Chapter XXX.II. Plots.

Otago Witness, Issue 2157, 27 June 1895, Page 39

Chapter XXX.II. Plots.

Mrs Wilmot's letter reached the lady to whom It was addressed the same day. Mrs Fanshawe had been abroad after she had left her friend Mrs Fenwicke, of Lilbank, in Northumberland, and had only returned a short time before Mrs Wilmot wrote to her. She had left tbe north an angry, disappointed woman— left it furious with Godfrey Seton when the beard he had quitted Northesk after their momentous interview, and bitterly angry with herself also for having given way to snob intemperate passion. She was, in truth, a woman of

■■.■in ■ i ■ ■ ... ~-««jt violent emotions, but by no means a fool, She believed she had lost her last chanoa of winning Godfrey by what she had done. The blow sbo had struck him had fallen back on her own heart. For she knew well, though she raved ab Iptn ami abused him, both to herself and also to her fi-ienJ Mrs Fenwicke, that she loved him fctill. Shi', in focc, loved him and hated him at (l>e same lime. It wan ons of those passions which show at times ho.v strange a p.iranox is th« human heart. She received Mrs Wilmnt.'a letter at a private hotel in the Wosfc Ejd, where she had stayed since her return to EDgland as a widow, and it greatly excited her. She had been thinking of Mrs Wilmot before, and wondering if through her she would have a chance of again meoting Godfrey Seton. This letter seemed almost to give her this chance. Sue ran to her deck after she had read if, and drew out another letter that she had received from Mrs Fenwicke, She had kept Mrs Fenwicke's letter becauae Godfrey Seton's name was mentioned in it— because the following paragraph appeared there :— " I had a visit yesterday," Mrs Fenwicke had written, " from Mrs Jordan, the clergyman's wife, and she lold me a little piece 'of scandal about the Seton family that perhaps will interest you. Do you romeraber a tell, line- looking girl who was there one day whon we drove over to North e3k ? They called her Mine Fraser, and aho was companion to poor little Olive Seton, who I hear is very ill. Well, this young lady has turned out, it appears, to be a married woman who ran away from her husband on their wedding day. She had to give evidence in that poacher murder case, you know, and a Scottish lawyer who was in the court recognised her, as he had been present at her marriage. But the young lady also had recognised him, and left the courthouse with Major Seton, and ran away somewhere bei fore tbe trial was finished. People say that Mttjor Seton helped her to do this, but the truth of such a report of course I cannot answer for," and so on. Mrs Fanshawe reread Mrs Fenwicke's letter with bated breath. Gould this be the girl that Godfrey Seton had placed with Mrs Wilmot— this runaway wife in whom he had so strong an interest ? " But be said he was engaged to some woman. How can he be erg^g-'d to her?" thought Mrs Fanshawo. Then suddenly a burning flush dyed her pale excited face. She was remembering bow as a wife she had deemed herself engaged to him— how she bad tried to hold him to his word. Ab all events she would see Mrs Wilmot at once ; she might strike Godfrey Ssfeon a blow now ho little thought of. She acted on this decision at onca. She sat down and wrote to Mrs Wilmot in the following terms, and at once sent her letter to the post. "My dear