CHAPTER IV. A NEW ELEMENT IN THE CASE

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13820, 28 November 1908, Page 6

CHAPTER IV.

A NEW ELEMENT IN THE CASE

"And what have you been doiii", Hiice we parted tv\ o year.i a^o'"" asked Lad\ Dashwell. .Margaret had just arrived, ami taken oil" her things, and was alone with her hostess and the tea-table in t lie luxurious drawing-room nt Hill Street It was the hour lor confidences. "I travelled «-ome months with .Mrs. Desmond, a rich American, but we did not get on \ er\ well. I did not Higher, in lad ; *he was not «|i:ite- <|intc nice; you know what I mean. Then a distant relative died and lelt me a legacy ol a thousand pounds. It was a most unexpected windlall, and helped me to make up my mind to leave Mrs. Desmond." Margaret paused and stirred her tea musingly. "1 was tired of being a companion." she continued alter a moment. "It seemed to me too much of a lottery, and 1 longed tor a position ol greater independence. The interest oi my legacy was not enough to live upon, ot course, but I thought 1 might cultivate my painting and make a little money that way to augment my income. Ko I went to Paris to study, and Irom Paris to Italy." "Alone?" asked ] tud\ Dashwell. A slightly scandalised* tone was audible in her sharp inquiry "No, not alone.' replied Margaret. "I made friends with another English woman in Paris. She had a little money, too. so we joined lorces and went to Italy together." Margaret's head was bent, and her long lashes shaded her eyes. "I think she loved me, and I loved her. Poor Evelyn, she died at Capri two months ago. I nursed her to the end." She looked up with a change of tone. "And you. Lady Dashwell, you have proved a splendid match-maker, I bear! 1 saw the portraits of your niece and Captain j Ranger in the Lady's Pictorial. What 1 a fine-looking young tellow, and what a splendid place that is of bis in Kent." "Yes, Kitty has done very well after all," replied her ladyship, complacently. "I wanted Aubrey Tleseltiue ior her, but he's so difficult to please, and the least suspicion that I mil trying to influence him is enough to set him against a girl. I asked him once it he were waiting to* an angel from heaven, and he smiled in that dreadfully superior way be has when put out, and answered. 'No, only tor a woman with brains and a soul.' Did you ever hear of such nonsense!" It was Margaret's turn to smile. "Is it nonsense?" she said- "'I am not sure I agree with you. Lady Dashwell. In tact, I think I rather like that answer. To find a man now-a-days who wants something besides a face —!" "Oh, don't you be deluded by Aubrey's airs," ' said' Lady Dashwell with asperity. "When you are as old as 1 am you will know that the mun who makes the most insane marriage is the man who is looking tor a soul! When they are satisfied with the first pretty well-bred girl they meet at their sister s parties it is much better. 1 am sure I should be thankful to see Aubrey settle down fc^itably. He doesn't need money; ho has more than he knows what to do with of his own. I should be really grateful, in fact, to auv nice girl ot good family who could win him. I live in dread of his whims and notions, and he is such a dear fellow —so much too good to throw himself away. Although he is my nephew, I say, without misgiving, that he would make a perfect luisband. (To be continued.)