CHAPTER X.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1961, 31 January 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHAPTER X.

Lady Clandia, though she found herself Compelled to beat such a hasty retreat, was determined not to see her pet project for the aggrandisement of her family defeated without a straggle. She was obliged to fill the mind of her mother with horror and dismay by informing her of Lady Disney's engagement, to account for her unexpeoted return, but the Duchess was instantly bound over to ! Mflwcy. " I shall write to Mias Dering," announoed Clandia ; " the is Gidia's aunt, her adopted mother, in fact, so it is clearly her duty to interfere." ' ' My dear, you forget Miss Dering's unfortunate state of health," feebly remonstrated the Duchess. •• Would it be kind or prudent to trouble her in any way? and I doubt whether she would have strength to interfere, poor thing." Oh 1 she only wants rousing," said Claudia, annoyed at mob an unusual thing as contradiction frjom her submissive little mother. " Miss Dering suffers more montally than j physically, and it is not to be wondered at when fhe so persistently shutfl herself up in that gloomy house, visible to no one but Mrs. Canninghame and Mr. Marsden, a foolish old woman and feeble paralytic. 1 shall write at once," she oonoluded decidedly, and a letter, painting in vivid colors the disgraceful marriage Gidia was contemplating (Lady Claudia pat it " had been inveigled into by a low Italian adventurer,") and strongly appealing lor Miss Dering's aid and interference, found itl way to the Priory. The fair mistress of that stately old house had changed woefully during the last two jun. Her noble form was shrunken and emaciated by consumption, and her soft blue eye*, one* so clear, so tender, Beemed to have grown praternaturally large, and wore a painted nervous expression. Her pure delicate skin bad assumed an almost ghaitly whiteness, and the smooth shining bands of bair, which had once been her glorious crown, were thin and grey. A naturally healthy constitution had helped Miss Dering to recover from the dreadful wounds inflioted by (h* cowardly knife of the unknown robber and assassin; bat m she fought I.her way

[ slowly back to life, tho doctors shook tl-eir j heads as they spoke of the evil likely to attack the brain. For many dreary months, by night and by day, the dark cruel face of the man who so nearly caused her death, haunted the suffering woman, and even when her pnro mind at last regained its balance, every feature of her foe neomed indelibly stamped on her memory, troubling her at times like a bad dream. When the sad intelligence of Sir Ralph's violent end wa<3 gently broken to her, uhe was too listless and apathetic from the effects of her illness to feel anything very deeply, and as sho gradually realised the awfalness of the calamity, her own grief was swallowed up in a sweet 1 womanly sorrow for the yonng widow. Miss Donng fondly hoped Gidia would turn to her for consolation in this bitter trial, but though writing many affectionate, heartbroken letters, her neice expressed herself quite unable to leave the " old home of the Disney's, so endeared to her by sad, but tender memories." Tims the aunt and niece seemed likely for the present to bo entirely separated, as it was of course quite impossible for Lihas to visit the scene of the tragedy which had coot her so dearly. When Miss Dering learnt Sir Ralph's widow had taken up her residence in town at the commencument of the season, she felt not a little hurt that Gidia (who she could not imagine othorwibe than a pale faced, sad eyed woman, bearing on her features evidence of the crushing sorrow which had entered her young life) phould have gone into sooiety rather than come to the home which, once before, had sheltered her in trouble, and to the woman who had acted a mother's part towards her. But [single-minded Lilias Dering— ever ready to impute the best of motives to othersthought "perhaps the poor lonely child hai brooded too much over her loss, and Ralph's relations have persuaded her, against her own wish, to face the world," her conviction being strengthened by the knowledge that Lady Claudia Guest was residing with Lady Disney. So Lilias lived on at the Priory with no other companion than Mrs. Cnnninghame— now grown very old and feeble — and her own sad memories. Little by little she resumed her old life, and the simple villagers were once more blessed with the sight of her calm saintly