Chapter IV. The Sisters.

Otago Witness, Issue 2205, 4 June 1896, Page 41

Chapter IV. The Sisters.

Lady Stanmore was as good an her word, or, rather, her telegram. She duly arrived at Brighton in time for afternoon tea, and she and Mrs Wayland were ■ speedily cloieted together in the Jotter's private room. - "Now tell me all about your pet grievances" said Lady Stanmore, leaning back in an easy ohair before the fire, and holding out her small feet to its warmth. " Well, of oourse, juat what I wrote about that absurd girl Belle," answered Mrs Wayland. "If s neither absurd nor unnatural to have a lover at her age," leplied Lady Stanmore coolly }■" it's what was sore to happen," " But, you know, in her oase ahe oannot afford to indulge in such folly, and I as good as told her so," said Mrs Wayland sharply. " Then it was extremely foolish of you to do so ; that was not the way to proceed." " And what was the way, then 2 " asked Mrs Wayland spitefully, "as yon think yourself bo clever." "I should simply have enlarged on the 'extreme discomforts of poverty — sympathetically, of course— and then nave tried the effect of another lover." Lady Stanmore laughed as she said the last words, and showed hex small white falie teeth. She was a much better-looking woman than Mrs Wayland, whatever £h« other might think. She was some years younger for one thing, and the had not Mra Wayland'u dissatisfied expression. She alto wore a wig, but it was quite nndiecoverable, and Borne of her most intimate friends denied its existence. " Sho has got another lover, then, I believe," said Mrs Wayland, in reply to her sister's advice ; " your brother-in-law Stanmore evidently admires her; I am certain of it." "Jack"! "exclaimed Mrs Stanmore incredulously, " Not 3ne. He may admire her — no doubt he does, for she is a remarkably pretty girl, and Jack, as a rule, admires all pretty women — but he's not a marrying man." ' " How do you mow 2 Now, when he has come into the title, he is very likely to marry, I think." "No, that woman Seymour has him too firmly in her leading strings." «' What 1 does that affair still go on then 2 " " Just the same, I believe ; and of one thing you may be certain : if Mrs Seymour affected to be devoted to Jack Dudley, she will be far more devoted to him now that he is Lord Stanmore. She is a horrid woman, I think." " She is handsome." " Oh, yes ; but the way she treats poor Fred Seymour is -disgraceful. They say his father spoke to him about her." " He is a kind of half-wit, isn't he 2 " " He has exactly the proper amount of wit , to be the husband of such a woman as she is. I detest Mrs Seymour." " Yon are quite spiteful about her, Lacy," said Mrs Wayland with a disagreeable little laugh. " Perhaps I am," replied Lady Stanmore calmly. " Poor Stanmore is gone, but she actually tried to make love to him as well as to Jack. And it is a remarkable feminine peculiarity that though one may not be In love a .bit with one* husband, pne can yet be jealous of him." "That's true," answered Mrs Wayland, grimly nodding her head. " Quite true, and if I could do a bad turn to Mrs Seymour even now, I would gladly do it. She woald be just mad if she thought Jack was thinking seriously of your Belle ; but I don't believe it." " Wait till you see them together— he has eyes for no one else." « Well, I ehall see." fast at this moment Lady Stanmore's

maid knooked at the door and brought in 4 note. 11 Oue of the waiters gave m,o fcbi?, my lady," ehe aaidj u it ia from Lord Stanmore." Lady Stanmore gave an amused glance at her sister as she opened the note. 14 Yon need not wait • come when I rlDg," she said to the maid. "A new brotherly attention," she continued, smiling, as the maid disappeared > "it is from Jaok to ask us to dine with hioi to-night. Perhaps you are right, and he' really may admire Belle." " I am sure ha doee, and you can aid iff, Lucy, if you choose." " I would do anything to spite the Seymour. Bat come, Linda, we have talked long enough, and 1 want to lie down for an hour before dining, as I look fagged, and I hate to «lo that." " A hint for me to go, I suppose 2 " •• No hint, but plain speaking, whioh is best between near relations. I will send a mes ! . sage to Jack that we will dine with him, as t suppose you have no idea of refusing 2 " "No, certainly not. For the present goo* bye then; I hope your nap will freshening your appearance." Mra Wayland accordingly took her leavo, and her sister reflected languidly as aha went] "How disagreeable Linda always isj I