Tales and Sketches.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 992, 6 March 1891, Page 8

Tales and Sketches.

BY F. MARSDEN SUTCLIFFE. Author of ‘ The Bella of St. Barnabas,’ ‘ The Romance of an Insurance Office,’ * Revealed by Fire,’ &0., &o.

[NOW FIRST PUBLISHED.] By Mutual Consent +

[All Rights Reserved.] CHAPTER XI. «If she had been partaker of my flesh, and coat me the dearest groans of a mother, I could not have owed her a more rooted love.’

* We have met before, Mrs Denison, I believe,’ said Lord Algy Fitzherbert, as he stood before Winifred, hat in hand, politely bowing. The unexpected appearance of Lord Algy revivified the whole of the dreadful past, from which after more than eighteen, months of serene happiness she had experienced in the faithful discharge of her duties as a hospital nurse, Winifred believed that she had succeeded in cutting herself loose. That part of her life, which was never remembered except with a -shivering horror and loathing had grown to appear a dim and distant event which the stream of time was carrying further away from her, to trouble her no more. The new sense of love born in her heart for Claude Maclean inevitably tended to revive memories that had' grown indistinct in consequence of the greater fulness of her life that left her little time for moody and futile re-, flections. But Winifred fought bravely ; against a passion that she felt was vain ; and hopeless. She gave no dalliance to the enervating thoughts of the happi ness that might have been hers if she had not been betrayed into a foolish marriage. She fled from herself and the thoughts that would have embittered her, plunging with greater ardour than ever into her work, and she discovered as the reward of her brave striving that the 4 labour we delight in physics pain.’ So the memory of the past was laid to rest by the busy activities that filled her days after Claude Maclean left Glen-Orloch for his house in Kensington ; and the seclusion that she enjoyed at GlenOrloch helped to maintain the illusion that she had parted company for ever with those three years of unhappiness and shame that had fallen to her share as the wife of Sir Beginald Denison. It was a bitter awakening from a sweet dream of peace when Winifred saw Lord Algy standing before -her-, claiming her acquaintance on the ground of his former visits to the establishment in Cavendish-street, jjis appearance was like a menacing SD ectre newly risen from the grave. "There was no room for doubt that Lord Algy regarded their meeting as an uncommon piece of good luck, from which he hoped to derive some advantage. The manner in which he barred Winifred’s passage, and the light of gratified triumph in her confusion that shone in his large fish-like eyes were sufficient to tell her that a great crisis in her life had suddenly arisen, and that on the manner in which she met it her whole future depended.

She paused irresolutely, overcome with confusion, and feeling like a haunted animal suddenly brought to bay. For a moment the wild desire possessed her to rush past him and disown the acquaintance that he manifestly intended to force upon her. But she soon recovered herself. The energy with which she had thrown herself into the task of living an unsullied life, separate from the world’s evil that was for ever personified to her imagination in her husband’s character and manner of life, had taught her courage and developed her resources. Her hesitation was an affair of a moment. The next instant she saw her way clear before her. ‘lt would be untrue to say that I am pleased at this meeting,’ she said, holding out her hand frankly to Lord Algy, * but since we have met it is desirable that I should explain my reasons for requesting that in the future I may be left free from molestation.’

«I am awfully soriy I have vexed you,’ returned Lord Algy. 4 lhopedthat the pleasure would have been mutual. I’m delighted to see you again. You will pardon me saying that you are looking very well; more beautiful than ever.’.

4 Pray do not indulge in com-

pliments. They are offensive,’ said Winifred, with freezing hauteur. 4 No compliment at all, I assure you. It is the simple truth,’ said Lord Algy, with a warm glance of admiration. 4 May I without offence ask you one question V demanded Winifred, 4 are you a gentleman V The incisive manner in which Winifred asked this question and the fixed penetrating glance that she darted upon him covered Lord Algy with confusion. He feebly stammered forth an assent. 4 1 was certain of it. You are better than you appear,’ said Winifred, warmly. 4 You are too brave, too generous to persecute a defenceless woman. A chivalrous nature like yours would scorn to take a mean advantage. You would succour the weak, and the oppressed would find in you a champion and a friend.’ Lord Algy raised his eyes in astonishment. ... He entertained no doubt that Winifred’s language was to be taken in a Pickwickian sense; that she considered him fair game for 4 chaff,’ and was baiting him to her heart’s content.