face an she drove about in her low puny carriage .en errands of love and mercy. Her poor maimed hands were unable to hold the reins, the ponies missed the firm light hand to which they were accustomed, and were entrusted to the management of her steady old coachman, Benson. As Miss Dering passed, lying back wearily amongst her cushions, many a sturdy Kentish farmer hurled curses at tho villain who had wrought such a cruel change in their revered lady. Soarcely a day passed without Miss Dering paying a visit to the old rector, who was sinking rapidly to the grave, baring been laid low by A paralytic stroke on hearing of his nephew's death. She had just returned from the rectory, and was resting in the morning room, when Mrs. Cunninghamc pat into her hand a letter bearing the elaborate monogram of Lady Claudia Guest. The fashionable intrioate writing was very difficult to dioiphor, but when the meaning of the words became gradually clear to her bewildered brain, an indignant flush mounted to Miss Dering'a pale face. It was impossible this monstrous thing could be true, she thought. It seemed to her but yesterday that poor R&lph's young life had been so tragically cut short, and yet his own cousin was asking her to use ah her influence to prevent hi 3 widow from bestowing herself on another man ! Such could not possibly be the case ; there must be some terrible misunderstanding. Claudia's endeavors to impress upon Miss Dering the undesirability of the man individually, from a worldly stand point, made little or no impression, but befoie she had succeeded in reading the long lavishly underlined letter, she was sadly reproaching herself for not having joined her niece immediately on hearing she was in town. Thinking tenderly of Gidia's youth and inexperienoe, Lihas came to tho conclusion some unprincipled fortune hunter had taken advantage of her pliable nature and unprotected position, and perhaps the poor child had unconsciously allowed their names to be coupled together. " 1 will go to her ftt once," she decided. "My poor motherless Gidia must not be allowed to drift farther into danger, and it is impossible she can wish this horrible thing I " So Lilias quietly informed Mrs. Cunninghame of her intention to pay Lady Disney a visit, Bmilingly putting aside tho old lady's querulous objections. " Why, dear," she said, " it is such a short journey to town, and I am getting quite strong again now, you know. Talbot will accompany me, bo I shall be in good hand?. I hope," she added, cheerfully, " to return in a few days, bringing Gidia with me." "Ah 1 it would indeed be a pleasure to see her pretty faco at the Priory once more," said the old lady affectionately, " though the poor young thing is doubtless very diflerent to what she was." The following morning Miss Dering, acaompanied by Talbot, her maid (a faithful, attached old servant), left Culverden, and on arriving in London, drovo immediately to Belgravo Square, where, on asking for Lady Disney, she learnt Gidia was driving, but expected home every moment. Lilias determined to await her return, and was accordingly escorted to her neice's reception room by a solemn-faced footman, where she sank wearily into a chair, worn out with the unwonted exertion, and gazed listlessly around. The room bore evident signs of its late occupant. A piano, littered with music, stood open, a French novel, half cut, lay on a little plush table beßide the sofa, a faint odor of vervain (Gidia's favorite perfume) hung upon the air, and on a footstool, ne:ir where Lilias was seated, lay carelessly a blaok lace scarf. As this caught her eye, Miss Dering stooped mechanically to pick it up, and as she did so there fell from its folds a glove, unmistakably belonging to a man. Starting as if she had discovered a dangerous reptile ooiled in her niece's Bhawl, Lilias rose, almost impatiently, then, after a moment's consideration, blushed at her own unreasonableness. She resumed her seat and tried vainly to become interested in a book, but her mind was too ill at ease, and she beoame possessed with an irresistable longing to watch for Gidia's 1 return from the front windows overlooking the square. Aocordingly she crossed the room, which was divided from the front drawing-room by heavy curtains, and raising them with her thin weak hands, passed through, but had not advanced many steps when she became conscious she was no longer alone. The bright summer sunshine was carefully excluded, and the room seemed dark to Lilias, but