CHAPTER XIV.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 10009, 21 December 1895, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHAPTER XIV.

Esmkiuliu wenb to hor room. She seemed in a dream. Every word Lord Trafforel had spoken came back to hor, the touch of his hand was still with her. Sho folt happy, and yet— yot thoro was still something wanting. Sho looked in the glass curiously, critically. Lord Trafford had said that sho was beautiful. She compared hersolf with some of tie ladies whom she had teen, and with hor lack of vanity, sho thought that there were many moro beautiful than sho was. That he had asked her to be his wife filled hor with surprise ; sho did not think of hor two millions.

They wont out that night to a dance, and Trafford was there and oamo up to hor soon aftor sho arrived.

Ho did not refer to what had passed between them, but ho hovered about hor and dancod with hor soveral times. Sho noticed that the men who usually thronged about hor drow back and loft hor with Lord TrafTord, as if ho had a claim upon her, Ho saw her to the carriage, and at parting ho raised her hand to his lips. The caress lingered with her until sho fell asleep. Two days afterwards sho received a letter. It was from Lady Lilias, asking hor and Lady Wyndover to go and stay at Belfayro. It was a short noto but a very friendly ono, and Esmeralda took it to Lady Wyndover. "Shall we go?" she risked. " Why, , certainly !" exclaimed Lady Wyndover. "My dear child, you are the luckiest girl I ever heard of. Write and tell Lady J.ilias that you will come on Thursday. That will give us four days, and Cerise can do wonders in four days—if she likes."

They started for Belfayre on Thursday and when they reached Waterloo they found Lord Trafford awaiting them.

" I am glad you have come," he said, as he hold Esmeralda's hand.

Then he wont and looked after tho heavy luggage, and paid the excess which was inevitable, and presently joined them in tho first-class carriage which he had engaged. Esmeralda had not left London since hor arrival thero with Mr. I'inchook, and tho thought of leaving its smoky atmosphere filled her with delight. As they left thegrimy town she looked from her window with oager pleasure, and when tho greon fields took the place of the crowded streets she drew a long breath, and exclaimed: "The country at last I" Trafford arranged the blind for her so that she could look out without getting tho glare of tho sun in her eyes, and whon presently sho took off her hat, still gazing out of the window, ho took it from her and carefully placed it upon the rack above. Hi? attention to her was peculiar in its character, and was more marked than it would have boon if he had lovod her.

It seemed to him that- ho would owe her so much if she consented to bo his wife, seeing that he could not give her what was her due—his heart.

."-he appeared to forget her companions, and was quite absorbed in the scenery which they passed, every now and then uttering an exclamation of wonder and delight as some object strange to her colonial experience caught her attention.

Lady Wyndover and Trafford watched her as people watch a wayward but very precious child ; and with Lady Wyndnver's affection was mingled no littlo rospect for Esmeralda's coming rank ; for, notwithstanding Esmeralda's repeated assertion, Lady Wyndover insisted upon regarding the engagement as an accomplished fact. A few days ago sho would havo told Esmeralda that ladies do not remove thoir hats in the train, hut she felt that the future Duchess of Belfayro could commit any solecism with impunity. TrafTord took up a hook and tried to rend, but his eyes were drawn from a rather dull page to the lovely faco in front of him, and he caught himself asking, of course inaudibly, whether she would come to caro for him.

Ab the end of tho journey, which had seemed terribly long to Lady Wyndover, but very short to Esmeralda, they found the chariot and the footman awaiting them, and the usual fuss ensued; if anything it was more marked than usual.

Trafford did not walk this time, but rode in tho carriage with the ladies, and as thoy passed along pointed out the various points of local interest, and was rewarded by Esmeralda's exclamation of delight abhor first glimpse of the sea. "Oh, it is beautiful, beautiful!" she cried. And ib is all in such order—like a big garden. And why do all tho people touch thoir hats and bob down to the ground as we pass ?" Trafford smiled.

"It's a habit I hoy have," said. "They don't mean to bo servile; in fact, they're rather an independent crow; but they just do it out of politoness. and because they have known us all their lives."

" You mean that they have known you," said Esmeralda. "They can't know uio, and they can't seo you where you sit." "They will know you presently," ho said in a low voico. Her long lashos swept her cheek, and she was silent for a moment or two, but as they passed through tho lodge gates, sho exclaimed again: " What beautiful tree I And the road, it is lilto a garden path, like thoso paths in Kensington Park." When tho palace came in view sho uttered no sound, hub hor eyes oponed and her lips parted with wonder and amazement. Lady Wyndover also was startled and surprised by the vaatness and beauty of tho plane, though she, of course, had hoard and read of it. " And you livo here!" said Esrooralda. " Why, it is big enough for an army ; and those footmon might be soldiers," the added as they camo out of the hall and stood ready to receive the visitors.

