THE WIFE'S SECRET.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 190, 10 August 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE WIFE'S SECRET.

BY MRS M. H. HOLMES.

author of 'AWoman's Love,'.' Her Fatal '$n,' 'The Tragedy of Redmount,''For 9 Woman's Sake,' 'A Heartless , Woman,''Who Will Save Her!' •A Desperate Woman,' Etc., Etc.

CHAPTER V. jJks, indeed, my dear young lady, ib is a pleasure and an honour to me to come, to igtveyou,' said Miriam May—the woman. whose name had been one of the subjects digcaßaed between tbe ill-matched pair, Mr tad Mrs Ls Marcbant. •lean believeyou to some degree, Miriam,' uidMrsLeMarchant. 'Doyouknow,l havo not even told Mr Lo Marchant your real claim on my trusb and kind feeling, in order that you may not encounter any distrnab or jealousy from him' or any of the household ?' 'You know best, of course, madam,' she B»id, assuming a formal and distant tone, as if to justify her being placed in a more exalted station, if such was her mistress' ■ pleasure. /It matters nob, Miriam. You may be '/(ore that it is better it should be so,' rejoined Marcia. 'It seems as if you, ab any rate, would care for me, and do all I want from you. Is it not so, Miriam?' f ;".Yes, if it cost me all I have in the world _»y, and my little finger inbo the bargain, my dear young lady. Whoever did not keep true, you may trust Miriam May for .j«irself—ay» and those that come after you '"'»-lor your children,' my dear lady.' '"'" •Softly, Miriam. Suppose the whole of tny large wealth and belongings go to gtrangers.' •Hush, dear young lady. You are exciting yourself by needless fears,' she said, loobhingly. ' You cannot tell yeb what may happen ; and even if you do nob have a family, why should you die before Mr Le Harchanc ■It is just as likely ; be has a lort of sad look, just as if he was meant for an early deabh.' *MrLe Marcbant, I am happy to say, has perfecbly good health,' she replied, coldly. 'Still, of course life is uncertain with us all. and it is impossible to calculate on its chances.' '• Mr Le Merchant's step was heard at the momenb, and Miriam noiselessly disappeared through the bedroom door before he entered. 'Ithought I heard voices, Marcia.' 'I have a headache, and Miriam brought jne some essence, that was all. Did you sot tell me some one was coming to-day, Denis?' ' Yes; one or two old friends of mine, who have just returned from India,' he replied ; ' but you need nob exert yourself especially on that account, Marcia, unless you wish. However, it was not that which • brought me to your apartments. I came to.inform you of two events thab may be interesting to you. I have jusb received the final deed, settling the terms of the house I have taken for a period in London, aad which I can have the option of buying afterward should we like ib.' •You are very kind. I bad rather not interfere in any of the arrangements now.' '} •You are unjust, Marcia, and you know it.' Now will you be so kind as to read this paper, and give mo your opinion of it. I wish it,' he added, with a look and .tone MbM <£irt<Lij<.b iitoggti^f $§reg{Mrd. ; She received the document from aim, iflancjd^ over i|, and a peculiar expression garner 9fstlT^M^ contents. * '"•','; -"''," v' •We shall, perhaps, understand each other better in fiiture,my wife,' he returned, cheerily...- '* If you are content wibh tha house,, it ..shall be yours as a wedding.' present.'. I, perhaps,- cannot appreciate your longing for gayer scenes than these. Now for my second piece of intelligence,' he resumed. 'I have a wedding to announce. Can you guess the par ties, concerned?' •I seldom take the trouble of guessing,' Bhe replied. 'Is it that pale-faced Miss Harcourt ?' she asked. "Ibit Niss Netta Harcourt. She is to be married in a few weeks to Lord Forrest. Ib will be a brilliant match for her, and she highly deserves her good fortune.' ' Yes; those dowerlesa nonentities generally make the mosb brilliant matches. I suppose you men prefer slaves!' sberetumed, haughtily. ' However, ib has do great excitement for me,-' except ia opening another house within reach in the count. It may make Sutton Court somewhat less doll.' Denis quietly received back the document from his wife's hands in silence, and, for a few minutes, both remained in deep thought. 'I suppose I may conclude this'deed, and also select a wedding present for bur 1 friends in our mutual name, Marcia?' said Denis, at last, as he rose to leave the room. 'Oh, dear, yes ! It is quite a matter of indifference to me. I will subscribe my quota. You have excellent taste, Denis, and I bad rather not be worried in tbe matter.' 1 As I proved when I thought you peerless among your sex,' he returned, gaily, kissing her cheek. "Ah, Marcia, dearest, I will trusb to our beginning a new honeymoon, even yeb.' And he left the room ere she could reply. For once Function's taste was ignored iv OBr.owrrcboice«of' her- toHebfee... 'I shall wear my amber silk, with the black point lace, to-night,' was her order, in a tone thab admitted ot no dispute. And the French woman obeyed in silence. The rich black hair was simply coiled around the well-shaped head, and fastened with a topaz.and ruby butterfly pin. A large locket of the same stones hung from a broad black velvet band from her throat, and clasps to match secured the velvet armlete around her wrists. She bad never, perhaps, looked more lovely than, in this comparatively , simple costume ; and when she entered the diningWorn, and. Denis brought up bis guests to present thorn to hia wife, a look of unmistakable admiration and surprise appeared for a moment on the features of the younger but more striking of the two.' 'Captain De Vaux and Mr St. Elmo, Marcia—Mrs Le Marchant, my wife,' was the introduction. .'*'■■ 'I scarcely feel a stranger to you, Mrs £c Marchant, since I have ao often heard of you from a friend and comrade,' said Capb. De Vaux, in a rather subdued voice, when Mb companion was busily engaged in talking to Denis. 'Indeed.' I should scarcely have imagined my name could have travelled so for,' returned Marcia, slightly colouring. ■' Pray, may I ask from whom did you hear Of so insignificant a personage .' He looked keenly ab her, and then gave a (.nick glance at their companions. 'I allude to Colonel Fitzgerald, as he is Bow called, having got his promotion rapidly during the war.' Her blood did nob rush into her cheeks as it might have done in days of yore, but it [ather stood in its pulses as if her very breath was suspended. Her throat swelled with tbe rising emotion, in her mingled alarm and perplexity.. 'I am glad to bear of our old friend's B»o* 'forttmei,*;ls:. he;: well^ Captain, De. Vans?1 , • When I Jasb saw him, he was jusb recovering, fronLiever;. _Eftiis.much_.cbanged since, ywhavesaeeo. him_._. TherAare..all kinds of conjectures: at,_feo the canse.of the'_ •Iteration in him since bb_laab telonfflt.:;v lb