do) not wonder that they say poor Wayland hated her." . Mrs Wayland, on her part, was at the same moment thinking of her Bister somewhat disparagingly. *' Lucy has certainly aged," wao the mental comment ; " and the airs and graces she gives' herself -lying down, indeed, to freshen herself up ! Well, she needs freshening." Bat the rest that Lady Stanmore indulged in decidedly improved her appearance, an<j at dinner she looked extremely well. Skd always dressed with perfect taste, and fha took care that everything she put on became^ her. Mrs W&yland looked with envy at thq moss-green velvet and ooßtly lace her sistajf wore. "She never grudges anything for herself,* she thought, and thie idea did not tend to make her more amiable. But she tried not to show her ill-temper, and as their host did his' best to make himself agreeable, the dinner pasited off very pleanantly. Aad Lady Stanmore noticed that her brolher4n-law > s eyas constantly rested on the charming face opposite to him. " There Is no donbt of her beauty," thought Lady Stanmore. "Well, it would be very strange." She was reflecting on what her sifter had. told her regarding Stanmore'a supposed adr miration for Belle, and thinking of some former passages in his life. She knew a great deal about "Jack," for he always remained Jaok to her mmd — her own husband had frequently been called upon to assist his somewhat — in those days — graceless' younger brother. "But he is greatly improved," cogitated t Lady Stanmore, critically examining Stan,-' more'e appearance, "He was always good-" looking, but bio style is better than it used to be." This improvement—as Stanmore veiy well ' knew— was due to the fact that he was now relieved from all monetary cares, and in ft , more assured position in life. Formerly he had always spent more money than he had to spend, aad it had not been pleasant to him the lectures be had reoeived on this subject both from his brother and sister-in-law. But still Lady Stanmore had always kept on good terms with him. She had only thought it'her duty sometimes to point out the error of hie ways to him, and " Jack " had not ' liked it. But now, of oourse, everything was changed. "Jack" was the head of the ■ house, and many things that had formerly ° been in Lady Stanmore'i possession were - ; now in his. Redvera Court, where ihe had entertained for years, was one of the heir.'- ~ looms of the new lord. If she went there * dow it would be as her brother-in-law's guest, but all the same Lady Stanmore had no intention of giving up going there it shq oonld "help it. She therefore smiled on " Jack " and was very gracious to him, and Stanmore re- ' sponded cordially. "You will always be 'Jack' to me, yoa know," she said ; " the handsome, • wild ' Jack ' whom I used sometimes to scold," " You were very good to me," antwered ' Stanmore, smiling also; "but, though I don't; object to be called handsome in. the present; • company, I do to be called wild," and he looked at Belle as he spoke. " The quiet, sedate Jaok then, if you like ". ifc better," said Lady Stanmore with * little laugh. "Belle, do you think' he looks as IE ' he had ever been sedate or quiet 2 " "What a question, Aunt Lucy," replica Belle, and a merry gleam stole into her bright hazel eyes. " I never heard him called wild, at any rate," said Mrs Wayland, who generally oon'trived to say the wrong thing, " Thank you- for defending- my character, Mrs Wayland," answered Stanmore, who : quite understood Mrs Wayland's. Again Lady Stanmore laughed. "Pool Linda has no tact," ahe thought; " jnet as if Jack believed her etupid flattery." Stanmore certainly did not ; but all the same it was his role at the present moment to be civil to Mrs Wayland for the sake of Belle. And for the sake of Belle also he was particularly civil to bis Bister-in-law. AnH Lady Stanmore's shrewd eyes quickly underetood bis motive. She understood it better, too, after an interview he had with her on • the following morning, for when breakfast was over he proposed that they should go out for a walk together. "I want a ohat with you, Lucy, about family affairs," he said, and Lady Stanmore . went with him willingly. He certainly began talking about family " affairs, and business with their lawyers, &c., but presently his mind veered to a more pleasant theme. 41 By the bye, Lucy," he said, " your nieca is a remarkably pretty girl." " Yes, she is pretty," replied Lady Btanmore, but by no means enthusiastically— she was too clever to show any enthusiasm oa the subject to Stanmore — " but I Bhonld think a bit self-willed." "All women worth anything are a bin Belf-willed," answered Stanmore. "I hata your patient Grriseldara ; they were all WBBS