" Thoro have been soldiers here more than once," said Trnfford. "Wo held the place against Cromwell's troops, and for a pretty long spell too. I will show you a bib of the old castle to-morrow."

He helped them to alight, and he held Esmeralda's hand as thoy went up the marble steps and across the terrace into the hall. As they entered Lady Lilias' small figure was seen coming down tho stairs. She came forward and welcomed them in her grave little fashion, but Trafford saw a flash of surprise pass across her face as she saw Bsmoralda. "I am very glad you have come, alio said to them both, bub lotting her eyes rest on Esmornlda's face. " Are you very tired ? And will you have some toa boforo you go upstairs?" . A gipsy tablo was already laid in tho "I am nob nt all tired," said Esmeralda. "Why should I be?" Lady Lilias gave a little invisible sigh of satisfaction as sho heard tho sweet, cloar voice. " lb is such a long journey, she said. " But yon look very strong, and I am very glad that you are not tired." Lady Wyndover declared for tea at onco, and Lady Lilias gave ib them. Esmeralda watched her curiously and with pleasure.

! She had novor seen anyone so small, ao dainty, and with such a self-possessed and matronly air bohind her youth. As they wero drinking their tea and chatting, Lord Selvaino came in. Ho greeted Esmeralda as an old friend, and with a little emprmement, which indicated his consciousness of her new importance. "The duke begged mo to say how sorry he was that he could not be down to receive you," he said ; " but he is feeling a little tired this afternoon. tie hopes to eeo you at dinner," „ "Would you like to go upstairs now! said Liliaß. "Your maids have gone to your rooms." Sho herself, as a special mark of welcomo, escorted them. Esmeralda was amazed at the size of her rooms and the magnificence of their appointments ; and Barkor, when the door had closod, could not help oxclaiming: " Oh, miss, what a wonderful place! I've never dreamed of thing like it." When Lord Selvaino and Trafford were left alone, they stood for a moment or two in silence. Trafford stood erect on the rug, with his hand upon tho hound's head; Lord Selvaine toyed with his cup and spoon. " Well," ho said, at last, "you've done it, Truf?" " Yes," said Lord Trafford, very gravely, "I have proposed to Miss Chetwyndo." "And sho has accepted you? Thank the Lord !" "You are a littlo too previous," said Trafford, rather grimly. " Sho has not accepted me. She has asked for time to considor the proposal." Lord Selvaine smiled.

"The same thing, my dear Traf~at loa&t, I hope so, Tho woman who hesitates is won."

"Do nob bo too euro," said Trafford. " lb is as likely as nob that) she will refuse me in tho end."

Lord Selvaine smiled again, and the smile seomod to irritate Trafford. "Do nob be too confident," ho said. " Miss Chotwyndo is- Ido nob think you understand hor, Selvaine." " As lone as you do, it doos not matter," said Lord Solvaine.

" Ah," said Trafford, "I did not say that I myself understood her. Sho is unlike any woman I havo ever mob, and she will follow tho dictates of her own heart."

"Which you must loso no time in gaining," said Lord Solvaine, nob quickly, but slowly and softly. Lady Lilias came down tho stair and went straight to Trafford, " Oh, Trafford, how beautiful she is 1" she said in a low voico, " And what a aweot voice 1 and sho is like a girl, too. I have nevor seen suoh lovoly eyes and such beautiful coloured hair ; it is liko bronze or gold, or an autumn leaf. lam sure sho is good and swoot-tompered, and I am not surprised—" She did nob finish tho sentence, but pressed his arm and looked into his face with a little blush.

Trafford had to explain again. " As I wrote and told you, Lilias, nothing is settled," ho said, gravely ; and Lilias smiled as Lord Selvaino had done.

When Esmeralda had finished dressingit had been hard work for Barker, for her mistress had broken away from her several times to gaze from tho window at the suporb view, and had been more than usually impatient— there came a gentle knock at the door, and in answer to Esmealda's "Come in I" Lilias' soft voico said : "May I!" Esmeralda oponed tho door. " Oh, yes ; come in," she said. " I came to see if thero was anything you wanted," said Lilias, regarding Esmeralda with a frank admiration.

She looked still more lovely in her even-ing-dress. Esmeralda looked round the room with a smile.

" Docs it look as if there was anything I could possibly want that isn't here?" she asked. " There is everything. Is it time to go down yell ? I don't feel as if I could ever leavo those beautiful rooms and that view."