Mrs Wilmot, — Thanks so much for your kind letter. It found me in my old quarters here, though I only returned from Boulogne two days ago. I, too, had a fairly good time there, and met one or two AngloIndians, wbioh helped to amuse me. Yes, I remember Major Seton perfectly in India, and have seen Mia since my return, when I waa on a visit to a friend of mine in Northumberland— Mrs Fenwicke, of Lilbank. I saw his relations, too, Mr Seton, of Northesk Hall, and a young girl, bis daughter. I probably, too, saw the young lady you mention; bub I am not sore that I should know her again. I will come with pleasure to see you to-morrow aftertioon, about 4 o'clock. And, with kindest regards to Colonel Wilraot and yourself, I remain, ever sincerely yours, Gbacb Fansmawb." Mrs Wilmot smiled to herself when she received this letter. She felt her plot was progressing ; she had all the instincts of a dramatist, and loved strong situations, and she was amused by Mrs Fanshawe'B careless remembrance of Major Seton in India. On the following day, therefore, at 4 o'clock she arrayed herself in a becoming tea-gown, gay with ribbon 3 and lace, and having told.Siss that Bhe wanted the drawing room all to herself that afternoon, she sat smilingly awaiting her expected visitor. Mrs Fanehawe did not detain her long. She entered the drawing room almost at tbe appointed hour, dressed to perfection, and looking a very handsome woman of her type. The two ladies kissed- each other with effusion ; and here let me pause to write that among the many advantages that are the birthrights of men, one is that they can- - not be kissed against their wills by every woman theycome near I Why ordinary acquaintances kiss each other in the promiscuous' fashion that they \ do seems ever a marvel to me. A kiss is a symbol to my mind of deep affectioD, o£ genuine regard ; not lightly to be pressed on lips or cheeks to which we are indifferent. Howe-rer, Mrs Wilmot and Mra Fansbawe apparently did not think thus. They kissed each other on both cheeks ; they pressed, each other's hands, and then both began to consider how they could beat play the little plot they had in mind. " Now, do tell me, my dear," began Mra Wilmofc, " all about your visit to Boulogne, and all about the old Indian people you met there." "Yes,*lt was quite entertaining. There was old General Burrows, yon know, and that young girl he met at Simla when I was there. Such a preposterous couple 1 She looked like bis grand-daughter, and the poor old man is evidently on his last legs. Not that I should say anything about unsuitable marriages, though, after my poor old judge 1 " " Yes, the dear judge was always more like yonr father than your husband. But still, you see, he had position and money, and now you are reaping the benefit of your sacrifice. I always say a wealthy young widow is greatly to be envied." Mrs Fanshawe sighed; the sigh * was genuine, and was partly given in respect to the memory of the late judge and partly to her disappointment about Godfrey Seton. "Still, it's rather lonely," she said pensively. "Then, if you feel that, why don't you marry again, my dear 1 lam sure you have only to hold out your pretty band to get anyone you like." Again Mrs Fanshawe sighed; she knew she had held out her hand in vain, but or course she did not tell Mrs Wilmot this. . "Well now, I must tell you all abes