StetoSJv from Bh^K:offws:ch^, "Tell him I do nob easily forget mv i ffiSr l an earnesb argumenb with her I husband bhab ib ab once pub an end to the conversation. ° 'You have nob long returned from Somersetshire, I suppose. I believe it is your nahvecounty is itnot?'. . w??: I** m * '^""y f""ond L* Marchant here, a native of Jersey,' he returned. 'By the way, is ib .true thab little Netta Harcourt, as we used to call her, is married ?' «»f«k >: • * °D !i he eve of ayerV good i match, interposed Denis, ere Marcia could reply. She is engaged to a young noblei man—a Lord Forrest, one of our county peers. * ' Well, she was a charming little creature; though perhaps, ra ther boo delicate for this wicked world,' was the reply. « But then she was always engrossed by you, Denis, so, to work-a-day, practical mortals like myself, the present was quite oub of reach. Ah, Mrs LeMarchanb,' he continued, sportively, • you may thank the accident thab removed bhe little fairy from bhe island to a distant home for having my friend as your devoted and moeb fortunate slave.' And raising his glass to bis lips, he added I will give you the health of the young bride-elecb, with your leave, Denis, and only wish that she and her lord may be as happy as your, fair lady and yourself. Bub forbunately the dessert was neatly discus.cd, and Marcia could plead her headache as an excuse for leaving the dining-room earlier than was her wonb. ' Bebter go to your room and remain quiet, my love,' whispered Denis, as Bhe passed the doorway where he stood. -_ Her pride was galled to the quick at the idea thab she, the beautiful and wealthy heiress, should be second to tbe pale girl, whom she would nob confess to herself possessed yeb bhe rare loveliness of refined grace in every feabure and expression. All her worst passions were excited at the idea of her husband's mercenary indifference to her charms, and no punishment bhat she could inflicb appeared bo her too bitter, too heavy for his offences. And again came the cry wailing from her hearb, ' Oh, if I had bub a child 1 I would despise and triumph over bim then/ CHAPTER VI. "Maecia, I should like you to cultivate Lady Forrest,' said Denis. 'It will be a great support to her timid nature to see you sometimes; and I think she will be a real friend to you among your hosb of acquaintances.' Mrs Le Marcbanb replied, «I shall be happy, if Lady Forrest is willing to accneb such patronage, Denis. Were you ever induced bo fall in love with that very colorless bride,' she added, in a half arch, half sharp tone. ' No, Marcia, never f he replied, calmly, 'lb might, in some respects, have been better if I had.' 'That is very complimentary to me, ab any rate,' she said. «You think she would have deserved your affections bebter ?' ' Perhaps not; but you might have won a husband more congenial to you, and a happier fate,' said Denis, coolly. Marcia did nob reply. Months had passed on ; the London season was drawing to a clobo, and seldom bad it been more brilliant. Therefore, ib was no greab wonder if Marcia was bent on concluding her triumphs by one of these semi-rural entertainments,' which was to be given at a Chiswick villa $.»_-! sh% M 4 iad»sed fee? husband b« Ijira tor a brief space. Some suspended thgiF departure f r p ro .to'wn'fSr its themselves that so rich a reward awaited their fidelity to the duties or interesb thab had detained them in dusty;..broiling London even in the hob month of _Aogusb. The lady herself was.appareh.tly insenaihle to the sensation she created. Her invitations were given in the spirit of calm au periori by. But Oh the week immediately oroceeding her parby, Mrs Le Marchant was seabed in her dressing-room, a lebter in her hand, and a frown of dissatisfaction on her brow. « 'How dare she?' was the unusual-com-mentary. ~. 'She has tried all the season to eclipse and annoy me, bub has nob shown her animus openly. Now, ib ia obvious, she Will nob come to my Jete, because—because ib would place me so far above her, poor, quiet, spiritless creature thab she ib ! Yes, yes, though I may have failed to secure the cold contentment which suffices for her, yeb, ab least I have surpassed her in all else. Beauty, talent, admiration—even my calm and icy husband's love—l have torn away from her 1' Bub bhe nexb momenb she hastily changed her position,.and as the approaching footsteps of her husband reached bhe door of her apartment, she appeared deeply engrossed in the letters before her chair. j • Well, Marcia, I have jusb met Forrest, and he tells me his wife is too delicate jusb now for such a brilliant gathering as yours. He is by no means downcast even at the necessary disappointment, considering the cauee.' Marcia started for a moment. Apparently, the very idea was so entirely new to her that she needed a breathing space fully to comprehend its meaning. 'Ah! I understand. Ib is not my temperament, Denis, bo feign temporary illness and keep my husband and friends in attendance round my sofa, when it can be avoided.' • I certainly have -no cause to- complain of that domestic curse. But still, I confess I would not quarrel with even a morbid fear or fancy were I in Forrest's place.' • Would you be so indulgent to your foolish wife in such a category ? Do not be too safe that ypq p*ay npb be tmtQfl.lr v.y ■ ' • Marcia, it is no theme for jesb, my feelings are- too , painfully; alive .to bear ouch raillery,' She benb,'forward, and .whispered soma words in his ear. Denis listened with intense joy, and bhen she was clasped eagerly to bis hearb. • Merciful Providence!' be murmured, 1 Can such joy. be really vouchsafed to me, just when the hope bad faded from my mind ?'• • •Is -ib really so, Denis ? Are yon in truth, regardless of riches, or so fond of children, thab you .would give up bhe heritage tbab would come bo yon, should you survive me,-for bhe sake of an beir to your name?' ' Yes 1' he exclaimed. •Is ib nob so wibh you, who have equal interests and affections, and hopes, and fears, with myself ?* 'I do, Denis,'she-replied. 'I would go bo some quite seclusion for bbc momentous event. Will you permit this, Denis ?' 'lean scarcely refuse anything ab such a moment, Marcia,' he replied. 'Yeb I hope you may change your views, and allow your own birthplace to be tbab where your child will draw its first breath.' • Yes ib is your righb to be considered in all things, but I earnestly hope and pray you will meeb no greab difficulty as times goes on,' was bhe tender reply. CHAPTER VII. It is a small but pretty and garden-girdled cottage at Wimbledon where the reader's magic glaas must now burn. The inmate of the cottage waß young— certainly far under thirty years. Her simple linen costume was relieved by deep black,velvet trimmings, which bub served to.contrast.with her exquisite iair.. nesa of .ekin,and.haittibbon^Aeir. employ* men*, was simply;-tbe. veify *omi_k|iiplace^ plainneadlawjjnc;-;-:,- . ...