"I am very glad you are pleased," said Lilias. "Wo want you to bo very happy while you are here, and I hope you wifl be, Miss Chetwynde." "Then don't call mo Miss Chotwynde," said Esmeralda.

Lady Lilias blushed with ploasuro. " 1 will call you Esmeralda, dear," sho Slid, yielding up her heart at onco, and you will call me Lilias. 1 hope we shall bo great friend? ; indeed, I feel as if 1 had known you for a long time ; Trnfford's lettor told me so much about you. But 1 did not expeot to see—" Esmoralda smiled and knit her brows.

What did you think I was like?" she asked.

" I knew thab you must be very nice,' said Lilias, "or Trafford would not haveBut I did not know that you were so young and so pretty." Esmeralda laughod slightly. " 1 might say tho samo of you," she said. "I thought that Lady Lilias was quite a woman. How do you mauago this groat place ?" " I have been used to ib all my life," said Lilias. She smiled and blushed. " You wiil not find it so difficult when you have tried."

Esmeralda looked at her in hor direct way. " 1 don't know yet that I shall ever try," she said, very quietly. Lilias began to seo now that Esmeralda was different to tho girls with whom Lady Lilias had associated. Not ono of them would havo spokon so openly and frankly. She did not like Esmeralda the loss. "Oh, I hops so—l hope so," sho said, " for Trafford's aako."

" You are very fond of him?" said Esmoralda, aftor a pause. The two girls were standing by tho window, and the bright sunlight only sorvod to accontuate Esraoralda's fresh loveliness.

" Oh, yes, yes!" said Lilias. "We havo been together all our lives. We are just brother and sister."

It Hashed upon Esmeralda that Lady Ada had said almost the samo thing.

" No one who knows Trafford could help loving him," said Lilias, her soft grey eyes glowing. "He is everything that is noble and good. There is no ono so unselfish. We all worship him. You think me extravagant?" she added, with a blush. " But I am always so whon I think or spoak of Trafford, for ho has been my beau ideal sinco 1 can remember. Even as a boy ho was brave and manly and self-sacri-ficing ; ho was always ready to give up anything, however dearly ho prized it. All our pooplo regard him ub a kind of hero and king." She laughed a little. "Ib is scarcely too much to say that anyone of them would die for him." Esmoralda looked at her thoughtfully. I've read oi thab sort of thing," she said. " Yes, I can understand it," she added, almost to herself. "Bub you must forgivo me for singing his praisos so wildly," said Lilias, with sweet humility; " and ib musb be unnecessary, tor you know him." "I'vo only soon Lord Trafford a few times," said Esmeralda almost gravely. " You'll see more of him now you're hero," said Lady Lilias. "And 1 am Bure—" Sho checked herself. "What a pretty dress that is," sho said, looking at Ksmoralda rather than tho dress. " I suppose ib is the vory latest fashion. You must have beautiful taste." Esmeralda glanced down abhor superb costume indifferently.

" It's Lady Wyndover," she said. " She knows all about this kind of thing, and spends nearly all hor time studying it. I don't know anything. How should I? We didn't woar ovening-dress at Three Star, and didn't see any fashions. Three Star is tho placo I oame from," she wont on quickly, und as if sho were repeating a loauon ; sho had said the samo thing so often. " Uon'b you know that I came from a digger's camp, that I was quite poor until Mr. Pinehook found mo, that I don't know anything, and scarcely have learnod to behave properly —though I think I'm learning," she added, simply. Tho son&itive Lilias was almost; ehooked, "Oh, don't say that," she said. "You should nob say such things of yourself; it is nob just. You bohave like-liko anyono else ; and no one would know— Not that it matters whether they did or did not." "Doesn't it?" said Esmoralda. "I thought it did. Everybody in London sooms to bo so proud of boing a lord or a lady, and to look down upon ovorybody who isn't."

" Then wo are difforonb to people in London," said Lilias, smiling "But) I think you are mistaken," she addod, quickly. " At any rate, no one would think of looking down upon you. I have to look up a long way," alio Baid, naively.

[ " Yes, you are small," said Esmeralda. "You are like a little girl. I believe I could carry you in my arras like a child." With a littlo laugh and a merry flash of the beautiful eyes she took Lilias in her arms and raised her aloft. Lilias, taken by surprise, crimsoned, then laughed too. " Oh, you're as strong as a giant," she said. Esmeralda held her for a moment or two with perfect ease, then, as she pub her' down, sho kissed her on the lips. Lilias uttered a faint cry of delight and returned , tho kiss. " Ah, I do not wonder at Trafford ?" she said, and ran out of the room. [To bo coutinaod oa Wodnesday next, J