Chapter XV.

Otago Witness, Issue 2289, 13 January 1898, Page 41

Chapter XV.

All that Isabel hod been able to sofce of the point of landing she appeared to take in languidly and without hope or interest.

There was, even at that early hour, an increasing bustle every minute. The whistlings of locomotives ashore were answered hy the melaccholy wailing^ of sirens from steamers near and far, outward bound and homecoming.

Their sloop had come to its baw3«r in a narrow, muddy, tidal canal, with great slimy pile?, in more or less decay, supporting limestone wal'ss, which were snfEericg much daai*ga from the underraising action of tha tides. Thsse had evidently great power here, and as Isabel overheard tbe remark that the tide was exactly upon the turD, sha made a mental note of the fact that the water had a recorded rise of nearly 40£fc.

Driving out of the town they had to ascend an exceedingly steep street. Isabel counted the number of strides that the straining horse took to ascend it.

Two -rival churches were clamoarJjjg out their Calls to matins. One was an anchargicg bang ! bang lof a single bell. The other evidently had for its priest someone who preferred varying clangours from three bells.

Exactly 210 strides of the horse brought the coacb under a railway bridge.

After precisely 19 minutes from that point the horse was changed at a suburban village where a smithy was next door to stable?, and where the musical ring of the hammers and anvil was associated with the strong odour o£ burning horse-hoofe.

Half an hour after tbe atart thence, Isabel, who had affected to Ho wearily and indifferently in the corner of the coach, perceived that the vehicle was running upon grass, on a breezy dow», over which swept a refreshing odour of the sea. "It gives me the greatest of happiness," said Sebastian, di&mounting and standing uncovered at the window of the coach, " to be able to invite and assist the signora to dismount and have some modest Refreshment.' I have perceived with satisfaction that madame has rested peacefully during the progress thus far. MiUdy will find respectful attention at the hands of the worthy person who maintains this respectable halting-place for travellers.' With an appearance of indifference, which in reality was the result of profound attention to the mental note 3 of the way which she had made, Lady Fairfax prcceeded to dismount.

Tactlully declinicg Sebastian's proffered arm, lest acceptance of it should seem tpo gracious an act in one who had ever displayed an indignant contempt for the man, Isabel lasguidly descended. Sbe at once placed berself under the guidance of a homely, but scrupulously clean old woman, wbo accosted her in Spanish of a peculiar patoip, which Isabel had never heard before.

Findicg herself alone with this' woman, Isabel's first and almost uncontrollable impulse was to throw herself at her feet and beseech her to say where she was and whither she was being taken. Fortunately she did not attempt it. In an old and dim pierglass. from the frame of which all gilding ha&

been removed by years of dusting and polishing, she caught a glimpse of Sebastian crouohirg jaat dutaide the window, listening intently. Ia silence, then, except so far as her attendance reqnired a faw werds, she refreshed herself with the aid of a plentiful supply of water, soap, and towelo. Seeming to heed none othor of her surroundings, she noticed, and mentally recorded, several names and addresses of tradesmen, grocers, and others who had presented calendars and Christmas alreanacß to their customers. Alas 1 out of seven euch ornaments in the room, no fewer than five bore the names of diff -rent towns. And tbese ranged from London (which had furmebed two) and Bristol to Plymouth, Southampton, and Glasgow. Without the unnecessary delay of one moment, Lady Fairfax calmly finished her toilet and passed Into the living room, where a savoury breaklast had been laid oat. Tired with an almost sleepless night and the conflict of a thousand emotions, Isabel Eat down mechanically at the table, without the slightest desire to" eat. Perceiving this, €he worthy hostess carefully poured out a cup of fragrant tea, and with but a word of ' sympathy induced the tired woman to<3rink It. Allowing a few minutes to pass without fuss, she next gently uncovered' a dish of beautifully-cooked trout, and placed a portion of one on the plate before her charge. TTnwillirg quite to disappoint 6uch kindness, v Isabel tasted the " food, and, to her surprise, at once acquired a zast for it. By the time Sebastian came to ask if she could now proceed on the last stage of the journey she found &he had had what was at any time for her an excellent meal. "We Bhall bave to call no more upon you Eor these exertions," said Sebastian. "We are within a single stage of our journey* end, and although it Is cot a short one, yet, as we have two horses now, and both are fresh, we shall be quite at rest within another 4.0 minutas." Lady Fsiifax entered the carriage, which drove off at a much smoother »nd more rapid rate than before.- The wheels had soon tun from grass 1 on to roeda again. A small village was passed, amid . the shoots and j cheers of some children let loose from school. Then the carriage passed under a bridge, j over which a train was thundering. There was a crunching sound of the brake being applied to the wheels at a steep decHne, and with an emotion which she could scarcely conceal Isabel heard sounds which made her heart beat violently. The bells of two churches were pealing for the ordinary morning service. One clanged away in a monotonous banging of a single bell ; the other made varying sounds with three. Isabel's ear was iafallible. She knew in an instant that all the locg, weary, tedious drive had been taken to deceive her. They liad returned to the port at which they had arrived that morniog I Ten minutes more found Isabel in a.comf oitable room, with ample attendance and all the comfort that sha could desire. Bat the strain upon her thoughts had been too great, and, murmuring the name of her husband, she sank back upon her bed uaconecions.