keen eyes of Mirian May gazed silently for some minutes.

Aunt Miriam, is ib you ?' she said, wibh a start bhafe might betoken either surprise or regret ab the apparition. ' Yes, Pauline. I told you I should come again, to learn your final resolve,' returned the woman.

'I am glad bo see you. Ib is lonely here sometimes,' returned Pauline, with heaibation. ' Yes, I dare say, bub I hope that is nob the only, reason you are welcoming my reappearance,' reburned Miriam. «For though aunb and niece are bub conventional words between us—though you are bub a cousin's child in blood, yeb I cannob bub feel regret bhat you should cast away such prosperity as 1 bring to your very door, Pauline ; and if your husband should j nob return, ib is as a very Providence to 1 save you from deep distress.' 'I do not fear, aunb. Philip will return. He does but wait till he has made the wealth for which he left me.' 'We will hope so, Pauline,' was the cool reply. • Bub whab if there is a contrary side to bhe picture ?—what if he is unfortunate—destitute—dead—and you are lefb here, alone and poor, in your aolibude ?' The tiny piece of work fell in her lap unheeded, and bhe moisb tears bedewed bhe cambric as they oozed through her slender lingers.

' Aunt, you are cruel,' she sobbed oub. 'I am nob—l am your truest and kindest ] mend. Now will you be so obliging as to give me some refreshment after my trip ; then, perhaps, you will be somewhat more practically inclined to listen to what I am come all this distance to say.' She took a small bone of ham, and bread and butber, and eggs, and tea from a cupboard in the wall, and placed them on a snow-white cloth before her guest. . ' Now Pauline, let me onco more tell you the duties thab will be required from you, and bhe. remuneration they will receive. AU that you will have to do will be to acb as foster-mobber bo bhe child ofalady of wealth and position, whose caprice ib is to repair to a secluded village in Cornwall as the chosen place of the child's birth. Now, as your expected babe will arrive ab aboub the-same time, you are the very person who can avail yourself of the advantages offered you. And,' she continued, ' bhe penalties are so very trifling, they can scarcely be weighed in the balance.' • Thab depends on the idea I may entertain of tbeir nature,' remarked Pauline. •Of course ib will entail a temporary separation from your child,' said Miriam. •And you call thab a "trifle?"' burst from the young creature's lips. ' Yes; Ido consider ib a nominal sacrifice for such an end,' resumed Miriam. * You will not be required for many months, and that will be most amply repaid if you prove ! worthy of your trust.' ' And whab is to be the reward for all! this ?' she asked. ' For the service you will have twenty pounds per month; when you leave the lady will make you a present of five hundred ] pounds, to enable you to settle comfortably in some occupation in France, or else bo go oub to your husband, if he wants you.' • Aunt Miriam, shall you be there ? Will you engage bhab there shall be no evil, no underhanded dealings in this case ?' she exclaimed suddenly.' lam young and unprotected. lam as liable to fears and fancies as bhis rich pabroness. Will you ! bell me, from your very conscience, that there is no fear of such evil and danger in the offer you speak of as so tempting and generous ?' 41 give you my word that you will be involved in no such fraud nor sin as your wild imaginations seem to bint at. The child who is now anxiously expected, and to whom you are expected to play a mother's part, will be the beir to large wealth and an honeßb and respected name. And all the res 6 concerns matters wibh which neither you nor I have to deal.' ' 1 musb, perforce, I suppose,' she replied; 'thab is, if I wish to obtain the advantages of which you speak. But Aunt Miriam forgive me. Surely the lady lis pure and innocent; and the poor in fan b will be free from stain or shame on its I birth ?' • If thab is your terror, you may whistle lit away like you wind is blowing away the \ the autumn leaves.' .• I will accept your terms, Aunb Miriam, on condition that my husband will be kept informed of my abode in tbe event of any changes being made in this remarkable drama,' she said. •I will give you my word that, in any event, Philip shall know your abode, and your true and generous efforts to serve him and your child.' CHAPTER Vlll. St. Colomb was a village scarcely ever disturbed by the advent of strangers, nor any sensational event to ruffle the calm of the seclusion it enjoyed. The curate was in temporary sole charge. The lawyer only spent his mornings and evenings and the Sabbath day in so unprofitable a locality. For the doctor, he had a very slender pittance wherewith to supply his wants. When some epidemic did break out, that promised better things for the man of healing, the payment was so wrebchedly low that it scarcely served to requite poor John Cheesewright for the strength and skill he lavished among them. Mrs Cheesewrighb ceased to ask her husband for any, even the most trifling adjunct. Bub Bhe and her children drooped like the flowers that have no moisture from rain nor dew, ahd bhe helpless husband and father knew bub too well thab bbeyvwera laying* bhe. seeds of early decay and death. Tbe wile had put her little ones to bed, to enjoy the sleep which was, in truth, tbeir beet support, and eat down by tho economical fire, and the fainb candle light, to repair and |jjjjo the ' °]d (things like new.!' /' -,:.'r." ;'"'"•_' ,- Suddenly a band was laid on her shoulder, and a voice whispered tenderly: •Listen, Emmie. Whab think you of a hundred pounds down, and a more promising practice secured to me?' 'Heaven bo praised !' said Mrs Cheesewright, gradually warming to some degree of pleasant excitement. 'And, now, will you nob tell me all about it, John ?' 'I have to acb as the accoucher to a lady of wealth and position. A Mrs Le Marohanb, a greab heiress, I am told by tbe woman who seemed to acb as a kind of confidential companion to the lady,' he added. • Well, ib seems as if ib must be all right and proper; still, it is mosb remarkable why a more celebrated man should not have been chosen.'