4 You are mistaken,’ she said, answering his look of astonishment. ‘lam in deadly earnest. I believe all I have said of you may be true. Your errors are of the head, and not of the heart. You heart is good if you did but know it. Learn to rely on the better instincts of your nature, and you will cure yourself of folly and Avin my esteem.’

Lord Algy was staggered at Winifred’s appeal, the sincerity of Avhich he could nor permit himself to doubt. 4 1 should be glad of your esteem/ he replied with emphasis. ‘ I have shown you how you can do that. Put an end at once to the folly that has led you to expect that we can be anything except strangers to each other. You knew me under circumstances that have exposed me to your censures. Believe me that your judgment, though natural, is unwarranted. As a man of honour you will give me your word to forget that you have ever known me, and you will leave me to go my own Avay in peace. Do me this service and you will prove that my estimate of you is not unfounded.’

* Surely we may be good friends,’ said Lord Algy pleadingly, ready to fall in with any wish of Winifred’s that would leave the door open for him to prosecute his intimacy with her. 4 That is impossible/ cried Winifred firmly. 4 lf I could explain everything to you you would perceive that what you ask for cannot be. Nay more, you Avould feel ashamed that you had put me to the necessity of asking a second time that you would forget that Ave had ever met.’

The directness of this final appeal and the tremulous earnestness with which it was urged struck the right cord in Lord Algy’s nature. He Avas perplexed to account for Winifred’s connection with the establishment in Cavendish-street, but the earnestness of her maimer and the touching terms in Avhich she threw herself upon his generous forbearance convinced him that in some way he could not conceive of Winifred had laid herself open to suspicions that were as undeserved as ihey were injurious. Already he felt ashamed of his designs, and he lost no time in beating a retreat. 4 I sincerely beg your pardon, Mrs Denison, for thrusting myself upon you/ he said. 4 1 Avill not repeat the intrusion nor attempt to pry into your secret. And raising his hat and bowing profoundly Lord Algy passed on his Avay. Winifred’s eyes were full of unshed tears as she Avas driven back to GlenOrloch. She had escaped from a menacing situation with flying colours, thanks to her tact and firmness, but her mind was ill at ease as she brooded upon her position as Lady Falconridge’s guest. Was she not staying at GlenOrloch on false pretences? If Lady Falconridge knew the truth would she not condemn her for duplicity in masquerading under the name of Winifred West when she was the wife of Sir Reginald Denison ? A wave of remorse passed over her as she thought of the false step that she had taken in accepting Lady Falconridge’s invitation. As Nurse West, living an unattached life and owing no social duties she felt that it was a matter of indifference by what name she Avas called. But she realised now that in stepping out of the line she had originally prescribed for herself when she insisted on separating hexlife from her husband’s, she had created difficulties for hei-self such as she had not contemplated. She could see no

way of escape except by withdraAving fi’om her engagement to Lady Falconridge and leaving Glen-Orloch. She felt that she had not the courage to tell her the misei-able story of her ill-fated max-riage, even if the sense of loyalty that she felt that she owed to the compact Avith hex- husband did not prevent her fi-om unsealing lier lips on the subject. What excuse could she find for leaving Glen-Orloch ? She could think-of none. There Avas nothing for it, she felt, but to continue as she had begun. The Aveeks Avould soon pass that Avoxild bring hex- engagement to an end. Then she would be free to i-eturn to hei- old unattached life, which she promised to herself she would not again depart from.

And so the days drew on to Chx-ist-mas, and the period of her emancipation from the false position into which she had allowed herself in a momentary weakness to be beti-ayed approached an end. She Avorked hard at her pi-ofes-sion, and made rapid progress. The Avater-colour drawing of the Lancer and his Charger had been purchased by Lox-d Polehampton, Avho delighted to play the role of Maecenas to young ax-tists of promise, for a large sum. Lord Polehampton was so favoui-ably impressed by the pi-oof of Winifred s genius furnished by her spirited drawing that he had given her two commissions and sent a kind message of interest in her Avelfare, promising to secure her further patronage. With so much to encoux-age her she devoted herself Avith more untiring industry until she excited Lady Falconridge’s fears lest her health would give Avay under the strain. One morning the post bi'ought a letter 1 from Claude Avho was coming to Glen-Orloch, in accordance Avith the arrangement made Avith his mothex-, hoping to secui-e Winifred for his wife.

