color, which proclaimed the occupant of the +place to be above the average lady in point of culture and +appreciation of all that was beautiful. + +Impressed with all this, and looking back to her meeting with Mrs. +Stewart, on the evening of the ball at Wyoming--remembering her beauty +and grace, and the elegance of her costume, madam's heart sank within +her, and she seemed to age with every passing moment. + +"Oh, to think of it!--to think of it, after all these years! I will +not believe it!" she murmured, with white, trembling lips, as she +arose and nervously paced the room. + +Presently the sound of muffled voices in a room beyond attracted her +attention. + +She started and bent her ear to listen. + +She could catch no word that was spoken, although she could +distinguish now a man's and then a woman's tones. + +With stealthy movements she glided into the next room, which was even +more luxuriously furnished than the one she had left, when she +observed that the portieres, draping an arch leading into still +another apartment, were closely drawn. + +And now, although she could not hear what was being said, she suddenly +recognized, with a pang of agony that made her gasp for breath, the +voice of her husband in earnest conversation with the woman who had +been her guest two nights previous. + +As noiselessly as a cat creeps after her prey, Anna Goddard stole +across that spacious apartment and concealed herself among the +voluminous folds of the draperies, where she found that she could +easily hear all that was said. + +"You are very hard, Isabel," she heard Gerald Goddard remark, in a +reproachful voice. + +"I grant you that," responded the liquid tones of his companion, "as +far as you and--that woman are concerned, I have no more feeling than +a stone." + +At those words, "that woman," spoken in accents of supreme contempt, +the eyes of Anna Goddard began to blaze with a baneful gleam. + +"And you will never forgive me for the wrong I did you so long ago?" +pleaded the man, with a sigh. + +"What do you mean by that word 'forgive?'" coldly inquired Mrs. +Stewart. + +"Pardon, remission--as Shakespeare has it, 'forgive and quite forget +old faults,'" returned Gerald Goddard, in a voice tremulous with +repressed emotion. + +"Forget!" repeated the beautiful woman, in a wondering tone. + +"Ah, if you could," eagerly cried her visitor; then, as if he could +control himself no longer, he went on, with passionate vehemence: "Oh, +Isabel! when you burst upon me, so like a radiant star, the other +night, and I realized that you were still in the flesh, instead of +lying in that lonely grave in far-off-Italy--when I saw you so grandly +beautiful--saw how wonderfully you had developed in every way, all the +old love came back to me, and I realized my foolish mistake of that +by-gone time as I had never realized it before." + +Ah! if the man could have seen the white, set face concealed among the +draperies so near him--if he could have caught the deadly gleam that +shone with tiger-like fury in Anna Goddard's dusky eyes--he never +would have dared to face her again after giving utterance to those +maddening words. + +"It strikes me, Mr. Goddard, that it is rather late--after twenty +years--to make such an acknowledgment to me," Isabel Stewart retorted, +with quiet irony. + +"I know it--I feel it now," he responded, in accents of despair. "I +know that I forfeited both your love and respect when I began to yield +to the charms and flatteries of Anna Correlli. She was handsome, as +you know; she began to be fond of me from the moment of our +introduction; and when, in an unguarded moment, I revealed the--the +fact that you were not my wife, she resolved that she would supplant +you--" + +"Yes, 'the woman--she gavest me and I did eat,'" interposed his +companion, with a scathing ring of scorn in the words. "That is always +the cry of cowards like you, when they find themselves worsted by +their own folly," she went on, indignantly. "Woman must always bear +the scorpion lash of blame from her betrayer while the world also +awards her only shame and ostracism from society, if she yields to the +persuasive voice of her charmer, admiring and believing in him and +allowing him to go unsmirched by the venomous breath of scandal. It is +only his victim--his innocent victim oftentimes, as in my case--who +suffers; he is greeted everywhere with open arms and flattering +smiles, even though he repeats his offenses again and again." + +"Isabel! spare me!" + +"No, I will not spare you," she continued, sternly. "You know, Gerald +Goddard, that I was a pure and innocent girl when you tempted me to +leave my father's house and flee with you to Italy. You were older +than I, by eight years; you had seen much of the world, and you knew +your power. You cunningly planned that secret marriage, which you +intended from the first should be only a farce, but which, I have +learned since, was in every respect a legal ceremony--" + +"Ha! I thought so!" cried her companion, with a sudden shock. "When +did you hear?--who told you?" + +"I met your friend, Will Forsyth, only two years ago--just before my +return to this country--and when I took him to task for the shameful +part which he had played to assist you in carrying out your +ignominious plot, telling him that you had owned to his being +disguised as an aged minister to perform the sacrilegious ceremony, he +confessed to me that, at the last moment, his heart had failed him, +whereupon he went to an old clergyman, a friend of his father, +revealed everything, and persuaded him to perform the marriage in a +legal manner; and thus, Gerald Goddard, I became your lawful wife +instead of your victim, as you supposed." + +"Yes, I know it. Forsyth afterward sent me the certificate and +explained everything to me," the man admitted, with a guilty flush. "I +received the paper about a year after the report of your death." + +"Ah! that could not have been very gratifying to--your other--victim," +remarked Mrs. Stewart, with quiet sarcasm. + +"Isabel! you are merciless!" cried the man, writhing under her scorn. +"But since you have learned so much, I may as well tell you +everything. Of course Anna was furious when she discovered that she +was no wife, for I had sworn to her that there was no legal tie +between you and me--" + +"Ah! then she also learned the truth!" interposed his companion. "I +almost wonder you did not try to keep the knowledge from her." + +"I could not--she was present when the document arrived, and the shock +to me was so great I betrayed it, and she insisted upon knowing what +had caused it, when she raved like an insane person, for a time." + +"But I suppose you packed her by being married over again, since you +have lived with her for nearly twenty years," remarked Mrs. Stewart. + +"No, I did not," returned her visitor, hotly. "To tell the truth, I +had begun to tire of her even then--she was so furiously jealous, +passionate, and unreasonable upon the slightest pretext that at times +she made life wretched for me. So I told myself that so long as I held +that certificate as proof that she had no legal hold upon me, I should +have it in my power to manage her and cow her into submission when she +became ungovernable by other means. I represented to her that, to all +intents and purposes, we were man and wife, and if we should have the +ceremony repeated, after having lived together so long, it would +create a scandal, for some one would be sure to find it out, sooner or +later. For a time this appeared to pacify her; but one day, during my +absence from home, she stole the certificate, although I thought I had +concealed it where no one would think of looking for it. It has been +in her possession ever since. I have tried many times to recover it; +but she was more clever than I, and I never could find it, while she +has always told me that she would never relinquish it, except upon one +condition--" + +"And that was--what?" + +"Ever the same old demand--that I would make her legally my wife." + +"But she never could have been that so long as I lived," objected Mrs. +Stewart. + +"True; but she would have been satisfied with a repetition of the +ceremony, as we did not know that you were living." + +"If you have been so unhappy, why have you lived with her all these +years?" + +The man hesitated for a moment before replying to this question. At +length he said, although he flushed scarlet over the confession: + +"There have been several reasons. In spite of her variable moods and +many faults, Anna is a handsome and accomplished woman. She entertains +magnificently, and has made an elegant mistress for our establishment. +We have been over the world together several times, and are known in +many cities both in this country and abroad, consequently it would +have occasioned no end of scandal if there had been a separation. +Thus, though she has tried my patience sorely at times, we have +perhaps, on the whole, got along as amicably as hundreds of other +couples. Besides--ahem!--" + +The man abruptly ceased, as if, unwittingly, he had been about to say +something that had better be left unsaid. + +"Well--besides what?" queried his listener. + +"Doubtless you will think it rather a humiliating confession to make," +said Gerald Goddard, with a crestfallen air, "but during the last few +years I have lost a great deal of money in unfortunate speculation, +so--I have been somewhat dependent upon Anna in a financial way." + +"Ah! I understand," remarked Mrs. Stewart, her delicate nostrils +dilating scornfully at this evidence of a weak, ease-loving nature, +that would be content to lean upon a rich wife, rather than be up and +doing for himself, and making his own way in the world. "Are you not +engaged with your profession?" + +"No; Anna has not been willing, for a long time, that I should paint +for money." + +"And so your talents are deteriorating for want of use." + +The scorn in her tones stung him keenly, and he flushed to his +temples. + +"You do not appear to lack for the luxuries of life," he retorted, +glancing about the elegant apartment, with a sullen air, but ignoring +her thrust. + +"No, I have an abundance," she quietly replied; but evidently she did +not deem it necessary to explain how she happened to be so favored. + +"Will you explain to me the mystery of your existence, Isabel?" Mr. +Goddard inquired, after an awkward silence. "I cannot understand it--I +am sometimes tempted to believe that you are not Isabel, after all, +but some one else who--" + +"Pray disabuse yourself of all such doubts," she quickly interposed, +"for I assure you that I am none other than that confiding but +misguided girl whom you sought to lure to her destruction twenty years +ago. If it were necessary, I could give you every detail of our life +from the time I left my home until that fatal day when you deserted me +for Anna Correlli." + +"But Anna claims that she saw you dead in your casket." + +A slight shiver shook the beautiful woman from head to foot at this +reference to the ghastly subject. + +"Yes, I know it--" + +"You know it!" exclaimed the man, amazed. + +"Exactly; but I will tell you the whole story, and then you will no +longer have any doubt regarding my identity," Mrs. Stewart remarked. +"After you left Rome with Anna Correlli, and I realized that I had +been abandoned, and my child left to the tender mercies of a world +that would not hesitate to brand her with a terrible stigma, for which +her father alone was to blame, I resolved that I would not live. +Grief, shame, and despair for the time rendered me insane, else I, who +had been religiously reared, with a feeling of horror for the +suicide's end, would never have dared to meditate taking the life that +belonged to God. I was not so bereft of sense, however, but that my +motherhood inspired me to make an effort to provide for my little one, +and I wrote an earnest appeal to my old schoolmate and friend, Edith +Allandale, who, I knew, would shortly be in Rome, asking her to take +the child and rear her as her own--" + +"What! Then you did not try to drown the child as well as yourself!" +gasped Gerald Goddard, in an excited tone. + +"No; had I done so, I should never have lived to tell you this story," +said the woman, tremulously. "But wait--you shall learn everything, as +far as I know, just as it happened. Having written my appeal, which I +felt sure would be heeded, I took my baby to the woman who had nursed +me, told her that I had been suddenly called away, and asked her to +care for her until my return. She readily promised, not once +suspecting that a stranger would come for her in my place, and that it +was my purpose never to see her again. From the moment of my leaving +the woman's house--that last straw of surrendering my baby was more +than my heart and brain could bear--everything, with one exception, +was a blank to me until I awoke to consciousness, five weeks later, to +find myself being tenderly cared for in the home of a young man, who +was spending the winter in Rome for his health. His sister--a lovely +girl, a few years his senior--was with him, acting both as his nurse +and physician, she having taken her degree in a Philadelphia medical +college, just out of love for the profession. And she it was who had +cared for me during my long illness. She told me that her brother was +in the habit of spending a great deal of his time upon the Tiber; that +one evening, just at dusk, as he was upon the point of passing under a +bridge, a little way out of the city, he was startled to see some one +leap from it into the water and immediately sink. He shot his boat to +the spot, and when the figure arose to the surface, he was ready to +grasp it. It was no easy matter to lift it into his boat, but he +succeeded at last, when he rowed with all possible speed back to the +city, where, instead of notifying the police and giving me into their +hands to be taken either to a hospital or to the morgue, as the case +might demand, he procured a carriage and took me directly to his home, +where he felt that his sister could do more for me than any one else." + +"Who was this young man?" Gerald Goddard here interposed, while he +searched his companion's face curiously. + +"Willard Livermore," calmly replied Mrs. Stewart, as she steadily met +his glance, although the color in her cheeks deepened visibly. + +"Ha! the man who accompanied you to Wyoming night before last?" + +"Yes." + +"I have heard that he has long wanted to marry you--that he is your +lover," said Mr. Goddard, flashing a jealous look at her. + +"He is my friend, stanch and true; a man whom I honor above all men," +was the composed reply; but the woman's voice was vibrant with an +earnestness which betrayed how much the words meant to her. + +"Then why have you not married him?" + +"Because I was already bound." + +"But you have told me that you did not know you were legally bound +until within the last two years." + +Isabel Stewart lifted a grave glance to her companion's face. + +"When, as a girl, I left my home to go with you to Italy," she said, +solemnly, "I took upon myself vows which only death could cancel--they +were as binding upon me as if you had always been true to me; and so, +while you lived, I could never become the wife of another. I have +lived my life as a pure and faithful wife should live. Although my +youth was marred by an irrevocable mistake, which resulted in an act +of frenzy for which I was not accountable, no willful wrong has ever +cast a blight upon my character since the day that Willard Livermore +rescued me from a watery grave in the depths of the yellow Tiber." + +And Gerald Goddard, looking into the beautiful and noble face before +him, knew that she spoke only the truth, while a blush of shame surged +over his own, and caused his head to droop before the purity of her +steadfast eyes. + +"All efforts upon the part of Miss Livermore and her brother to +resuscitate me," Mrs. Stewart resumed, going on with her story from +the point where she had been interrupted, "were unavailing. Another +physician was called to their assistance; but he at once pronounced +life to be extinct, and their efforts were reluctantly abandoned. Even +then that noble brother and sister would not allow me to be sent to +the morgue. They advertised in all the papers, giving a careful +description of me, and begging my friends--if there were such in +Rome--to come to claim me. Among the many curious gazers +who--attracted by the air of mystery which enveloped me--came to look +upon me, only one person seemed to betray the slightest evidence of +ever having seen me before. That person was Anna Correlli--Ah! what +was that?" + +This sudden break and startled query was caused by the rattling of the +rings which held the portieres upon the pole across the archway +between the two rooms, and by the gentle swaying of the draperies to +and fro. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +ISABEL STEWART ASTOUNDS MR. GODDARD. + + +But there was not a sound to be heard in the room beyond, although the +curtains still continued to vibrate gently, thus showing the presence +of some object that had caused the movement. + +Mrs. Stewart arose to investigate, for the conversation in which she +had been engaged and the story she was relating were of such a nature +that she did not care to have a third party, especially a servant, +overhear it. + +She parted the draperies and looked curiously into the room beyond. + +But her act only revealed a pretty maltese kitten, which, being thus +aroused from its slumbers in its cozy place of concealment, rolled +over on its back and began to play with the heavy fringe that bordered +the costly hangings. + +"Ah, Greylocks! so you are the rogue who has startled us!" said the +lady, with an amused smile. "I feared that we had an eavesdropper. You +are a very innocent one, however, and we will not take the trouble to +banish you." + +She went back to her chair reassured, and without a suspicion of the +presence of one who hated her with a deadly hatred, and who still +stood, pale and trembling, concealed by the voluminous folds of the +draperies, but waiting with eager curiosity to overhear what should +follow. + +Meantime the maid who had admitted Mrs. Goddard, feeling that she must +become wearied with her long waiting, had returned to the +reception-room to ascertain if she still desired to remain until her +mistress should be at liberty; but finding it empty, had concluded +that the lady had left the house, and so went about her business, +thinking no more of the matter. + +"Yes," resumed Mrs. Stewart, after she had resumed her seat, "I knew, +from the description which my kind friends afterward gave me, that +Anna Correlli had come there to assure herself that her rival was +really dead. When--suspecting from her manner that she might know +something about me--they questioned her, she told them that, 'from +what she had read in the papers, she feared it might be some one whom +she knew; but she was mistaken--I was nothing to her--she had never +seen me before.' Then she went away with an air of utter indifference, +and I was left fortunately to the kindness of that noble hearted +brother and sister. They did everything that the fondest relatives +could have done, and, in their divine pity for one so friendless and +unfortunate, neglected not the smallest detail which they would have +bestowed upon an own sister. Only they, besides the undertaker and the +one Protestant pastor in the city, were present during the reading of +the service; and when that was over, Willard Livermore, actuated by +some unaccountable impulse, insisted upon closing the casket. He bent +over me to remove a Roman lily which his sister had placed in my +hands, and which he wished to preserve, and, while doing so, observed +that my fingers were no longer rigid--that the nails were even faintly +tinted. He was startled, and instantly summoned his sister. Hardly had +her own fingers pressed my pulse in search of evidence of life, when +my eyes unclosed and I moaned: + +"'Don't let her come near me! She has stolen all the love out of my +life!" + +"Then I immediately relapsed again into unconsciousness without even +knowing I had spoken. Later, when told of the fact, I could dimly +recall the sensation of a sudden shock which was instantly followed by +a vision of Anna Correlli's face and the sound of her voice, and I +firmly believe, to-day, that it was her presence alone that startled +my chilled pulses once more into action and thus awoke to new life the +torpid soul which had so nearly passed out into the great unknown." + +Could the narrator have seen the face of the listener outside, her +tongue would have been paralyzed and the remainder of her story would +never have been told; for Anna Goddard, upon learning that she had +been the means of calling back to earth the woman whose existence had +shorn her of every future hope, looked--with her wild eyes and +demoniac face--as if she could be capable of any act that would +utterly annihilate the unsuspicious companion of the man whom her +untamed soul worshiped as only such a fierce and selfish nature could +worship a human being. + +But she made no sign or sound to betray her presence, for she was +curious to hear the remainder of this strange story--to learn how her +beautiful rival had risen from disgrace and obscurity to her present +prosperity and enviable position in society. + +"Of course," Mrs. Stewart resumed, "Mr. and Miss Livermore were both +thrown into a state of great excitement at such an unexpected +manifestation; but my words told them that there was some sad and +mysterious story connected with my life and the rash deed I had +committed, and they resolved to still surround me with their care and +protection until I should recover--if that were possible--instead of +committing me to a hospital, as many would have done. + +"They bound both the clergyman and the undertaker to the strictest +secrecy; then I was immediately conveyed to Miss Livermore's own room, +where that noble girl cared for me as tenderly as a mother would nurse +her own child. For weeks I hovered between life and death, then slowly +began to mend. When I was able, I related to my kind friends the story +of my wrongs, to receive only gentle sympathy and encouragement, +instead of coldness and censure, such as the world usually metes out +to girls who err as I had erred. As I grew stronger, and realized that +I was to live, my mother-heart began to long for its child. Miss +Livermore agreed with me that it would be better for me to have her, +and went herself to make inquiries regarding her. But the nurse had +moved and none of her neighbors could give any information about her, +except that for a time she had charge of an infant, but after its +parents had come to claim it, she had moved away, and no one could +tell whither she had gone. + +"From this I knew that my old friend, Edith Allendale, had responded +nobly to my appeal--that she had taken my child and adopted it as her +own. At first I was inclined to be disappointed, and contemplated +writing to Edith, telling her what had happened and ask her to +surrender the little one to me; but after thinking the matter over +more at length, I reasoned that it would be best to let everything +rest just as it was. I knew that my darling would be tenderly reared +in her new home; she would grow up to a happy womanhood without ever +knowing of the blight that rested upon her birth, or that her father +had been a villain, her mother a wronged and ruined woman--almost a +suicide. So I decided that I would never reveal myself to my old +friend, or undeceive her regarding my supposed fate, to disturb her +peace or her enjoyment of the child. + +"But, following the advice of my new friends, I finally wrote to my +father and mother, confessing everything to them, imploring their +forgiveness for the grief and shame I had brought upon them, and +asking their counsel and wishes regarding my future. Imagine my joy +and gratitude when, three weeks later, they walked in upon me and took +me at once to their hearts, ignoring all the past, as far as any +censure or condemnation were concerned, and began to plan to make my +future as peaceful and happy as circumstances would allow. + +"They had come abroad with the intention of remaining, they told me; +they would never ask me to return to my former home, where the fact +that I had eloped with an artist was known, but would settle in +London, where my father had some business interests, and where, +surrounded by the multitude, our former friends would never be likely +to meet us. We lived there, a quiet, peaceful, prosperous life, I +devoting myself assiduously to study to make up for what I had +sacrificed by leaving school so early, and to keep my mind from +dwelling upon my unhappy past. + +"So the time slipped away until, five years ago, this tranquil life +was suddenly interrupted by my father's death. Six months later my +mother followed him, and I was again left alone, without a relative in +the world, the sole heiress to a half-million pounds--" + +"A half-million pounds?" interposed Gerald Goddard, in a tone of +amazement. + +"Yes; but of what value is money without some one to share it with +you?" questioned Isabel Stewart, in a voice of sadness. + +Her companion passed his hand across his brow, a dazed expression upon +his face, while he was saying to himself, that, in his folly, he had +missed an ideal existence with this brilliantly beautiful and +accomplished woman, who, in addition, was now the possessor of two and +a half million dollars. + +What an idiot he had been! What an unconscionable craven, to +sacrifice this pure and conscientious creature to his passion for one +who had made his life wretched by her variable moods and selfishness! + +"Occasionally I heard from my child," Mrs. Stewart resumed, after a +moment of silence, while tears started into her beautiful eyes. "My +father crossed the ocean from time to time, for the sole purpose of +learning something of her, in order to satisfy my hungry heart. He +never revealed the fact of my existence to any one, however, although +he managed to learn that my darling was happy, growing up to be a pure +and lovely girl, as well as a great comfort to her adopted parents, +and with nothing to mar her future prospects. Of course such tidings +were always gleams of great comfort to my sad and quiet life, and I +tried to be satisfied with them--tried to be grateful for them. But, +oh! since the death of my parents, I have yearned for her with an +inexpressible heart-hunger--" + +A sob of pain burst from the beautiful woman's lips and interrupted +her narrative at this point. + +But she recovered herself almost immediately, and resumed: + +"A year or two after I was left alone I happened to meet your former +friend, Will Forsyth, and from him learned that I had always been your +legal wife, and that he had sent you proofs of the fact, about a year +after your desertion of me. + +"This astonishing intelligence animated me with a new purpose, and I +resolved that I would seek the world over for you, and demand that +proof from you. + +"I returned immediately to this country and established myself in New +York, where, Mr. Forsyth told me, he thought you were residing. Soon +after my arrival I learned, to my dismay, that Mr. Allandale had +recently died, leaving his family in a destitute condition. This +knowledge changed my plans somewhat; I gave up my quest for you, for +the time, and began to search for my old friend who, for eighteen +years, had been a mother to my child. I had no intention of +interrupting the relations between them--my only thought was to +provide for their future in a way to preclude the possibility of +their ever knowing the meaning of the word poverty. But my utmost +efforts proved unavailing--I could learn nothing of them; but I +finally did get trace of you, and two months ago came on to Boston, +determined to face you and compel you to surrender to me the +certificate of our marriage." + +"Ha! did you expect that I would yield to you?" questioned Gerald +Goddard, a note of defiance in his voice. + +"Certainly--I knew I could compel you to do so." + +"Indeed? You were sanguine! By what arguments did you