' A pretty compliment to me, ab any rate, you are paying 1' replied her hußband, in half jesting pique. ' You evidenbly do not rate my powers very high.' i 'It is only from my jealoasy for your honour and your fame that I would rather endure all than bhab you should do anything which would cast one shadow over your future lite.' •But listen, Emmie; there can be no danger here. Mr Le Marcbanb is a man of standing and honour, and would nob countenance any wrong.' • Where is Mrs Le Marcbanb to be during the bime V she asked.

•Oh, tbey have taken bhab beautiful place of Mr Devereux's—Trelorm,' roplied the doctor.

41 wonder whab she is like,' she murmured, rather to herself than her husband. 'Have you seen-her yeb, John ?' . 'No ; bub.bhe woman I spoke of showed me her photograph, and* if a correct one, she must be, a beautiful creature,' he replied; :'.. So it is a perfect libble romance to enliven our dull lives, Emmie* and we 'witt:^j^"ife"tW'^r.3 thiH.'

CHAPTER IX. 'If you please, my lady, Mr Le Marcbanb is in bhe library. He called to see my lord, bub he is gone oub, and I bold him I thought you would, perhaps, like to know he was here, as I fancy he has something especial to say.' And Netta Forrest's trusty maid looked half doubtingly ab the young Viscounbees, who was now convalescent, after passing through the greatest sorrow she had known borough bhe loss of her infant boy. 'Tell Mr Le Marcbanb, if be has any message for Lord Forrest, I will be happy to see him for a few minutes.'

Netta hastily drew a velvet mantle over her invalid coßtume, and unconsciously gave a mosb picturesque character bo her delicate beauty, which completed its soft charms and its unstudied grace. D6nis approached her with respectful tenderness in his look and bone. 'lb is very kind of you bo admit me,' he said. 'Believe me, I did—l do share in your sorrow, and in Lord Forresb's mosb sincerely.' 'I scarcely dared to hope I should see you,' be resumed; * bub I came with a double purpose of ascertaining your progress and informing you of my own new possession. My Marcia has given me a daughter, and I am now going down to see and welcome the treasure.'