Brighton," proceeded Mrs Wilmot, this little fencing between the two ladies being over. •• I vvroie ycu about Seton coming down and aplnrg me to try to get a situation for some girl he was Interested in. I took her to please him, as my children were running rather wild, and she apparently does very well. But you told me in your note you had met Seton's people in Northumberland. I wonder if you have met this girl ? lam interested in her ; I fancy she has a history, wbich piobably Seton knows." 11 1 woader if I did see her when I was there ? But a straege thing happened when I was at Boulogne, and I have brought my friend Mrs Fsnwicke's letter with me to show yon. Ehe wrote to me that a girl who passed there as Miss Fraser, and who was companion to Oliva Seton, had turned out to be a married woman who had run away from ber husband on her wedding day. There was a great row up there about a murder case— a poacher murdered one of Mr Baton's gamekeepers— and this girl, Miss Fraser, either saw the murder committed or the gamekeeper died in her arms, or something like that. At all events, she bad to give evidence at the trial, and while giving her evidence she was recognised in court by a lawyer who had been present at ber marriage. But Miss Fraser— or whatever her name is— bad also recognised the lawjer, for ahe left the court with Major Seton, and has never been heard of since. There's a romance for yon 1 " Mrs Wilmot clapped her large, strong, white- hands together exaltirgly. " Lovely 1 "» Bhe cried. " This is the very girl that is under my roof at this moment I So my friend Seton has made a convenience of me. I'll be even with him yet I " "It was diFgracef ul of him if he brought her here," said Mrs Fansbawe, and despite ber acting an angry flush rose to her cheeks. " But I will read you Mrs Fenwicke's letter," j she added, " and you will see if the appearance of the companion of Olive Seton corresponds with your governess." She then read the extract from Mrs Fenvricke's letter relating to Miss Fraser. Mrs Wilmot was delighted. •' Thore is do doubt about it," she said ; "the girl downstairs is tall, Blender, and handsome, and with wonderful grey eyes. So Master Godfrey has been acting knighterrant, has be, and succouring this fugitive wife 7 I wonder what the story i«? I wonder wby she left her husband ? " Mrs Fanehawe did not speak for a moment ; she sat biting her fall red lips ; she was wondering if for the sake of the woman downstairs Godfrey Seton had rejected her love. " I should like to see her," at last she said Blowly ; " but I should rather see her without her feeing me 7 " / Mrs Wilmot nodded her head sagaciously. This was all exactly to ber taste. She knew as well as Mrs F&usbawe did that the Indiaa widow was jealous of Godfrey Saton ; that, she had probably intended to marry him, and that probably also the grey-ejed girl downstairs had come between her and her lover. Mrs Wilmot was like a war-horse who " smelleth the battle afar off," and she wanted the rivals to meet and the combat to br gin, but she was too clever a woman to show this. " Let me see how we can manage it," she said. "Oh l yes, I know; I shall send Miss Hardy— that's . ths name she calls herself by here — and the girls out to buy me some foolscap in Westbourue Grove. I'm always wantitg*it, so it won't be wasting money, and they must pass under this window to get to the Grove. Then you'll see her and she won't eec yon ; or perhaps she would vanish again like the smoke up the chimney 1 " Mra Wilmot instantly acted on this suggestion. She rose and went down to the schoolroom, and with her ready smile and her ready manner easily got Nell to do exactly what she wanted. " My dear Miss Hardy," she said, " I have run out of foolscap, and I'm half mad about it. Will yon do me a favour, which is to go as fast as you can to Westbourne Grove to buy me some ? Here is five shillings and the tfulf d pattern I want. Do go, there's a good creature." "Certainly," answered Nell, smiling and rising ; " I will get it for you directly." " Thanks co much. I've got an old Indian friend upstairs, but as soon as ever she goes I mnst be at the grind again. I've got a wonderful plot this time, I think. It only wants completing." And Mrs Wilmot laughed arid went, away, and returned to her « Indian friend." / " I've sent her on the errand," she said. II Now, sit here by the window, and in a few minutes you will see her pass." Mrs Fanshawe did Bit by the window, and In a few minutes a tall, slender, girlish •• figure passed below, accompanied by Lil and Tip Wilmot. And jast as they were bßnealb the window Nell turned her face round, and with a beating heart Mrs Fanshawe distinctly saw it. And she immediately recognised it ; it was the same handsome one she had seen at Northesk when she bad gone on her useless errand ; gone to seek a lover whose love was dead. "It is the same girl!" Bhe cried* breath- ' lessly. "So this is wby " Shß stopped and broke off abruptly, but Mrs Wilmot finished the sentence in her own mind. She stood behind Mrs Fansbawe thinking; she was wondering what a jealous woman would do under the circumstances ; how the story would end that was being played beneath her roof. "Do you know where he is— Seton 1 " at last asked Mrs Fan6hawe. 11 No, not in the least," answered Mrs Wilmot ; "he never came again while we were at Brighton, though I quite* expected him on account of hie handsome friend. But I dare stay tbe Colonel will be able to look him up at the club." " I should like to see him," said Mrs Fansbawe, still speaking slowly, as if she were thinking deeply. And she was. " What shall Ido ? " she vras reflecting. "How shall I bring this home to him 7 " She left shortly afterwards, bnt not until Bbc had arranged with Mrs Wilmot that Colonel Wilmot was kindly to find out Major Seton's present address for her. Then, when she returned to her hotel, she sat down deliberately to think over the situation.

