Lady Trebor's Secret OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 222, 26 May 1877, Page 4

Lady Trebor's Secret OR THE MYSTERY OF CECIL ROSSE.

o fßv Mus. Harriet Lewis.] CHAPTER IX. THE BETItOTIUL The visit of Lord St. Leonards to Glenham Lodge was fruitless. As he drew rein before the door of the picturesque mountain-house, after a hard ride up the steep and ragged road, he was informed by a Highland gillie, in kilt and cap, that the earl had gone out upon a shooting expedition, and that he would not return until evening. Leaving his card, the marquis turned about and began his return to Castle Cliff, saying to himself: “ I shall have to remain another day, in any case, in order to see the countess, so I am not sorry to miss Glenham this morning. I dread tho interview. How am I to convince an ardent young lover that the lady he loves is an adventuress ? If his mother and 1 join forces, and attack him together, w r e shall be more likely to succeed.” He returned to Castle Cliff, where Lady Trevor anxiously awaited him. As he crossed the hall, she opened the door of the morning-room and looked out upon him. She was quick to read the expression of his face, and her own countenance fell. “ Glenham was out shooting,” remarked the old lord, cheerfully, aud passed on, ascending the stair. Lady Trevor followed him, and went on to her boudoir, where she locked the door and spent some time in meditating upon the sitnation of her affairs. In spite of the perils menacing her, her spirits rose, as did her courage. She believed that she was mistress of the situation, that she could control her enemy, and gain the accomplishment of her dearest wishes, “ Now that Lady Glenham and Lord St. Leonards conspire to bring about my marriage with the earl,” she said to herself, “ I stand an excellent chance of becoming his wife. lam quite sure, if I manage well, that I shall leave Castle Cliff, at the end of the month, ns his betrothed wife ! But how am I to keep Mr Pulford quiet ?” She bestowed much serious thought upon this question, but made no modification of the plan which she had so carefully elaborated upon the previous evening. To Mr Pulford’s surprise, Lady Trevor was in excellent spirits at luncheon, presiding at table with grace and ease, and betraying not the faintest sign of secret care or trouble. u ls that unconcern all feigned ?” he asked himself; “or does she think that my claims can be set aside ? We shall soon see.” The larger number of the gentlemen of the party had gone out shooting. Lady Trevor proposed, immediately after luncheon, that those who remained should, with the ladies, go upon a sailing excursion in the yacht. The plan met. with general approval, and half-an-honr later the ladies, in yachting costumes of blue flannel ornamented with gold braid, were escorted by Mr Pulford and another gentleman down the rocky cliff to tho sea. A boat had been sent ashore from the yacht to receive them, and they were transported to the deck of the larger vessel, which spread her sails and pat out to sea. Lord St. Leonards did not join the excursion, preferring to rest in his own room.

Mr Pulford had expected to receive the answer of Lady Trevor to his suit before evening, but she carefully avoided him while on the yacht, and if she had not done so he would not have there addressed her on the subject that occupied his mind. The wind was strong, blowing from the eastward. An hour’s run took them nearly out of sight of Castle Cliff. Then the yacht put about, but the wind was in her teeth and the remainder of the afternoon was spent in beating, approaching the shore by degrees. It was six o’clock and nearly dark when the vessel crept into her harbour. A fine rain was falling, and the air was chilly. The castle lights gleamed through the wet gloom like fire-flics. The party, wet and cold, landed on the slippery rocks and hastened up the cliff.

In the great hall of the castle, where a host of retainers had assembled in feudal times, in the great chimney-place, a pine-wood fire was blazing, its rnddy glow reflected against the dusky wainscoatiug of the walls and the polished black oak floor. The excursionists gathered around it and made merry for a little time, and then withdrew to their various rooms to dress for dinner.

Lady Trevor vanished with the guests, and Mr Pulford departed to his chamber, content to bide his time.

At dinner Lady Trevor, in a delightful toilet, was in fine spirits, as she bad been at the preceding meal. She avoided Mr Pulford throughout the evening, without seeming to do so. Lord St. Leonards dined with his granddaughter and her guests, but immediatety afterward returned to. his own apartment. Music and conversation filled the next few hours. Those gentlemen who had gone out shooting had met with fine success and rehearsed their exploits with

satisfaction. At eleven o’clock the guests retired and Lady Trevor was left alone. She stood before the hearth a few moments in the warm, well lighted room, and was then about to retire also, when Mr Pulford reappeared. His society smile still lingered on his face, but his eyes were keen and eager in their scrutiny, and there was an air of expectant triumph about him that Lady Trevor did not fail to observe.

“ I have looked forward to this hour since yesterday,” he said. “At last wc arc alone together, and I am to receive your answer to my suit. Be seated, Lady Edith.” He placed a chair for her before the hearth and she sank languidly upon its silken cushions. He leaned against the mantelpiece and contemplated her. The ruddy glow of the fire lighted up her features,_ making her look unusually handsome. Her jewels, of which she wore a profusion, gleamed and glowed and sparkled like drops of imprisoned fire. Mr Pulford smiled complacently. He waited a full minute for her to speak, and then said, quietly: “ It is scarcely necessary for me to recall to you my declarations of yesterday, Edith. I am hero to receive your answer to my demand for your hand in marriage.” “ That demand,” responded Lady Trevor, calmly, concealing her irritation at his familiarity of address, “ I need not say was a complete surprise to me, Mr Pulford. More, it was an actual shock. I had looked upon yon as the faithful friend of Sir Albert and myself, us my paid business agent, and I should as soon have dreamed of marrying my coachman—” Mr Pulford’s florid countenance flushed a sullen, angry red. “ Take care ! ” he cried, warningly. “ You will do well to remember that I am a gentleman by birth and breeding, and that I am here as your gnest, the equal of yourself and yonr other guests, and that I shall resent an insult, even if it comes from you.” Lady Trevor bowed, smiling.

“ I shall remember,” sbe replied. “ X merely wished yon to understand how completely I was surprised by yonr proposal of marriage I have considered the matter thoroughly, and have decided to be frank with you. I had planned planned another marriage for myself-—” fxo lUJ CONTINUED.]