CHAPTER XI.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 279, 7 July 1888, Page 3

CHAPTER XI.

REMEMBERED TO HIL COST. A couple of summers had, gone by, and Lord Strathspey's twins were grown to be fine children, and, by degrees, the earl began to grow a little . forgetful of the terrible prediction which haunted him so persistently. He had locked away the mysterious parchment, with its subtle odour of Eastern poison, and strove with all his mind and might to forgefc the' whole matter. It was merely a hoax, played upon him by some cunning fellow, as Doctor rtenfrew said, and he tried to banish it from his 'memory. And he succeeded in a measure,

and would have been a happy man but for his wife's ill" boalth, or settled melancholy. It' seemed to' be growing into a disease, which, the old physician hai hinted, might terminate in insanity. Nothing her husband could do, and he left nothing andone, succeeded in rousing her from that still, cold, almost, lifeless despair. She was tender, affectionate, dutiful, to him and to her. children, but when he remonstrated with her, and im-. plored her to tell him the' cause of her 'settled porrow, she only answered by sobs and tears, and passionate embraces. The earl was deeply grieved, and when Doctor Renfrew again suggested travel, he at once prepared to follow his advice. Accordingly, this third summer found, them all snugly settled, first in a lovely i little Alpine village, and later in the Tyrol ; for Ladj Strathspey's old unrest had re-^ tinned, and she could not long content herself in one place. Her husband determined to gratify her to the extent of her wishes that summer ; the following winter he intended to spend in London, liib fine mansion in (.Uo&venor Square had been closed now during three successive seasons, and the earl, who was a social man, and fond of society, purposed returning to that circle which ho was so well fitted to adorn. Another chaise also wasexpectcd. Hondrick, Judith*! lover, ■>vas expected home from sea His voyage had already been prolonged boyond "all expectation, and he would Mirely arrive in rho fall or early winter, at which time the long-deferred marriage was to take place, and Judith was to receive hoi marriage dowry. Midsummer found the carl's pa-ity located, foi a few weekt*, in the Tyrol. They occupied rooms in a pleasant house, and enjoyed the fresh mountain air and simple tare with a kee* lelish. The children grew and thrived, and Lady wan cheeks even began to glow with a faint flush of returning health. Theii drives and excursions amid" the mountains seemed to constitute the invalid's chief delight. She was always eager to go in spite of fatigue or weakness, and her eyes scanned every object, every farm-house, every valley and mountain peak, with an eager, wistful look of expectation that was curious to behold. Lord Strathspey, watching her covertly, began to ponder upon the old surgeon's hints, and to acknowledge, with a pang of unutterable pain, that they were not wholly gioundless. His idolised, lovely countess surely stood upon the awiul, awful verge of insanity. '■ One lovely August morning, when the green \al eys of the Rhetian Alps looked like another Arcadia, the earl and his party (consisting of his own family, and Colonel Chudleigh of the Guards, who was godfather to the twins, and Sir Varney Drummond and his wife, Lady Cecilia Drummond, formerly Honorable Cecilia Cavendish, of Cavendish Manor, Cumberland, who had joined them at Insprnck) started for a day's excursion among the mountains. The party was an exceptional one, wholly made up of ' highly bred, highly wed, and highly fed ' aristocrats, for Lord Strathspey and his family boasted the very best blue blood, and Sir Varney was a baronet by blood inheritance, and his beautiful wife, with hei rare brunette face, and blooming cheeks, and her languishing Spanish eyes, was grand-niece to a duke ; and even the Indian officer came of a sturdy old stock, and was looking forward to the day when he should hear the Queen say to him, ' Rise up, Sir Knight,' the magic words that would constitute him a man of rank, and for ever lift him above the vulgar populace. This, exceptional party started out bright and early that- golden August morning, with carriages, and dog-cart*, and saddle-horses, and hampers of provisions, and baskets of champagne, and every imaginable convenience for enjoyment. " The colonel, of course, lode