expect to +achieve your desire? How could you even prove that I had such a +paper?" + +"I do not know that I could have proven that you possessed the +certificate," quietly responded Mrs. Stewart; "but I could at least +prove that such a paper once existed, for Mr. Forsyth assured me that, +if I needed assistance to establish the fact of my marriage he would +be ready to give it at any time. I did not think I should need to call +upon him, however; I reasoned that, rather than submit to an arrest +and scandal, for--bigamy, you would quietly surrender the certificate +to me." + +Gerald Goddard shivered at the sound of those three ugly words, while +the listener, behind the draperies, clinched her hands and locked her +teeth to keep herself from shrieking aloud in her agony, and thus +revealing her presence. + +"I am afraid you will find that you have reckoned without your host, +madam," the man at length retorted, for he was stung to the soul with +the covert threat which had suggested the possibility that he, Gerald +Goddard, the noted artist, the distinguished society man, and princely +entertainer, might be made to figure conspicuously in a criminal court +under a charge that would brand him for all time. + +"Ah! how so?" quietly inquired his companion. + +"No power on earth would ever have compelled me to relinquish it, Mr. +Forsyth's assurance to the contrary notwithstanding." + +The man paused, to see what effect this assertion would have upon his +listener; but she made no response--she simply sat quietly regarding +him, while a curious little smile hovered about her beautiful mouth. + +"You look skeptical," Mr. Goddard continued, gazing at her +searchingly; "but let me tell you that you will find it no easy matter +to prove the statements you have made--no person of common sense would +credit your story." + +"Indeed! But have you not already admitted that you received the +certificate of which Mr. Forsyth told me?" + +"Yes; but we have been here alone, with no witness to swear to what +has passed between us. However, as I have already told you, Anna stole +the paper from me years ago, and I have never seen it since." + +"Yes, I know you told me so!" + +"Do you not believe me?" + +"I think my past relations with you have not served to establish a +feeling of excessive confidence in you," was the quietly ironical +response. + +The man flushed hotly, while anger for the moment rendered him +speechless. + +"Possibly you might be able to induce your--companion to surrender the +document," the lady added, after a minute of awkward silence. + +Gerald Goddard gnawed his under lip in impotent wrath at this +sarcastic reference to the woman who had shared his life for so many +years; while the wretched eavesdropper herself barely suppressed a +moan of passionate anguish. + +"You have very little idea of Anna's spirit, if you imagine that she +would ever yield one jot to you," Mr. Goddard at length retorted, his +face crimson with rage. + +Isabel Stewart arose from her chair and stood calm and cold before +him. + +She gazed with a steady, searching look into his eyes, then remarked, +with slow emphasis: + +"She will never be asked to yield to me, and I am spared the necessity +of suing to either of you, for--that all-important certificate of +marriage is already in my possession." + +As we know, Gerald Goddard had feared this; he had even suggested the +possibility to Anna, on the night of the ball at Wyoming, when she +told him of the disappearance of the paper. + +Nevertheless, the announcement of the fact at this time came upon him +like a thunderbolt, for which he was utterly unprepared. + +"Zounds!" he cried, starting to his feet, as if electrified, "can you +mean it? Then you stole it the night of the ball!" + +"You are greatly mistaken, Mr. Goddard; it was in my possession before +the night of the ball," quietly returned his companion. + +"I do not believe it!" cried the man, excitedly. + +"I will prove it to you if you desire," Mrs. Stewart remarked. + +"I defy you to do so." + +"Very well; I accept your gage. You will, however, have to excuse me +for a few moments," and, with these few words, the stately and +graceful woman turned and disappeared within a chamber that opened +from the room they were in. + +It would be difficult to describe the conflict of emotions that raged +in Gerald Goddard's breast during her absence. + +While he was almost beside himself with anger and chagrin, over the +very precarious position in which he found himself, he was also +tormented by intense disappointment and a sense of irritation to think +he had so fatally marred his life by his heartless desertion of the +beautiful woman who had just left him. + +Anna was not to be compared with her; she was perhaps more brilliant +and pronounced in her style; but she lacked the charm of refinement +and sweet graciousness that characterized Isabel; while, more than all +else, he lamented the loss of the princely inheritance which had +fallen to her, and which he would have shared if he had been true to +her. + +Ten minutes passed, and then he was aroused from his wretched +reflections by the opening of the chamber door near him, when his late +housekeeper at Wyoming walked into the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +"OUR WAYS PART HERE, NEVER TO CROSS AGAIN." + + +Gerald Goddard arose from his chair, and stared at the woman in +unfeigned astonishment. + +"Really, Mrs. Weld! this is an unexpected meeting--I had no thought of +seeing you here, or even that you were acquainted with Mrs. Stewart," +he remarked, while he searched his recent housekeeper's face with +curious eyes. + +"I have known Isabel Haven all her life," the woman replied, without +appearing in the least disconcerted by the gentleman's scrutiny. + +"Can that be possible?" exclaimed her companion, but losing some of +his color at the information. + +"Yes." + +"Then I presume you are familiar with her history." + +"I am; with every item of it, from her cradle to the present hour." + +"And were you aware of her presence in Boston when you applied for +your position at Wyoming?" + +"I was." + +"Perchance it was at her instigation that you sought the place," Mr. +Goddard remarked, a sudden suspicion making him feel sick at heart. + +"Mrs. Stewart certainly knew that I was to have charge of your house," +calmly responded Mrs. Weld. + +"Then there was a plot between you--you had some deep-laid scheme in +seeking the situation." + +"I do not deny the charge, sir." + +"What! do you boldly affirm it? What was your object?" demanded the +man, in a towering rage, but growing deathly white at the explanation +that suggested itself to his mind. + +"I perceive that you have your suspicions, Mr. Goddard," coolly +remarked the woman, without losing an atom of her self-possession in +view of his anger. + +"I have. Great Heavens! I understand it all now," cried her companion, +hoarsely. "It was you who stole that certificate from my wife's room!" + +"Yes, sir; I was fortunate enough to find it, two days previous to the +ball." + +"You confess it!--you dare own it to me, madam! You are worse than a +professional thief, and I will have you arrested for your crime!" and +Gerald Goddard was almost beside himself with passion at her cool +effrontery. + +"I hardly think you will, Mr. Goddard," was the quiet response. "I +imagine that you would hesitate to bring such a charge against me, +since such a course would necessitate explanations that might be to +you somewhat distasteful, if not mortifying. You would hardly like to +reveal the character of the document, which, however, you have made a +mistake in asserting that I stole--" + +"But you have admitted the charge," he excitedly interposed. + +"I beg your pardon, I have not acknowledged the crime of theft--I +simply stated that I was fortunate enough to find the document in +question." + +"It seems to me that that is a distinction without a difference," he +sneered. + +"One can hardly be accused of stealing what rightly belongs to one's +self," Mrs. Weld composedly said. + +"What--what on earth can you mean? Explain yourself." + +"Certainly; that is exactly what I came here to do," she answered, as, +with a dexterous movement, she tore the glasses from her eyes, and +swept the moles from her face, after which she snatched the cap and +wig from her head, and stood before her companion revealed as Isabel +Stewart herself. + +"Good Heaven!" he gasped, then sank back upon his chair, staring in +blank amazement at her. + +Mrs. Stewart seized this opportunity to again slip from the room, and +when she returned, a few minutes later, her superabundance of cellular +tissue (?) had disappeared and she was her own peerless self once +more. + +She quietly resumed her seat, gravely remarking, as she did so: + +"A woman who has been wronged as you have wronged me, Gerald Goddard, +will risk a great deal to re-establish her good name. When I first +learned of your whereabouts I thought I would go and boldly demand +that certificate of you. I tried to meet you in society here, but, +strange to say, I failed in this attempt, for, as it happened, neither +you nor your--Anna Correlli frequented the places where I was +entertained, although I did meet Monsieur Correlli two or three times. +Then I saw that advertisement for a housekeeper to go out to Wyoming, +to take charge of your house during a mid-winter frolic; and, prompted +by a feeling of curiosity to learn something of your private life with +the woman who had supplanted me, I conceived the idea of applying for +the situation and thus trying to obtain that certificate by strategy. +How did I know that it was you who advertised?" she interposed, as Mr. +Goddard looked up inquiringly. "Because I chanced to overhear some one +say that the Goddards were going out of town for the same purpose as +that which your notice mentioned. So I disguised myself, as you have +seen, went to your office, found I was right, and secured the +position." + +"Now I know why I was so startled that day, when you dropped your +glasses in the dining-room," groaned the wretched man. + +"Yes; I saw that you had never forgotten the eyes which you used to +call your 'windows of paradise,'" responded his companion, with quiet +irony, and Gerald Goddard shrank under the familiar smile as under a +blow. + +"Gerald," she went on, after a moment of painful silence, but with a +note of pity pervading her musical tones, "a man can never escape the +galling consciousness of wrong that he has done until he repents of +it; even then the consequences of his sin must follow him through +life. Yours was a nature of splendid possibilities; there was scarcely +any height to which you might not have attained, had you lived up to +your opportunities. You had wealth and position, and a physique such +as few men possess; you were finely educated, and you were a superior +artist. What have you to show for all this? what have you done with +your God-given talents? how will you answer to Him, when He calls you +to account for the gifts intrusted to your care? What excuse, also, +will you give for the wreck you have made of two women's lives? You +began all wrong; in the first place, you weakly yielded to the selfish +gratification of your own pleasure; you lived upon the principle that +you must have a good time, no matter who suffered in consequence--you +must be amused, regardless of who or what was sacrificed to subserve +that end--" + +"You are very hard upon me, Isabel; I have been no worse than hundreds +of other men in those respects," interposed Gerald Goddard, who +smarted under her searching questions and scathing charges as under a +lash. + +"Granted that you 'are no worse than hundreds of other men,'" she +retorted, with scornful emphasis, "and more's the pity. But how does +that lessen the measure of your responsibility, pray tell me? There +will come a time when each and every man must answer for himself. I +have nothing to do with any one else, but I have the right to call you +to account for the selfishness and sins which have had such a baneful +influence upon my life; I have the right, by reason of all that I have +suffered at your hands--by the broken heart of my youth--the loss of +my self-respect--the despair which so nearly drove me to crime--and, +more than all else, by that terrible renunciation that deprived me of +my child, that innocent baby whom I loved with no ordinary +affection--I say I have the right to arraign you in the sight of +Heaven and of your own conscience, and to make one last attempt to +save you, if you will be saved." + +"What do you care--what does it matter to you now whether I am saved +or lost?" the man huskily demanded, and in a tone of intense +bitterness, for her solemn words had pierced his heart like a +double-edged dagger. + +"I care because you are a human being, with a soul that must live +eternally--because I am striving to serve One who has commanded us to +follow Him in seeking to save that which is lost," the fair woman +gravely replied. "Look at yourself, Gerald--your inner self, I mean. +Outwardly you are a specimen of God's noblest handiwork. How does your +spiritual self compare with your physical frame?--has it attained the +same perfection? No; it has become so dwarfed and misshapen by your +indulgence in sin and vice--so hardened by yielding to so-called +'pleasure,' your intellect so warped, your talents so misapplied that +even your Maker would scarcely recognize the being that He Himself had +brought into existence. You are forty-nine years old, Gerald--you may +have ten, twenty, even thirty more to live. How will you spend them? +Will you go on as you have been living for almost half a century, or +is there still a germ of good within you that you will have strength +and resolution to develop, as far as may be, toward that perfect +symmetry which God desires every human soul to attain? Think!--choose! +Make this hour the turning point in your career; go back to your +painting, retrieve your skill, and work to some purpose and for some +worthy object. If you do not need the money such work will bring, for +your own support, use it for the good of others--of those unfortunate +ones, perchance, whose lives have been blighted, as mine was blighted, +by those 'hundreds of other men' like you." + +As the beautiful woman concluded her earnest appeal, the +conscience-smitten man dropped his head upon the table beside which he +sat, and groaned aloud. + +For the first time in his life he saw himself as he was, and loathed +himself, his past life, and all the alluring influences that had +conspired to decoy him into the downward path which he had trodden. + +"I will! I will! Oh, Isabel, forgive and help me," he pleaded, in a +voice thrilling with despair. + +"I help you?" she repeated, in an inquiring tone, in which there was a +note of surprise. + +"Yes, with your sweet counsel, your pure example and influence." + +"I do not understand you, quite," she responded, her lovely color +waning as a suspicion of his meaning began to dawn upon her. + +He raised his face, which was drawn and haggard from the remorse he +was suffering, and looked appealingly into hers. But, as he met the +gaze of her pure, grave eyes, a flush of shame mounted to his brow as +he realized how despicable he must appear to her in now suing so +humbly for what he had once trampled under foot as worthless. + +Yet an unspeakable yearning to regain her love had taken possession of +him, and every other emotion was, for the moment, surmounted by that. + +"I mean, come back to me! try to love me again! and let me, under the +influence of your sweet presence, your precepts and noble example, +strive to become the man you have described, and that, at last, my own +heart yearns to be." + +His plea was like the cry of a despairing soul, who realized, all too +late, the fatal depths of the pit into which he had voluntarily +plunged. + +Isabel Stewart saw this, and pitied him, as she would have pitied any +other human being who had become so lost to all honor and virtue; but +his suggestion, his appeal that she would go back to him, live with +him, associate with him from day to day, was so repulsive to her that +she could not quite repress her aversion, and a slight shiver ran over +her frame, so chilling that all her color faded, even from her lips; +and Gerald Goddard, seeing it, realized the hopelessness of his desire +even before she could command herself sufficiently to answer him. + +"That would not be possible, Gerald," she finally replied. "Truth +compels me to tell you plainly that whatever affection I may once have +entertained for you has become an emotion of the past; it was killed +outright when I believed myself a deserted outcast in Rome. I should +do sinful violence to my own heart and nature if I should heed your +request, and also become but a galling reproach to you, rather than a +help." + +"Then you repudiate me utterly, in spite of the fact that the law yet +binds us to each other? I am no more to you than any other human +being?" groaned the humbled man. + +"Only in the sense that through you I have keenly suffered," she +gravely returned. + +"Then there is no hope for me," he whispered, hoarsely, as his head +sank heavily upon his breast. + +"You are mistaken, Gerald," his companion responded, with sweet +solemnity; "there is every hope for you--the same hope and promise +that our Master held out to the woman whom the Pharisees were about to +stone to death when he interfered to save her. I presume to cast no +revengeful 'stone' at you. I do not arrogantly condemn you. I simply +say as he said, 'Go and sin no more.'" + +"Oh, Isabel, have mercy! With you to aid me, I could climb to almost +any height," cried the broken-spirited man, throwing out his hands in +despairing appeal. + +"I am more merciful in my rejection of your proposal than I could +possibly be in acceding to it," she answered. "You broke every moral +tie and obligation that bound me to you when you left me and my child +to amuse yourself with another. Legally, I suppose, I am still your +wife, but I can never recognize the bond; henceforth, I can be nothing +but a stranger to you, though I wish you no ill, and would not lift my +hand against you in any way--" + +"Do you mean by that that you would not even bring mortification or +scandal upon me by seeking to publicly prove the legality of our +marriage?" Mr. Goddard interposed, in a tone of surprise. + +"Yes, I mean just that. Since the certificate is in my possession, and +I have the power to vindicate myself, in case any question regarding +the matter arises in the future, I am content." + +"But I thought--I supposed--Will you not even use it to obtain a +divorce from me?" stammered the man, who suddenly remembered a certain +rumor regarding a distinguished gentleman's devotion to the beautiful +Mrs. Stewart. + +"No; death alone can break the tie that binds me to you," she +returned, her lovely lips contracting slightly with pain. + +"What! Have you no wish to be free?" he questioned, regarding her with +astonishment. + +"Yes, I would be very glad to feel that no fetters bound me," she +answered, with clouded eyes; "but I vowed to be true as long as life +should last, and I will never break my word." + +"True!" repeated her companion, bitterly. + +A flush of indignation mounted to the beautiful woman's brow at the +reproach implied in his word and tone. + +But she controlled the impulse to make an equally scathing retort, and +remarked, with a quiet irony that was tenfold more effective. + +"Well, if that word offends you, I will qualify it so far as to say +that, at least, I have never dishonored my marriage vows; I never will +dishonor them." + +Gerald Goddard threw out his hands with a gesture of torture, and for +a moment he became deathly white, showing how keenly his companion's +arrow had pierced his conscience. + +There was a painful silence of several moments, and then he inquired, +in constrained tones: + +"What, then, is my duty? What relations must I henceforth sustain +toward--Anna?" + +"I cannot be conscience for you, Gerald," said Isabel Stewart, coldly; +"at least, I could offer no suggestion regarding such a matter as +that. I can only live out my own life as my heart and judgment of what +is right and wrong approve; but if you have no scruples on that +score--if you desire to institute proceedings for a divorce, in order +to repair, as far as may be, the wrong you have also done Anna +Correlli--I shall lay no obstacle in your way." + +She arose as she ceased speaking, thus intimating that she desired the +interview to terminate. + +"And that is all you have to say to me? Oh, Isabel!" Gerald Goddard +gasped, and realizing how regally beautiful she had become, how +infinitely superior, physically and morally, spiritually and +intellectually, she was to the woman for whose sake he had trampled +her in the dust. And the fact was forced upon him that she was one to +be worshiped for her sweet graciousness and purity of character--to be +reverenced for her innate nobility and stanch adherence to principle, +and to be exultantly proud of, could he have had the right to be--as a +queen among women. + +"That is all," she replied, with slow thoughtfulness, "unless, as a +woman who is deeply interested in the moral advancement of humanity in +general, I urge you once more to make your future better than your +past has been, that thus the world may be benefited, in ever so slight +a measure, because you have lived. As for you and me, our ways part +here, never to cross again, I trust; for, while I have ceased to +grieve over the blighted hopes of my youth, it would be painful to be +reminded of my early mistakes." + +"Part--forever? I do not feel that I can have it so," said Gerald +Goddard, with white lips, "for--I love you at this moment a thousand +times more than I ever--" + +"Stop!" Isabel Stewart firmly commanded. "Such an avowal from you at +this time is but an added insult to me, as well as a cowardly wrong +against her who, in the eyes of the world, at least, has sustained the +relationship of wife to you for many years." + +The head of the proud man dropped before her with an air of humility +entirely foreign to the "distinguished" Gerald Goddard whom the world +knew; but, though crushed by a sense of shame and grief, he could but +own to himself that her condemnation was just, and the faint hope that +had sprung up in his heart died, then and there, its tragic death. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +"I HATE YOU WITH ALL THE STRENGTH OF MY ITALIAN BLOOD." + + +Isabel Stewart felt that she could not bear the painful interview any +longer, and was about to touch the electric button to summon her +servant to show her visitor out, when he stayed her with a gesture of +appeal. + +"One moment more, Isabel, I implore," he exclaimed; "then I will go, +never to trouble you again." + +Her beautiful hand dropped by her side, and she turned again to him +with a patient, inquiring glance. + +"You have spoken of our--child," the man went on, eagerly, though a +flush of shame dyed his face as he gave utterance to the pronoun +denoting mutual possession. "Do you intend to continue your search for +her?" + +"Certainly; that will now be the one aim of my life. I could never +take another moment of comfort knowing that my old friend and my child +were destitute, as I have been led to believe they are." + +"And if--you find her--shall--you tell her--your history?" faltered +Gerald Goddard, as he nervously moistened his dry lips. + +His companion bent her head in thought for a moment. At length she +remarked: + +"I shall, of course, be governed somewhat by circumstances in such a +matter; if I find Edith still in ignorance of the fact that she is an +adopted daughter, I think I shall never undeceive her, but strive to be +content with such love as she can give me, as her mother's friend. If, +on the other hand, I find that she has learned the truth--especially if +she should happen to be alone in the world--I shall take her into my +arms and tell her the whole story of my life, beg her to share my +future, and let me try to win as much as possible of her love." + +"If you should find her, pray, pray do not teach her to regard me as a +monster of all that is evil," pleaded her companion, in a tone of +agony that was pitiful. "Ah, Isabel, I believe I should have been a +better man if I could have had the love of little children thrown +about me as a safeguard." + +Isabel Stewart's red lips curled with momentary scorn at this attempt +to shift the responsibility of his wasted and misguided life upon any +one or anything rather than himself. + +"What a pity, then, that you did not realize the fact before you +discarded the unhappy young mother and her innocent babe, so many +years ago," she remarked, in a tone that pierced his heart like a +knife. + +"I did go back to Rome for the child--I did try to find her after--I +had heard that--that you were gone," he faltered. "I was told that the +infant had doubtless perished with you, though its body was never +found; but I have mourned her--I have yearned for her all my life." + +"And do you imagine, even if you should meet her some time in the +future, that she would reciprocate this affection which, strangely +enough, you manifest at this late day?" + +"Perhaps not, if you should meet her first and tell her your story," +the man returned, with a heavy sigh. + +"Which I shall assuredly do," said Mrs. Stewart, resolutely; "that is, +if, as I said before, I find her alone in the world; that much +justification is my due--my child shall know the truth; then she shall +be allowed to act according to the dictates of her own heart and +judgment, regarding her future relationship toward both of us. I feel +sure that she has been most carefully reared--that my old friend Edith +would instill only precepts of truth and purity in her mind, and my +heart tells me that she would be likely to shrink from one who had +wronged her mother as you have wronged me." + +"I see; you will keep her from me if you can," said Mr. Goddard, with +intense bitterness. + +"I am free to confess that I should prefer you never to meet," said +Mrs. Stewart, a look of pain sweeping over her beautiful face; "but +Edith is twenty years of age, if she is living; and if, after learning +my history, she desires to recognize the relationship between herself +and you, I can, of course, but submit to her wish." + +"It is very evident to me that you will teach her to hate her father," +was the sullen retort. + +"Her father?" the term was repeated with infinite scorn. "Pray in what +respect have you shown yourself worthy to be so regarded?--you who +even denied her legitimate birth, and turned your back upon her, +totally indifferent to whether she starved or not." + +"How hard you are upon me, Isabel!" + +"I have told you only facts." + +"I know--I know; but have some pity for me now, since, at last, I have +come to my senses; for in my heart I have an insatiable longing for +this daughter who, if she is living, must embody some of the virtues +of her mother, who--God help me!--is lost, lost to me forever!" + +The man's voice died away in a hoarse whisper, while a heart-broken +sob burst from his lips. + +"Go, Gerald," said Mrs. Stewart, in a low, but not unkindly imperative +tone; "it is better that this interview should terminate. The past is +past--nothing can change it; but the future will be what we make it. +Go, and if I ever hear from you again, let me know that your present +contrition has culminated in a better life." + +She turned abruptly from him and disappeared within her chamber, +quietly shutting the door after her, while Gerald Goddard arose to +"go" as he had been bidden. + +As, with tottering gait and a pale, despairing face, he crossed the +room and parted the draperies between the two pretty parlors, he found +himself suddenly confronted by a woman so wan and haggard that, for an +instant, he failed to recognize her. + +"Idiot!" hissed Anna Correlli, through her pallid, tightly-drawn lips; +"traitor! coward! viper!" + +She was forced to pause simply because she was exhausted from the +venom which she had expended in the utterance of those four +expletives. + +Then she sank, weak and faint, upon a chair, but with her eyes +glittering like points of flame, fastened in a look of malignant +hatred upon the astonished man. + +"Anna! how came you here?