Chapter IX.

North Otago Times, Volume V, Issue 94, 7 December 1865, Page 1 (Supplement)

Chapter IX.

Shows now some other people jwssed the night. The beautiful face with its golden setting, which was looking down on the Eastbourne Parade that e\ening. appeared to exercise a remarkable influence over the passers-by. In spite of its almost defiant haughtiness, there was nothing repulsive about it ; very far from it; yet it is a fact that it was the cau^e of an abrupt retreat on the part of two people within one half ho;u\ Guy had not fled from beneath the window many minutes, when round the corner of the houses camp the veiy same lady with whom he had ticivelled that afternoon. Like Guy, she also glanced up, and caught sight of Cora, and aUo like Guy, she stopped suddenly and crept into the shadow. There she appeared to hold a short mental debate, and it lesulted in her commencing slowly and quietly to retrace her steps. . Once round the corner, however, she stopped again, hesitated, and then, with a gesture of impatience at her own indecision, turned off to winds the Lower Parade. She placed herself in a corner of the long stone seat which runs the whole length of the Parade, drew down her \eil and disposed herself to consider at her leisure. Her meditations ran as follows : — " So then I have Been her at last, and that

one glauce is sufficient to convince me that from her I need expect nothing ; not sympathy, ov love, oi* even forgiveness. She will never consent to forgive that one false step of mine ; I am sure of it. Shall I go back ; but where ? I have now no home and no friends. Far better to throw myself on my aunt's mercy, and let Cora take her own course. I think, yes, I am nearly sure that Lady Lucy will receive me. I used to be her favorite I know ; and for my mothei's sake. I will risk it at all events to-night. I won't wait until to-morrow and give my resolution time to cool. So now, courage Isabel, and don't flinch." Her dark blue eyes were fixed on the path of light acro«s the water. It was high tide, and the sea was very calm. The little waves came rippling up to' the very base of the Parade. The beauty of the night had tempted many people out of doors, and most of them were pacing up and down. Amongst them two gentlemen passed most frequen ly and regularly, and each time Isabel caught fragments of their conversation. For a while she heard without attending ; the first sentence wljich really entered her understanding was the following : — "Two to one that she marries him." " And I say, l No.' He has too good an j opinion of himself to be easily cau»ht." "Oh! by George ! I don't think the objection would be on his side, if there were any; Cora Brandon is a splendid-looking girl." The speakers passed on ; but the next time they came up they were still discussing the same subject. " What will you bet that the drama is not all played out next season ?" " Oh ! I'll bet anything. I tell you he ■won't prove such an easy fish to hook. He thinks himself much too good for any woman living." " Oh, does he ? Perhaps he'll find out his mistake some day, conceited ass !" And then the voices died away again. Isabel rose. " Who is this man my sister thinks of marrying?" she said to herself, as she mounted the .steps of the parade. '' Perhap- the one who was sitting with her at the window to-night. I wonder if they are there now." But they were not, and Isabel rans the bell boldly. She sent up her card, with a request that Miss Brandon would see her for a few minutes. Cora was at the piano when the card was brought to her. She read the name and dropped it as if it had been red-hot. Then she said coldly '• Take it to Lady Lucy." The instant they weie alone, she turned round and faced her aunt. "■ You will go to her Cora" Lady Lucy said entreatingly, and Cora answered yes, I will come, when I finish my song. She continued singing as thou.-h nothing had happened, and Lady Lucy, after one look at her, went out. Cora was as good as her word. She came as soon as it suited her convenience ; and she found her aunt seated by Isabel, with her arm round her niece, welcoming her home. Cora stood for an instant in the doorway looking at them ; her lovely head a little thrown back. Isabel owned to herself there and then that her sister's beauty far outshone her own. And it was true. The elder was a handsome woman ; but Cora might have claimed the title " Queen lose of the rosebud garden of girls," with justice. She came forward and Isabel sprang to meet her ; but Cora showed no eagerness. She took Isabel's out-stretched hand, and with an effoit, which deepened the delicate rose pink on her cheek, permitted her sister's kiss. Then she drew back again, with the quiet remark " I sdw.iys expected that you would come some day. You are alone, I suppose?" Isabel flusfied. " My husband is dead " she said." Cora was silent. Her eyes glanced carelessly over the other's dress. " Yes. I actually had not the money to purchase the necessary mourning." Isabel baid bitterly, comprehending the look. " You aie right, Cora; but outward grief would have been only a mockeiy." '• I thought you would see your error some day," Cora returned. "I suppose you were not happy. I am not surprued at it. Do not stand any longer ; you must be fatigued." The tone was quietly polite ; no anger in it ; but she might have spoken so to a perfect stranger. Isabel sat down ; and Lady Lucy turned to her with donhle warmth, intended to atone for Cora's coldness. "My child, you are looking pale and tired," she said. " Are you glad to come back to me, my darling ; You should have written to me, Isabel. I longed for news of you. But now that you have come, -we will foiget the past, and you shall be happy once more. You must be hungry, I am sure ; what shall I order ? Tea, Coffee, anything you like." They sat far on into the night : Isabel relating much of the past to Lady Lucy : and Cora half reclininu: in a luxurious ch'iir before the fiie, sipping coffee, and listening with an air of being slightly bored. I do not intend to enter into the history of Isabel's married life. It has no bearing upon this story. I take this fresh character just as she was when Guy first saw her in the railway carriage, and I drop her into her appointed place amongst these pages. (Tote Continued.)