As Winifred still maintained silence concerning the three years of her life that followed, her father’s death, Lady Falconridge felt that the time had come for her to make an Attempt to penetrate through her reserve. 4 1 have noticed that you never say anything of your affairs before you entered upon the career of a nurse. Will you not tell me of that time, dear ?’ she said as they sat alone in the draw-ing-room. Lady Falconridge’s manner was kind, but Winifred started as if something had stung her. The colour fled from her cheeks and she raised her hands above her head in an attitude of despair. Then flinging herself on her knees before the chair on which Lady Falconridge Avas sitting she hid hexhead in her lap and bi’oke into passionate weeping. 4 Do not trouble about it, my child/ said Lady Falconridge, soothingly, as she stroked the heavy masses of her rich brown hair as she spoke. 4 1 should be glad if you could give me your confidence, but if it hurts you to say anything of that time Ave Avill not speak of it.’ 4 Oh, hoAv I Avish I could tell you,’ cried Winifred, between her sobs. 4 lt is a secret, a horrible secret. It is not my secret alone ; if it Avere I would tell you all ; but I must keep it / and Winifred’s agitation became so great that Lady Falcom-idge Avas compelled to forbear piressing her enquiries fui-ther.

Claude, when he came, Avas told Avhat had happened, and a sti-aixge fear .ci-ept into his heart as he saAv how gi-eat Avas the change Avhich had passed over Winifred since last he saAv hei*. She seemed as if turned to stone. She gave him her hand shyly wid timidly, and scarcely ventured to raise her eyes to his.

4 1 will not distress her by speaking to her/ he said afterwards to his mothei-, 4 nor shall she be questioned any more. But I will penetrate this secret of hei-s, and then she shall be mine—be the secret Avhat it may.’ Claude l-etui-ned to London next day, and as Lady Falconridge’s manner became more kinder and more thoughtful than ever Winifred’s spixits slowly revived, though the memory of Lady Falconridge’s question remained Avith her to keep her in perpetual remembrance lioav hopeless Avas the passion she cherished in her heart for Claude Maclean. One thought comforted her. She alone had to bear this misery of a futile love. So she imagined. If she had known ? CHAPTER XII. 4 A task too strong for Avizard spells This Squire had brought about; 'Tis easy dropping stones in wells But who shall get them out ?’ The time has slipped by to spring, and Easter this year falls late.

The Countess of Polehampton is holding one of her fashionable receptions Avhich attracts half London to her doors. She is going doA\-n into Suffolk to stay Avitlx Loi-d and Lady Bruton at Bruton ToAvei*s for the recess ; for she has a neAV scheme on hand to mai*i-y her bi-other Sir Beginald Denison to Lady Isabel Cliilde, the eldest daughter of the Earl of Bruton, a beauty and an heiress who had just been presented. Lady Polehampton has been able to advance such convincing reasons in favour of the alliance that Sir Reginald Denison has promised to look in at hexreception to be introduced to Lady Isabel, Avho has only recently returned to England from a convent in Fi-ance, Avhei-o she has spent the last three yeax-s of her school life, and whom Sir Reginald vaguely remembers as a faii*haired child, full of dash and animal spirits, but Avho has noAv sobei-ed down into a disci-eet maiden.

4 At last !’ cried the Countess, Avith a frown, as she caught sight of her brother endeavouring to elbow his way through the ci-OAvd. 4 1 had almost given you up.’ 4 Couldn’t get here sooner/ said Sir Reginald, apologetically. He didn’t explain that he had been employed more agreeably to his tastes at a neAv gambling clxxb, Avhere baccarat and high stakes Avere supreme, and of Avhich the police Avere supposed to knoAV nothing, and that after Avinning heavily he had been tempted to stay xxntil fortune tui-ned, and he lost all his Avinnings and a few thousands besides.