--how long have you been here?" he finally +found voice to say. + +"Long enough to learn of the contemptible perfidy and meanness of the +man whom, for twenty years, I have trusted," she panted, but the tone +was so hollow he never would have known who was speaking had he not +seen her. + +He opened his dry lips to make some reply; but no sound came from +them. + +He put out his hand to support himself by the back of her chair, for +all his strength and sense seemed on the point of failing him; while +for the moment he felt as if he could almost have been grateful to any +one who would slay him where he stood, and thus put him out of his +misery--benumb his sense of degradation and the remorse which he +experienced for his wasted life, and the wrongs of which he had been +guilty. + +But, by a powerful effort, he soon mastered himself, for he was +anxious to escape from the house before the presence of his wife +should be discovered. + +"Come, Anna," he said; "let us go home, where we can talk over this +matter by ourselves, without the fear of being overheard." + +He attempted to assist her to rise, but she shrank away from him with +a gesture of aversion, at the same time flashing a look up at him that +almost seemed to curdle his blood, and sent a shudder of dread over +him. + +"Do not dare to touch me!" she cried, hoarsely. "Go--call a carriage; +I am not able to walk. Go; I will follow you." + +Without a word, he turned to obey her, and passed quickly out of the +suite without encountering any one, she following, but with a gait so +unsteady that any one watching her would have been tempted to believe +her under the influence of some intoxicant. + +Mr. Goddard found a carriage standing near the entrance to the hotel, +and they were soon on their way home. + +Not a word was spoken by either during the ride, and it would have +been impossible to have found two more utterly wretched people in all +that great city. + +Upon entering their house, they found Emil Correlli in a state +bordering on frenzy, occasioned by the escape of Edith, and this +circumstance served for a few moments to distract their thoughts from +their own troubles. + +Mr. Goddard was intensely relieved by the intelligence, and plainly +betrayed it in his manner. + +When angrily called to account for it by his brother-in-law, he at +once replied, with an air of reckless defiance: + +"Yes, I am glad of it--I would even have helped the girl to get away; +indeed, I was planning to do so, for such a dastardly fraud as you +perpetrated upon her should never be allowed to prosper." + +He was rewarded for this speech, so loyal to Edith, only by an angry +oath, to which, however, he paid no attention. + +Strangely enough, Anna Correlli, after the first emotion of surprise +and dismay had passed, paid no heed to the exciting conversation; she +had sunk into a chair by the window, where she sat pale and silent, +and absolutely motionless, save for the wild restlessness of her fiery +black eyes. + +Mr. Goddard, finding the atmosphere so disagreeable, finally left the +room, and, mounting the stairs, shut himself in his own chamber, while +the enraged lover dashed out of the house to the nearest telegraph +office to send the message that caused the policeman to intercept +Edith upon her arrival in New York. + +A few moments later, Mrs. Goddard--as we will, from courtesy, still +call her--crept wearily up to her room, where, tottering to a couch, +she threw herself prone upon her face, moaning and shivering with the +agony she could no longer control. + +The blow, which for twenty years she had been dreading, had fallen at +last; but it was far more crushing and bitter than she had ever +dreamed it could be. + +She had come at last to the dregs of the cup which once had seemed so +sweet and alluring to her senses, and they had poisoned her soul unto +death. + +She knew that never again while she lived would she be able to face +the world and hide her misery beneath a mask of smiles; and the +bitterest drop of all, the sharpest thorn in her lacerated heart, was +the fact that the little insignificant girl who had once been her +hated rival in Rome, should have developed into the peerlessly +beautiful woman, whom all men admired and reverenced, and whom Gerald +Goddard now idolized. + +An hour passed, during which she lay where she had fallen and almost +benumbed by her misery. + +Then there came a knock upon her door, which was immediately opened, +and Mr. Goddard entered the room. + +He was still very pale, but grave and self-contained. + +The woman started to a sitting posture, exclaiming, in an unnatural +voice: + +"What do you want here?" + +"I have come, Anna, to talk over with you the events of the +morning--to ask you to try to control yourself, and look at our +peculiar situation with calmness and practical common sense," he +calmly replied. + +"Well?" was all the response vouchsafed, as he paused an instant. + +"I have not come to offer any excuses for myself, or for what you +overheard this morning," he thoughtfully resumed; "indeed, I have none +to offer--my whole life, I own, has, as Isabel rightly said, been a +failure thus far, and no one save myself is to blame for the fact. Do +not sneer, Anna," he interposed, as her lips curled back from her +dazzling teeth, which he saw were tightly locked with the effort she +was making at self-control. "I have been thoroughly humiliated for +the first time in my life--I have been made to see myself as I am, and +I have reached a point where I am willing to make an effort to atone, +as far as may be, for some of the wrongs of which I have been guilty. +Will you help me, Anna?" + +Again he paused, but this time his companion did not deign to avail +herself of the opportunity to reply, if, indeed, she was able to do +so. + +She had not once removed her glittering eyes from his face, and her +steady, inscrutable look gave him an uncanny sensation that was +anything but agreeable. + +"I have come to propose that we avail ourselves of the only remedy +that seems practicable to relieve our peculiar situation," he +continued, seeing she was waiting for him to go on. "I will apply to +have the tie which binds me to Isabel annulled, with all possible +secrecy--it can be done in the West without any notoriety; then I will +make you my legal wife, as you have so often asked me to do, and we +will go abroad again, where we will try to live out the remainder of +our lives to some better purpose than we have done heretofore. I ask +you again, will you try to help me? It is not going to be an easy +thing at first; but if each will try, for the sake of the other, I +believe we can yet attain comparative content, if not positive +happiness." + +"Content! happiness!" + +The words were hissed out with a fierceness of passion that startled +him, and caused him to regard her anxiously. + +"Happiness!" she repeated. "Ha! ha! What mockery in the sound of that +word from your lips, after what has occurred to-day!" + +"I know that you have cause to be both grieved and angry, Anna," said +Gerald Goddard, humbly; "but let us both put the past behind us--let +us wipe out all old scores, and from this day begin a new life." + +"'Begin a new life' upon a heap of ashes, without one spark among them +to ignite the smallest flame!" was the mocking rejoinder. Then, with a +burst of agony, she continued: "Oh, God! if you had taken a dagger +and stabbed me to death in that room to-day, you could not have slain +me more effectually than by the words you have uttered. Begin a new +life with you, after your confessions, your pleadings and +protestations to Isabel Stewart? Heaven! Never! I hate you! hate you; +hate you! with all the strength of my Italian blood, and warn +you--beware! And now, begone!" + +The woman looked like a maniac as she poured this wild torrent upon +him, and the man saw that she was in no mood to be reasoned with or to +consider any subject; that it would be wiser to wait until the +fierceness of her anger had spent itself. + +He had broached the matter of their future relations, thus giving her +something to think of, and now he would leave her to meditate upon it +by herself; perhaps, in a few days, she would be in a more reasonable +frame of mind, and look at the subject from a different point of view. + +"Very well, Anna," he said, as he arose, "I will obey you. I do not +pretend to claim that I have not given you cause to feel aggrieved in +many respects; but, as I have already said, that is past. I simply ask +you to do what I also will do--put all the old life behind us, and +begin over again. I realize that we cannot discuss the question to any +purpose now--we are both too wrought up to think or talk calmly, so I +will leave you to rest, and we will speak of this at another time. Can +I do anything for you before I go?--or perhaps you would like your +maid sent to you?" + +"No," she said, briefly, and not once having removed her wild eyes +from his face while he was speaking. + +He bowed, and passed out of the room, softly shutting the door after +him, then walked slowly down the hall to his own apartment. + +The moment he was gone Anna Goddard sprang like a cat to her feet. + +Going to her writing-desk, she dashed off a few lines, which she +hastily folded and slipped into an envelope, which she sealed and +addressed. + +She then touched the electric button above her desk to summon her +maid, after which she sat motionless with the missive clasped in her +hands until the girl appeared. + +"Dress yourself for the street, Mary, and take this note to Mr. +Clayton's office. Be quick about it, for it is a matter of +importance," she commanded, while she forced herself to speak with +outward calmness. + +But Mary regarded her mistress with wonder, for, in all her +"tantrums," as she termed them, she had never seen the awful look upon +her face which was stamped upon it at that moment. + +But she took the note without comment, and hastened away upon her +errand, while Mrs. Goddard, throwing herself back in her chair, sat +there waiting with an air of expectation that betrayed she was looking +for the appearance of some one. + +Half an hour later a gentleman was admitted to the house, and was +shown directly up to my lady's boudoir. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +RECORDS SOME STARTLING DEVELOPMENTS. + + +The gentleman caller referred to in the last chapter was closeted with +Mrs. Goddard for fully two hours, when he quietly left the house. + +A few moments later, however, he returned, accompanied by two other +men--clerks from a neighboring drug store--whom he admitted with a +latch-key, and then conducted them up to Mrs. Goddard's boudoir. + +The strangers did not remain long; whatever their errand, it was soon +finished, and they departed as silently as they had come. + +Mr. Clayton remained some time longer, conversing with the mistress of +the house, but their business being finally concluded, he also went +away, bearing a package of papers with him. + +Emil Correlli returned just in season for dinner, which, however, he +was obliged to partake of alone, as Mr. and Mrs. Goddard did not make +their appearance at the table. + +The young man paid slight heed to ceremony, but after eating a hasty +meal, sought his sister and informed her that he was going to start +for New York on the late evening train. + +The woman gave him one wild, startled glance, and seemed strangely +agitated for a moment over his announcement. + +He could not fail to notice her emotion, and that she was excessively +pale. + +"You look like a ghost, Anna," he remarked, as he searched her face +with some anxiety. "What is the matter with you? I fear you are going +to be ill." + +"I am ill," she said, in a hoarse, unnatural tone. + +"Then let me call your physician," said her brother, eagerly. "I am +going out immediately, and will leave a message for him." + +"No, no," she nervously replied; then with a hollow laugh that smote +heavily upon her companion's heart, she added: "My case is beyond the +reach of Dr. Hunt or any other physician." + +"Anna, have you been quarreling with Gerald again?" + +"Yes," was the brief response. + +"Well, of course I can understand that such matters are beyond the +skill of any physician," said the young man, with a half-impatient +shrug of his shoulders; "neither have I any business to interfere +between you," he added; "but my advice would be to make it up as soon +as possible, and then try to live peaceably in the future. I do not +like to leave you looking so white and miserable, but I must go. Take +good care of yourself, and I shall hope to find you better and happier +when I return." + +He bent down to give her a farewell caress, and was amazed by the +passion she manifested in returning it. + +She threw her arms around his neck and held him in a convulsive +embrace, while she quivered from head to foot with repressed emotion. + +She did not utter one word of farewell, but a wild sob burst from her; +then, as if she could bear no more, she pushed him from her and rushed +into her chamber, shutting and locking the door behind her. + +Emil Correlli left the boudoir, a puzzled expression on his handsome +face; for, although his sister was subject to strange attacks, he had +never seen her like this before. + +"Anna will come to grief some day with that cursed temper of hers," he +muttered, as he went to his room to pack his portmanteau, but he was +too intent upon his own affairs to dwell long upon even the trouble of +his sister, and a couple of hours later was on his way to New York to +begin his search for his runaway bride. + +The next morning Mrs. Goddard was "too ill to rise," she told her +maid, when she came at the usual hour to her door. She would not admit +her, but sent word to her husband that she could not join him at +breakfast. + +He went up later to see if she would allow him to call a physician for +her, but she would not see him, simply telling him she "would do well +enough without advice--all she needed was rest, and she did not wish +to be disturbed by any one until she rang." + +Feeling deeply disappointed and depressed by her unusual obstinacy, +the wretched man went downstairs and shut himself into the library, +where he remained all day, while there was such an atmosphere of +loneliness and desolation about the house that even the servants +appeared to feel it, and went about with solemn faces and almost +stealthy steps. + +Could any one have looked behind those closed doors he could not have +failed to have experienced a feeling of pity for the man; for if ever +a human being went down into the valley of humiliation, Gerald Goddard +sounded its uttermost depths, while he battled alone with all the +powers of evil that beset his soul. + +When night came he was utterly exhausted, and sought his couch, +looking at least ten years older than he had appeared forty-eight +hours previous. + +He slept heavily and dreamlessly, and did not awake till late, when +an imperative knock upon the door and a voice, calling in distress, +caused him to spring suddenly from his bed, and impressed him with a +sense of impending evil. + +"What is it, Mary?" he inquired, upon recognizing the voice of his +wife's maid. + +"Oh, sir! come--come to madam; she is very ill!" cried the girl, in a +frightened tone. + +"I will be there immediately. Send James for the doctor, and then go +back to her," commanded her master, as he hurriedly began to dress. + +Five minutes later he was in his wife's room, to find her lying upon +the lounge, just as he had seen her thirty-six hours previous. + +It was evident that she had not been in bed at all for two nights, for +she still had on the same dress that she had worn at the Copley Square +Hotel. + +But the shadow of death was on her white face; her eyes were glazed, +and though only partially closed, it was evident that she saw nothing. + +She was still breathing, but faintly and irregularly. Her hands were +icy cold, and at the base of the nails there was the unmistakable +purple tint that indicated approaching dissolution. + +Gerald Goddard was shocked beyond measure to find her thus, but he +arose to the occasion. + +With his own hands and the assistance of the maid, he removed her +clothing, then wrapped her in blankets and put her in bed, when he +called for hot water bottles to place around her, hoping thus by +artificial heat to quicken the sluggish circulation and her failing +pulses. + +But apparently there was no change in her, and when the physician came +and made his examination, he told them plainly that "no effort could +avail; it was a case of sudden heart failure, and the end was but a +question of moments." + +Mr. Goddard was horrified and stricken with remorse at the hopeless +verdict, for it seemed to him that he was in a measure accountable for +the untimely shock which was fast depriving of life this woman who +had loved him so passionately, though unwisely. + +He put his lips to her ear and called her by name. + +"Anna! Anna! You must try to arouse yourself," he cried, in a voice of +agony. + +At first the appeal seemed to produce no effect, but after several +attempts he thought he detected a gleam of intelligence in the almost +sightless eyes, while the cold fingers resting on his hand made an +effort to close over his. + +These slight signs convinced him that though she was past the power of +speech, she yet knew him and clung to him, in spite of the clutch +which the relentless enemy of all mankind had laid upon her. + +"Doctor, she knows me!" he exclaimed. "Pray give her some stimulant to +arouse her dormant faculties, if only for a moment." + +"I fear it will be of no use," the physician replied, "but I will +try." + +He hurriedly prepared and administered a powerful restorative; then +they waited with breathless interest for several moments for some sign +of improvement. + +It came at last; she began to breathe a trifle more regularly; the set +features became a little less rigid, and the pulse a shade stronger, +until finally the white lids were lifted and the dying woman turned +her eyes with a pitiful expression of appeal upon the man whom, even +in death, she still adored. + +"Leave us alone!" commanded Gerald Goddard, in a hoarse whisper, and +physician and servants stole noiselessly from the room. + +"Anna, you know me--you understand what I am saying?" the wretched man +then questioned. + +A slight pressure from the cold fingers was the only reply. + +"You know that you are dying?" he pursued. + +Again that faint sign of assent. + +"Then, dear, let us be at peace before you go," he pleaded, gently. +"My soul bows in humiliation and remorse before you; for years I have +wronged you. I wronged you in those first days in Rome. I have no +excuse to offer. I simply tell you that my spirit is crushed within me +as I look back and realize all that I am accountable for. I would have +been glad to atone, as far as was in my power, could you have lived to +share my future. Give me some sign of forgiveness to tell me that you +retract those last bitter words of hate--to let me feel that in this +final moment we part in peace." + +At his pleading a look of agony dawned in the woman's failing eyes--a +look so pitiful in its yearning and despair that the strong man broke +down and sobbed from sorrow and contrition; but the sign he had begged +for was not given. + +"Oh, Anna! pray show me, in some way, that you will not die hating +me," he pleaded. "Forgive--oh, forgive!" + +At those last words those almost palsied fingers closed convulsively +over his; the look of agony in those dusky orbs was superseded by one +of adoration and tenderness; a faint expression of something like +peace crept into the tense lines about the drawn mouth, and the +repentant watcher knew that she would not go out into the great +unknown bearing in her heart a relentless hatred against him. + +That effort was the last flicker of the expiring flame, for the white +lids drooped over the dark eyes; the cold fingers relaxed their hold, +and Gerald Goddard knew the end had almost come. + +He touched the bell, and the physician instantly re-entered the room. + +"It is almost over," he remarked, as he went to the bedside, and his +practiced fingers sought her pulse. + +Even as he spoke her breast heaved once--then again, and all was +still. + +Who shall describe the misery that surged over Gerald Goddard's soul +as he looked upon the still form and realized that the grandly +beautiful woman, who for twenty years had reigned over his home, was +no more--that never again would he hear her voice, either in words of +fond adoration or in passionate anger; never see her again, arrayed in +the costly apparel and gleaming jewels which she so loved, mingling +with the gay people of the world, or graciously entertaining guests in +her own house? + +He felt almost like a murderer; for, in spite of Dr. Hunt's verdict +that she had died of "sudden heart failure," he feared that the proud +woman had been so crushed by what she had overheard in Isabel +Stewart's apartments that she had voluntarily ended her life. + +It was only a dim suspicion--a vague impression, for there was not the +slightest evidence of anything of the kind, and he would never dare to +give voice to it to any human being; nevertheless, it pressed heavily +upon his soul with a sense of guilt that was almost intolerable. + +A message was immediately sent flying over the wires to New York to +inform Emil Correlli of the sad news, and eight hours later he was +back in Boston crushed for the time by the loss of the sister for whom +he entertained perhaps the purest love of which his selfish heart was +capable of experiencing. + +We will not dwell upon the harrowing events of the next few days. + +Suffice it to say that society, or that portion of it that had known +the brilliant Mrs. Goddard, was greatly shocked by the sudden death of +one of its "brightest ornaments," and gracefully mourned her by +covering her costly casket with choicest flowers; then closed up its +ranks and went its way, trying to forget the pale charger which they +knew would come again and again upon his grim errand. + +The day following Anna Correlli's interment in Forest Hill Cemetery, +Mr. Goddard and his brother-in-law were waited upon by the well-known +lawyer, Arthur Clayton, who informed them that he had an important +communication to make to them. + +"Two days previous to her death I received this note from Mrs. +Goddard," he remarked, at the same time handing a daintily perfumed +missive to the elder gentleman. "In it you will observe that she asks +me to come to her immediately. I obeyed her, and found her looking +very ill, and seemingly greatly distressed in body and mind. She told +me she was impressed that she had not long to live--that she had an +affection of the heart that warned her to put her affairs in order. +She desired me to draw up a will at once, according to her +instructions, and have it signed and witnessed before I left the +house. I did so, calling in at her request two witnesses from a +neighboring drug store, after which she gave the will into my keeping, +to be retained until her death. This is the document, gentlemen," he +remarked, in conclusion, "and here, also, is another communication, +which she wrote herself and directed me to hand to you, sir." + +He arose and passed both the will and the letter to Mr. Goddard, who +had seemed greatly agitated while he was speaking. + +He simply took the letter, remarking: + +"Since you are already acquainted with the contents of the will, sir, +will you kindly read it aloud in our presence?" + +Mr. Clayton flushed slightly as he bowed acquiescence. + +The document proved to be very short and to the point, and bequeathed +everything that the woman had possessed--"excepting what the law would +allow as Gerald Goddard's right"--to her beloved brother, Emil +Correlli, who was requested to pay the servants certain amounts which +she named. + +That was all, and Mr. Goddard knew that in the heat of her anger +against him she had made this rash disposition of her property--as she +had the right to do, since it had all been settled upon her--to be +revenged upon him by leaving him entirely dependent upon his own +resources. + +At first he experienced a severe shock at her act, for the thought of +poverty was anything but agreeable to him. + +He had lived a life of idleness and pleasure for so many years that it +would not be an easy matter for him to give up the many luxuries to +which he had been accustomed without a thought or care concerning +their cost. + +But after the first feeling of dismay had passed, a sense of relief +took possession of him; for, with his suspicions regarding the cause +of Anna's death, he knew that he could never have known one moment of +comfort in living upon her fortune, even had she left it unreservedly +to him rather than to her brother. + +Emil Correlli was made sole executor of the estate; and, as there was +nothing further for Mr. Clayton to do after reading the will, he +quietly took his departure leaving the two men to discuss it at their +leisure. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +"YOU WILL VACATE THESE PREMISES AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE." + + +"Well, Gerald, I must confess this is rather tough on you!" Monsieur +Correlli remarked, in a voice of undisguised astonishment, as soon as +the lawyer disappeared. "I call it downright shabby of Anna to have +left you so in the lurch." + +"It does not matter," returned the elder man, but somewhat coldly; +for, despite his feeling of relief over the disposition of her +property, he experienced a twinge of jealousy toward the more +fortunate heir, whose pity was excessively galling to him under the +circumstances. + +Although the two men had quarreled just before Monsieur Correlli's +departure for New York, all ill-feeling had been ignored in view of +their common loss and sorrow, and each had conducted himself with a +courteous bearing toward the other during the last few days. + +"What in the world do you suppose possessed her to make such a will?" +the young man inquired, while he searched his companion's face with +keen scrutiny. "And how strange that she should have imagined all of +a sudden that she was going to die, and so put her affairs in order!" + +Mr. Goddard saw that he had no suspicion of the real state of things, +and he had no intention of betraying any secrets if he could avoid +doing so. + +No one--not even her own brother--should ever know that Anna had not +been his wife. He would do what he could to shield her memory from +every reproach, and no one should ever dream that--he could not divest +himself of the suspicion--she had died willfully. + +Therefore, he replied with apparent frankness: + +"I think I can explain why she did so. On the day of our return from +Wyoming, Anna and I had a more serious quarrel than usual; I never saw +her so angry as she was at that time; she even went so far as to tell +me that she hated me; and so, I presume, in the heat of her anger, she +resolved to cut me off with the proverbial shilling to be revenged +upon me." + +"Well, she has done so with a vengeance," muttered his brother-in-law. + +"I went to her afterward and tried to make it up," his companion +resumed, "but she would have nothing to say to me. She was looking +very ill, also; and when the next morning she sent me word that she +was not able to join me at breakfast, I went again to her door and +begged her to allow me to send for Dr. Hunt, but she would not even +admit me." + +"What was this quarrel about?" + +"Oh, almost all our quarrels have been about a certain document which +has long been a bone of contention between us, and this one was an +outgrowth from the same subject." + +"Was that document a certificate of marriage?" craftily inquired Emil +Correlli. + +"Yes." + +"Gerald, were you ever really married to Anna?" demanded the young +man, bending toward him with an eager look. + +His companion flushed hotly at the question, and yet it assured him +that he did not really know just what relations his sister had +sustained toward him. + +"Isn't that a very singular question, Emil?" he inquired, with a cool +dignity that was very effective. "What led you to ask it?" + +"Something that Anna herself once said to me suggested the thought," +Emil replied. "I know, of course, the circumstances of your early +attachment--that for her you left another woman whom you had taken to +Rome. I once asked Anna the same question, but she would not answer me +directly--she evaded it in a way to confirm my suspicions rather than +to allay them. And now this will--it seems very strange that she +should have made it if--" + +"Pray, Emil, do not distress yourself over anything so absurd," coldly +interposed Gerald Goddard, but with almost hueless lips. "However, if +you continue to entertain doubts upon the subject, you have but to go +to the Church of the ---- the next time you visit Rome, ask to see the +records for the year 18--, and you will find the marriage of your +sister duly recorded there." + +"I beg your pardon," apologized the doubter, now fully reassured by +the above shrewdly fashioned answer, "but Anna was always so +infernally jealous of you, and made herself so wretched over the fear +of losing your affection, that I could think of no other reason for +her foolishness. Now, about this will," he added, hastily changing the +subject and referring to the document. "I don't feel quite right to +have all Anna's fortune, in addition to my own, and no doubt the poor +girl would have repented of her rash act if she could have lived long +enough to get over her anger and realize what she was doing. I don't +need the money, and, Gerald, I am willing to make over something to +you, especially as I happen to know that you have sunk the most of +your money in unfortunate speculations," the young man concluded, Mr. +Goddard's sad, white face appealing to his generosity in spite of +their recent difference. + +"Thank you, Emil," he quietly replied; "but I cannot accept your very +kind offer. Since it was Anna's wish that you should have her +property, I prefer that the will should stand exactly as she made it. +I cannot take a dollar of the money--not even what 'the law would +allow' in view of our relations to each other." + +Those last words were uttered in a tone of peculiar bitterness that +caused Monsieur Correlli to regard him curiously. + +"Pray do not take it to heart like that, old boy," he said, kindly, +after a moment, "and let me persuade you to accept at least a few +thousands." + +"Thank you, but I cannot. Please do not press the matter, for my +decision is unalterable." + +"But how the deuce are you going to get along?" questioned the young +man. + +"I shall manage very well," was the grave rejoinder. "I have a few +hundreds which will suffice for my present needs, and, if my hands +have not lost their cunning, I can abundantly provide for my future by +means of my profession. By the way, what are your own plans?