THE SIGNORA’S LOVERS.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 505, 24 January 1906, Page 7

THE SIGNORA’S LOVERS.

SHORT STORY

THE aigncra waa a beautiful woman. She had been on the stage only a year, but in that time had made a reputa- >, .1 which, tc this day, remains unshaken. ~U Pans waa wild over her marvellous beauty, and hat wonderoas powers as a singer. Many a man would have counted him* ■elf fortunate oonld he have believed himaelf the object of her special regard; bat thai for none of the giddy, light-hearted crowd of her admirers was so favoured. Bat to all there comes a time to love, and the eiguota's time came to her. In the height of her triumph, there came to Paris an English nobleman of a proud, ancient family, and of great personal beauty. Indeed, there was not in all Paris a handsomer or more striking- looking man than Lord Tempest. He waa only a year or two older than the signers, and it waa not strange that he should have been charmed with her beauty rom the beginning. He first saw her at the opera on the night after his arrival in Paris, and soon afterwards succeeded in malting her acquaintance.

The signora was an Italian, and had in her character all tha passion and fire of her nee.

She gave her heart to the young Englishman without reserve.

She could not help loving him, and there was no questioning, no doubt in the affection which she bestowed upon him. Her love was fully returned. Lcrd Tempest was a proud man, but his pride was powerless to resist the fasoination which the beautiful actress exeroised over him.

The signora lived like a princess. Bbe bad the handsomest apartments in the city, and now they were doubly charming to her, sinoa they wen so frequently enlivened by the presence of Lord Tempest. It was near midnight, one charming rammer evening, when the signora'a carriage draw np before her residence, and the alighted from it, followed by her lover. ' Only five minnteaV ha pleaded, as eha passed at the door. * Not to-night,' she said, smiling tenderly upon him. 'lt is very late, and I have a difficult part to study. There, good-nkht. Gustave will drive yon to yonr lodgingsShe kissed him, and then vanished into the house, while his lordship, with a sigh, turned back to the carriage. She was passing to her chamber, when a light in the drawing-room attracted her attention.

As she entered the handEome room, an expression of annoyance passed over hor face, and she exclaimed, abruptly—•Ah; you are here again.' The person to whom she spoke was a man of about thirty-five. His drees and air at once proclaimed him a gentleman., Everybody liked Monsieur Boullard, the wealthy young banker, and it was somewhat strange that his presence should seem disagreeable to the signora.

He rose from the seat be had been occupying aa she entered, and bowed politely. ' Am I unwelcome, signora?' he asked. ' I am very busy to-night,' she replied. 'I have a difficult part to study.' ' I have been waiting here for you over two,hours,' he said. 'I will not detain jaalang. lam going away.' indeedl' she said, with interest. 'I shall be sorry.' * Are you sincere?' he asked, eagerly. •Yes,'she answered, with a laugh, 'You have been such good company; you are invaluable when lam afflicted with' ennui.''

A shade of disappointment passed oyer hit face.

'lain going to Florence,'ha said, 'and ■hall be gone several months. I had hoped 70a would miss me.' «And bo I shall,' she laughed. ' Yea, as you would miss a pet lap-dog. Is it not 10 ?'

• Precisely.' «Hearts must seem of little value to you, signora, since yon so carelessly cast them aside. I earns to-night with the hope that jos might think better of my offer.' - 'Monsieur Eoullard,' said the signora, quickly, ' I thought we had agreed not to ■peak of that again? I do not wish to pain you afresh. Do not force me to do ■O. I had hoped that I had discouraged you.' 'Signora,' M. Boullard said, quietly, < you can never discourage me. I love you honestly and truly, and desire to make you happy. Your present position may be pleasant, and gratifying to your pride ; but I do not think it is preferable to that which I ofier you.' ' I appreciate your love for me,' said the signers, with more gentleness than she had yet shown; ' but Ido not return it. That ought to satisfy you.' * It dees not satisfy, me,' he said, railing. • I 'mean to make you my wife, and I feel ■ore I shall suoceed. With this conviction, I am willingly to wait.' ' You are provoking, Monsieur Boullard,, ■aid the signora. ■Perhaps so,' was his rejoinder, 'but I shaD provoke you no more to-night. Adieu, eigflota. Remember, you will one day love me, and I am willing to wait until then.'