4 lt is very vexing, ’ said Lady Polehampton. 4 Lady Isabel has been monopolised all the evening by the most eligible men in the room. You x-eally ought to have come sooner. There she is Avith Algy Fitzherbert. Mind he does not cutyou out, Reginald.’ 4 1 can afford to give Algy a good start and cut him out at the last/ said Sir Reginald. 4 Don’t he too sure/ was the reply. 4 Lord Algy will be a duke some day. His brother Effington is positively dying they say. Algy will be the best match in England before he is much older; and the Brutons are so mercenary/ she added below her breath. 4 He is welcome to what he can get/ returned Sir Beginald, 4 beaxxty and heiress and dukedom to boot.’ 4 That Avon’t do, Beginald/ his sister retorted. 4 lt is quite time that you Avere mari*ied and settled doAvn, and if you will only be amenable to me this time I will engage to bi-ing this match off before I leave Bruton Towers.’ 4 You always were fond of managing for other people/ Selina/ said Sir Reginald, with a cynical smile. ‘Would you be surprised to hear that I am quite indifferent whether I marry or not V 4 And Avould you be surprised to hear that speeches like that sometimes make me think that you have a wife already, hidden away someivliere, whom you dare not produce/ burst forth the Countess Avrathfully. It was a random shot, but it told, for Sir Reginald Avinced and changed coloui-, and Avlien next he spoke he was what his sister would have called 4 more amenable.’ 4 1 suppose the money is all l'ight, Selina?’ he asked. 4 Trust me for that. Pier grandmothei', the Marchioness of St Gerryan, Avho Avas the biggest scx-ew I e\ T er knew, lias left her all her hoardings.’ 4 Then introduce me as soon as you like. My exchequer will stand a little replenishing.’ 4 It ought not to Avant anything of the kind/ said the Countess, looking up Avith a quick glance of suspicion. 4 Ah, but you see it does/ ansAvered Sir Reginald, banteringly. 4 Are you really going, Mr Maclean ?’ asked the Countess, addressing Claude, Avho Avas making for the door. 4 Thanks, I must. You are coming to-morroAv ?’

4 Yes, you may expect us befoi-e luncheon/said the Countess, smiling lightly at the handsome artist, Avho was a favourite of hers. 4 Here is a good idea for you, Reginald/ said the Countess, turning to her brother 1 , as Claude Maclean left the salon. 4 Lady Isabel and I intend to commence a round of the studios to-mori-OAv. I Avill introduce you to her in a moment, and then you can be our cavalier and return with us to lunch. I will see that you have an opportunity for tete-a-tete, and do—oh do, cut out Algy Fitzherbert.’ Sir Reginald smiled at his sistei-’s enthusiasm, and agreed to fall in Avith her plans. Claude Maclean fi-OAvned heavily when he saw Sir Reginald Denison enter his studio next day, as the escort of the Countess of Polehampton and Lady Isabel Childe. He knew some-

thing of the dark secrets of Sir Reginald’s life, and had hitherto declined the honour of the baronet’s acquaintance. It was true that his information Avas mainly derived from hearsay, but in this case the hearsay was too well accredited in Claude’s Maclean’s opinion to make a pei-sonal acquaintance desirable. HoweA-er, he could not be rude to Sir Reginald in the presence of his sister, and the introduction was accomplished Avith a stiff bow on Mr Maclean’s side and a gi-acious extension of the hand on Sir Reginald’s, which Claude ignored. The artist directed the attention of his visitors to the only landscape that he contemplated sending in that year. It Avas a fine pictui-e of Ben-Cruachan after a storm. The mighty mountain mass was half veiled behind a thick, moving mist. The clouds had parted and fallen away from the summit, Avreathing themselves in heavy masses lower down, Avhilst on the top thei’e Avas a glint of a trembling shaft of light, faintly tinged Avith the rosy glow caught from the light of the setting sun. It was a masterpiece of coloui-ing and feelin". It seemed as if the Avhole mountain were alive and bui-sting through the fetters of mist that imprisoned him, Avhilsc a Avondei-ful art had endowed the misty vapours Avith an appearance of life, as they stretched forth their long, filmy arms as though they Avould still detain the titanic mass in their embrace.