--if I may +inquire," he concluded, to change the subject. + +The young man paled at the question, and an angry frown settled upon +his brow. + +"I am going to return immediately to New York--I am bound to find that +girl," he said, with an air of sullen resolution. + +"Then you were not successful in your search?" Mr. Goddard remarked, +dropping his lids to hide the flash of satisfaction that leaped into +his eyes at the words. + +"No, and yes. I found out that she arrived safely in New York, where +she was met by a young lawyer--Royal Bryant by name--who immediately +spirited her away to some place after dodging the policeman I had set +on her track. I surmise that he has put her in the care of some of his +own friends. I went to him and demanded that he tell me where she was, +but I might just as well have tried to extract information from a +stone as from that astute disciple of the law--blast him! He finally +intimated that my room would be better than my company, and that I +might hear from him later on." + +"Ah! he has doubtless taken her case in hand--she has chosen him as +her attorney," said Mr. Goddard. + +"It looks like it," snapped the young man; "but he will not find it an +easy matter to free her from me; the marriage was too public and too +shrewdly managed to be successfully contested." + +"It was the most shameful and dastardly piece of villainy that I ever +heard of," exclaimed Gerald Goddard, indignantly, "and--" + +"And you evidently intend to take the girl's part against me," sneered +his companion, his anger blazing forth hotly. "If I remember rightly, +you rather admired her yourself." + +"I certainly did; she was one of the purest and sweetest girls I ever +met," was the dignified reply. "Emil, you have not a ghost of a chance +of supporting your claim if the matter comes to trial, and I beg that +you will quietly relinquish it without litigation," he concluded, +appealingly. + +"Not if I know myself," was the defiant retort. + +"But that farce was no marriage." + +"All the requirements of the law were fulfilled, and I fancy that any +one who attempts to prove to the contrary will find himself in deeper +water than will be comfortable, in spite of your assertion that I +'have not a ghost of a chance.'" + +"Possibly, but I doubt it. All the same, I warn you, here and now, +Correlli, that I shall use what influence I have toward freeing that +beautiful girl from your power," Mr. Goddard affirmed, with an air of +determination not to be mistaken. + +"Do you mean it--you will publicly appear against me if the matter +goes into court?" + +"I do." + +The young man appeared to be in a white rage for a moment; then, +snapping his fingers defiantly in his companion's face, he cried: + +"Do your worst! I do not fear you; you can prove nothing." + +"No, I have no absolute proof, but I can at least give the court the +benefit of my suspicions and opinion." + +"What! and compromise your dead wife before a scandal-loving public?" + +"Emil, if Anna could speak at this moment, I believe she would tell +the truth herself, and save that innocent and lovely child from a fate +which to her must seem worse than death," Mr. Goddard solemnly +asserted. + +"Thank you--you are, to say the least, not very flattering to me in +your comparisons," angrily retorted Monsieur Correlli, as he sprang +from his chair and moved toward the door. + +He stopped as he laid his hand upon the silver knob and turned a +white, vindictive face upon the other. + +"Well, then," he said, between his white, set teeth, "since you have +determined to take this stand against me, it will not be agreeable for +us to meet as heretofore, and I feel compelled to ask you to vacate +these premises at your earliest convenience." + +"Very well! I shall, of course, immediately comply with your request. +A few hours will suffice me to make the move you suggest," frigidly +responded Gerald Goddard; but he had grown ghastly white with wounded +pride and anger at being thus ignominiously turned out of the house +where for so many years he had reigned supreme. + +Emil Correlli bowed as he concluded, and left the room without a word +in reply. + +As the door closed after him Mr. Goddard sank back in his chair with a +heavy sigh, as he realized fully, for the first time, how entirely +alone in the world he was, and what a desolate future lay before him, +shorn, as he was, of home and friends and all the wealth which for so +long had paved a shining way for him through the world. + +His head sank heavily upon his breast, and he sat thus for several +minutes absorbed in painful reflections. + +He was finally aroused by the shutting of the street door, when, +looking up, he saw the new master of the house pass the window, and he +knew that henceforth he would be his bitter enemy. + +He glanced wistfully around the beautiful room--the dearest in the +house to him; at the elegant cases of valuable books, every one of +which he himself had chosen and caused to be uniformly bound; at the +choice paintings in their costly frames upon the walls, and many of +which had been painted by his own hands; at the numerous pieces of +statuary and rare curios which he knew would never assume their +familiar aspect in any other place. + +How could he ever make up his mind to dismantle that home-like spot +and bury his treasures in a close and gloomy storage warehouse? + +"Homeless, penniless, and alone?" he murmured, crushing back into his +breast a sob that arose to his throat. + +Then suddenly his glance fell upon the table beside him and rested +upon the letter that Mr. Clayton had given to him, and which, in the +exciting occurrences of the last hour, he had entirely forgotten. + +He took it up and sighed heavily again as the faint odor of Anna's +favorite perfume was wafted to his nostrils. + +"How changed is everything since she wrote this!--what a complete +revolution in one's life a few hours can make!" he mused. + +He broke the seal with some curiosity, but with something of awe as +well, for it seemed to him almost like a message from the other world, +and drew forth two sheets of closely-written paper. + +The missive was not addressed to any one; the writer had simply begun +what she had to say and told her story through to the end, and then +signed her name in full in a clear, bold hand. + +The man had not read half the first page before his manner betrayed +that its contents were of the most vital importance. + +On and on he read, his face expressing various emotions until by the +time he reached the end there was an eagerness in his manner, a gleam +of animation in his eyes which told that the communication had been of +a nature to entirely change the current of his thoughts and distract +them from everything of an unpleasant character regarding himself. + +He folded and returned the letter to its envelope with trembling +hands. + +"Oh, Anna! Anna!" he murmured, "why could you not have been always +governed by your better impulses, instead of yielding so weakly to the +evil in your nature? This makes my way plain at least--now I am ready +to bid farewell to this home and all that is behind me, and try to +fathom what the future holds for me." + +He carefully put the letter away into an inner pocket, then sat down +to his desk and began to look over his private papers. + +When that task was completed he ordered the butler to have some boxes +and packing cases, that were stored in the cellar, brought up to the +library, when he carefully packed away such books, pictures and other +things as he wished to take away with him. + +It was not an easy task, and he could almost as readily have committed +them to the flames as to have despoiled that beautiful home of what, +for so long, had made it so dear and attractive to him. + +When his work was completed he went out, slipped over into Boylston +street, where he knew there were plenty of rooms to be rented, and +where he soon engaged a _suite_ that would answer his purpose for the +present. + +This done, he secured a man and team to move his possessions, and +before the shades of night had fallen he had stored everything he +owned away in his new quarters and bidden farewell forever to the +aristocratic dwelling on Commonwealth avenue, where he had lived so +luxuriously and entertained so elaborately the _creme de la creme_ of +Boston society. + +Three days later he had disappeared from the city--"gone abroad" the +papers said, "for a change of scene and to recuperate from the +effects of the shock caused by his wife's sudden death." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +MR. BRYANT MEETS WITH UNEXPECTED DIFFICULTIES. + + +Let us now return to Edith, to ascertain how she is faring under the +care of her new friends in New York. + +On the morning following her arrival Mr. Bryant called at the house of +his cousin, Mrs. Morrell, as he had promised, to escort our fair +heroine to his office, to meet Mr. Louis Raymond, who had been so +anxiously searching for her. + +The gentleman had not arrived when they reached the place that was so +familiar to Edith, and "Roy," as she was slyly beginning to call him, +conducted her directly to his own special sanctum, and seated her in +the most comfortable chair, to await the coming of the stranger. + +"My sunshine has come back to me," he smilingly remarked, as he bent +over her and touched his lips to her forehead in a fond caress. "I +have not had one bright day since that morning when I returned from my +trip and found your letter, telling me that you were not coming to me +any more." + +"I did not think, then, that I should ever return," Edith began, +gravely. Then she added, in a lighter tone: "But now, that I am here, +will you not set me at work?" + +"Indeed, no; there shall be no more toiling for you, my darling," +returned the young man, with almost passionate tenderness. + +Edith shrank a little at his fond words, and a troubled expression +leaped into her eyes. + +Somehow she could not feel that she had a right to accept his loving +attentions and terms of endearment, precious as they were to her, +while there was any possibility that another had a claim upon her. + +Roy saw the movement, hardly noticeable though it was, and understood +the feeling that had prompted it, and he resolved that he would be +patient, and refrain from causing her even the slightest annoyance +until lie could prove to her that she was free. + +A few moments later Mr. Raymond was ushered in, and Roy, after +greeting him cordially, presented him to Edith. + +It was evident from the earnestness with which he studied her face +that the man had more than an ordinary interest in her; while, as he +clasped her hand, he appeared to be almost overcome with emotion. + +"Pardon me," he said, as he struggled for self-control, "but this +meeting with you awakens memories that have proved too much for my +composure. You do not resemble your mother, Miss Edith," he concluded, +in a tone of regret, as he gazed wistfully into her eyes. + +"No?" the fair girl returned, flushing, and feeling half guilty for +allowing him to believe that she was Mr. and Mrs. Allandale's own +child. + +But she had determined to let him tell his story, or at least reveal +the nature of his business with her, and then be governed by +circumstances regarding her own disclosures. + +"If you will kindly excuse me, I will look over my mail while you are +conversing with Miss Allandale," Roy remarked, thinking, with true +delicacy, that the man might have some communication to make which he +would not care to have a third party overhear. + +Then, with a bow and a smile, he passed from the room, leaving the two +alone. + +"I cannot tell you how gratified I am to find you, Miss Edith," Mr. +Raymond remarked, as the door closed. "I have met only disappointment +of late, and, indeed, throughout most of my life, and I feared that +our advertisements might not meet your eye. I was deeply pained upon +returning to America, after many years spent abroad, to learn of the +misfortunes of your family, while the knowledge of your mother's +privations during the last two years of her life--as related to me by +Mr. Bryant--has caused me more grief than I can express." + +"Yes, mamma's last days were very, very sad," said Edith, while tears +dimmed her eyes. + +"Tell me about them, please--tell me all about your father's death, +and how it happened that you became so reduced financially," said Mr. +Raymond. + +Then the fair girl, beginning with the loss of her young brothers, +related all that had occurred during the two years following, up to +the time of her mother's death, while she spoke most touchingly of the +patience and fortitude with which the gentle invalid had borne their +struggles with poverty and hardship. + +More than once her companion was forced to wipe the tears from his +cheeks, as he listened to the sad recital, while his eyes lingered +affectionately upon the faithful girl who--as he learned from Mr. +Bryant--had so heroically tried to provide for the necessities of one +whom, it was evident, he had loved with more than ordinary affection. + +When she had concluded her story he remained silent for a few moments, +as if to fortify himself for the revelations which he had to make; +then he remarked: + +"Your mother and I, Miss Edith, were 'neighbors and playmates' during +our childhood--'schoolmates and friends' for long years afterward, she +would have told you; but--ever since I can remember, she was the +dearest object the world held for me. This affection grew with my +growth until, when I was twenty-one years of age, I asked her to marry +me. Her answer was like obscuring the sun at midday, for she told me +that she loved another; she had met Albert Allendale, and he had won, +apparently without an effort, what I had courted for many years. I +could not blame her, for I was but too conscious that he was my +superior, both physically and mentally, while the position he offered +her was far above anything I could hope to give her--at least, for a +long time. But it was a terrible blow to me, and I immediately left +the country, feeling that I could never remain here to witness the +happiness that had been denied me. During my exile I heard from them +occasionally, through others, and of the ideal life they were leading; +but I never once thought of returning to this country until about six +months ago, when, my health suddenly failing, I felt that I would at +least like to die upon my native soil. You can, perhaps, imagine the +shock I experienced, upon arriving in New York, when I learned of Mr. +Allendale's misfortunes and death, and also that his wife and only +surviving child had been left destitute and were hiding themselves and +their poverty in some remote corner, unknown to their former friends. +I searched the city for you, and then, discouraged with my lack of +success, I put my case into the hands of Mr. Bryant, from whom I +learned of the death of your mother and your brave struggles with want +and hardships; whereupon I commissioned him to spare no effort or +expense to find you; hence the advertisement which, his note to me +last evening told me, met your eye in a Boston paper, and brought you +hither." + +"What a strange, romantic story!" Edith murmured, as Mr. Raymond +paused at this point; "and, although it is so very sad, it makes you +seem almost like an old friend to know that you once knew and loved +mamma." + +"Thank you, dear child," returned the man, eagerly, a smile hovering +for a moment around his thin lips. "I hardly expected you to greet me +thus, but it nevertheless sounds very pleasant to my unaccustomed +ears. And now, having told you my story in brief, my wish is to settle +upon you, for your dear mother's sake, as well as for your own, a sum +that will place you above the necessity of ever laboring for your +support in the future. During the last ten years I have greatly +prospered in business--indeed, I have accumulated quite a handsome +fortune--while, strange to say, I have not a relative in the world to +inherit it. The disease which has attacked me warns me that I have not +long to live; therefore I wish to arrange everything before my mind +and strength fail me. One-half of my property I desire to leave to a +certain charitable institution in this city; the remainder is to be +yours, my child, and may the blessing of an old and world-weary man go +with it." + +As he concluded, Edith raised her tearful eyes to find him regarding +her with a look of tender earnestness that was very pathetic. + +"You are very, very kind, Mr. Raymond," she responded, in tremulous +tones, "and I should have been inexpressibly happy if mamma could have +been benefited by your generosity; but--I feel that I have no right to +receive this bequest from you." + +"And why not, pray?" exclaimed her companion, in surprise, a look of +keen disappointment sweeping over his face. + +"Because--truth compels me to tell you that I am the child of Mr. and +Mrs. Allandale only by adoption," said Edith, with quivering lips, for +it always pained her to think of her relationship to those whom she +had so loved, in this light. + +"Can that be possible?" cried Mr. Raymond, in astonishment. + +"Yes, sir; it hurts me to speak of it--to even think of if; but it is +true," she replied. + +Then she proceeded to relate the circumstances of her adoption, as far +as she could do so without casting any reflections upon the unhappy +young mother who had been so wronged in Rome. + +"Of course, I loved papa and mamma just the same as if they had really +been my own parents," she remarked, in conclusion, "for I had not a +suspicion of the truth until after mamma died. I was always treated +exactly as if I had been as near to them as the children who died." + +"And have you no knowledge of your own parents?" Mr. Raymond inquired. + +"Not the slightest. The only clews I possess are some letters in my +mother's handwriting and the name Belle that she signed to him. +Strange as it may seem, there is not a surname nor any reference made +to the locality where she lived in her youth, to aid me in my search +for her relatives." + +"That seems very singular," said the gentleman, musingly. + +"It is not only that, but it is also very trying," Edith returned. "Of +course, my mother is dead; my father"--this with a proud uplifting of +her pretty head--"I have no desire even to look upon his face. I could +never own the relationship, even should we meet; but I would like to +know something about my mother's family, for, as far as I know, I +have--like yourself--not a relative in the world." + +"Then pray, Miss Edith, for the sake of that other Edith whom I loved, +regard me, while I live, as your stanch, true friend," said Mr. +Raymond, earnestly. "The fact that you were the child of Edith +Allandale only by adoption will make no difference in my plans for +you. To all intents and purposes you were her daughter--she loved you +as such--you were faithful and tender toward her until the end; +therefore I shall settle the half of my property upon you for your +immediate use. I beg that you will feel no delicacy in accepting this +provision for your future," he interposed, appealingly, as he remarked +her heightened color. "Mr. Bryant had full instructions to carry out +my wishes, and the money would have been yours unconditionally, had I +never been so happy as to meet you. The only favor I ask of you in +return is the privilege of seeing you occasionally, to talk with you +of your mother." + +The tears rolled thick and fast over the young girl's face at this +appeal, for she was deeply touched by the man's tender regard for her +interests, and by his yearning to be in sympathy with one who had +known so intimately the one love of his life. + +"You are very kind," she said, when she could command her voice +sufficiently to speak. "I have no words adequate to thank you, and it +will be only a delight to me to tell you anything you may wish to know +about her who was so dear to us both. I could never tire of talking of +mamma. More than this, I trust you will allow me to be of some +comfort to you," she added, earnestly. "When you are lonely or ill I +shall be glad to minister to you in any way that I may be able." + +"It is very thoughtful of you, Miss Edith, to suggest anything of the +kind," Louis Raymond responded, his wan face lighting with pleasure at +her words, "and no doubt I shall be glad to avail myself now and then +of your kindness; but we will talk of that at another time." + +He arose as he concluded, and, opening the door leading into the outer +office, requested Mr. Bryant to join them, when the conversation +became general. + +Later that same day, at Mr. Raymond's desire, the papers were drawn up +that made Edith the mistress of a snug little fortune in her own +right, the income from which would insure her every comfort during the +remainder of her life. + +The man was unwilling that the matter should be delayed, lest +something should interfere to balk his plans. + +When Roy took Edith back to Mrs. Morrell's he expressed his admiration +and sympathy in the highest terms for the generous-hearted invalid. + +"When we make a home for ourselves, darling, let us invite him to +share it, and we will try to make his last days his happiest days. +What do you say to the plan, sweet?" he queried, as he bent to look +into the beautiful face beside him. + +Edith flushed painfully at his question and hesitated to reply. + +"What is it, love?" he urged, forgetting for the moment the resolve he +had made earlier in the day. + +"Of course, Roy, I would be glad to do anything in the world for one +who was so devoted to mamma, and who, for her sake, has been so +considerate for my future; but--" + +"Well, what is this dreadful 'but'?" was the smiling query. + +"I am afraid that you are too sanguine regarding our prospects," +returned the fair girl, gravely. "I am somehow impressed that we +shall meet with difficulties that you do not anticipate in the way of +your happiness." + +"Do not be faint-hearted, dear," said her lover, tenderly, although a +shade of anxiety swept over his face as he spoke. "I am going +immediately to look up that woman with whom Giulia Fiorini told you +she boarded, and ascertain what evidence she can give me to sustain my +theory regarding Correlli's relations with the girl." + +He left Edith at Mrs. Morrell's door, and then hastened away upon his +errand. + +He easily found the street and number which Edith had given him, and, +to his joy, the name of the woman he sought was on the door. + +A portly matron, richly dressed, but with a very shrewd face, answered +his ring, and greeted him with suave politeness. + +"Yes, she remembered Giulia Fiorini," she remarked, in answer to his +inquiry. "She was a pretty Italian girl who had run away from her own +country, wasn't she? Would the gentleman kindly walk in? and she would +willingly respond to any further questions he might wish to ask." + +Roy followed her into a handsomely-furnished parlor, that was +separated from another by elegant portieres, which, however, were +closely drawn, thus concealing the room beyond. + +"Yes," madam continued, "the girl had a child--a boy--a fine little +fellow, whom she called Ino, and she did remember that a gentleman +visited them occasionally--the girl's brother, cousin, or some other +relation, she believed"--with a look of perplexity that would lead one +to infer that such visits had been so rare she found it difficult to +place the gentleman at all. + +"No, she did not even know his name, and she had never heard him admit +that the girl was his wife--certainly not!--nor the child call him +father or papa. There had always been something mysterious about +Giulia, but she had appeared to have plenty of money, and had paid her +well, and thus she had not concerned herself about her private +affairs." + +Roy's heart grew cold and heavy within him as he listened to these +suave and evasive replies to his every question. + +It was evident to him that she had already received instructions what +to say in the event of such a visit, and was paid liberally to carry +them out. + +He spent nearly an hour with her trying to make her contradict or +commit herself in some way, but she never once made a mistake; her +answers were very pat and to the point, and he knew no more when he +arose to leave than he had known when he entered the house. + +He was very heavy-hearted--indeed, a feeling of despair began to +settle down upon him; for, unless he could prove that Emil Correlli +had taken Giulia Fiorini to that house, and lived with her there as +her husband, he felt that he had very little to hope for regarding his +future with Edith. + +Madam ushered him out as courteously as she had invited him in, +regretting exceedingly that she could not give him all the information +he desired, and hoped that the matter was not so important as to cause +him any especial annoyance. + +She even inquired if he knew where Giulia was at that time, remarking +that she "had been invariably sweet-tempered and lady-like, and she +should always feel an interest in her, in spite of a certain air of +mystery that seemed to envelop her." + +But the moment the door closed after her visitor madam's keen, black +eyes began to glitter and a shrewd smile played about her cunning +mouth. + +A little gurgling laugh of triumph broke from her red lips as she +returned to the parlor, when the portieres between it and the room +were swept aside, and Emil Correlli himself walked into her presence. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +AN UNEXPECTED MEETING RESULTS IN A WONDERFUL DISCOVERY. + + +"Well done, madam! you managed to pull the wool over his eyes in very +good shape," the man remarked, a look of evil triumph sweeping over +his face. + +"Certainly, Mr. Correlli," the woman returned, in a tone of serene +satisfaction. "Only give me my price, and I am ready to make anybody +believe that black is white, every time; and now I'll take that five +hundred, if you please," she concluded, as she extended her fat hand +for the plump fee for which she had been so zealously working. + +"You shall have it--you shall have it; I will write you a check for it +immediately," said Monsieur Correlli. "But--you are sure there is no +one in the house who knows anything about the facts of the case?" he +added, inquiringly, after a moment of thought. + +"Yes, I am sure; I haven't a single servant now that was with me when +the girl was here." + +"Have you any idea where they went after leaving you?" asked the man, +with evident uneasiness. + +"Lor', no; you needn't have the slightest fear of their turning up," +responded his companion, with a light laugh. "That lawyer might as +well try to hunt for a needle in a hay-mow as to seek them as +witnesses against you; while, as for the lodgers who were here at the +time, not one of them knew anything about your affairs. By the way," +she added, curiously, "what has become of the girl?" + +"She followed me to Boston, and is there now, doubtless." + +"Would she be likely to know anything about the laws of New York +regarding marriage?" + +"No, indeed; she is a perfect ignoramus as far as any knowledge of the +customs of this country is concerned." + +"That is lucky for you; but, if you know where she can be found, I +would advise you to send her back to Italy with all possible dispatch. +She is liable to make trouble for you if she learns the truth, +for"--madam here shot a sly look at her companion--"a man can't live a +year or two with a woman here in New York, allowing her to believe +herself his wife, and her child to call him 'papa'--paying all her +bills, without giving her a pretty strong claim upon him. However, +mum's the word with me, provided I get my pay for it," she concluded, +with a knowing wink. + +Emil Correlli frowned at her coarse familiarity and the indirect +threat implied in her last words; but, simply remarking that he "would +draw that check," he returned to the room whence he had come, while +his companion turned to a window, chuckling softly to herself. + +Presently he reappeared and slipped into her hand a check for five +hundred dollars. + +"Now, in case this matter should come to court, I shall rely upon you +to swear that the girl's story is false and the lawyer's charge simply +a romance of his imagination," he remarked. + +"You may depend on me, sir--I will not fail you," madam responded, as, +with a complacent look, she neatly folded the check and deposited it +in her purse. + +Emil Correlli had arrived in New York very early the same morning, +and, not caring to have his presence there known, he had sought a room +in the house of the woman with whom Giulia had boarded for nearly two +years. + +Having partaken of a light breakfast, he went out again to seek the +policeman to whom he had telegraphed to detain Edith. + +He readily found him, when he learned all that we already know of the +man's efforts to obey Correlli's orders. + +"That was the girl, in spite of the lawyer's interference. You should +have never let her go," he angrily exclaimed, when the officer had +described Edith and told his story. + +"But I couldn't, sir--I had no authority--no warrant--and I should +have got myself into trouble," the man objected, adding: "The lawyer +was a shrewd one and had a high and mighty way with him that made a +fellow go into his boots and fight shy of him." + +Monsieur Correlli knew that the man was right, and saw that he must +make the best of the situation; so, taking possession of Roy's card, +and making his way directly to Broadway, he prowled about the vicinity +of his office to see what he could discover. + +He had not waited very long when his heart bounded as he caught sight +of Edith coming down the street and escorted by a handsome, manly +fellow, whose beaming face and adoring eyes plainly betrayed his +secret to the jealous watcher, who gnashed his teeth in fury at the +sight. + +The happy, unconscious couple soon disappeared within an office +building, whereupon Correlli went back to his lodgings to lay his +plans for future operations. + +Some hours later, while he was conversing with his landlady in her +pretty parlor, he was startled to see Edith's champion of the morning +mounting the steps of the house. + +Like a flash he seemed to comprehend the object of his visit there; +but he was puzzled to understand how it was possible for either Edith +or him to know that he or Giulia had ever lived there. + +A few rapid words were sufficient to reveal the situation to his +landlady, to whom he promised a liberal reward if she would implicitly +follow his directions. + +The result we know; and, although his bribe had been a heavy one, he +did not begrudge the money, since he believed he had thus securely +fortified himself against all attacks from the enemy. + +Later in the day he attempted to dog the young lawyer's steps, hoping +thus to ferret out Edith's hiding place; but nothing satisfactory +resulted, for Roy, after his hard and somewhat disappointing day, +simply repaired to his club, where, after partaking of his dinner and +smoking a cigar to soothe his nerves, he retired to rest. + +But the next morning, feeling secure of his position, Emil Correlli +boldly presented himself in his rival's office and demanded of him +Edith's address. + +Roy was prepared for him, for his fruitless visit to Giulia's former +landlady had aroused his suspicions that Monsieur Correlli was in the +city. + +Therefore he had resolved neither to evade nor parley with him, but +boldly defy the man, by acknowledging himself the wronged girl's +champion and legal adviser. + +"I cannot give you Miss Allandale's address," he quietly responded to +his visitor's demand. + +"Do you mean to imply that you do not know it?" he questioned, +arrogantly. + +"Not at all, sir; the lady is under my protection, as my client; +therefore, in her interest I refuse to reveal her place of residence," +Roy coolly responded. + +"But she is my wife, and I have a right to know where she is," said +the would-be husband, his anger flaming up hotly at being thus balked +in his desires. + +"Your wife?" repeated the young lawyer, in an incredulous tone, but +growing white about the mouth from the effort he made to retain +command of himself, as the obnoxious term fell from the villain's +lips. + +"Certainly--I claim her as such; my right to do so cannot be +questioned." + +"There may be a difference of opinion regarding that matter," Roy +calmly rejoined. + +"But we were publicly married on the twenty-fifth." + +"Ah! but there are circumstances under which even such a ceremony can +have no legal significance." + +The fiery Italian was no match for the lawyer in that cool, calm mood, +and his anger increased as he realized it. + +"But I have my certificate, and can produce plenty of witnesses to +prove my statements," he retorted. + +"The court will decide whether your evidence is sufficient to +substantiate your claim," Mr. Bryant composedly remarked. + +"The court?--will she take the matter into court?--will she dare +create such a scandal?" exclaimed the man, in a startled tone. + +"I do not feel at liberty, even had I the inclination, to reveal any +points in my client's case," coldly replied the young lawyer. "This +much I will say, however," he added, sternly, "I shall leave nothing +undone to free her from a tie that is both hateful and fraudulent." + +"I warn you that you will have a battle to fight that will cost you +something," snarled the baffled villain. + +"That also remains to be seen, sir; but whether you or I win this +battle, let me tell you, once for all, that Miss Allandale will never +submit to any authority which you may imagine you have acquired over +her by tricking her into this so-called marriage; she will never live +one hour with you; she will never respond to your name." + +Royal Bryant arose as he concluded this defiant speech, thus +intimating to his visitor that he wished to put an end to the +interview, for the curb that he was putting upon himself was becoming +almost unbearable. + +Emil Correlli gazed searchingly into his face for a moment, as if +trying to measure his foe. + +He could not fail to realize the superiority of the man, mentally, +morally and physically, and the thought was maddening that perhaps +Edith had freely given to him the love for which he had abjectly sued +in vain. + +"Well," he finally remarked, as he also arose, while he revealed his +white teeth in a vicious smile, "it may be in her power to carry out +that resolution, but one thing is sure, she can never free herself +from the fetters which she finds so galling--she can never marry any +other man while I live." + +This shot told, for the blue veins in Roy's temples suddenly swelled +out full at the malignant retort. + +But he mastered his first impulse to seize the wretch and throw him +from the window into the street, and quietly remarked: + +"As I have twice before observed, sir, all these things remain to be +seen and proved. Now, can I do anything further for you to-day?" + +The man could not do otherwise than take the hint; besides, there was +that in Roy's eye which warned him that it would not be safe for him +to try him too far. So, abruptly turning upon his heel, he left the +room, while our young lawyer, with tightly compressed lips and +care-lined brow, walked the floor in troubled thought. + +After leaving his office Emil Correlli repaired to the hotel where his +letters were usually sent, and found awaiting him there a telegram +announcing the sudden death of his sister and requesting his immediate +return to Boston. + +Shocked beyond measure, and grieved to the soul by this unexpected +bereavement, he dropped everything and left New York on the next +eastward express. + +We know all that occurred in that home where death had come so +unexpectedly; how, after the burial of Mrs. Goddard, Emil Correlli had +suddenly found his already large fortune greatly augmented by the +strange will of his sister, while the man whom she had always +professed to adore was left destitute, and to shift for himself as +best he could. + +The day after he had turned Gerald Goddard out of his home, so to +speak, the young man dismissed all his servants, closed the house, and +put it into the hands of a real estate agent to be disposed of at the +best advantage. + +He made an effort to find Giulia and her child, with the intention of +settling a comfortable income upon them, provided he could make the +girl promise to return to Italy and never trouble him again. + +But she had disappeared, and he could learn absolutely nothing +regarding her movements; and, impressed with a feeling that she would +yet revenge herself upon him in some unexpected way, he finally +returned to New York, determined to ferret out Edith's hiding place. + +Meantime the fair girl had been very happy with her new friends, who +were also growing very fond of her. + +But she would not allow herself to build too much upon the hope of +attaining her freedom which Roy had tried to arouse in her heart +shortly after her arrival in New York. + +Indeed, she had begun to notice that, after the first day or two, he +had avoided conversing upon the subject, while he often wore a look of +anxiety and care which betrayed that he was deeply troubled about +something. + +In fact, Roy was very heavy-hearted, for, since his failure to learn +anything from Giulia's former landlady to prove his theory correct, he +had begun to fear that it would be a very difficult matter to free the +girl he loved from the chain that bound her to Correlli. + +If he could have found the discarded girl herself he believed that, +with her assistance, he would soon discover the servants who had been +in the house during her residence there, and, through them, find some +substantial evidence to work upon. + +But although he had advertised for her in several Boston papers, he +had not been able to get any trace of her. + +He had, however, filed a plea to have Edith's so-called marriage set +aside, and was anxiously waiting for some time to be appointed for a +hearing of the' case. + +Edith and her new acquaintance, Mr. Raymond, were fast becoming firm +friends, in spite of the suspense that was hanging over the former +regarding her future. + +The young girl had first been drawn toward the invalid from a feeling +of sympathy, and because of his old-time fondness for her mother. But, +upon becoming better acquainted with him, she began to admire him for +his many noble qualities, both of mind and heart, while she ever found +him a most entertaining companion, as he possessed an exhaustless fund +of anecdote and personal experiences, acquired during his extensive +travels, which he never wearied of relating when he could find an +appreciative listener. + +Thus she spent a great deal of time with him, while by her many little +attentions to his comfort she won a large place in his heart. + +One day Mrs. Morrell and Edith went to attend a charity exhibition +that was under the supervision of a friend of the former, at her own +house. + +Upon their arrival they were ushered into the drawing-room, which was +beautifully decorated and hung with many exquisite paintings, while +some rare gems were resting conspicuously upon easels. + +In one corner, and artistically draped with a beautiful scarf, Edith +was startled, almost at the moment of her entrance, to see a painting +that was very familiar. + +It was that representing a portion of an old Roman wall, with the +lovers resting in its shadow, which had attracted the attention of +Mrs. Stewart on the last night of the "winter frolic," at Wyoming. + +With an expression of astonishment she went forward to examine it more +closely and to assure herself that it was the original, and not a +copy. + +Yes, those two tiny letters, G. G., in one corner, told their own +story, and proved her surmise to be correct. + +"How strange that it should be here!" she breathed. + +She had hardly uttered the words when some one arose from behind the +easel, and--she stood face to face with Gerald Goddard himself. + +The girl stood white and almost paralyzed before him, and the man +appeared scarcely less astonished on beholding her. + +"Miss Allen!" he faltered. "I never dreamed of meeting you here!" + +"Oh, pray do not tell Monsieur Correlli that you have seen me," she +gasped, fear for the moment superseding every other thought. + +"Do not be troubled--he shall learn nothing from me," said the man, +reassuringly. "Correlli and I are not very good friends just now, +simply because I told him that I should do all in my power to help you +prove that he had no just claim upon you." + +"Thank you," said Edith, flushing with hope, but involuntarily +shrinking from him, for she could not forget how he had degraded +himself before her on that last horrible night at Wyoming. + +"I suppose you have heard of my--of Mrs. Goddard's death?" he +remarked, after a moment of silence. + +"Mrs. Goddard--dead?" exclaimed Edith, shocked beyond expression. + +"Yes, she died very suddenly, the second morning after you left +Boston." + +Edith was about to respond with some expression of regret and +sympathy, when she saw him start violently, and a look of agony, that +bordered on despair, leap into his eyes. + +Involuntarily she turned to see what had caused it, and was both +surprised and delighted to behold Mrs. Stewart--whom she supposed to +be in Boston--just entering the room, and looking especially lovely in +a rich black velvet costume, with a hat to match, but brightened by +two or three exquisite pink roses. + +At that instant a lady, to whom she had recently been introduced, laid +her hand upon Edith's arm, remarking in quick, incisive tones: + +"Miss Allandale, your friend, Mrs. Morrell, is beckoning you to come +to her." + +Again Gerald Goddard started, and so violently that he nearly knocked +his picture from the easel. + +He shot one quick, horrified glance at the girl. + +"Miss Allandale!" he repeated, in a dazed tone, as all that the name +implied forced itself upon his mind. + +Another in the room had also caught the name, and turned to see who +had been thus addressed. + +As her glance fell upon Edith her beautiful face grew radiant. + +"Oh, if it should be--" she breathed. + +The next moment she had crossed the room to the girl's side. + +"What did Mrs. Baldwin call you, dear?" she breathlessly inquired, +regardless of etiquette, for she had not yet greeted her hostess. "Was +it Miss Allandale?" + +"Yes, that is my name," said Edith, flushing, but frankly meeting her +look of eager inquiry. + +"But you told me--" Mrs. Stewart whispered. + +"Yes," interposed the young girl, "while I was in Boston I was known +simply as Edith Allen--why, I will explain to you at some other time; +but my real name is Edith Allandale." + +The woman seemed turned to stone for a moment by this unexpected +revelation, so statue-like did she become, as she also realized all +that this confession embodied. + +Then, as if compelled by some magnetic influence, her eyes were drawn +toward the no less statue-like man standing by that never-to-be +forgotten picture on the easel. + +Their gaze met, and each read in that one brief look the conviction +that made one heart bound with joy, the other to sink with +despair--each knew that the beautiful girl, standing so wonderingly +beside that stately woman, was the child that had been born to them in +the pretty Italian villa hard by the old Roman wall which Gerald +Goddard had so faithfully reproduced upon canvas. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +"THAT MAN MY FATHER!" + + +Isabel Stewart was the first to recover herself, when, gently linking +her arm within Edith's, she whispered, softly: + +"Come with me, dear; I would like to see you alone for a few minutes." + +She led her unresistingly from the room, across the hall, to a small +reception-room, when, closing the door to keep out intruders, she +turned and laid both her trembling hands upon the girl's shoulders. + +"Tell me," she said, looking wistfully into her wondering eyes, "are +you the daughter of Albert and Edith Allandale?" + +"Yes." + +It was all the answer that Edith, in her excitement, could make. + +The beautiful woman caught her breath graspingly, and every particle +of color faded from her face. + +"Tell me, also," she went on, hurriedly, "did you ever hear your--your +mother speak of a friend by the name of Belle Haven?" + +Edith's heart leaped into her throat at this question, and she, too, +began to tremble, as a suspicion of the truth flashed through her +mind. + +"No," she said, with quivering lips, "I never heard her mention such a +person; but--" + +"Yes--'but'--" eagerly repeated her companion. + +"But," the fair girl continued, gravely, while she searched with a +look of pain the eyes looking so eagerly into hers, "the evening after +mamma was buried, I found some letters which had been written to her +from Rome, and which were all signed 'Belle.'" + +"Oh!--" + +It was a sharp cry of agony that burst from Isabel Stewart's lips. + +"Oh, why did she keep them?" she went on, wildly; "how could she have +been so unwise? Why--why did she not destroy them?" + +At these words a light so eager, so beautiful, so tender that it +seemed to transfigure her, suddenly illumined Edith's face, for they +confirmed, beyond a doubt, the suspicion and hope that had been +creeping into her heart. + +"Tell me--are you that 'Belle'?" she whispered, bending nearer to her +with gleaming eyes. + +"Oh, do not ask me!" cried the unhappy woman, a bitter sob escaping +her. + +She had never dreamed of anything so dreadful as that those fatal +letters would fall into the hands of her child, to prejudice her and +make her shrink from her with aversion. + +She had planned, if she was ever so fortunate as to find her, and had +to reveal her history to her, to smooth over all that would be likely +to shock her--that she would never confess to her how despair had +driven her to the verge of that one crime upon which she now looked +back with unspeakable horror. + +The thought that this beautiful girl knew all, and believed the +worst--as she could not fail to do, she reasoned, after reading the +crude facts mentioned in those letters--filled her with shame and +grief: for how could she ever eradicate those first impressions, and +win the love she so craved? + +Thus she was wholly unprepared for what followed immediately upon her +indirect acknowledgment of her identity. + +The gentle girl, her expressive face radiant with mingled joy, love, +sympathy, slipped both arms around her companion's waist, and dropping +her head upon her shoulder, murmured, fondly: + +"Ah, I am sure you are!--I am sure that I have found my mother, and--I +am almost too happy to live." + +"Child! my own darling! Is it possible that you can thus open your +heart of hearts to me?" sobbed the astonished woman, as she clasped +the slight form to her in a convulsive embrace. + +"Oh, yes--yes; I have longed for you, with longing unspeakable, ever +since I knew," Edith murmured, tremulously. + +"Longed for me? Ah, I never dared to hope that Heaven could be so +kind. I feared, love, that you would despise me, as a weak and willful +woman, even after I should tell you all my story, with its extenuating +circumstances; but now, while knowing and believing only the worst, +you take me into the arms of your love, and own me--your mother!" + +She broke down utterly at this point, and both, clasped in each +other's embrace, sobbed in silent sympathy for a few moments. + +"Well, dearest, this will never do," Mrs. Stewart at last exclaimed, +as she lifted her face and smiled tenderly upon Edith; "we must at +least compose ourselves long enough to make our adieus to our hostess; +then I am going to take you home with me, to have all the story of our +tangled past unraveled and explained. Come, let us sit down for a few +moments, until we get rid of the traces of our tears, and you shall +tell me how you happened to be in Boston under the name of Edith +Allen." + +She drew her toward a couch as she spoke, and there Edith related how +she had happened to meet the Goddard's on the train, between New York +and Boston, and was engaged to act as madam's companion, and how also +the mistake regarding her name had occurred. + +"And were you happy with them, my dear?" inquired Mrs. Stewart, +regarding her curiously. + +The fair girl flushed. + +"Indeed I was not," she replied, "I think they were the strangest +people I ever met." + +Almost as she spoke the door of the reception-room opened, and Gerald +Goddard himself appeared upon the threshold. + +He was pale to ghastliness, and looked years older than when Edith had +seen him in the drawing-room a few minutes previous. + +"Pardon me this intrusion, Miss--Edith," he began, shrinkingly, while +he searched both faces before him with despairing eyes; "but I am +about to leave, and I wished to give you this note before I went. If, +after reading it, you should care to communicate with me, you can +address me at the Murry Hill Hotel." + +He laid the missive upon a table near the door, then, with a bow, +withdrew, leaving the mother and daughter alone again. + +"That was Mr. Goddard," Edith explained to her companion, as she arose +to take the letter; but without a suspicion that the two had ever met +before, or that the man was her own father--the "monster" who had so +wronged her beautiful mother. + +Mrs. Stewart made no reply to the remark; and Edith, breaking the seal +of the envelope in her hands, drew forth several closely-written +pages. + +"Why!" she exclaimed, in a startled tone, "this is Mrs. Goddard's +handwriting!" + +She hastily unfolded the sheets and ran her eye rapidly down the first +page, when a low cry broke from her lips, and, throwing herself upon +her knees before her mother, she buried her face in her lap, +murmuring joyfully: + +"Saved! saved!" + +"Darling, tell me!--what is this that excites you so?" Mrs. Stewart +pleaded, as she bent over her and softly kissed her flushed cheek. + +Edith put the letter into her hands, saying, eagerly: + +"Read it--read it!--it will tell its own story." + +Her companion obeyed her, and, as she read, her face grew stern and +white--her eyes glittered with a fiery light which told of an outraged +spirit aroused to a point where it would have been dangerous for the +woman who once had deeply wronged her, had she been living, to have +crossed her path again. + +"If I had known!--if I had known--" she began, when she reached the +end. Then, suddenly checking herself, she added, tenderly, to Edith: +"My love, it seems so wonderful--all this that has happened to you and +to me! We must take time to talk it all over by ourselves. You can +excuse yourself to your friend, can you not, and come with me to the +Waldorf? Say that I wish to keep you for the remainder of the day and +night, but will return you to her in the morning." + +Edith's face beamed with delight at this proposal. + +"Yes, indeed," she said, rising to comply at once with the request. "I +am sure Nellie will willingly give me up, when I whisper the truth in +her ear. My dear--dear mother!" she added, tremulously, as she bent +forward and kissed the beautiful face with quivering lips, "this +wonderful revelation seems too joyful to be true!" + +"Edith, my child," gravely said Isabel Stewart, as she held the girl a +little away from her and searched her face with anxious eyes, "after +learning what you did of me, from those horrible letters, is there no +shrinking in your heart--is there no feeling of--of shame or of +pitiful contempt for me?" + +"Not an atom, dear," whispered the trustful maiden, whose keen +intuitions had long since fathomed the character of the woman before +her; "to me you are as pure and dear as if that man--whoever he may +have been--had never cast a shadow upon your life by the shameful +deception which he practiced upon you." + +"My blessed little comforter! you shall be rewarded for your faith in +me," returned Mrs. Stewart, her lips wreathed in fondest smiles, her +eyes glowing with happiness. "But go excuse yourself to Mrs. Morrell, +then we will take leave of our hostess, and go home." + +Ten minutes later they were on their way to the Waldorf. + +It was rather a silent drive, for both were still too deeply moved +over their recent reunion to care to enter into details just then. It +was happiness enough to sit side by side, hand clasped in hand, +knowing that they were mother and daughter, and in tenderest sympathy +with each other. + +Upon arriving at her hotel Mrs. Stewart led the way directly to her +delightful suite of rooms, where, the moment the door was closed, she +turned and once more gathered Edith into her arms. + +"I must hold you--I must feel you, else I shall not be quite sure that +I am not dreaming," she exclaimed. "I find it difficult to realize my +great happiness. Can it be possible that I have my own again, after so +many years! that you were once the tiny baby that I held in my arms in +Rome, and loved better than any other earthly object? It is wonderful! +wonderful! and strangest of all is the fact that your heart turns so +fondly to me! Are you sure, dear, that you can unreservedly accept and +love your mother, in spite of those letters, and what they revealed +regarding my past life?" + +And again she searched Edith's face and eyes as if she would read her +inmost thoughts. + +She met her glance clearly, unshrinkingly. + +"I am sure that you never committed a willful wrong in your life," she +gravely replied. "It was a sad mistake to go away from your home and +parents, as you did; but there is no intent to sin to be laid to your +charge--your soul shines, like a beacon light, through these dear +eyes, and I am sure it is as pure and lovely as your face is +beautiful." + +"May He who always judges with divine mercy bless you for your sweet +charity and faith," murmured Isabel Stewart, in tremulous tones, as +she passionately kissed the lips which had just voiced such a blessed +assurance of trust and love. + +"Now come," she went on, a moment later, while, with her own hands, +she tenderly removed Edith's hat and wrap, "we will make ourselves +comfortable, then I will tell you all the sad story of my misguided +youth." + +Twining her arms about the girl's waist, she led her to a seat, and +sitting beside her, she circumstantially related all that we already +know of her history. + +But not once did she mention the name of the man who had so deeply +wronged her; for she had resolved, if it were possible, to keep from +Edith the fact that Gerald Goddard, under whose roof she had lived, +was her father. + +The young girl, however, was not satisfied, was not content to be thus +kept in the dark; and, when her mother's story was ended, she +inquired, with grave face and clouded eyes: + +"Who was this man?