'I am so glad,' she said. 'In my own loss ib is pleasanb to bhink you are so happy. And you musb convey warm wishes bo Mra Le Marcbanb, Denis. She will, indeed, be delighbed bo see you, and show you bhis new blossom on bhe stem.' ' Yes, I am foolishly eager in the matter. Ib was a strange accident that prevented my being ab Trelorm ab the time. Bub there is a provoking lawsuit pending from one of Marcia's tenants, and a telegram summoned me to give evidence on the 20th November, w,ibhoub fail. I hurried up and was amazed to find it was a misbake for bhe 26th, and was just on the poinb of decamping for my return to Cornwall, whon this welcome news arrived.' ' Then you Btarb to-night, of course ?' she said, looking gently ab his agitated features. ' Certainly ; and as I had a few hours to spare, I thought I would come here,' he returned. 'I am glad I did—l am glad I could see you myself. Netta, and ask your kindly inberesb for my first-born child.' ' Can you doubb ib, Denis, so far as ib is needed or possible ?' she said, sofbly. * But in the case of your babe, it is, fortunately, a superfluous promise.' * Who can tell ? Do you know, Netta, I have sometimes a strange presentiment that I shall not live long; and if I were taken, ib would be a comforb to feel that my child was doubly guarded in this troublous world.' 'Ib shall—it shall, indeed,' replied Lady Forrest, earnesbly. 'Ib is but a morbid fancy, I am certain, Denis; but in any case, it can do no harm to give you the pledge you ask.' Denis took her hand in his for a brief momenb, and pressed ib, rabher in a solemn pledge than with any familiar tenderness. ' Thanks, I understand ; and I am happier now 1' he said, pressing hia lips on her hand. 'Farewell, dear Netta. Tell Forrest I should like to have Been him and exchanged sympathies. He is a noble and true man 1 lam certain as to your happi- ; ness wibh one so worbhy of you V It was early on bhe nexb morning—at least, so early bhab the November sun was bub juat struggling through bbc rolling mist—when Denis Lo Marcbanb approached bis temporary home at Trelorm. The carriage drove up the gravelled ! sweep to the hall door. Denis sprang out and hastily opened ib. In an insbanb ha was in bhe hall, questioning the porter. ' How is your mistress,.Alfred ?■'-. ' Quite nicely, sir; and the baby too. I had orders from Mrs May to tell you so, if you arrived.' Denis inwardly thanked the thoughtfulness of the staid Miriam, and more composedly proceeded to mount the etaira to his wife's apartmenb. He gave one slighb tap at bhe door of the dressing-room, then noiselessly opened ib, and entered. Pauline Lethbridge lookedup quickly ab tbe gentleman's approach. «Is the child asieep—can I see its face ? be added, eagerly. •Cerbainly, sir,' she replied soffcly, and raised bhe sheltering shawl which covered ite baby features. •Pauline watched him keenly, and her own heart throbbed, and her eyes moistened I with tears as she witnessed his almost i reverenb kiss on bhe sofb face, and heard his whispered 'Bless you my child 1' There was a twinge on her features which atbracted even the pre engrossed attention ot bhe newly-arrived master of the house. He passed noiselessly to the inner chamber. ' Maroia,' he said, ' Marcia !' Marcia's voice came like a beautiful strain of music on his enraptured ear. ' Denis, dear, are you pleased ?' ib said, gently ; 'or are you vexed you have not a son?' He gave a glad, low laugh. 