CHAPTER X.-ALINE'S DECISION.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10058, 27 July 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER X.-ALINES DECISION.

The result of her considerations was to make Aline maoh quieter in her manner, more reserved and thonghlful than before, and in this mood she seemed more charming to Bazili For now that she was less contradictory, less wilful and uncertain, he seemed to approach her more closely mentally, to find find* her more companionable and not less fascinating. Her father observing her from under his knitted brows likewise noticed the change, but made no remark. With a sigh he concluded the alteration in her was the outoome of bis command that she should no longer flirt with Bazil if she did not intend to marry him. The flirtation was dropped, and the vicar believed bis hope tbat she would become Bazil's wife bad come to an end. One evening after dinner It happened that the Rev. Mr Jarrat was obliged to attend a meeting of churchwardens in the vestry to discuss matters relating to repairs of the tower. " I will not be long, Bazil," ho said to bis nephow, who was writing letters at a side table, " I will not be long, and then we can have oar game." "And J will claim my revongn," his neohew replied, raising his head. The vioftr laughed and quitted the room, Bazil contiuued his correspondence, and Aline seated on a corner of the sofa read her nugazlne. The ticking of the dock alone broke the silence for some time, tben Bazil, paasing and looking op, said, " Aline, won't yon sing something 1" "I would only distract you," she replied, her eye* still on the pages. " I have quite finished," be answered. j •' Yon have heard every song I sing," the remarked, lajing down the maga-

"But I could lißlen t> them Bgain aud again. lam nover tired of hearlog your vcicfi yon know,' 1 Bazil responded. Without ropijine, without looking at him, she went to the muaic atand In the corner. The first song her oyoß rosted on was " Delusions," words by Anaalem Penkarvan, and mimic by Fred Cowan, Taking it up she set It before her on the piano. "Do you like thial" she asked of 8a7.i1, wlio now stood beside her, delighted that she had obeyed him. " I like everything you sing, but not that so tf el! as other of your songs," he answered. " It's one of my favonriles," she commented. "Then plea3e sing it " She struck the opening chords and began the ballad, the words of which dwelt on love and despair In no very oomprehonsive or original manner. The muaic, however, l«nt them a force and I expression, a pnsoon and feeling they laoked in themselves. But the Binges' did not comprehend this, for to her. it was the verses which exprested the fervour, which touched the heart ; the verseß written by the man she lovedAnd with her mind centred on him and stirred by memories, she sang his words with a" tendeiDess of which she was wholly uncouseious, forgetting completely him who bent above her, who, thrilled by the music and aharing the emotion he iv no way caused, felt his heart bound with joy. When Aline hud finished she looked into the faco oloae beside her own, of which »he now becamo conßcion», arid seeing the resolution it expressed, oho started and went back to the nofa. He came and sat beaide her, and she knew the hour of her fato hal come. Her mind was made up as to how she should not. "Aline," he ssid, in a voice disturbed by the force of bis feelings, " Aline, I love you, I love you." He could Bay no more. He took her hand then, and held it in both his hands. "You know thiß," he continued after a moment. "Yon know that I loved you from the first moment I caw youP Tell me." "I thought you did," blio replied, quite composedly. His hands shook, his emotions almost mastered him, whilst she sat beaide him with never a quiver of the nerres or an extra flutter of the puke. It seemed as if her coldness was proportionate^ her fervour. Not only was she passive and tranquil, but critically observant of the one deep curving liae that marked hia forehead, and oE the grey hairs which were visible above his temples. " And you will let me love you, dearest 1 " he said. " Fes," she responded, in a low voice. " And love me in return, Aline ? ' he asked, eagerly, anxiously. " Yes," she answered again, in the same unemotional tone. "Then you will be my owd, my wife ? " he called out rapturously, scarcely believing in hia good fortune. " I will be your wife," she answered, stolidly. He kissed her passionately whilst eho sat Hnmoved, remembering at that instant the kiss she had received from another man, and wondering why Bazil's kisses did not thrill her as the poet's hud. Why was it she sat llßtless and indifferent to this man who loved her ? Then she feared he would observe her iciness, not knowing he was too absorbed by his own emotions to perceive their absence in her. " Why didn't I not ask you before and end my uncertainty ? " Bazil said. " But do you know, dearest," he onntinned, " I couldn't make up ray mind aa to whether you really oared for me or not." " How was that P " she asked, feeling she must say something. " Well, I wasn't conceited enough to think that you would love me, that you wouid really love me as you do, Aline ; tell mo again that you do, dearest," he implored, looking into her face. " I love yon," she replied, aware that she was beginning to make this false statement with less oompunolion and more appearance of truth : with custom she would be able to repeat it with an air of veraoity. " But when did you begin to know ? " she asked with some curiosity. " I began to suspect it a few days ago, when I thought your manner changed to me." . "Ah, yon noticed that ?" said Aline. "Of courso I did. You think I am not sharp about anything concerning you who are ever in my thoughts, well, I am Bhrewd enough, though yvn may net think so." Alice could not help smiling. What fools men were, she thought, where a woman was concerned, and how blind they were in taking for granted the existence of that which they desired to exist. " When! first saw you I thought how handsome yon were," he said presently. "I began to fall in love with you the day I came here. When you quitted the room where I was I missed you, when you returned I felt satlßlied. Then to walk and talk with you was a delight. Tell me, Aline, did you like me from the first '( ' " Yeß, I liked you," she answered, bending her head. "But you did not love mef 1 " he persisted. "Not from the beginning." He wincod at her words, "Never mind ; I should be satisfied that you love me now. And you do really love mo, dearest ? " "Of course I do," she said, her groat blue eyes fixed on him. He could not help feeliug disappointed that her statement was not supported by any display of emotion, but Its abseaca was perhaps due to reserve, and he assured himself he should feel content that she loved him, and had promised- to become his wife. "I shall do everything iv my power to make you happy, Aline, for I cannot tell you how much I love you," he said, glowing with delight. " Better than you loved your first wife ? " she asked, in no ways moved by jealousy, something of curiosity prompting the lightly spoken words. Her question startled and shocked him. The memory it suddenly recalled seemed to come between him and his present joyousness, as might a cloud drifting between him and the sun. He folt suddenly chilled. Then, after a 1 second, he made an efiort to recover himself, and speaking honestly, replied, " Yes, my love for you is deeper and of a different kind, though I can hardly explain in what way. As a man growa older I fancy his love becomes) less aeldsb, nobler; mine for you is, Aline, believe that." She wished he had not been previously married. There would always be before her thn knowledge that another woman had preceded her in the position of his wife. Ha would b« sure to make comparisons between them which, though not prejudicial to her at tirat, might become so eventually. She had never spoken to him before of bis wife, a subject which bo had studiously avoided, and it was without thought of what she said Aline had notv referred to her. " You believe me," ho said, anxiously. "Yesi You will take ma abroad when — when ' ' " When we are married. Yes, I will take you wherevor you please." "Bnt not to Australia." "It would be my wish to settle down in England." " But not until I have scon the world. Being oaged up in this little village