--why have you so persistently retrained from +identifying him? What was the name of that coward to whom--with shame +I say it--I am indebted for my being?" + +"My love, cannot you restrain your curiosity upon that point? Will you +not let the dead past bury its dead, without erecting a tablet to its +memory?" her companion pleaded, gently. "It can do you no possible +good--it might cause you infinite pain to know." + +"Is the man living?" Edith sternly demanded. + +Mrs. Stewart flushed. + +"Yes," she replied, after a moment of hesitation. + +"Then I must know--you must tell me, so that I may shun him as I would +shun a deadly serpent," the young girl exclaimed, with compressed lips +and flashing eyes. + +Mrs. Stewart looked both pained and troubled. + +"My love, I wish you would not press this point," she remarked, +nervously. + +"Edith turned and gazed searchingly into her eyes. + +"Do you still cherish an atom of affection for him?" she inquired. + +"No! a thousand times no!" was the emphatic response, accompanied by a +gesture of abhorrence. + +"Then you can have no personal motive or sensitiveness concerning the +matter." + +"No, my child--my desire is simply to save you pain--to spare you a +shock, perchance." + +"Do I know him already?--have I ever seen him?" cried Edith, in a +startled tone. + +"Yes, dear." + +"Then tell me! tell me!" panted the girl. "Oh! if I have spoken with +him, it is a wonder that my tongue was not paralyzed in the act--that +my very soul did not shrink and recoil with aversion from him!" she +exclaimed, trembling from head to foot with excitement. + +Her mother saw that it would be useless to attempt to keep the truth +from her; that it would be better to tell her, or she might brood over +the matter and make herself unhappy by vainly trying to solve the +riddle in her own mind. + +"Edith," she said, with gentle gravity, "the man is--Gerald Goddard!" + +The girl sprang to her feet, electrified by the startling revelation, +a low cry of dismay escaping her. + +"He! that man my--father!" she breathed, hoarsely, with dilating +nostrils and horrified eyes. + +"It is true," was the sad response. "I would have saved you the pain +of knowing this if I could." + +"Oh! and I have lived day after day in his presence! I have talked and +jested with him! I have eaten of his bread, and his roof has sheltered +me!" cried Edith, shivering with aversion. "Why, oh, why did not some +instinct warn me of the wretched truth, and enable me to repudiate him +and then fly from him as from some monster of evil? Ah, I was warned, +if I had but heeded the signs," she continued, with flushed cheeks and +flaming eyes. "There were many times when some word or look would +make me shrink from him with a strange repugnance, and that last night +in Wyoming--oh, he revealed his evil nature to me in a way that made +me loathe him!" + +"My child, pray calm yourself," pleaded her mother, regarding her with +astonishment, for she never could have believed, but for this +manifestation, that the usually gentle girl could have displayed so +much spirit under any circumstances. "Come," she added, "sit down +again, and explain what you meant by your reference to that last night +at Wyoming." + +And Edith, obeying her, related the conversation that had occurred +between Mr. Goddard and herself, on the night of the ball, when the +man had come to the dressing-room and asked her to button his gloves. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +FURTHER EXPLANATIONS BETWEEN MOTHER AND DAUGHTER. + + +"It was very, very strange that you should have drifted into his home +in such a way," Mrs. Stewart observed, when Edith's narrative was +ended. "But, dear, I am not sorry--it was perhaps the best thing that +could have happened, under the circumstances, for it afforded you an +opportunity to gain an insight into the man's character without having +been previously influenced or prejudiced by any one. If you had never +met him, you might have imagined, after hearing my story, that I was +more bitter and unforgiving toward him than he justly merited." + +"He must have recognized you instantly when you entered Mrs. Wallace's +drawing-room to-day," said Edith, musingly; "for, did you notice how +strangely he looked when Mrs. Baldwin called me Miss Allandale, and +you came to me so eagerly?" + +"Yes; the relationship you bear to us both must have flashed upon him +with as great a shock as upon me," Mrs. Stewart returned. + +"And how perfectly wretched he appeared when he came to the +reception-room door to give me the letter," Edith remarked, musingly, +as that white, pained face arose before her mind's eye. + +"Can you wonder, dear? How could he help being appalled when he +remembered the treatment you had received while you were a member of +his family?" + +"It all seems very wonderful!" said the fair girl, thoughtfully, "and +the fact of your being in the house at the same time, seems strangest +of all!" + +"It was a very bold thing to do, I admit," responded Mrs. Stewart; +"but the case demanded some risk on my part--I was determined to get +hold of that certificate, if it was in existence. I thought it better +to employ strategy, rather than come into open controversy with them, +as I wished to avoid all publicity if possible. I firmly believe that, +if Anna Correlli had suspected that I was still alive, she would have +destroyed the document rather than allow it to come into my +possession." + +"But you could have proved your marriage, through Mr. Forsyth, even if +she had," Edith interposed. + +"Yes; but it would have caused a terrible scandal, for Mr. Goddard +would have had to answer to the charge of bigamy; while the publicity +I should have had to endure would have been exceedingly disagreeable +to me. If, however, I had failed in my plans I should not have +hesitated to adopt bold measures--for I was determined, for your sake +as well as my own, to have proof that I was a legal wife and my child +entitled to bear the name of her father, even though he might be +unworthy of her respect." + +"How did you happen to discover where the certificate was concealed?" +Edith inquired. + +"Do you remember, dear, the day when you came upon me, sitting faint +and weary on the back stairs, and insisted that I should exchange work +with you?" her companion questioned, with a fond smile. + +"Yes, indeed, but I little thought that it was my own mother who was +so worn out by performing such unaccustomed labor," the young girl +responded, as she raised the hand she was holding and touched her lips +softly to it. + +"Neither of us had a suspicion of the tie between us," returned Mrs. +Stewart; "and yet, from the moment that you entered the house, I +experienced an unaccountable fondness for you." + +"And I was immediately impressed that there was something very +mysterious about you--our portly housekeeper," Edith smilingly +replied. + +"Did you?" + +"Yes; for one thing, these hands"--regarding them fondly--"never +looked as if they really belonged to portly Mrs. Weld, and, several +times, you forgot to speak in your coarse, assumed tones; while, that +evening, when I captured your hideous blue glasses, and looked into +these lovely eyes, I was almost sure that you were not the woman you +appeared to be." + +"I remember," said her mother, "and I was conscious of your +suspicions; but I did not mind, for my mission in that house was +almost ended, and I intended, as soon as I could resume my real +character, to renew my acquaintance with you, as Mrs. Stewart, and see +if I could not persuade you to leave that uncongenial atmosphere and +come to me." + +"How strange!" murmured Edith. + +"It was the motherly instinct reaching out after its own," was the +tender response. "But, about my finding the certificate: You remember +you offered to put the rooms in order, if I would sew for you +meanwhile?" + +"Yes." + +"Well, that was the time that I learned where that precious paper +could be found," and then she proceeded to relate the conversation +that she had overheard between Mr. and Mrs. Goddard, and how, +emboldened by it, she had afterward gone to the room of the latter to +find her in the act of examining the very document she wanted. + +She also told how, later, she had gone, by herself, to the room and +deliberately taken possession of it. + +She also mentioned the incident that had occurred on the same day in +the dining-room, when Mr. Goddard had knocked her glasses off and +seemed so disconcerted upon looking into her eyes. + +"He appeared like one who had suddenly come face to face with some +ghost of his past--as indeed he had," she concluded, with a sigh. + +"I do not see how it can be possible for him to have known one +peaceful moment since the day of his desertion of you in Rome," Edith +remarked, with a grave, thoughtful face. + +"I do not think he has," said her mother. "No one can be really at +peace while leading a life of sin and selfish indulgence. I would +rather, a thousand times, have lived my life, saddened and +overshadowed by a great wrong and a lasting disgrace--as I have +believed it to be--than to have exchanged places with either Gerald +Goddard or Anna Correlli." + +"How relieved you must have been when you met Mr. Forsyth and learned +that your marriage had been a legal one," Edith observed, while she +uttered a sigh of gratitude as she realized that thus all reproach had +also been removed from her. + +"Indeed I was, love; but more on your account than mine. And I +immediately returned to America to prove it, and then reveal to my +dear old friend, Edith, the fact that no stigma rested upon the birth +of the child whom she had so nobly adopted as her own. Poor Edith! I +loved her with all my heart," interposed the fair woman, with starting +tears. "I wish I might have seen her once more, to bless her, from the +depths of my grateful soul, for having so sacredly treasured the jewel +that I committed to her care. If I could but have known two years +earlier, and found her, she never need have suffered the privations +which I am sure hastened her untimely death. You, too, my darling, +would have been spared the wretched experience of which you have told +me." + +"I do not mind so much for myself, but was in despair sometimes to +see how much mamma missed and needed the comforts to which she had +always been accustomed," said Edith, the tears rolling over her cheeks +as she remembered the patient sufferer who never murmured, even when +she was enduring the pangs of hunger. + +"Well, dear, do not grieve," said Mrs. Stewart, folding her in a fond +embrace. "I know, from what you have told me, that you did your utmost +to shield her from every ill; and, judging from what you have said +regarding the state of her health at the time of Mr. Allandale's +death, I believe she could not have lived very much longer, even under +the most favorable circumstances. Now, my child," she continued, more +brightly, and to distract the girl's thoughts from the sad past, +"since everything is all explained, tell me something about these new +friends of whom you have spoken--Mr. Bryant, Mrs. Morrell and Mr. +Raymond." + +Edith blushed rosily at the mention of her lover's name, and almost +involuntarily she slipped her hand into her pocket and clasped a +letter that lay concealed there. + +"Mr. Bryant is the gentleman in whose office I was working at the time +of mamma's death," she explained. "He, too, was the one who was so +kind when I got into trouble with the five-dollar gold piece, and so +it was to him I applied for advice, after escaping from Emil +Correlli." + +"Ah!" simply remarked Mrs. Stewart, but she was quick to observe the +shy smile that hovered about the beautiful girl's mouth while she was +speaking of Roy. + +"I telegraphed him to meet me when I should arrive in New York," Edith +resumed, "because I knew it would be late, and I did not know where it +would be best for me to go. He did so, and took me directly to his +cousin, and that is how I happened to be with Mrs. Morrell." + +Mrs. Stewart put one taper finger beneath Edith's pretty, round chin, +and gently lifting her downcast face, looked searchingly into her +eyes. + +"Darling, you are very fond of Mr. Bryant, are you not?" she softly +questioned. + +Instantly the fair face was dyed crimson, and, dropping her head upon +her mother's shoulder, she murmured: + +"How can I help it?" + +"And he is going to win my daughter from me? I hope he is worthy." + +"Oh, he is noble to the core of his heart," was the earnest reply. + +"I believe he must be, dear, or you could not love him," smilingly +returned her companion, adding: "At all events, he has been very kind +and faithful to you, and therefore deserves my everlasting gratitude. +Now tell me of this Mr. Raymond." + +So Edith proceeded to relate the story of that gentleman's unfortunate +love for and devotion to Mrs. Allandale; his recent quest for her, +after learning of Mr. Allandale's misfortune and death, in order to +leave his money to her; and how, after learning from Roy that she had +died, he had then advertised for herself, and, since her return to New +York, had settled the half of his fortune upon her. + +"Really, it is like a romance, dear," said Mrs. Stewart, smiling, +though somewhat sadly, when she concluded her pathetic tale. "To think +that, after all, I should find my little girl an heiress in her own +right! What a rich little body you will be by and by, when you also +come in possession of your mother's inheritance," she added, lightly. + +"Oh, pray do not suggest such a thought!" cried Edith, clinging to +her. "All the wealth of the world could not make up to me the loss of +my mother. Now that we have found each other, pray Heaven that we may +be spared many, many years to enjoy our happiness." + +"Forgive me, Edith--I should not have spoken like that," said Mrs. +Stewart, bending forward to kiss the sweet, pained face beside her. +"We will not begin to apprehend a parting in this first hour of our +joy. Now I suppose we ought to consider what relationship we are +going to sustain to each other in the future, before the world. Of +course, neither of us would enjoy the notoriety which a true statement +of our affairs would entail; at the same time, having found you, my +darling, I feel that I can never allow you to call me anything but +'mother'--which is music to my hungry ears." + +"No, indeed--I can never be denied the privilege of owning you," cried +Edith, earnestly. + +"Well, then, suppose you submit to a second adoption?" Mrs. Stewart +suggested. "It will be very easy, and perfectly truthful, to state +that, having been a dear friend of Mrs. Allandale's youth, and +returning from abroad to find you alone in the world, I solicited the +privilege of adopting the child of my old schoolmate and providing for +her future. Such an arrangement would appear perfectly natural to the +world, and no one could criticise us for loving each other just as +tenderly as we choose, or question your right to give me the title I +desire. What do you say, dear?" + +"I think the plan a very nice one, and agree to it with all my heart," +Edith eagerly responded. + +"Then we will proceed to carry it out immediately, for I am very +impatient to set up an establishment of my own, and introduce my +darling daughter to society," smilingly returned Mrs. Stewart; adding, +as she observed her somewhat curiously, "Are you fond of society and +gay life, Edith?" + +"Y-es, to a certain extent," was the rather thoughtful reply. + +"How am I to interpret that slightly indefinite remark?" Mrs. Stewart +playfully inquired. "Most girls are only too eager for fashionable +life." + +"And I used to enjoy it exceedingly," said the young girl, gravely, +"but I have had an opportunity to see the other side during the last +two years, and my ideas regarding what constitutes true enjoyment and +happiness have become somewhat modified. I am sure that I shall still +enjoy refined society; but, mother, dear, if your means are so ample, +and you intend to set up an establishment of your own, let us, at the +outset, take a stand in the social world that no one can mistake, and +maintain it most rigidly." + +"A 'stand,' Edith! I don't quite clearly comprehend your meaning," +said Mrs. Stewart, as she paused an instant. + +"I mean regarding the people with whom we will and will not mingle. +Have you ever heard of Paula Nelson, mother?" + +"Yes, dear; I met her only a few evenings ago, at the house of Mrs. +Raymond Ventnor; she is a noble woman, with a noble mission. I begin +to comprehend you now, Edith." + +"Then let us join her, heart and hand--let us take our stand for +chastity and morality," Edith earnestly resumed. "Let us pledge +ourselves never to admit within our doors any man who bears the +reputation of being immoral, or who lightly esteems the purity of any +woman, however humble; while, on the other hand, let us never refuse +to hold out a helping hand to those poor, unfortunate girls, who, +having once been deceived, honestly desire to rise above their +mistake." + +"That is bravely spoken, my noble Edith," said Mrs. Stewart, with dewy +eyes. "And surely I, who have so much greater cause for taking such a +stand than you, will second you most heartily in maintaining it in our +future home. I believe that such a determination on the part of every +pure woman, would soon make a radical change in the tone of society." + +Both were silent for a few moments after this, but finally Edith +turned to her companion and inquired: + +"Mother, dear, where is Mr. Willard Livermore--the gentleman who +rescued you from the Tiber--and his sister, also, who cared for you so +faithfully during your long illness?" + +"Alice Livermore is in Philadelphia, where she has long been +practicing medicine for sweet charity's sake. Mr. Livermore is--here +in New York," Mrs. Stewart responded, but flushing slightly as she +spoke the name of the gentleman. + +Something in her tone caused Edith to glance up curiously into her +face, and she read there, in the lovely flush and tender eye, which +told her that her mother regarded her deliverer with a sentiment far +stronger and deeper than that of mere gratitude or admiration. + +"Ah! you--" she began, impulsively, and then stopped, confused. + +"Yes, love," confessed the beautiful woman, with shining eyes, "I will +have no secrets from you--we both love each other with an everlasting +love; for long years this has been so; and had we been sure that there +existed no obstacle to our union, it is probable that I should have +married Mr. Livermore long ago. But we both believe in the Bible +ritual, and those words, 'until death doth part,' have been a barrier +which neither of us was willing to overleap. Each knows the heart of +the other; and, though it sometimes seems hard that our lives must be +divided, when our tastes are so congenial in every particular, yet we +have mutually decided that only as 'friends' have we the right to +clasp hands and greet each other in this world." + +Edith put up her lips and softly kissed the flushed cheek nearest her. + +"How I love and honor you!" she whispered. + +"We will never speak about this again, if you please, dear," said +Isabel Stewart, in a slightly tremulous tone. "I wished you to know +the truth, but I cannot talk about it. I do not deny the affection; +that is something over which I have no control; but I can at least say +'thus far and no farther,' for the sake of conscience and +self-respect. Now, about that letter which was handed to you to-day," +she continued, suddenly changing the subject. "Suppose we look it over +again, and then I think it should go directly into the hands of Mr. +Bryant." + +She had hardly finished speaking when there came a knock upon her +door. + +Rising, she opened it, to find a servant standing without and waiting +to deliver a card that lay upon a silver salver. + +Mrs. Stewart took it and read the name of Royal Bryant, together with +the following lines, written in pencil: + + "Will Mrs. Stewart kindly excuse this seeming intrusion of a + stranger? but I understand that Miss Allandale is with you, + and it is necessary that I have a few moments' conversation + with her. + + R. B." + +"Show the gentleman up," the lady quietly remarked to the servant, +then stepped back into the room and passed the card to Edith. + +The young girl's eyes lighted with sudden joy, and the quick color +flushed her cheeks, betraying how even the sight of Roy's name and +handwriting had power to move her. + +A few moments later there came another tap to tell her that her dear +one was awaiting admittance, and she herself went to receive him. + +"Roy! I am so glad you have come!" she exclaimed, holding out both +hands to him, her face radiant with happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +"MY DARLING, YOU ARE FREE!" + + +The young man regarded her with astonishment, for she had never +greeted him so warmly before. + +Edith saw his look and met it with a blush. She took his hat, then led +him directly to Mrs. Stewart. + +"Roy, you will be astonished," she remarked, "but my first duty is to +introduce you to--my mother." + +With a look of blank amazement, the young man mechanically put out his +hand to greet the beautiful woman who approached and graciously +welcomed him. + +"That was rather an abrupt and startling announcement, Mr. Bryant," +she smilingly remarked, to cover his confusion; "but pray be seated +and we will soon explain the mysterious situation." + +"Pardon my bewilderment," said the young man, as he bowed over her +extended hand; "but really, ladies, I am free to confess that you have +almost taken my breath away." + +"Then you will know how to sympathize with us," cried Edith, with a +silvery little laugh, "for we have both been in the same condition +during the last few hours." + +"Indeed! Then I must say you look very bright for a person who has not +breathed for 'hours,'" he retorted, as he began to recover himself. + +"Well, figuratively speaking, our respiration has been retarded many +times, during a short interval, by the strangest developments +imaginable," Edith explained. "But how did you trace me to the +Waldorf?" + +"I had something important to tell you, so ran up to Nellie's to see +you, but was told that you had accompanied Mrs. Stewart thither," Roy +explained. "I hope, however, I shall be pardoned for interrupting your +interview," he concluded with an apologetic glance at the elder lady. + +"Certainly; and, strange to say, we were speaking of you almost at the +moment that your card was brought to us," she returned. "Edith has had +an important communication handed her to-day, which I thought you +ought to have, since you are her attorney, without any unnecessary +delay." + +"Oh! it is most wonderful, Roy! This is it," said the young girl, +producing it from her pocket. "But first I must tell you that in Mrs. +Stewart I have discovered mamma's old friend--the writer of those +letters of which I told you. She did not die in Rome, as was feared." + +"Can that be possible?" exclaimed Mr. Bryant. + +"Yes, dear. It is a long story, and I cannot stop to tell it all now," +Edith went on, eagerly, "but I must explain that she has discovered an +important document that proves what makes me the happiest girl in New +York to-day. We met at Mrs. Wallace's this afternoon, where some one +addressed me as Miss Allandale, when she instantly knew that I must be +her child. Isn't it all too wonderful to seem true?" + +After chatting a little longer over the wonderful revelations, he +suddenly remembered the "important communication" which Mrs. Stewart +had mentioned. + +"What was the matter of business which you felt needed early +consideration?" he inquired. + +Instantly Edith's lovely face was suffused with blushes, and Mrs. +Stewart, thinking it would be wise to leave the lovers alone during +the forthcoming explanations, excused herself and quietly slipped into +an adjoining room. + +Edith immediately went to the young man's side and gave her letter to +him. + +"Roy, this is even more wonderful than what I have already told you," +she gravely remarked. "Read it; it will explain itself better than any +words of mine can do." + +He drew the contents from the envelope, and began at once to read the +following confession: + + "For the sake of performing one right act in my life, I wish + to make the following statement, namely: I hereby declare + that the marriage of my brother, Emil Correlli, to Miss + Edith Allen, who, for several weeks, has acted as my + companion, was not a legal ceremony, inasmuch as it was + accomplished solely by fraud and treachery. Miss Allen was + tricked into it by being overpersuaded to personate a + supposed character in a play, entitled 'The Masked Bridal.' + The play was written and acted before a large audience for + the sole purpose of deceiving Miss Allen and making her the + wife of my brother, whom she had absolutely refused to + marry, but who was determined to carry his point at all + hazards. Motives of affection for him, and of jealousy, on + account of my husband's apparent fondness for the girl, + alone prompted me to aid him in his bold design. I hereby + declare again that it was all a trick, from beginning to + end, and it was only by my indomitable will, and by working + upon Miss Allen's sympathies, that I was enabled to carry + out my purpose." (Then followed a detailed account of the + plot of the play and its concluding ceremony, after which + the document closed as follows): "I am impressed that I have + not long to live; and wishing, if it can be done, to right + this great wrong, and make it possible for the proper + officials to declare Miss Allen freed from her bonds, I make + this confession of a fraud that weighs too heavily upon my + conscience to be borne. + + "ANNA CORRELLI GODDARD." + +The above was dated the day previous to that of madam's death, and +underneath she had appended a few lines to Mr. Goddard, stating that +she knew he was in sympathy with Edith; therefore she should leave the +epistle with her lawyer, to be given to him, in the event of her +death, and she enjoined him to see that justice was done the girl whom +she had injured. + +This was the missive that the lawyer had passed to Mr. Goddard at the +same time that he had read the woman's will in the presence of her +husband and Emil Correlli, and over which, as we have seen, he +afterward became so strangely agitated. + +We know how he had hurriedly removed from his former elegant home to a +habitation on another street; after which, instead of going abroad, as +the papers had stated, he had gone directly to New York, upon the same +quest as Emil Correlli, but with a very different purpose in +view--that of giving to Edith the precious document that was to +declare her free from the man whom she loathed. + +He could get no trace of her, however; unlike Correlli, he had no +knowledge of her acquaintance with Royal Bryant, and therefore all he +could do was to carry the letter about with him, wherever he went, in +the hope of some day meeting her upon the street, or elsewhere. + +One day he was out at Central Park, when he suddenly came upon a +former friend--Mrs. Wallace--who immediately announced to him her +intention of arranging a charitable art exhibition and solicited +contributions from him to aid her in the good work. + +Thus the appearance of that bit of old "Roman Wall" is accounted for, +as well as the presence of Mr. Goddard himself, who was particularly +requested by Mrs. Wallace to honor the occasion, and allow her to +introduce him to some of her friends. + +It would be difficult to describe the terrible shock which the man +sustained when he heard Edith addressed by and respond to the +name--Miss Allandale. + +Like a flash of light it was revealed to him that the beautiful girl +was his own daughter!