his gallant black hunter, while his wife, a dimpled, chirrupy little woman, ensconced herself on the" cushions in Lady Strathspey's carriage. The two children, and their two nurses, Judith and the womrfn who brought the young earl home, and who bore the very euphonious name of Lola Dundas, occupied an open landeau by themselves, and as Sir Varney Drummond very gallantly volunteered as escort to the countess and Mrs Colonel Chudleigh, of course Lord Strathspey could do nothing less than mount his bohnie Arab ma're'and gallop by the side of Lady Cecilia ; for her ladyship scorned a carriage, and would have nothing short of a fleet and fiery horse. And no wonder, for she sat in her saddle like another Zenobia. her green velvet habit showing off the fine proportions of her superb figure, her bewildering face all aglow with life and animation, as she drove the spur at her dainty heel into her horse's flank, and grasped her,reins with a hand that seemed to be cut out of marble and nerved with steel. The earl gave his Arab the reins and shot off at her side, down the sloping green valley, with a thrill of delicious enjoyment. He was a man of animation and spirit, passionately fond of gayety and amusement ; and glancing back at the still, almost lifeless figure of his wife reclining amid the cushions of the carriage, he heaved a sigh of discontent. The contrast between her and the glowing, glorious creature at his side was so great. Moreover, this lovely Lady Cecilia and the Earl of Strathspey were old friends. Cavendish Manor and Sevenoak Grange, the earl's Cumberland estate, were contiguous, and in his annual shooting excursions to that place, years and years before, he had formed the acquaintance of the Honorable Cecilia. Indeed, there was a rumour that he fell in love with her, after a boyish fashion, and even went so far as to commit himself by making her an offer. ' But the old earl, his father, who was then i alive, came between them with his stern |J edict, and, like a true Strathspey, the young [, man obeyed, and turning his back upon I, the duke's grand-niece, went down to [ Aukland Oaks and fell in love with blue- | eyed Lady Marguerite, and married her, with his father's consent and blessing. And he loved her truly, for in all the realm there was not a more lovable woman, and thought no more of his boyish frolic with Cecilia Cavendish than one thinks of any other madcap, youthful adventure. And on that August morning, as he galloped through the Tyrol with this charmer of his boyhood, now matured into a glorious woman, in his secret soul the pale, sad-eyed wife reclining in the carriage, the dear mother of his two children, was dearer to him than all the world and all the lovely women it contained ; and yet, glancing back and contrasting her with the glowing Hebe beside him, half unconsciously he uttered a discontented sigh, and the next instant thrilled with excited enjoyment at every leap of his Arab. " Lady Cecilia fairly scintillated in the sunlight. Her cheeks glowed, her Spanish eyes flashed, her long, ' r,aven ringlets, odorous with ' some subtle sweetness, streamed like a banner on the summer air, and her sweet, happy voice rang out full of thrilling music. And yet, observing her close, with keen, impartial ey«, there was ,pomothing in the sinuous grace of her, elesrant form, in the very movements of her,, peck and gjorious head, in the, subtle fascinations of her eyes, and the flash of her ivory, teeth, that sug-

gested a horrid idea of one of those deadly reptiles that charm and bewilder their hapless victims even while' they. ars 'waiting to inflict the, fatal blow, ' " t> , . Of course, Lord Strathspey/ not at any time over-acute in his preceptions, made no such observations as these ; he Hew along at her side, inhaling the exhilarating mountain air, and listening to he musical tongue, every nerve in his body strung 1 to keenest enjoyment. . . "'■ "<_--.< 'What a delicious* morning !' she, cried, giving the gilded spur a fresh plunge into her horse's (lank, and causing him, to bound oft like a deer. ' Oh, 1 do &o dearly love to gallop likt? this. ! And there's Sir Varney, dear, good soul ! can't be coaxed out of j a snail's paee — the only incompatibility between us. Well, well ! one cannot have perfect happiness. How gloriously you ride, my lord !' with another plunge of the spur and a fktahiiur glance ot the subtle eye&. ' 'Tis worth half one's life-time 1 to have a gallop like this ; You enjoy it, do you not ?' The earl expressed himself enraptured, and urged his Arab on at a mad pace, experiencing a comfortable feeling of gratified vanity, as most moil will when a knely woman praibes and (hitters them, no matter how lightly they may hold her. ' What a pity dear Lady Strathspey's health continues so bad !' continued the i&iren. ' Sho> really looks wretched. It must be a great grief to you, my lord.' 