'Are you jesting, my darling, or can you, in serious earnest, think J could be aught but the happiest man in the land ab this moment? Oh, Marcia! surely this is the beginning of a new life for us both !' ' Yes, Denis, I believe it; and lam so relieved you are nob disappointed 1' she said. Mrs Le Marchant returned the pressure of the hand bhab held hers bo fondly. 'Ah! I have already stayed too long,' he said, wibh a pang of self-reproach. 'Happiness, like grief, makes one doltish, I fear. Adieu for a brief space, dearest: I shall content myself with watching oyer my treasures at a distance, bill you are strong again.' Marcia's lipa quivered as bhe thoughts crowded through her brain. Was ib with emotion or with softening love, or yeb more agitating penitence thab she was thus moved ? Only her own hearb could decide bhab question, but had a 'fine ear' been subtle enough te debecb the words that escaped her half unconcious lips, ib would have caught one ominous word. She breathed a name—a name thab was cub and graven as if by a sharp instrument on her heart. And bhab name was not 'Denis,' CHAPTER X. Wkeks passed on. The infant daughter of the Le Marchants had not yet received a name from the lips of the Church's minister, albeit ib had been placed on mere mundane registers by the name of' Giselle May Le Marcbanb.' But bhe christening was to be deferred till the return of the parents to tbeir country seat, when the babe could be held ab the same font which had givon the holy water for her mother's baptism long years before. As time went on Mrs Le Marchant rapidly regained her accusbomed healbh and ! strength. Pauline Lethbridge appeared outwardly composed. Bub bhere were many moments when the tears poured down and watered the infant's cheeks. ♦ Was ib a judgment ?' would break forth from her grieving lips. 'Did my child suffer for my Hake? Oh, Philip, my husband. Heaven* knows ib was for your love bhat I consented 1 And, after all, no suffering wrought save to myself! My babe!—ab leasb thou arb safe in a happy and holy world !' Only once, as February waa drawing to ibs close, she vented her impatience to Miriam, as she received back the infant, from her care.

'How long is this to last ?' she exclaimed. 'When am I to be freed from this thralldom ?'

' When your task is done—when you have fulfilled your dubies,' she replied. 'So soon as bhe child is independent of you, Mrs Le Marchant will provide a suitable attendant, and you can take your own way and join your husband as quickly as you choose. Bub ib is even now doubbful to me whether such a course will be prudent. Only you know your own wishes and Philip's better bhan I do.'

And Miriam turned resolutely away, as if to end the Bubiecb.

Do not be alarmed, Emmie. Ib is quibe in the range of civilization. Still, ib is a long way off. It is at Cairo, the most salubrious climate for my darling that can be imagined.'

'My dear John, only think of the distance I Do you really mean seriously you would like to go there to live? And who recommended ib bo you, John,' she said.

' It was a kind of agent in these matters, of whom Mr Le Marchant kindly spoke to me when I informed him of my anxiety to get away from here/

' Well, dear, ib is for you to consider bhe niabber,' returned Mrs Cheesewrighb, sighing a scarcely audible regreb. ' Only, if anybhing should happen in so disbanb a land, what would become of our children ? Surely thab should be thought of, my love?' ' Please, sir, there's a gentleman in your surgery. I,believe it is the new master at Tretorn,' ejaculated the girl, who was, probably, not very strong in ' proper names.' Mr Cheesowrighb hurried to the small sanctum thab served as consulting room, and found Mr Le Marchant awaiting him. John Cheesewrighb looked inquiringly at his unexpected visitor.