He raised her hand to his lips, and bowed himself out of the apartment, leaving the signers gazing after him with an expression almost of bewilderment.

•What a man 1* Bhe exclaimed, at length. •He positively alarms me, What would e say if he knew of Lord Tempest ?' At that name, the beautilul eyes grew softer, and the ripe lips parted with a tender eigh. M. Boullard left Paris that night. He did not return for three months. Though he did not hear from the signora, he heard of her regularly. Bhe had always liked M. Boullard. Bhe thought him an easy, good-natured fellow, but she had never dreamed of loving him, Bhe had been pained, at first, at the knowledge that he loved her; afterwards, she felt annoyed, when he urged his suit so peraiatently. Now she was amused at the confidence which he expressed in his ultimate success: yet, in spite of her, she could not help liking him the better for it. In the meantime, she was very happy; Lord Tempest was all that she could desire. One thing, however, surprised her not a Httle. It bad been more than four months since his lowiihic had teld her of his love, and yet fci not caid a word of marriage. Still j ahe was too happy to trouble herself with this.

Lord Tempest had not given a thought to the future.

He waa fascinated by the beauty of the signora. He bad been content to possess her love, careless of all things else. He seemed to be in a blissful dream, and he did not care to awake from it Hia pleasure, however, like all things human, was soon ended. About this time, who should arrive in Paris but hia mother and sisters, accompanied by a distant relative, between whom and his lordship there had existed, since the is c nil d faced, certain ties not very consistent with the position which he occupied towards the signers. k o ouain oi hia lordship, the Honourable

Mc Eatl, oame with them—a man who had tha world at his fingers' ends, and who had tested it bo thoroughly that he had little faith left in anything. Mc Eatl was quick to observe that Lord Tempest was not very well pleased at the arrival of his relatives, and at onoe set himself at work to discover the cause.

This was easily accomplished, and, in spite of tbe honourable gentleman's knowledge of the world, he was really astonished at his discovery. He could hardly believe it possible that Lord Tempest should so far forget what was due to his name as to pay honourable court to an actress.

He told his lordship that it was a shame for him to think of marrying the signora. He rominded him of his engagement to Miss Farleigh, and lectured him roundiy for his conduct.

At first Lord Tempest was disposed to resent his cousin's interference, but that individual persisted in remonstrating with him, and at last be began to view the affair ' as an English nobleman should.'

Of course it was absurd tor him to think of making the signora his wife. The two were standing in the lobby of the Grand Opera, during the interval between the acts. '

The signora was aohieving a rare triumph that night, and Lord Tempest felt himself becoming her slave onoe more. He was expressing his admiration for her in enthusiastic terms, when the Honourable Mr Earl, thinking he had better be oheoked, said—

' I thought you told me you had no idea of marrying this actress, Tempeßt ?' 'Nor have I,' leplied Lord Tempest, after a pause. ■ Still, it is hard to give up such a beautiiul woman.'

' You need not do that,' was the siroastio remark of Mr Earl. * Only, don't think of disgracing yourself by marrying her.' When the signora returned home that night, she found M. Roullard awaiting her.' • Ah I so you have come baok ?' she said, giving him her hand.

•Yes.* 'Yon are looking pale and troubled. You are not well.'

'I am well,' said M. Boullard, hesitatingly, ' but I have a disagreeable duty to perform, and I have come to ask your advice. I have a friend, a very dear friend, signora—one for whom I would make any sacrifice—who has given her heart to a man utterly unworthy of her. I wish to warn her of him, and yet I fear that my conduct will be misunderstood.'

' If she is jour friend, and trusts yor, she will thank rather than doubt you. 1 would do so.'

• To-night I was standing in the lobby of the Grand Opera. Near me were two men. One of them expressed his admiration of a certain actress, The other asked if he intended to marry her, and received an emphatic denial. Then followed a remark which convinced me that no pure woman ought to tolerate the attentions of this man. One of these persons was a stranger to me.the other was Lord Tempest, and the actress of whom they spoke was yourself.