'It is,' replied the earl, in an unsteady voice, and with another discontented sigh, ' the one soriow, ot my lite.' n W hat can be. the cause, I wonder ?' continued Lady Cecilia, sympathetically. ' She was silch a knely, blooming girl ! 1 should think her happiness ought toaestoie her now that you have your <ujainJ What a mystery that was, Lord Strathspey !' Something in the utterance of these last few words, and in the metallic ring ol his companions's voice, struck the earl as being peculiar, and he turned sharply to see her face And the &ighfc thrilled him , wit.h amazed horror. For one brief instant it seemed the face of a demon, contorted with vile and rancorous passions ; but in the next breath she Avas smiling again, as bright and as bewildering as ever. Loid Strathspey fairly caught his breath, half believing he had been the dupe of a momentary dream. 'Come!' cried Lady Drummond, without waiting for his reply ; ' let us gallop right up this mountain path. Do you think your Arab is sufficient, my lord V The earl thought she was ; and in the excitement of the moment he forgot the strange expression that had so staitled him, and followed tho charming lady's lead tip the dangerous ascent. But years after, he remembered that fiendish face, and remembered it to his cost. Meanwhile the carriages followed in the distance, with Colonel Chudleigh riding gallantly beside the one which contained his wife and the countess. Having lost sight of the equestrians, they drew up in a lovely little valley lying between two mountain spurs, and the ladies and children got out and wandered about, admiring the scenery and gathering wild flowers. The countess strolled a short distance from her companions, leading her little daughter by the hand. She struck a sinuous little path, and following it up for a few yards, turned the corner of a pictmesque bit of thicket, and came in full view of a .small farmhouse, or shepherd's dwelling. For one moment she stood transfixed, and then her shrill bh i ikk started a thousand echoes amid the mountain peaks. The colonel reached her tirst, and caught her in his arms, for she seemed upon the point of fainting. But she motioned 'him away. ' 'Tis uofchincr,' she panted ; ' only a momentary weakness. Leave me, please, and send Judith." Judith hurried up, as white andtremulous as her lady The countess grasped her hand. ' Judith ! Judith !' she cried ; 'see there ! We have found il> at last !' ' At last, my lady !' echoed Judith. [And, oh, heavens! look yonder 1' con- j tinued the countess, as an old man came out of the cottage. ' There's the old man — the very hair, and beard, and clothing. And there to the left, J udith, there's the bald cliff upon whose summit the milch-goat suckled I my precious babe !' ' I see, my lady, 'tis all the same. I knew the spot the moment we entered the valley,' replied Judith. ' Then come," cried the countess, starting forward, her cheeks Hushed with hectic .spots, her eyes glittering, her breath coming in gasps — ' come, and let us learn the rest }' She started off in the direction of the armhouse ; out her husband, who had heard her cry in the distance, and hurried back, at this instant reached her side. ' 1 AVhat's the matter, Marguerite '!' he said, putting his arm round her. ' Whore are \ou going?' She flushed and trembled, and drew herself away from his supoort. ' 1 am going to the farm-house yonder,' she faltered. ' I would like a drink of warm milk.' • Then I will accompany you,' replied the earl, promptly. ' No, no !' she protested, with territied vehemence : ' I would rather not, Judith will go. Do you remain here with the cjjydren.' 'As you like,' replied her husband, coldly. , The countess started toiward at a rapid pace, followed by Judith. ' What is it, my lord ?' questioned Lady Drummond, approaching the earl's side. He tapped his forehead with his hand, and his voice was har&b with pain, as he replied : , ' Lady Drummond, I believe my wife is mad J'