When Maclean’s visitors had exhausted the vocabulary of adulation in praise of this Avork he turned to his second picture. This was concealed by a curtain, and for a moment Claude hung in doubt Avhether he would adow the picture to be seen. But he had spoken of it to Lady Polehampton, and he could not evade the dilemma. He must withdraw the curtain which concealed it or decline to allow the picture to be seen on account of the px-esence of Sir Reginald. For such an extreme course he had no motive, except his exti-eme distrust of the baronet and his dislike to have the idol of his soul polluted by the gaze of a man for whom he entertained feelings of intense dislike. His hesitation Avas brief. He drew back the curtain and disclosed to view the picture to Avhich he had devoted himself Avith the whole. power of his genius, fired by love. It was his 4 Helen of Ti-oy/ for Avhich Winifred had sat in Glen-Oi'loch. The ladies held their breath in astonishment at the loveliness of the vision that burst on their view. The pictuxe contained all that Art could do to extol Avomanly beauty. For such a Helen the fault of Paris might have been judged venial. For such a prize men might be forgiven fighting. The passions Avhich provoked the Trojan war were explained. The effect produced on Sir Reginald was electrical. Thei-e he saw the image of his wife lined on canvas in the full maturity of her charms. The picture almost seemed to breathe. It was not the Winifred he had known in her bright girlhood, and whom by a kind of moral coercion he had fox'ced into marriage, and still less the Winifred whom he had left sitting pale and worn and sad by the fire in the hotel at York. But Winifred as she might have been if her lot had been happy. Not for a moment did Sir Reginald suspect the truth. The likeness challenged his attention, but he did not imagine that his wife could have grown into the beautiful woman pourtrayed by Claude Maclean’s pencil. 4 lt must be some other woman/ he thought, 4 like Winifred, indeed, but more beautiful. He stood toDgue-tied before the picture, but his silence passed without notice, except fi-om Claude, who watched him narrowly. Lady Polehampton chatted away, rather at a loss for superlatives, seeing that she had expended all that she had at her command in hex* praises of Ben-Cruachan. But she found Avords that were apt enough to express her pleasure in the picture and her praise of the beauty of the original. 4 lt is a portrait, is it not ?’ she asked; and when Claude bowed in assent she exclaimed with sincere warmth, 4 She must be a woman of exquisite beauty.’ Claude Maclean accompanied his visitors to the door. As they Avere descending the steps to the streets Sir Reginald stepped back. 4 We have not met before Mr Maclean/ he said, ‘and perhaps you may regard my question as a liberty. Would you have any objection to give me the address of your model ?’ ‘Most certainly/ returned Claude, haughtily. 4 1 can do nothing of the kind/

* I assure you that you are mistaking my motives/ continued Sir Reginald. £ My intentions are strictly honourable. If the lady who sat for that picture will do me the pleasure to accept an alliance with me I shall be proud to lay everything I have at her feet.’ « c You look as if you mean it/ retorted Claude, grimly. ‘ I do most seriously, ’pon my honour/ said the baronet. ‘ Your honour!’ retorted Claude, scoffingly. ‘ You may spare the use of the term to me. How do you know that my model is not hump-backed and a cripple ? There was once such a case. A great man made a similar request to an artist on one occasion, and bound himself down to a promise of marriage by the most solemn vows. He saw the model. She had a very nice face, as faces go, but she did not look so beautiful as she did on canvas. She was unshapely and a cripple. The great man turned sick with horror when lie saw her. But he was held to his promise, and afterwards he did not like it. You may read my parable, and you will excuse me reminding you that you are detaining the ladies.’ Then in a low tone he added, sternly, £ Henceforth we are strangers, sir.’ Sir Reginald bit his lip with vexation, and tripping down the steps joined Lady Polehampton and Lady Isabel in the barouche with an apology for keeping them waiting.

‘ We shall not be long at the next studio, ’ said the Countess. £ The artist is young, but of extraordinary promise lam told. Polehampton wishes me to call. He has bought the picture.’ The house at which she stopped was of humble pretensions, and Sir Reginald cast a look of almost cynical displeasure as he noticed the mean surroundings. But within everything spoke of comfort and refined taste, if not of luxury. But Sir Reginald, who brought up the real*, almost staggered beneath the blinding shock of the discovery when he entered the studio and found himself in the presence of his wife ?