'lt is false 1' cried the signora, her cheeks glowing and her eyes blazing with indignation. 'Yen have slandered an innocent man, with the hope of advanoing your own prospects.' ' Signora, when I came here I knew the danger I incurred. I felt sure that you would misunderstand me. I had no thought of mybelf in making this disclosure, I have done so only because I know that Lord Tempest's attentions are a most cruel insult to you.' 'But your proof—your proof? I will not believe youl' she exclaimed, exoitedly. ' I have no proof to offer,' he said, calmly. * I alone overheard the conversation, and that by accident. You are at liberty to inform his lordship of what I have told you, and to ask him if I speak the truth. He will not dare to deny it. As for your omel suspicion, I pardon that, for I know you will be the first to do me justice when you learn all.' He bowed low, and left her. How she passed that night no one knew. The next morning, she was radiantly beautiful, and as calm and serene as a summer day. Lord Tempest called, as usual. She received him with ease and cordiality. ' I hear your mother, and Bisters are in Paris,' she said. 'Yes,' he replied, shortly, 'they are here.'

' I having an idea of waving ceremony, * she continued, 'and calling on them today. I would like so muoh to know them.' The blood ebbed and flowed in his lordship's cheeks. 'By no means I* he said, hastily. ' They would not see you.' ' Do you mean that they would refuse to received your affianced wife, my lord? Answer met Am not Ito be your wife soon?'

' Why trouble yourself with that question now? There's time enough to talk about that.'

'My lord, it is time we had an understanding. You have told me that you love me, but you have never asked me to marry you. Do you wish me to be your wife ?' 'Something has made you jealous today,' he said, with a forced laugh. ' I am answered,' she said, coldly- ' There ia the dcor, my lord. A little while ago, I loved you very dearly; now, I feel for you nothing but contempt.' She stood there, in all her pride and beauty, pointing scornfully to the door, and without a word, Lord Tempest left the room.

Once alone, the signora sunk into a chair, and covered her face with her hands. Bhe remained thus a long time. At last, a slight noise oaused her to look up, and she saw M. Boullard. < Monsieur,' she oried, rising to her feet, ' you say you love me. You have asked me to be your wife, and I have refused you. I recall my answer. If you will take me now, I am yours.' ' No, signora, it cannot be. You would marry me only to revenge yourself upon a man who has proved unworthy of you. Such a marriage might make you miserable. Some day you will love me as I wish. I am content to wait until then. Adieu.'

He raised her hand to his lips, and passed out of the room.

Late in the evening of the next day, she received the following note—

'Sigjcoba,—l am compelled to leave Paris on important business. It is possible that I may never return. If you do not see me or hear from me to-morrow, you will call on my partner, who will deliver to you a packet addressed to you. In it you will find my will. I leave all my property to you. In return, I only ask that you will think kindly of * Your friend, •VICTOK RODLLARD,'

At the opera that evening, the signora heard something that made her turn pale. In the morning she was restless and impatient.

Something extraordinary had undoubtedly occurred.

Towards midday, M, Rcullard was an nounced.

His left arm hung in a sling. As he entered, sbe sprang to him and seized hia hand eagerly. * You ara safe I' she said. ' I have suff 3red so much for you I' 'I am only scratched, signora. You should not have permitted it to disturb you.

'And the other?' she asked, hesitatingly.

He, too, got off with a soratoh. It was a mere trifle, the whole affair, signora, and I'm sorry it has oaused you any inoonvenienoe.'

The rignora plaoed an armchair for him. • Monsieur Roullard,* she said, earnestly, • I wish to ask your advioe. There was a oertain lady, not long sinoe, who was so fortunate as to win the love cf a brave and honest gentleman. At thaf time she did not love him—she was not worthy of his love. It so happened that he rendered her an important service, for whioh she was not grateful. She returned his kindness by wronging him with a most unjust suspioion. • Sinoe then he has been a truer friend than she deserved, and her feelings have undergone a ohange. But a short while since, this gentleman ohanced to hear a certain man who thought himself entitled, by his rank, to wrong those too help'ess to defend themselves—spea¥ slightingly of the lady, 'He resented the insult to hfr by punishing the fellow, at the risk of his own life. The lady ohanoed to learn this the night before the duel, and, touohed to the heart by the devotion of her lover, was enabled, then, to see her own feelings more clearly. She saw that she loved ihia generous man with her whole heart. Now. monsieur, I desire to ask what she should do in this oase ?'

' If she is oertain she loves him bo well, eiguora, I am olearly of the opinion that she should marry him to-morrow.' The signora smiled, and somehow her hand stole into his, and Well, she left tha Btage the next day, her engagement at the opera being ended.