--that, in her, he had, for months, been +"entertaining an angel unawares," but only to abuse his privilege in a +way to reap her lasting contempt and aversion. + +This blighting knowledge was followed by a sense of sickening despair +and misery, when, almost at the same moment, he saw Isabel Stewart +start forward to claim her child and lead her from the room, when he +knew she must learn the wretched truth regarding his life of +selfishness and sin. + +As they disappeared from sight, he sank back behind the easel that +supported his Roman picture, groaning in spirit with remorse and +humiliation. + +A little later he stole unseen from the room, and, crossing the hall, +opened the door of the reception-room, which he had seen Edith and her +mother enter. + +He had determined to give the young girl the letter that would serve +to release her from her hateful fetters; he would, perhaps, experience +some comfort in the thought that he had rendered her this one simple +service that would bring her happiness; then he would go away--hide +himself and his misery from all who knew him, and live out his future +to what purpose he could. + +We know how he carried out his resolve regarding the confession of +Anna Correlli; and the picture which met his eye, as he opened that +door and looked upon the mother and daughter clasped in each other's +arms, was one that haunted his memory during the rest of his life. + +As soon as Royal Bryant comprehended the import of Anna Correlli's +confession, he turned to Edith with a radiant face and open arms. + +"My darling! nothing can keep us apart now!" he murmured, in tones +vibrant with joy, "you are free--free as the air you breathe--free to +give yourself to me! Come!" + +With a smile of love and happiness Edith sprang into his embrace and +laid her face upon his breast. + +"Oh, Roy!" she breathed, "all this seems too much joy to be real or to +be borne in one day!" + +"I think we can manage to endure it," returned her lover, with a fond +smile. "I confess, however, that it seems like a day especially +dedicated to blessings, for I have other good news for you." + +"Can it be possible? What more could I ask, or even think of?" +exclaimed Edith, wonderingly. + +Roy smiled mysteriously, and returned, with a roguish gleam in his +eyes: + +"My news will keep a while--until you give me the pledge I crave, my +darling. You will be my wife, Edith?" he added, with tender +earnestness. + +"You know that I will, Roy," she whispered; and, lifting her face to +his, their mutual vows were sealed by their betrothal caress. + +The young man drew from an inner pocket a tiny circlet of gold in +which there blazed a flawless stone, clear as a drop of dew, and +slipped it upon the third finger of Edith's left hand. + +"I have had it ever since the day after your arrival in New York," he +smilingly remarked, "but coward conscience would not allow me to give +it to you; however, it will prove to you that I was lacking in neither +faith nor hope." + +"Now for my good news," he added, after Edith had thanked him, in a +shy, sweet way that thrilled him anew, while he gently drew her to a +seat. "I met Giulia Fiorini on the street this afternoon." + +"Oh, Roy! did you?" + +"Yes; she is here, searching for Correlli. I recognized her and the +child from your description. I boldly resolved to address her, as I +feared it might be my only opportunity. I did so, asking if I was +right in supposing her to be Madam Fiorini, and told her that I was +searching for her, at your request. She almost wept at the sound of +your name, and eagerly inquired where she could find you. I took her +to my office, where I told her what I wished to prove regarding her +relations with Correlli, and that, if I could accomplish my purpose, +it would give her and the child a claim upon him which he could not +ignore. She at once frankly related her story to me, and stated that +when they had first arrived in New York from Italy, Correlli had taken +her to Madam ----'s boarding-house, where he had made arrangements for +himself, wife and child--" + +"Oh, then that settles the question of her claim upon him!" Edith here +interposed, eagerly. + +"Yes--if we can prove her statements, and I think we can; for when I +told Giulia of my visit to madam, and how I had failed to elicit the +slightest information from her, she said that she knew where one of +the servants--who was in the house when she went there--could be +found, for she had stumbled across the girl in the street and learned +where she is now living. She gave me her address, and I went +immediately to interview her. Luck was in my favor--the girl was at +home, and remembered the 'pretty Italian girl, who was so sweet-spoken +and polite;' she also knew where her previous fellow-servant could be +found, and asserted that they would both be willing to swear that +madam herself had told them to 'always to be very attentive to the +handsome Italian's wife, for she made more out of them than out of any +of her other boarders.' So, I flatter myself that I have gathered +conclusive evidence against the man," Roy added, in a tone of +satisfaction. "I shall interview Monsieur Correlli at once, and +perhaps, when he realizes that his supposed claim upon you is null and +void, he may be persuaded to do what is right regarding his wife and +child." + +The lovers then fell to talking of their own affairs, Edith relating +what she had so recently learned from her mother, and concluded by +mentioning the plan of readoption, suggested by Mrs. Stewart, in order +to avoid the gossip of the world. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +AN UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER. + + +The morning following his conference with his betrothed, our young +lawyer went early to seek an interview with Emil Correlli. + +He was fortunate enough to find him at the hotel where he had told him +he could be found if wanted. + +In a few terse sentences he stated the object of his visit, cited the +evidence he possessed of Correlli's bigamous exploit, and then +startled that audacious person by summarizing the contents of the late +Mrs. Goddard's confession. + +"If you are not already sure of the fact," the lawyer emphatically +added, "allow me to inform you that your sister was never the wife of +Mr. Gerald Goddard, as that gentleman had been married previous to his +meeting with Miss Correlli. It was supposed that his first wife was +drowned in Rome, but the report was false, as the woman is still +living." + +"I do not believe it," angrily exclaimed Emil Correlli, and yet, in +his heart, he felt that it was true, for it but verified his own +previous suspicions. "I tell you it is all a lie, for Goddard himself +told me, only two days after my sister's death, that, if I chose to +look, I would find the record of his marriage to her in the books of +the ---- Church in Rome." + +"That is true; Mr. Goddard supposed the marriage to have been legal, +because, at the time he deserted his lovely wife for Miss Correlli, he +did not know that he was lawfully bound to her. But, later, both he +and your sister learned the truth, and the secret of their unfortunate +relations embittered the lives of both, especially after they +discovered that the real Mrs. Goddard is still living," Roy exclaimed. + +"How do you know this?" hoarsely demanded his companion. + +"I have recently seen and conversed with Mrs. Goddard, and all the +facts of her history are in my possession." + +"Who is she? Under what name is she known?" + +"That is a question that I must refuse to answer, as the revelation of +the lady's identity cannot affect the case in hand; unless--it should +come before the courts and the truth be forced from me," Roy replied. + +"Then why have you told me this wretched story?" cried the man, almost +savagely. + +"A lawyer, in fighting his cases, is often obliged to use a variety of +weapons," was the significant response. "I thought it might be just as +well to warn you, at the outset, that your sister's reputation might +suffer in the event of a lawsuit, during which much might be revealed +which otherwise would remain a secret among ourselves." + +To convince Correlli of the truth of his disclosures Mr. Bryant +announced that he had in his possession, at that moment, a copy of +Mrs. Goddard's confession, and proceeded to read it, having first +declared that the original was in his office safe. + +Emil Correlli, was ghastly white when Roy stopped, after reading the +entire confession. He realized that his case was hopeless; that he had +been ignominiously defeated in his scheme to possess Edith, and +nothing remained to him but to submit to the inevitable. + +"Now I have just one question to ask you, Mr. Correlli," Roy remarked, +as he refolded the paper and laid it upon the table for him to examine +at his leisure. "What is your decision? Will you still contest the +point of Miss Allandale's freedom, or will you quietly withdraw your +claim, and allow it to be publicly announced, through the Boston +papers, that that ceremony in Wyoming was simply a farce after all?" + +"You leave me no choice," was the sullen response; "but," with a +murderous gleam in his dusky eyes, "if you had brought the original +confession with you to-day, you would never have gone out of this +house with it in your possession." + +"Excuse me for contradicting you, sir; but I think I should," Roy +returned, with the utmost courtesy. "I took all proper precautions +before coming to you, as it was--although not because of any personal +fear of you. No less than three persons in this house, and as many +more outside, know of my visit to you at this hour. And, now, since +you have decided to yield to my requirements, I have here some papers +for you to sign." + +He drew them forth as he spoke, spreading them out upon the table, +after which he arose and touched the electric button over the mantel. + +"What is that for?" curtly demanded his companion. + +"To summon witnesses to your signature to these documents." + +"Your assurance is something refreshing," sneered the elder man. "How +do you know that I will sign them?" + +"I feel very sure that you will, Mr. Correlli," was the quiet +rejoinder; "for, in the event of your refusal, there is an officer in +waiting to arrest you upon the two serious charges before mentioned." + +The baffled man snarled in impotent rage; but before he could frame a +retort, there came a knock on the door. + +Roy answered it, and bade the servant without to "show up the +gentlemen who were waiting in the office." + +Five minutes later they appeared, when Emil Correlli, without a demur, +signed the papers which Roy had brought and now read aloud in their +presence. + +His signature was then duly witnessed by them, after which they +withdrew, Mr. Bryant's clerk, who was one of the number, taking the +documents with him. + +Roy, however, remained behind. + +"Mr. Correlli," he said, as soon as the door closed, "I have one more +request to make of you, before I leave; it is that you will openly +acknowledge as your wife the woman you have wronged, and thus bestow +upon your child the name which it is his right to bear." + +"I will see them both--" + +"Hush!" sternly interrupted Roy, before he could complete his +passionate sentence. "I simply wish to give you the opportunity to do +what is right, of your own free will. If you refuse, I shall do my +utmost to compel you; and, mark my words, it can be done. That woman +and her child are justly entitled to your name and support, and they +shall have their rights, even though you may never look upon their +faces again. I give you just one week to think over the matter. You +can leave the country if you choose, and thus escape appearing in +court; but you doubtless know what will happen if you do--the case +will go by default, and Giulia and Ino will come off victors." + +The man knew that what the lawyer said was true, but he was so enraged +over his inability to help himself that he was utterly reckless, and +cried out, fiercely: + +"Do your worst--I defy you to the last! And now, the quicker you +relieve me of your presence the better I shall like it." + +The young lawyer took up his hat, bowed politely to his defeated foe, +and quietly left the room, very well satisfied with the result of his +morning's work. + +All the necessary forms of law were complied with to release Edith +from even a seeming alliance with the man who had been so determined +to win her. + +An announcement was inserted in the Boston papers explaining as much +as was deemed necessary, and thus the fair girl was free!--free to +give herself to him whom her heart had chosen. + +Then she was formally adopted by Mrs. Stewart, the old schoolmate of +the late Mrs. Allandale, and a little later, when they were settled in +their elegant residence on one of the fashionable avenues, society was +bidden to a great feast to honor the new relationship and to +congratulate the charming hostess and her beautiful daughter, who was +thus restored to a position she was so well fitted to grace. + +At the same time Edith's engagement to the young lawyer was announced, +and it seemed to the happy young couple as if the future held for them +only visions of joy. + +True to his promise, Roy gave Emil Correlli the week specified to +decide either for or against Giulia; then, not having heard from him, +he instituted proceedings to establish her claim upon him. + +Correlli did not appear to defend himself, consequently the court +indorsed her petition and awarded her a handsome maintenance. + +Once only Gerald Goddard met his daughter after she learned the facts +relating to her birth and parentage. + +They suddenly came face to face, one morning, in one of the up-town +parks. He looked ill and wretched; his hair had become white as snow, +his face thin and pale, and his clothing hung loosely about him. + +"Pardon me," he began, in uncertain tones, while he searched her face +wistfully. "No doubt you despise me too thoroughly to wish to hold any +intercourse with me; still, I feel that I must tell you how deeply I +regret, and ask your pardon for, what occurred in the dressing-room at +Wyoming on the last night of that 'winter frolic.'" + +Edith's tender heart could not fail to experience a feeling of +sympathy for the proud man in his humiliated and broken state. +Remembering that it was through him that her blessed freedom from Emil +Correlli and her present happiness had come, she forced herself to +respond in a gentle tone: + +"I have always felt, Mr. Goddard, that you were not fully conscious of +what you were saying to me at that time." + +"I was not," he eagerly returned, his face lighting a trifle that she +should judge him thus leniently. "I had been drinking too much; still, +that fact should, perhaps, also be a cause for shame. Pray assure me +of your pardon for what I can never forgive myself." + +"Certainly; I have no right to withhold it, in view of your apology," +she responded. + +"Thank you; and--and may I presume to ask you one question more?" he +pleaded. + +Edith's heart leaped into her throat at this, for she was impressed +with a knowledge and a dread of what was coming. + +For the moment she could not speak--she could only bow her assent to +his request. + +"I want to ask if--if, since you left my house, you have learned +anything regarding my previous history?" he inquired, with pale lips. + +"Yes," she said, sadly, "I know it all. My mother told me only because +I demanded the truth. She would have preferred to keep some things +from me, for your sake as well as mine, but I could not be satisfied +with any partial disclosure." + +"How you must hate me!" the man burst forth, while great drops of +agony gathered about his mouth. + +He had never believed that a human being could suffer as he suffered +at that moment, in knowing that by his own vileness he had forever +barred himself outside the affections of this lovely girl, toward whom +he had always--since the first hour of their meeting--been strangely +attracted, and whose love and respect, now that he knew she was his +own child, seemed the most priceless boons that earth could hold for +him. + +At first Edith could make no reply to his passionate outburst. + +"No," she said, at last, and lifting a regretful look to him, "I hope +that there is not an atom of 'hate' in my heart toward any human +being, especially toward any one who might experience an honest, +though late, repentance for misdeeds." + +"Ah! thank you; then have you not some word of comfort--some message +of peace for me?" tremulously pleaded the once haughty, +self-sufficient man, while he half extended his hands toward her, in a +gesture of entreaty. + +Her lips quivered, and tears sprang involuntarily to her eyes, while +it was only after a prolonged effort that she was able to respond. + +"Yes," she said, at last, a solemn sweetness in her unsteady tones, +"the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace." + +She often wondered afterward how it happened that those words of +blessing, once uttered by a patriarch of old, should have slipped +almost unconsciously from her lips. + +She did not even wait to note their effect upon her companion, but, +gliding swiftly past him, went on her way. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +CONCLUSION. + + +Three months after the incidents related in our previous chapter a +large and fashionable audience assembled, one bright day, in a certain +church on Madison avenue to witness a marriage that had been +anticipated with considerable interest and curiosity among the smart +set. + +Exactly at the last stroke of noon the bridal party passed down the +central aisle. + +It was composed of four ushers, as many bridesmaids a maid of honor +and two stately, graceful figures in snow-white apparel. + +One of these latter was a veiled bride, her tall, willowy figure clad +in gleaming satin, her golden head crowned with natural orange +blossoms, and she carried an exquisite bouquet of the same fragrant +flowers in her ungloved hands--for the groom had forbidden the +conventional white kids in this ceremony--while on her lovely face +there was a light and sweetness which only perfect happiness could +have painted there. + +Her companion, a woman of regal presence and equally beautiful in her +way, was clothed in costly white velvet, richly garnished with pearls +and rare old point lace. + +The fair bride and her attendant were no other than Isabel Stewart and +her daughter. + +"Who should give away my darling save her own mother?" she had +questioned, with smiling but tremulous lips, when this matter was +being discussed, together with other preparations for the wedding. + +Edith was delighted with the idea, and thus it was carried out in the +way described. + +The party was met at the chancel by Roy, accompanied by his best man +and the clergyman, where the ceremony was impressively performed, +after which the happy couple led the way from the church with those +sweetest strains of Mendelssohn beating their melodious rhythm upon +their ears and joyful hearts. + +It was an occasion for only smiles and gladness; but, away in a dim +corner of that vast edifice, there sat a solitary figure, with bowed +head and pale face, over which--as there fell upon his ears those +solemn words, "till death us do part"--hot tears streamed like rain. + +The figure was Gerald Goddard. He had read the announcement of Edith's +marriage in the papers, and, with an irresistible yearning to see her +in her bridal robes, he had stolen into the church with the crowd, and +hidden himself where he could see without being seen. + +But the scene was too much for him, for, as he watched that peerless +woman and her beautiful daughter move down the aisle, and listened to +the reverent responses of the young couple, there came to him, with +terrible force, the consciousness that if he had been true to the same +vows which he had once taken upon himself he need not now have been +shut out of this happy scene, like some lost soul shut out of heaven. + +But no one heeded him; and, when the ceremony was over, he slipped +away as secretly as he had come, and no one dreamed that the father of +the beautiful bride had been an unbidden guest at her wedding. + +In giving Edith to Roy Mrs. Stewart had begged that she need not be +separated from her newly recovered treasure--that for the present, at +least, they would make their home with her--or, rather, that they +would take the house, which was to be a part of Edith's dowry, and +allow her to remain with them as their guest. + +This they were only too glad to do; therefore, after a delightful +wedding trip through the West, they came back to their elegant home, +where, with every luxury at their command, the future seemed to +promise unlimited happiness. + +Poor Louis Raymond had failed very rapidly during the spring months; +indeed, he was not even able to attend the marriage of the girl for +whom he had formed a strong attachment, and who had bestowed upon him +many gracious attentions and services that had greatly brightened his +last days. He passed quietly away only a few weeks after their return +to New York. + +One day, a couple of months after her marriage, Edith was about to +step into her carriage, on coming out of a store on Broadway, where +she had been shopping, when she was startled by excited shouts and +cries directly across the street from her. + +Turning to see what had caused the commotion, she saw a heavily loaded +team just toppling over, while a man, who had been in the act of +crossing the street, was borne down under it, and, with a shriek which +she never forgot, apparently crushed to death. + +Sick and faint with horror, she crept into her carriage, and ordered +her driver to get away from the dreadful scene as soon as possible. + +That same evening, as she was looking over the _Telegram_, a low cry +of astonishment broke from her, as she read the following paragraph: + +"A sad accident occurred on Broadway this morning. A carelessly loaded +team was overturned by its own top-heaviness as it was rounding the +corner of Twenty-ninth street, crushing beneath its cruel weight the +talented young sculptor, Emil Correlli. Both legs were broken, one in +two places, and it is feared that he has suffered fatal internal +injuries. He was taken in an unconscious state to the Roosevelt +Hospital, where he now lies hovering between life and death. The +surgeons have little hope of his recovery." + +Edith was greatly shocked by the account, notwithstanding her aversion +to the man. + +She had not supposed that he was in the city, for Roy believed that he +had left the country, rather than appear to defend himself against +Giulia's claims, and to escape paying the damages the court awarded +her, after proclaiming her his lawful wife. + +The woman had since been supporting herself and her child by designing +and making dainty costumes for children, a vocation to which she +seemed especially adapted, and by which she was making a good living, +through the recommendation of both Mrs. Stewart and Edith. + +The day after the accident Roy, on his way home from his office, +prompted by a feeling of humanity, went to the Roosevelt Hospital to +inquire for the injured man. + +The surgeon looked grave when he made known his errand. + +"There is hardly a ray of hope for him," he remarked; "he is still +unconscious. Do you know anything about him or his family?" he asked, +with sudden interest. + +"Yes, I have had some acquaintance with him," Roy returned. + +"Do you know his wife?" the man pursued. "A woman came here last +evening, claiming to be his wife, and insisting upon remaining by his +bedside as long as he should live." + +"Yes, he has a wife," the young man briefly returned, but deeply +touched by this evidence of Giulia's devotion. + +"Is she a dark, foreign-looking lady, of medium height, rather +handsome, and with a slight accent in her speech?" + +"That answers exactly to her description." + +"I am glad to know it, for we have been in some doubt as to the +propriety of allowing her to remain with our patient. We tried to make +her leave him, last night, even threatening to have her forcibly +removed; but she simply would not go, and is remarkably handy in +assisting the nurse, while her self-control is simply wonderful." + +Roy wrote a few lines on one of his cards, saying that if either he or +Mrs. Bryant could be of any service at this trying time, she might be +free to call upon them. + +This he gave to the surgeon to hand to Giulia, and then went away. + +The following evening the woman made her appearance in their home with +her child, whom she begged them to care for "as long as Emil should +live." + +It could not be very long, she said, with streaming eyes. She loved +him still, in spite of everything, and she must remain with him while +he breathed. + +Edith willingly received Ino, saying she would be glad to keep him as +long as was necessary; then Giulia went immediately back to her sad +vigils beside the man who had caused her nothing but sorrow and shame. + +But Emil Correlli did not die. + +Very slowly and painfully he came back to life--to an existence, +rather, from which he would gladly have escaped when he realized what +it was to be. + +When he first awakened to consciousness it was to find a pale, patient +woman beside him--one who met his sighs and moans with gentle +sympathy, and who ministered tirelessly to his every need and comfort. + +No other hand was so cool and soft upon his heated head, or so deft to +arrange his covers and pillows; no voice was so gently modulated yet +so invariably cheerful--no step so quick and light; and, though the +querulous invalid often frowned upon her, and chided her sharply for +imaginary remissness, she never wavered in her sweetness and +gentleness. + +Thus, little by little, the selfish man grew to appreciate her and to +yearn for her presence, if she was forced to be out of his sight for +even a few minutes at a time. + +"She has saved your life--she has almost forced life upon you," the +surgeon remarked to him one day, when, as he came to make his +accustomed visit, Giulia slipped away for a moment of rest and a +breath of fresh air. + +The invalid frowned. It was not exactly pleasant to be told that he +owed such a debt of gratitude to the woman he had wronged. He was too +callous to experience very much of gratitude as yet. It was only when +he was pronounced well enough to be moved, and informed that he must +make arrangements to be cared for outside, in order to make room for +more urgent cases, that he began to wonder how he should get along +without his faithful nurse and to realize how dependent he was upon +her. + +He knew that he would be a cripple for life; his broken bones had +knitted nicely, and his limbs would be as sound as ever, in time; but +his spine had been injured, and he would never walk upright +again--henceforth he would only be able to get about upon crutches. + +How, then, could he live without some one to wait upon him and bear +with him in his future state of helplessness? + +"Where shall I go?" he questioned, querulously, when, later, he told +Giulia that his removal had been ordered. "A hotel is the most dismal +place in the world for a sick man." + +"Emil, how would you like a home of your own?" Giulia gravely +inquired. + +The word "home" thrilled him strangely, making him think yearningly of +his mother and the comforts of his childhood, and an irresistible +longing took possession of him. + +"A home!" he