she managed nevertheless to distinguish the outline of a male figure stretched at full length on a sofa, evidently fast asleep. Miss Dering s first instinct was to retire quietly, but suddenly the thought struck her, this man who was making himself so thoroughly at homo in her niece's house was probably the Italian of whom Lady Claudia had warned her. So Lilias determined to open her campaign at once and judge for herself what manner of man he was ; so purpoeely moving a chair rather noiselessly, she seated herself where, if he woke, his eyes must instantly fall upon her. At first his features were undistinguishable, partly on account of the subdued light, partly because his face wai buried in his arm— but as Lilian became accustomed to the semi-darkness, a strange uneasy feeling crept over her, for there was

something horribly familiar in ¥\« shape of the man's head and outline of his face. Could it bo that the fatigno and excitement of the journey was bringing back her old delusions — the old fear, the viviA remembrance of the face whioh had haunted her — and sho pressed her hand feverishly to her "brow. Lilins could bear the suspense no longer, so determined at all hazardr to rouse the slumbjrcr, and with this intention she rose and moved towards him. It would appear he wa^" almost conpeious of her approach, for he turned, drew up one of his Hhapply legi, and stretched his arms above hii hoad, and though his eyes were Rtili doped, he was evidently on the point of awakening. As he turned, Lilian Dering doubted no longer, her fears were not imaginary, and here was without doubt the wretch who had so nearly deprived her of life and reason. As she realised this, her lart;o ejefl dilated with terror, and a low pharp cry rseftping from her white lips, eff 'dually awakened her foe from his already disturbed slumbers. No soonor did his eyes fall on the tall, black robed figure than ho nttored first an exclamation of foar, then, with an oath, sprang to his feet and came towards her with fierce menacing eyes and upliftod hand. "Murderer! assassin 1 " cried Lilias, her great startled eyes gazing wildly into his : " Would yon finish your cruel, cowardly work? Bat no; you dare not touch me here; God has delivered you up at last to justice;" and nhe sprang towards the fireplace seeking tho boll rope. But as Lady Disney's house had just been refitted with electric bells, tho old-fashionod rope and tassel had disappeared, and as Lilias paused in bewilderment at their absence Rtmano had time to recover his usual assurance. " I must entreat the forgiveness of Madame, for my abrupt reception," he said with a low bow. " Knowing Lady Disney was from home, and not anticipating visitors at this hour of tho day, I ventured to indulge in a siesta. The nrrivaj of Madame awakened me from a horrible dream, whioh caused mo to spring up in such a ferocious manner. 1 fear my conduct has alarmed you ; you are feeling ill, permit me to call assistance," he said, effusively. Lilias grasped at the mantlepieco for support, as the Bhock was telling heavily on hor feeble framo. " Liar, traitor," she gasped, but her voioo was scarcely louder than a whisper. " How dare you take tho name of ray pure young neico on your vile lips ? I know not who you are, or how it is yon are hero, but I know you to be the fiend in human form who entered Disney Manor as a thief and a robber, you are the man who dealt thiß cruel blew," laying her hand on her bosom. " Look at your evil work, and deny it if you dare," and she held up her mutilated hand. '• Compose yourself, madame, I entreat you," aaid Romano soothingly, as if addressing a ohild or an imbecile, and making an effort to approach her, but Miss Dering indignantly waved him off. " Since it appears from your hasty words Lady Disney is your nieoe, your are doubtless the kind and beloved aunt, Miss Dering, of whom she so frequently speaks. Yon appear to mistake my identity, so permit me to intioduee myself as one who hopes soon to have the honor of entering your noble family. I, madamo, am Silvio Romano, tho fortunate individual who Lady Disney has made the happiest of men by accepting as her future husband." " You Gidia's husband ! " you, a midnight thief and would-be murderer of a defenceless woman, take the place of nobWJtalph Disney I " and the blue eyes flashea indignant scorn. " No, if there is a grain of truth in your insolent utterances, which I will not believe, one word from me will show my poor neico what a horrible