bugs, as a rule. No, 1 think Miss Wayland charming girl." ■ "She's an improvement on her mother Uerrainly." ' "My dear Luoy, forgive me for saying so, but I detest your sißter." "My dear Jack, I quite agree with you," fold Lady Stanmore, laughing, " How she oould have such a daughter I Cannot understand," went on Stanmore. ''Belle is not the least like her." " No, I see no likeness, certainly." "Has this yonng lady any lovers, then, Luoy ? " continued Stanmore, with a slight hesitation in hia voice, which Lady Stanmore instantly noticed. " I saw her sitting fen the sea wall one day with a young man j % think she told me they called him Gilbert." 41 Gilbert," repeated Lady Stanmore, as if she were trying to remember the name. 41 Oh, it might be young Gilbert, the vicar of jftorthbridge's son } he's in the army, I tbiuk, and he and Belle are old acquaintances, though I never heard of any love-making between them. But a girl like Bella is sure fo have lovers I suppose." "Yes," answered Lord Stanmore Blowly, jmd then he dropped the subject, but bis words had not fallen on deaf ears. £ady Stanmore bad, indeed, become convinced that her brother-in-law's admiration bf Belle was serious and slnoere. So much Bo that when she returned to the hotel she at once sought her sister. 1 " I have something to say to you, Linda," jibe said as she entered Mra Wayland's room Ipad closed the door behind her. " I want to fenow exactly how far that affair with Belle and young Gilbert went ? " "Well, I told you," answered Mrs WayJsnd fretfully. "They flirted at Northbridge, and he followed her here. But I Won't hear of it; aothing will indace me to bear of it; I would rather tell the girl everything." " What a foolish, blundering woman you are, Linda," replied Lady Stanmore sharply. What is the good of going on in that absurd feray? Tell the girl everything I Why, it would be an aot of madness, not only for the jgirl's sake, but for your own. I have a motive for asking you the question that I did about Belle and young Gilbert. I've had an interview with Jack— l beg his pardon, with Stanmore — this morning, and I believe now that for once you are right, and that he does fceriously admire Belle." 41 There 1 I told you so," exclaimed Mrs Wayland. " But he had seen her out with yonng Gilbert, and asked me if they were lovers. it was his manner when he did this that Xpade me think be was in earnest." 41 He had eesn her out with yonng Gilbert ? Oh, what a fool that girl is 1 " "It is your place and mine to make her, ;*ise then. This Gilbert, yon say, has no | money?" j 11 Not a penny but his beggarly pay." 41 On which no lady can live. Do you suppose they will write to each other 1 " " I should not be surprised." " We must stop this correspondence, then ; Vfe must let Belle think he has forgotten her s^-and then " '" She will think of Stanmore 1 " said Mrs Wayland eag6rly. 4I Oh 1 Luoy, try to manage this. I shall be co glad to be rid of £er." " But don't show any gladness, for Jieaven's sake! Don't run after Stanmore — Jthere, for once I have given him his right Dname— or make a f vis about him, Treat him jdvilly, but coolly. I know my man thoroughly, and be might quickly be disgusted. He has too many flatterers, and he knows why they flatter him." " You think no one has any sense but yourself." " I have more common sense about most jthings than you have, at any rate. Well, let 'ane try to manage this in my own way, and my old grudge against Mra Seymour will be •gratified." *- " All right, manage it as you like ; but do jtnanage it, if you can. Balle is a constant /burden to me." | Lady Stanmore nodded, and shortly after- ; guards left the room and proceeded to Belle's, jf^fkich was on the same corridor. She rapped, j Jjmd the girl from within called, " Come in." ; ' L^dy Stanmore at once entered, and as she Sid so Belle hastily put a letter she was reading into her writing oase, and Lady Stanmore inoticed the flush of her cheeks and the Jlßpaikle in fier hazel eyes. " Belle, will you oome out for a drive with line ? " she said. " Your mother is in one of tier ill-humours, and it makes my head ache •to listen to her." * Belle laughed a happy laugh. <« Yes, I will go with you, Aunt Luoy, with pleasure," she answered. " I suppose mother lost sixpence last night at cards, and that has Wde her cross." I v Lady Stanmore shrugged