' There is nothing wrong, I hope, sir ?' he asked. 'Is Mra Le Marchanb or the infanb ill? They seemed perfecbly well lasb evening.'

' And are in the same state this morning,' replied Denis, with a gravo smile. 'No wonder you connect my visit with some such catastrophe; but ib ia nob so. Ib is of myself I would speak, and ask your best skill and candour.'

The doctor bowed,

'All I can is do is ab your command,' he replied. ' Bub I am grieved bhat you should feel in need of my services, Mr Le Marchant. Are you unwell ? What have you bo complain of?' 'Thab ia jusb what I am here to know,' returned Denis, in a more low and subdued tone. 'I cannot toll whether I am a nervous idiot, or whether there is any ground for uneasiness about myself. I came to you because I wish the whole thing to be kepb a secret, and, as you are going away, there can be no fear of even inadvertence in the case.'*

' You must brush me in any event. I can keep a confidence sacred,' answered Dr. Cheesewrighb, firmly. • Very well; then we will proceed to the point. I have a strong impression that bhere is something wrong about my chest,' said the patient, hurriedly; ' and as my parents bobh died young, I wish you bo sound me, and give me bhe full results of your examination, to the best of your ability.'

' You shall be obeyed,' he said. ' I will conceal nothing from you that I ascertain myself as to your stabe.'

It was certainly an anxious interval for the nexb few minutes, and when, ab lasb, he laid his Btetheecope on the table, nob all Denis Le Merchant's self-command could entirely disguise the agitation of his mind.

« Well ?' he said,—' well ? lam ready 1 What is the matter ?'

' Nothing very alarming,' replied the doqbpr. 'I dq Rot p^rcißiye any s.cbuaj mischief going on. Bub ib is my duty bo state bhere is a decided weakness in both lungß arid heart, which may tend to serious consequences if developed.'

' Then you mean I have no real disease commenced, but tbab I have strong tendencies to ib ?' he asked at length.

' Precisely ; that ia my meaning,' was the reply.

' And do you suppose the care you recommend could avail to stave off tbe danger ?'

'To sbave ib off, cerbainly ; I cannob say whether it would remove the danger,' replied the doctor, once more. • Still, I think I can prophecy for you many years of life should you obey my warnings, and be spared any unforeseen and hurtful risks. You are very much in your own power.' ' All that remains is for you to give me some prescriptions, in case of necessity ; more especially, as you are about to leave England, if I understand you aright. Having accomplished bhe one greab object of my vißib, I will take my leave, Mr Cheesewrighb. I believe whab you have told me, and I bhank you from my heart.'

The wealthy gentleman and the struggling practitioner grasped bands as those words were uttered.

' Ah, Denis 1 I am so glad to see you 1' exclaimed Marcia, as he entered the room. ' 1 have just received a lettei from Lady Forresb, accepbing for herßelf and husband bhe office of sponsors to our child. I suppose you will leave to me tho choice of the second godmother on the occasion ?'

' You are ever generous and frank, Marcia. I had no idea you had written to Netta, though I believe I did express some wish of the kind to you. Who is the other person you wish to ask ?' ' The friend I had thought of was an old ! schoolmate of mine, Ida Fitzgerald, a charming person, and I intend, wibh your permission, bo ask her to the ceremony, when you can make her acquaintance and judge for yourself.' Denis started intuitively. ' Fitzgerald ! Then she is the sister to the officer of that name now living abroad ?' he asked. Marcia* did not change pa|pur even, paw at the n^pie of him she had lovjad. ' Only a cousin of Capbain Fitzgerald. We have sebbled all now, and I shall ab once write and arrange everything wibh Ida and Lady Forrest to join us in a month ab Sutton Courb.' CHAPTER XL Arthur Fitzgerald was reclining idly on a luxurious pile of cushions in bhe spacious room which he bad been lucky enough bo secure since his convalescence. Yes, he had narrowly escaped death, though not on bhe battle-field. A severe attack of fever had prosbrated him to bhe weakness of a child, and he was only now hesitating whether be should try bhe moro accessible change bo bhe ' hills' for the restoration of bis strength, or whether he should at once apply for sick furlough, and thus retard promotion and prolong his sojourn in bhe East. He was cerbainly changed from the day when be bad secretly acted as a witness of the wedding of Marcia Larolles. Major Fitzgerald of that day looked at leaet some eight or ben years older than the Captain Fitzgerald who had won the heart and clouded the life of the heiress of Sutton Court. • I wonder whether the mail is in yeb ? Ib would bo a blessing to geb hold of something more exciting than Trollope's last stage in the lives of hia ecclesiastical dramatis personce.' Before he had time bo bake up bhe thread of the aaperßed characters, his servant appeared, bearing letters and papers in most promising numbers. At lasb be came to one in a pretty female hand, and with a postmark thab brought the blood quickly through hii pulses, and a fainb flush bo bis pale cheeks. He bore ib open with bewildered eagerness, and hastily turned bo bhe signature. Bub if a vrild fancy bad crossed his brain