The effect on Winifred, for it was she who was the young artist of promise, and whose picture entitled £ Highland Castle ’ Lord Polehampton had bought, was even more startling, though she was not wholly unprepared for the risks that she knew she ran of encountering Sir Reginald Denison. She clutched the bosom of her dress convulsively with her fingers in the effort to control the beating of her heart, which throbbed wildly with excitement, and she turned pale to the lips.

‘ You are ill/ said Lady Polehampton, in a gentle, sympathising voice, who was in turn startled by the resemblance that Winifred bore to Claude Maclean’s £ Helen of Troy/ but who suppressed her curiosity in her concern for Winifred’s evident discomposure. ‘Ho, not ill/ cried Winifred, making an heroic effort to recover from the agitation occasioned by the sudden appearance of her husband. ‘lt is only an old pain. It rarely troubles me; it will soon pass. ’ And as she spoke, with a significant emphasis meant for her husband’s ears alone, she darted a swift look full of meaning on Sir Reginald. The incident ended quickly, and after the picture was examined and praised, it was with a sigh of relief that Winifred saw her visitors depart. ‘ I think that will do for to-day,’ said Lady Polehampton, as they left the studio. ‘lt is nearly lunch time. Are you not coming with us, Reginald V she asked, as the baronet stood hesitating on the pavement. ‘ If you will excuse me 1 think I will walk, Selina. You may expect me to lunch, of course.’ This with a polite bow, and a meaning smile directed to Lady Isabel, which in a man of meaner birth would have been called a leer.

Sir Reginald had made a discovery that surprised him, and he wanted time to think. He had not only met his wife unexpectedly after a lapse of nearly three years, but he had made the discovery that his wife and Claude’s model, who had inspired him with such a strange longing that he was ready to throw himself at her feet, were one and the same person. It was a revelation, too, to find that his wife had blossomed into a woman of such extraordinary beauty, for he was constrained to acknowledge to himself that the picture had not flattered Winifred. It seemed to him that it fell short of doing justice to her personal charms. Sir Reginald was too profound an idolator of self to have any capacity for the divine passion, but he remembered that the nearest feeling to love he had ever known had been called up by Winifred’s bright girlish beauty, though

he had soon grown cloyed by possession. But now that he beheld her in the ripe perfectness of her womanhood, and remembered how lightly he had let her go ha was ready to curse his folly. If he had been a man of large and unselfish nature it might have been thought that Sir Reginald had taken fire in a moment and fallen in love again with his own wife.

‘ What a skin/ he murmured to himself, softly, as he trod the street with his jaunty step. £ And what features ! And what a shape ! Helen of Troy is she 1 and that fellow Maclean is the lucky Paris, I suppose ? Hot if I know it. I must get her back by liook or by crook.’

Lady Polehampton found her brother an uninteresting companion at lunch that day. In reality Sir Reginald’s thoughts were back at the shabby little house in Kensington, and he was scheming how he could escape Lady Polehampton’s attention in order to return there, and how if once admitted within those walls he could prevail on his wife to return to him. But it is easier dropping stones into wells than getting them out again.

CHAPTER XIII.

Ist Gent.—Our deeds are fetters that we forge ourselves. 2nd Gent.—Ay, truly, but I think it is the world that brings the iron. In University parlance, Claude Maclean ‘ sported his oak ’ after the departure of his visitors. In plain English, he shut himself up in his studio and denied himself to other callers that he might nurse his wrath, which was great.

Claude Maclean had been brought up with too much Spartan simplicity to endure with patience the emasculated manhood of the fashionable dawdler. The blood of the old Covenanters which ran in his veins rendered him contemptuous of men who by their vices invite popular odium on their order. He held fast to the old maxim, Noblesse oblige, with the result that for men of the stamp of Sir Reginald Denison he felt an instinctive antipathy almost amounting to loathing. The baronet’s request to be furnished with the address of his model stirred the anger he felt on seeing a man of besmirched reputation enter his studio to a white heat of fury. The possibility of Winifred being subjected to the intrusive impertinence of Sir Reginald Denison added fuel to the flame. In the mood in which he found himself after his visitors had left he would willingly have snatched at any excuse for giving the baronet a sound thrashing that would cover him with bruises and leave every bone in his body sore and aching. He felt himself almost ready for homicide if Sir Reginald chanced to return. ‘ Curse the fellow’s impudence,’ he exclaimed in his wrath. ‘ Hanging is too good for human vermin like him. He ought to be cut up into bits.’ Then a sudden thought caused him to bound out of his chair. * What a fool not to have thought of it before,’ he cried. ‘ Lady Polehampton will take him there, of course. What more natural, seeing that Lord Polehampton has bought her picture, and has so generously interested himself in her career. That scamp Denison, who is still as black as they make ’em, will soon know the address he was so keen after.’