her shoulders. • " I have been unfortunate in the tempers *f my near relations," she said. " Poor Stanrnore's was vile, and your mother's is worse. {Luckily Jack has an easy-going temper, I jtbink, and he ought to be thankful for it. Sat get your hat on, my dear, and then come jto my room, I'll ring and order the oarjiage." So Lady Stanmore went away, and after jfehe had gone Belle once more drew out the v letter she had been reading when her aunt had Entered, and onoe more also read over its Render words. i .It was from Hugh Gilbert, and was •written on the eve of his embarking for India. "My own dearest Belle," the girl read jpith quickened breath, " we start to-nsght, jbnt I must write a few lines to you once jmore to day good-bye, But I will not again ksk -you not to forget me, for I believe that you will not. My own heart tells me that yours is true. It seems to me as if I were toear you at this moment; as if your dear hand were still clasped in mine. 1 "I am going out with some psople I know. -Strange, to-day I met by accident, in one of the streets here, tbe Colonel's daughter, Miss Vane. She camp U E 'gland shortly after I 'iaid to see an old aunt who was supposed to be dying, and also known to be rich t Her jjoarney, I am told, has not been in vain, a? she has Inherited the whole of her aunt's - fortune. Now she is going to return to her father at Bombay. She is in charge of Major Balfour's wife, who also has been on a visit to. her relations in England. I had lunch with them to-day, and it seems that Mrs ■ r Balfour is a friend of jonx aunt. Lady Sfcaa- '

mor* They were schoolfellows, X believe. Mrs Balfour 1b a nice woman, and Miss Vane I a bright, nice girl But enough of my travelling companions. How often shall I think of yon on the dreary way ! If I were I only homeward bound instead of outward bound, how differently I should feel. As it is, a great sadness oppresses me. Oh 1 my aweet Belle, it is so hard, to go away from yon. But believe me always faithfully and devotedly yours, HutfH Gilbbbt." Belle was still lingering over her lover's parting words when Lady Stanmore hastily re-entered the room, giving Belle soaroely time onoe more to secrete her letter in her writing case. " Belle, my dear," said Lady Stanmore, " I see from my window they have fetched us the most horrible carriage, with a wretched horse. Will you go down by the lift and tell them I won't have it, and they muafc send the man away and get a more decent turnout altogether. Go at once, my dear, for I hate waiting when I'm dressed to go out. I'll stay here till you return, as I've locked my door and don't care to be at the trouble of opening it again." Belle hesitated a moment ; she was thinking of her letter. " You will have time to put on your hat when you come back," continued Lady Stanmore ; "it will take a few minutes for them to change the carriage. Now go as fast as you can, dear." " Thus Belle was obliged to go on her aunt's errand, and left the room, af tor giving one last glance at her writing case. Hugh Gilbert's letter was, of course, unseen, and Belle never for a moment thought that Stanmore would open her case, though she might not have been co sure that her aunt would not take up a letter and read it, if she felt inclined to do so. Scarcely, however, had Belle left the room when Lady Stanmore did deliberately open the writing ' case, which was unlocked, and did also deliberately read every word that Hugh Gilbert's letter contained. < "Maud Balfourl" she exclaimed below her breatb, with sparkling eyes. " This is indeed a stroke of luck." Then quickly she wrote down in her pocket-book all that Gilbert had written about bis future travelling companions. She did not copy any of his tender words. '• The love-making is no use," she thought, with a hard smile ; and when Belle hastily returned to her room Lady Stanmore was standing gazing reflectively, apparently at the sea. "Aunt," said Belle hastily, "yon must have made a mistake ; the men downstairs Bay the oarriage waiting for you is one of the best in Brighton." 41 Perhaps I did," answered Lady Stanmore oalmly j " the bad one must have besn for someone else, I suppose, as I see they have got a better one there now. lam sorry I gave you the trouble of going down, Belle. Bat get your hat on, my dear, or the best of the day will be over," Belle looked at her writing oase. It lay precisely as she had left it, and with no suspicion in her heart that her aunt had read her letter, she went out to drive. (To be continued.)