as bo the writer it was quickly dispelled. The lasb lines simply bore the words :— • Your affectionate cousin, ' Ida Fitzgerald.' And with, perhaps, increased curiosity, bub less excitement, he began the lebter :— •Sutton Court, October I.—My dear Arthur, —You will open your " big" eyes bill they are alarming in their dimensions when you see the address from which I am writing. Now. do nob frown and shut your lips scornfully ab bhe allusion bo bhe cause which will give my presenb residence such intense surprise and interest. ' I waß electrified last spring -to receive a request from Mra Le Marchant bo stand godmother to her baby daughter. I had no idea thab such ornamental adjuncts would be needed in her case.

'However, for your sake, I conßenbed, and went bo Tho Courb accordingly, although I had been tabboed there ever since the unlucky time when the deceased owner discovered thab I had a handsome cousin in the—Lancers.

'1 played my cards, or exhibited my attractions, so powerfully, that I received a pressing request to repeat my visit in the autumn, both from Marcia and her husband. But now, alas ! bhe scene is changed, though not the personages. Poor Mr Le MarchaDb is decidedly oub of healbh—Day, in my private opinion, seriously ill, and he is ordered to some warmer climabe; and, for some mysterious reason, he has chosen Malta as the place he would like to winter in; while, from .an equally unaccountable fancy, he has suggested that I should go jvith them as company for Marcia. 'Sometimes I fancy he must anticipate a more serious and rapid result than seems at. all likely, which would account for this strange idea of his. However, I have accepted the invitation, since I have nothing better to do. At any rate, ib will be a greab deal bebter than being shut up with our old aunb in the wilds of Tipperary for the winter months.' Arthur Fitzgerald devoured this letter | as if his eyes were capable of taking in whole lines at a glance. Bub he waa no villain, to rejoice over the misery and sins of others. Still it was scarcely in human nature to utterly vanquish the memories and the anticipations which crowded to his mind on reading the epistle. And then, by degree*, he began to wonder whether he should risk a recontre with them ab Malta if he determined on applying for leave of absence. One idea rapidly led bo another in his mind, and he might have continued yeb longer in thab deep, wandering reverie, had he nob been roused by the sudden entrance of one of his brother officers, wibh whom he w»s more closely intimate bhan any other in the regimenb. Hugh Gifford had commended himself bo his regard by many an act of kindness, and especially in bhe severe illneßS from which he had jusb recovered. 'Weil, old fellow, bow do? Deep in correspondence, eh! Don't care for bhe mail myself. Ib only brings bad news, and never riches in its train,' observed Capbain Gifford. Arthur liberally sbarbed. His mind had been, as ib were, in a foreign region, and ib was a flight of years bo bring ib back to actual present realities. Hugh's eyes had involuntarily wandered to the still unopened pile of letters, which extended to the place where he sab, and in a casual movement of hie band one fell bo bhe ground. He stooped to pick it up, and in so doing touched the unnoticed carte of Marcia thab lay beside ib, and which bad accompanied Ida's letber. 'By Jove, Fitz, you're lucky ! That's a fine girl!' he exclaimed, as he lifted the carte from its lowly position. 'Is the girl married? If not. you are aboub the happiest man in the army, to my thinkfoe-' ... ... Major Fitzgerald paused for a few: moments ere he replied. 'It's a strange question, Fitz, and I should nob be inclined bo answer ib to anyone else, bub I don'b mind going so far as fc° adm'* fchab she wears a ring bhab will divide us, Captain Gifford was a kindly and an honourable man, yeb flighty and wild in his own habits. He did nob even suspect bis friend of any inbended dishonour. ' Fibz,' he said kindly, ♦ you know I am no Puritan, and I believe there's no fellow who means better and is more trustworthy than yourself. But you are not a salamander, any more than others, old fellow. Take my advice, and in spite of the lady aud the legacy, stay where you are. I have a notion thab some evil would arise if you took bhe way you would like in bhis matter. And now, old fellow, I'll loave you to get through Lhe resb of your letters in rather more orderly fashion bhan you have yet condescended to beßtow upon them, Ta, ta f And the young officer left tha room, with a friendly nod. (To be Continued.)