fate I have saved her from." Here she was interrupted by Romano, whose smooth face wore an evil smile. " This is not the first time I have heard of Miss Dering's unfortunate hallucinations," ho said, with an impertinent sneer. " But I flatter myself tho reputation of Silvio Romano is not likely to be injured by the funcies of a diseased brain." "Your cowardly subterfuge will avail yon nothing," replied" Lilias, scornfully. " I could swear to your face amongst thousands, and immediately Ladj Disnoy returns I shall denounoe you, first to hor, then to the world." At thia momont they both heard tho sound of carriage wheels drawing up at the door, and rightly guessed Gidia had returned and would soon be with them. Romano, seeing the determined look on Miss Daring's white excited face, felt ho must play his last card, and moving rapidly towards her, he said in a hoarse quick whisper — " You are right — I am the unhappy wretch who in a moment of frenzy committed the crime of which you justly accuse me. But if you take vengeance on me, and I am handed over to justice, you will also deal a death blow, as Bharp as tho one which fell on your own bosom, to the neice you profess to love so fondly. Gidia, of course, has no idea who stole her diamonds, but nevertheless she must share my disgrace, for she is my wife." Lilies Dering was gazing into the eyes of tho Italian as if to read his very soul, when Gidia, looking tho picture of blooming girlhood in her peach-colored dress, with its billowy laces apd fluttering ribbons, ran into tho room. But the rose flush faded from her cheeks as her eyes fell upon the pair before her, and she Btood motionless by the doorway, looking from one to the other. Miss Dering was the first to make an effort to speak, but her voice died away in a choking sob. Then Silvio advanced to Gidia, a world of caution and entreaty in his anxious eyes, and said in a loud, constrained voice : " During your absenoe, Gidia dearest, I have made the acquaintance of your esteemed aunt, Miss Dering, and circumstances (with which I need not trouble you at prosent) have arisen, which compelled me to disclose our secret to hor. But Miss Dering finds it difficult to realise that I, poor Silvio Bomano, am the lawful husband of her beautiful niece. So, darling, you must help me to convince her, and unite with mo in obtaining her forgiveness." Though so well norved in tho art of dissimulation, Gidia's heart failed her, and she felt utterly at a loss how to act. Hor puzzled brain tried to conceive what could possibly have passed between Miss Dering and^llomano to have moved them both so strangely. Not knowing exactly what to do, she stood irresolute, with an expression on her mobile, childlike features whioh might pass for extreme timidity or an excessive shame. Miss Dering at last managed to totter to her feet, and stood supporting hergelf by tho back of a chair, whilst great beads of perspiration broke out on the Italian's forehead in his intense dread of what she was about to utter. " Oh child, child," she cried in great agitation. "Do not fear to speak the entire truth. Never mind what imprudence this evil man has entrapped you into committing. Remember, I am here to save and protect you ; I, weak as I am, have power to rid you for ever of his vile presence. Speak Gidia, but for mercy's sake do not tell mo, you, noble Ralph Disney's widow, have given this man tho right) to call you by the holy name of wife." And her voice trembled painfully as she mentioned the dead man. " Yes, Gidia, speak and tell this mad woman, who ii hurling such charming epithets on my devoted head that you, at least, love and honor me." Romano strove to speak with virtuously indignant tones as he passed his arm round his wife's waist, but his anxiety nearly strangled his words. " Tell your aunt that

yielding to my persuasions, and ray well founded fears of interfering relations, you secretly became my wife some weeks ago." Quickly taking up her cue, for she now understood the part she was expected to play, Gidia burst into tears, and, clasping Miss Denny's cold hand, sobbed out. "It is indeed true, lam Silvio's wife. . Oh, anntie darling, forgive me, forgive nti ! I was «o lonely, and he loved me, and I—"I — " But there was no need for farther acting, no occasion for the fertile brain to coin fresh lies. Gidia's first words had scarcely passed her false lips when Lilias Daring, placing her and on her heart with a moan of pain, fell at the feot of her niece's husband.