HIDDEN FIRE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17886, 5 December 1929, Page 12

HIDDEN FIRE

By 'ALGERNON GISSING.

Rosanne,” “Between Two Opinions,’’ Jjc

CHAPTER XX.—(Continued.) This phrase was so delightfully , comprehensive and uncertain that it i eally satisfied Daphne for a long time. She was able to revel in the mere sense of 1 movement, and got in tune for the tenor of her story again. She was, at all events, convincing herself that she had not only claimed, hut asserted, the independence of a married woman, which was as much her right as that of a man. This view of the case fortified her considerably. But that wretched personal timidity would work its way in still, and the further the train whirled her forward the more persistent it became. From the carriage window Daphne watched the summer sun go down and the mysterious twilight creep gradually over the landscape. This brought a new thought to her. At what time would she arrive? In the middle of the night, surely. So impulsive had been her flight that this fact had never occurred to her. Now, with all the added solemnity of nightfall, it weighed upon her spirits. Daphne sank Into a state of deep depression from which even the pages of her novel were powerless to rouse her. At last she fell asleep. The traveller must have slept long and soundly, for It was the ticket collector that flrst.aroused her. With consciousness Daphne came to a sense of forlorp wretchedness. From that point there was no rest. With eyes closed, she turned a pitiful yearning to the shelter of Robert's arms. Her expedition seemed a mere freak of madness. The emotion that had driven her could not be regained. Freedom? Right? She even muttered the words aloud, but the very sound mocked her. All her craving was to bury herself from the world, to coil herself up In the warmth of a man’s breast. Of Robert’s? No, by a mere trick of .irresponsible fancy it was the figure of Geoffrey Robertson that her ardent gaze was now fixed on. Instantly she was wide awake. Daphne went to one of the big hotels near her terminus, and when once her head was upon the pillow, she slept without movement until ten o'clock the next morning. This restored her. She had recaptured her outlook. She was glad that -she had come. A good breakfast fully confirmed it.

All the shadows of the twilight had vanished, and as Daphne went forth into the heydey of the town's activity, it did not even occur to her that doubt or dejection had ever crossed her path. Here was the world of Mr Robertson and Alicia, the one, too, to which she herself ought naturally to have been born, and to which, at any rate, she would so soon be transplanted. Now, with the whole day before her at her own disposal, she began to wonder how she would pass the days then. It would he dull enough with Robert, no doubt, at his office all day and his books all night, with a possible exception now and then to go and see Alicia in some new triumph. She had no faith at all in the likelihood of her husband, with his views and ambitions, making anything like a proper use of their social opportunities. Ah, well, if he didn’t

—happily, old-fashioned restrictions and limitations were a thing of the past. Daphne would be able to look after herself. There were women's clubs, and societies, and what not, and above all, there was Lady Harvey. In this one name lay a whole world of magic. Through it Daphne already felt to be in actual contact with that realm of fashionable life for which her soul pined. She knew nothing of social cynicism and curiosity. She fancied herself growing so easily into an intimate of the benevolent Lady Harvey, helped and caressed by her in this new life, so that all difficulties would vanish.

These reflections had led her on and on towards Bayswater, merely with a view of gazing at the locality in which so much of her future development would lie. Daphne had already done this previously, when on her visit to Alicia; hut at that time not without a spice of envy. She had a footing of her own now. She needed no countenance and '.support over this frontier, .save that of Mr Robertson. Never had Daphne realised more vividly what that visit of his had done for her. Now that she came to look at it properly, was not the whole of her new and glittering prospect due to him? There could be no doubt of it. Very little casuistry showed that Mr Geoffrey Robertson han indeed been the inspiring genius behind every movement, not only of herself, but of Robert also, from which all future distinction was to spring. All at, once Daphne was startled out of her meditations by the apparition of Mr Robertson himself. As Daphne had given a parting look at Lady Harvey’s residence, the door opened, and the figure of a man came down the steps. Though he did not throw one glance around him, she recognised him in an instant. But the result frightened Daphne. Her heart leaped to her, throat, and all her frame trembled. The man’s eyes were raised from the pavement, and Daphne turned away and fled. Only two or three people were about at the time, and Daphne clung to the conviction 'that he had not seen her. She hurried blindly on, but was very soon conscious of a hasty step behind. “Mrs Gray? It is! What in the world brings you here?" She had to turn to surrender; but the explanation she gave of herself put Geoffrey’s pulse also to the gallop. But for him, however, instant ,selfcontrol was a simple matter. He put Daphne at ease almost immediately, and they walked forward in conversation. "But I am going back." , “By what train ?" “I hadn't quite settled.” “Then let me settle it for you. You can have to-day. I must return your hospitality. Go by the express tomorrow morning." Daphne needed no persuasion, and she put herself into his hands for the day’s amusements. When she got back to her hotel that night she said to herself that she had known nothing whatever of London before. As she travelled northwards on the morrow Daphne was reviewing the dream, for dream it seemed to her. She almost hoped it wire. “No, no, no," she relletced, emphatically several times. “1 dare not do that again. He is too divine." But once at home again Daphne lived on counting the days to the time of their removal.

CHAPTER XXI. It was done, and Robert stood alone in a room in Clifford’s Inn, clothed with books, henceforth to -be dignified with the title of his study. Those intervening weeks were behind him like a feverish dream. W'as this step also all a delusion and a mistake? Possibly it should have --“a done another way, and the wider

‘Secret of the North Sea,’’ "The Keys of the ILiase,”

activity he sought have been gained by extending his interests and work from the familiar centre of Barfield. But ft was too late to reopen that now, and Robert realised that any weakness in prosecuting the design that had led to such momentous action would stamp him with disgrace, not only in Alicia's eyes but in his own. Still, he admitted that he was solitary and depressed. The prospect from these novel surroundings daunted him. The competition of the whole world weighed him down. All at once he started from his uneasy meditation and took down a volume of Browning. At the same moment the door-bell rang. Daphne was out; he alone In the flat. It might be empty. What did it matter? Let them call again. Once more the button was pressed with prolonged vigour, and without another thought Gray went to the door. Alicia Johnstone stood there. Both laughed. “I meant to be the first at all events,” said she. “But I ought to tell you that I am alone." "So much the better.” And, without waiting for an invitation, Alicia stepped in. Robert had not thrown down his book, so in walking to the study, the door of which lay open, Alicia took the volume from his hand. “Fortifying yourself.” cried she gaily. “I need it.” “You evidently do," said Alicia, viewing his face closely. “ Then come along. Get your hat. Why on earth do you stay here alone?” “Rehearsing what will soon have to be familiar enough." ‘“Don't begin that, Robert Gray," she said, but, turning rather abruptly aside, added, “Come along, and I will tell you why” (to be continued.)