And seizing his hat Claude rushed from the house, hanging the door behind him in his fierce impetuosity. The mystery that hung over Winifred’s life during those three years concerning which she was curiously reticent had often occupied Claude’s mind since his visit to Glen-Orloch at Christmas, though he was as far from arriving at a satisfactory solution as ever. But his faith in the purity of her nature did not waver, despite the uncomfortable element of mystery that surrounded her. He never doubted that whatever persona] reasons Winifred might have for her silence the interesis, real or imaginary, of some one else occasioned her reserve, and that whenever the curtain came to be lifted and her hidden past disclosed the revelation would bring her unblemished purity into striking relief. Claude Maclean was too observant a student of human nature to be unaware of the manifold reasons that might lead a virtuous woman to bury sad reminiscences of the past in the oblivion of silence. He was too noble-minded to be readily accessible to suspicion regarding any person. It was the working theory of life to take human nature on trust until reasons for distrust were forthcoming, and when once he gave his faitli he gave it outright.

But as he hurried along the streets

the question forced itself on his mind —Was Sir Reginald Denison bound up in any way with the secret of Winifred’s life? Was it possible that the baronet had contrived in some manner to obtain some hold upon her 1 Claude recoiled from the bare supposition,

but he could not thrust from his mind the startled look of astonishment which Sir Reginald betrayed when the curtain was withdrawn from the picture. Claude felt that the look was not one of surprised delight in a work of art. Amazement, perplexity, and something that seemed like recognition were imprinted on the baronet’s face. It was this that troubled Claude. He felt that the mystery that surrounded Winifred was thickening, and that the shadow of sqme great trouble, that he was unable to define, was gathering round the path of the woman he loved with a devotion that nothing would quench. A rapid walk of ten minutes brought him to the street where Winifred lived. He arrived in time to see the carriage containing Lady Polehampton and Lady Isabel being driven away from the door whilst Sir Reginald followed in the same direction at a leisurely pace. He fretted and fumed over the delay that ensued before the one servant that Winifred kept opened the door to his imperative knock. ‘ls Miss West at home V he inquired with breathless agitation ; and without waiting for a reply he pushed passed the domestic and made for the studio, where hefound Winifred looking pale and limp with her head reclining on her hand, buried in thought.

The last months of Winifred’s life had brought her great happiness. The only tincture of bitterness in her cup was the sense of the hopeless passion for Claude Maclean that had come to her unawares, and the struggle that it entailed to hide it within her own breast, and live her life as she must have lived it, if Fate had not brought them together. In her devotion to her art she had found a relief from the misery of self-introspection and the sharper pang of vague desires never to be realised, and her endurance had been crowned with new strength, enabling her to rise superior to the natural weakness of her sex.

With the victory over self there had come to her a great peace. But with the ghosts of the past newly risen from the grave in which she thought them laid for ever, she felt that there was an end to her tranquility. The appearance of Sir Reginald Denison had roused all the faculties of her nature into intense exercise. For the first time she realised to the full extent the blight that he had cast upon her life, and the great bliss that might have been hers but for that accidental meet ing in the galleries of the Louvre years before, with all that followed upon that. She rebelled against the idea that her life was just what she had made it. She could not plead with herself that she had been reluctantly drawn into an unsuitable marriage, but, in some dim way, she felt that Life had not been just to her in leaving her in her youthful inexperience and guileless trustfulness at the mercy of the first villain who chanced, in plausible guise, to cross her path. How terribly bitter it was ! How weary of life she had grown in a few short minutes !

