Chapter XXX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5733, 28 November 1896, Page 1

Chapter XXX.

A WEDDING AND A BETROTHAL. Lobieski and the young Count, after making their escape from Birtova by means of the river, had been forced to return to England by way of the Black Sea, so as to avoid the difficulty of crossing the Western frontier of the Russian Empire. They reached London, however not long after Ursula and her companion arrived. It was a happy meeting between brother and sister, when, after so many dangers and hardships, they at last came face to face, and rushed with one accord into each other's arms. If Ursula had remembered the packet which she had left for M. Lobieski at his house, she would probably have tried to regain possession of it, and save her cousin from the consequences of his treachery, warning him, at the same time, that his double-dealing had been discowered. But in her joy.-at finding her brother, the packet escaped her recollection. Rachel, of courso, handed it to her master, who used it as we have seen. Even ■it the last moment, Ursula would have refused to give evidence .against her cousin had it not been for her brother's assuring her that if Borovitchi's perfidy was concealed by her, he would send him a, challenge, and risk his own life sooner than the arch-traitor should go unpunished. Before they reached England Dr Stanford and Ursula were betrothed, and when he entreated her not to delay the marriage beyond a few weeks, she had neither the power nor the desire to refuse him. There was some discussion, however, as to the spot they should choose for their future home. Stanford did not think that the neighbourhood of London would make an ideal place of residence, either for Ursula or. for himself. He had found suburban life something more than dull; and he knew' *** ia *' ** yras °^ P r^ me iinportancetthat liis wife **' should ,:ie fu^ °? healthy interests so tbat if possible her mind might recover it_ tone-that she might forget the anxious anJ troubled scenes of the last two years, ana.' become the same bright, light-hearted girl she was before. The money difficulty, however, stood in the way ; for Stanford's practice was but a little one, and if sold would fetch very little. It was Lobieski who founda way to fulfil thoir wishes. He succeeded in finding a speculator who stood well with the Russian Government, and -persuaded him to purchase Ursula's right to tho family estates. To be sure, she received only a fraction of their value ; but, as Lobieski pointed out to her, if she attempted to claim the estates, the Russian Government, would at- once have proclaimed her an outlaw, on account of her escape from custody at Birtova, and would have declared her estates to be forfeited. . The sum which Lobieski succeeded m pulling, as it were! out of the fire was fourteen thousand pounds ; and this money Alexis and Ursula divided between them. Alexis determined to go out to Australia and learn sheep-farming, intending to buy an estate if he found the country suited him, and found a new Beritza under the shelter of the English flag. And after a good many plans had been proposed and rejected, Stanford andhis wife decided tha. they too, would go to Australia, and after some experience of the country, choose between one of the large seaports and the bush. If they preferred the latter they could join Alexis, or settle near him. If the former Stanford's profession would stand him in good stead. It need hardly be said that Ursida used part of the money to redeem Maud's jewels. Just a fortnight after these resolutions were taken, Stanford and Ursula were united. It was a very quiet wedding, the only guests being Lobieski and Maud Bickersteth, who acted as bridesmaid. Ursula's astonishment when her friend first told her that she was engaged to be married to Count Borovitchi may be imagined. With characteristic effrontery the Count had written to Maud and her father on his way to Dover, explaining that he was suddenly re-called to his own country by the Czar, on account of an important political mission which was to be entrusted to him. He did not anticipate, he said, that the marriage need be postponed on that account, but he would, telegraph on his arrival in Russia. That was the last either Mr Bickersteth or his daughter ever heard of Count Borovitchi. No doubt the dread he entertained \that the Nihilists Avould speedily revenge themselves for the treachery he had been gjuilty of, joined to the certainty that the money he had depended on could not now be obtained,' drove him away from England. Maud was awaiting news of him when Ursula amazed her by telling her the Conitt's real character and the true cause of h_«' sudden departure. For some time Mr Bickersteth refused to belie\*e Ursula's account of her cousin. It was iKtpossible that the Count should turn out bacllv, for that would be equivalent to admittaingr that Mr Bickersteth's judgment and peispveacity had been wofully at fault. At last, however, the banker was moved to make som^ enquiries, and the result was so disastrous to the old gentleman's health —in other w_rds to his self-esteem — that his doctor prescribed a prolonged tour in the South of prance and Italy, so as_ to afford him the \best means of recovering from the shack he had sustained; Maud

praise from her father for the noble way in which she had borne the terrible discovery of her lover's unworthiness. So far as the terminating of tho engagement was concerned, that was to her a welcome relief. Frank begged that he might be allowed to join the expedition as courier and attached friend ; and he pleaded his cause so urgently before Mr Bickersteth that after some hesitation the desired leave was granted. "I think, dear," said Ursula to her f riend'when she heard of this arrangement, " that most likely before you come back to England something will have happened." "Indeed, Ursula, you are quite mistaken !" cried Maud, earnestly, her colour rising as sho spoke. " Frank never really cared for me, and any little feeling I may have once indulged for him died a natural death long ago. We are good friends, certainly, as wo have always been ; but it is quite impossible that we should ever be anything more to each other. Ido hope, Ursula, you will never hint at anything of the kind again. It will pain me very much if you do." Ursula kissed her companion and promised compliance ; but when she next met her lover she ventured on a prophecy concerning Maud — a prophecy which was justified by the event; for she and her husband had been just six weeks in Australia when she received a letter from her old friend, simply announcing the fact that she was the happiest girl in the world. [The End.]