CHAPTER XXV.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 280, 11 July 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER XXV.

A SAD BLOW FOR HERBERT ESCOMBL. It is about three weeks since the rector's discussion with Mr Broadley. The former and Herbert Escombe are seated in tteh c study at the Rectory, Escombe having- arrived the previous day, intending to pay his friend's parents a short visit on his way to his old home, and deliver the letter and sundry packages with which Astley had intrusted him. They had met in the study this morning to go into the matter of the divorce, the rector having promised to give Escombe full particulars as to what had already occurred, and what his suspicions were. Escombe, on his side, had assured the rector that he was anxious te render all the aid in hi<* power towards bringing about what they desired. He was very much in earnest-, for he firmly believed in his friend's innocence, and heartily wished to see the ban removed from him, that he might stand forth clear of all doubts. He was also very anxious to see his friend in a fair way to attaining the dearest wish of his heart. The rector has related all he h?d to say. He has just come to the point when Florence handed him the note fiom Mrs Hamilton recommending- the maid to Mis Ashford. He has hitherto spoken of Mrs Hamilton only as a widow lady at Twickenham, and has told Escombe how the name of the present Mrs Ashford had haunted Eva and how she afterwards discovered that she had recommended the maid who had given evidence on the trial. ' And now,' continued he, ' the conclusion we have all come to is that this lady is at the bottom of the whole affair, and a more atrocious one I never heard of. Ife is a most fortunate thing for us, this letter turning up. It is the very clue we wanted throughout.' ' Most fortunate,' said Escombe, who had listened to the rector attentively. %It certainly looks very black against this widow. What was her name, Dr. Berwick ?' 'I don't think I mentioned her name, but that is immaterial. It was Flora Hamilton.' ' Flora Hamilton !' exclaimed Escombe, rising from his seat. ' Good God ! I hope this is not true.' 'How? What do you mean, Mr Escombe ?' Escombe began pacing the room, his hand clutchtug his forehead, evidently in the highest state of excitement. So changed was he in a moment from the calm, gentle, attentive listener, that the rector thought his young friend was losing his reason . * What is the matter, Mr Escombe ?' he inquired. 1 But Escombe heeded not. He still continued pacing the room, >eeming to have forgotten the presence of his host, who jrazed at him wonderingly. Presently he stopped and, looking at the rector, said in a low, broken voice, 'It — cannot — be, Dr. Berwick.' The rector was puzzled. What could not be Was this young man — his son's dear friend — mad ? What should he do ? Poor fellow ! ' Sit down, Mr Escombe, you are ill I am afraid ;' l can I get you anything ?' ! No, thank you, Dr. Berwick,' said Escombe, resuming his chair. :I: I am well enough, but this is a great shock." ' Pardon me,' said the rector, ' I really do not understand.' ' Kay, sir, it is I who should ask your pardon. I had forgotten— you do not know. Oh ! Dr. Berwick, what shall I do ?' * Really I shall be much obliged to you if you will explain,' said the rector. ;I am quite at a loss to understand what is troubling you. ' 'Of course you are, sir. Foi'give my seeming rudeness. I really could not help it. You will understand when I tell you that the Flora Hamilton you have been speaking of is my sifter.' ' Your sister !' exclaimed the srood lector, astonished and shocked. 'Is it possible ?' 'I am grieved to say il> appears be a certainty. You say she lived at Twickenham. Do you know her address ?' ' Villa,' said the rectoi-. clt is true then, Doctor. But oh ' 1 trust you are mistaken about her. She cannot be the wicked woman you think her.' ' This is very painful, Mr Escombe ; I am truly sorry you should have been dealt this blow by my hand. We must leave the subject, my dear young friend.' ' Nay. justice shall be done. Astley is a brother to me. True, Flora is my sister, but if.6he has done wrong she shall be punished. Don't shut me out of your confidence — you don't know how dear your pon is to me.' ' I am glad to hear you speak so of my boy,' said the rector with moist eyes, ' but we must not discuss this subject now, it is unnatural. Yon are a good fellow, and I must tell you how sorry I am that this should have occurred.' 'Perhaps you are right,' said the young fellow, rising ; ' nay, I feel that you are, at least for the pre.=ent. But I shall do my best in Astley 's interest all the same, and though we do not speak of it more than necessary we shall still have the same interest at heaifc. ] am much £iie\erl, but ifc is better for me to know all. Of eourte you will follow up the clue yon suppose you have found — and, Doctor, my I ask a favour of you ? ' Certainly, my dear young friend, and be assured beforehand that if it is in my power it shall be granted.' 'Thank you. Ib is fchi.-,--that you will keep what I have told you a becret. Of course, tell Mrs Berwick if you think tit ; but I beg of you to withhold the fact of mv relationship with Flora from all others.' * Certainly, Escombe, and I think you are quite right.' ' I trust you will not regard me with less favour than before by reason of this, Dr. Berwick.' 'Indeed I shall not, for though I am much pained by <vhat has happened, it has shown me what A»tley has often told me in his letters—what a thorough good fellow you are. You have my warmest regard, Escombe. 5 The rector held out his hand, which the other took, and holding it, with bowed head, said, * I thank you for your kindness. Believe me, I shall always endeavour to merit it. ' Poor Escombe. This was a sad blow for him. Loving Astley as he did and bent as he wae upon doing his utmost to clear him from the foul calumny, should he prove his friend's innocence but to find his sister guilfcv? He could not believe it, although appearances were strongly against her. He would go forward with his search, however, and if she were indeed guilty it were only right she should be punished. Oh ! if he could establish the innocence of both ! He would see his bister. He would meet her as though no doubt of her

had been entertained by hinV. He might be able to find out where her maid had gone after she left Mrs Ashford. It was not likely, but possible.