and to plot and plan how ohe could change it. " If this girl is a married woman," she decided, " Godfrey Seton cannot marry her, but he might run away with her. I must try to find out tbe whole story, and the husband's name, and then let him know where sho i 3. If the husband claims her, aud of course he has a right to do so, there is an end of the whole matter. Oh 1 what a fool I was to qnarrel with Godfrey ! I have tied my own hands." However, her first object was to learn where Godfrey Seton was. Her friend Mra Fenwicke, of Lilbank, might know something from the Setocs, oE Northesk. At all events she would try this ; at least it could do no harm. She accordingly at once answered Mrs Fenwicke's letter, which she had received at Boulogne. " Doarest Mrs Fenwicko," she wrote, " I was delighted to receive your letter at Boulogne. I rather enjoyed myself there on ths whole, as there were some old Indian friends tlure, and it is always interesting to meet people you have known. What an extraordinary romance that is about the Sston family, and the married lady acting as companion to Miss Seton. Have you heard anything more about it ? Do tell me if you have. I am sorry to hear that poor little Miss Seton is ill ; she looked a very delicate girl. "And now 1 am going to trust in your friendship, which I know is very true. Do not tell lit Fenwicke this, as men do not quite understand that strange thing, a woman's heart. Bat I am sorry now that I quarrelled with Godfrey Seton, and want to bo fiiends with him again, and if you can I wifchjou to find out from his uncle where he is at present. You might call at Northesk to ask after the sick daughter, and if you saw Mr Seton I am sure he would tell you, as I know you are a great favourite of his. Do this for the sake of our friendship, and believe me to remain, ever most affectionately yourg, Grace Fatstshawe." Mrs Fanshawe waited impatiently three days before this letter was answered. But when Mrs Fenwicke's reply did come, Mra Fanshawe's face lit with triumph. In the meantime she had heard from Mrs Wilmot that the Colonel had told her that Major Seton was not itr town. Mrs Fenwicke, however, who really liked Mrs Fansbawe, wrote very kindly. This comfortable, easy-minded woman thus addrepfed her friend :—: — 11 My dear Mrs Fanshawe, — I was very pleased to get your letter, and you may be quite sure that anything that I can do for you in the way of friendship I will most gladly do. I drove ovev yesterday to Northesk to ask, as you suggested, after poor little Olive Seton.and I saw Mr Seton, who seems very greatly cut up about her. By his account the poor girt is in an almost hopeless condition, and there were tears in bis eyeß when he spoke of her. • She is drifting fast away from us,' he gaid, and I am sure I could notr help crying too at the thought of it. She was such a pretty girl, and so young, and would have been so rich I Then J asked after Major Seton. " ' He is here,' answered Mr Seton ; • Olive wished to see him, so he came to us.' "Of course, I said nothing more. I did not mention your name, nor allude to what you told me. I think Major Seton behaved, in an unjustifiable manner to you ; but men are strange creatures, and one never can tell what influences them. It may be he thought of this poor girl who is dying, and Mr Seton may have wished him to marry his cousin on account of the property. However, that is all ended now, for there is no doubt thaji poor Olive is fading fast away, and will not be long here. And if you wish to see Major Seton, and to be reconciled to your old friend, why not come to us here 1 I shall, you know, he delighted to Bee you, and you will have the opportunity of meeting him and being with him in a more friendly way than you could have in town. Just write me a lino to say you will come, and when, and your old room and your old welcoma will be ready for you. — With kind love, affectionately yours, " " J. Fenwicke. " P.S.— I did not like to ask Mr Seton, and have heard nothing more of the married woman who was Olive's companion and ran away, evidently however, not with Major Seton. My good husband knows nothing of all this. I never see the necessity of tolling him everything. ■ J. F." " I will go," decided Mrs Fanshawe as she completed her friend's letter, and her eyes were shining and her cheeks were flushed. " I will not make a fool v of myself again this time ; who knows, this time I may win the game."

(To be continued.)