repeated, bitterly. "How on earth could I make a home for +myself?" + +"I will make it for you--I will go to take care of you in it, if you +like," she quietly answered. + +"You!" he exclaimed in surprise, while, with sudden discernment, he +remarked a certain refined beauty in her face that he had never +observed before. + +Then he added, with a sullen glance at his useless limbs, a strange +sense of shame creeping over him: + +"Do you still care enough for me to take that trouble?" + +"I am willing to do my duty, Emil," she gravely replied. + +"Ha! you evade me!" he cried, sharply, and piqued by her answer. "Tell +me truly, Giulia, do you still love me well enough to be willing to +devote your life to such a misshapen wretch as I shall always be?" + +The woman turned her face away from him, to hide the sudden light of +hope that leaped into her eyes at his words, which she fancied had in +them a note of appeal. + +But she had been learning wisdom during her long weeks of service in +the hospital--learning that anything, to be appreciated, must be +hardly won; and so she answered as before, without betraying a sign of +the eager desire that had taken root in her heart: + +"I told you, Emil, that I was willing to do my duty. I bear your +name--you are Ino's father--my proper place is in your home; and if +you see fit to decide that we shall all live together under the same +roof, I will do my utmost to make you comfortable, and your future as +pleasant as possible. More than that I cannot promise--now." + +"And you really mean this, Giulia?" he questioned, in a low tone. + +"Yes, if my proposal meets with your approval, we can at least make +the experiment. If it should not prove a success, we can easily +abandon it whenever you choose." + +He knew that he could not do without her--knew that she had become so +essential to him that he was appalled at the mere thought of losing +her, while the sound of that magic word "home," around which clustered +everything that was comfortable and attractive, opened before him the +promise of something better than he had ever yet known in life. + +Let us slip over the six months following, to find this little family +pleasantly settled in an elegant villa a few miles up the Hudson. + +It is replete with every luxury that money can purchase. + +The choicest in art of every description decorates its walls, and +pleasant, sunny rooms, while in a spacious studio, opening out upon a +wide lawn, may be seen numerous unfinished pieces of statuary, upon +which the crippled but ambitious master of the house has already begun +to work, although his strength will permit him to do but little at a +time. + +Giulia, or "Madame Correlli," as she is now known, is the presiding +genius of this ideal spot, and she fills her place with both dignity +and grace; while her watchful care and never-failing patience and +cheerfulness are beginning to assert their charm upon the man to whom +she is devoting herself, as is noticeable in his many efforts to make +life pleasant to her, in his frequent appeals to her judgment and +approval of his work, and the courtesy which he invariably accords +her. + +Ino has grown, although he is still a beautiful child--very bright and +forward for his age, and a source of great enjoyment to his father, +who, even now, has begun to direct his tiny hands in the use of the +mallet and chisel. + + * * * * * + +It was more than a year after her marriage that Edith, accompanied by +her mother, visited the annual exhibition of the ---- Academy of Art. + +Among the numerous pictures which were shown there were two which +attracted more attention than all the others. They were evidently +intended as companion-pieces, and had been painted by the same artist. + +The scene was laid in an avenue of a park. On either side there grew +beautiful, great trees, whose widespread branches made graceful +shadows on the graveled walk beneath. In the center of this avenue--in +the first picture--two figures stood facing each other; one an elderly +man, proud and haughty in his bearing, richly dressed and with a +certain air of the world investing him, but with a face--although +possessing great natural beauty--so wretched and full of remorse, so +lined and seamed with soul-anguish, that the heart of every beholder +was instantly moved to deepest sympathy. + +Before him stood a beautiful maiden who was the embodiment of all that +was pure and happy. Her face was lovely beyond description--its every +feature perfect, its expression full of sweetness and peace, while a +divine pity and yearning shone forth from her heavenly blue eyes, +which were upraised to the despairing countenance of her companion. + +Her dress was simple white, belted at the waist with a girdle and +flowing ends of gleaming satin ribbon, while a dainty straw hat, from +which a single white plume drooped gracefully, crowned her golden +head. + +The gentleman was standing with outstretched hands, as if in the act +of making some appeal to the fair girl, whose grave sweetness, while +it suggested no yielding, yet indicated pity and sorrow for the +other's suffering. + +The second picture presented the same figures, but its import was +entirely different. + +Away down the avenue, the young girl, looking even more fair and +graceful, was just passing out of sight, while the gentleman had +turned and was gazing after her, a rapt expression on his face, the +misery all obliterated from it, the despair all gone from his eyes, +while in their place there had dawned a look of resignation and peace, +and a faint smile even seemed to hover about the previously pain-lined +mouth, which told that he had just learned some lesson from his +vanishing angel that had changed the whole future for him. + +As Edith looked upon these paintings, which betrayed a master-hand in +every stroke of the brush, a rush of tears blinded her eyes, for she +instantly recognized the scene, although there had been no attempt at +portraiture in the faces, and she read at once the story they were +intended to reveal. + +They were catalogued as "Unrest" and "Peace." + +She knew, even before she discovered the initials--"G. G."--in one +corner, that Gerald Goddard had painted these pictures, and that he +had taken for his subject their meeting in the park the previous year. + +They took the first prize, and the artist immediately received +numerous and flattering offers for them, but his agent replied to all +such that the pictures were not for sale. + +A month later a sealed package was delivered at Edith's door, and it +was addressed to her. + +Upon opening it she found a document bequeathing to her two paintings, +lately exhibited at the Academy, which would be delivered to her upon +application to a certain art dealer in the city, whose address was +inclosed. The communication stated that she was free to make whatever +disposition of them she saw fit. + +Upon a heavy card accompanying them there was written the following +words: + + "The blessing of Aaron has been fulfilled. May the same + peace rest upon thee and thine forever. G. G." + +Upon inquiring about the pictures of the dealer referred to, Edith was +informed that Gerald Goddard had died only the week previous of quick +consumption, and his body had been quietly interred in Greenwood, +according to his own instructions. + +His two paintings, "Unrest" and "Peace," were left in the care of his +friend, to be delivered to Mrs. Royal Bryant, whenever she should call +for them. + +Edith was deeply touched by this act, and by the fact that the man had +devoted the remnant of his life to picturing that scene which seemed +to have made such a deep impression upon his mind, while a feeling of +thankfulness swelled in her heart with the thought that perhaps she +had spoken the "word in season" that had helped to lead into the +"paths of peace" the weary worlding, who, even then, was treading so +swiftly toward the verge of the "Great Unknown." + +Not many weeks later the New York _Herald_ contained the following +announcement: + + "MARRIED.--On Wednesday, the 18th, the Honorable Willard + Livermore to Mrs. Isabel Stewart, both of New York." + + THE END. + + * * * * * + + + + +POPULAR BOOKS + +By MRS. GEORGIE SHELDON + +In Handsome Cloth Binding + +Price per Volume, 60 Cents + + +Audrey's Recompense +Brownie's Triumph +Churchyard Betrothal, The +Dorothy Arnold's Escape +Dorothy's Jewels +Earl Wayne's Nobility +Edrie's Legacy +Esther, the Fright +Faithful Shirley +Forsaken Bride, The +Geoffrey's Victory +Girl in a Thousand, A +Golden Key, The +Grazia's Mistake +Heatherford Fortune, The +Sequel to The Magic Cameo +Helen's Victory +Heritage of Love, A +Sequel to The Golden Key +His Heart's Queen +Hoiden's Conquest, A +Lily of Mordaunt, The +Little Marplot, The +Little Miss Whirlwind +Lost, A Pearle +Magic Cameo, The +Marguerite's Heritage +Masked Bridal, The +Max, A Cradle Mystery +Mona +Mysterious Wedding Ring, A +Nameless Dell +Nora +Queen Bess +Ruby's Reward +Sibyl's Influence +Stella Rosevelt +That Dowdy +Thorn Among Roses, A +Sequel to a Girl in a Thousand +Thrice Wedded +Tina +Trixy +True Aristocrat, A +Two Keys +Virgie's Inheritance +Wedded By Fate +Welfleet Mystery, The +Wild Oats +Winifred's Sacrifice +Witch Hazel + +For Sale by all Booksellers or will be sent postpaid on receipt of +price + +A. L. BURT COMPANY, PUBLISHERS + +114-120 East 23rd Street New York + + * * * * * + + + + +Good Fiction Worth Reading. + +A series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the +field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love +and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest. + + +A COLONIAL FREE-LANCE. A story of American Colonial Times. By Chauncey +C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00. + +A book that appeals to Americans as a vivid picture of Revolutionary +scenes. The story is a strong one, a thrilling one. It causes the true +American to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter, +until the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. The love +story is a singularly charming idyl. + + +THE TOWER OF LONDON. A Historical Romance of the Times of Lady Jane +Grey and Mary Tudor. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four +illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00. + +This romance of the "Tower of London" depicts the Tower as palace, +prison and fortress, with many historical associations. The era is the +middle of the sixteenth century. + +The story is divided into two parts, one dealing with Lady Jane Grey, +and the other with Mary Tudor as Queen, introducing other notable +characters of the era. Throughout the story holds the interest of the +reader in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably +over half a century. + + +IN DEFIANCE OF THE KING. A Romance of the American Revolution. By +Chauncey C. Hotchkiss. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +Mr. Hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of Yankee bravery, +and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of +the Revolution. The heart beats quickly, and We feel ourselves taking +a part in the exciting scenes described. His whole story is so +absorbing that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. As a +love romance it is charming. + + +GARTHOWEN. A story of a Welsh Homestead. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +"This is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare +before us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some +strong points of Welsh character--the pride, the hasty temper, the +quick dying out of wrath.... We call this a well-written story, +interesting alike through its romance and its glimpses into another +life than ours. A delightful and clever picture of Welsh village life. +The result is excellent."--Detroit Free Press. + + +MIFANWY. The story of a Welsh Singer. By Allan Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +"This is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to +read. The action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it +is apparent at once, are as true to life as though the author had +known them all personally. Simple in all its situations, the story is +worked up in that touching and quaint strain which never grows +wearisome, no matter how often the lights and shadows of love are +introduced. It rings true, and does not tax the imagination."--Boston +Herald. + + +DARNLEY. A Romance of the times of Henry VIII. and Cardinal Wolsey. By +G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson +Davis. Price, $1.00. + +In point of publication, "Darnley" is that work by Mr. James which +follows "Richelieu," and, if rumor can be credited, it was owing to +the advice and insistence of our own Washington Irving that we are +indebted primarily for the story, the young author questioning whether +he could properly paint the difference in the characters of the two +great cardinals. And it is not surprising that James should have +hesitated; he had been eminently successful in giving to the world the +portrait of Richelieu as a man, and by attempting a similar task with +Wolsey as the theme, was much like tempting fortune. Irving insisted +that "Darnley" came naturally in sequence, and this opinion being +supported by Sir Walter Scott, the author set about the work. + +As a historical romance "Darnley" is a book that can be taken up +pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm +which those who are strangers to the works of G. P. R. James have +claimed was only to be imparted by Dumas. + +If there was nothing more about the work to attract especial +attention, the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic +"field of the cloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most +favorable consideration of every reader. + +There is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author +has taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom +history has credited with having entertained the tender passion one +for another, and he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world +must love. + + +CAPTAIN BRAND, OF THE SCHOONER CENTIPEDE. By Lieut. Henry A. Wise, +U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +The re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns +who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come +through the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea +and those "who go down in ships" been written by one more familiar +with the scenes depicted. + +The one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which +will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is "Captain Brand," +who, as the author states on his title page, was a "pirate of eminence +in the West Indies." As a sea story pure and simple, "Captain Brand" +has never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told +without the usual embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no +equal. + + +NICK OF THE WOODS. A story of the Early Settlers of Kentucky. By +Robert Montgomery Bird. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +This most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in +Kentucky was originally published in the year 1837. The novel, long +out of print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic +presentation of Indian and frontier life in the early days of +settlement in the South, narrated in the tale with all the art of a +practiced writer. A very charming love romance runs through the story. +This new and tasteful edition of "Nick of the Woods" will be certain +to make many new admirers for this enchanting story from Dr. Bird's +clever and versatile pen. + + +WINDSOR CASTLE. A Historical Romance of the Reign of Henry VIII., +Catharine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. By Wm. Harrison Ainsworth. Cloth, +12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. Price, $1.00. + +"Windsor Castle" is the story of Henry VIII., Catharine, and Anne +Boleyn. "Bluff King Hal," although a well-loved monarch, was none too +good a one in many ways. Of all his selfishness and unwarrantable +acts, none was more discreditable than his divorce from Catharine, and +his marriage to the beautiful Anne Boleyn. The King's love was as +brief as it was vehement. Jane Seymour, waiting maid on the Queen, +attracted him, and Anne Boleyn was forced to the block to make room +for her successor. This romance is one of extreme interest to all +readers. + + +HORSESHOE ROBINSON. A tale of the Tory Ascendency in South Carolina in +1780. By John P. Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +Among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical +fiction, there are none which appeal to a larger number of Americans +than Horseshoe Robinson, and this because it is the only story which +depicts with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists +in South Carolina to defend their homes against the brutal oppression +of the British under such leaders as Cornwallis and Tarleton. + +The reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread of +the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning +those times. The picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is +never overdrawn, but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared +neither time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love +story all that price in blood and tears which the Carolinians paid as +their share in the winning of the republic. + +Take it all in all, "Horseshoe Robinson" is a work which should be +found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining +story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning +the colonists which it contains. That it has been brought out once +more, well illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to +thousands who have long desired an opportunity to read the story +again, and to the many who have tried vainly in these latter days to +procure a copy that they might read it for the first time. + + +THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND. A story of the Coast of Maine. By Harriet +Beecher Stowe. Cloth, 12mo. Illustrated. Price, $1.00. + +Written prior to 1862, the "Pearl of Orr's Island" is ever new; a book +filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew +each time one reads them. One sees the "sea like an unbroken mirror +all around the pine-girt, lonely shores of Orr's Island," and +straightway comes "the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, +like the wild angry howl of some savage animal." + +Who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named Mara, which +came into this world under the very shadow of the Death angel's wings, +without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud +blossomed? Again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the +character of that baby boy Moses, who came through the tempest, amid +the angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother's breast. + +There is no more faithful portrayal of New England life than that +which Mrs. Stowe gives in "The Pearl of Orr's Island." + + +GUY FAWKES. A Romance of the Gunpowder Treason. By Wm. Harrison +Ainsworth. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by George Cruikshank. +Price, $1.00. + +The "Gunpowder Plot" was a modest attempt to blow up Parliament, the +King and his Counsellors. James of Scotland, then King of England, was +weak-minded and extravagant. He hit upon the efficient scheme of +extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the Catholics. In +their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits +concluded to overthrow the government. Finally the plotters were +arrested, and the King put to torture Guy Fawkes and the other +prisoners with royal vigor. A very intense love story runs through the +entire romance. + + +THE SPIRIT OF THE BORDER. A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio +Valley. By Zane Grey. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. +Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +A book rather out of the ordinary is this "Spirit of the Border." The +main thread of the story has to do with the work of the Moravian +missionaries in the Ohio Valley. Incidentally the reader is given +details of the frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the +wilderness for the planting of this great nation. Chief among these, +as a matter of course, is Lewis Wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and +at the same time the most admirable of all the brave men who spent +their lives battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in +comparative security. + +Details of the establishment and destruction of the Moravian "Village +of Peace" are given at some length, and with minute description. The +efforts to Christianize the Indians are described as they never have +been before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders +of the several Indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be +of interest to the student. + +By no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid +word-pictures of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings +of the beauties of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests. + +It is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by +it, perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly +braved every privation and danger that the westward progress of the +star of empire might be the more certain and rapid. A love story, +simple and tender, runs through the book. + + +RICHELIEU. A tale of France in the reign of King Louis XIII. By G. P. +R. James. Cloth, 12mo. with four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00. + +In 1829 Mr. James published his first romance, "Richelieu," and was +recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft. + +In this book he laid the story during those later days of the great +cardinal's life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it +was yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic +outbursts which overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost +wave of prosperity. One of the most striking portions of the story is +that of Cinq Mar's conspiracy; the method of conducting criminal +cases, and the political trickery resorted to by royal favorites, +affording a better insight into the state-craft of that day than can +be had even by an exhaustive study of history. It is a powerful +romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling and absorbing +interest has never been excelled. + + +ROB OF THE BOWL. A Story of the Early Days of Maryland. By John P. +Kennedy. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. +Price, $1.00. + +This story is an authentic exposition of the manners and customs +during Lord Baltimore's rule. The greater portion of the action takes +place in St. Mary's--the original capital of the State. + +The quaint character of Rob, the loss of whose legs was supplied by a +wooden bowl strapped to his thighs, his misfortunes and mother wit, +far outshine those fair to look upon. Pirates and smugglers did Rob +consort with for gain, and it was to him that Blanche Werden owed her +life and her happiness, as the author has told us in such an +enchanting manner. + +As a series of pictures of early colonial life in Maryland, "Rob of +the Bowl" has no equal. The story is full of splendid action, with a +charming love story, and a plot that never loosens the grip of its +interest to its last page. + + +TICONDEROGA. A Story of Early Frontier Life in the Mohawk Valley. By +G. P. R. James. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson +Davis. Price, $1.00. + +The setting of the story is decidedly more picturesque than any ever +evolved by Cooper. The story is located on the frontier of New York +State. The principal characters in the story include an English +gentleman, his beautiful daughter, Lord Howe, and certain Indian +sachems belonging to the Five Nations, and the story ends with the +Battle of Ticonderoga. + +The character of Captain Brooks, who voluntarily decides to sacrifice +his own life in order to save the son of the Englishman, is not among +the least of the attractions of this story, which holds the attention +of the reader even to the last page. + +Interwoven with the plot is the Indian "blood" law, which demands a +life for a life, whether it be that of the murderer or one of his +race. A more charming story of mingled love and adventure has never +been written than "Ticonderoga." + + +MARY DERWENT. A tale of the Wyoming Valley in 1778. By Mrs. Ann S. +Stephens. Cloth, 12mo. Four illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, +$1.00. + +The scene of this fascinating story of early frontier life is laid in +the Valley of Wyoming. Aside from Mary Derwent, who is of course the +heroine, the story deals with Queen Esther's son, Giengwatah, the +Butlers of notorious memory, and the adventures of the Colonists with +the Indians. + +Though much is made of the Massacre of Wyoming, a great portion of the +tale describes the love making between Mary Derwent's sister, Walter +Butler, and one of the defenders of Forty Fort. + +This historical novel stands out bright and pleasing, because of the +mystery and notoriety of several of the actors, the tender love +scenes, descriptions of the different localities, and the struggles of +the settlers. It holds the attention of the reader, even to the last +page. + + +THE LAST TRAIL. A story of early days in the Ohio Valley. By Zane +Grey. Cloth, 12mo. Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, +$1.00. + +"The Last Trail" is a story of the border. The scene is laid at Fort +Henry, where Col. Ebenezer Zane with his family have built up a +village despite the attacks of savages and renegades. The Colonel's +brother and Wetzel, known as Deathwind by the Indians, are the +bordermen who devote their lives to the welfare of the white people. A +splendid love story runs through the book. + +That Helen Sheppard, the heroine, should fall in love with such a +brave, skilful scout as Jonathan Zane seems only reasonable after his +years of association and defense of the people of the settlement from +savages and renegades. + +If one has a liking for stories of the trail, where the white man +matches brains against savage cunning, for tales of ambush and +constant striving for the mastery, "The Last Trail" will be greatly to +his liking. + + +THE KNIGHTS OF THE HORSESHOE. A traditionary tale of the Cocked Hat +Gentry in the Old Dominion. By Dr. Wm. A. Caruthers. Cloth, 12mo. Four +page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +Many will hail with delight the re-publication of this rare and justly +famous story of early American colonial life and old-time Virginian +hospitality. + +Much that is charmingly interesting will be found in this tale that so +faithfully depicts early American colonial life, and also here is +found all the details of the founding of the Tramontane Order, around +which has ever been such a delicious flavor of romance. + +Early customs, much love making, plantation life, politics, intrigues, +and finally that wonderful march across the mountains which resulted +in the discovery and conquest of the fair Valley of Virginia. A rare +book filled with a delicious Savor of romance. + + +BY BERWEN BANKS. A Romance of Welsh Life. By Allen Raine. Cloth, 12mo. +Four page illustrations by J. Watson Davis. Price, $1.00. + +It is a tender and beautiful romance of the idyllic. A charming +picture of life in a Welsh seaside village. It is something of a +prose-poem, true, tender and graceful. + + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by +the publishers, A. L. BURT COMPANY, 52-58 Duane St., New York. + + * * * * * + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Masked Bridal, by Mrs. Georgie Sheldon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MASKED BRIDAL *** + +***** This file should be named 29524.txt or 29524.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/5/2/29524/ + +Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Suzanne Shell, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://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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