But Winifred roused herself on hearing Claude’s footsteps,- and smiled her old sweet smile as she extended her hand in greeting. ‘ I am so glad to see you, Mr Maclean/ she said. ‘lt is nearly a fortnight since you were here ; and I was feeling just now that the sight of a friendly face would be welcome.’ ‘ You have had visitors, I suppose,’ said Claude, at a loss for an excuse to explain his agitation, which he thought Winifred could not fail to see.

‘Yes; Lady Polehampton has been here with her brother, and Lady Isabel Childe.’

‘ I would have given a thousand pounds rather than this should have happened/ said Claude, with illsuppressed anxiety. ‘ Unfortunately that man Denison saw my “ Helen ” and there was an evil light in his eye as he looked at the picture. I saw by his look that he meant mischief. And now he has found the original I am full of all kinds of strange fears.’ £ I do not fear Sir Reginald Denison/ replied Winifred with quiet dignity. ‘ You need be under no apprehension on my account.’ £ Winifred/ said Claude, seating himself by her side and taking her hand in his. £ I have been silent too long. I have only refrained from speaking lest my words should pain you. Look at me, Winifred, and tell me that you-

love me. I have loved you ever since I knew you. You remember where that was. I lay unconscious and delirious in the hospital yonder, and it seems to me now that in my unconscious state I had dreams of the angels—of you my own pure bright angel, most of all. When first I came to myself your beautiful face hovered near me, and this hand that I am holding now soothed my fevered brow in my- weakness and pain. You have brought me back to life. I owe everything to you. My whole heart is yours. All my hope of happiness is in your hands to fulfil or to destroy. Give me the right to protect you. Say that you love me, if only a little. Say that you will be my wife.’ And he drew the unresisting form of Winifred closer to him until her head lay pillowed on his breast, whilst he kissed her again and again.

For one brief moment Winifred dared to be happy and to believe that the bliss she had dreamed of and thrust away from her might lie in store for her ; but the next moment her vanished strength had returned to her and she disengaged herself from Claude’s embrace and looked him sorrowfully in the face. ‘ Oh, Claude, forgive me !’ she cried. ‘ I ought to have stopped you. I ought not to have listened to you. But my love for you has made me very weak. What you hope for can never be/ * What do you mean? cried Claude. * Do you not love me ?’ ‘ Have I not said so V replied Winifred mournfully, and then flinging herself into his arms she exclaimed, ‘ Claude, Claude, my heart is breakihg, I do love you with my whole heart and soul, but I cannot be your wife. Say you forgive me.’ ‘ Capitally acted Lady Denison ! I said the last time we met that you would make a first-rate actress,’ Sir Reginald by judicious bribery and a little cajolery had persuaded the maid to allow him to find his way to the studio unannounced, where he had arrived in time to hear Winifred confess her love for his rival. As their faces were turned from the door they had not seen him enter, but on hearing his voice they rose from the couch on which they were sitting and confronted him. Claude stood for a moment con-

templating Sir Reginald with heaving breast and dilating nostrils, and then, made as though he. would spring upon him, when a quick movement from Winifred arrested him. ‘Do not touch him, Claude. You shall not soil your hands. How, go—for my sake—go ! Do not be afraid of me,' she added, drawing herself up proudly. ‘I do not fear this man. Go at once, Claude, and leave me to deal with this liar—this coward—this common gambler and cheat!’ ‘I go at your wish/ said Claude, ‘ but I recall nothing of what I have said, I leave behind me the entire trust of my whole heart.’ And darting a fiery look of hatred at the baronet he yielded to Winifred’s request. But though he quitted the studio he went no further than the drawingroom. He determined that he would remain within call lest violence should be attempted on the woman he loved. There Avas one ray of light shining through, the darkness that overwhelmed Claude’s spirit. He knew the worst; he knew that the woman he loved Avas the wife of Sir Reginald Denison. But the discovery did not alienate her from him. Henceforth, he vowed, his lips must be sealed upon the passion that he cherished for Winifred. But he felt that more than before she required to be shielded by the deep unutterable affection that he bore for her from the tyranny of a villain; and as he thought of the terrible power that the English law gives to a bad husband over his wife, Claude trembled for Winifred’s future. (To be Continued.)