I almost all my HFc, you don't Iniom bow much I loug to got away aad sue foreign countries, and strange people, ami all tho wonders tbe world liol<1a," she said, her manner crowing animated. " I will tako you wlierevor you wish," he repeated. "1 am Bure you will be very good to me, Bazil," she said, her faca brightening with an expression of satisfaction it had lacked before. " My only desire in life will bo to make you happy," he a-nwercd. She was touched by hiß devotion, and wished gho could love him. " Let it be soon, dear," ho said, drawing closer to her and kissing hor again. "What?" sheaaked. "Our marriage. There is no reason why wo should put it off for weeks or monthß, ia there P" " I must make preparations," she replied. " Yon could get whatever you want afterwards in London or Pads." The mention of these cities summoned up delightful visions of ideal costumes which ahe could purchase with Basil's wealth, in comparison with which the village dressmaker's efforts aeemed ridiculous and impertinent. "I will do aa you please," the said, with an air of submission. " Thank you, darliDg," he exclaimed, deliehted by her compliance. " You can arrange it with my father ; I bear him in tho lull. I will go and leave you to tell him. Good-night." Bazil kissed her fondly. "Goodnight, Aline. Ab, what a happy man you have mado me. God bleas you, dear; God bless you." She had scarcely left tbo room when the vicar enterod, aid in his brisk fushirm said, " Now. Bazil, my boy, now for our game and your revenge. Where are the curds ? Ready 1 " To bis surprise Bazil walked straight up to him and Bhouk hanos with him warmly. " Why, what's this ? " his uncle asked, staring at him shrewdly. '* Can't you guess P " " Aline '/" exclaimed the vicar breathlessly, hopefully. " Ha 9 agreed to become my wife." ■' She has ? " hu oried out in astonishment and pleasure. "Perhaps I ought to have asked your permission font, but I felt if I gained hor consent pou would not refuse yours. And I am right, sir, am I not?" he asked eagerly. " My dear boy," exolaimed the Vicar, in his turn warmly shaking handß with his nephew, " this news makes me one of the happiest men in the world. I don't think I have had such a light heart since my poor wife died." And tears rose to his eyos. " lou congratulate me i " The Vicar paused before replying. " I would rather see her your wife than that any man I have ever known," be said discreetly. •'Ob, thank you, sir," Bazll exclaimed. '"I Bball be proud to claim yon as a son, and all my prayers shall be for your future happiness."! "My happiness ia now a foregone conclusion," remarked Bazil, beaming with delight. Tbe Vicar turned away sharply. "I cannot play cards to-night," he murmured. " It's impossible." "No. I have hai my revenge and won the game," said ILzil, laughing light heartedly as a lad. " My dear boy," responded the Vicar, his eyes turned on his nephew with an expression of joy and gratitude. " I can hardly realise my good luck yet," continued BbhX "At first I had little hope. When I oamo here I had no idea of the fate in store for mo." " No," remarked the Vicar gravely, "none of us can tell what the future may hold for us in this strange world of ours." "It has a happiness in Btore for me which makes my heart swell when I think of it, for I love Aline deeply, more than I can cay." "God bleaa you, God blesa you," murmured the Vicar huskily. (To be continued.)